Results 8,941-8,960 of 17,498 for speaker:Helen McEntee

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Visa Applications (14 Jun 2023)

Helen McEntee: Ireland’s Atypical Working Scheme (AWS) is designed to accommodate the arrival of non-EEA nationals to fill short term labour gaps for the benefit of our economy. In recognition of the importance of front-line medical personnel, the AWS Unit prioritises these applications. There has been an unprecedented demand for Atypical Working Scheme permissions in the first three months of...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Medicinal Products (14 Jun 2023)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will appreciate, the definition of a cannabinoid, or any controlled drug, is a matter for the Department of Health, as covered under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1977. Further information on the classification of different substances under the Misuse of Drugs Act, including cannabinoids, can be found on Drugs.ie, the information site managed by the HSE, at www.drugs.ie/drugtypes/.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Service (14 Jun 2023)

Helen McEntee: I propose to take Questions Nos. 119 and 122 together. Prison Governors are, by law, required to admit into custody all prisoners committed by the Courts and as such, the Irish Prison Service has no control over the numbers committed to custody in any given year. The Irish Prison Service have informed my Department that as of 13 June 2023 there were 869 people on remand which...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Service (14 Jun 2023)

Helen McEntee: I wish to advise the Deputy that the Parole Board, as provided for under the Parole Act 2019, was established on 31 July 2021. The Act placed the parole process on a statutory footing and established an independent, statutory Parole Board to decide on parole applications. The new Parole Board makes its decisions to grant or refuse parole independently from the Minister for Justice and...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Courts Service (14 Jun 2023)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy is aware, court proceedings are under the remit of the Courts Service. Management of the courts are the responsibility of the judiciary and Courts Service, which are independent in exercising their functions under the Courts Service Act 1998 and the separation of powers in the Constitution. The Courts Service has a dedicated email address for the provision of information to...

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Incitement to Violence or Hatred and Hate Offences) Bill 2022: Second Stage (13 Jun 2023)

Helen McEntee: It is good to be back. I am delighted to be here specifically to deal with this Bill. I thank Senators for attending this evening's debate. I am pleased to present this Bill and to have the opportunity to discuss it with Members of the Seanad. The Bill has obviously gone through the Dáil and it is important that we have an opportunity to discuss and debate in this Chamber. Enactment...

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Incitement to Violence or Hatred and Hate Offences) Bill 2022: Second Stage (13 Jun 2023)

Helen McEntee: I would appreciate it if I could continue as there is a lot to cover and I would be able to address much of what is coming up.

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Incitement to Violence or Hatred and Hate Offences) Bill 2022: Second Stage (13 Jun 2023)

Helen McEntee: For the purposes of this Bill, there are 12 aggravated offences which can be classified as "hate crimes". These vary from very serious offences like assault to violent public order offences or criminal damage. These offences have been selected as they are the most commonly cited crimes against people on identity grounds. Where a perpetrator is found guilty of one of these offences that is...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Programmes (13 Jun 2023)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will be aware, the Government agreed to close the Immigrant Investor Programme (IIP) to further applications from 15 February 2023. The IIP Unit has published a FAQ concerning the closure on my Department's website, which will be updated with any further arising questions from the closure, and is available here: www.irishimmigration.ie/faqs-closure-of-the-immigrant-invest...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Programmes (13 Jun 2023)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will be aware, the Government agreed to close the Immigrant Investor Programme (IIP) to further applications from 15 February 2023. The IIP Unit has published a FAQ concerning the closure on my Department's website, which will be updated with any further arising questions from the closure, and is available here: www.irishimmigration.ie/faqs-closure-of-the-immigrant-invest...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (13 Jun 2023)

Helen McEntee: I propose to take Questions Nos. 855 and 856 together. It is my understanding that the Deputy is referring to Parliamentary Question No. 41 of 25 May which sought the number of gardaí assigned to Gaeltacht regions; the number assigned to each station; the number who are fluent in Irish; the same number with respect to each, in each year since 2009. As the Deputy is aware, under...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Airport Security (13 Jun 2023)

Helen McEntee: The Border Management Unit of my Department currently operate 25 eGates at Dublin Airport for eligible passengers arriving into the State. I can confirm that officials from my Department meet with the current eGate supplier on a regular basis to discuss agreed service levels and ensure that all issues or risks are kept under review.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: International Protection (13 Jun 2023)

Helen McEntee: My Department is taking all necessary steps to manage the international protection process fairly, efficiently and effectively, as part of the broader Government response. Since last November a number of measures have been implemented to improve efficiencies and throughput, in tandem with reforms to the application, interview and decision-making process. These reforms are having a significant...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Visa Applications (13 Jun 2023)

Helen McEntee: I can advise the Deputy that the application referred to was granted on 31 May 2023. The applicant has been advised that they must register this permission with their local Garda Síochána Registration Office at Westport Garda Station, The Fairgreen, Westport, Co. Mayo. Attendance is by appointment only. They should contact the local Garda Síochána Registration Office...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: International Protection (13 Jun 2023)

Helen McEntee: The EU Temporary Protection Directive was activated by the EU Council in March 2022 in response to the Russian aggression against Ukraine. The Council Decision to activate the Directive places specific obligations on Ireland and on all EU Member States, including the duration of the temporary protection to be awarded and the State supports and services that the beneficiary should be entitled...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (13 Jun 2023)

Helen McEntee: I propose to take Questions Nos. 861 and 862 together. 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. As Minister, I have no role in such matters. The Government is committed...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Asylum Applications (13 Jun 2023)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy may be aware, for reasons of maintaining full confidentiality, it is not my Department's practice to comment on whether an application for international protection has been made in the State. An applicant for such protection status, or their legal representative, should contact either the International Protection Office (IPO) or the International Protection Appeals Tribunal...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Asylum Applications (13 Jun 2023)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will be aware, overall responsibility for 3rdlevel education in the State and for the operation of the apprenticeship system lies with the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (DFHERIS). In relation to my Department’s responsibility to provide labour market access to International Protection Applicants, I can confirm for the Deputy...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Visa Applications (13 Jun 2023)

Helen McEntee: My Department fully appreciates the needs of business travellers and I can advise that it is open to visa applicants to request their passport back while they are waiting on the processing of their applications. We have also extended the multi-entry visa option for up to 5 years, for all visa required countries. Any person applying for a short stay ‘C’ visa may apply for...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (13 Jun 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 purchase, allocation, and effective and efficient use of Garda resources. As Minister, I have no role in such matters. I can however assure the Deputy that the Government is committed to...