Results 11,481-11,500 of 15,389 for speaker:Helen McEntee

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Programme for Government (10 Dec 2020)

Helen McEntee: I wish to assure the Deputy that providing for the complex needs of people with mental health difficulties who come into contact with the criminal justice system is a priority issue for this Government and for my Department. Its priority status is acknowledged in the Programme for Government in that it commits to establishing a high-level cross-departmental / cross-agency taskforce...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Crime Prevention (10 Dec 2020)

Helen McEntee: I thank the Deputy for his interest in this important initiative.  I welcome the report by former Assistant Garda Commissioner Jack Nolan outlining a socio-economic and community plan for Darndale and its surrounding areas. Dublin City Council commissioned this report in response to the escalating levels of violence in the Darndale, Belcamp and Moatview areas of north Dublin in 2019 and...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legal Aid (10 Dec 2020)

Helen McEntee: It is now more than 40 years since the Legal Aid Board was established and over 25 years since the statutory scheme of civil legal aid in Ireland was introduced.  I am committed to conducting a review of the Civil Legal Aid Scheme as was recommended by the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Justice and Equality in its 2019 Report on Reform of the Family Law System. I believe...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Covid-19 Pandemic (10 Dec 2020)

Helen McEntee: I am advised by the Irish Prison Service as of 4 December 2020 there have been 22 confirmed cases of Covid-19 identified amongst the prisoner population. Of the 22 cases, 15 were community based infections and were detected by the early intervention testing of all new committals to prison.  The remaining 7 cases were prisoners in general population. A breakdown of location is set out...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Mental Health Services (10 Dec 2020)

Helen McEntee: I propose to take Questions Nos. 55 and 74 together. Oversight and evaluation are important elements in developing and improving our penal system and I welcome the recent publication of the report from the Council of Europe Committee on the Prevention of Torture (CPT), together with the responses returned by Ireland in respect of the issues raised by the Committee. I consider that...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Domestic Violence (10 Dec 2020)

Helen McEntee: I can assure the Deputy that addressing all forms of domestic abuse and sexual violence is a key priority for me and my Department. We are continuously working to ensure that we have robust legislation, policies and infrastructure that can support and assist victims and hold perpetrators to account. We are also working proactively to raise awareness in society about domestic abuse and...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: International Protection (10 Dec 2020)

Helen McEntee: I fully acknowledge the important contribution that migrants have made to health and social care and other essential services in Ireland during the pandemic and beyond. I can assure the Deputy that humanitarian factors, employment records and other elements are considered as part of the permission to remain process. Each case is examined in detail on its individual merits, taking all...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Naturalisation Applications (10 Dec 2020)

Helen McEntee: In general, the current target is that it should take around 12 months for a standard application for a certificate of naturalisation to be processed from the date it is received to the date a decision is made. However, for a broad range of reasons, some cases will take longer than others to process.  In some instances, completing the necessary checks, including security...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Closed-Circuit Television Systems (10 Dec 2020)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will be aware, work is at an advanced stage in the Department to prepare a General Scheme of a Bill to provide statutory underpinning for Garda overt recording, which will include CCTV authorised in local communities by the Garda Commissioner.  When enacted, this legislation will replace Section 38 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005. As part of this work,...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Court Sittings (10 Dec 2020)

Helen McEntee: The Deputy will be aware that current public health guidelines limit the numbers of people that can circulate in indoor venues and court buildings are no exception to this.  In addition to enhanced cleaning, people traffic management and sanitisation facilities, arrangements have been put in place to ensure social distancing in courthouses to ensure the safety and wellbeing of the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Covid-19 Pandemic (10 Dec 2020)

Helen McEntee: At the outset I would like to take this opportunity to commend the management and staff of Irish Prison Service for the assured and safe management of our prisons during this pandemic. The Deputy will be aware that the IPS has put in place a range of measures to protect our prison population from Covid-19. Prisoners are a recognised vulnerable group for a number of reasons including their...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Parole Boards (10 Dec 2020)

Helen McEntee: I wish to assure the Deputy that I am fully committed to establishing the new Parole Board as soon as possible on a statutory footing to take account of the concerns of victims and survivors As you may be aware, the establishment of the Board has been identified as a priority action for my Department and aligns with the Programme for Government commitment to ensure full...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Crime Prevention (10 Dec 2020)

Helen McEntee: At the outset, I can assure the Deputy that officials from my Department and An Garda Síochána keep all criminal legislation under continuous review to see whether there might be a requirement to change the law. As previously stated, I strongly condemn any assault on, or action that causes harm to, serving members of An Garda Síochána or any action that causes...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Support Services (10 Dec 2020)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will appreciate, it is the Garda Commissioner who is responsible, in law, for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána, including the provision of employee welfare supports.  As Minister, I have no role in the matter. I am very conscious of the hazardous nature of the work undertaken by members of An Garda Sícohána and...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Strength (10 Dec 2020)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will appreciate, in accordance with the Garda Síochána Act 2005 as amended, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána.  Further, the allocation of Garda resources is made in light of identified operational demands, including deployment of personnel among the Garda Divisions. As Minister, I have no...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legislative Measures (10 Dec 2020)

Helen McEntee: The Stormont House Agreement, concluded by the two Governments and the Northern Ireland Parties in December 2014, provides for a framework of measures to address the legacy of the conflict in Northern Ireland. Work is at an advanced stage on legislative measures to contribute to delivery on the Government's commitments under the Stormont House Agreement. In September 2015, the Government...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Youth Justice Strategy (10 Dec 2020)

Helen McEntee: I would first like to thank the Deputy for his extensive work on initiating development of the new Youth Justice Strategy in his previous role. As the Deputy will already be aware, development of the new Youth Justice Strategy 2020-2026 includes consideration of the full range of issues connected to children and young people at risk of coming into contact with the criminal justice...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Domestic Violence (10 Dec 2020)

Helen McEntee: I can assure the Deputy that addressing all forms of domestic abuse and sexual violence is a key priority for me and my Department. We are continuously working to ensure that we have robust legislation, policies and infrastructure that can support and assist victims and hold perpetrators to account. We are also working proactively to raise awareness in society about domestic abuse and...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Expenditure (10 Dec 2020)

Helen McEntee: The Department of Justice is committed to promoting a culture of continuous learning and professional development with a view to enhancing organisational and individual capability.  The Department invests in a range of courses and programmes designed to address any gaps in knowledge and expertise.   Staff also attend conferences and seminars to ensure that they are...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Recruitment (10 Dec 2020)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will appreciate, recruitment to An Garda Síochána is governed by the Garda Síochána (Admissions and Appointments) Regulations 2013. The Public Appointments Service (PAS), on behalf of the Garda Commissioner, manages the initial recruitment stages for selection of Garda Trainees, with the final stages of the recruitment process in which candidates are vetted,...