Results 4,481-4,500 of 15,389 for speaker:Helen McEntee

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Domestic Violence (27 Feb 2024)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy is aware, earlier this year the Government established Cuan, a new statutory agency with a dedicated focus on Domestic Sexual and Gender-Based Violence. The agency has a specific mandate to drive the implementation of the Zero Tolerance: Third National Strategy on Domestic, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence across Government, bringing the expertise and focus required to...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: EU Funding (27 Feb 2024)

Helen McEntee: I have contacted the Garda authorities for the information requested by the Deputy. Regrettably, this information was not available in time and I will write to the Deputy directly when it is to hand.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (27 Feb 2024)

Helen McEntee: The unprecedented allocation of over €2.35 billion for 2024 to An Garda Síochána demonstrates the Government's commitment to ensuring An Garda Síochána has provision for the equipment, technology, facilities, fleet and personnel it needs to carry out its vital policing work. This funding allows for the continued recruitment of Garda members and staff. As the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Ukraine War (27 Feb 2024)

Helen McEntee: I can advise the Deputy that Temporary Protection in Ireland applies to the following groups of people who have had to flee Ukraine due to the invasion by Russia: Ukrainian nationals who were residing in Ukraine before 24 February 2022; Nationals of a third country (other than Ukraine) or a stateless person who would have benefited from international protection (for example: Refugee status)...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Service (27 Feb 2024)

Helen McEntee: I am advised by the Irish Prison Service that statistics are not compiled or maintained in the manner requested by the Deputy. To provide this information would require a manual examination of a considerable amount of records, such an examination would require a disproportionate and inordinate amount of staff time and resources which I regret could not be justified.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (27 Feb 2024)

Helen McEntee: The unprecedented allocation of over €2.35 billion for 2024 demonstrates the Government's commitment to ensuring An Garda Síochána has provision for the equipment, technology, facilities, fleet and personnel it needs to carry out vital policing work. As the Deputy will be aware, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Victim Support Services (27 Feb 2024)

Helen McEntee: I have been informed that, in January 2010, the then Minister for Health and Children appointed the Hon. TC Smyth, SC, retired Judge of the High Court, to carry out an independent non-statutory review into the procedures and practices operating at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital Drogheda during the period 1964 to 1995 to protect patients from sexual abuse while undergoing treatment or care at...

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...