Results 9,581-9,600 of 15,389 for speaker:Helen McEntee

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Citizenship Applications (15 Feb 2022)

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

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Service (15 Feb 2022)

Helen McEntee: Oversight and evaluation are important elements in developing and improving our penal system. Therefore, I welcome the recent publication by the organisation in question and I thank them for this valuable work. The report and its conclusions are being examined by my officials in detail. As the Deputy will be aware, the Programme for Government contains a broad range of policies and...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Service (15 Feb 2022)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will be aware, Ireland's prison population, while higher than the target of 50 per 100,000 which was proposed by the Irish Penal Reform Trust, is low by international standards. As the Deputy will also know, significant action was taken to reduce the prisoner population in March 2020 to ensure that effective infection control was possible across the estate. However, prior...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legislative Reviews (15 Feb 2022)

Helen McEntee: Non-custodial penalties, particularly supervised community sanctions, play a significant and important role in addressing criminality, reducing reoffending and providing a degree of protection to the public. This is supported by Central Statistics Office figures on recidivism. As the Deputy will be aware, the Programme for Government 2020 contains a broad range of policies and proposals...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Service (15 Feb 2022)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy is aware the prison estate comprises a mix of institutions ranging from closed prisons, open prisons, semi-open prisons and remand facilities. This mix of accommodation enables the Service to provide a varied prison regime where progression through the system assists prisoners to prepare for release from custody on completion of a custodial sentence. The provision of single...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Policies (15 Feb 2022)

Helen McEntee: To better inform further discussion on parental alienation, my Department arranged for research to be carried out. Following a competitive tender process in May, research commenced on this important work in June. The aims of the research include to: - Identify the various definitions and characteristics of parental alienation being used internationally. - Investigate what is known...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (15 Feb 2022)

Helen McEntee: As outlined in response to Parliamentary Questions No. 511 of 25 January 2022 and No. 117 of 2 February 2022, I have been advised by An Garda Síochána that it is not possible to provide the information sought. As Minister, it would not be appropriate for me to comment on what is an ongoing Garda investigation. I would, however, make the general point that An Garda...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (15 Feb 2022)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy is aware, in accordance with the Garda Síochána Act 2005 as amended, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána. As Minister, I have no direct role in the matter. I am the advised by the Garda authorities that the successful tenderer that was awarded the contract to provide the new Garda Uniforms was...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Citizenship Applications (15 Feb 2022)

Helen McEntee: The statistics requested by the Deputy are set out in the table below. Month Decisions Issued Cases Finalised January 2021 37 211 February 2021 641 592 March 2021 1,229 429 April 2021 1,446 1,009 May 2021 1,145 ...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legislative Programme (15 Feb 2022)

Helen McEntee: The Programme for Government commits to ‘modernising our licensing laws and application processes’ and my Justice Plan 2021 committed to reviewing and modernising alcohol licensing. In addition, the issue of outdated alcohol licensing legislation was a key challenge identified by stakeholders in the published report of the Night-Time Economy Taskforce. I am delivering on...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (15 Feb 2022)

Helen McEntee: I have sought the information requested by the Deputy from the Garda authorities. I will write to the Deputy once that information is made available to me.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legal Aid (15 Feb 2022)

Helen McEntee: I am committed to undertaking a review of the Civil Legal Aid Scheme and my Department is currently working to finalise the mode and terms of reference of the review. As part of the review process, it is intended that there will be significant consultation to ensure that the insights of a range of stakeholders regarding the operation of the scheme – and how best to support those of...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Inquiry into the Death of Mr. Shane O'Farrell (15 Feb 2022)

Helen McEntee: I wish to assure the Deputy that I recognise the ongoing pain and anguish of the O'Farrell family on the tragic death of Shane and I sincerely sympathise with them on their loss. As the Deputy will be aware, a highly respected retired Judge has been conducting a scoping exercise into the tragic circumstances surrounding Shane O'Farrell's death. The purpose of this exercise is to advise as...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Missing Children (15 Feb 2022)

Helen McEntee: I propose to take Questions Nos. 598 to 600, inclusive, together. At the outset, I would like to acknowledge the pain and trauma experienced by all families of missing persons. I am deeply conscious of how difficult life is for loved ones who simply don't know what has happened to their relative. My Department is committed to working with all relevant state bodies to help more families find...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Citizenship Applications (15 Feb 2022)

Helen McEntee: The application for a certificate of naturalisation from the person referred to by the Deputy is currently being processed with a view to establishing whether the applicant meets the statutory conditions for the granting of naturalisation and will be submitted to me for decision as expeditiously as possible. During this time, it is important that the person maintains their immigration...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (15 Feb 2022)

Helen McEntee: I propose to take Questions Nos. 602 and 605 together. Budget 2022 has allocated €12m for investment in the Garda fleet, which will mean more high visibility policing in our towns and cities. The Deputy will be aware that under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána....

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (15 Feb 2022)

Helen McEntee: I have requested the information sought by the Deputy from An Garda Síochána, but I have not received this information in time. I will write to the Deputy as soon as the information is to hand.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (15 Feb 2022)

Helen McEntee: I have sought the information requested by the Deputy from the Garda authorities. I will ensure to write to the Deputy once that information is available to me.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (15 Feb 2022)

Helen McEntee: I refer to Parliamentary Question No. 478 of 23 November 2021 where the Deputy sought: ‘The number of Garda cars and motorcycles attached to Donegal roads policing unit as of 31 December 2020 and 12 November 2021’. As the Deputy will be aware, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the administration and management of An Garda...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (15 Feb 2022)

Helen McEntee: Parliamentary Question No. 484 of 23 November 2021 refers to the number of Gardaí by rank attached to the Community Policing unit at Coolock Garda station in each of the past five years in tabular form. As the Deputy is aware, in accordance with the Garda Síochána Act 2005 as amended, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda...