Results 7,501-7,520 of 15,389 for speaker:Helen McEntee

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Priorities (12 Oct 2022)

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: Residency Permits (12 Oct 2022)

Helen McEntee: I have confirmed that once the person referred to by the Deputy has submitted an application online to register the Stamp 4 immigration permission granted and that application is at processing stage, a refund of that fee will then be issued. Since 20 July 2020 all renewals for the Dublin area are being processed online at: inisonline.jahs.ie. Queries in relation to the status of...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence (11 Oct 2022)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy may know, in June I published Zero Tolerance, our new Strategy to combat all forms of domestic, sexual and gender based violence and to ensure we fully support those who are victims of it. It is an ambitious five-year programme of reform to achieve a society which does not accept DSGBV or the attitudes which underpin it. The €363 million strategy is built on the four...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence (11 Oct 2022)

Helen McEntee: I propose to take Questions Nos. 584 and 585 together. As the Deputy may be aware, the Dublin Declaration is a statement of intent by the Council of Europe member states on the importance of taking measures to prevent domestic, sexual and gender-based violence (DSGBV). It is a clear statement of our collective commitment to preventing such heinous crimes. A substantial majority of Council...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Courts Service (11 Oct 2022)

Helen McEntee: As part of Budget 2023 I, along with Ministers Donohoe and McGrath, announced a halving of Special Exemption Order court and excise fees. The court fee for each Special Exemption Order is now €150, rather than €300 as was the case previously. Excise duty, payable to the Revenue Commissioners, is now €55 rather than €110 as was the case previously. This means that...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Courts Service (11 Oct 2022)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy may be aware, both the Programme for Government and the Government's Housing for All Strategy commits to the establishment of a new division of the High Court dealing with planning and environmental issues. The Programme for Government specifies that the new law court will be managed by specialist judges and established on the same basis as the existing commercial court model....

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence (11 Oct 2022)

Helen McEntee: It is my intention that every person who needs a refuge space will have access to one. I fully acknowledge the need for a significant increase in the provision of refuge spaces and I am committed to achieving this in order to ensure that victims have a safe place when they need it. In June, I brought to Government Zero Tolerance: the Third National Strategy to combat Domestic, Sexual...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence (11 Oct 2022)

Helen McEntee: Under Budget 2023 I have secured an additional €9m, which represents a 22% increase, for combatting domestic, sexual and gender based violence. This record level of funding will also support the implementation of Zero Tolerance, our Third National Strategy on Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence, which I launched in late June. This additional €9 million includes increased...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: International Protection (11 Oct 2022)

Helen McEntee: In response to the humanitarian situation in Afghanistan, the Department of Justice remains focused on processing applications for family reunification made under all admission avenues, including the Afghan Admissions Programme for family members of Afghan nationals living in Ireland. I understand that this is a difficult situation for our Afghan community and their loved ones. I would...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (11 Oct 2022)

Helen McEntee: I propose to take Questions Nos. 591 and 592 together. 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. This includes responsibility for the recruitment and deployment of Garda members throughout the State. As Minister, I have no role...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legislative Measures (11 Oct 2022)

Helen McEntee: Diverting young people away from involvement in criminal activity is a key priority for the Government and the exploitation of young people and children is a particular concern. As the Deputy will be aware, while the existing law allows an adult to be prosecuted for a crime which has been committed by a child who has been incited to do so by the adult, there is currently no mechanism in law...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Visa Applications (11 Oct 2022)

Helen McEntee: I can advise the Deputy that the applications he refers to were created on a number of dates during the month of August. Supporting documentation in relation to the applications was subsequently received in the visa office on various dates between the 7 and 27 September 2022. It is not possible to give a definitive date as to when these applications will be finalised. All applications...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (11 Oct 2022)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended) for the management and administration of Garda business, including the recruitment and training of Garda members and staff. The Commissioner is also responsible, under section 33 of the Act, for determining the deployment of the Garda Síochána throughout the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Probate Applications (11 Oct 2022)

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: Courts Service (11 Oct 2022)

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: Prison Service (11 Oct 2022)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will be aware, the Prison Service must accept all prisoners committed by the Courts and the prison system is, of course, subject to peaks and troughs. Numbers are particularly high when the Courts are at their busiest and following the return to a more normal level of Court activity, committal numbers have increased across the prison system. The Deputy may wish to know that...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (11 Oct 2022)

Helen McEntee: As provided for in the National Development Plan (NDP) 2021 - 2030, the new Cork County Garda Divisional Headquarters in Macroom, Co. Cork is to be built as part of a Public Private Partnership (PPP) along with the Family Law Court in Hammond Lane, Dublin 7 and the new Garda Station in Clonmel. As the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Courts Service (11 Oct 2022)

Helen McEntee: I am determined to overhaul the operation of the family justice system, to ensure we have a more efficient and user-friendly family court system that puts the family at the centre of its work. This is a key commitment in my Justice Plan 2022. The construction of a purpose-built Family Law Court complex at Hammond Lane is a core to achieving this transformation. It is a key project in...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Immigration Policy (11 Oct 2022)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will appreciate, every State has a duty to protect its borders and to ensure that all arriving passengers are entitled to enter the State. This is a fundamental exercise of State sovereignty, which is necessary to protect the security of the State and to prevent illegal immigration. The exercise of powers in this area is at all times subject to the law and to respect for...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Service (11 Oct 2022)

Helen McEntee: I have sought the information requested by the Deputy from the Irish Prison Service, however, the information was not available in time. I will write to the Deputy once the information is to hand.