Results 9,301-9,320 of 17,543 for speaker:Helen McEntee

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Service (8 Nov 2022)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will be aware, the Irish Prison Service has continued to unwind Covid-19 restrictions throughout 2022, with most restrictions lifted at this stage and normal service provision in operation across the Prison Estate subject to available resources.  The Irish Prison Service is currently working towards the resumption of weekly physical visits on a trial basis by the end...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (8 Nov 2022)

Helen McEntee: The Garda Síochána Complaints Board and the related Garda Síochána Complaints Appeal Board were established under the Garda Síochána (Complaints) Act 1986 to investigate complaints concerning the conduct of members of the Garda Síochána.  These functions were retained until Part 3 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 was enacted and the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Properties (8 Nov 2022)

Helen McEntee: I can inform the Deputy that my Department has not made any proposal to purchase the site in question.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Immigration Policy (8 Nov 2022)

Helen McEntee: I propose to take Questions Nos. 859, 862, 869, 876 and 895 together. The scheme for the Regularisation of Long Term Undocumented Migrants closed on 31 July 2022. This once in a generation scheme was designed to give long-term undocumented people without a current permission to remain in the State, the chance to regularise their status, access the labour market and begin their path to...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (8 Nov 2022)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy may be aware, claims from property owners for damage caused to their properties arising from searches undertaken by the Garda Síochána are managed by the State Claims Agency (SCA). Each claim is considered separately, having regard to the particular facts of the case. The general policy of...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (8 Nov 2022)

Helen McEntee: I welcome the strong interest which exists for serving as a member of An Garda Síochána and the strong desire which many people have to serve our communities.  The 2022 recruitment campaign for An Garda Síochána saw 11,000 people express an interest in joining the service.   As the Deputy will be aware, recruitment to An Garda Síochána is...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Alcohol Sales (8 Nov 2022)

Helen McEntee: Following extensive consultation with representative bodies in the licensed trade, businesses, public health bodies, consumers and communities, the General Scheme of the Sale of Alcohol Bill was published on the 25th of October. It marks the Government’s commitment to the reform and streamlining of licensing laws to support and stimulate the night time economy. The present system...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Road Traffic Accidents (8 Nov 2022)

Helen McEntee: At the outset I would like to assure you that I am deeply conscious the traumatic impact that road traffic fatalities has on those families and friends who have lost loved ones as a result of road traffic accidents. As you will appreciate, in accordance with the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Immigration Status (8 Nov 2022)

Helen McEntee: The granting of Irish citizenship through naturalisation is governed by the provisions of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended, and all applications are processed in line with the eligibility criteria as set out under the Act. Each application is assessed individually in accordance with the provisions of the Act. A determination on whether an applicant satisfies the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (8 Nov 2022)

Helen McEntee: The Garda Commissioner is operationally responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána, which includes decisions on the deployment of personnel among the various Garda Divisions. I am assured that Garda management keeps the distribution of resources under continual review. I am advised that this is considered...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Naturalisation Applications (8 Nov 2022)

Helen McEntee: The naturalisation application from the person referred to by the Deputy continues to be processed by my Department, with a view to establishing whether the applicant meets the statutory conditions for the granting of naturalisation. It will be submitted to me for decision in due course.  The granting of Irish citizenship through naturalisation is a privilege and an honour which...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Defective Building Materials (8 Nov 2022)

Helen McEntee: The conveyancing system allows purchasers of second hand houses to enquire as to the nature, quality and condition of a property prior to purchase. The Government approved the Remediation of Dwellings Damaged by the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks Bill 2022 on 21 June and the Bill passed through both Houses of the Oireachtas and was subsequently signed into law by the President on the 23...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Family Reunification (8 Nov 2022)

Helen McEntee: My Department received 782 family reunification applications for 2,287 family members under the International Protection Act 2015 between, 31 October 2021 to 31 October 2022. The table below gives the number of applications received and decided by month. Decisions issued may relate to applications which were received outside the requested period due to the time taken to process applications....

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Visa Applications (8 Nov 2022)

Helen McEntee: The persons referred to by the Deputy created online join family visa applications on the 28 July 2022. Officials in the visa office Abu Dhabi have advised that an email requesting further documentation was then sent to the applicants email address on the 28 July 2022. To date the visa office have not received a response to this request. These applications cannot be processed any further...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Family Reunification (8 Nov 2022)

Helen McEntee: It is entirely understandable that an Irish citizen or a non-EEA national lawfully resident in the State would wish to have their parent residing with them so as to ensure their wellbeing as they get older and for the general enrichment of family life. Iranian nationals are visa required and must have a valid Irish entry visa before they seek to enter the State. Any visa required national...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Immigration Policy (8 Nov 2022)

Helen McEntee: I can advise the Deputy that in certain circumstances officials of my Department may request that the sponsor of an immigration application and their beneficiary undergo a DNA test to confirm the relationship. It should be noted that a DNA test is used only to prove a relationship between the persons tested. It cannot be used to identify a person, therefore sufficient evidence to prove...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Travel Documents (8 Nov 2022)

Helen McEntee: I can advise the Deputy that the completed form should be signed and stamped by the school principal. An appointment should be made with a local Immigration Officer and the signed form presented. The nearest Garda station can be located at the following link: www.garda.ie/en/contact-us/station-directory/ The individuals referred to do not require a visa or re-entry visa to return to the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Service (8 Nov 2022)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will be aware, the Prison Service must accept all prisoners committed by the Courts and does not have the option of refusing to take prisoners into custody. The numbers in prison 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...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Service (8 Nov 2022)

Helen McEntee: I know that female offenders represent a particularly vulnerable group within the prison system and I can assure the Deputy that the Prison Service is acutely aware of the challenges that these vulnerable women face. The particular needs of women prisoners is reflected in how our modern prison facilities are developed.  The Dóchas Centre, which accommodates the majority of...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Assisted Decision-Making (8 Nov 2022)

Helen McEntee: The Programme for Government commits to commencing the Assisted Decision Making (Capacity) Act 2015, recognising the importance of the much-needed reform that it represents. The Act will bring into effect a new legislative framework to support decision making by adults with capacity difficulties. The Act provides for a three tier framework of decision making assistance arrangements,...