Results 8,081-8,100 of 17,498 for speaker:Helen McEntee

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (17 Oct 2023)

Helen McEntee: As you are aware, in accordance with the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), it is the Garda Commissioner who is responsible for managing and controlling the administration and business of An Garda Síochána, including the deployment of Garda resources and training of Garda personnel. As Minister, I have no direct role in these matters. A Senior Investigating Officer...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Crime Prevention (17 Oct 2023)

Helen McEntee: My top priority is building stronger, safer communities and that is reflected in the budget allocation of €2.31 billion announced last week for An Garda Síochána, which has grown considerably since I took office in 2020. This unprecedented budget will strengthen the work of An Garda Síochána and the criminal justice sector to prevent and detect crime and protect...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Data Protection (17 Oct 2023)

Helen McEntee: My Department is committed to protecting the rights and privacy of all individuals in accordance with the EU General Data Protection Regulation, 2016/679 (GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018. My Department complies fully with data breach reporting requirements. Securing and managing personal data in accordance with the GDPR principles is a priority and is governed by a comprehensive set...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Data (17 Oct 2023)

Helen McEntee: I can assure the Deputy that this Government is deeply committed to tackling sexual violence and sexual crime in all its forms. Working to ensure that victims feel empowered to report sexual crimes and that when they do, they are fully supported at every stage of their interaction with our justice system, has been a priority for me as Minister for Justice. Building the confidence of victims...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Service (17 Oct 2023)

Helen McEntee: I propose to take Questions Nos. 407 to 409, inclusive, together. I am advised by officials in the Irish Prison Service that on 30 September 2023 there were 4,581 people in prison and the bed capacity was 4,515. Of the 4,581 people in prison, 3,197 had previously been committed into custody. The Deputy will wish to be aware that the officials in the Irish Prison Service and in my...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (17 Oct 2023)

Helen McEntee: The unprecedented allocation of over €2 billion to An Garda Síochána in 2023 and 2024, up 23 per cent since 2020, demonstrates the Government's commitment to ensuring the Gardaí have provision for the equipment, technology, facilities, fleet and personnel it needs to carry out vital policing work. As the Deputy will be aware, by law the Garda Commissioner is responsible...

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Domestic, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Agency Bill 2023: Committee Stage (17 Oct 2023)

Helen McEntee: Yes. I thank both Deputies for raising this point. These amendments both seek to amend section 21 of the Bill to create a statutory obligation on the Minister to consult with the chief executive of the agency when appointing staff to it. Section 21(1) replicates the arrangements already in place for providing staff to several other bodies under the aegis of my Department. These include...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Immigration Policy (12 Oct 2023)

Helen McEntee: An Garda Síochána has oversight of the registration and renewal of immigration permissions for persons residing outside of the Dublin area. This responsibility rests with local Superintendents or the relevant Detective Superintendent. The waiting time for appointments outside of Dublin is dependent on the demand for registrations in each office, and fluctuates based on seasonal...

Financial Resolutions 2023 - Financial Resolution No. 4: General (Resumed) (11 Oct 2023)

Helen McEntee: Apologies, I thought we had ten minutes between the two of us.

Financial Resolutions 2023 - Financial Resolution No. 4: General (Resumed) (11 Oct 2023)

Helen McEntee: The justice allocation for 2024 of €3.5 billion is a real boost in helping us build stronger, safer communities. We are doing this across a range of areas, including supporting and strengthening An Garda Síochána, establishing community safety partnerships across the country and operating a zero-tolerance approach domestic, sexual and gender-based violence. We are also...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: An Garda Síochána (11 Oct 2023)

Helen McEntee: While I cannot give an answer on where members will go, the Garda Commissioner, with his senior management, will consider the number of gardaí graduating from the college, the issues arising in various counties and divisions, overall Garda strength, the overall population and communities’ needs. We will then see resources being deployed. The most important measure I can take...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: An Garda Síochána (11 Oct 2023)

Helen McEntee: In previous years, the highest number of people going through the college was approximately 1,000. It depends on the number of classes that can go through the college in any given year, which varies from four to five. Five classes will be in or have gone through Templemore this year. Next year, there will most likely be four starting. It is about ensuring that we fill those classes as...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: An Garda Síochána (11 Oct 2023)

Helen McEntee: When it comes to recruitment and retention, nothing is off the table. This is an area to which the Garda and I are committed. A new media campaign was launched across television, radio, newspapers and social media to promote the Garda trainee campaign. The Garda has also promoted it by engaging with communities across the country, including local engagement with third level institutions...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: An Garda Síochána (11 Oct 2023)

Helen McEntee: I will briefly outline the three ways in which we are helping to attract new members. We have expanded diversity teams within the Garda, meaning that we have dedicated gardaí to reach out to various communities. This creates a link or trust that might not have existed before. Building these relationships encourages people to see a career in the Garda where they might not have...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: An Garda Síochána (11 Oct 2023)

Helen McEntee: My overall ambition in this year’s budget was to ensure we could support An Garda Síochána in whatever way possible. This is not just by increasing their numbers, but by supporting those who are already active and doing great work on the ground. That is why we have allocated €2.3 billion, which is the largest figure ever for An Garda Síochána. It...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: An Garda Síochána (11 Oct 2023)

Helen McEntee: -----or when they are training in various stations. That is our way of supporting them and making sure they have the resources to be able to get into training and to take up what is a fantastic and valuable profession.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: An Garda Síochána (11 Oct 2023)

Helen McEntee: In terms of the overall numbers, we knew we would most likely see a drop. We have gone below 14,000, but we are now in a position where that is steadying. After the next intake, we will most likely be in a position where we will be above 14,000 again. We are moving in the right direction. The closure in the Garda College during Covid-19, as well as the fact that we are coming into a...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: An Garda Síochána (11 Oct 2023)

Helen McEntee: -----and the systems and structures that are being put in place. There is a lot of change happening at present, and it is happening in a very short period. We have to acknowledge that. I know the Garda Commissioner acknowledges that a great deal of change happening. That is why there are continuous reviews to make sure the new systems, online procedures, new roles and people’s...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: An Garda Síochána (11 Oct 2023)

Helen McEntee: However, the best way for us to support gardaí is by making sure we have more of them because this will lessen the workload. That is why when it comes to the Garda, recruitment is the number one priority, The latter will ensure that we have as many members as possible to lighten the load and lessen the burden that many members are experiencing at the moment.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: An Garda Síochána (11 Oct 2023)

Helen McEntee: I mentioned that a lot of change is happening, but change can be good as well.