Results 5,641-5,660 of 46,260 for speaker:Simon Harris

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (18 Apr 2023)

Simon Harris: I have sought the information requested by the Deputy from An Garda Síochána, and will contact him when this is to hand.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (18 Apr 2023)

Simon Harris: I have contacted An Garda Síochána for the information requested by the Deputy, regretfully this information was not available in time. I will write to the Deputy once the information is to hand.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Immigration Policy (18 Apr 2023)

Simon Harris: The Border Management Unit (BMU) of my Department has responsibility for frontline immigration duties at Dublin Airport only. Other ports of entry are the responsibility of the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB). 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...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Immigration Status (18 Apr 2023)

Simon Harris: I am advised by the Immigration Service Delivery function of my Department that the person concerned has made an application under the Regularisation Scheme. That application is being examined at present to see if it meets the Regularisation Scheme’s qualifying criteria. Once that examination has been completed the person concerned will be notified of the outcome of their application....

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Family Law Cases (18 Apr 2023)

Simon Harris: The Government is determined to overhaul the operation of the Family Justice System, to ensure that we have a more efficient and user-friendly family court process that puts the family at the centre of its work. As the Deputy is aware, on the 16th of November 2022, then Minister for Justice Helen McEntee published the first National Family Justice Strategy. The Strategy sets out the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Drug Dealing (18 Apr 2023)

Simon Harris: At the outset I would like to assure the Deputy that tackling drug dealing and associated criminal activity, including by organised crime groups, is a top priority for An Garda Síochána and this Government. An Garda Síochána continues to target those involved in the sale and supply of illegal drugs through Operation Tara, which has a strong focus on tackling...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Data (18 Apr 2023)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1046 and 1047 together. In relation to the specific information sought by the Deputy, it is important to state that criminal investigations are carried out by An Garda Síochána, who then submit a report to the DPP. The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) is the agency responsible for the prosecution of crime in Ireland and it is for the DPP to...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Courts Service (18 Apr 2023)

Simon Harris: It is a priority for my Department to ensure that the courts are resourced to administer justice efficiently and effectively for citizens in their access to justice. The Government endeavours to fill judicial vacancies at the earliest opportunity, and a number of such vacancies have been filled recently. The number of positions to be filled in each jurisdiction is provided in the table below....

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Service (18 Apr 2023)

Simon Harris: I am advised by my officials in the Irish Prison Service that there are currently 113 prisoners in custody, serving a sentence or awaiting trial, who are associated with known organised criminal gangs. There is an additional 70-80 prisoners who are associates of these prisoners, but who are not known to be officially aligned to organised gangs, and others who are part of...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Service (18 Apr 2023)

Simon Harris: The stated mission of the Irish Prison Service is to provide safe, secure and humane custody for people who are sent to prison. The Irish Prison Service is committed to managing custodial sentences in a way which encourages and supports prisoners to embrace change and work towards living law-abiding and purposeful lives on release. The pernicious nature of the problems caused by the presence...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Service (18 Apr 2023)

Simon Harris: I am advised by my officials in the Irish Prison Service the total number of people who have absconded from custody since 2014 is 79, of which 7 are currently at large. Year Number of Absconders Number Still at Large 2023 1 0 2022 2 2 2021 14 0 2020 10 ...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (18 Apr 2023)

Simon Harris: 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 such matters. As the Deputy will be aware, the 2023 allocation for An Garda Síochána provides funding of over...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (18 Apr 2023)

Simon Harris: As the Deputy will be aware, by law the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the administration of An Garda Síochána, including the distribution of Garda members between the various Garda Divisions. I have no role in these operational matters. I am assured that Garda management keeps the distribution of resources under continual review in the context of policing priorities and...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Crime Prevention (18 Apr 2023)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1056 and 1057 together. I am informed by the Garda authorities that An Garda Síochána is very clear on its position in relation to racist abuse or other types of hate crimes. They will not be tolerated. Garda policy states: “Reports of hate crimes or hate incidents will be recorded and investigated as appropriate, where it is perceived that...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Private Security Authority (18 Apr 2023)

Simon Harris: The Private Security Services (Amendment) Act 2021 brings the regulation and licensing of security personnel assisting those enforcing court orders for evictions and repossessions within the remit of the Private Security Authority. The Act was signed into law by the President on 12 July 2021. The main provision of the Act is the insertion of an additional category and a definition of...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Immigration Status (18 Apr 2023)

Simon Harris: The Government is committed to combatting all forms of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence and to supporting all those who are victims of these terrible crimes. It is important that anyone who has been the victim of domestic violence, or who may be fear for their safety, reaches out for help regardless of their immigration status. In all such cases, victims will be treated humanely and...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Citizenship Applications (18 Apr 2023)

Simon Harris: The Citizenship Division of my Department can confirm that the statutory declaration and police certificate in relation to the application for naturalisation referred to by the Deputy has been received. The Division have also advised that if further documentation and/or clarification of any matter related to the application is required, they will contact the applicant directly. The...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Child Abuse (18 Apr 2023)

Simon Harris: I refer the Deputy to my response to Parliamentary Question number 677 of 21 June 2022 where the Deputy was advised that this matter was fully investigated by An Garda Síochána, and that the Director of Public Prosecutions directed no prosecution. 

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: International Protection (18 Apr 2023)

Simon Harris: The International Protection Office (IPO) of my Department is responsible for examining all international protection applications received. IPO staff are independent by law in the exercise of their international protection functions. Those who wish to apply for international protection can attend the IPO without an appointment during the hours of 9.00 a.m. to 2.30p.m, Monday to Friday....

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (18 Apr 2023)

Simon Harris: I have sought the information requested by the Deputy from An Garda Síochána, and will contact him when this is to hand.