Results 5,201-5,220 of 16,285 for speaker:Helen McEntee

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: International Protection (20 Mar 2024)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will be aware, responsibility for material supports for international protection applicants are a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth. When an International Protection claim is being examined by the International Protection Office (IPO), the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) under the Department...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: International Protection (20 Mar 2024)

Helen McEntee: I propose to take Questions Nos. 842, 843, 844, 845 and 855 together. In July 2023, I published a report on the international protection modernisation programme for 2023 and 2024. This programme is implementing measures to improve efficiencies and throughput as well as improving the application, interview and decision-making process for applicants. Reforms to the international protection...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: International Protection (20 Mar 2024)

Helen McEntee: I propose to take Questions Nos. 846 to 853, inclusive, and 857 together. 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 ordinary members appointed on either a whole-time or part-time capacity. ...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: International Protection (20 Mar 2024)

Helen McEntee: I propose to take Questions Nos. 854, 858, 859 and 860 together. 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 currently consists of 6 whole-time members (including the Chairperson and 2 Deputy Chairpersons) and 57 part-time members. Members of the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: International Protection (20 Mar 2024)

Helen McEntee: I propose to take Questions Nos. 856 and 863 together. The International Protection Appeals Tribunal (IPAT) is a statutorily independent body and exercises a quasi-judicial function under the International Protection Act 2015. As part of the ongoing modernisation of the international protection process, IPAT’s operational capacity is currently being significantly expanded to meet...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: International Protection (20 Mar 2024)

Helen McEntee: I propose to take Questions Nos. 861 and 862 together. The International Protection Appeals Tribunal (IPAT) is a statutorily independent body and exercises a quasi-judicial function under the International Protection Act 2015. As part of the ongoing modernisation of the international protection process, many innovations were developed in-house and introduced by the Tribunal team over the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legislative Programme (20 Mar 2024)

Helen McEntee: The General Scheme of the Sale of Alcohol intends to modernise our existing licensing laws in line with the expectations and needs of today’s society, and to encourage the development of a modern and diverse night-time economy. The proposed legislation endeavours to strike a balance between maintaining strict controls and safeguards in relation to the sale of alcohol, while...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (20 Mar 2024)

Helen McEntee: I propose to take Questions Nos. 865 and 924 together. Community policing is at the heart of An Garda Síochána, and all Gardaí have a role to play in community policing in the course of carrying out their duties. Community policing is also fundamental to the new Garda Operating Model which is currently being rolled out across the country, and is fully commenced in ten Garda...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (20 Mar 2024)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (GSOC) is an important independent statutory body established under the Garda Síochána Act 2005. This independence is the hallmark of good oversight. I want to emphasise the vital role that GSOC plays in providing the necessary oversight of An Garda Síochána. As Minister I play no role in these...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (20 Mar 2024)

Helen McEntee: Community policing is at the heart of An Garda Síochána, and all Gardaí have a role to play in community policing in the course of carrying out their duties. Community policing is also fundamental to the new Garda Operating Model which is currently being rolled out in all 21 Divisions, and is fully commenced in ten. As the Deputy may be aware the Community Policing...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (20 Mar 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, as well as, for decisions on the deployment of personnel among the various Garda Divisions. As Minister, I have no role in these matters. I am, however, assured that Garda management keeps the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Visa Applications (20 Mar 2024)

Helen McEntee: The application from the person referred to by the Deputy was approved on 5 March 2024. The person concerned should make arrangements to register their permission with their local immigration office as soon as possible, if they have not already done so. Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to my Department by email using the Oireachtas...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Naturalisation Applications (20 Mar 2024)

Helen McEntee: I am advised by the Citizenship Division of my Department that a Naturalisation Certificate was issued to the person referred to by the Deputy on 18 February 2024. Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to my Department by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility at: IMoireachtasmail@justice.ie, which has been specifically established for...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Victim Support Services (20 Mar 2024)

Helen McEntee: I propose to take Questions Nos. 871, 872, 874, 875, 876 and 877 together. With regard to the range of information the Deputy has sought regarding the operation of the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme I can provide the following information. I have been advised that due to the need for the Law Reform Commission to prioritise its programme of work, its current focus in on completing...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Victim Support Services (20 Mar 2024)

Helen McEntee: Unfortunately, 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: An Garda Síochána (20 Mar 2024)

Helen McEntee: I propose to take Questions Nos. 880, 881, 882, 883, 884, 885 and 925 together. 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 the distribution of Garda members between the different Garda units and Divisions. As Minister, I have no role...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (20 Mar 2024)

Helen McEntee: We know a strengthened An Garda Síochána is central to building stronger, safer communities. So it is important that we retain the knowledge and expertise of experienced people where possible. In addition, increasing the mandatory retirement age reflects the reality across all sectors that people can and want to work in their chosen careers for longer. I have approved over 150...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Protected Disclosures (20 Mar 2024)

Helen McEntee: It has not been possible to provide a response at this time. I will write to the Deputy directly, when the information required is to hand.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Court Procedures (20 Mar 2024)

Helen McEntee: The thresholds regarding the value of claims handled by the Small Claims Court are set in District Court rules, and as such are a matter for the Rules Committees. As the Deputy is aware, management of the courts is the responsibility of the Courts Service, which is independent in exercising its functions under the Courts Service Act 1998 and given the separation of powers in the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Staff (20 Mar 2024)

Helen McEntee: It is not possible to provide a response at this time. I will write to the Deputy directly when complete information is to hand.