Results 10,921-10,940 of 15,536 for speaker:Helen McEntee

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legal Services Regulation (24 Mar 2021)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy may be aware, the possible establishment of such a register has been suggested on a number of occasions, including in a number of Private Members Bills. However, consultations have taken place with a number of stakeholders, including the Law Society, and they have identified a number of important practical and legal obstacles to establishing such a mechanism.  As a...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Expenditure (24 Mar 2021)

Helen McEntee: The impact of Covid 19 was felt throughout the Justice Sector in 2020 and gave rise to additional expenditure in a number of areas including front-line services, in An Garda Síochána, Prisons, Courts and services for victims of domestic abuse. These additional requirements contributed to the need for net supplementary estimates in the case of the Garda Vote (€44.325 million);...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Administrative Arrangements (24 Mar 2021)

Helen McEntee: I understand from my officials that it is possible for persons to make payments to my Department in a number of ways, and that there were a small number of fees in 2020 which were paid by Electronic Funds Transfer, postal order and cheque. Furthermore, I understand that my officials in the Immigration Service Delivery function of the Department are currently operating online...

Seanad: Family Leave Bill 2021: Committee and Remaining Stages (22 Mar 2021)

Helen McEntee: I thank the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, Deputy Roderic O'Gorman, and the team in his Department for facilitating the introduction of these amendments. I also thank Senators and, of course, colleagues in the Dáil. There are five Government amendments from the Department of Justice to the Bill. They have, essentially, the overall purpose of making...

Seanad: Family Leave Bill 2021: Committee and Remaining Stages (22 Mar 2021)

Helen McEntee: I reiterate my thanks for the facilitation of these amendments. I appreciate it is not the ideal way to introduce amendments. As Senator Bacik outlined, this is the quickest way to make sure the new personal injuries guidelines could be applied as soon as possible and, most importantly, that people would start to see the benefits of these reductions. Of course, where people have genuine...

Children (Amendment) Bill 2020 [Seanad]: Second Stage (11 Mar 2021)

Helen McEntee: A copy should have been given out.

Children (Amendment) Bill 2020 [Seanad]: Second Stage (11 Mar 2021)

Helen McEntee: I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time." I will start by thanking Senator McDowell and the other proposing Senators for introducing this Bill in the Seanad. It has now passed all Stages in the Seanad, with some Government amendments and with Government support. I acknowledge the Private Members' Bill proposed by Deputy Jim O'Callaghan, which addresses the same issue, and I thank...

Criminal Procedure Bill 2021: Report and Final Stages (11 Mar 2021)

Helen McEntee: I stress that I agree with all Deputies in this House on the need to review the way in which legislation is monitored, reviewed and managed after its enactment. Until that is done, however, it would be inappropriate to specify that a review be carried out after three years, as this amendment seeks to do. The example of the Children's Act 2001 has been used. If that Bill had been reviewed...

Criminal Procedure Bill 2021: Report and Final Stages (11 Mar 2021)

Helen McEntee: I fully agree with most of the comments that have been made. There is significant value in keeping our legislation under review. It is a crucial part of the process in ensuring that the laws we implement will impact and work for citizens as we intend them to. Deputies will be aware of the long history of this Bill, which has been drafted in close consultation with a number of key specific...

Criminal Procedure Bill 2021: Report and Final Stages (11 Mar 2021)

Helen McEntee: I again want to thank the Deputy for putting forward this amendment. I appreciate the spirit in which it has been tabled, but unfortunately because the amendment, as proposed, specifically relates to ensuring there are greater efficiencies and avoiding disruption, in a sense it ties the hands of the court, in particular where issues arise where there is an interest of justice that needs to...

Criminal Procedure Bill 2021: Report and Final Stages (11 Mar 2021)

Helen McEntee: I apologise for not being here at the start of the debate; the previous Bill moved faster than I expected. I thank the Deputies for putting forward this amendment. This legislation is being introduced for a number of reasons, the first being to create greater efficiencies, particularly for jury trials. It is to create greater efficiencies in the swearing in of juries and the process and...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (11 Mar 2021)

Helen McEntee: On that issue, following on from the publication of the O'Malley report last year we have published an implementation plan, part of which is supporting a victim's journey. The key focus is to make sure that we support victims through what is an extremely difficult and traumatic experience, as outlined by the Deputy. There are a number of recommendations and actions, one of which is...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Accommodation (11 Mar 2021)

Helen McEntee: I propose to take Questions Nos. 170 and 177 together. I have requested the information sought by the Deputy from the Irish Prison Service and will contact the Deputy as soon as it is available.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Deployment (11 Mar 2021)

Helen McEntee: An Garda Síochána has been allocated an unprecedented budget of €1.952 billion for 2021. This level of funding is enabling sustained, ongoing recruitment of Garda members and staff. As a result, there are now approximately 14,500 Garda members and over 3,100 Garda staff nationwide. The Deputy will be aware that the Garda Commissioner is, by law, responsible for the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Residency Permits (11 Mar 2021)

Helen McEntee: Non-EEA family members or dependents of UK nationals continue to hold the same residence rights to live, work or study in Ireland, if they resided here at the end of the transition period on 31 December 2020. It is estimated that approximately 6,000 non-EEA nationals resident in Ireland will apply for a new residence document under the Withdrawal Agreement as family members of UK nationals....

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: International Protection (11 Mar 2021)

Helen McEntee: At the end of January 2021, there were 5,279 cases pending at the International Protection Office (IPO). The table below provides a breakdown of this figure by duration pending. Applications pending at the IPO at the end of January 2021 Duration pending Total Less than 3 months 356 Between 3 and 6 months 378 ...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: International Protection (11 Mar 2021)

Helen McEntee: The report of the Advisory Group on the Provision of Support including Accommodation to Persons in the International Protection Process made a range of recommendations concerning improvements to supports provided to those in the international protection process, including that the State should develop a strategy and, if necessary, enact legislation for dealing with unsuccessful applicants who...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Anti-Social Behaviour (11 Mar 2021)

Helen McEntee: I can inform the Deputy that I am very conscious of how the impact of anti-social behaviour affects the quality of life for local communities. Tackling crime in our communities is a priority for this Government and for An Garda Síochána. The new Programme for Government, Our Shared Future, recognises the fear and insecurity caused by anti-social behaviour and commits to tackling...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legislative Reviews (11 Mar 2021)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will appreciate, the issue of assisted dying is a very complex issue which gives rise to medical, ethical and moral issues, as well as criminal justice and constitutional issues. The issues fall within the remit of both the Departments of Justice and Health. The Bill as originally proposed is now subject to pre-committee scrutiny where it will be examined in detail. The...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Vacant Sites (11 Mar 2021)

Helen McEntee: I am advised by the Irish Prison Service that no expenditure has been incurred under the vacant site levy in respect of the Thornton Hall site.