Results 5,761-5,780 of 15,389 for speaker:Helen McEntee

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Citizenship Applications (7 Nov 2023)

Helen McEntee: Further to my answer to PQ 403 of 24 October 2023, I can clarify the applicant applied for naturalisation on 17 August 2022 and not 2023. The position remains unchanged in that the naturalisation application from the person referred to by the Deputy continues to be processed by my Department. Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to my...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Advertising (7 Nov 2023)

Helen McEntee: Unfortunately it has not been possible to collate the requested information in the time requested. I will revert to the Deputy when the information is available.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Immigration Status (7 Nov 2023)

Helen McEntee: The naturalisation application from the person referred to by the Deputy has been approved. An approval letter has issued to the parent of the applicant. Once the required documents are received, their certificate of naturalisation will issue in the weeks following. My Department is taking a number of steps to speed up the processing of applications and a number of digitisation...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Naturalisation Applications (7 Nov 2023)

Helen McEntee: The naturalisation application from the person referred to by the Deputy continues to be processed by my Department. I am advised that this application is based on "Irish association" and at present these cases are taking in excess of 30 months to process. I understand the extended wait times can be frustrating for applicants and my Department has been working hard to clear backlogs....

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legal Aid (7 Nov 2023)

Helen McEntee: By way of background, Criminal Legal Aid is a vital element of the criminal justice system and the Criminal Justice (Legal Aid) Act 1962 gives expression to the Constitutional position that legal aid must be granted, in certain circumstances, for the defence of persons of insufficient means in criminal proceedings. Under the 1962 Act, the courts, through the judiciary, are responsible for the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (7 Nov 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 €2.3 billion for...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (7 Nov 2023)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána. This includes all internal HR Garda matters and the recruitment and retention of Garda members. As Minister, I have no role in this matter. The following table, provided to me by the Garda authorities, outlines the number of Gardaí who availed of early...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (7 Nov 2023)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána. This includes all internal HR Garda matters and the recruitment and retention of Garda members. As Minister, I have no role in this matter. The below table, provided to me by the Garda authorities, outlines the number of Gardaí who have left the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (7 Nov 2023)

Helen McEntee: We are all immensely grateful to members of our police service for their outstanding dedication and commitment to serving the public and for the important role that they play in our society. For the most part, the relationship between Gardaí and the public is one built on very significant trust. We only have to look to the fact that An Garda Síochána is a largely unarmed, and...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Victim Support Services (7 Nov 2023)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will be aware, under the Constitution and the law, the Courts are independent in their functions, and the conduct of any court case is a matter for the presiding judge. I can advise the Deputy that Section 13 of the Criminal Evidence Act 1992 provides that victims of rape or sexual abuse may give evidence through video link with the leave of the court. There are no legal...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (7 Nov 2023)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána. This includes all internal Garda HR matters. As Minister, I have no role in this. I have been advised by An Garda Síochána that stress leave is not a category of leave utilised in AGS. There is a sub-category on the Sickness Absence Management...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (7 Nov 2023)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will be aware, by law the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management of An Garda Síochána, including all matters relating to discipline and human resources. As Minister I have no role in these matters, nor can I comment on individual cases. I am advised by the Garda authorities that there are 24 ongoing investigations in line with the ‘Working...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: International Protection (7 Nov 2023)

Helen McEntee: The responsibility for the Irish Refugee Protection Programme (IRPP) transferred from my Department to the Department of Children, Disability, Equality, Integration and Youth on 14 October 2020. Family reunification as provided for in the International Protection Act 2015, gives certain family members of the applicant (the sponsor) an immigration permission allowing them to enter, remain...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Official Engagements (7 Nov 2023)

Helen McEntee: My Department is keenly aware of the grave humanitarian crisis in Gaza and my officials are working closely with colleagues in the Department of Foreign Affairs to ensure a coordinated national response to this volatile and evolving situation. This includes working to assist in the evacuation of Irish citizens and their families who may require visa assistance. The Deputy will appreciate...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Official Engagements (7 Nov 2023)

Helen McEntee: My Department is keenly aware of the grave humanitarian crisis in Gaza and my officials are working closely with colleagues in the Department of Foreign Affairs to ensure a coordinated national response to this volatile and evolving situation. This includes their work to assist in the evacuation of Irish citizens and their families who may require visa assistance. The Deputy will...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Policies (7 Nov 2023)

Helen McEntee: Unfortunately it has not been possible to collate the requested information in the time requested. I will revert to the Deputy when the information is available.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Service (7 Nov 2023)

Helen McEntee: The Programme for Government 2020 contains a broad range of policies and proposals that represent a coherent approach to enhancing and sustaining a more just and safe society, with a specific commitment to review policy options for prison and penal reform. In respect of delivering on this commitment, the Review of Policy Options for Prison and Penal Reform 2022-2024 was published last...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Road Traffic Offences (7 Nov 2023)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána. This includes the enforcement of road traffic legislation. As Minister, I have no role in this matter. I am assured that road traffic legislation is enforced as part of the day-to-day duties of members of An Garda Síochána, as well as through a...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Work Permits (7 Nov 2023)

Helen McEntee: Ireland supports the entry of migrants through legal pathways and these include arrangements for various categories of persons, including workers who wish to take up employment and international students who wish to pursue a full-time course of study. When a non-EEA person comes to Ireland to undertake a course of study, be that an English language course, or a course at level 6 or above...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Family Reunification (7 Nov 2023)

Helen McEntee: I can advise the Deputy that the application referred to was created on the 31 March 2023. Supporting documentation was received in the Dublin Visa Office on the 5 April 2023, where it awaits 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...