Results 4,321-4,340 of 17,498 for speaker:Helen McEntee

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (8 Oct 2024)

Helen McEntee: I think we all agree how important the adaptation grants are and how beneficial they are to so many people. The increase in thresholds and the changes are to make sure more people can avail of these vital supports. I cannot give the Deputy an answer on his request regarding the timelines but I can raise it directly with the Minister and ask him to get back to the Deputy about it.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (8 Oct 2024)

Helen McEntee: I fully agree. It is absolutely essential we have the appropriate number of dentists to be able to provide a vital service to people, children and adults alike. The figures I just mentioned about a 23% increase of staff overall for our health service includes 9,300 nurses and midwives, 4,000 health and social care but also 3,300 doctors and dentists, so funding has been provided to increase...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (8 Oct 2024)

Helen McEntee: I think we all agree and know that so often our small businesses, our coffee shops or cafés, are what makes Ireland a wonderful place to visit but also for people to live. You do not get in many other countries that kind of service or the kinds of cafés and shops we have. This Government is absolutely committed to supporting them and making sure not only that those businesses are...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (8 Oct 2024)

Helen McEntee: A record amount of funding is going into health, which means we are making progress in reducing the number of patients on trolleys nationwide. The Minister for Health chairs monthly meetings with senior HSE figures to drive improved performance. There has been a significant reduction in the cumulative daily 8 a.m. trolley count over the first eight months of 2024, with numbers down 11% to...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (8 Oct 2024)

Helen McEntee: We must appreciate that this Bill has had over 170 hours of debate, which is more than I have seen for any Bill during my time in this House. Deputies and Senators have had the opportunity to raise all of these matters on various Stages. The most important thing I hear from constituents, developers and those working in this sector is they need many of these amendments and this legislation...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (8 Oct 2024)

Helen McEntee: The schedule has been set for the week, but if there is agreement in the House, time could potentially be found to discuss child safety and ensure every party has an opportunity to set out its procedures to ensure it. Child safety is paramount, whether it is in a political party or another type of organisation. The safety of the troops in Lebanon is paramount. There is daily engagement...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Service (8 Oct 2024)

Helen McEntee: EU Framework Decision 2008/909/JHA on the mutual recognition of custodial sentences establishes the conditions and procedure for the transfer of a custodial sentence between EU member states. This Framework Decision has been implemented in Ireland by the Criminal Justice (Mutual Recognition of Custodial Sentences) Act 2023. I have been advised by my officials in the Irish Prison Service...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Crime Prevention (8 Oct 2024)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of Garda business under Section 26 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), which includes all operational policing matters. As Minister, I play no role in these independent functions. I would like to assure the Deputy that I, and the whole Government, are committed to the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Residency Permits (8 Oct 2024)

Helen McEntee: The table below sets out the number of immigration residence permission cards (IRP cards) issued from January to August 2024. The final figures for September 2024 are not yet available. Month Total registrations/renewals nationwide (IRP cards issued). January 26,881 February 25,386 March 23,729 ...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (8 Oct 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 operational policing matters. As Minister, I have no role in such matters. However, to be of assistance I sought the information requested by the Deputy from An Garda...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legal Aid (8 Oct 2024)

Helen McEntee: In its over forty years of operation, the Civil Legal Aid Scheme has been a significant and beneficial public service, providing legal aid and advice to people of limited means in civil disputes, including family law. However, since the Scheme was set up, Irish society has changed, and the demands on the service have grown. In June 2022, the Minister established the Civil Legal Aid Review...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Citizenship Applications (8 Oct 2024)

Helen McEntee: The naturalisation application from the person referred to by the Deputy has been received by the Citizenship division of my Department, but has not yet been registered. Citizenship Division are currently registering applications from April 2024. Once registered, a Personal ID and Citizenship application reference number will formally issue. When the applicant submitted the online...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: International Protection (8 Oct 2024)

Helen McEntee: I propose to take Questions Nos. 355, 356 and 357 together. As the Deputy will be aware, earlier this year, a Government strategy was put in place to address the presence of tents and rough sleeping in the vicinity of the International Protection Office (IPO) in Mount Street. As part of this strategy, a joint operation involving the Department of Children, Equality, Disability,...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Citizenship Applications (8 Oct 2024)

Helen McEntee: The granting of Irish citizenship through naturalisation is governed by the provisions of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended. All applications for a certificate of naturalisation are processed and assessed individually in accordance with the provisions of the Act. A determination on whether an applicant satisfies the statutory criteria for naturalisation can only be...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Court Procedures (8 Oct 2024)

Helen McEntee: I propose to take Questions Nos. 359 and 360 together. As the Deputy is aware, my Department is leading an ambitious programme of family justice reform set out in the first Family Justice Strategy, which I published in November 2022. The Strategy sets out a vision for a family justice system of the future - a system that will focus on the needs and rights of children and which will assist...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Residency Permits (8 Oct 2024)

Helen McEntee: The applicant referred to by the Deputy submitted an application for a permanent residence card with the EU Treaty Rights (EUTR) Division of my Department on 06 October 2023. While this application was being processed by my Department, the person cited by the Deputy was granted temporary permission to remain in the State up to 26 July 2024. Having contacted the EUTR division of my...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Dissident Republican Activity (8 Oct 2024)

Helen McEntee: The Deputy refers to the brutal murder of Mr Denis Donaldson in April 2006 in Glenties, County Donegal. A number of inquiries related to the death of Mr. Donaldson have been undertaken both in this jurisdiction and in Northern Ireland. Garda authorities are conducting an ongoing investigation into the killing of Mr. Donaldson and extensive enquiries have been carried out in this...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Visa Agreements (8 Oct 2024)

Helen McEntee: Stamp 3 permission may be granted in a range of scenarios where a non-EEA/Swiss/UK citizen has permission to reside in the State but is not permitted to work or engage in any business, trade or profession. Stamp 4 permits the holder to work without an employment permit, or to establish and operate a business. Stamp 4 also allows the holder to access state funds and services as determined by...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (8 Oct 2024)

Helen McEntee: Everyone deserves to be safe and feel safe in their own communities, and of course having a visible Garda presence in the community is an important part of that. Garda funding has increased by over €500m, up 27% since 2020, bringing the total budget to €2.48 billion for 2025, building on the unprecedented allocations of over €2 billion for 2023 and €2.35 billion...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Sex Offenders Notification Requirements (8 Oct 2024)

Helen McEntee: There is a robust framework of legislation in place to monitor and manage the risk posed by convicted sex offenders to the community. An offender who is subject to part 2 of the Sex Offenders Act 2001 is obliged to notify An Garda Síochána of their personal details, and of any changes to them, including their name, any other names they use, and address, for a period of time...