Results 6,821-6,840 of 17,498 for speaker:Helen McEntee

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Service (7 Feb 2024)

Helen McEntee: The role of the Irish Prison Psychology Service is to deliver, develop and manage an integrated mental health and criminogenic needs assessment and treatment service for people in custody, in line with service plans and objectives, and within established professional standards, guidelines and policy. I am advised by the Irish Prison Service (IPS) that the Psychology Service has the following...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Service (7 Feb 2024)

Helen McEntee: I have requested the information sought by the Deputy from the Irish Prison Service. Unfortunately, it has not been possible to collate the information requested in the time allowed. I will write to the Deputy directly when the information is to hand.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence (7 Feb 2024)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy is aware, earlier this year the Government established Cuan, a new statutory agency with a dedicated focus on Domestic Sexual and Gender-Based Violence. The agency has a specific mandate to drive the implementation of the Zero Tolerance: Third National Strategy on Domestic, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence across Government, bringing the expertise and focus required to...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (7 Feb 2024)

Helen McEntee: Combatting all forms of domestic, sexual and gender-based remains a priority for this Government, the Department of Justice and the Garda Commissioner. 'Zero Tolerance,' the Third National Strategy on Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence (DSGBV), sets out an ambitious whole of government five-year programme of reform to achieve a society which does not accept DSGBV or the attitudes...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: International Protection (7 Feb 2024)

Helen McEntee: I propose to take Questions Nos. 365 and 366 together. Over the course of the last year, the IPO increased the number of monthly determinations to over 1,000 in November 2023, and plans to deliver at least 14,000 decisions in 2024, an increase of 5,000 cases on the level achieved in 2023. In November 2022, I signed a regulation to introduce an accelerated procedure for international...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: International Protection (7 Feb 2024)

Helen McEntee: Under the European Communities (Reception Conditions) Regulations 2018 (S.I. No. 230 of 2018), persons are eligible to apply for labour market access permission if: • They are an international protection applicant; and • They have waited at least 5 months from their “Application Received” date for their first instance recommendation; and • They are...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Coroners Service (7 Feb 2024)

Helen McEntee: On 20 October 2023, I launched a wide-ranging consultation to inform the development of proposals for comprehensive reform of the Coroner Service in Ireland. Public consultation closed on 19 January 2024. The consultation provided an opportunity for members of the public, stakeholder groups and members of the Oireachtas to express their views, express observations and provide proposals on...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Immigration Policy (7 Feb 2024)

Helen McEntee: The information requested is currently being compiled and I will write to the Deputy directly once the information is to hand. I can assure the Deputy that my Department is working to have an appropriate answer for both PQ 3749/24 and PQ 5514/24 ready shortly.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Immigration Policy (7 Feb 2024)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will be aware, the prosecution of offences in these instances are a matter for An Garda Síochána and the Director of Public Prosecutions, who are independent in the exercise of their functions in this regard; as Minister I have no role in such prosecutions.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (7 Feb 2024)

Helen McEntee: The unprecedented allocation of over €2.35 billion for 2024 to An Garda Síochána demonstrates the Government's commitment to ensuring An Garda Síochána has provision for the equipment, technology, facilities, fleet and personnel it needs to carry out vital policing work. As the Deputy will be aware, in accordance with Section 26 of the Garda Síochána Act...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (7 Feb 2024)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy is 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, which includes all operational policing matters. As Minister, I have no role in these independent functions. I am informed by the Garda authorities that 44 quad bikes and 133 scramblers have...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (7 Feb 2024)

Helen McEntee: I have requested the information sought by the Deputy from the Garda authorities. Unfortunately, the information was not received in time. I will contact the Deputy directly once the information is to hand.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (7 Feb 2024)

Helen McEntee: I have asked An Garda Síochána to provide any information of relevance to the Deputy’s question. I will contact the Deputy once An Garda Síochána have responded to my request.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Citizenship Applications (7 Feb 2024)

Helen McEntee: I am deeply conscious of how important the granting of naturalisation is to all of those who apply for it. I understand that extended wait times can be frustrating and disruptive for applicants and my Department has been working hard to clear backlogs. It is recognised that all applicants for citizenship would wish to have a decision on their application without delay. However, the nature of...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Citizenship Applications (7 Feb 2024)

Helen McEntee: The granting of Irish citizenship through naturalisation is governed by the provisions of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended. All applications for a certificate of naturalisation are processed and assessed individually in accordance with the provisions of the Act. Where a child is born to an Irish citizen either in Ireland or abroad then that child is an Irish Citizen...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: International Protection (7 Feb 2024)

Helen McEntee: I propose to take Questions Nos. 377 to 379, inclusive, together. Under section 72 of the International Protection Act 2015 the Minister for Justice may make an order designating a country as a safe country of origin. A country may only be designated as a safe country of origin where satisfied that, on the basis of the legal situation, the application of the law within a democratic system and...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Residency Permits (7 Feb 2024)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will be aware, issuing visas and residence permits are the responsibility of my Department while the criteria and conditions for obtaining employment permits are set by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment. Both Departments work closely together to ensure that Ireland's labour market migration arrangements are fair, efficient, and responsive to the needs of Irish...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Visa Applications (7 Feb 2024)

Helen McEntee: I am acutely aware of the grave humanitarian crisis in Gaza and my Department is working closely with colleagues in the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to ensure a coordinated national response to this volatile and evolving situation. This includes their work to evacuate Irish citizens and their families who may require visa assistance. My Department is in regular contact with the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Family Reunification (1 Feb 2024)

Helen McEntee: I can advise the Deputy that the application referred to was created on the 28/11/2023. Supporting documentation was received in the New Delhi Visa office on the 11/12/2023. The application is currently awaiting comprehensive examination. Long Stay Join Family visa applications are processed in accordance with the guidelines set out in the Policy Document on Non-EEA Family Reunification. This...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Visa Applications (1 Feb 2024)

Helen McEntee: I am happy to inform the Deputy that following full consideration by a Visa Officer the Visa was granted on 30 January 2024. Entry into the State is solely at the discretion of the Immigration Officer at the port of entry. The onus is on the individuals to have all documentation relating to their reasons for entering Ireland for presentation to the Immigration Officer to gain entry. The...