Results 5,181-5,200 of 15,389 for speaker:Helen McEntee

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Visa Applications (13 Dec 2023)

Helen McEntee: I propose to take Questions Nos. 171 and 174 together. The person referred to by the Deputy created an on-line Join Family (Irish national)(de facto partner) Preclearance application on 11 October 2023. The supporting documentation and relevant fees were applied on 6 November 2023 in the Ottawa office. This visa application was received in the Dublin Visa Office on 17 November 2023. ...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Immigration Policy (13 Dec 2023)

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: Visa Applications (13 Dec 2023)

Helen McEntee: I am pleased to inform the Deputy that a letter issued, dated 01 December 2023, granting the person concerned, as an exceptional measure, an extension of their visitor permission on Stamp 3 conditions until 16 March 2024. The person concerned should make arrangements to register this permission with their local registration office as soon as possible, if they have not already done so....

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Deportation Orders (13 Dec 2023)

Helen McEntee: I can advise the Deputy that 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 themselves from the State. A person subject to a Deportation Order has no legal basis to remain in the State. Their case to remain in the State has been considered in detail and...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Reports (13 Dec 2023)

Helen McEntee: My Department's community safety policy is about people being safe and, importantly, feeling safe in their own community. I have provided funding of €7.9 million in 2024 for the creation of a new National Office for Community Safety and to roll out Local Community Safety Partnerships nationwide. The Local Community Safety Partnerships are provided for in Part 3 of the Policing,...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: An Garda Síochána (12 Dec 2023)

Helen McEntee: I fully agree with the Deputy that gardaí, and community gardaí in particular, are an integral part of the community, whether in a rural or urban setting. People feel safe and secure when they know they can pick up the telephone and contact a community garda. Engagement can take place at public meetings or by directly engaging with the garda on issues arising in the community. I...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: An Garda Síochána (12 Dec 2023)

Helen McEntee: For the most part, for the community gardaí I have met in the various Dublin stations in recent weeks and months, much of their work was and still is going into schools and engaging with younger people where they can. They are getting back into that now after the Covid period, where it was not happening in the same way. That had a detrimental impact and will continue to have a...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: An Garda Síochána (12 Dec 2023)

Helen McEntee: From the outset, I assure the Deputy that the development of a substantial new Garda station and facilities on Dublin City Council lands at the corner of the R139 and the Malahide Road at Northern Cross is considered a strategic priority for An Garda Síochána and has the full support of Government. I believe the station would be a great addition, and that is the view of An Garda...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: An Garda Síochána (12 Dec 2023)

Helen McEntee: I am not aware that any final decision to that effect has been made. However, if it is a new divisional headquarters, which is a significant development in itself, there will have to be a review of the resources within the vicinity. That would include local Garda stations. The most important thing is to get this project moving as quickly as possible. As the Deputy said, this is an area of...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: An Garda Síochána (12 Dec 2023)

Helen McEntee: I again reiterate my support for this project, and the full support of An Garda Síochána, the OPW and the wider community for this project. We are hopefully turning a corner in achieving progress and getting that across the line. I intend to have further meetings with An Garda Síochána more generally on capital projects in the new year. I hope we will have some progress...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: An Garda Síochána (12 Dec 2023)

Helen McEntee: On the overall figures, I have a breakdown for community gardaí in the DMR region 2019 in comparison to 2023. This includes DMR east, DMR north, DMR central, DMR north central, DMR south, DMR south central and DMR west. The figures were 301 in 2019. They are 276 in 2023. While that is a decrease of 25, there has also been a decrease in our overall garda numbers since the pandemic due...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Paramilitary Groups (12 Dec 2023)

Helen McEntee: I agree with the Deputy. This is an important recommendation which the Government and I will support. In my engagement with the British Government, it also supports it. It is about finding a mechanism by which everybody involved supports it fully. There are ongoing situations in Northern Ireland - there is no functioning Executive and there are a number of parties there. It is about...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Paramilitary Groups (12 Dec 2023)

Helen McEntee: I agree. I have met the members of the Independent Reporting Commission several times. They have all been appointed for their own reasons and their experience. The way in which they have engaged with and in the community has been positive. They gained the trust of a lot of people, have been engaged and worked in a proactive and positive manner. Any of the recommendations, whether this or...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Work Permits (12 Dec 2023)

Helen McEntee: What we have seen in recent months and years is a significant increase in the number of people applying for work visas or for reunification, and in the number of people applying for international protection. The number of Ukrainian people who are seeking assistance here has also continued to grow over the past number of years. That obviously puts pressure on a system. We try to make sure...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Paramilitary Groups (12 Dec 2023)

Helen McEntee: I thank the Deputy for this question. As he will be aware, as I am sure other colleagues are, the Independent Reporting Commission is the body established under the Fresh Start Agreement of 2015 to report on measures aimed at ending paramilitarism. The commission submitted its first report to the UK and Irish Governments back in 2018, and the sixth and most recent report on 5 December....

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: An Garda Síochána (12 Dec 2023)

Helen McEntee: More broadly, An Garda Síochána is moving to a digital structure, which did not exist previously. I acknowledge there has been a huge amount of change in a short time. The new computer-aided dispatch, CAD, system, GardaSAFE, is operational across all regions and is a new departure in the way gardaí respond to calls in which information has been taken and stored. This move is...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: An Garda Síochána (12 Dec 2023)

Helen McEntee: In relation to body-worn cameras, the legislation was signed by the President on 5 December and the Garda will be rolling out proof of concept in three areas of the country. That will be followed by a pilot later in the year where we will then have the tender process. Technology is important for gardaí to protect themselves, record scenes accurately and, when at the scene of a crime,...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Work Permits (12 Dec 2023)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will be aware, when the Departments are issuing visas and residence permits, it is not just the responsibility of my Department but also of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment. Both Departments work closely together to ensure that labour market migration arrangements are fair, efficient and responsive to the needs of our society and, more generally, our economy....

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: An Garda Síochána (12 Dec 2023)

Helen McEntee: Over the last four budgets I have been focused on consistently ramping up and providing funding when it comes to equipment, uniform, vehicles and new types of technology for An Garda Síochána. I want to continue to ramp up that support so they can do even more. The budget for next year is €2.3 billion, an increase of 23% since 2020. This further allows for: the roll out of...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: An Garda Síochána (12 Dec 2023)

Helen McEntee: This is a challenge for new recruits when they come out. They only find out where they are going relatively close to when they finish. It is for that very reason the Commissioner needs to be agile and needs to be able to respond to issues in certain areas as they emerge. Where resources are required, that is where people are directed to. As I said, even the most recent class in Templemore...