Results 4,421-4,440 of 15,389 for speaker:Helen McEntee

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (5 Mar 2024)

Helen McEntee: Ar an drochuair, níl mé in ann an t-ábhar a sholáthar laistigh den am atá ar fáil. Cuirfidh mé freagra ar aghaidh chuig na Teachta Dála i bhfoirm scríofa sna laethanta amach romhainn.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (5 Mar 2024)

Helen McEntee: At the outset I would like to assure the Deputy that I have been absolutely committed to providing An Garda Síochána with the resources need to make sure communities around Ireland are safe and feel safe. In 2024, I have provided a budget allocation of over €2.35 billion to An Garda Síochána. This is a 25% increase since 2020 and will allow for the sustained...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Visa Agreements (5 Mar 2024)

Helen McEntee: The position remains that, while there is no current plans to alter the visa regime for nationals of Colombia in the short-term, the situation is kept under review. In support of visa processing in Colombia, Ireland has recently opened a Visa Application Centre (VAC) in Bogota. I should also point out that we have also extended the multi-entry visa option for up to 5 years for all visa...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Naturalisation Applications (5 Mar 2024)

Helen McEntee: I understand the extended wait times can be frustrating for naturalisation applicants and my Department has been working hard to clear backlogs. The specific information as requested by the Deputy is not collated in the manner described. The current median processing time is 19 months. It is recognised that all applicants for citizenship would wish to have a decision on their...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Naturalisation Applications (5 Mar 2024)

Helen McEntee: I am advised by the Citizenship Division of my Department that correspondence will issue to the person referred to by the Deputy in relation to this application in the coming days. I am deeply conscious of how important the granting of naturalisation is to all of those who apply for it. I recognise that the delays in progressing times are frustrating for people and my Department has...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Visa Applications (5 Mar 2024)

Helen McEntee: The visa application referred to by the Deputy was refused by on 31 October 2022. The reasons for this decision was set out in the refusal letter sent to the applicant on 02 November 2022. An appeal of this decision was received in the Dublin Visa Office on 28 November 2022. All visa applicants are advised that the onus is on them to provide as much information in support of their...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Road Traffic Accidents (5 Mar 2024)

Helen McEntee: Road safety is a shared responsibility, and it is one which this Government takes very seriously. As the Deputy will appreciate, road safety policy falls under the remit of my colleague, the Minister for Transport. It is my understanding that Parliamentary Question No. 25 of 28 February was answered by the Minister of State at the Department of Transport. As noted in Minister...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Asylum Applications (5 Mar 2024)

Helen McEntee: The Deputy will appreciate that the establishment of a person’s identity and nationality is an important feature of our immigration processes. The Border Management Unit (BMU) and the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) are working closely with airlines on a range of measures to ensure that passengers have the appropriate travel documentation when boarding. Immigration officials...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Probate Applications (5 Mar 2024)

Helen McEntee: The sale of properties can involve a series of steps usually starting with a decision to sell, the appointment of an estate agent or auctioneer, a non-binding agreement to purchase (generally known as going “sale agreed”). This is typically followed by the investigation of title where the seller’s solicitor provides detailed evidence of title to buyer’s solicitor,...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Sentencing Policy (5 Mar 2024)

Helen McEntee: The information requested is currently being compiled and I will write to the Deputy directly once the information is to hand.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Domestic Violence (29 Feb 2024)

Helen McEntee: One of the overarching goals of the Zero Tolerance Strategy to address domestic, sexual and gender based violence (DSGBV), is ensuring that everyone who needs a refuge space will get one, and Government has committed to working with the sector to double the number of refuge spaces over the lifetime of the strategy, bringing it to 280 by the end of 2026. As the Deputy is aware, Cuan, the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Visa Applications (29 Feb 2024)

Helen McEntee: Long Stay Join Family visa and permission applications are processed in accordance with the guidelines set out in the Policy Document on Non-EEA Family Reunification which may be accessed at the following link: www.irishimmigration.ie/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Policy-do cument-on-Non-EEA-family-reunification.pdf While every effort is made to process applications as soon as possible,...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Citizenship Applications (29 Feb 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. There is no automatic right to Irish citizenship for the children of Non-EEA national parents resident...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: EU Funding (29 Feb 2024)

Helen McEntee: My Department is in receipt of two streams of European Union funding, the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) and the Digital Europe Programme (DIGITAL). All funds available have been allocated. The ESF+ is the EU's primary instrument for investing in people and supporting the European Pillar of Social Rights. The Employment, Inclusion, Skills and Training Programme, (EIST), is...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Citizenship Ceremonies (29 Feb 2024)

Helen McEntee: I understand the person cited by the Deputy will be facilitated through an Affidavit process. Officials from my Department's Citizenship Division will contact the person concerned in the coming days. Attendance at a Citizenship Ceremony remains the primary avenue for the granting of Irish citizenship. An oath of fidelity to the nation and a declaration are taken before a Presiding Officer...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Law Reform Commission (29 Feb 2024)

Helen McEntee: I am advised that the Law Reform Commission is preparing a report on A Regulatory Framework for Adult Safeguarding. The report is awaited and once published its recommendations will be considered. It is important to note that adult safeguarding is an important matter for all sectors, society as a whole, and across Government Departments and agencies. This is especially so for our most...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Work Permits (29 Feb 2024)

Helen McEntee: The person referred to by the Deputy has no valid immigration permission to remain in the State. Where a person remains resident in the State without an immigration permission, I encourage them to contact the Immigration Service Delivery (ISD) or their local immigration office and to take all appropriate steps to regularise their status. Any application submitted should explain their...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Naturalisation Applications (29 Feb 2024)

Helen McEntee: A request for further documentation was made to the person concerned on 19 February 2024. Once the Citizenship division of my Department has received and assessed these documents processing of the application can resume. 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...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Asylum Seekers (29 Feb 2024)

Helen McEntee: I can advise the Deputy that it has been the long standing practice not to comment on individual applications for international protection. This approach is determined by section 26 (1) of the International Protection Act 2015 which requires the Minister and the Tribunal and their respective officers shall take all practicable steps to ensure that the identity of applicants is kept...

Seanad: Community Safety and Investment: Motion [Private Members] (28 Feb 2024)

Helen McEntee: The motion gives me the opportunity to set out what the Government is doing to improve community safety through investment in An Garda Síochána to provide for additional recruitment, equipment and technology and the introduction of laws and changing structures. Most Senators referred to the riots before Christmas, but all of this investment and these changes are to benefit not only...