Results 13,041-13,060 of 15,536 for speaker:Helen McEntee

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

Helen McEntee: On the 28 April 2020, my Department agreed to undertake, on behalf of the health authorities, the collection of public health passenger locator forms on a temporary administrative basis. The Border Management Unit (BMU) operate the scheme at Dublin Airport, which is the principal route through which people enter the State by air. While the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) manage the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Ministerial Advisers (21 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 Guidelines for the 33rd Dáil are currently awaiting Government approval. At this stage no Special Advisers have been formally appointed by the Government. This process will start once the Guidelines have...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Human Trafficking (21 Jul 2020)

Helen McEntee: The Government is fully committed to addressing human trafficking in all forms. We are cooperating with partners and are actively engaged in the work of multilateral international organisations who are addressing human trafficking, including the UN, Council of Europe, OSCE and the European Union. Ireland has ratified the principal international Human Trafficking treaties, namely the...

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

Helen McEntee: The Deputy will be aware that the programme of replacement and refurbishment of Garda accommodation is progressed by the Garda authorities working in close cooperation with the Office of Public Works (OPW), which has the responsibility for the provision and maintenance of Garda accommodation. As part of the implementation of the new Operating Model, the need for a new station in Sligo has...

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

Helen McEntee: The Deputy will be aware that under the Garda Síochána Act 2005, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of an Garda Síochána as well as for the allocation of Garda resources, in light of identified operational demands. As Minister, I have no role in those matters. However, the 2020 Estimates provided a budget of €9 million...

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

Helen McEntee: I am advised by the Immigration Service of my Department that a preliminary examination of the case of the person concerned suggests that it is impacted by the Ruling of the European Court of Justice (ECJ) in the Chenchooliah case and is among a body of cases potentially so impacted. My Department is currently finalising the amendment of the European Communities (Free Movement of Persons)...

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

Helen McEntee: I propose to take Questions Nos. 578 and 597 together. I have been informed by the Garda Authorities that, regrettably, it is not possible to provide a breakdown of such thefts to divisional level as to do so could allow for the identification of injured parties. I am informed by the Garda authorities that the following are the approximate number of domestic dogs and/or pets reported stolen...

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...