Results 6,621-6,640 of 15,342 for speaker:Helen McEntee

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legislative Programme (4 Jul 2023)

Helen McEntee: The Government is firmly committed to ratification of the Second Optional Protocol to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. In consultation with the Office of the Attorney General, several legislative measures have been implemented which were necessary to ensure that Ireland is in compliance with the obligations of the Optional Protocol. Enactment of the Criminal Law (Sexual...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (4 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. I want to emphasise that community policing is at the heart of An Garda Síochána, and that all...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (4 Jul 2023)

Helen McEntee: The Government is committed to building stronger, safer communities and a strengthened, well-resourced Garda Síochána is central to this policy. This commitment is demonstrated by the unprecedented allocation of over €2 billion to the Garda Vote this year, which is allowing for sustained and ongoing recruitment and investment in new equipment and new vehicles. As the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Expenditure (4 Jul 2023)

Helen McEntee: A breakdown of the capital expenditure for 2022 for the Justice, Garda, Prisons and Courts votes is outlined in tabular form below. Justice (Vote 24) Area of Expenditure Amount € 000 Additional Information ICT 1,837 Mainly relates to the Department's ICT Modernisation Programme Capital Buildings ...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Appointments (4 Jul 2023)

Helen McEntee: The Programme for Government commits to ‘recognise the domestic and international importance of data protection in Ireland’ and states that the Government ‘will ensure that Ireland delivers on its responsibilities under the General Data Protection Regulation’. The Government is very conscious of the commitment to deliver effective data protection regulation and...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (4 Jul 2023)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will be aware, in accordance with the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána, including all operational policing matters. As Minister, I have no role in these matters, nor can I direct the Commissioner with regard to them. The table below, provided to me by the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Policies (4 Jul 2023)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy may be aware statutory provision in relation to the age of criminal responsibility in the State is set out in section 52 of the Children Act 2001 (as amended). The Criminal Justice Act 2006, which amended the Children Act, effectively raised the age of criminal responsibility from 7 years of age to 12 years of age and provided in general that children under the age of 12 years...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Priorities (4 Jul 2023)

Helen McEntee: On 28 March 2023, Government approved publication of the General Scheme of the Defamation (Amendment) Bill to reform our defamation legislation. The General Scheme takes into account recommendations of the report of a major review of the Defamation Act, 2009, which was carried out by my Department and which I published in March 2022. The General Scheme provides for the removal of...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (29 Jun 2023)

Helen McEntee: I thank the Deputy. When it comes to my engagement with An Garda Síochána, Garda recruitment is my number one priority. I could probably say it is the Commissioner's priority. We have had challenges over the years, not least the closure of Templemore and, more recently, Covid-19, which has slowed down the number of new recruits coming out. Couple that with an increased...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (29 Jun 2023)

Helen McEntee: We have a wonderful workforce in An Garda Síochána. As I said, my priority is to make sure we increase that workforce. The gardaí I meet are committed to their job. Many of them love the work they do. That work is not without its challenges and that is why we provided an unprecedented budget of €2 billion for the Garda alone last year. Obviously, I will be doing...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (29 Jun 2023)

Helen McEntee: I know this is an issue about which the Deputy is very passionate, as am I. That is why I have brought forward the Family Courts Bill, which is being worked on at the moment. I have also introduced the family justice strategy. The Family Courts Bill will ensure that we have specific courts that deal only with family law, thereby ensuring we have the right structure, system and setting in...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Consultations (29 Jun 2023)

Helen McEntee: It has not been possible to collate complete information as requested by the Deputy in the time allowed. I will write to the Deputy directly when the information is to hand.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legislative Reviews (29 Jun 2023)

Helen McEntee: Last week, following their consideration by Government, I published the majority report and the minority report of the Independent Review Group appointed to examine all aspects of the Offences Against the State Acts. As set out in the report of the majority, the Review Group undertook a public consultation to inform its deliberations. Submissions were received from a number of statutory...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Schemes (29 Jun 2023)

Helen McEntee: I propose to take Questions Nos. 339 and 340 together. As Minister for Justice a wide range of correspondence is sent to me regarding the full scope of my Ministerial responsibilities. This correspondence is suitably and appropriately addressed by my office and by the line Division in my Department. Any IIP applicants corresponding regarding their application are advised to communicate...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Human Trafficking (29 Jun 2023)

Helen McEntee: Work to develop a new National Action Plan on human trafficking is very well advanced. This whole of Government plan will set out how the multi-agency work to combat this criminal activity, and to support victims, will be taken forward. It is expected the new Action Plan will be finalised and submitted to Government in the coming weeks for approval to publish. The identification and...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (29 Jun 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 decisions related to the Garda Estate. As Minister, I have no role in such matters and am unable to seek to direct, or otherwise influence, the Commissioner in regards to these matters....

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Peace Commissioners (29 Jun 2023)

Helen McEntee: The Justice Plan 2023 contains a commitment to review the Peace Commissioner appointment process. This work is being undertaken in the context of a broader review of the role of Peace Commissioner given that the legislation underpinning Peace Commissioners dates back to the Courts of Justice Act 1924. As well as the appointment process, I can inform the Deputy that the main areas of...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legal Aid (29 Jun 2023)

Helen McEntee: I can inform the Deputy, that criminal legal services are provided by private legal practitioners who have notified the relevant authority of their availability to undertake criminal legal aid work. The courts, through the judiciary, are responsible for the granting of legal aid on application by the defence in court. My Department has no role in the granting of legal aid or in the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Expenditure (29 Jun 2023)

Helen McEntee: I can inform the Deputy that the Department of Justice LGBT+ Staff Network procured 56 branded t-shirts for staff attending the Dublin Pride parade. The total cost was €627.30 including VAT. No other memorabilia was procured by my Department for Pride 2023.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Policies (29 Jun 2023)

Helen McEntee: Justice Plan 2023, published earlier this year, 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, which are:Tackle crime, enhance national security and transform policingImprove access to justice and modernise the courts systemStrengthen community safety, reduce reoffending, support victims and combat...