Results 7,381-7,400 of 17,498 for speaker:Helen McEntee

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (12 Dec 2023)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of Garda business under Section 26 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), which includes the direction of investigative priorities of the service. As Minister, I have no role in the investigative process. However, to be of assistance I sought the information requested by...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (12 Dec 2023)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of Garda business under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), including decisions related to the operational equipment and fleet needs for the service. As Minister I have no role in these independent functions. I can however assure you that I am committed to ensuring...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (12 Dec 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 the procurement, allocation, and effective and efficient use of Garda equipment. As Minister, I have no role in such matters. The Government is, however, committed to ensuring An Garda...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (12 Dec 2023)

Helen McEntee: Under the National Development Plan, the Government is committed to investing significant levels of capital funding into An Garda Síochána to deliver a Garda station modernisation and refurbishment programme, to delivering strategic ICT and digitalisation projects, and to providing a modern, fit for purpose Garda fleet. This is a core part of the Government’s Plan to build...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Citizenship Applications (12 Dec 2023)

Helen McEntee: In October 2023 my Department moved from a paper based citizenship application process to an online application form. This is one of a number of measures introduced in an effort to optimise the application process and enhance the overall customer service experience. As part of the new online process customers are issued with an acknowledgment on submission of their online application. The...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (12 Dec 2023)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána. This includes the provision of equipment and the allocation of resources to a given Division, District or Station. As Minister, I have no role in this matter. I have been informed by the Garda authorities that there are facilities available to all Garda...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (12 Dec 2023)

Helen McEntee: I am committed to providing An Garda Síochána with the resources they need to make sure communities around Ireland are safe and feel safe. This is reflected in the unprecedented allocation of €2.3 billion in Budget 2024, a 23% increase since 2020, allowing for sustained investment in recruitment, equipment and technology. As the Deputy will be aware, under Section 26 (1)...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Data (12 Dec 2023)

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: Ministerial Communications (12 Dec 2023)

Helen McEntee: I can inform the Deputy that I have not yet spoken to the new UK Home Secretary. However, I can assure the Deputy that my officials engage very regularly with counterparts across the UK Government, to discuss and support ongoing co-operation on important law enforcement and justice related matters. I hope to speak with the Home Secretary in the new year.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (12 Dec 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 any decisions in relation to the allocation and control of Garda equipment and resources. As Minister for Justice, I have no role in such matters. I am informed by the Garda authorities...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Properties (12 Dec 2023)

Helen McEntee: My Department owns two properties - Thornton Hall in Kilsallaghan, Co. Dublin and Westview House in Cork City. Westview House is under the custodianship of the Probation service and is currently vacant. I am informed that the Local Authority have indicated that they have no interest in the site or the property. My Department is actively engaged with colleagues in The Probation Service to...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Data (12 Dec 2023)

Helen McEntee: Management of the courts, operational matters and logistical functions are 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. The Courts Service has a dedicated email address for the provision of information to members of the Houses of the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Citizenship Applications (12 Dec 2023)

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...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Policies (12 Dec 2023)

Helen McEntee: I propose to take Questions Nos. 566 and 567 together. I can assure the Deputy that I am committed to ensuring that the courts are resourced to administer justice equitably, efficiently and effectively. Furthermore, I am committed to driving the modernisation and Digital First agenda across the entire Justice Sector. These commitments are reflected in Budget 2024, as...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Properties (12 Dec 2023)

Helen McEntee: The Deputy will be aware that the site at Thornton Hall was purchased by the State in 2005 for a new prison development that did not proceed at the time. The site is a fully serviced green field site which remains available for development if required in the future. The Irish Prison Service retains a strong strategic interest in this site for the possible future expansion of the prison estate.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Data (12 Dec 2023)

Helen McEntee: There is currently one Commission of Investigation in process by my Department. The details of this, as requested by the Deputy, are outlined below. Length of Time Underway Conclusion Date Cost To Date Estimated Cost at Completion Hickson Commission of Investigation Commenced November 2018 - expected to complete in mid-...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence (12 Dec 2023)

Helen McEntee: As the deputy is aware, the Government will establish Cuan, the statutory agency with a dedicated focus on Domestic Sexual and Gender-Based Violence next month. The agency will have 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 tackle...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence (12 Dec 2023)

Helen McEntee: One of the overarching goals of the Zero Tolerance Strategy to address domestic, sexual and gender based violence (DSGBV), is ensuring that everyone who needs a refuge space will get one, and I am committed to working with my Government colleagues and with those working in the sector to achieve this. As the Deputy will be aware, Ireland formally ratified the Istanbul Convention on 8 March...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence (12 Dec 2023)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy is aware, the Government will establish Cuan, the statutory agency with a dedicated focus on Domestic Sexual and Gender-Based Violence next month. The agency will have 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 tackle...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Staff (12 Dec 2023)

Helen McEntee: I am informed that no members of staff at my Department suffering with long-Covid have had their employment terminated. I am further informed by the Irish Prison Service that no staff have had their employment terminated due to long Covid. As the Deputy will be aware, Garda members and staff are employed by the Garda Commissioner, who is responsible for the management and...