Results 12,041-12,060 of 15,429 for speaker:Helen McEntee

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prisoner Releases (10 Nov 2020)

Helen McEntee: The Deputy will wish to note that the legislative basis for temporary release is fully set out in the Criminal Justice Act 1960, as amended by the Criminal Justice (Temporary Release of Prisoners) Act 2003. All applications for temporary release are assessed by the Irish Prison Service on a case-by-case basis. There is no practice to release people prematurely as stated by the Deputy. ...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Staff (10 Nov 2020)

Helen McEntee: The information requested by the Deputy, with regard to the number of full-time equivalent and part-time equivalent roles filled by my Department of posts at principal officer, assistant principal officer, higher executive officer, executive officer and clerical officer grades for the past five years and the cost to the Exchequer, is provided in the following tables. This information is...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Residency Permits (5 Nov 2020)

Helen McEntee: Based on the information provided it is not clear which immigration permission the person currently holds to support their residency in the state for the last two years. Therefore, while I am unable to provide a detailed response, I have provided some general information that may be of assistance. As the person is an American citizen they do not require a Visa to travel to Ireland and visit...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Accommodation (5 Nov 2020)

Helen McEntee: I wish to apologise for the delay in responding to the initial Parliamentary Question from the Deputy. 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 and the Deputy will be aware of their outstanding record of safeguarding those in their care during the current pandemic. The Chaplaincy Service is...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Visa Applications (5 Nov 2020)

Helen McEntee: The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the way the Immigration Service of my Department conducts its business. All operational decisions taken during this time are in line with Government and public health advice. There was a temporary suspension on the acceptance of some visa application, including join-family applications, introduced in March 2020. The Immigration...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Naturalisation Applications (5 Nov 2020)

Helen McEntee: There are approximately 21,300 citizenship applications on hand in my Department at various stages of processing within the system, ranging from those just received, to those where a decision has been made but where it has not been possible to hold a ceremony. 5,378 of these applications are over 24 months in process since the application was first submitted. Over 80% of these applications...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Data (5 Nov 2020)

Helen McEntee: I am informed by the Garda authorities that the personnel strength of An Garda Síochána as at 31 October 2020 is 14,549 with an average age of 40. The Deputy may further wish to note that the average age for a Garda is 38, Sergeant is 46, Inspector is 48, Superintendent is 52, Chief Superintendent is 54 and Acting Commissioner, Deputy Commissioner and Commissioner is 57.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Naturalisation Applications (5 Nov 2020)

Helen McEntee: An application for a certificate of naturalisation was received from the person referred to by the Deputy on 9 April 2018. 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: Naturalisation Eligibility (5 Nov 2020)

Helen McEntee: An application for residence in this State as a family member of an EU citizen was submitted by the person concerned on 12 September 2019, under the provisions of the European Communities (Free Movement of Persons) Regulations 2015 and EU Directive 2004/38/EC. This application is still under consideration. A letter issued on 21 September 2020, and also re-issued on 2 November 2020, to...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Asylum Applications (5 Nov 2020)

Helen McEntee: In order to maintain full confidentiality, it is not my Department's practice to comment on whether an application for international protection has been made in the State or to comment on recommendations made in respect of any application. The staff of the Chief International Protection Officer and International Protection Officers are independent by law in the exercise of their...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Naturalisation Applications (5 Nov 2020)

Helen McEntee: An application for a certificate of naturalisation in relation to the person referred to is currently being processed with a view to establishing whether they meet the statutory conditions for the granting of naturalisation 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...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Stations (5 Nov 2020)

Helen McEntee: The Deputy will be aware that the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána, including personnel matters and the 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 policing...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Community Policing (5 Nov 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 Minister, I...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Tribunals of Inquiry (5 Nov 2020)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will be aware, the Moriarty Tribunal made a number of recommendations which related to the responsibilities of different Government Departments. Insofar as my Department is concerned, I can advise the Deputy that since the Tribunal produced its findings, there have been a number of significant steps taken to strengthen the State’s ability to tackle corruption and related...

Criminal Justice (Enforcement Powers) (Covid-19) Act 2020: Motion (4 Nov 2020)

Helen McEntee: Apologies. There were two things that I did not clarify. If the Garda Commissioner writes to my Department, I am not sure whether or not that can be published but I can certainly check. Regarding game and shooting, there seems to be a suggestion that the gardaí themselves decided that this was not something that could go ahead, which is simply not the case. We have a situation...

Criminal Justice (Enforcement Powers) (Covid-19) Act 2020: Motion (4 Nov 2020)

Helen McEntee: I thank all Deputies for their contributions. I will touch on a number of the points that have been raised. I cannot accept the proposed amendment and will outline why. Some Deputies have referred to this issue. As much as I would like to say that we will be in a different place in three months and will not need this legislation, if we are all honest with ourselves, that is not where we...

Criminal Justice (Enforcement Powers) (Covid-19) Act 2020: Motion (4 Nov 2020)

Helen McEntee: I move: That Dáil Éireann resolves that the Criminal Justice (Enforcement Powers) (Covid-19) Act 2020 (No. 14 of 2020) shall continue in operation for the period beginning on the 9th day of November, 2020 and ending on the 9th day of June, 2021." Deputies will be aware that section 17 of the Act provides that the Act shall continue in operation until 9 November 2020 unless a...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Inquiries into Garda Activities (4 Nov 2020)

Helen McEntee: I propose to take Questions Nos. 103 to 106, inclusive, together. I would like to offer my deepest sympathies to the family of Shane Tuohy and I am very conscious of the hurt and pain caused to them by the loss of Shane. In May 2017, Judge Donagh McDonagh was appointed by the then Minister to undertake an Inquiry into the conduct and adequacy of the investigations conducted by An Garda...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Charities Regulation (4 Nov 2020)

Helen McEntee: The Law Reform Commission Report on the Civil Liability of Good Samaritans and Volunteers (LRC 93-2009) made a number of recommendations for reform in this area. Part IVA of the Civil Liability Act 1961 (inserted by Part 3 of the Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2011) provides statutory protection to Good Samaritans and Volunteers, subject to the provisions of the Act. While...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Recruitment (4 Nov 2020)

Helen McEntee: The Deputy will be aware that the Garda Commissioner is, by law, responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána, including personnel matters and deployment of resources. The Public Appointments Service (PAS) run the national competitions for Trainee Garda in An Garda Síochána on behalf of the Garda Commissioner. The Garda authorities understand...