Results 13,021-13,040 of 15,536 for speaker:Helen McEntee

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Extradition Arrangements (23 Jul 2020)

Helen McEntee: The Deputy refers to the Ireland - Hong Kong Agreement on the surrender of fugitive offenders which entered into force in January 2009. In light of the recent adoption of the Hong Kong National Security Law, I understand that my colleague the Minister for Foreign Affairs is considering the issues involved and our engagement with Hong Kong, including having regard to discussions on these...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Covid-19 Pandemic (22 Jul 2020)

Helen McEntee: An Garda Síochána is responsible for immigration controls at all ports of entry to this State, with the exception of Dublin Airport. Gardaí fulfil immigration control duties at ports which have been approved for the landing of non-nationals and monitor ports which are not approved for entry into the State. The Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) provides training, backup...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Direct Provision System (22 Jul 2020)

Helen McEntee: The premises referred to by the Deputy is currently under contract with my Department for the provision of accommodation and ancillary services for persons in the international protection process. The contract runs until 30 November 2020. My Department does not publicly disclose rates agreed with contractors, as to do so could seriously compromise any current or future negotiations with...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Data (22 Jul 2020)

Helen McEntee: I propose to take Questions Nos. 185 and 186 together. The Deputy will be aware that in accordance with the Garda Síochána Act 2005 as amended, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for managing and controlling the administration and business of An Garda Síochána. I have requested information from An Garda Síochána on the matter raised and will write directly to...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Transport Provision (22 Jul 2020)

Helen McEntee: The Deputy will be aware that in accordance with the Garda Síochána Act 2005, it is the function of the Garda Commissioner to manage and control the administration and business of An Garda Síochána. The Commissioner's functions include the allocation of Garda resources is in light of identified operational demands. This includes responsibility for the allocation of Garda...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Parental Leave (22 Jul 2020)

Helen McEntee: In recognition of the particular challenges that mothers and parents have faced during the Covid-19 pandemic, the Government is considering a proposal to extend Parent’s Leave from two to five weeks for each parent, to enable every eligible parent of young children to spend additional time with their child. All aspects of the proposal will be examined, including whether primary...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Accommodation (22 Jul 2020)

Helen McEntee: Provision of safe and secure custody and dignity of care to persons in the penal system in Ireland is a priority for me as Minister and for the Irish Prison Service. Delivery of the Limerick Prison redevelopment project is a key element of ongoing work in relation to the prison estate and is reflected in the Prison Service Strategic Plan 2019-2022. I am advised by the Irish Prison Service...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Road Traffic Offences (21 Jul 2020)

Helen McEntee: I am informed by the Garda authorities that Fixed Charge Notices (FCNs) are issued for learner drivers unaccompanied by a qualified driver. The number of Fixed Charge Notices issued for Learner Drivers unaccompanied by a qualified driver was as follows: FCNs Issued for Learner Drivers Unaccompanied Year FCNs issued 2019 6,145 ...

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

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will be aware, residents who have been granted an international protection status (refugee status or subsidiary protection status) or a permission to remain have the same access to housing supports and services as Irish and EEA nationals. My Department has a specific team who work in collaboration with Depaul Ireland, the Jesuit Refugee Service, the Peter McVerry Trust,...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Court Accommodation (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. In order to be of assistance, I have had enquiries made and the Courts Service has informed me that it does not own any courthouses in south county Kildare...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Parental Leave (21 Jul 2020)

Helen McEntee: The Parent’s Leave and Benefit Act 2019 came into effect from 1 November 2019 and allows for two weeks paid leave for each parent within 52 weeks of the birth or placement of their child from that date. This is in addition to leave for parents already in place. The Parent’s Leave and Benefit Act 2019 provides that parent’s leave can be taken by a relevant parent. A...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Parental Leave (21 Jul 2020)

Helen McEntee: In recognition of the particular challenges that mothers and parents have faced during the Covid-19 pandemic, the Government is considering a proposal to advance the extension of Parent’s Leave and Benefit to five weeks for all parents of children born after 1 November 2019, to enable every eligible parent of young children to spend additional time with their child. At present,...

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

Helen McEntee: The Optional Protocol to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities is an international treaty that establishes two procedures aimed at strengthening the implementation and monitoring of the Convention. The first is an individual communications procedure allowing individuals to bring petitions to the Committee claiming breaches of their rights; the second is an...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Maternity Leave (21 Jul 2020)

Helen McEntee: As the law now stands, a mother is entitled to paid maternity leave of up to 26 weeks, and up to a further 16 weeks of unpaid leave. Two weeks must be taken before the baby is due, and at least four weeks must be taken after the birth. Any amendment to the legislation governing the provision of maternity leave, which falls under my responsibility, would require primary legislation. There...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Ministerial Responsibilities (21 Jul 2020)

Helen McEntee: The Data Protection Commission (DPC) is the national independent authority responsible for upholding the fundamental right of individuals in the EU to have their personal data protected. The DPC is the Irish supervisory authority for the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), and also has functions and powers related to other important regulatory frameworks including the Irish ePrivacy...

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

Helen McEntee: On 16 July 2020, I announced that immigration permissions due to expire between 20 July and 20 August 2020 will be automatically extended for one month. Any permission which was renewed by an earlier notice of 20 March 2020 and 13 May and which therefore has a new expiry date between 20 July 2020 and 20 August 2020 is also renewed. Provided the person otherwise meets the conditions set out in...

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

Helen McEntee: The Garda Commissioner is by law responsible for the management of An Garda Síochána, including personnel matters and deployment of resources. As Minister, I have no role in these matters. I am assured however that Garda management keeps the distribution of resources under continual review in the context of crime trends and policing priorities, to ensure their optimum use. The...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legal Reform (21 Jul 2020)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy is aware, a review of Ireland’s anti-fraud and anti-corruption structures, chaired by the former DPP Mr James Hamilton, is currently examining the effectiveness of the State’s procedural, legislative and resourcing frameworks for the investigation, prosecution and prevention of fraud and corruption offences. I am advised that the Hamilton Review Group is currently...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Closed-Circuit Television Systems (21 Jul 2020)

Helen McEntee: I propose to take Questions Nos. 568, 570 and 571 together. 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...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Proposed Legislation (21 Jul 2020)

Helen McEntee: I can inform the Deputy that a revised General Scheme of a Criminal Procedure Bill was approved by the Government on 9 June 2015 and the Bill is being drafted by the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel. Certain elements of the Bill, together with other improvements to our criminal procedure legislation, have been identified as requiring urgent progression in the context of the current...