Results 12,341-12,360 of 17,539 for speaker:Helen McEntee

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Coroners Service (25 Nov 2021)

Helen McEntee: I wish to acknowledge the pain and trauma experienced by all families of missing persons in the State. As the Deputy will be aware, the national DNA database, which is administered by Forensic Science Ireland (FSI), has been a significant breakthrough in identifying missing and unknown persons in recent years. To encourage more family members to participate in DNA testing, my Department...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (25 Nov 2021)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), for the management of An Garda Síochána as well as the allocation and distribution of resources. This includes responsibility for the recruitment, training and deployment of Garda members and members of the Garda Reserve. As Minister, I have no responsibility...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Domestic Violence (25 Nov 2021)

Helen McEntee: I can assure the Deputy that tackling domestic abuse and providing supports for victims is a priority for me as Minister for Justice, and for this Government. There is no doubt that in the context of the pandemic there is an increased risk of domestic abuse, evidenced in the figures reported by frontline services. Additional resources, support, enforcement and services to combat this have...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (25 Nov 2021)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), for the management and administration of Garda business, including the recruitment and training of Garda members and staff. The Commissioner is also responsible, under the Act, for the deployment of Gardaí throughout the State. As Minister, I play no role in...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Strategies (25 Nov 2021)

Helen McEntee: Justice Plan 2021 outlines a wide range of actions under the Department's five strategic goals, which are to: 1.Tackle crime, enhance national security and transform policing 2.Improve access to justice and modernise the courts system 3.Strengthen community safety, reduce reoffending, support victims and combat domestic, sexual and gender based violence 4.Deliver a fair...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Immigration Policy (25 Nov 2021)

Helen McEntee: The Government committed to introducing new pathways to status regularisation within 18 months of its formation. My Justice Plan 2021 contains a commitment to create new pathways for long-term undocumented people and their dependents who must meet specified criteria to regularise their status. The scheme will provide an opportunity for those who meet its criteria to remain and reside...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Domestic Violence (25 Nov 2021)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy may be aware, my Department is leading the development across Government of the third national strategy on domestic, sexual and gender-based violence, which will place a priority on prevention and reduction and will include a national preventative strategy. My Department has engaged in an innovative partnership with the sector in leading the development and design of the third...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legislative Measures (25 Nov 2021)

Helen McEntee: Insurance reform is a key priority for this Government and is reflected in the Programme for Government, the Government’s Action Plan for Insurance Reform, and in the Justice Plan 2021. In accordance with the Action Plan on Insurance Reform, my Department has completed a review of the Occupiers’ Liability Act, including the duty of care and notices and waivers. Under...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (25 Nov 2021)

Helen McEntee: I wish to inform the Deputy that I last met with the Garda Commissioner on Tuesday, 16 November 2021.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (25 Nov 2021)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will be aware, the general administration including the allocation of personnel within An Garda Síochána is a matter for the Garda Commissioner under the Garda Síochána Act 2005, and the decision to allocate resources to Garda Specialist units is assessed and carried out in line with operational demand. The table at the link below includes the number of...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Drug Dealing (25 Nov 2021)

Helen McEntee: Tackling serious drug crime is a priority for the Government and An Garda Síochána. The Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau (GNDOCB) is having significant success in proactively disrupting the illicit supply of drugs by organised crime groups. The Bureau's work is further supported by Divisional Drugs Units, which tackle drug-related crime on a local basis throughout...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Domestic Violence (25 Nov 2021)

Helen McEntee: I propose to take Questions Nos. 155, 164 and 171 together. As the Deputies will be aware, the Government has considerably strengthened the law and structures which target domestic violence, as part of the second National Strategy on Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence 2016-2021. Central to this is the landmark Domestic Violence Act 2018 which came into force on 1 January...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Court Accommodation (25 Nov 2021)

Helen McEntee: Under the provisions of the Courts Service Act 1998, management of the courts, including the provision of accommodation for court sittings, is the responsibility of the Courts Service which is independent in the performance of its functions. However, in order to be of assistance to the Deputy, I have had enquiries made and the Courts Service has provided me with the following update. ...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (25 Nov 2021)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible, under Section 33 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), for the deployment of An Garda Síochána throughout the State. The Commissioner is also responsible, under Section 26 of the Act, for the management and administration of Garda business, including the recruitment and training of Garda members and...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Naturalisation Applications (25 Nov 2021)

Helen McEntee: I propose to take Questions Nos. 158 and 167 together. I am deeply conscious of how important the granting of naturalisation is to those who apply for it and my Department continued to accept and process citizenship applications throughout the pandemic and during all levels of public health restrictions. Regrettably, the current processing time has increased to an average of 23...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Victim Support Services (25 Nov 2021)

Helen McEntee: Protecting and supporting victims of crime is a key priority for me as Minister. My Department is leading a number of important initiatives to ensure we better support victims of crime. When victims of crime begin to engage with the justice system, they should know what to expect, what their legally enforceable rights are, and the supports available at every step in the process. We are...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Court Accommodation (25 Nov 2021)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will be aware, under the provisions of the Courts Service Act 1998, management of the courts, including the provision of accommodation for court sittings, is the responsibility of the Courts Service which is independent in the performance of its functions. However, in order to be of assistance to the Deputy, I have had enquiries made and the Courts Service has provided me...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (25 Nov 2021)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible by law for the management of An Garda Síochána, including personnel matters and deployment of resources. As Minister, I have no responsibility for these matters. I am advised however, that Garda management keeps the distribution of resources under continual review to ensure their optimum use in light of...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Domestic Violence (25 Nov 2021)

Helen McEntee: My Department has put in place Victims of Domestic Violence Immigration Guidelines. The Guidelines rightly state that no one should have to suffer domestic violence and recognise that migrants may have additional vulnerability in this area, as the perpetrator may threaten a victim with the loss of their status if they report the abuse. For a person who is the victim of domestic abuse and...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (25 Nov 2021)

Helen McEntee: The Government is determined to tackle anti-social behaviour and I am very conscious of the impact it can have on the quality of life for local communities, including in Dublin city centre. We want people to feel safe and be safe in Dublin, whether they live or work in Dublin or want to visit and enjoy our capital city. The Deputy will be aware that Budget 2022 includes significant...