Results 5,041-5,060 of 15,389 for speaker:Helen McEntee

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Asylum Seekers (17 Jan 2024)

Helen McEntee: I understand that this is a difficult situation for our Sudanese community and their loved ones. My Department has assisted the Department of Foreign Affairs in their work to evacuate Irish citizens and their families from Sudan. Where necessary, we are continuing to work closely with the Department of Foreign Affairs on a case by case basis assisting any remaining Irish citizens who are...

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

Helen McEntee: I can advise the Deputy that the persons referred to requested that a review of the decision to refuse their applications for residence cards be carried out. The decision to refuse their application, made on 15 October 2018, was reviewed in accordance with Regulation 25 of the European Communities (Free Movement of Persons) Regulations 2015 (the "Regulations") and the provisions of Directive...

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

Helen McEntee: Outcomes of Court proceedings, including the recording of convictions and collation of related data, are under the remit of the Courts Service. Management of the courts, operational matters and logistical functions are the responsibility of the judiciary and Courts Service, which are independent in exercising their functions under the Courts Service Act 1998 and given the separation of powers...

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

Helen McEntee: I have asked An Garda Síochána to provide any information of relevance to the Deputy’s question. I will contact the Deputy once An Garda Síochána have responded to my request.

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. At present "Irish association" cases are taking in excess of 30 months to process. Any application under Section 16 that relies on Irish associations and affinity should be supported by substantive documentation that, in the Minister’s view, renders the application...

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

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner determines the distribution and stationing of Gardaí throughout the State under section 33 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended). As Minister, I play no role in the assignment of Garda members to the various units/Divisions. I am assured that Garda management keeps the distribution of resources under continual review in...

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

Helen McEntee: The role of the Psychology Service in the Irish Prison Service is to develop, deliver and manage an integrated mental health and criminogenic needs assessment and treatment service for people in custody, in line with service plans and objectives, and within established professional standards, guidelines and policy. The Irish Prison Service continually monitors staffing requirements and...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Family Reunification (17 Jan 2024)

Helen McEntee: The position in regard to applications for family reunification is set out in the Policy Document for Non-EEA Family Reunification, which is available on my Department's website. The policy document sets out the rationale for applying resource requirements as part of the overall assessment of whether to approve an application for family reunification. In general terms, the sponsor must...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Undefined (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: Asylum Seekers (17 Jan 2024)

Helen McEntee: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1094, 1095, 1096 and 1097 together. An Garda Síochána has oversight of the first registration and renewal of immigration residence permissions for non-EU/EEA/UK nationals residing outside of the Dublin area. I have no role in regard to the scheduling of these appointments. The waiting time for appointments outside of Dublin is dependent on the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legislative Measures (17 Jan 2024)

Helen McEntee: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1098, 1099, 1100 and 1101 together. The issues raised by the Deputy fall outside the scope of the Family Courts Bill 2022, which is currently being considered by the Oireachtas. The Bill has completed Second Stage in Seanad éireann. The Family Courts Bill provides for the establishment of a Family Court as divisions within the existing court...

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

Helen McEntee: I am advised by my officials in the Irish Prison Service that on 31 December 2023 there were 265 individuals serving sentences where the most serious offence recorded is robbery. This figure does not include those who are currently serving a sentence where the most serious offence is burglary. The number of prisoners serving sentences where the most serious offence record is for robbery who...

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

Helen McEntee: The Deputy will appreciate that the establishment of a person’s identity and nationality is an important feature of our immigration processes. When a person makes an application for international protection, they are photographed and have their fingerprints taken. These fingerprints are then checked against the EURODAC database, an EU-wide immigration database which stores the...

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

Helen McEntee: The State is required to examine the application of anyone who presents at the borders of the State, or is in the State, and indicates that they wish to make an application for international protection. This is in accordance with our obligations under international and EU asylum law. There is no obligation on an applicant to make an application for international protection at a designated...

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

Helen McEntee: Where a person has made an application for international protection, there is a legal requirement under the International Protection Act 2015 to maintain full confidentiality at all times. Therefore the Department is unable to publish any information that would identify an international protection applicant. If an application for international protection has been made in the State, the...

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

Helen McEntee: The Government is committed to providing An Garda Síochána with the resources it needs to ensure communities around Ireland are safe and feel safe. This is reflected in the allocation of €2.3 billion in Budget 2024 to An Garda Síochána, a 23% increase since 2020. This funding provides for 800-1000 new Garda recruits. Growing the strength of An Garda...

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

Helen McEntee: I have requested the information sought by the Deputy from the Garda authorities. Unfortunately, the information was not received in time. I will contact the Deputy directly once the information is to hand.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (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 all human resource matters and recruitment. As Minister, I have no role in these independent functions. I am however committed to ensuring An Garda Síochána have the...

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

Helen McEntee: I have requested the information sought by the Deputy from the Garda authorities. Unfortunately, the information was not received in time. I will contact the Deputy directly once the information is to hand.

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

Helen McEntee: I can assure the Deputy that An Garda Síochána is committed to protecting the health, safety and welfare of all Garda members and Garda staff. This commitment is reflected in the €6 million allocated for Garda wellbeing initiatives, additional medical costs and over 2,500 units of body armour in Budget 2024. I also want to make it clear that I am very aware of how stressful...