Results 12,061-12,080 of 15,536 for speaker:Helen McEntee

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Estimates for Public Services 2020
Vote 20 - An Garda Síochána (Supplementary)
Vote 21 - Prisons (Supplementary)
Vote 22 - Courts Service (Supplementary)
Vote 24 - Justice (Further Revised) (17 Nov 2020)

Helen McEntee: It is important to say, as I mentioned in my initial speech, that while the number of sexual offences seems to have reduced, the number of domestic violence cases and breaches of orders has increased significantly. The number of cases brought to the Director of Public Prosecutions has increased frighteningly since the beginning of March. I believe the increase has been more than 86%. A...

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Estimates for Public Services 2020
Vote 20 - An Garda Síochána (Supplementary)
Vote 21 - Prisons (Supplementary)
Vote 22 - Courts Service (Supplementary)
Vote 24 - Justice (Further Revised) (17 Nov 2020)

Helen McEntee: I will respond to that. I will raise the first issue with the Commissioner. I mentioned in the initial comments that there was an increase in payments for those who are out and not in Templemore and who should technically be still in Templemore. I understand Deputy Kenny as saying that what they are being paid is not the same amount as others on duty. I will raise that with the Garda...

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Estimates for Public Services 2020
Vote 20 - An Garda Síochána (Supplementary)
Vote 21 - Prisons (Supplementary)
Vote 22 - Courts Service (Supplementary)
Vote 24 - Justice (Further Revised) (17 Nov 2020)

Helen McEntee: I will come back to you on the first question, Chairman. The figures mainly relate to personal protective equipment. It is broken down as outlined in my statement. We have looked at clothing as well. There is a process under way for new Garda uniforms. Most likely this will come at the end of next year. That is taken into account in the figures. What was the second question?

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Estimates for Public Services 2020
Vote 20 - An Garda Síochána (Supplementary)
Vote 21 - Prisons (Supplementary)
Vote 22 - Courts Service (Supplementary)
Vote 24 - Justice (Further Revised) (17 Nov 2020)

Helen McEntee: There is an additional €4 million. Is this under the Department of Justice Vote?

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Estimates for Public Services 2020
Vote 20 - An Garda Síochána (Supplementary)
Vote 21 - Prisons (Supplementary)
Vote 22 - Courts Service (Supplementary)
Vote 24 - Justice (Further Revised) (17 Nov 2020)

Helen McEntee: There are two aspects to that. There are injuries on duty - the figure for that is down. The second relates to the actions against the Garda. Both figures are down but I will get more detail on that.

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Estimates for Public Services 2020
Vote 20 - An Garda Síochána (Supplementary)
Vote 21 - Prisons (Supplementary)
Vote 22 - Courts Service (Supplementary)
Vote 24 - Justice (Further Revised) (17 Nov 2020)

Helen McEntee: Let us consider the overall numbers, including Garda recruits in general. We have 14,600 Garda members at the moment and 700 recruits for the front line. That takes into account the approximately 300 retirements that take place yearly. We have gone from a situation since 2018 where 18% of the overall Garda workforce are now civilian staff. We have seen a significant increase in the...

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Estimates for Public Services 2020
Vote 20 - An Garda Síochána (Supplementary)
Vote 21 - Prisons (Supplementary)
Vote 22 - Courts Service (Supplementary)
Vote 24 - Justice (Further Revised) (17 Nov 2020)

Helen McEntee: The answer to the first question is that it relates to superannuation contributions. Several issues have come into the public domain in several prisons in recent months. There are several mechanisms through which there can be investigations either through An Garda Síochána or the Prison Service. We have the Inspector of Prisons as well. This year as part of the budget the...

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Estimates for Public Services 2020
Vote 20 - An Garda Síochána (Supplementary)
Vote 21 - Prisons (Supplementary)
Vote 22 - Courts Service (Supplementary)
Vote 24 - Justice (Further Revised) (17 Nov 2020)

Helen McEntee: The additional funding we have sought, which has been specifically identified for the Irish Prison Service, has been to ensure the safety of those who work in the prisons, the prisoners and their families. The Deputy made a valid point. At the outbreak of the pandemic we managed to keep Covid-19 out of the prisons. It was a credit to the Irish Prison Service, the prisoners and their...

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Estimates for Public Services 2020
Vote 20 - An Garda Síochána (Supplementary)
Vote 21 - Prisons (Supplementary)
Vote 22 - Courts Service (Supplementary)
Vote 24 - Justice (Further Revised) (17 Nov 2020)

Helen McEntee: I do not have the exact percentage but there has been an increase of over 60% in video links being used between the prisons and the Courts Service. I will get the exact percentage, but it is over 60%. As the Deputy rightly says, it reduces the need for prison staff to have to transfer but also for gardaí to have to be physically present in the courts. As the use of vehicles reduces...

