Results 8,021-8,040 of 17,498 for speaker:Helen McEntee

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence (24 Oct 2023)

Helen McEntee: Zero Tolerance, the Government’s Third National Strategy on DSGBV, published last year, is an ambitious five-year programme of reform to achieve a society which does not accept DSGBV or the attitudes which underpin it. I can assure the Deputy that I am committed to working with my Government colleagues and with those working in the sector to achieve the goals set out in the Strategy....

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Closed-Circuit Television Systems (24 Oct 2023)

Helen McEntee: I propose to take Questions Nos. 411 and 412 together. As the Deputy may be aware, since 2017 my Department has administered a grant-aid scheme supporting groups wishing to establish a community-based CCTV system in their area. The CCTV grant scheme was extended in 2019 to cover not only new CCTV systems, but to also provide funding for the extension or upgrade of existing CCTV systems which...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Victim Support Services (24 Oct 2023)

Helen McEntee: Ensuring that we have a victim centred criminal justice system that supports and protects victims for the duration of their journey through it has been a priority for me since I took office as Minister for Justice. The provision of training is a central concern in 'Zero Tolerance', the Third National Strategy on Domestic, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence and was also identified as a...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Data (24 Oct 2023)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy is 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 recording of information on, and the maintenance of, the PULSE system. Data on drugs generally is provided in PULSE incidents recorded by An Garda Síochána. I am advised by the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Data (24 Oct 2023)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will be aware the Garda Commissioner is operationally responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána. This includes the allocation of Garda members to a given area or specialist unit. As Minister I have no role in this matter. I understand that the Deputy is referring to the number of Garda members assigned to the drugs units in each Garda...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Naturalisation Applications (19 Oct 2023)

Helen McEntee: Citizenship ceremonies were first introduced in 2011 and mark the transition to Irish citizenship by new citizens in a dignified and celebratory manner with the appropriate solemnity such a landmark event deserves. The ceremonies have been universally well received and contribute in no small measure to the continuing integration of our new citizens. The provisions referred to by the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Naturalisation Applications (19 Oct 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: Courts Service (19 Oct 2023)

Helen McEntee: The Deputy will appreciate that the management of the courts is the responsibility of the Courts Service. I can, however, assure him that the Department fully supports the Courts Service in its work to create an environment where justice can be administered efficiently and accessibly for all citizens. The Government have invested substantial additional resources into the Courts Service in...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Naturalisation Applications (19 Oct 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: An Garda Síochána (19 Oct 2023)

Helen McEntee: I propose to take Questions Nos. 250 and 251 together. The unprecedented allocation of over €2.3 billion to An Garda Síochána in 2023 and 2024, up 23 per cent since 2020, 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. This...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Family Reunification (19 Oct 2023)

Helen McEntee: My Department is working closely with colleagues in the Department of Foreign Affairs to ensure a coordinated national response to this volatile and evolving situation including in their work to evacuate Irish citizens and their families who may require visa assistance.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Immigration Status (19 Oct 2023)

Helen McEntee: The person referred to by the Deputy submitted an application for a Change of Status, which was received on 30 March 2023. To be fair to all applicants, applications are dealt with in chronological order by date received. My Department endeavours to process applications as quickly as possible. However, processing times may vary due to a number of factors, such as the number of...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Immigration Status (19 Oct 2023)

Helen McEntee: I am informed that the person referred to by the Deputy has permission to remain under Stamp 4 conditions until 26 February 2024. The person concerned has been advised of the conditions attaching to their permission to remain and of the requirement to apply to their local immigration registration office for a further renewal of their permission to remain two weeks before their existing...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Residency Permits (19 Oct 2023)

Helen McEntee: I can advise the Deputy that the person referred currently does not have any open application with my Department. I encourage them to contact the Immigration Service Delivery (ISD) or their local immigration office and to take all the appropriate steps to regularise their status. Any application submitted should explain their current circumstances and future intentions in the State and...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Residency Permits (19 Oct 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 of the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (19 Oct 2023)

Helen McEntee: I refer the Deputy to Parliamentary Question 677 of 21 June 2022 and I can advise the position remains as set out in that answer and that I have been informed by Garda authorities that this matter was fully investigated by An Garda Síochána, and the Director of Public Prosecutions directed no prosecution. As you know, the Minister has no role in relation to these matters.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Legal Cases (18 Oct 2023)

Helen McEntee: 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: An Garda Síochána (18 Oct 2023)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will be aware, funding for An Garda Síochána is provided through Vote 20, the Garda Vote and is not accounted under my Department's Vote. The Garda Commissioner is the Accounting Officer for the Garda Vote under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended) and is accountable for the economy and the efficiency of the Garda Síochána in using its...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (18 Oct 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 for the recruitment, training and deployment of Garda members and staff. As Minister, I have no role in such matters. The Government is committed to building stronger, safer communities...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Crime Prevention (18 Oct 2023)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy may be aware, Government policy in the area of drugs is focused on reducing the harms for individuals, communities and promoting rehabilitation and recovery. This policy is guided by the national drugs and alcohol strategy, which represents a whole-of-Government response to drug and alcohol use in Ireland. Implementation of the strategy is led by my colleagues the Minister...