Results 5,801-5,820 of 15,342 for speaker:Helen McEntee

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Policing Matters: Discussion (Resumed) (7 Nov 2023)

Helen McEntee: On morale, I acknowledge there are issues in the organisation, as there are in any organisation. Many of the measures that have been put in place, from additional funding to new policies, and from supporting gardaí to increasing overall numbers, were put in place to respond to existing challenges. On pay and conditions, An Garda Síochána is now part of the Building Momentum...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Visa Applications (26 Oct 2023)

Helen McEntee: An application for an Extension of Student Conditions (ESTC) permission was received from the person referred to by the Deputy on 12 September 2023. 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 factors, such as...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Immigration Policy (26 Oct 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: Visa Applications (26 Oct 2023)

Helen McEntee: I can advise the Deputy that the application referred to was created on the 4 February 2023. Supporting documentation was received in the Nairobi office on the 3 March 2023. The application was received in the Dublin visa office on the 21 April 2023, where it awaits examination and processing. Long Stay Join Family visa applications are processed in accordance with the guidelines set out...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Public Procurement Contracts (26 Oct 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 the procurement of vehicles for the Garda fleet. As Minister, I have no role in such matters. All Garda vehicles are purchased under contracts tendered by the Office of Government...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (26 Oct 2023)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will be aware, in accordance with the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána, including all operational policing matters. As Minister, I have no role in these matters. I understand the Deputy is referring to Operation Fleming which was established to investigate...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (26 Oct 2023)

Helen McEntee: The unprecedented allocation of over €2.3 billion to An Garda Síochána for 2024, up 23 per cent since 2020, demonstrates the Government's commitment to ensuring the Gardaí have provision for the equipment, technology, facilities, fleet and personnel it needs to carry out vital policing work. Following Budget 2024, I announced that this allocation would allow for the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Immigration Status (26 Oct 2023)

Helen McEntee: As advised in my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 384 of 17 October 2023, the person referred to by the Deputy has no valid immigration permission to remain in the State. It is important that persons keep their immigration permission up to date if they wish to continue to reside in the State. Where a person remains resident in the State without an immigration permission, I encourage...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Citizenship Applications (26 Oct 2023)

Helen McEntee: I am advised that the person referred to by the Deputy has previously made applications for naturalisation, however, those applications were refused on the grounds that the applicant did not have the required reckonable residence as set out in the 1956 Act as amended. The granting of Irish citizenship through naturalisation is governed by the provisions of the Irish Nationality and...

Seanad: Non-Fatal Offences against the Person (Amendment) (Spiking) Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (25 Oct 2023)

Helen McEntee: I thank the Acting Chairperson for the opportunity to speak on this Bill. I thank my colleagues in the Fine Gael Parliamentary Party and the Fine Gael Seanad group for tabling this legislation and for working so proactively on it. I am delighted to have the opportunity to discuss it as I did not have the opportunity previously. The Bill stems from an initiative by Young Fine Gael. I...

Seanad: Non-Fatal Offences against the Person (Amendment) (Spiking) Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (25 Oct 2023)

Helen McEntee: Just to say that the advice that I have received from the Garda, the Director of Public Prosecutions and Forensic Science Ireland is relatively recent, so we still have to go through it. My intention is to meet with colleagues and Young Fine Gael to look at what is the best vehicle or pathway to bring this issue forward. I hope to do it as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Consultations (25 Oct 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 this information is to hand.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (25 Oct 2023)

Helen McEntee: The unprecedented allocation of over €2.3 billion to An Garda Síochána for 2024, up 23 per cent since 2020, demonstrates the Government's commitment to ensuring the Gardaí have provision for the equipment, technology, facilities, fleet and personnel it needs to carry out vital policing work. Following Budget 2024, I announced that this allocation would allow for the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Passport Services (25 Oct 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. There are no provisions for the spouse or partner of an Irish citizen to acquire Irish citizenship solely...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Asylum Applications (25 Oct 2023)

Helen McEntee: I propose to take Questions Nos. 132 to 136, inclusive, together. The Department takes all necessary steps to manage the international protection process efficiently and effectively, while ensuring the integrity of those processes is maintained at all times. 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...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (25 Oct 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, under reservation, in relation to various crime statistics. The most recent...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Asylum Seekers (25 Oct 2023)

Helen McEntee: 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 takes all necessary steps to...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Asylum Seekers (25 Oct 2023)

Helen McEntee: My Department takes all necessary steps to manage the international protection process efficiently and effectively, while ensuring the integrity of those processes is maintained at all times. The data in the table below show the latest statistics on decisions made. Latest Decision Made per Applicant for International Protection from 2019 to September 2023* Decision Year ...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Data (25 Oct 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, under reservation, in relation to various crime statistics. The most recent...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Visa Applications (25 Oct 2023)

Helen McEntee: I can advise the Deputy that not every nationality is visa required to travel to the State. A full list of visa required and non-visa required countries is available at the following link: www.irishimmigration.ie/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Immigrati on-Service-Delivery-Visa-and-Non-Visa-Required-Countries.pdf Any visa required national that wishes to enter the State, and remain, for up to 90...