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Estimates for Public Services 2020
Vote 20 - An Garda Síochána (Supplementary)
Vote 21 - Prisons (Supplementary)
Vote 22 - Courts Service (Supplementary)
Vote 24 - Justice (Further Revised) (17 Nov 2020)

Helen McEntee: I would not rule anything out but that is without any information on how it would operate separate to what is already there. There is a huge amount already there in terms of oversight and working with the Prison Service.

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Estimates for Public Services 2020
Vote 20 - An Garda Síochána (Supplementary)
Vote 21 - Prisons (Supplementary)
Vote 22 - Courts Service (Supplementary)
Vote 24 - Justice (Further Revised) (17 Nov 2020)

Helen McEntee: Without trying to avoid the question, the facilities themselves fall to the Minister, Deputy O’Gorman, in his remit as Minister with responsibility for youth. While some of the responsibilities have come back into my remit or into the Department of Justice, there are specific programmes separate to any facilities that might exist. There is over €2 million in funding connected...

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Estimates for Public Services 2020
Vote 20 - An Garda Síochána (Supplementary)
Vote 21 - Prisons (Supplementary)
Vote 22 - Courts Service (Supplementary)
Vote 24 - Justice (Further Revised) (17 Nov 2020)

Helen McEntee: While not being able to respond to any individual case, there are a significant number of compassionate leave cases for medical reasons and, obviously, genuine recommendations are made by the Prison Service as to whether or not security is needed. There is a very clear process that has to be undertaken, and that is adhered to. However, there are compassionate grounds for many prisoners and...

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Estimates for Public Services 2020
Vote 20 - An Garda Síochána (Supplementary)
Vote 21 - Prisons (Supplementary)
Vote 22 - Courts Service (Supplementary)
Vote 24 - Justice (Further Revised) (17 Nov 2020)

Helen McEntee: With regard to legal aid, there has been an increase of €2 million in this year's budget which, obviously, applies to the various different elements within the legal aid structure. There is a continuing increase in need for it. Having met the Legal Aid Board, in recent weeks, I have given a commitment to review the overall process and how people can access legal aid. There was a...

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Estimates for Public Services 2020
Vote 20 - An Garda Síochána (Supplementary)
Vote 21 - Prisons (Supplementary)
Vote 22 - Courts Service (Supplementary)
Vote 24 - Justice (Further Revised) (17 Nov 2020)

Helen McEntee: I will feed that back in.

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Estimates for Public Services 2020
Vote 20 - An Garda Síochána (Supplementary)
Vote 21 - Prisons (Supplementary)
Vote 22 - Courts Service (Supplementary)
Vote 24 - Justice (Further Revised) (17 Nov 2020)

Helen McEntee: In respect of Hammond Lane, funding has been allocated, which is one of the most significant elements. The design stage is being finalised. Once that happens, it will go to tender. There is quite a large hole in the ground so a bit of work has been done but quite a significant amount of work needs to be done. I would like to see it as soon as possible. If the design can be concluded as...

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Estimates for Public Services 2020
Vote 20 - An Garda Síochána (Supplementary)
Vote 21 - Prisons (Supplementary)
Vote 22 - Courts Service (Supplementary)
Vote 24 - Justice (Further Revised) (17 Nov 2020)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy is aware, four options for Tralee courthouse are being considered. Obviously, the Deputy has a very clear preference for that. The options are: building a new courthouse on the portion of the Ballymullen barracks site; refurbishment of the existing courthouse; possible acquisition of a site owned by An Post that is to the rear of the courthouse; and building a new courthouse...

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Estimates for Public Services 2020
Vote 20 - An Garda Síochána (Supplementary)
Vote 21 - Prisons (Supplementary)
Vote 22 - Courts Service (Supplementary)
Vote 24 - Justice (Further Revised) (17 Nov 2020)

Helen McEntee: I know Covid has been a factor in this and has delayed many things. I would like to see a decision made sooner rather than later because I am conscious that many people are awaiting it.

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Estimates for Public Services 2020
Vote 20 - An Garda Síochána (Supplementary)
Vote 21 - Prisons (Supplementary)
Vote 22 - Courts Service (Supplementary)
Vote 24 - Justice (Further Revised) (17 Nov 2020)

Helen McEntee: As it has been raised, I have no problem responding to that if it is appropriate.

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Estimates for Public Services 2020
Vote 20 - An Garda Síochána (Supplementary)
Vote 21 - Prisons (Supplementary)
Vote 22 - Courts Service (Supplementary)
Vote 24 - Justice (Further Revised) (17 Nov 2020)

Helen McEntee: The last thing I want is for anyone to say I am refusing to answer questions or outline the process that is taking place. Earlier this year the Chief Justice identified that there was a vacancy within the Supreme Court. He asked the then Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Flanagan, to fill that vacancy. Obviously, the process then ensued. The Judicial Appointments Advisory Board,...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Oireachtas Joint Committee Reports (12 Nov 2020)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy may be aware, there is no specific legislative provision regarding parental alienation in Irish family law. Section 246 of the Children Act 2001 provides for an offence of frightening, bullying or threatening a child in a manner likely to cause unnecessary suffering or injury to the child's physical, mental or emotional health or wellbeing. There are also legislative provisions...