Results 5,621-5,640 of 15,389 for speaker:Helen McEntee

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Service (16 Nov 2023)

Helen McEntee: I propose to take Questions Nos. 186, 187 and 188 together. The information requested by the Deputy on the number of prisoners who have been convicted of a sexual offence, by prison, gender and age, is set out in table 1 below. On 31st October, there were 598 individuals currently serving a sentence where their most serious offence was categorised as a sexual offence. The additional details...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Policies (16 Nov 2023)

Helen McEntee: Ensuring that we have a victim centred criminal justice system that supports and protects victims for the duration of their journey through it has been a priority for me since I took office as Minister for Justice. Zero Tolerance, the Government’s Third National Strategy on Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence (DSGBV), builds on the important reforms already introduced under...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Advertising (16 Nov 2023)

Helen McEntee: I believe that when a victim engages with the justice system, they should know what to expect, be confident they will be treated respectfully and sensitively, know what their legally enforceable rights are and what supports are available at every step in the process. As the Deputy is aware, my Department is running a campaign to raise awareness of the rights provided for in the Victims of...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Expenditure (16 Nov 2023)

Helen McEntee: The importance of raising awareness of domestic, sexual and gender based violence in all its forms and working at a societal level to change problematic behaviours and to encourage and empower victims to reach out for help and support, is a key objective of our Zero Tolerance Strategy. As the Deputy will be aware, in 2021 I commenced Coco’s Law or the Harassment, Harmful...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Data (16 Nov 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 (16 Nov 2023)

Helen McEntee: 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 66 per cent increase in the Garda training allowance...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Immigration Status (16 Nov 2023)

Helen McEntee: The person concerned holds a Stamp 4 immigration permission valid until 15 December 2023. A Stamp 4 immigration permission provides that the holder can reside and work in Ireland for a specified period, subject to conditions. Any period spent on a Stamp 4 permission is considered as reckonable residence when applying for citizenship by way of naturalisation. All renewals for immigration...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Immigration Status (16 Nov 2023)

Helen McEntee: The persons referred to by the Deputy both held a Stamp 4 immigration permission, which expired on 20 July 2023 and 25 July 2023 respectively. They submitted online registration renewal applications on 15 July 2023. Further documentation has been requested from the persons concerned. Upon receipt of documents in respect of both applicants, these applications will be considered further. ...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Family Reunification (16 Nov 2023)

Helen McEntee: I can advise the Deputy that the applications referred to were created on the 25 May 2023. Supporting documentation was received in the Dublin Visa Office on the 29 May 2023, where the applications await examination and processing. Long Stay Join Family visa applications are processed in accordance with the guidelines set out in the Policy Document on Non-EEA Family Reunification. This policy...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence (16 Nov 2023)

Helen McEntee: I propose to take Questions Nos. 197 and 198 together. Fear of harassment and violence should never be normalised and nobody should have to think about it as they go about their daily life. Combatting all forms of violence against women and domestic violence is a priority for this Government. This is reflected in a record 25pc increase of €12m in Budget 2024 allocations and in the...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (15 Nov 2023)

Helen McEntee: I am happy to discuss this particular case with the Deputy. Any decision to carry out a cold-case review would need to be taken by the Garda, but I am happy to discuss it with the Deputy later.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (15 Nov 2023)

Helen McEntee: I thank the Deputy for raising this issue, which I know is of importance to her. I previously outlined complications whereby we had to take on a new person to conduct the review. That person is now not finishing the review. A body of work has been done. The competition has closed now and I hope to appoint a new person to finalise the review in the coming weeks. A body of work has been...

Seanad: Domestic, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Agency Bill 2023: Second Stage (15 Nov 2023)

Helen McEntee: I am pleased to present the Domestic, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Agency Bill 2023 to the House. The programme for Government recognises that Ireland is experiencing a domestic, sexual and gender-based violence epidemic consistent with global trends. That simply must change. This Government has responded strongly and proactively with the third national strategy on domestic, sexual and...

Seanad: Domestic, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Agency Bill 2023: Second Stage (15 Nov 2023)

Helen McEntee: I thank all Senators for their contributions and for their broad support for the legislation. Most of them have alluded to the concerning figures and the facts that are very clear. To be honest, the figures that we see, even with the increase in those coming forward, are probably just the tip of the iceberg. There is a perception that we are seeing an increase in cases. However, we could...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (15 Nov 2023)

Helen McEntee: The Deputy will appreciate that under the Garda Síochána Act 2005, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the administration and business of An Garda Síochána as well as the efficient use of resources. This includes responsibility for decisions on the allocation of Garda resources across the Divisions, in light of identified operational demands. As Minister, I have no...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Service (15 Nov 2023)

Helen McEntee: Officials within my Department and the Irish Prisons Service are continuously working together to identify short, medium and longer term proposals to help manage capacity issues in our prisons as they arise. While focused on rehabilitation and reducing offending, we also need to continue to invest in our prison estate, to ensure that it is modern and fit for purpose and that it has the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Courts Staff (15 Nov 2023)

Helen McEntee: Under the provisions of the Courts Service Act 1998, management of the courts is the responsibility of the Courts Service, which is independent in exercising its functions. The Courts Service Act 1998 sets out the nature of the relationship between the Courts Service and the County Registrar. The post of County Registrar is a statutory officer appointed by the Government, with a number of...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Service (15 Nov 2023)

Helen McEntee: Further to my reply to your Parliamentary Question No. 599 of 1 March 2022, requesting the number of days educational programmes were prevented from happening due to staff shortages, please see the updated figures up to 31 August 2023 below. Full day prison school closures due to Officer Shortages in 2020, 2021, 2022 and to 31 August 2023 Prison Full Day Closures 2020...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Visa Agreements (15 Nov 2023)

Helen McEntee: The visa applications referred to by the Deputy were refused by the Visa Office in Dublin. The reasons for these decisions were set out in the refusal letters sent to the applicants on 24 January 2023. Appeals of these decisions were received on 8 March 2023. All visa applicants are advised that the onus is on them to provide as much information in support of their application as they feel is...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Wards of Court (15 Nov 2023)

Helen McEntee: The Ward of Courts system is administered through the Courts. 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 in the Constitution. The Courts Service has a dedicated email address for the...