Results 6,421-6,440 of 15,342 for speaker:Helen McEntee

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: International Protection (11 Jul 2023)

Helen McEntee: Seeking international protection is a human right and it is important to note at the outset that all International Protection applications are examined fully and individually on their merits, including those from countries which are designated as safe countries of origin. My Department's overarching objective is to ensure that applications are dealt with fairly and efficiently within...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Policies (11 Jul 2023)

Helen McEntee: Justice Plan 2023, was published earlier this year. It builds on the work outlined in Justice Plans 2021 and 2022, and outlines a wide range of actions under the Department's five strategic goals. This plan sets out in detail a significant work programme to be undertaken by the Department of Justice this year. Building on work already completed or progressed under previous Justice Plans, it...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Domestic Violence (11 Jul 2023)

Helen McEntee: The Government are committed to doubling of the number of refuge places to 280 as part of our Zero Tolerance Plan, the Third National Strategy to tackle domestic, sexual and gender based violence. In order to achieve this ambitious goal, we are working with all stakeholders to put in place the necessary structures and supports to accelerate the delivery of additional refuge accommodation...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (11 Jul 2023)

Helen McEntee: The safety and security of both public transport passengers and staff, including arrangements to deal with anti-social behaviour, are important matters that must be managed by every public transport company, in conjunction with An Garda Síochána where appropriate. As the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management of An Garda Síochána,...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Work Permits (11 Jul 2023)

Helen McEntee: I can advise the Deputy that the criteria and conditions for obtaining employment permits are set by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment. My Department’s role relates to the immigration rules and procedures that apply to persons granted an employment permit by that Department. Both Departments work closely together to ensure that Ireland's labour market migration...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legislative Measures (11 Jul 2023)

Helen McEntee: The Courts and Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2023 was signed by the President on 5 July. The Act amends the Occupiers’ Liability Act 1995, reforming the duty of care legislation - a key insurance reform measure. I intend to commence provisions of the Act including those in relation to Occupier's Liability in the coming weeks. These provisions strike the right balance...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (11 Jul 2023)

Helen McEntee: The Government is committed to ensuring An Garda Síochána has the resources it needs to deliver on the goal of ensuring communities around Ireland are safe and feel safe. As Minister, I regularly engage with the Commissioner to ensure An Garda Síochána have the necessary resources to deliver on the level of recruitment to keep people safe. As of the end of May...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Inquiry into the Death of Mr. Shane O'Farrell (11 Jul 2023)

Helen McEntee: I propose to take Questions Nos. 68, 73 and 82 together. As the Deputy is aware, on the 3rd of July my Department published the report of Judge Gerard Haughton arising from the scoping exercise into the circumstances surrounding the tragic and untimely death of Shane O’Farrell, aged 23 in August 2011. I understand that Shane’s tragic death will always be a source of immense...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Courts Service (11 Jul 2023)

Helen McEntee: Under the provisions of the Courts Service Act 1998, management of the courts is the responsibility of the Courts Service, which is independent in exercising its functions. The Courts Service Act 1998 sets out the nature of the relationship between the Courts Service and the County Registrar. The post of County Registrar is a statutory officer appointed by the Government, with a number of...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Citizenship Applications (11 Jul 2023)

Helen McEntee: I am deeply conscious of how important the granting of naturalisation is to all of those who apply for it. My Department is aware that delays in processing times are frustrating and disruptive for applicants, and we are working hard to improve the position. The current backlog in citizenship application processing has arisen largely due to the legacy of restrictions imposed on staff...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Human Rights (11 Jul 2023)

Helen McEntee: I am aware that a number of organisations including those referred to by the Deputy have raised concerns from a human rights perspective in relation to the Offences Against the State Acts and the operation of the Special Criminal Court. As the Deputy will be aware, I published the majority and the minority reports of the Independent Expert Review Group appointed to examine all aspects of...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (11 Jul 2023)

Helen McEntee: The Government is committed to increasing Garda staff to 4,000. The purpose of this policy is, in part, to allow for the redeployment of highly skilled professional Gardaí from administrative to front-line policing roles. As far as possible, Garda members should be assigned to posts requiring police powers or experience. Indeed since 2015, almost 900 Garda members have been freed up...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (11 Jul 2023)

Helen McEntee: Community policing is fundamental to the new Garda Operating Model recommended by the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland and currently being rolled out under 'A Policing Service for Our Future', the Government's implementation plan for the Commission's recommendations. As the Deputy will be aware, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005, as amended, the Garda Commissioner...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (11 Jul 2023)

Helen McEntee: 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. As the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management of Garda resources, including the assignment of Garda members to a given area or...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Service (11 Jul 2023)

Helen McEntee: I can advise the Deputy that the Irish Prison Service and my Department are committed to providing safe and secure custody for all people committed to prison while ensuring a safe working environment for staff. Officials in the Irish Prison Service and the Department are continuously working to identify short, medium and longer term proposals to help manage the current capacity issues in our...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: National Security Committee (11 Jul 2023)

Helen McEntee: The National Security Committee is chaired by the Secretary General to the Government and comprises relevant senior officials from my Department and the Departments of Defence, Foreign Affairs, Environment, Communications and Climate along with senior representatives from An Garda Síochána and the Defence Forces. The Committee is concerned with ensuring that the Taoiseach and...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (11 Jul 2023)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will appreciate, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the administration and management of An Garda Síochána, including all human resource matters. As Minister, I have no role in such matters. I am however assured by Garda authorities that the Commissioner keeps the allocation of these resources under...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Immigration Policy (11 Jul 2023)

Helen McEntee: Immigration arrangements which enable Irish circuses to engage the services of non-EEA national circus performers have been in place since 2007. I can advise the Deputy that a review of the immigration arrangements for non-EEA circus performers has been undertaken by my Department in conjunction with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment. As part of this process, officials from...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Ukraine War (11 Jul 2023)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will be aware, the activation of the EU Temporary Protection Directive is an emergency provision designed to quickly and humanely respond to the mass displacement of Ukrainian people by Russian aggression. Ireland participates in this EU measure, which is given legal effect under section 60 of the International Protection Act 2015. Those fleeing the conflict in Ukraine and...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (11 Jul 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 all human resource matters. As Minister, I have no direct role in such matters. As the Deputy will be aware, the findings from the Garda Cultural Audit 2022, highlighted many challenges...