Results 12,861-12,880 of 15,536 for speaker:Helen McEntee

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Licence Applications (8 Sep 2020)

Helen McEntee: The Government announced a further €16m support package on Friday 31 August to help pubs, bars and nightclubs and other holders of liquor licences in recognition of the economic impact of Covid-19 on their businesses and to assist planning and adaptation for their re-opening. These measures include: - Restart Grant Plus 40% Top Up: Those businesses remaining closed and planning...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Criminal Injuries Compensation Tribunal (8 Sep 2020)

Helen McEntee: The Criminal Injuries Compensation Tribunal is entirely independent in the matter of individual decisions on applications for compensation and neither I as Minister, nor my Department, have any role in the decisions. The length of time taken to process applications under the Scheme varies depending on the nature and circumstances of each case. I understand the application relating to...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (8 Sep 2020)

Helen McEntee: The Registration Office of the Immigration Services Delivery (ISD) Division of my Department is currently processing approximately 15,000 applications (accompanied by passports) that have been sent in by people seeking to renew their immigration registration. Significant demand accumulated during the four months that the Registration Office was closed due to Covid-19. To assist in...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Sex Offenders Notification Requirements (8 Sep 2020)

Helen McEntee: I propose to take Questions Nos. 958 and 959 together. I understand the concern which communities can have in relation to the issue of rehabilitation of sex offenders and in relation to measures to protect 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. ...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Offices (8 Sep 2020)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will be aware, the majority of staff at my Department are currently working from home. I can inform the Deputy that my Department occupies three offices outside of Dublin at present. These offices are based in Tipperary town, Roscrea, Co. Tipperary and Killarney, Co. Kerry. There are currently 2 vacant desks in these offices. A breakdown of the desks in accommodation allocated...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Probate Data (8 Sep 2020)

Helen McEntee: The Probate Office is an office of the High Court. The 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 provided the following update on this matter. Dublin Probate Office Solicitors...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Ministerial Advisers (8 Sep 2020)

Helen McEntee: On the commencement of every Dáil, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform issues guidelines setting out the arrangements for the staffing of Ministerial Offices. As the Deputy is aware, the appointment of Special Advisers is subject to section 11 of the Public Service Management Act 1997. The Guidelines for the 33rd Dáil, which incorporate the principles of section 11...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prisoner Rehabilitation Programmes (8 Sep 2020)

Helen McEntee: I propose to take Questions Nos. 964 and 966 together. 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. In some cases the organisation continues to work with individuals in the event they enter into the custody of certain prisons in the State. As Community Prison...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Covid-19 Pandemic (8 Sep 2020)

Helen McEntee: The Deputy will be aware that licensed premises were allowed to reopen from 29 June 2020 under certain conditions, one of which is that a substantial meal must be served to any customer consuming alcohol. As I said in the Dáil last week, the vast majority of publicans and restaurateurs are fully compliant with the Covid-19 regulations which were introduced by my colleague, the Minister...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Youth Diversion Projects (8 Sep 2020)

Helen McEntee: Part 4 of the Children Act 2001 (as amended) provides the statutory basis for the Garda Diversion Programme. The intention is to divert children and young people who have engaged in criminal or anti-social behaviour away from the Criminal Justice system and towards more positive life choices. Children who commit criminal offences are considered for admission to the Garda Diversion Programme,...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Vetting (8 Sep 2020)

Helen McEntee: The Deputy will be aware that vetting applications are an operational matter for An Garda Síochána, and neither I nor my Department have any role in the processing of individual vetting applications. I would emphasise to the Deputy that the primary purpose of the employment vetting carried out by the National Vetting Bureau is to seek to ensure the safety of children and vulnerable...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Ministerial Advisers (8 Sep 2020)

Helen McEntee: On the commencement of every Dáil, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform issues guidelines setting out the arrangements for the staffing of Ministerial Offices. The appointment of Special Advisers is subject to section 11 of the Public Service Management Act 1997. The Guidelines for the 33rd Dáil, which incorporate the principles of section 11 of the Public Service...

Criminal Justice (Enforcement Powers) (Covid-19) Bill 2020: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (3 Sep 2020)

Helen McEntee: I will speak specifically to the amendment because the pros and cons of the legislation and the reasons for it have been well debated. Deputy McNamara is proposing that the House, rather than me as Minister, will decide whether to roll over the measures. It is this House and the Seanad that will make that decision. He asked me whether we will do so on 9 November. He asked me what the...

Criminal Justice (Enforcement Powers) (Covid-19) Bill 2020: Committee Stage (3 Sep 2020)

Helen McEntee: The Deputy is correct in that there are regulations that are not specifically mentioned in the legislation. We are in very difficult and unusual times and things are changing, meaning new regulations must be made. We hope things will get better and that penal provisions can be removed. If we had to put every single proposed provision in legislation, it would mean that at every stage we...

Criminal Justice (Enforcement Powers) (Covid-19) Bill 2020: Committee Stage (3 Sep 2020)

Helen McEntee: No.

Criminal Justice (Enforcement Powers) (Covid-19) Bill 2020: Committee Stage (3 Sep 2020)

Helen McEntee: I think the Deputy may have misunderstood the intention of the section. This section is essentially providing for the power that will prescribe the regulations that will apply to this particular Bill. As it currently stands, this does not allow myself as Minister for Justice and Equality or the Minister for Health to do anything new or for the Minister for Health in particular to do...

Criminal Justice (Enforcement Powers) (Covid-19) Bill 2020: Committee Stage (3 Sep 2020)

Helen McEntee: We are speaking about an immediate closure. This step would be taken following a failure to comply with Covid regulations. I will clarify that for the Deputy. The amendment addresses matters relating to criminal procedures and evidence, which is not what we are dealing with in this particular Bill. I am not sure we would want to set a precedent of setting out what a person could or...

Criminal Justice (Enforcement Powers) (Covid-19) Bill 2020: Committee Stage (3 Sep 2020)

Helen McEntee: What the Deputy is outlining, particularly in terms of subparagraphs (a) to (e), is what a defence can or cannot raise.

Criminal Justice (Enforcement Powers) (Covid-19) Bill 2020: Committee Stage (3 Sep 2020)

Helen McEntee: The matters proposed to be included are essentially matters that would form part of the State's proof in a criminal trial or hearing. This can be challenged by the defence and publicans or others in the usual way at a trial. That is already in place and it is applicable here. The Deputy suggests that by not including this the legislation could be unconstitutional. Constitutionally any...

Criminal Justice (Enforcement Powers) (Covid-19) Bill 2020: Committee Stage (3 Sep 2020)

Helen McEntee: Although I do not think it is the intention of Deputy Howlin, I point out that this amendment does not actually intend to provide for a right of appeal. The amendment seeks to include a provision in section 4, which the Deputy has rightly outlined deals with the immediate closure of a premises where the Garda determines there has been a serious breach of a Covid regulation despite previous...