Results 12,901-12,920 of 15,536 for speaker:Helen McEntee

Seanad: Skellig Star Direct Provision Centre and the Future of Direct Provision: Statements (30 Jul 2020)

Helen McEntee: I thank Senators for inviting me here to speak today on what is a very important topic for them, and for me as Minister for Justice and Equality. The direct provision system has provided accommodation, food, healthcare and other essential needs for more than 65,000 people since its inception some 20 years ago. While it ensures their basic needs are met, the intervening years have taught us...

Seanad: Skellig Star Direct Provision Centre and the Future of Direct Provision: Statements (30 Jul 2020)

Helen McEntee: I thank Senators for having this debate. I can hear and see their sincerity in making their points. I hope I have addressed some of their concerns in my opening contributions, but I also take on board the other issues they have raised. I had the pleasure some time ago, having just got back from a European Council meeting together with the then Taoiseach, Deputy Varadkar, of meeting a large...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Parental Leave (30 Jul 2020)

Helen McEntee: The Parent’s Leave and Benefit Bill 2019 provides for two weeks of parent’s leave and benefit for all new parents in employment or self-employment in respect of children born or placed for adoption on or after 1 November 2019. This is to facilitate parents in spending more time with their children in their critical first year of life. The Government is currently...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (30 Jul 2020)

Helen McEntee: I wish to advise the Deputy that the funding is provided for a range of projects across Garda, Prisons and Courts including new projects and projects which had been part of existing enhancement and building programmes. These projects will now be accelerated due to the funding provided in the July Stimulus Plan.   The breakdown is as follows: Courts €5...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Assisted Decision-Making (30 Jul 2020)

Helen McEntee: The Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015 (“the 2015 Act”) provides a modern statutory framework to support decision-making by adults with capacity difficulties. The 2015 Act was signed into law on 30 December 2015 but has not yet been fully commenced. The Act provides for the establishment of new administrative processes and support measures, including the setting up of...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Stations (30 Jul 2020)

Helen McEntee: The Deputy will be aware that the Office of Public Works has responsibility for the provision and maintenance of Garda accommodation.  Works in relation to Garda accommodation are therefore progressed by the Garda authorities working in close cooperation with the Office of Public Works (OPW). I am advised that the works required to reopen Rush Garda station have been completed...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Refugee Resettlement Programme (30 Jul 2020)

Helen McEntee: The Irish Refugee Protection Programme (IRPP) was established in 2015 to deliver upon Government commitments to accept up to 4,000 people into the State in response to the migration crisis in central and Southern Europe. A total of 3,358 people have arrived in Ireland to date under the various strands of the IRPP.  To date, 1,006 persons have been housed in the community by way...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Refugee Resettlement Programme (30 Jul 2020)

Helen McEntee: In 2015, as part of Ireland's response to the migration crisis in central and southern Europe, the Government established the Irish Refugee Protection Programme (IRPP). Under this programme, the Government committed to accepting up to 4,000 people into the State, primarily through a combination of the EU Relocation Programme and the UNHCR's Refugee Resettlement Programme.  ...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Resources (30 Jul 2020)

Helen McEntee: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1017 and 1018 together. The Deputy will be aware that the Garda Commissioner is by law responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána, including personnel matters and the deployment of resources.  As Minister, I have no role in these matters.  I am assured, however, that Garda management keeps the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Ministerial Transport (30 Jul 2020)

Helen McEntee: I am advised by the Garda authorities that the current contract for the purchase of executive vehicles expired in March 2020, the Office of Government Procurement is currently completing a tender competition.  Consequently it would not be appropriate to detail the purchase price of ministerial vehicles in case this may prejudice the tender completion.  I am also informed...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Ministerial Correspondence (30 Jul 2020)

Helen McEntee: My Department has a clear policy in which staff are directed not to use third-party or web-based email accounts to send or receive Departmental information, not least because the method is much less secure than Departmental systems. Thus it is not the standard practice amongst officials within my Department, nor is it my standard practice nor that of my advisors, to use personal email...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Ministerial Meetings (30 Jul 2020)

Helen McEntee: Since the formation of the Government on 27 June 2020 Minister Helen McEntee has had 54 meetings and Minister for State Charlie McConalogue has had 18 meetings. Minister Helen McEntee 29 June 2020 14:00Cabinet meeting 30 June 2020 11:00Video Conference  (Department of Foreign Affairs) 18:00Party related meeting 03 July 2020 10:00Fine Gael meeting 11:00COVID Cabinet Committee meeting...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Ministerial Advisers (30 Jul 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 PMSA Act, are...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Irish Prison Service (30 Jul 2020)

Helen McEntee: A number of complaints received by my Department from the named person are of a sensitive and confidential nature and they are the subject of ongoing independent investigations. It would not be appropriate for me to expand on the nature of these concerns. Recent correspondence received is under consideration and I can confirm to the Deputy that I have written directly to the person...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Transport Provision (30 Jul 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...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legal Services Regulation (30 Jul 2020)

Helen McEntee: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1025 to 1032, inclusive, together. The Legal Services Regulatory Authority (LSRA) was established on 1 October 2016 under the Legal Services Regulation Act of 2015. The Act was one of our national undertakings in support of structural reform, national competitiveness and economic recovery under the EU/IMF/ECB Memorandum of Understanding on Specific...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Ministerial Advisers (30 Jul 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 PMSA Act, are...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Criminal Assets Bureau (30 Jul 2020)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will be aware, all funds collected by the Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB) in the course of its activities are returned to the Exchequer for the benefit of the Central Fund, in accordance with the relevant legislation. I have been informed by the Garda Authorities that the following table sets out monies returned to the Exchequer by the Bureau, under section 4(1) /...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Road Traffic Accidents (30 Jul 2020)

Helen McEntee: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1035 and 1036 together. I can inform the Deputy that road safety remains a high priority for An Garda Síochána and for my Department, working closely in cooperation with the Department of Transport. Any serious injury or fatality is of great concern. An Garda Síochána is responsible for collating information regarding...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Data (30 Jul 2020)

Helen McEntee: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1037 and 1038 together. As the Deputy is aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána. This includes responsibility for personnel and human resources matters.  I am informed by the Garda Commissioner that there is a variety of supports in place for members to assist them in dealing with...