Results 12,301-12,320 of 17,543 for speaker:Helen McEntee

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Reports (30 Nov 2021)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will be aware, there is a commitment in the Justice Plan 2021 to publish the independent research on Familicide and Domestic Homicide Reviews which has been commissioned by my Department. This will be an important first step in delivering on the Programme for Government commitment to legislate to introduce Domestic Homicide Reviews. The independent study is looking at...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Naturalisation Applications (30 Nov 2021)

Helen McEntee: I am deeply conscious of how important the granting of naturalisation is to those who apply for it and my Department has continued to accept and process citizenship applications throughout the pandemic and during all levels of public health restrictions. However, the combined impact of the 2019 High Court judgment in the Jones case and the necessary health restrictions arising from the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Work Permits (30 Nov 2021)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy is aware, the Atypical Working Scheme was established as a cross Departmental response to address the matter of non-EEA workers on certain categories of vessels in the Irish fishing fleet, who are not currently eligible for permission under the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment's employment permit system. The Scheme provided, for the first time, a framework for the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Court Orders (30 Nov 2021)

Helen McEntee: Under the provisions of the Courts Service Act 1998, management of the courts is the responsibility of the Courts Service, which is independent in exercising its functions. Furthermore, as the Deputy will be aware, the making of a maintenance order is a matter for the presiding judge and I have no role in this regard. However, in order to be of assistance to the Deputy, I have had enquiries...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Schemes (30 Nov 2021)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will be aware, the Immigrant Investor Programme (IIP) was introduced in April 2012 to encourage inward investment and create business and employment opportunities in the State. The Programme provides investors with the opportunity to invest in Ireland. Key to the Programme is that the investments are beneficial for Ireland, generate or sustain employment and are generally in the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Legislative Programme (30 Nov 2021)

Helen McEntee: The General Scheme of the Courts and Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2021 was approved for drafting by the Government in the early summer. The purpose of the General Scheme of a Courts and Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill is to provide for amendments to provisions across a range of civil and regulatory law by way of updating and enhancing their application and to better...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Legislative Measures (30 Nov 2021)

Helen McEntee: The Private Security Authority, established under the Private Security Services Act 2004, as amended, is responsible for the licensing and regulation of the private security industry in the State. The Authority is an independent statutory body under the aegis of my Department and I have no involvement in the day-to-day operations of the Authority. Following the enactment of the Private...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Legislative Measures (30 Nov 2021)

Helen McEntee: The Private Security Services (Amendment) Act 2021 was signed into law by the President on 12 July 2021. This is an important piece of legislation allowing the Government to bring the regulation and licensing of security personnel assisting those enforcing court orders for evictions and repossessions within the remit of the Private Security Authority. The 2021 Act provides for the...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: An Garda Síochána (25 Nov 2021)

Helen McEntee: The implementation of the report will go a long way in addressing many of the issues and concerns raised by the Deputy.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Fishing Industry (25 Nov 2021)

Helen McEntee: I will comment on the timeline. We gave a commitment in the programme for Government to implement a new scheme within 18 months. While we are slightly shy of that, the scheme will open in the new year. I give that commitment. I am aware that people are anxious and nervous and want to know that it will open when we say it will. It will open in the new year. There may have been slight...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Fishing Industry (25 Nov 2021)

Helen McEntee: I must stress that this is an undocumented scheme. We gave a commitment to introduce the scheme within the first 18 months. I have committed with the Minister of State, Deputy Browne, and others, to make it as inclusive as possible. There are other avenues for people to avail of to try to regularise their status. While we are trying to make it as inclusive as possible, if we were to take...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: An Garda Síochána (25 Nov 2021)

Helen McEntee: I will respond to the Deputy in English if that is okay. I regret that the Deputy has not received the response on time. I signed off on it so the Deputy should have had it at this stage. I apologise for the delay. I can inform the Deputy that promotions to the ranks of sergeant and inspector in An Garda Síochána are governed by An Garda Síochána regulations of...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: An Garda Síochána (25 Nov 2021)

Helen McEntee: People are speaking to each other in this regard, and the Commissioner has engaged with my Department, and obviously has taken on board recommendations from An Coimisinéir Teanga and from the Minister with responsibility for this area. On that basis, and acknowledging that there are issues that need to be addressed here, the new Irish language strategy has been developed by An Garda...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Departmental Reports (25 Nov 2021)

Helen McEntee: Or Dundalk. As the Deputy will be aware, the publication and implementation of the recommendations of the Drogheda scoping report are key actions in my Department's justice plan for 2021. They are certainly a priority for me, as I know they are for the Deputy and others. I am grateful to the former director of the Probation Service, Mr. Vivian Geiran, who made over 70 recommendations in...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Departmental Reports (25 Nov 2021)

Helen McEntee: The only way this will work is by providing additional funding and supports through our national and Government bodies and agencies, but also by supporting the community groups which have been doing a fantastic job over the last number of years. There is a space for them to work in parallel and in tandem with the State agencies. We have spoken about the agency that the Deputy specifically...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Departmental Reports (25 Nov 2021)

Helen McEntee: I will not set out what the group is going to do or tell it what it needs to do. However, I think the actions are very clear. The subgroups have been created on the basis of those actions, the needs and requirements. I must say, following the publication of the report, any engagement that my Department has had with the other Departments has been very positive and forthcoming. Indeed, the...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Fishing Industry (25 Nov 2021)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy is aware, the atypical working scheme was established as a cross-departmental response to address the matter of non-EEA workers on certain categories of vessels in the Irish fishing fleet who are not currently eligible for permission under the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment employment permit system. The scheme provided, for the first time, a framework for the...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: International Protection (25 Nov 2021)

Helen McEntee: I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. I too share his concerns for the Afghan people and the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan. I think we all share those concerns. In response, Ireland has acted swiftly and compassionately to demonstrate our support. While we can all be concerned, we need to show actual support and solidarity with the Afghan people. My Department...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: International Protection (25 Nov 2021)

Helen McEntee: The Deputy is right that, as a nation, we have travelled to every corner of the world and understand how important it is to be welcomed when we go to another country. We are trying to make sure that this process is as easy and as straightforward as possible, that those who need it the most can apply and that their family members can apply on their behalf. We do not want families to be split...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: International Protection (25 Nov 2021)

Helen McEntee: I thank the Deputy for his comments. I hope we will see something similar replicated across other member states. Other countries are doing their bit as well and trying to ensure that Afghan nationals, in particular those at risk, are protected. The scheme will essentially provide lawful residence on a temporary basis for up to two years, but it is important to add that it may be possible...