Results 4,441-4,460 of 15,342 for speaker:Helen McEntee

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Data Centres (27 Feb 2024)

Helen McEntee: In common with other Government Departments, my Department has in place comprehensive arrangements to support Data security. The technical team operates and monitors all relevant systems to the highest levels, and liaises closely with the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer (OGCIO) and the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) to ensure that best and up to the minute practice...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Immigration Policy (22 Feb 2024)

Helen McEntee: I agree that spouses or partners of those with intra-company transfer employment permits should be allowed to work. Otherwise, they will be just here. If they can contribute, and many of them have significant jobs and roles, they could contribute whatever it is while they are here. The Deputy is absolutely correct that it is a factor attracting people to come to a country and that we are...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Immigration Policy (22 Feb 2024)

Helen McEntee: I would expect that any changes on this will be much quicker than those in respect of any of the other aspects I referred to. The more medium-term changes will take about 18 months and they will certainly make us more attractive, even for others who come without spouses or partners, but the longer term objective involves the combining of two systems, which will take a little longer. My...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Immigration Policy (22 Feb 2024)

Helen McEntee: I propose to take Questions Nos. 11 and 26 together. I am sure we all agree that migration plays an essential and very positive role in our society and economy. It is vital to addressing labour shortages at all skill levels across the economy and has been a key driver of growth in this country. As the Deputy will be aware, and as he just mentioned, issuing visas and residence permits is...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: An Garda Síochána (22 Feb 2024)

Helen McEntee: I agree with the Deputy. There is always more we can do. One of the biggest challenges in providing training over recent years has been ensuring gardaí have the time to take up courses, either during their working time or outside of that. It is about investment in Garda members and ensuring we have the capacity and the ability for members to take time off. This is hugely important....

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: An Garda Síochána (22 Feb 2024)

Helen McEntee: I agree with both Deputies. It is absolutely vital that people at senior levels, such as sergeants, inspectors, superintendents, chief superintendents and those at the top or the higher end of the organisation, have the ability to lead and have those qualities and skills. Members often have to make split-second decisions. Obviously, this is easier for those who have the training and have...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Alcohol Sales (22 Feb 2024)

Helen McEntee: I assure the Deputy and the organisations I have mentioned, some of which he may have spoken to. Many of them have put forward the facts from their research. All that information is being taken into account. There is a perception that this is legislation to allow every bar and club in the country to stay open late and serve alcohol late. That is not what this legislation is about. In...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Alcohol Sales (22 Feb 2024)

Helen McEntee: All of the facts the Deputies have outlined occur in an environment where we have a restrictive regime, where pubs are closing every week. We have about 70 nightclubs left in the country. A couple of years ago there might have been that number in three or four counties. Alcohol is a problem for many people but we need to invest in education to change people's behaviours and attitudes....

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: An Garda Síochána (22 Feb 2024)

Helen McEntee: An Garda Síochána is committed to investing in leadership at all levels of the organisation through a clear understanding of requirements and focused development. Effective leadership enables the organisation to respond to changing demands with agility and to positively impact the culture of the organisation, obviously filtering down through it. Extensive provision is made for...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Cybersecurity Policy (22 Feb 2024)

Helen McEntee: The Government is committed to taking measures to combat and prevent fraud and cybercrime. As we know, this is a crime that is on the increase. The more technology we use, the more likely we are to be susceptible to it. The close co-operation across government on this issue, and between An Garda Síochána and the National Cyber Security Centre, is key in this regard. We are...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Cybersecurity Policy (22 Feb 2024)

Helen McEntee: As part of our budget last year for 2024, there was an unprecedented allocation of €155 million specifically for digital capital investment and IT. This was coupled with the sustained increased investment in Garda numbers. The more members we have in the technical bureaus and the more investment we have in ICT, the more we can increase our capacity and capabilities to prevent,...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Cybersecurity Policy (22 Feb 2024)

Helen McEntee: To respond to the initial question from Deputy Burke, as a workforce we are highly skilled and our members are extremely sought after because of the training they have and their ability to do this type of work. We are working very closely with Interpol and Europol. For example, one of these programmes is Operation Skein, as we call it here. This tackles criminal organisations and has led...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Alcohol Sales (22 Feb 2024)

Helen McEntee: Public health is a key consideration for me and my Department in developing this legislation. The intention of this Bill is to try to modernise our existing licensing laws to bring them in line with the expectations and needs of today and a modern society, to bring us into line with other jurisdictions, and to encourage the development of a modern and diverse night-time economy. This...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Family Law Cases (22 Feb 2024)

Helen McEntee: I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. I acknowledge he is passionate about it and wants to see reform in the area, especially when it relates to the impact relationships breaking down can have on children in families. As he will know, I have been leading a programme of family justice reform set out in the first Family Justice Strategy, which was published in November 2022. I set...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Family Law Cases (22 Feb 2024)

Helen McEntee: Specifically on the concept of parental alienation, the report clearly showed that where there is a system that does not work as effectively as it should and where the structures are not as effective as they could be, it allows the potential for abuse to continue and particular abuses to continue in respect of parental alienation, even into the courts. That is the finding from much of the...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Family Law Cases (22 Feb 2024)

Helen McEntee: I thank the Deputy. Like him, this is an issue that has come to my door as a TD for many years, since I was first elected. Families will always come who are going through a very difficult situation. With these structural changes, I hope to provide a less adversarial approach and, where it is not possible to remove that, the structures to support families to get the right outcome so that...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: International Protection (22 Feb 2024)

Helen McEntee: I agree with the Deputy's initial point. As a country, we have been and will continue to be extremely welcoming. All of us in this House should reject some of the commentary by and actions of certain individuals who want to send a different message. We need to ensure that we have a system that functions, that people get answers as quickly as possible and that those who do not have a right...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: International Protection (22 Feb 2024)

Helen McEntee: I assure the Deputy that this is on the agenda for all of the Justice and Home Affairs Council meetings that I attend. I will be at one again next week. I was at one only a couple of weeks ago. We have spent years debating and seeking to agree the new migration pact, which I am pleased to say has finally been agreed. The pact will allow an approach where we have a better, more transparent...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: An Garda Síochána (22 Feb 2024)

Helen McEntee: I assure the Deputy that I am committed to ensuring that we not just have the required number of gardaí, but that they have the resources they need to protect us and themselves in order that Ireland is a safe and secure country. In 2024, I have provided a budget allocation of €2.35 billion to An Garda Síochána, an increase of 25% since 2020. This will allow for the...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: An Garda Síochána (22 Feb 2024)

Helen McEntee: Of the 6,300 who recently applied.