Results 12,021-12,040 of 15,536 for speaker:Helen McEntee

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: International Protection (18 Nov 2020)

Helen McEntee: The European Communities (Reception Conditions) Regulations 2018, transposing the EU (Recast) Reception Conditions Directive, came into effect from 30 June 2018. The Regulations include a provision on access to the labour market for eligible international protection applicants. Currently, any applicant who has not received a first instance decision within 9 months can make an...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Citizenship Applications (18 Nov 2020)

Helen McEntee: The Citizenship Division of the Immigration Service of my Department is working very hard to maintain as prompt a service as possible during the restrictions imposed by the COVID-19 global pandemic. Unfortunately, as a result of these restrictions, significant delays are occurring in the issuing of acknowledgment receipts and the processing and return of documentation.  ...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Deployment (18 Nov 2020)

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 these matters.  I am assured, however, that Garda management keeps the distribution of resources under continual review in the context of crime trends and...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Crime Data (18 Nov 2020)

Helen McEntee: The Deputy will appreciate that the Garda Commissioner is responsible for managing and controlling generally the administration and business of An Garda Síochána, and I, as Minister, have no direct role in the matter. I have requested information from the Garda Commissioner in relation to this matter but it was unfortunately not possible to compile it in the time...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Reports (18 Nov 2020)

Helen McEntee: My Department, alongside colleagues in the Department of Transport and An Garda Síochána, is acutely aware of the severe difficulties and dangers the misuse of scramblers and quad bikes causes in the communities it impacts and my officials have been working to find solutions to this complex issue. Insofar as your reference to a report issued by the cross-agency...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (18 Nov 2020)

Helen McEntee: On 18 September 2020, I announced that all immigration and international protection permissions to reside in the State that were due to expire between 20 September 2020 and 20 January 2021 were automatically renewed to the 20 January 2021. The renewal of a permission is on the same basis as the existing permission and the same conditions attach.  This has ensured that...

Scrambler Motorbikes and Quad Bikes: Motion [Private Members] (17 Nov 2020)

Helen McEntee: I move amendment No. 1: To delete all words after “Dáil Éireann” and substitute the following: “is concerned that: — the misuse of scrambler motorcycles, quad-bikes and other vehicles is a matter of public concern and has led to serious safety risks and interference with the enjoyment of amenities for communities in some areas of the country; and...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Covid-19 Pandemic (17 Nov 2020)

Helen McEntee: I propose to take Questions Nos. 647 and 648 together. The Property Services Regulatory Authority (PSRA) is the statutory body established under the Property Services (Regulation) Act 2011, with responsibility to licence and regulate property services providers (auctioneers, estate agents, letting agents and property management agents). On 19May 2020, the PRSA in association with the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: International Protection (17 Nov 2020)

Helen McEntee: My Department is committed to making further efficiencies in the international protection process.  The Expert Advisory Group on the Provision of Support (including accommodation) to Persons in the International Protection Process led by Dr. Catherine Day, has made a number of recommendations related to the international protection process. These recommendations, along with all...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Domestic Violence Services (17 Nov 2020)

Helen McEntee: I propose to take Questions Nos. 650, 659, 675 and 680 together. Combatting domestic, sexual and gender-based violence is a priority for this Government and for me as Minister for Justice. To date my Department has provided €327,590 in Covid specific funding to help organisations working to support victims of crime, including victims of domestic abuse...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Investigations (17 Nov 2020)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy is aware, the Protected Disclosures Act was enacted in 2014 to allow employees to bring alleged wrongdoing to the attention of the appropriate authorities. The Act also affords very important protections to persons making protected disclosures. I am sure that the Deputy will appreciate therefore that it would not be appropriate for me to comment on nor confirm the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Court Accommodation (17 Nov 2020)

Helen McEntee: The Programme for Government contains a commitment to build a new family law court building in Dublin and ensure that court facilities across the country are suitable for family law hearings, so that these hearings can be held separately from other cases.  The total capital budget for the Courts Service in 2020 is €66.017 million, €15.380 million of which will be...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Property Management Companies (17 Nov 2020)

Helen McEntee: The Multi-Unit Developments Act 2011 was enacted with the primary purposes of reforming the law relating to the ownership and management of common areas of multi-unit developments (MUDs) and facilitating the fair, efficient and effective management of owners’ management companies (OMCs). It is important to understand that the involvement of my department with this issue is limited, and...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Naturalisation Applications (17 Nov 2020)

Helen McEntee: The application for a certificate of naturalisation from the person referred to by the Deputy, continues to be processed and will be submitted to me for decision as expeditiously as possible. The granting of Irish citizenship through naturalisation is a privilege and an honour which confers certain rights and entitlements not only within the State but also at European Union level and it...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Deportation Orders (17 Nov 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.  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 factors into account. ...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Crime Data (17 Nov 2020)

Helen McEntee: The introduction of legislation to provide for Domestic Homicide Reviews is an important commitment in the Programme for Government.  An independent study commissioned by my Department into familicide and domestic homicide reviews is looking at international best practice in the conduct of domestic homicide reviews with a view to making recommendations in relation to their...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Domestic Violence (17 Nov 2020)

Helen McEntee: I propose to take Questions Nos. 657, 660 and 683 together. Tackling domestic abuse, which includes coercive control, and providing structures that meet the needs of victims, is the collective aim of the Government and is a priority for me as Minister for Justice. The Programme for Government commits to an audit of how responsibility for Domestic, Sexual and Gender based Violence...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Stations (17 Nov 2020)

Helen McEntee: The Deputy will appreciate that the Garda Commissioner is responsible for managing and controlling generally the administration and business of An Garda Síochána, and I, as Minister, have no direct role in the matter. I have requested information from the Garda Commissioner in relation to this matter but it was unfortunately not possible to compile it in the time...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Coroners Service (17 Nov 2020)

Helen McEntee: At the outset, I would like to convey my sincere condolences to the family of the deceased.  Coroners are statutory officers exercising quasi-judicial functions, in relation to which they are completely independent. Neither I nor my department have any function in this regard.  However, to be of assistance, officials from my department contacted the coroner concerned, and have...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Domestic Violence (17 Nov 2020)

Helen McEntee: I can assure the Deputy that I very much share her concerns for those who have been impacted by domestic abuse during the Covid-19 pandemic. The increase in domestic abuse incidents during the pandemic has been born out in figures reported by frontline services, such as the one referred to by the Deputy, by statistics released by An Garda Síochána, by the courts and...