Results 11,021-11,040 of 15,389 for speaker:Helen McEntee

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Facilities (17 Feb 2021)

Helen McEntee: I can advise the Deputy that the Irish Prison Service monitors closely the trends in prisoners numbers to support the management of the prison population across the Prison Estate. The number of persons in custody has shown some fluctuation since 2006 and the number of persons in custody peaked in February 2011 at 4,621, before falling back to 3,525 in January 2015. Since 2016, the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Accommodation (17 Feb 2021)

Helen McEntee: The purpose of the tender competition to which the Deputy refers is to admit suitable construction firms into a Framework Agreement who can compete for potential future Irish Prison service capital projects. The new Framework Agreement will supersede the current one which is due to expire this year. It is not predicated on any particular prison design. The establishment of the Framework...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Work Permits (17 Feb 2021)

Helen McEntee: The person referred to by the Deputy submitted an application for preclearance under the Irish Nationals Defacto Partners preclearance scheme on 14 September 2020. This application was examined in detail and a decision was made to refuse this application on 26 November 2020. The reasons for this decision were set out in the refusal letter sent to the applicant at that time. An appeal of...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Courts Service (17 Feb 2021)

Helen McEntee: Under the provisions of the Courts Service Act 1998, management of the courts is the responsibility of the Courts Service, which is independent in exercising its functions. However, in order to be of assistance to the Deputy, I have had enquiries made. The Courts Service has advised me that they cannot provide waiting times for small claims cases. The underlining principle of this type of...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Equipment (17 Feb 2021)

Helen McEntee: The resources provided by Government to An Garda Síochána have reached unprecedented levels, with an allocation of €1.88 billion for 2020 and of €1.952 billion in Budget 2021. This level of investment is enabling sustained, ongoing recruitment of Garda members and staff. There are now approximately 14,600 Gardaí nationwide, supported by over 3,000 Garda staff....

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Deployment (17 Feb 2021)

Helen McEntee: The Deputy will be aware that the Garda Commissioner is by law responsible for the management of An Garda Síochána, including personnel matters and deployment of resources. As Minister, I have no role in decisions on such matters. I am assured, however, that Garda management keeps the distribution of resources under continual review in the context of crime trends and policing...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Deployment (17 Feb 2021)

Helen McEntee: The resources provided by Government to An Garda Síochána have reached unprecedented levels, with an allocation of €1.88 billion for 2020 and of €1.952 billion in Budget 2021. This level of investment is enabling sustained, ongoing recruitment of Garda members and staff. There are now approximately 14,600 Gardaí nationwide, supported by over 3,000 Garda staff....

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Probate Applications (17 Feb 2021)

Helen McEntee: Under the provisions of the Courts Service Act 1998, management of the courts, including the provision of accommodation for court sittings, is the responsibility of the Courts Service, which is independent in exercising its functions. However, in order to be of assistance to the Deputy, I have had enquiries made and the Courts Service have advised me of the following. Regarding the Dublin...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Contracts (17 Feb 2021)

Helen McEntee: I wish to advise the Deputy that no expenditure has been incurred on PR from 1 January to 11 Feb 2021.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Ministerial Communications (17 Feb 2021)

Helen McEntee: I have not yet met with former Attorney General William Barr or any of his successors since my appointment as Minister for Justice in June 2020.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Insurance Fraud (17 Feb 2021)

Helen McEntee: I have requested information from the Garda Commissioner in relation to this matter but unfortunately it was not possible to compile it in the time available. I will write to the Deputy directly with the information requested, when it is available.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Deployment (17 Feb 2021)

Helen McEntee: The resources provided by Government to An Garda Síochána have reached unprecedented levels, with an allocation of €1.88 billion for 2020 and of €1.952 billion in Budget 2021. This level of investment is enabling sustained, ongoing recruitment of Garda members and staff. There are now approximately 14,600 Gardaí nationwide, supported by over 3,000 Garda staff....

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Visa Applications (17 Feb 2021)

Helen McEntee: As part of Government efforts to tackle the pandemic, new visa requirements on passport holders from a number of countries came into effect at midnight on 27 January 2021. Passport holders of the following countries are now required to apply for an entry visa or transit visa, as appropriate, before travelling to Ireland: - Brazil - South Africa - Argentina - Bolivia - Chile - Colombia...

Seanad: Children (Amendment) Bill 2020: Second Stage (15 Feb 2021)

Helen McEntee: I thank Senator McDowell and the other proposing Senators for bringing this Bill before the Seanad. As we are all aware, and as the Senator and others have clearly explained, the Bill is in response to issues from the recent decision of the Courts in DPP and EC v. The Irish Timesand others. Section 252 of the Children Act 2001 contains mandatory reporting restrictions where the trial...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legislative Measures (11 Feb 2021)

Helen McEntee: I want to record at the outset my sympathy for all those affected by issues arising from CervicalCheck. I met with the 221+ Patient Support Group before Christmas and they explained their concerns in relation to a number of matters including the issue raised by the Deputy concerning the operation of the Civil Liability Act 1961. I have received a copy of a draft Bill that the Deputy...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Asylum Seekers (11 Feb 2021)

Helen McEntee: I have requested information from the Garda Commissioner in relation to this matter. Unfortunately, it was not possible to compile it in the time available. I will write to the Deputy directly with the information requested, when it is available.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Staff (11 Feb 2021)

Helen McEntee: I wish to advise the Deputy that staff can express an interest in moving internally to other areas of the Department, and this is taken into consideration when filling vacancies. HR fill vacancies in line with sequencing obligations as set out by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (DPER). Transfers for Department of Justice staff to bodies under the remit of the Department (such...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Visa Applications (11 Feb 2021)

Helen McEntee: I wish to assure the Deputy that I understand and recognise the difficulties that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on all immigrants including our international student population. Through their participation in part-time and casual employment in many essential services they have made a valuable contribution during extremely difficult times. Since March 2020, I have extended immigration...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Courts Service (11 Feb 2021)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy is aware, under the provisions of the Courts Service Act 1998, management of the courts is the responsibility of the Courts Service, which is independent in exercising its functions. This includes the provision of information on the courts system. In order to be of assistance to the Deputy, I have made enquiries with the Courts Service, who have informed me that statistics in...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Investigations (11 Feb 2021)

Helen McEntee: The Deputy will appreciate that it is the role of An Garda Síochána to investigate alleged offences, to gather whatever evidence may be available and to submit a report to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP). The DPP, who is independent in the performance of her functions, then decides whether or not someone should be prosecuted, and for what offence, on the basis of the...