Results 7,041-7,060 of 17,498 for speaker:Helen McEntee

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Service (23 Jan 2024)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will be aware the Irish Prison Service does not have the option of refusing committals and must accept all people committed by the courts. The prison system is under increasing pressure due to factors such as continuing population growth. I can advise the Deputy that the Irish Prison Service and my Department are committed to providing safe and secure custody for all people...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Service (23 Jan 2024)

Helen McEntee: I am advised by the Irish Prison Service that there are 27 dedicated Integrated Sentence Management (ISM) Coordinators operational in all prisons. There are an additional 2 Integrated Sentence Management Coordinators assigned to the shared Irish Prison Service and Probation Service Co-Located Unit, who are dedicated to the sentence management of prisoners selected for participation in the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Service (23 Jan 2024)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy is aware, the Inspector of Prisons is a statutory office holder, independent in the performance of his functions, in accordance with the Prisons Act 2007. Section 31(1) of the Prisons Act 2007 places an obligation on the Inspector of Prisons to carry out regular inspections of prisons in Ireland. Under section 31(2) the Inspector may, and shall if so requested by the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Data (23 Jan 2024)

Helen McEntee: As I set out in my reply to the Deputy's question on January 17th, my Department has a very wide range of functions, and data may be legally shared with various public bodies for operational reasons. This data sharing can involve aggregated and/or individual-level information. Aggregated data is transferred by my Department for statistical and research purposes. This anonymous statistical...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Work Permits (18 Jan 2024)

Helen McEntee: I understand that this is a difficult situation for our Sudanese community and their loved ones. To apply for an Irish Travel Document an applicant must have one of the following permissions: Refugee under the International Protection Act 2015 (Refugee Document).Programme Refugee under Section 59 of the International Protection Act 2015.Subsidiary Protection under the International...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Naturalisation Applications (18 Jan 2024)

Helen McEntee: The naturalisation application from the person referred to by the Deputy continues to be processed by my Department. I understand the extended wait times can be frustrating 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: Sentencing Policy (18 Jan 2024)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will be aware, a review of minimum sentences under section 29 of the Judicial Council Act 2019 was commenced by my Department in December 2021. I am pleased to say that the review is almost complete and I hope to be in a position to provide it to the Oireachtas shortly.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Aviation Industry (18 Jan 2024)

Helen McEntee: I propose to take Questions Nos. 241, 242 and 243 together. Section 2(1) of the Immigration Act 2003 places obligations on carriers to ensure that passengers travelling to the State are in possession of a valid travel document that establishes the person’s identity and nationality, and that they have the appropriate visa if required. The Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) have...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Human Trafficking (18 Jan 2024)

Helen McEntee: Maintaining the integrity of the immigration system, involves robust controls to prevent illegal entry. People smuggling is the facilitated, irregular movement of people across borders for a financial or other benefit. While distinct from human trafficking, it is exploitative of vulnerable people and as we have seen, very often the way in which they are smuggled into countries places them...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Data (18 Jan 2024)

Helen McEntee: When an International Protection claim is being examined by the International Protection Office (IPO), the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) provides accommodation and related services to IP applicants who wish to accept such services. No person is required to stay in any accommodation that is provided by the State. However, applicants for international protection are...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Immigration Policy (18 Jan 2024)

Helen McEntee: The Deputy will appreciate that the Garda Commissioner is responsible under Section 26 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended) for the management and administration of Garda business including operational and investigation activity. As Minister, I have no role in these independent functions.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Probate Applications (18 Jan 2024)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy is aware as Minister for Justice, I have no role in the exercise of Probate functions. The Probate Office is an office of the High Court, and management of the courts is the responsibility of the judiciary and Courts Service, which are independent in exercising their functions under the Courts Service Act 1998 and given the separation of powers in the Constitution. Probate...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (18 Jan 2024)

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 engage regularly with the Commissioner to monitor the resources needed to drive Garda recruitment. I have been assured by the Garda Commissioner that the allocation of resources is kept under...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Citizenship Applications (18 Jan 2024)

Helen McEntee: The naturalisation application from the person referred to by the Deputy continues to be processed by my Department. I understand the extended wait times can be frustrating 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: Departmental Data (18 Jan 2024)

Helen McEntee: I am informed that the overall figure cited by the Deputy refers only to arrivals of persons over the age of 18 at Dublin Airport and the further information requested is not readily available. All unaccompanied persons under the age of 18 who arrive at Dublin Airport are managed in the first instance with a focus on child safeguarding; they are not recorded in the overall refusal of...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Data (18 Jan 2024)

Helen McEntee: I propose to take Questions Nos. 251 and 252 together. The Border Management Unit of my Department and the Garda National Immigration Bureau are working closely with airlines on a range of measures to ensure that passengers have the appropriate travel documentation when boarding. Immigration officials are available 24/7 to assist airlines with queries in relation to immigration matters. In...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Data (18 Jan 2024)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy may be aware, all deaths in custody are notified to An Garda Síochána, who investigate where circumstances warrant, in addition to the inquest held in the Coroner's Court. The cause of death is determined by a jury on the basis of the information presented to the Coroner's Court. The Deputy may also be aware that all deaths in custody and deaths that occur within one...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Data (18 Jan 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: Departmental Data (18 Jan 2024)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy may be aware, restriction of a person’s liberty prior to trial is a very serious matter, given the Constitutional presumption that a person is considered innocent until proven guilty. While the State’s bail laws provide for the refusal of bail in certain circumstances, judges are independent in the exercise of their judicial functions and the decision to grant...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Visa Agreements (18 Jan 2024)

Helen McEntee: I can advise the Deputy that Colombian nationals are visa required and must have a valid Irish entry visa before they seek to enter the State. I do not envisage any change to this requirement in the short-term but the situation is kept under review. In support of the visa application process in Colombia the Department recently opened a Visa Application Centre (VAC) in Bogotá. The VAC...