Results 5,941-5,960 of 15,342 for speaker:Helen McEntee

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: An Garda Síochána (11 Oct 2023)

Helen McEntee: In terms of the overall numbers, we knew we would most likely see a drop. We have gone below 14,000, but we are now in a position where that is steadying. After the next intake, we will most likely be in a position where we will be above 14,000 again. We are moving in the right direction. The closure in the Garda College during Covid-19, as well as the fact that we are coming into a...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: An Garda Síochána (11 Oct 2023)

Helen McEntee: -----and the systems and structures that are being put in place. There is a lot of change happening at present, and it is happening in a very short period. We have to acknowledge that. I know the Garda Commissioner acknowledges that a great deal of change happening. That is why there are continuous reviews to make sure the new systems, online procedures, new roles and people’s...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: An Garda Síochána (11 Oct 2023)

Helen McEntee: However, the best way for us to support gardaí is by making sure we have more of them because this will lessen the workload. That is why when it comes to the Garda, recruitment is the number one priority, The latter will ensure that we have as many members as possible to lighten the load and lessen the burden that many members are experiencing at the moment.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: An Garda Síochána (11 Oct 2023)

Helen McEntee: I mentioned that a lot of change is happening, but change can be good as well.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: An Garda Síochána (11 Oct 2023)

Helen McEntee: One of the biggest changes in the new divisional model that is being rolled out is for teams of community gardaí in every small area across the country. That is only being rolled out. It is not yet in place in every county. We need more gardaí to populate the areas. We must ensure that for every small community there will be a community garda. Everybody will know who that...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: An Garda Síochána (11 Oct 2023)

Helen McEntee: -----the training allowance. This year, we are actually investing in mental health support programmes, well-being programmes and programmes to benefit their health in general. We are supporting things such as the provision of clothing and armour. We will be supporting and investing further in vehicles, ICT and other technology. All these things will help to achieve a better working...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: An Garda Síochána (11 Oct 2023)

Helen McEntee: However, we have to look at this as a very dynamic working environment at the moment. The attrition rate in An Garda Síochána was approximately 3% last year. In other jurisdictions, it is approximately 5.6%. We are not doing too badly overall.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: An Garda Síochána (11 Oct 2023)

Helen McEntee: The Government is committed to building stronger, safer communities and, of course, strengthening An Garda Síochána is at the core of that. The best way we can strengthen community policing is by supporting additional recruitment into An Garda Síochána. We will continue to provide An Garda Síochána with the resources it needs to ensure communities around...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: An Garda Síochána (11 Oct 2023)

Helen McEntee: The unprecedented allocation of more than €2.3 billion to An Garda Síochána in this year's budget demonstrates a 23% increase since 2020. That demonstrates the Government's and my commitment to ensuring gardaí have the provision for the equipment, technology, facilities, fleet and above all, personnel that it needs to carry out its vital policing work. Since the...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: An Garda Síochána (11 Oct 2023)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy knows, the deployment of gardaí is a matter for the Garda Commissioner who obviously looks at the requirements in each individual county. Our county and County Kildare are comparable in that they both saw a massive increase in population in a very short space of time. That resulted in some of the figures we now see in terms of the number of gardaí per population....

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: An Garda Síochána (11 Oct 2023)

Helen McEntee: It is a statement of fact that the Garda College was closed. That has resulted in skewed figures not just in County Meath but all over the country. Last year I allocated enough money for 1,000 new recruits. With the intake this week and at the end of the year we will see it will be closer to 800 if not slightly above 800 in the college, in training, or gone through the college. It is not...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Public Inquiries (11 Oct 2023)

Helen McEntee: I have already seen the report. I am working with my Department to respond to the ICCL in as quick a way as possible. I know that every case is different. I mentioned that in this case the convictions were overturned and there were pardons and financial settlements. There have been apologies in other different cases. Every individual case is different. I do not for a second condone some...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Community Development Projects (11 Oct 2023)

Helen McEntee: My top priority as Minister for Justice is to build stronger, safer communities. I want to ensure that people are and feel safe in their communities, and that they contribute to feeling safe in their communities, because it is the people who live in an area who know best what it is their community needs. I am delighted to confirm that under budget 2024, €7.9 million will be allocated...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Community Development Projects (11 Oct 2023)

Helen McEntee: Money from the proceeds of crime comes directly back into the Exchequer. A decision was then taken that this money should be ring-fenced, spent and put directly back into communities. We have increased it year on year. It started at €2 million, it went up to €3 million and it is now almost €4 million. My anticipation and hope is that it will continue to grow. With...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Community Development Projects (11 Oct 2023)

Helen McEntee: It is hard to respond in a minute. It is fair to say that there are many reasons people might feel safe or unsafe in their communities. It might be that a person is a victim of domestic abuse and is simply not safe in his or her own home. It might be that an elderly person does not feel safe due to antisocial behaviour. Another reason might be the impact of criminal organisations and...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: An Garda Síochána (11 Oct 2023)

Helen McEntee: While I have outlined the work that is under way in terms of immigration, courts security and serving summonses, as the Deputy mentioned, a high-level group considered the recommendations relating to prosecutions. A report has been submitted which will shortly be brought to Government. A group chaired by my Department, comprising the Courts Service and An Garda Síochána, has also...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: An Garda Síochána (11 Oct 2023)

Helen McEntee: I reassure the Deputy that there is an absolute commitment to bring about these changes. There are a number of different strands to the process. In terms of the changes to immigration, we have a pathway that is being worked on to expand on the changes seen in Dublin Airport which have been very successful. A body of work is being done on prosecutions, which the Deputy mentioned. I...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Public Inquiries (11 Oct 2023)

Helen McEntee: I thank the Deputy. As she has alluded to, she raises a question relating to an investigation of nearly 50 years ago which culminated in the court’s overturning the convictions of two people in 1980, a pardon for one individual in 1992 and the payment of financial settlements. There is no doubt this case, and others of the time that we know of, cast a shadow on the trust we place in...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Public Inquiries (11 Oct 2023)

Helen McEntee: The ICCL petition was received by me and my Department. A response will issue in due course. It is something we are going through at the moment. Once the matter has been fully considered and we have gone through the report completely, we will respond. We have to consider every incident. In the short time I have been in the Department, there have been calls for various types of public...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Courts Staff (11 Oct 2023)

Helen McEntee: I appreciate, depending on the type of work, that there were two 8% cuts and a cut of 10% each in the lower and higher courts. For somebody working in both courts, that was a much higher cut. If somebody is working in the lower courts, the restoration we introduced and allowed for in yesterday's budget goes nearly halfway to responding to those cuts. As I said, this is the start of a...