Results 4,261-4,280 of 15,389 for speaker:Helen McEntee

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (21 Mar 2024)

Helen McEntee: Community policing is at the heart of An Garda Síochána, and all Gardaí have a role to play in community policing in the course of carrying out their duties. Community policing is also fundamental to the new Garda Operating Model which is currently being rolled out across the country, and is fully commenced in ten Garda divisions. The new model will provide more frontline...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Immigration Status (21 Mar 2024)

Helen McEntee: An application for permission to remain in the State based on parentage of an Irish Citizen Child (ICCA) was received from the person referred to by the Deputy on 07 September 2023 and continues to be examined by my Department. In order to be fair to all applicants, applications are dealt with in chronological order. My Department endeavours to process all applications as quickly as...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legislative Measures (21 Mar 2024)

Helen McEntee: Spiking is a serious offence with potentially devastating effects on victims. It is already a crime under section 12 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act 1997, which provides offence of administering a substance capable of interfering with the victim’s bodily functions. Where spiking is committed with intent to commit a further offence (such as sexual assault or theft),...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (21 Mar 2024)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will be aware, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the administration and management of An Garda Síochána, including all decisions related to the Garda Estate. As Minister, I have no role in such matters. I can, however, assure the Deputy that the Government is committed to building stronger, safer...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Dublin-Monaghan Bombings (21 Mar 2024)

Helen McEntee: On 28 December 1972, bombs exploded in three border towns, Clones, Co. Monaghan, Belturbet, Co. Cavan and Pettigo, Co. Donegal. The perpetrators of these bombings demonstrated a callous disregard for human life. Many people were injured and the bomb in Belturbet took the lives of two innocent young people. The bombings were fully investigated by An Garda Síochána at the time...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Crime Prevention (21 Mar 2024)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will be aware, I announced the Ballymun Implementation Board, with former Dublin GAA CEO John Costello as Chair, last month. As has already been announced, the Board will be hosted by Dublin City Council, and will include local representatives from the relevant agencies. A list of these agencies was published as part of the announcement of the Board on the Government website:...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Asylum Seekers (20 Mar 2024)

Helen McEntee: I propose to take Questions Nos. 795 and 966 together. I am acutely aware of the grave humanitarian crisis in Gaza and my Department is working closely with colleagues in the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to ensure a coordinated national response to this volatile and evolving situation. This includes their work to evacuate Irish citizens and their families who may require visa...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Asylum Applications (20 Mar 2024)

Helen McEntee: Family reunification as provided for in S56 of the International Protection Act 2015, allows people granted International Protection to apply for certain family members to join them in the State. IN 2023, 820 primary applicants applied for 2,330 members and at end year 932 primary applications for 2,924 family members were awaiting a decision. The average processing time for decisions...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Immigration Support Services (20 Mar 2024)

Helen McEntee: I can advise the deputy that my Department has not provided assistance, financial or otherwise to Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection to transport their personal vehicles to Ireland since the outbreak of hostilities with Russia in 2022.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: International Protection (20 Mar 2024)

Helen McEntee: I can assure the Deputy that my Department is taking all necessary steps to manage the international protection process efficiently and effectively, while ensuring the integrity of the processes is maintained at all times. Last July, I published a report on the international protection modernisation programme for 2023 and 2024. This programme involved unparalleled investment in staff,...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legislative Programme (20 Mar 2024)

Helen McEntee: The General Scheme of the Sale of Alcohol intends to modernise our existing licensing laws in line with the expectations and needs of today’s society, and to encourage the development of a modern and diverse night-time economy. The proposed legislation endeavours to strike a balance between maintaining strict controls and safeguards in relation to the sale of alcohol, while providing...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (20 Mar 2024)

Helen McEntee: My Department regularly contacts An Garda Síochána in circumstances where their assistance or advice is required. As I am sure the Deputy will appreciate, for security reasons, it is not the practice to provide details or comment on these matters.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Citizenship Applications (20 Mar 2024)

Helen McEntee: The naturalisation application from the person referred to by the Deputy continues to be processed by my Department. I understand the extended wait times can be frustrating for applicants and my Department has been working hard to clear backlogs. It is recognised that all applicants for citizenship would wish to have a decision on their application without delay. However, the nature...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Closed-Circuit Television Systems (20 Mar 2024)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will appreciate, the Local Authorities are wholly independent in their operations and functions. As Minister for Justice, I have no role in the operations of any Local Authority. Matters surrounding the use of CCTV by Local Authorities to tackle illegal dumping rest with my colleague, the Minster for Environment, Climate and Communications. I understand that the relevant...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Residency Permits (20 Mar 2024)

Helen McEntee: I can advise the Deputy that in 2023, a registration fee was charged in respect of 236,709 Irish Residence Permit (IRP) cards, generating an income of €71,012,700. The €300 registration fee is paid by all applicants unless they are: Under 18 at the time of registration A spouse, widow or widower of an Irish citizen A civil partner or surviving civil partner of an Irish...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Road Safety (20 Mar 2024)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will be aware, prosecutions are a matter for the Director of Prosecutions, who is fully independent in her functions under Section 2(5) of the Prosecution of Offences Act 1974 (as amended). As Minister I have no role in the operations, functions, governance or oversight of the Office of the DPP and I am unable to provide any information or statistics relating to the Director's...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Data (20 Mar 2024)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána. This includes all operational and investigative policing matters. As Minister, I cannot seek to direct the Commissioner in relation to such matters. I am advised by the Garda authorities that An Garda Síochána investigates all Motorbike thefts...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Visa Applications (20 Mar 2024)

Helen McEntee: I can advise the Deputy that while the current processing times for Join family visa applications may vary across the different visa decision making centres globally, that processing times are largely in line with the expected processing times published across the Immigration Service Delivery websites of 6 months for Irish citizens and 12 months for Non-EEA nationals. I am accurately...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legislative Reviews (20 Mar 2024)

Helen McEntee: Protecting and supporting victims of sexual violence is a priority for me and my Department and I am keenly aware of the devastating physical and emotional consequences such crimes have on victims. The issue of the disclosure of counselling records is a complex one. On the one hand, there is the victim’s right to personal privacy and on the other, the accused person’s right to...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Court Judgments (20 Mar 2024)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will be aware, management of the courts, including operational matters and logistical functions, are the responsibility of the judiciary and Courts Service, which are independent in exercising their functions under the Courts Service Act 1998, and given the separation of powers in the Constitution. As Minister, I have no role in these matters, it is the function of the Courts...