Results 11,201-11,220 of 15,389 for speaker:Helen McEntee

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Family Reunification (28 Jan 2021)

Helen McEntee: I recognise that family reunification contributes towards the integration of foreign nationals in the State. Accordingly, in this area, the focus of the Immigration Service of my Department continues to be on the facilitation of family reunification with an Irish citizen or certain categories of non-EEA persons lawfully resident where such persons meet the appropriate criteria, having regard...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Immigration Data (28 Jan 2021)

Helen McEntee: I propose to take Questions Nos. 217 and 218 together. The average length of time in 2020, between receipt of a completed De Facto Partnership Immigration Permission application and the issuing of a decision on the application was six months. De Facto Partnership applications are being accepted and processed and have been throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. These applications are...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Immigration Policy (28 Jan 2021)

Helen McEntee: I can advise the Deputy that detention for immigration reasons only arises when all other possible options have been considered. In the case of persons refused leave to land to enter the State, arrangements are madeby the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) to return them to their point of embarkation at the earliest opportunity, which may take a number of days. All refusal of leave to...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Sentencing Policy (28 Jan 2021)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy may be aware, Section 29 of the Judicial Council Act 2019 was commenced on 16 December 2019. Section 29 provides that a review of enactments which provide for the imposition of minimum sentences for offences will be commenced not later than 2 years after the coming into operation of the section. It is expected that this review will be undertaken in the coming months and that a...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Immigration Policy (27 Jan 2021)

Helen McEntee: The enforcement of a deportation order is an operational matter for the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB). For the purpose of enforcing the Order, the person is required to present at the offices of the GNIB, either at the Burgh Quay office in Dublin, or at their local Immigration Office. They may be directed to attend at specified times on specific dates until such time as the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Visa Applications (27 Jan 2021)

Helen McEntee: The visa applications for the persons referred to by the Deputy were refused by the Visa Office in Dublin. Letters issued to the applicants on 2 December 2020, outlining the reasons for the refusals. It is open to the applicants to appeal these decisions, in writing, within two months of the date of the refusals. Appeals must be in written form and sent to the Visa Appeals Officer in the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (27 Jan 2021)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission has a hugely important role to play in ensuring that public confidence in An Garda Síochána is safeguarded and, as such, it has extensive powers under the Garda Síochána Act 2005. The Government is committed to ensuring that GSOC has the necessary supports and resources in order to fulfil its...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (27 Jan 2021)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission has a very important role to play in ensuring public confidence in An Garda Síochána and it has extensive powers under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended). The Government is committed to ensuring that GSOC has the necessary supports and resources in order to fulfil its statutory functions...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (27 Jan 2021)

Helen McEntee: The Deputy will be aware that in May 2017, the Government established the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland (CoFPI). The remit of CoFPI included the review of the police oversight architecture including how complaints against members of An Garda Síochána are dealt with. Parallel with CoFPI’s review, in December 2017 the Garda Síochána Ombudsman...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legal Aid Service (27 Jan 2021)

Helen McEntee: Unfortunately it has not been possible in the time available to collate the information requested by the Deputy. I will write to the Deputy directly with the information when available.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Equipment (27 Jan 2021)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy may be aware, the use of video recording devices, or so called 'body worn cameras', by An Garda Síochána was one of the recommendations made in the report of the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland. The Commission's recommendations were accepted by Government and are currently being implemented through the Government's four-year implementation plan,...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Ministerial Correspondence (27 Jan 2021)

Helen McEntee: I extend my deepest sympathies to all those impacted by the tragic event in Hartstown, and in particular to the family of the late Mr George Nkencho. All fatal shootings are deeply distressing, and I know that the local community are experiencing real trauma as a result of these events. As is the case in every incident involving a member of An Garda Síochána that results in the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Functions (27 Jan 2021)

Helen McEntee: The fees to be paid by an applicant for a certificate of naturalisation are governed by the provisions of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Regulations 2011 (S.I. No. 569 of 2011). The application fee, stipulated at €175, is payable on application for a certificate of naturalisation and a certification fee is payable on the issue of a certificate of naturalisation. The...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Direct Provision System (27 Jan 2021)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will be aware, responsibility for the Direct Provision accommodation system transferred to my colleague, Minister O'Gorman on 14 October last. My Department retains responsibility for the processing of international protection applications. 3,335 people whose applications are being examined by the International Protection Office (IPO) and 1,046 people who are at appeal...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Human Trafficking (27 Jan 2021)

Helen McEntee: Combatting the terrible crime of human trafficking is a priority for Ireland and we attach great importance to the work of multilateral international organisations who are active in tackling human trafficking, including the UN, Council of Europe, OSCE and the European Union and Ireland continues to work with all our partners in those forums to combat this heinous crime. The Government is...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Mother and Baby Homes Inquiries (27 Jan 2021)

Helen McEntee: At the outset, I would like to express my deepest sympathies to all those who suffered both during their time in mother and baby homes, and as a result of those experiences during the years that followed. As the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management of An Garda Síochána, including the investigation of alleged crime, and I as Minister have...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Property Services Regulatory Authority (27 Jan 2021)

Helen McEntee: The provision of property services to consumers in Ireland is subject to a detailed legislative framework of licensing, regulation, monitoring and enforcement, under the Property Services Regulation Act 2011 (afterwards ‘the Act’). The Act also established the Property Services Regulatory Authority (PSRA), a statutory regulatory body specifically tasked with responsibility for...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Residency Permits (27 Jan 2021)

Helen McEntee: An application for a certificate of naturalisation was received from the person referred to by the Deputy on 21 May 2018. On 26 February 2019, a letter was sent from the Citizenship Division of the Immigration Service of my department to the person concerned and the status of the application for naturalisation remains as outlined in this letter. The granting of Irish citizenship through...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Domestic Violence Services (27 Jan 2021)

Helen McEntee: I wish to advise the Deputy that tackling domestic abuse and supporting victims is a key priority for the Department of Justice and for the Government as a whole. This is true in terms of commitments and additional resources made available during the pandemic as well working collectively to put in place a comprehensive range of supports and services to meet the needs of victims of domestic...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: International Protection (27 Jan 2021)

Helen McEntee: The median processing time for all international protection applications determined in 2020, by the International Protection Office (IPO) was 17.6 months and 12.7 months for prioritised applications. For cases decided in the Ministerial Decisions Unit in 2020, the median processing time was 1.6 months. The median processing time for all international protection appeals determined in...