Results 5,381-5,400 of 15,342 for speaker:Helen McEntee

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Data (5 Dec 2023)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will be aware, the Central Statistics Office (CSO), as the national statistical agency, is responsible for the compilation and publication of all crime statistics. The CSO produces these statistics using data recorded on An Garda Síochána’s PULSE system and makes regular releases in relation to various crime statistics. The most recent statistics were released...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (5 Dec 2023)

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: Deportation Orders (5 Dec 2023)

Helen McEntee: The granting of Irish citizenship through naturalisation is governed by the provisions of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended. All applications for a certificate of naturalisation are processed and assessed individually in accordance with the provisions of the Act. The specific information requested by the Deputy is not currently compiled in the format required,...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legislative Measures (5 Dec 2023)

Helen McEntee: I propose to take Questions Nos. 389 and 414 to 416, inclusive, together. Last month, the Justice Committee agreed with my proposal to remove the provisions of the Bill in relation to knowledge of consent in rape from the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences & Human Trafficking) Bill 2023. The provisions in question stem from recommendations of the Law Reform Commission (LRC) in relation...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (5 Dec 2023)

Helen McEntee: I propose to take Questions Nos. 390 and 391 together. The unprecedented allocation of over €2.3 billion to An Garda Síochána for 2024 demonstrates the Government's commitment to ensuring Gardaí have provision for the equipment, technology, facilities, fleet and personnel it needs to carry out vital policing work. This includes funding for up to 900 new Gardaí and a...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: International Protection (5 Dec 2023)

Helen McEntee: I propose to take Questions Nos. 392 and 393 together. My Department is taking all necessary steps to manage the international protection process fairly, efficiently and effectively, as part of the broader Government response, while ensuring the integrity of Ireland's rules-based immigration system is maintained. The number of international protection applications last year was 13,650, a...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: International Protection (5 Dec 2023)

Helen McEntee: I propose to take Questions Nos. 394 and 395 together. My Department is taking all necessary steps to manage the international protection process fairly, efficiently and effectively, as part of the broader Government response, while ensuring the integrity of Ireland's rules-based immigration system is maintained. Both the International Protection Office (IPO) and the International Protection...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Visa Applications (5 Dec 2023)

Helen McEntee: I propose to take Questions Nos. 396 and 397 together. As the Deputy is aware, this once in a generation scheme was designed to give long-term undocumented residents the opportunity to regularise their status, access the labour market legally and begin their path to citizenship. A total of 6,548 applications were submitted in respect of 8,311 people under the scheme. As of 29...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Asylum Seekers (5 Dec 2023)

Helen McEntee: I can advise the Deputy that 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 and the Government takes those commitments very seriously. My Department is...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Deportation Orders (5 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. Where a Deportation Order is made, that person then has no legal basis to remain in the State. However, persons in receipt of a Deportation Order...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Labour Activation Measures (5 Dec 2023)

Helen McEntee: Since its introduction in June 2018, under the European Communities (Reception Conditions) Regulations 2018 (S.I. No. 230 of 2018), the labour market access permission issued by my Department, has had a very positive impact for international protection applicants and employers alike. Since January 2021 nearly 22,000 first-time applications and renewal applications have been received by...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: International Protection (5 Dec 2023)

Helen McEntee: My Department is taking all necessary steps to manage the international protection process fairly, efficiently and effectively while ensuring the integrity of Ireland's rules-based immigration system is maintained at all times. In July this year, I published a report on the international protection modernisation programme for 2023 and 2024. This programme is implementing measures to...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: International Protection (5 Dec 2023)

Helen McEntee: I propose to take Questions Nos. 402 and 403 together. My Department is taking all necessary steps to manage the international protection process fairly, efficiently and effectively, as part of the broader Government response, while ensuring the integrity of Ireland's rules-based immigration system is maintained. Both the International Protection Office (IPO) and the International Protection...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Communications (5 Dec 2023)

Helen McEntee: My Department is committed to informing and educating the public about the important work of the Department and the wider justice sector. One of the key ways it seeks to accomplish this is through the use of social media. The operation of social media accounts is kept under ongoing review. The Department of Justice operates five social media accounts on the X (formerly Twitter), LinkedIn,...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (5 Dec 2023)

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 provides...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (5 Dec 2023)

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 operational policing matters. As Minister I have no role in these independent functions and am unable to direct the Garda Commissioner regarding any investigation. Further, decisions to...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legal Aid (5 Dec 2023)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will appreciate, the Constitution obliges the State to provide an accused person with the means to obtain appropriate legal representation. The European Convention on Human Rights provides that every person charged with a criminal offence is presumed innocent and is entitled to defend themselves in person or through legal assistance of their own choosing, or if they have...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (5 Dec 2023)

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. The unprecedented allocation of over €2 billion for 2023 and a further €2.31 billion for...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (5 Dec 2023)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will be aware, by law the Garda Commissioner is responsible for operational policing matters, including the training of Garda members. As Minister, I have no direct role in these matters. I am advised by the Garda authorities that all trainee Gardaí receive training in the use of batons, handcuffs and incapacitant spray as part of the Officer and Public Safety Module in...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Residency Permits (5 Dec 2023)

Helen McEntee: The person referred to in the Deputy's query requested a review of the decision to refuse their application for a residence card under the European Communities (Free Movement of Persons) Regulations 2015, which was received by the Review Unit of the EU Treaty Rights area of my Department on 19 September 2023. While every effort is made to issue a decision on each application as soon as...