Results 12,421-12,440 of 17,539 for speaker:Helen McEntee

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Sentencing Policy (24 Nov 2021)

Helen McEntee: Non-custodial penalties, particularly supervised community sanctions, play a significant and important role in addressing criminality, reducing reoffending and providing a degree of protection to the public. This is supported by Central Statistics Office figures on recidivism. As the Deputy will be aware, the Programme for Government 2020 contains a broad range of policies and proposals...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Service (24 Nov 2021)

Helen McEntee: Safe and secure custody is one of the key pillars of the Prison Service Strategic Plan 2019-2022. Addressing self-harm in Irish Prisons is a central part of delivering that. Since 2016, the Irish Prison Service has put in place a system to provide robust data on the incidence and profile of self-harm and suicide attempts in Irish Prisons. A copy of the 2019 report will be published on the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Staff (24 Nov 2021)

Helen McEntee: Compliance with the Civil Service Code of Standards and Behaviour is a condition of employment within the Department of Justice. Where a breach of the Code arises it is dealt with in accordance with the Civil Service Disciplinary Code (Circular 19/2016) which contains a range of sanctions up to and including termination of employment. Since 2011 one individual was given a written warning and...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Funding (24 Nov 2021)

Helen McEntee: Protecting and supporting victims of crime is a key priority for me as Minister for Justice and I would like to thank the Deputy for raising this issue. As part of our work in this area, my Department operates a funding scheme for NGOs who provide specific supports to victims of crime, which of course includes victims of domestic, sexual and gender based violence. These services provide...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Funding (24 Nov 2021)

Helen McEntee: The Association referred to is a representative association that is primarily funded through membership dues. I can confirm that my Department does not provide funding to the Association in question. The Association is provided with subventions for certain expenses from the Garda Vote representing a subvention in respect of post, telecommunications and accommodation costs originally provided...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Crime Data (24 Nov 2021)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will be aware, the detection of and response to any criminal activity is an operational function for the Garda Commissioner, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005. As Minister, I have no direct role in these matters. The table below, which has been provided to me by the Garda authorities, sets out the number of arrests which occurred during the period 2016 to date in 2021...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: International Protection (24 Nov 2021)

Helen McEntee: I share the Deputy’s concerns for the Afghan people and the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan. Ireland has acted swiftly and compassionately to demonstrate our support and solidarity with the Afghan people. My Department continues to work closely with colleagues in the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Service (23 Nov 2021)

Helen McEntee: The Irish Prison Service has put in place an extensive range of measures to prevent Covid-19 transmission into our prisons. The Prison Service Covid-19 response aims to prevent the spread of infection into a prison; detect early any possible infection in a prisoner or staff member; and prevent the spread of infection within a prison should there be a confirmed case. The measures which have...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Court Accommodation (23 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 carrying out 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...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Mental Health Policy (23 Nov 2021)

Helen McEntee: I very much welcome the publication of this report from the Mental Health Commission. I thank both the Inspector of Mental Health Services and the Inspector of Prisons for their work on this important issue and I believe the publication of this report is very timely. We know that the healthcare needs of vulnerable, sometimes seriously ill, people who interact with the criminal justice system...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Citizenship Applications (23 Nov 2021)

Helen McEntee: An application for a certificate of naturalisation was received from the person referred to by the Deputy on 7 January 2021. 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. The granting of Irish citizenship...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Inquiries (23 Nov 2021)

Helen McEntee: I wish to assure the Deputy that I recognise the ongoing pain and anguish of the O'Farrell family on the tragic death of Shane and I sincerely sympathise with them on their loss. As the Deputy will be aware, a highly respected retired Judge, Gerard Haughton, has been conducting a scoping exercise into the tragic circumstances surrounding Shane O'Farrell's death. The purpose of this...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Fines Administration (23 Nov 2021)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible under section 26 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended) for the general management and administration of Garda business. This includes the enforcement of all applicable legislation and the management of the Fixed Charge Notice system. The enforcement of public health legislation by members of An Garda...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Visa Applications (23 Nov 2021)

Helen McEntee: My Department consistently works in partnership with the Public Appointments Service to ensure optimum staffing levels across the Immigration Service Delivery function and continuously reviews staffing levels to ensure that each area is adequately and efficiently resourced. Regarding the Registration Office in particular, a number of additional measures have been put in place to help clear...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Credit Register (23 Nov 2021)

Helen McEntee: I am aware that concerns have been raised about the restoration of a person’s credit rating after they have completed a personal insolvency arrangement. However, the operation of credit registries does not fall within my remit as Minister for Justice. The Credit Reporting Act 2013 (as amended) provides the statutory basis under which the Central Bank of Ireland operates the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Deportation Orders (23 Nov 2021)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will be aware, the Minister for Justice can make an order under the Immigration Act 1999, requiring people who are non-nationals to leave the State, commonly known as a deportation order. I can advise the Deputy that prior to a Deportation Order being made, the permission to remain process includes a full consideration of private and family rights in accordance with the European...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Asylum Applications (23 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 in...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Data (23 Nov 2021)

Helen McEntee: 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 public interest. My...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (23 Nov 2021)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible under the law for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána, including any decisions in relation to the allocation and control of Garda equipment and resources. As Minister, I have no direct role in these matters. An Garda Síochána have informed me that in 2021 four dogs were purchased...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (23 Nov 2021)

Helen McEntee: I have requested the information sought by the Deputy from An Garda Síochána, but I have not received this information in time. I will write to the Deputy as soon as the information is to hand.