Results 5,961-5,980 of 46,575 for speaker:Simon Harris

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.

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

Simon Harris: I can advise the Deputy that the person referred to should contact the visa office directly quoting the visa application number to make a request that their passport be returned. The Visa Office can be contacted at:   travelrequest@justice.ie  The person concerned should advise how they wish the documents to be returned. The options available to them are:  1.By...

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

Simon Harris: For the period in question, 01 January 2017 – 31 March 2023, there were 63,936 decisions recorded of which 56,329 were approvals. The table below sets out the details requested. Year 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 Total Applications Approved 7,642 8,624 8,764 ...

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

Simon Harris: I am pleased to inform the Deputy that since the beginning of 2022 new applicants for citizenship no longer have to submit their original passport with their application. Instead, they can provide a full colour certified copy of their entire passport, including the front and back covers. The median processing time for Citizenship applications now currently stands at 19 months. I...

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

Simon Harris: The citizenship applications of the persons referred to by the Deputy were approved and their Certificates of Naturalisation were issued on 11 April 2023. Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to my Department by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility at INISOireachtasMail@justice.ie, which has been specifically established for this...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Court Accommodation (18 Apr 2023)

Simon Harris: Reforming the operation of the family justice system to ensure that we have a more efficient and user-friendly family court system is a key continuing commitment in the Department's Justice Plan. The Programme for Government also contains a commitment to build a new Family Law Court building in Dublin. The construction of a purpose-built Family Law Court complex at Hammond Lane is a key...