Results 12,941-12,960 of 15,429 for speaker:Helen McEntee

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legislative Measures (21 Jul 2020)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy may be aware, the Firearms (Firearm Certificates for Non-Residents) Act 2000 provides that a non-resident firearm certificate is required by persons resident abroad wishing to "have in his or her possession, use and carry" a firearm in the State. My Department currently has no plans to amend the Act. However, as with all legislation within the remit of my Department, this...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Strength (21 Jul 2020)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy is aware, the Garda Commissioner is by law responsible for the management and control of An Garda Síochána. This includes responsibility for the allocation of all Garda resources and I as Minister have no role in these matters. However, Gardaí have informed me that the allocation of resources is kept under continuous review, in light of crime trends and policing...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Forensic Science Ireland (21 Jul 2020)

Helen McEntee: The Deputy will be aware that Forensic Science Ireland (FSI), an office of my Department, is the State's forensic analysis service and works closely with An Garda Síochána in the investigation of crime and presentation of evidence at criminal trials. FSI forms a crucial component of the State's criminal justice system and meets a clearly established public need by contributing to...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Data (21 Jul 2020)

Helen McEntee: Under the Garda Síochána Act 2005, the allocation and distribution of resources including the recruitment and training of Garda members and members of the Garda Reserve is entirely a matter for the Garda Commissioner. As Minister, I have no responsibility in this matter. I am assured however that Garda management keeps the distribution of resources under continual review in the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Courts Service (21 Jul 2020)

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 exercising its functions. A number of major courthouse projects have been included in the Government's National Development Plan 2018-2027 and the overall vision in Project Ireland 2040....

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Facilities (21 Jul 2020)

Helen McEntee: The provision of safe and secure custody and dignity of care to those individuals in the penal system in Ireland is a priority area for the Department and the Irish Prison Service (IPS). The IPS commits in its capital strategy plan 2016-2021 to a prison estate that provides safe, secure and humane custody, that upholds the dignity of all users, and that reflects and supports a modern and...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Rights of People with Disabilities (21 Jul 2020)

Helen McEntee: The Programme for Government reiterates the commitment to ratification of the Optional Protocol after the first reporting cycle. The Government remains focused on addressing the remaining legislative measures to be taken in Ireland to give full effect to the Convention, the submission of the CRPD Initial State Report, and the development of an implementation plan to coordinate...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Misconduct Allegations (21 Jul 2020)

Helen McEntee: The Deputy will be aware that an inquiry under Section 42 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 is being carried out by former Judge Patrick Clyne into the Garda Síochána investigation following the death of Mr Patrick Nugent in 1984. Judge Clyne was due to complete the Inquiry by 28 February 2020. However, due to factors including the COVID-19 pandemic and the associated...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Covid-19 Pandemic (21 Jul 2020)

Helen McEntee: The statutory provisions concerning the licensing of premises for the purposes of public dancing are set out in the Public Dance Halls Act 1935 as well as sections 2 to 10 and 21 of the Licensing (Combating Drug Abuse) Act 1997 in so far as they relate to public dancing licenses. The primary purpose of these statutory provisions is to ensure the welfare and safety of persons while present at...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Contracts (21 Jul 2020)

Helen McEntee: It has not been possible to collate the information requested by the Deputy within the time allowed. I will write to the Deputy to provide this information as soon as it is available.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legislative Measures (21 Jul 2020)

Helen McEntee: The Parole Act 2019 provides for the establishment of an independent, statutory Parole Board, which will make decisions in relation to parole for all eligible prisoners. The Deputy will be aware that under the 2019 Act, prisoners serving a life sentence will be eligible to be considered only after they have served 12 years of that sentence. Prisoners who have applied under the old...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Direct Provision System (21 Jul 2020)

Helen McEntee: Last year, Dr Catherine Day was asked to bring together an expert group with representation from asylum seekers and NGOs to examine best practice in other European States in the provision of services to international protection applicants, to examine likely longer term trends and to set out recommendations and solutions. Any new system for the provision of accommodation and additional...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Transport Provision (21 Jul 2020)

Helen McEntee: The Deputy will be aware that in accordance with the Garda Síochána Act 2005 as amended, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána. The Commissioner is also responsible for the allocation and efficient use of Garda resources, including purchase and allocation of mountain bikes, in light of operational demand. As...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Visa Applications (21 Jul 2020)

Helen McEntee: Visa Offices have temporarily suspended the processing of all non-priority short stay visa applications due to the COVID-19 pandemic. A limited resumption of visa services was commenced from 22 June 2020. During this initial resumption phase, the Immigration Service has only been accepting Long Stay “D” visa applications, including Study, as well as those identified under its...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Residency Permits (21 Jul 2020)

Helen McEntee: My Department registers persons residing in the Dublin area only. The Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) processes all applications outside of Dublin through the Garda Station network. A new online Registration Renewal system for all non-EEA nationals based in Dublin went live on 20 July 2020. This means that anyone within the Dublin area looking to renew their registration will no...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Immigration Policy (21 Jul 2020)

Helen McEntee: My Department does not comment on individual cases. However, I can confirm it is standard practice in the case of legal proceedings such as this to conduct a full review of what occurred and improve or amend any procedural or administrative arrangements, including in relation to arrangements with An Garda Síochána, so that the immigration service can continually improve how it...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Immigration Controls (21 Jul 2020)

Helen McEntee: My Department is aware of the Report to which the Deputy refers. Indeed, officials of my Department, the Prison Service and other agencies participated in key stakeholder interviews for the purposes of the Report. As the Deputy will appreciate, every State has a duty to protect its borders and to refuse entry to those persons not entitled to enter the State. This is a fundamental exercise...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Asylum Applications (21 Jul 2020)

Helen McEntee: The first round of the IRPP Humanitarian Admission Programme (IHAP) granted permission to 165 beneficiaries. To date, with respect to the second round of the IHAP (IHAP 2), approximately 255 applications have been granted in respect of 440 beneficiaries. There are currently 80 pending applications in respect of 185 beneficiaries and it is expected that these pending applications will include...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Crime Data (21 Jul 2020)

Helen McEntee: I am very conscious of the impact that anti-social behaviour and crime like dog thefts has on the quality of life for residents in local communities. Gardaí are working hard to tackle this, and all forms of criminality in our communities, to make them safer for all members of society. I am informed by the Garda authorities that the Garda National Crime Prevention Unit coordinates a...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Asylum Seekers (21 Jul 2020)

Helen McEntee: As part of the Europeans Union's cooperation with Afghanistan in the area of migration, both have committed to a Joint Way Forward on Migration Issues between Afghanistan and the EU (JWF). The JWF, which is not considered a binding international agreement, was signed on 3 October 2016 and was automatically extended for another two years following the provisions of Part VIII of the JWF. It is...