Results 5,021-5,040 of 15,342 for speaker:Helen McEntee

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Naturalisation 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: 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 the management and administration of An Garda Síochána, including the purchase, allocation, and effective and efficient use of Garda vehicles. As Minister, I have no role in such matters. However, to be of assistance I sought the information...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Mental Health Services (17 Jan 2024)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy is aware, the High Level Taskforce (HLTF) was established in 2021 to meet the government’s commitment to ensure that the critical mental health needs of people in prison are met, that addiction treatments are provided and that appropriate primary care supports are available on release, in order to ensure improved outcomes for the individuals concerned and for society as a...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Ports Policy (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: Immigration Policy (17 Jan 2024)

Helen McEntee: The State has a duty to protect its borders and following examination, ensure that all arriving passengers are entitled to enter the State. This is a fundamental exercise of State sovereignty, which is necessary to protect the security of the State and to prevent illegal immigration. The exercise of powers in this area is at all times subject to the law and to respect for individual rights. ...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Programme for Government (17 Jan 2024)

Helen McEntee: The Programme for Government 2020 contains a broad range of policies and proposals that represent a coherent approach to enhancing and sustaining a more just and safe society, with a specific commitment to review policy options for prison and penal reform. In respect of delivering on this commitment, the Review of Policy Options for Prison and Penal Reform 2022-2024 was published in...

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 Mountjoy Prison Museum is not open to the general public. The Governor of Mountjoy Prison regularly facilitates private visits of both large and small groups of visitors to the museum. Applications to visit the museum may be submitted in writing to Governor's Secretary, Mountjoy Prison, North Circular Road, Dublin 7, D07...

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

Helen McEntee: The person referred to by the Deputy created on-line Preclearance Join Family (UK National) visa applications on 26 September 2023. The supporting documentation and relevant fees were applied on 11 October 2023 in the Lusaka office. This visa application was received in our Dublin Visa Office on 23 October 2023. The application is currently awaiting comprehensive examination. While every...

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

Helen McEntee: It has not been possible to collate the information requested in the time allowed. I will write to the Deputy directly when the information is to hand.

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

Helen McEntee: Deportation and removal processes are an essential part of any immigration system. Those who do not have a legal right to remain in this country must remove themselves from the State. I can advise the Deputy when a notification of the intention to deport is issued under Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999, a person has three options. The first option is to leave the jurisdiction before a...

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

Helen McEntee: My Department has a focus on ensuring that persons involved in serious criminality are removed from the State. There is ongoing communication between the Department, the Irish Prison Service, the Probation Service and the Garda National Immigration Bureau and IPAS to achieve this objective. During the pandemic and despite the moratorium on removing persons without permission to be in the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Immigration Status (17 Jan 2024)

Helen McEntee: It has not been possible to collate the information requested in the time allowed. I will write to the Deputy directly when the information is to hand.

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

Helen McEntee: I can advise the Deputy that the Arrangements Unit and Voluntary Returns Unit within my Department is located within the Repatriation Division of Immigration Service Delivery, which is headed by a Principal Officer. The Arrangements Unit is responsible for the following: - Processing cases for removal under Regulation 20 (b) the EU Freedom of Movement Regulations. - Issuing Deportations...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Drug Dealing (17 Jan 2024)

Helen McEntee: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1134 and 1135 together. I can assure the Deputy that I am acutely conscious of the devastating impact that illegal drugs and drug dealing have on communities across the country. Tackling drug dealing and associated criminal activity, including by organised crime groups and by members of the public who, through their drug taking, fuel this illegal and very...

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

Helen McEntee: The application for an Extension of Student Conditions (ESTC) permission from the person referred to by the Deputy continues to be processed by my Department. To be fair to all applicants, applications are dealt with in chronological order by date received. My Department endeavours to process applications as quickly as possible. However, processing times may vary due to a number of...

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

Helen McEntee: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1137 and 1147 together. I am advised by the Citizenship Division of my Department that a Certificate of naturalisation for the person referred to by the Deputy was issued in November 2023. The Citizenship Division have informed me that they have made direct contact with the person concerned in relation to the issue raised and they should continue to engage...

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: Citizenship Applications (17 Jan 2024)

Helen McEntee: The naturalisation applications from the people 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: Immigration Status (17 Jan 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: An Garda Síochána (17 Jan 2024)

Helen McEntee: The Government is committed to building stronger, safer communities – and strengthening An Garda Síochána is at the core of that. We will continue to provide An Garda Síochána with the resources it needs to ensure communities around Ireland are safe and feel safe, including to invest in recruitment, in equipment and technology and in buildings. Budget 2024...