Results 12,721-12,740 of 15,536 for speaker:Helen McEntee

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (10 Sep 2020)

Helen McEntee: I am happy to inform the Deputy that significant expenditure is being committed by individual Departments in support of the Government's objective of enabling Ireland to fulfil its obligations with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities ('the Convention') by responding to the needs of persons with disabilities. For example, €1.7bn was spent by the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Immigration Policy (10 Sep 2020)

Helen McEntee: The Programme for Government contains a commitment to create new pathways for long-term undocumented people and their dependents meeting specified criteria to regularise their status within 18 months of the formation of the Government, bearing in mind European Union and Common Travel Area commitments. Ireland along with other Member States of the EU, has committed, under the European Pact on...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Policing Authority (10 Sep 2020)

Helen McEntee: The Government is committed to rapidly implementing the Report of the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland and in that context to introduce the Policing and Community Safety Bill. Work on the development of the General Scheme of this Bill is at an advanced stage in my Department. Following consultations with the Garda Commissioner and the oversight bodies, which are underway at...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Direct Provision System (10 Sep 2020)

Helen McEntee: On 18 March 2020, in response to the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, my Department entered into a 12 month contract to use the former Skellig Star Hotel in Cahersiveen as a temporary accommodation centre for international protection applicants. My Department's policy is always to withdraw from emergency accommodation as quickly as possible and as soon as places become available in...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Direct Provision System (10 Sep 2020)

Helen McEntee: In August 2019, the National Standards for accommodation offered to people in the international protection process were published by my Department. The Standards were prepared by an Advisory Group, established in 2017 and comprising officials from my Department, the Department of Children and Youth Affairs and the HSE National Office for Social Inclusion as well as representatives from...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Transport Provision (10 Sep 2020)

Helen McEntee: The Deputy will be aware that in accordance with the Garda Síochána Act 2005, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána. In addition, the allocation of Garda resources is a matter for the Commissioner, in light of identified operational demands. This includes responsibility for the allocation of Garda vehicles. As...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Direct Provision System (10 Sep 2020)

Helen McEntee: Discussions are ongoing between officials in my Department and the HSE to enable formal vulnerability assessments for applicants for international protection by the end of the year. This will ensure that a coherent process is in place for both the health and non-health aspects required in formalised assessments. To assist in determining how best we can meet the health and related needs...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Proposed Legislation (10 Sep 2020)

Helen McEntee: I thank the Deputy for raising this important matter. The Programme for Government commits to introducing, within 12 months, legislation to address those who target victims because of their association with a particular identity characteristic, and to revise and update the Incitement to Hatred Act and I can assure Deputies that my Department is working to prepare this legislation on hate...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Proposed Legislation (10 Sep 2020)

Helen McEntee: My Department is actively working to deliver the much needed modernisation of the family law system in Ireland. This modernisation includes the introduction of a new Family Court Bill and the development of a dedicated family court system. The development of sensible, comprehensive and sensitive family law procedures particularly for vulnerable families, will be central to the new system. ...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Courts Service (10 Sep 2020)

Helen McEntee: The Probate Office is an office of the High Court and management of the courts is the responsibility of the Courts Service which is independent in exercising its functions under the Courts Service Act 1998. However, in order to be of assistance to the Deputy, I have had enquiries made and the Courts Service has informed me that the priority project in the probate area for 2020 is to...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Statutory Instruments (10 Sep 2020)

Helen McEntee: I propose to take Questions Nos. 22 and 48 together. As the Deputy will be aware, the development of public health regulations and guidelines in response to the current pandemic is led by my colleague, the Minister for Health. As Minister for Justice, I have no role in the coordination of this. My Department provides support for the public health regulations by consulting and advising on...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legislative Process (10 Sep 2020)

Helen McEntee: I propose to take Questions Nos. 24 and 33 together. Section 13 of the Criminal Justice (Corruption Offences) Act 2018 has no relevance here. It may be that the Deputy has in mind section 13 of the Criminal Justice (Enforcement Powers) (Covid-19) Bill 2020. This will enable the Minister for Health to prescribe penal Covid-19 regulations, breaches of which are offences under section...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Direct Provision System (10 Sep 2020)

Helen McEntee: The primary responsibility for the return of children to school this academic term lies with their parents and guardians. This is also the case for parents and guardians of children living with them in accommodation provided by the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) of my Department. Children residing in accommodation centres are educated within the mainstream...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Equipment (10 Sep 2020)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy is aware, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of the Garda organisation as well as for the allocation of Garda resources, in light of identified operational demands. As Minister, I have no role in those matters. Record resources of €1.88 billion, as well as a substantial capital...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prisoner Rehabilitation Programmes (10 Sep 2020)

Helen McEntee: I can advise the Deputy that the Community Prison Link Service is a non-prison based service that works with people with addiction issues both in prison and in the community. The Irish Prison Service are aware of the very valuable service provided by the Community Prison Link Service and appreciates that they are anxious to resume direct contact with prisoners. My officials in the Irish...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Sex Offenders Notification Requirements (10 Sep 2020)

Helen McEntee: I thank the Deputy for raising this important matter. I understand there can be concerns on the part of communities when it comes to the issue of rehabilitation of sex offenders and protection of public safety. First it is important to note that there are already provisions in existing law in relation to the management of sex offenders after they have been released from prison. The Sex...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Public Consultation Process (10 Sep 2020)

Helen McEntee: I thank the Deputy for raising this important matter and I appreciate the urgency of this issue. The Programme for Government commits to introducing, within 12 months, legislation to address those who target victims because of their association with a particular identity characteristic, and to revise and update the Incitement to Hatred Act. I can assure Deputies that my Department is...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Closed-Circuit Television Systems (10 Sep 2020)

Helen McEntee: The Deputy will be aware that community-based CCTV is governed by section 38(3)(c) of Garda Síochána Act 2005 and the Garda Síochána (CCTV) Order 2006. This legal framework requires that any proposed community CCTV scheme must: - be approved by the local Joint Policing Committee, - have the prior support of the relevant local authority, which must also act as data...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Liquor Licences (10 Sep 2020)

Helen McEntee: I understand the concerns that people have in relation to the purchase for delivery of alcohol products and am very conscious of the detrimental effects of alcohol dependency on families and society. In terms of assessing whether a review of legislation is required in relation to the delivery of alcohol, however, it is essential that there is a clear understanding of what the current...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Passenger Data (10 Sep 2020)

Helen McEntee: The Border Management Unit (BMU) of my Department does not record the data requested or any data on the nationality of persons arriving into the State. Under Regulations made by the Minister for Health - Health Act 1947 (Section 31A – Temporary Requirements) (Covid-19 Passenger Locator Form) Regulations 2020, S.I. No. 181/2020 - the completion of a passenger locator form became a...