Results 13,141-13,160 of 15,429 for speaker:Helen McEntee

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prisoner Complaints Procedures (30 Jun 2020)

Helen McEntee: A prisoner complaints system was introduced by the Irish Prison Service in November 2012, based on a model recommended by the then-Inspector of Prisons, the late Judge Michael Reilly who was independent of Government in the exercise of his functions. This system categorises complaints according to their nature and seriousness, ranging from the most serious 'Category A' complaint through to a...

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

Helen McEntee: In light of the uncertainties caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, immigration permissions due to expire between 20 May 2020 and 20 July 2020 have been automatically extended for two months. The renewal of permission is on the same basis as the existing permission and the same conditions attach. Any permission which was renewed by the previous notice of 20 March 2020 and which therefore has...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Protected Disclosures (30 Jun 2020)

Helen McEntee: The Protected Disclosures Act was enacted in 2014 to introduce specific protections for whistleblowers. The Deputy will appreciate that the protection of the identity of the persons making disclosures is a core provision in the Act. Therefore, it would be inappropriate for me to comment as to whether my Department has received a specific disclosure or not. I would ask that the Deputy...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Child Abuse (30 Jun 2020)

Helen McEntee: The Deputy will appreciate 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, including the investigation of allegations of criminal offences. Further, the Director of Public Prosecutions is independent in the exercise of her functions....

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Visa Applications (30 Jun 2020)

Helen McEntee: The person concerned was informed, by email dated 29 May 2020, that they must apply for de facto preclearance prior to applying for an Irish entry visa. To date, no application for preclearance has been received. The visa application cannot be processed without prior preclearance. Further information on the preclearance process for de facto partners of Irish Nationals is available on my...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Strength (30 Jun 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: Garda Strength (30 Jun 2020)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy is aware, 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 responsibility for 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,...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Youth Diversion Projects (30 Jun 2020)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will appreciate, the statutory framework relating to young offenders and the Garda Diversion Programme is set out in the Children Act 2001. The nationwide network of Garda Youth Diversion Projects (GYDPs) is supported by my Department. GYDPs are community-based, multi-agency, crime prevention initiatives which seek to divert young people who have become involved in criminal...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Strength (30 Jun 2020)

Helen McEntee: I propose to take Questions Nos. 326, 335 and 336 together. 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 responsibility for these matters. I am assured however that Garda management keeps the distribution of resources under continual review in the context of...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Equality Issues (30 Jun 2020)

Helen McEntee: The Employment Equality Acts 1998–2015 outlaw discrimination in a wide range of employment and employment-related areas. These Acts aim to protect workers against certain types of discrimination, harassment and sexual harassment that could occur in the course of their working life. The legislation promotes equality in the workplace and bans discrimination across nine different grounds....

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Staff (30 Jun 2020)

Helen McEntee: The Department of Public Expenditure and Reform has developed guidelines ‘Working from Home during COVID-19 – Guidance for Civil Service Organisations’. These guidelines, which are due to issue shortly, are intended to assist civil service organisations as long as necessary to address the health and safety risks of COVID-19. Further details on the development of this...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Domestic Violence Services (30 Jun 2020)

Helen McEntee: I can assure the Deputy that combatting domestic abuse is a priority for me and my Department. It is also an important aspect of the National Strategy for Women and Girls and the Second National Strategy on Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence. At an early stage in the Covid-19 pandemic and in recognition of the added risk of domestic abuse which some people face in that context, my...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Direct Provision System (30 Jun 2020)

Helen McEntee: While the employment details of staff at accommodation centres is a matter for the owners of those centres, I have been informed that the new manager of the accommodation centre mentioned by the Deputy is fully vetted and has completed the requisite training.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Courts Service (30 Jun 2020)

Helen McEntee: Under the provisions of the Courts Service Act 1998, management of the courts is the responsibility of the Courts Service, which is independent in exercising its functions. The scheduling and hearing of court cases is a matter for the Presidents of the Courts and the presiding Judges. To be of assistance, I have had enquiries made with the Courts Service who have confirmed that anyone with...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Policy Functions (30 Jun 2020)

Helen McEntee: I can confirm that I, as Minister for Justice, am responsible for policy in relation to the policing and security of the State. Under the Garda Síochána Act 2005, as amended, the Commissioner of An Garda Síochána is responsible for carrying on and managing and controlling generally the administration and business of An Garda Síochána and I have no function in...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Visiting Regulations (30 Jun 2020)

Helen McEntee: I am acutely aware of the supportive role that families and friends play in the rehabilitation of prisoners and in their preparation for life in the community after release from prison. I understand that, with this in mind, the Irish Prison Service continued to facilitate physical family visits to prisons for as long as it was safe to do so. However, the Covid-19 pandemic clearly...

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

Helen McEntee: I propose to take Questions Nos. 337 to 339, inclusive, together. At the outset it is important to be clear that the Garda Commissioner is by law responsible for the management and control of An Garda Síochána and for the effective and efficient use of Garda resources. Further, the Office of Public Works (OPW) has responsibility for the provision and maintenance of Garda...

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

Helen McEntee: I would like to express my deepest condolences to all of those who have lost loved ones during the current pandemic. Deaths which have occurred due to COVID-19 infection are due to natural causes. While decisions on the necessity to carry out an inquest into any death are at the discretion of the Coroner, inquests are not carried out into deaths due to natural causes.

Seanad: Offences against the State (Amendment) Act 1998 and Criminal Justice (Amendment) Act 2009: Motions (29 Jun 2020)

Helen McEntee: I congratulate the Cathaoirleach and I wish him well in his new role. I offer my warmest congratulations to all Senators, especially those who are taking up their seats for the first time. I wish them all well. I acknowledge the huge honour that it is for me to serve the State as Minister for Justice. It is a somewhat daunting task but it is one I am looking forward to and I hope to make...

Seanad: Offences against the State (Amendment) Act 1998 and Criminal Justice (Amendment) Act 2009: Motions (29 Jun 2020)

Helen McEntee: I thank Senators for their time and for moving quickly given, as many have mentioned, we are close to the wire. I am very grateful to the House for its consideration of these two motions and I thank Senators on all sides for their contributions to the debate on both. Naturally, I welcome the support expressed by all of the speakers for continuing these provisions and I appreciate the shared...