Results 4,521-4,540 of 14,127 for speaker:David Stanton

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Direct Provision System (17 Oct 2018)

David Stanton: As the Deputy may be aware, direct provision involves a range of State services, including accommodation, food, health and education directly provided to international protection applicants through the relevant Departments and agencies. It is a whole-of-Government support system for those seeking international protection in Ireland. However, I will assume that the Deputy is referring...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Gambling Legislation (17 Oct 2018)

David Stanton: I am happy to update the Deputy on developments to reform our legislation in the gambling sector as far as the Department of Justice and Equality is concerned. First, the Government has prepared amendments to update the current Gaming and Lotteries Act 1956. These changes will ensure the better promotion and regulation of the various gaming and lottery type activities which take place,...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Gambling Legislation (17 Oct 2018)

David Stanton: The primary objective of the modernisation of gambling legislation must be to ensure the proper licensing and regulation of the many varied forms of gambling now available in the State. A modern and effectively regulated gambling environment will ensure, to the greatest extent possible, that gambling will be an entertaining activity for the majority of those who take part in it. We will...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Gambling Legislation (17 Oct 2018)

David Stanton: I agree with the Deputy that this is a very complex area, especially with modern technology. We are pleased, however, to support the recent voluntary declaration by the Gaming Regulators European Forum which reflected concern among national authorities that video games should be appropriately licensed if they offer gambling possibilities within such games. While the declaration does not...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Direct Provision System (17 Oct 2018)

David Stanton: My Department was informed by the contractor for the centre, by letter received on 3 October 2018, that it would not be seeking to renew the contract, which expires in December. My Department and the contractor have had a number of discussions in recent days, but, unfortunately, it has not been possible to agree an extension to the contract that would comply with public procurement...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Direct Provision System (17 Oct 2018)

David Stanton: Funding was also granted to the Jesuit Refugee Service and the Peter McVerry Trust under Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund Ireland 2017 to 2019 to provide asylum seekers in transition with housing and support, the PATHS project. In addition, funding has been granted to South Dublin County Partnership for a two year housing and integration programme, a key part of which is assisting...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Direct Provision System (17 Oct 2018)

David Stanton: I have been in contact with the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government, Deputy Eoghan Murphy, on this issue. He and his people are very aware of it and also assisting where they can. There is, however, a public procurement process under way covering the area within which the premises is located. It is a matter for any contractor, including the contractor involved, to make a...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Parental Leave (17 Oct 2018)

David Stanton: As the Deputy will be aware that as part of Budget 2019, the Government announced the introduction of a new paid parental leave scheme which will commence in late 2019. This new scheme will, initially, provide for 2 weeks of paid, non-transferable leave per parent, with a view to expanding the scheme in future years. This new scheme delivers on the commitment in the Programme for...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Direct Provision Data (17 Oct 2018)

David Stanton: On the 30th of June last Minister Flanagan signed Regulations giving effect to the Recast European Communities Regulations 2013. One of the provisions of the Regulations provides for access to the workplace for applicants to the International Protection process in accordance with EU Regulations. When an international protection applicant is employed, the employer is obliged under the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: National LGBTI Strategy (17 Oct 2018)

David Stanton: The Department of Justice and Equality continues to work on the development of a National LGBTI Inclusion Strategy and I welcome funding of €200,000 in the forthcoming Budget to support its implementation. Preliminary consultation has taken place with a range of stakeholders including LGBTI representative and community bodies, mental and sexual health practitioners, and legal...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Direct Provision System (17 Oct 2018)

David Stanton: I would first of alike to express my sympathies and condolences to the friends and colleagues of the deceased. All deaths and serious incidents that occur within accommodation centres provided by the Department are referred to the Gardaí Siochana as a matter of course. As is the case with all Gardaí matters, the Reception and Integration Agency is not privy to information...

Criminal Justice (Victims of Crime) (Amendment) Bill 2018: Second Stage [Private Members] (16 Oct 2018)

David Stanton: I thank Deputy O'Callaghan for introducing the Criminal Justice (Victims of Crime) (Amendment) Bill 2018. He has raised a number of important points. The Government and the Minister for Justice and Equality share his aim of providing greater supports for victims of crime. The Government is committed to ensuring victims of crime are given the information and supports they require....

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Asylum Seeker Accommodation (16 Oct 2018)

David Stanton: My Department was informed by the contractor for the centre, by letter received on 3rd October 2018, that they will not be seeking to renew the contract which expires in December. Residents at the centre were all formally informed by personal letter delivered last Friday morning, 12th October 2018, that it had not proved possible to secure an extension of the contract to 30th June 2019...

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing) (Amendment) Bill 2018: Committee and Remaining Stages (11 Oct 2018)

David Stanton: This amendment relates to the requirement for a designated person to monitor customers with whom he or she has a business relationship. The words to be inserted make it clear that the monitoring is to be done only to the extent that it is warranted by the risk in a particular case of money laundering or terrorist financing. This is in line with the directive which mandates a risk-based...

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing) (Amendment) Bill 2018: Committee and Remaining Stages (11 Oct 2018)

David Stanton: This measure relates to customer due diligence measures for politically-exposed persons. In general these measures must be carried out before a customer opens an account. However, a bank can allow an account to be opened without first carrying out the measures as long as no transactions are carried out. This amendment extends that exception to all financial institutions in line with the...

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing) (Amendment) Bill 2018: Committee and Remaining Stages (11 Oct 2018)

David Stanton: These are technical amendments. They relate to the conditions under which a designated person can rely on a third party to carry out anti-money-laundering measures on his or her behalf. Under the current requirement the person must be satisfied that the third party will provide him or her with relevant documents or information. These amendments clarify that it is not necessary if certain...

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing) (Amendment) Bill 2018: Committee and Remaining Stages (11 Oct 2018)

David Stanton: The purpose of these amendments is to remove a requirement to report to An Garda Síochána and the Revenue Commissioners all transactions relating to what is known as a high-risk third country. Such a country is not considered to have adequate controls for money laundering purposes. This requirement is considered to be unnecessarily broad when complying with the new European...

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing) (Amendment) Bill 2018: Committee and Remaining Stages (11 Oct 2018)

David Stanton: I am not fully sure what Senator Ó Donnghaile is getting at. There is a general requirement to report any transaction that is suspicious in any event. Almost 25,000 reports were received by An Garda Síochána last year under this requirement. The Bill has an obligation to apply enhanced due diligence in respect of consumers from high-risk countries. Adequate safeguards are...

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing) (Amendment) Bill 2018: Committee and Remaining Stages (11 Oct 2018)

David Stanton: This amendment relates to the power of An Garda Síochána to direct that documents and records are kept beyond the normal five-year retention period. It inserts the safeguard that the direction must be given in writing.

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing) (Amendment) Bill 2018: Committee and Remaining Stages (11 Oct 2018)

David Stanton: This amendment is to transpose part of Article 37, namely, the second paragraph of the fourth money laundering directive. The provision requires that managers and beneficial owners and providers of gambling services are fit and proper persons. The amendment inserts five new sections. It requires that anyone who is a person directing a private members' gambling club or a beneficial owner of...