Results 8,461-8,480 of 15,389 for speaker:Helen McEntee

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Service (24 May 2022)

Helen McEntee: I can inform the Deputy that a breakdown of medical and psychology staff currently employed by the Irish Prison Service is set out in the tables below. I can further inform the Deputy that there a number of vacant posts for the grades of Doctor, Senior Psychologist and Staff Grade Psychologist and as these posts, where possible, are being filled through the use of locums, details on the use...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (24 May 2022)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will be aware, Divisional Protective Services Units (DPSUs) support the delivery of a consistent and professional approach to the investigation of sexual and domestic crime. As the Deputy will also be aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended) for the deployment of An Garda Síochána throughout the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Probate Applications (24 May 2022)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy may be aware, the Probate Office is an office of the High Court. Under the provisions of the Courts Service Act 1998, management of the courts is the responsibility of the Courts Service, which is independent in its functions. Probate functions are also carried out by County Registrars at District Probate Registries in 14 provincial court offices, who are also independent in...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Service (24 May 2022)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy is aware, the former Cork prison was built in the early 1800s and served as a military detention barracks until it was transferred to the ownership of my Department in 1972. Due to the age, fabric and condition of the building including lack of in-cell sanitation, a decision was taken in 2014 to close it and construct a new modern prison on a site opposite the former prison. I...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Asylum Seekers (24 May 2022)

Helen McEntee: The overall objective of my Department is to have recommendations made on international protection applications as soon as possible. This ensures that those who are found to be in need of protection from the State can receive it quickly and begin rebuilding their lives here with a sense of safety and security. Anyone who wishes to make an application for international protection must...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legislative Programme (24 May 2022)

Helen McEntee: I strongly condemn the actions of the small minority who subject others to abuse or attack resulting from their own prejudice. We live in a diverse and welcoming country and our law and values should reflect this. Work is ongoing as a priority to legislate for hate crime and hate speech to ensure that Ireland is a safe and secure place for all. A hate crime occurs where an offence is...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence (24 May 2022)

Helen McEntee: This Government is committed to tackling domestic, sexual and gender-based violence (DSGBV) in all its forms, and to ensuring that people, particularly women and vulnerable people, feel safe and are safe in our communities. As the Deputy is aware, I am currently leading work on a new whole of Government strategy to combat domestic, sexual and gender-based violence. This new plan will have...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence (24 May 2022)

Helen McEntee: I can assure the Deputy that it is my goal that everyone who needs a refuge space will get one, and I am deeply committed to working with our partners in the sector and with my Government colleagues to achieve that. This Government has prioritised tackling domestic, sexual and gender-based violence (DSGBV) in all its forms, and ensuring that people, particularly women and vulnerable people,...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (24 May 2022)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy may be aware, my Department has been conducting a review of the compulsory retirement age of Garda members, currently 60. This work is at an advanced stage and I expect to be in a position to consider recommendations shortly. The Deputy will appreciate that any proposal to make changes to the age of retirement will involve the amendment of primary and secondary...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Investigations (24 May 2022)

Helen McEntee: I can inform the Deputy that my Department conducted one investigation following a suspected information leak to the media in 2019. Following an internal investigation, it was concluded that it was highly unlikely that the information was leaked from my Department as it was already in the public domain. As I am sure the Deputy will appreciate, it would not be appropriate for me to comment...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Court Procedures (24 May 2022)

Helen McEntee: Justice Plan 2022 commits to legislating for new pre-action protocols (clinical negligence) to encourage early resolution of allegations of negligence, promoting timely communications between parties, and reducing the number of clinical negligence actions which are brought, and to including these enabling provisions in a civil law miscellaneous provisions Bill. Work, in conjunction with the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Residency Permits (24 May 2022)

Helen McEntee: My Department's Registration Office in Burgh Quay is responsible for registering immigration permissions for customers residing in the Dublin area only. Registrations outside of the Dublin area are processed by the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) through the Garda Station network. The allocation of appointments with GNIB is a matter for An Garda Síochána. If a person...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence (24 May 2022)

Helen McEntee: I can inform the Deputy that I received a similar copy of the correspondence referred to directly from the organisation concerned, the contents of which which is focused on domestic, sexual and gender-based violence.  I can assure you and the organisation involved that tackling these heinous crimes is a priority for me, my Department and this Government. The prioritisation of this...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Drug Dealing (24 May 2022)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible by law for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána, including operational matters such as arrests for the sale and supply of drugs. As Minister, I have no role in the matter.  I am advised by the Garda authorities that the following table outlines the count of Charges/Summons by Proceedings...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Drug Dealing (24 May 2022)

Helen McEntee: I propose to take Questions Nos. 560 and 561 together. The continued disruption of the supply of all illicit drugs remains a priority for An Garda Síochána and the other State agencies tasked with responsibilities in this regard. A concerted effort has been made over the past two years to ensure that the detection and prevention of these types of criminal activity have not been...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (24 May 2022)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will appreciate, in accordance with the Garda Síochána Act 2005, as amended, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána. I am informed by the Garda authorities that the Serious Crime Review Team was established in 2007 under the direction of Detective Chief Superintendent, Garda National Bureau of...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Asylum Applications (24 May 2022)

Helen McEntee: The overall objective of my Department is to have recommendations made on international protection applications as soon as possible. This ensures that those who are found to be in need of protection from the State can receive it quickly and begin rebuilding their lives here with a sense of safety and security. I can assure the Deputy that my Department continues to work to improve the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (24 May 2022)

Helen McEntee: I propose to take Questions Nos. 565 and 566 together. The Government is committed to ensuring that An Garda Síochána has the resources it needs, with the unprecedented allocation provided in Budget 2022 of over €2 billion. As the Deputy will be aware, in accordance with the Garda Síochána Act 2005, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (24 May 2022)

Helen McEntee: I have contacted the Garda authorities to provide the information sought by the Deputy; unfortunately this was not to hand in time. I will write to the Deputy once the information is received. 

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (24 May 2022)

Helen McEntee: I have requested the information sought by the Deputy from the Garda authorities.  Unfortunately this was not to hand in time. I will write to the Deputy once the information is received.