Results 6,461-6,480 of 15,389 for speaker:Helen McEntee

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

Helen McEntee: It is not that people have not applied. Rather, it is a question of going through the process. It will take time to achieve a steady flow. We can see that while it is not happening as quickly as I would like, the numbers are increasing and we are reaching the stage where we will have a steady flow. That is the priority. We are performing exit interviews with everyone who leaves and we...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Antisocial Behaviour (11 Jul 2023)

Helen McEntee: I assure the Deputy that the Government and I, as Minister, are determined to tackle antisocial behaviour and its causes. Antisocial behaviour, as we know, is a broad term often used to describe a range of actions and behaviours that violate social norms in specific contexts. While it is generally associated with young people, we cannot confine it to young people. A number of priority...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Antisocial Behaviour (11 Jul 2023)

Helen McEntee: As I outlined at the outset, this is not just about younger people. I refer to all the measures I have mentioned already, such as the focus on the youth justice strategy and how we can prevent younger people from getting into crime or engaging in this type of antisocial behaviour. It is important that there are deterrents separate from those types of specific programmes, making sure we have...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Antisocial Behaviour (11 Jul 2023)

Helen McEntee: The work being done across the Department of Justice is not just focused on changing laws, supporting the Garda and the work it does; it also looks at penal policy reform and how we can stop this cycle of reoffending and get to the root causes, and that is about much more than the Garda. We are introducing what are called community safety partnerships. They look at the response to crime and...

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

Helen McEntee: As I have just outlined to Deputy Daly, this is a priority for me in my engagement with the Garda Commissioner and his team. We are absolutely committed to building stronger, safer communities, and the role and the strength of the Garda will be key to that. We have allocated a budget of €2 billion for this year for An Garda Síochána. When it comes to recruitment,...

EU Regulation on the Transfer of Proceedings in Criminal Matters: Motion (11 Jul 2023)

Helen McEntee: I thank the House for facilitating the motion and thank both Deputies for their contributions and for supporting it. As I mentioned in my opening remarks, this will introduce common rules on the transfer of proceedings in criminal matters, making it easier to transfer criminal proceedings from one member state to another. As it concerns cross-border procedures, I believe that where uniform...

EU Regulation on the Transfer of Proceedings in Criminal Matters: Motion (11 Jul 2023)

Helen McEntee: I move: That Dáil Éireann approves the exercise by the State of the option or discretion under Protocol No. 21 on the position of the United Kingdom and Ireland in respect of the area of freedom, security and justice, annexed to the Treaty on European Union and to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, to take part in the adoption and application of the following...

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...