Results 11,241-11,260 of 15,389 for speaker:Helen McEntee

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Covid-19 Pandemic (27 Jan 2021)

Helen McEntee: I propose to take Questions Nos. 656 and 657 together. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic my Department has been working closely with all government departments to support the national Covid-19 effort. At all times my Department has contributed to, and participated in, the large scale cross-Government communications programme which has been running since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic....

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Refugee Resettlement Programme (21 Jan 2021)

Helen McEntee: The Irish Refugee Protection Programme Humanitarian Admission Programme (IHAP) was announced in May 2018 as part of the Government's plan to realise the full commitment of 4,000 persons agreed under the first phase of the Irish Refugee Protection Programme (IRPP) in September 2015. The processing of applications made under the IHAP programme is the only element of the IRPP that remains under...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Naturalisation Applications (21 Jan 2021)

Helen McEntee: An application for a certificate of naturalisation was received from the person referred to by the Deputy on 10 September 2019. This application 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. If any further documentation is...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Investigations (21 Jan 2021)

Helen McEntee: I propose to take Questions Nos. 291 and 297 together. The Deputies will be aware that an inquiry under Section 42 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 was conducted by former Judge Patrick Clyne into the Garda Síochána investigation relating to the death of Mr Patrick Nugent in 1984. I can inform the Deputy that Judge Clyne completed his inquiry on 31 October 2020 and...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Proposed Legislation (21 Jan 2021)

Helen McEntee: I can inform the Deputy that the General Scheme of the Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill was approved by the Government for drafting on 15 September 2020. The Bill is with the Office of Parliamentary Council for drafting. The General Scheme is being forwarded for pre-legislative scrutiny by the Oireachtas.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Criminal Injuries Compensation Tribunal (21 Jan 2021)

Helen McEntee: The term of office of the Criminal Injuries Compensation Tribunal Chair and members expired on 31 December 2020. A comprehensive recruitment and selection process was undertaken in 2020 to fill the vacancies. In August 2020, expressions of interest were sought from practising barristers and solicitors for the part-time roles of Ordinary Member and/or Chair. A Board was appointed to...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Operations (21 Jan 2021)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will be aware, the Adult Caution Scheme was introduced to An Garda Síochána in 2006, having been approved by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP). The Scheme is a non-statutory one agreed between, and administered by, both organisations. The operation of the scheme is an operational matter for An Garda Síochána and the DPP, both of which are independent...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Crime Prevention (21 Jan 2021)

Helen McEntee: I can inform the Deputy that I am very conscious of the impact of this form of theft from car owners, and in particular from individuals owning specific types of hybrid vehicles. I understand that the current interest in catalytic converter theft may be directly associated with the current high price of palladium available on the market. I am informed that Garda management in the Dublin...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legal Aid (21 Jan 2021)

Helen McEntee: The Legal Aid Board provides legal advice and aid under the Civil Legal Aid Act 1995 and the Civil Legal Aid Regulations 1996-2017. Section 3(3) provides that the Board shall, subject to the provisions of the Act, be independent in the exercise of its functions. In relation to the specific matters raised by the Deputy, I have had enquiries made with the Legal Aid Board. I wish firstly...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (21 Jan 2021)

Helen McEntee: As previously, 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...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Information (21 Jan 2021)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will be aware, I consider the provision of appropriate mental health supports to be a matter of the highest importance. This was one of a number of key issues I discussed with the Garda Commissioner and his senior team when I met with them late last year. I have also discussed this important issue with the Garda Associations. An Garda Síochána is committed to...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Criminal Assets Bureau (21 Jan 2021)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy may be aware, responsibility for the identification, tracing, freezing, and ultimate confiscation of criminal assets does not rest with a single body in Ireland and is spread across a number of different agencies and statutory bodies, not all of which are the responsibility of the Department of Justice. These include An Garda Síochána, the Criminal Assets Bureau,...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: International Protection (21 Jan 2021)

Helen McEntee: Access to the labour market for international protection applicants is provided for under the European Communities (Reception Conditions) Regulations (S.I. No. 230 of 2018). These Regulations give effect to Directive 2013/33/EU of 26 June 2013 laying down standards for the reception of applicants for international protection (recast), and came into operation from 30 June 2018. The...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: International Protection (21 Jan 2021)

Helen McEntee: I have established a high level Programme Board to assess the recommendations of the Catherine Day Advisory Group report and oversee their implementation, as relevant to my Department and as appropriate, including those related to access to bank accounts for international protection applicants. An Implementation Working Group has also been established in my Department to oversee the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Domestic Violence Services (21 Jan 2021)

Helen McEntee: I can assure the Deputy that tackling domestic abuse and providing supports for victims is a priority for me as Minister for Justice and for Government. I am working with my colleagues and with our partners to ensure we have an appropriate collective national response that supports victims and holds perpetrators to account. There is no doubt that restricted movement in the context of the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Visa Applications (21 Jan 2021)

Helen McEntee: The visa application for the person referred to by the Deputy was refused by the Visa Office in Dublin. A letter issued to the applicant on 9 December 2020, which outlines the reasons for this refusal. It is open to the applicant to appeal this decision, in writing, within two months of the date of the refusal. All visa applicants are advised that the onus is on them to provide as much...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Citizenship Applications (21 Jan 2021)

Helen McEntee: I recognise and acknowledge the crucial role frontline workers are continuing to play in responding to the threat of COVID-19. They work in a challenging environment and deal with vulnerable people on a daily basis. Their exceptional commitment has been particularly clear throughout the pandemic, during which they have been playing a key role in preventing the spread of the COVID-19 virus. ...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Inquiries into Garda Activities (20 Jan 2021)

Helen McEntee: As previously, 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...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Work Permits (20 Jan 2021)

Helen McEntee: The application for a labour market access permission, for the person referred to by the Deputy, is currently pending as the Immigration Service of my Department is waiting for the applicant to provide identity documents or to confirm the efforts they have made to establish their identity. To date, the applicant’s responses have not provided either identity documents or an explanation...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Direct Provision System (20 Jan 2021)

Helen McEntee: The Programme for Government contains a commitment to ending the Direct Provision system and replacing it with a new international protection accommodation policy, centred on a not-for-profit approach. The Government has also committed to the development of a White Paper, which will set out how this new system will be structured and the steps to achieving it. Responsibility for...