Results 4,921-4,940 of 15,342 for speaker:Helen McEntee

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Citizenship Applications (17 Jan 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: Prison Service (17 Jan 2024)

Helen McEntee: I am advised by the Director General of the Irish Prison Service that the performance management and development system implemented by the Irish Prison Service is the centrally agreed system for the general Civil Service. I can advise the Deputy that in 2020, the Internal Audit Unit of the Department of Justice conducted an overall assessment of the adequacy and effectiveness of internal...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Service (17 Jan 2024)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy is aware, the purpose of the Protected Disclosures Act (the “Act”) 2014, as amended by the Protected Disclosures (Amendment) Act 2022, is to afford important protections to persons making protected disclosures. A protected disclosure, as set out in section 5 of the Act, is a disclosure of information which, in the reasonable belief of a worker, tends to show one or...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Service (17 Jan 2024)

Helen McEntee: I am advised by the Director General of the Irish Prison Service that the employee referred to by the Deputy is due to retire from the Irish Prison Service shortly on ill health grounds. I am further advised that the Irish Prison Service has ensured the Officer has been offered, and has access to, all the staff support services available.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Visa Applications (17 Jan 2024)

Helen McEntee: The person referred to by the Deputy created on-line Join Family (Non EEA Nat)(Spouse) visa application on 25 November 2022. The supporting documentation was received in the Dublin Visa Office on 17 December 2022 where it awaits further examination and processing. As each application is examined under its own merits, it is not possible to give an exact time-frame for completion. However,...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (17 Jan 2024)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will be aware, in accordance with the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for carrying out, managing and controlling generally the administration and business of An Garda Síochána, including training. As Minister, I have no direct role in these matters. I am advised that the Garda College and and the Northern...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Citizenship Applications (17 Jan 2024)

Helen McEntee: I am advised by the Citizenship Division of my Department that the vetting process has now concluded for this application. A request for further documentation was made to the person concerned on 14 December 2023. Once the Citizenship area of my Department has received these documents processing of the application can resume. I understand the extended wait times can be frustrating for...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (17 Jan 2024)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is by law responsible for the distribution of Garda personnel and resources between the different Garda Divisions. As Minister, I have no role in these operational matters. I can advise the Deputy that the new Garda Operating Model reflects and addresses the challenges of modern day policing by enabling specialisation in the delivery of...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Refugee Appeals Tribunal (17 Jan 2024)

Helen McEntee: The International Protection Appeals Tribunal (IPAT) is a statutorily independent body and exercises a quasi-judicial function under the International Protection Act 2015. The Tribunal consists of a Chairperson, two Deputy Chairpersons, and such number of ordinary members appointed on either a whole-time or part-time capacity as the Minister for Justice, with the consent of the Minister...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Deportation Orders (17 Jan 2024)

Helen McEntee: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1011, 1012, 1013 and 1144 together. Deportation and removal processes are an essential part of any immigration system.In the past 10 years 10,746 Deportation Orders were issued, this includes people who made unsuccessful applications for international protection and people who entered the country illegally or who may have overstayed after a visa was issued....

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Deportation Orders (17 Jan 2024)

Helen McEntee: My Department takes all necessary steps to manage the international protection process efficiently and effectively, while ensuring the integrity of those processes is maintained at all times. The deportation and removal processes are an essential part of any immigration system. It must be acknowledged that those who do not have a legal right to remain in this country must remove...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Citizenship Applications (17 Jan 2024)

Helen McEntee: The naturalisation application from the person referred to by the Deputy continues to be processed by my Department. 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 citizenship would wish to have a decision on their application without delay. However, the nature of...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: International Protection (17 Jan 2024)

Helen McEntee: My Department takes all necessary steps to manage the international protection process efficiently and effectively, while ensuring the integrity of those processes is maintained at all times. The International Protection Office (IPO) of my Department is responsible for examining all international protection applications received. The staff of the IPO are independent by law in the exercise...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Residency Permits (17 Jan 2024)

Helen McEntee: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1017 and 1122 together. I can confirm that the application for a Stamp 4 immigration permission from the person referred to by the Deputy was approved on 21 February 2023. The Domestic Residence and Permissions Division of my Department reissued the grant letter to the applicant on 21 September 2023. The person concerned holds a Stamp 4 immigration...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Visa Applications (17 Jan 2024)

Helen McEntee: I am pleased to inform the Deputy that visa application referred to was granted on 13 December 2023 and the visa sticker issued on 15 December 2023. Entry into the State is solely at the discretion of the Immigration Officer at the port of entry. The onus is on the individuals to have all documentation relating to their reasons for entering Ireland for presentation to the Immigration...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (17 Jan 2024)

Helen McEntee: The Government is fully committed to the fight against racism, prejudice and bigotry, and strongly condemns the actions of those who abuse and attack others because of their own prejudices against a person’s religion, ethnic origins, sexual orientation or any other part of their identity as a human being. Ireland is a diverse and tolerant country, and such behaviour is not acceptable....

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Data (17 Jan 2024)

Helen McEntee: Section 3 of the Protections for Persons Reporting Child Abuse Act 1998 provides protection from civil litigation for a person who, acting reasonably and in good faith, reports or communicates that there are reasonable grounds for believing that a child is a victim of abuse or neglect or that a child's health, development or welfare is at risk. It should be specifically noted that the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Data (17 Jan 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 for operational policing. 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 Síochána and have...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (17 Jan 2024)

Helen McEntee: The Government is committed to building stronger, safer communities and a strengthened, well-resourced Garda Síochána is central to this policy. The Garda Budget is now at its highest ever level. The unprecedented allocation of over €2.3 billion to An Garda Síochána for 2024 will allow for sustained recruitment of between 800 to 1,000 new Garda recruits in 2024. ...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (17 Jan 2024)

Helen McEntee: As you will appreciate, disciplinary matters within An Garda Síochána are governed by the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended) and the Garda Síochána (Discipline) Regulations 2007, as amended by the Garda Síochána (Discipline) (Amendment) Regulations 2011, and are a matter for the Garda Commissioner. As Minister, I have no role in these independent...