Results 5,541-5,560 of 15,389 for speaker:Helen McEntee

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Immigration Policy (28 Nov 2023)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will be aware, the Government agreed to close the Immigrant Investor Programme (IIP) to further applications from 15 February 2023. The IIP Unit has published an FAQ document concerning the closure of the programme on my Department's Immigration Services website, which will be updated with any further questions arising from the closure, and is available here:...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Airport Security (28 Nov 2023)

Helen McEntee: Matters of aviation security are agreed between the Airport Operator and An Garda Síochána. The Deputy will appreciate that for sound security reasons, it is not the policy to comment on specific arrangements in place for individual air carriers.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Alcohol Sales (28 Nov 2023)

Helen McEntee: Following extensive consultation with representative bodies in the licensed trade, businesses, public health bodies, consumers and communities, the General Scheme of the Sale of Alcohol Bill was published on 25 October 2022. The Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice conducted two pre-legislative scrutiny sessions on the draft legislation, and the Committee’s report was published on 2...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Sentencing Policy (28 Nov 2023)

Helen McEntee: The sentence for murder is a mandatory sentence of life imprisonment. I have committed to developing legislation to allow judges recommend minimum periods in prison where a life sentence has been handed down. This would allow a judge, for example, to recommend that a minimum period of 20, 25 or 30 years be served before parole may be granted. I believe that a new provision of this kind will...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Immigration Policy (28 Nov 2023)

Helen McEntee: I propose to take Questions Nos. 411 and 412 together. 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...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Employment Schemes (28 Nov 2023)

Helen McEntee: I can assure the Deputy that both I and this Government continue to be focused on reducing reoffending including by diverting people, where appropriate, from the criminal justice system and ensuring the underlying causes of offending behaviour are addressed. Part of this is giving people a second chance, an opportunity to build a crime free life, and we know gaining stable employment and...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Visa Applications (28 Nov 2023)

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: Alcohol Sales (28 Nov 2023)

Helen McEntee: Following extensive consultation with representative bodies in the licensed trade, businesses, public health bodies, consumers and communities, the General Scheme of the Sale of Alcohol Bill was published on 25 October 2022. A public consultation, including an online survey and a request for submissions, ran from November 2021 until January 2022. This consultation was focused on seeking...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Naturalisation Applications (28 Nov 2023)

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 the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Advertising (28 Nov 2023)

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 Communications (28 Nov 2023)

Helen McEntee: I am informed that neither my Department, nor any body under the aegis of my Department, has any record of facilitating in-person or remote briefings on any issue by either organisation in question from 2020 to date.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Service (28 Nov 2023)

Helen McEntee: I can advise the Deputy that the sentence management process for transfer to an Open Centre is guided by the Irish Prison Service Open Centre Policy and a person's suitability for transfer to an Open Centre is based on a number of criteria. These criteria are particularly reflective of the nature of the offence they committed, the length of sentence remaining and any risk posed to public...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Family Reunification (28 Nov 2023)

Helen McEntee: I am acutely aware of the grave humanitarian crisis in Gaza and my Department is working closely with colleagues in the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to ensure a coordinated national response to this volatile and evolving situation. This includes their work to evacuate Irish citizens and their families who may require visa assistance. My Department is in regular contact with the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (28 Nov 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 for the recruitment, training and deployment of Garda members. As Minister, I have no role in such matters. I am advised the duration of the Family Liaison Officer (FLO) course is 3 days....

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Service (28 Nov 2023)

Helen McEntee: I can advise the Deputy that the Irish Prison Service do not receive formal declarations in the format requested. I can further advise that all prisons perform committal interviews, both nursing and medical, and this process captures information relating to physical and mental disabilities, including intellectual disabilities. It should be noted that this information is self declared...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Data (28 Nov 2023)

Helen McEntee: The Probation Service does not collect the disability details of clients in the format requested by the Deputy. However, to be of assistance, I can advise the Deputy that in 2021, the Probation Service published "Moving Forward Together: Mental Health Among Persons Supervised by the Probation Service". This report is available on the Probation Service website. The key findings of this...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Citizenship Applications (28 Nov 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. Applicants are required to have 5 years reckonable residence in the State prior to making an application,...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (28 Nov 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 any decisions in relation to Garda uniforms and equipment. As Minister, I have no role in such matters. However I can confirm that members of An Garda Síochána assigned to...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Residency Permits (28 Nov 2023)

Helen McEntee: I propose to take Questions Nos. 426, 427 and 428 together. As the Deputy will be aware, the activation of the EU Temporary Protection Directive is an emergency provision designed to quickly and humanely respond to the mass displacement of Ukrainian people by Russian aggression. Ireland participates in this EU measure, which is given legal effect under section 60 of the International...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (28 Nov 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 all human resource matters and recruitment. As Minister, I have no role in such matters. I can however assure the Deputy that the Government is committed to building stronger, safer...