Results 11,661-11,680 of 15,536 for speaker:Helen McEntee

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

Helen McEntee: The Probate Office is an office of the High Court and management of the courts is the responsibility of the Courts Service, which is independent in exercising its functions under the Courts Service Act 1998. Probate functions are also carried out by County Registrars at District Probate Registries in 14 provincial court offices. However, in order to be of assistance, I have had...

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

Helen McEntee: My Department reimburses staff for membership fees paid to professional bodies, where membership of the professional body is a requirement for the staff member to practice in the role for which they were employed or where membership of the professional body is key to their role in the Department. In 2019, 40 staff were reimbursed a total of €12,041.75 for annual membership. This...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Probation and Welfare Service (10 Dec 2020)

Helen McEntee: I am advised by the Probation Service that the Tipperary Probation Service team have approximately 66 operational Community Service Orders. A number of sites have re-opened across the county, aligned with Government health guidance, with more to open in the New Year. Access to site work is addressed as part of both the assessment stage and in the management of the Community Service Order. I...

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

Helen McEntee: Tackling domestic abuse and providing supports for victims is a priority for me as Minister and for Government. I am working collectively with my colleagues to ensure we have an appropriate national response that supports victims and holds perpetrators to account. I would remind the Deputy that while funding for frontline services is under the responsibility of my colleague, the Minister for...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: House Sales (10 Dec 2020)

Helen McEntee: The courts are, subject only to the constitution and the law, independent in the exercise of their judicial functions and the conduct of any court case is a matter entirely for the presiding judge. As Minister, I have no direct role in these matters. Section 4 of the Family Home Protection Act 1976, allows a court, in certain circumstances, to dispense with the consent of a spouse to...

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

Helen McEntee: I am informed by the Garda Commissioner that the total strength of An Garda Síochána as at 30 November 2020, the latest date for which figures are currently available, is 14,519. Of this total, 10,535 are male and 3,984 are female. These Garda members are supporting by over 3,000 Garda staff nationwide. As the Deputy will be aware, An Garda Síochána has been allocated...

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

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy is aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána. This includes responsibility for personnel and human resources matters. I have sought the information requested from An Garda Síochána and will write to the Deputy when I have received it.

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

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, Garda numbers are now over 14,600 Garda members and over 3,000 Garda staff nationwide. Budget 2021 will allow for the recruitment of up to620 new Gardaí and an extra 500 Garda...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Criminal Assets Bureau (10 Dec 2020)

Helen McEntee: As you will be aware, the Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB) is a multi-agency statutory body established under the Criminal Assets Bureau Act 1996.  The Bureau’s remit is to target a person's assets, wherever situated, which derive, or are suspected to derive, directly or indirectly, from criminal conduct. Since its inception, the Bureau has been at the forefront of fighting organised...

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

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy may be aware, the decision to grant bail in a particular case is a matter for the presiding Judge, who is independent in the exercise of his or her judicial functions. There is also a Constitutional presumption in favour of the grant of bail as, under Irish Law, a person is presumed innocent until proven guilty. As previously indicated to the Deputy, public safety is an...

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

Helen McEntee: The Irish Prison Service work closely with An Garda Síochána and the Probation Service in respect of the monitoring, supervision and compliance of those on temporary release. As the Deputy may be aware, any prisoner who breaches his or her conditions, including committing a criminal offence, may be arrested and returned to prison immediately by the Gardaí or may be refused...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prisoner Data (10 Dec 2020)

Helen McEntee: I am advised by the Irish Prison Service that figures in relation to cell occupancy levels and in-cell sanitation are collated by the Prison Service Statistics Unit and are published in the IPS website. This information can be found in the Information Centre section under "Statistics and Information - Census Reports" at www.irishprisons.ie. According to the latest available report (dated 20...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Security (10 Dec 2020)

Helen McEntee: I can advise the Deputy that the Irish Prison Service is committed to addressing both the demand for and the supply of illegal drugs. The prevention of access to contraband including illegal drugs into prisons will always be a high priority for the Irish Prison Service.  It is considered that approximately 70% of prisoners who are committed to custody have addiction issues. Many of...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Facilities (10 Dec 2020)

Helen McEntee: The Irish Prison Service is committed to the provision of safe, secure and humane custody for people who are sent to prison in this State.   I am advised by my officials in the Irish Prison Service that there is a standard operational procedure in place to ensure that upon committal, all offenders are assessed and accommodated appropriately according to their needs and...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prisoner Rehabilitation Programmes (10 Dec 2020)

Helen McEntee: Prisoner care and rehabilitation is a core aim of the Irish Prison Service.  The Service tries to achieve a balanced approach in the effective performance of its care and custody functions. It seeks to manage sentences in a way which encourages and supports prisoners in their efforts to live law abiding and purposeful lives on release. I understand that a wide range of...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Service Staff (10 Dec 2020)

Helen McEntee: I propose to take Questions Nos. 367 and 368 together. As the Deputy will be aware, the Irish Prison Service operates as an executive office within the Department of Justice and Equality. It is headed by a Director General supported by five Directors.   The allocation of staffing across the prison estate is based on the security and operational needs of each...

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

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible, by law, for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána including decisions on the deployment of personnel.  I, as Minister, have no direct role in the matter.  Garda management keeps this deployment under review in the context of crime trends and policing priorities to ensure...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Community Policing (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.  This includes deployment of personnel among the various Garda Divisions. As...

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

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible, by law, for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána including case management and allocation. I have requested the information sought by the Deputy from the Garda Authorities.  I will respond to the Deputy in writing when the information is provided to me.

Seanad: Deportation Moratorium (Covid-19) Bill 2020: Second Stage (9 Dec 2020)

Helen McEntee: Thank you. I thank Senators Higgins and Ruane for proposing and seconding the Bill, as well as Senators Flynn and Black, who are also supporting the legislation. I fully agree with and support the overall aim of this Bill that compassion is shown to those issued with deportation orders for the duration of the pandemic. The need to show compassion during this extraordinary time is one we...