Results 5,981-6,000 of 15,389 for speaker:Helen McEntee

Financial Resolutions 2023 - Financial Resolution No. 4: General (Resumed) (11 Oct 2023)

Helen McEntee: The justice allocation for 2024 of €3.5 billion is a real boost in helping us build stronger, safer communities. We are doing this across a range of areas, including supporting and strengthening An Garda Síochána, establishing community safety partnerships across the country and operating a zero-tolerance approach domestic, sexual and gender-based violence. We are also...

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

Helen McEntee: While I cannot give an answer on where members will go, the Garda Commissioner, with his senior management, will consider the number of gardaí graduating from the college, the issues arising in various counties and divisions, overall Garda strength, the overall population and communities’ needs. We will then see resources being deployed. The most important measure I can take...

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

Helen McEntee: In previous years, the highest number of people going through the college was approximately 1,000. It depends on the number of classes that can go through the college in any given year, which varies from four to five. Five classes will be in or have gone through Templemore this year. Next year, there will most likely be four starting. It is about ensuring that we fill those classes as...

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

Helen McEntee: When it comes to recruitment and retention, nothing is off the table. This is an area to which the Garda and I are committed. A new media campaign was launched across television, radio, newspapers and social media to promote the Garda trainee campaign. The Garda has also promoted it by engaging with communities across the country, including local engagement with third level institutions...

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

Helen McEntee: I will briefly outline the three ways in which we are helping to attract new members. We have expanded diversity teams within the Garda, meaning that we have dedicated gardaí to reach out to various communities. This creates a link or trust that might not have existed before. Building these relationships encourages people to see a career in the Garda where they might not have...

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

Helen McEntee: My overall ambition in this year’s budget was to ensure we could support An Garda Síochána in whatever way possible. This is not just by increasing their numbers, but by supporting those who are already active and doing great work on the ground. That is why we have allocated €2.3 billion, which is the largest figure ever for An Garda Síochána. It...

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

Helen McEntee: -----or when they are training in various stations. That is our way of supporting them and making sure they have the resources to be able to get into training and to take up what is a fantastic and valuable profession.

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...