Results 13,441-13,460 of 17,543 for speaker:Helen McEntee

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Crime Data (20 Jan 2021)

Helen McEntee: I am informed that An Garda Síochána no longer utilise a code for the offence of 'driving while disqualified', as there is no separate offence of ‘driving while disqualified’ provided for in the Road Traffic Acts. Section 38 of the Road Traffic Act 1961, as amended by Section 12 of the Road Traffic Act 2006, creates the offence of ‘Driving without a Driving...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Covid-19 Pandemic (20 Jan 2021)

Helen McEntee: The Deputy will be aware that the Department of Health and the HSE are leading the Government's response to the COVID-19 pandemic and have primary responsibility for the provision of information to the public about the new public health regulations. In supporting the public health regulations, the Garda Commissioner and his senior team have implemented a carefully graduated policing...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Data (20 Jan 2021)

Helen McEntee: An Garda Síochána has been allocated an unprecedented budget of €1.952 billion for 2021. The significant level of funding provided over recent years is enabling sustained, ongoing recruitment of Garda members and staff. As a result, there are now over 14,600 Garda members and over 3,000 Garda staff nationwide. Budget 2021 will allow for the recruitment of up to620 new...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legislative Programme (20 Jan 2021)

Helen McEntee: I am very conscious of the huge distress that can be caused by the crime of dog theft and the strong emotional bonds that owners have with their pets. I can inform the Deputy that there is already comprehensive legislation in place to address such crimes of theft and fraud as well as related animal welfare offences, including: - The Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013; - Protection of Animals...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Reports (14 Jan 2021)

Helen McEntee: In June 2018, as part of a commitment in the then Programme for Government, the Minister for Health, the Minister for Justice and Equality, in association with the Minister for Finance, announced the establishment of an Expert Group to consider an alternative mechanism to the court process for resolving clinical negligence claims. The Group, chaired by the High Court Judge, Mr Justice...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Child Protection (14 Jan 2021)

Helen McEntee: Section 16 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act 1997 establishes the offence of international child abduction in Irish legislation. It is an offence for any person including a parent or guardian to take or send a child under 16 years from the State: (a) in defiance of a court order, or (b) without the consent of each person who is a guardian, or without the consent of a person to...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Seized Property (14 Jan 2021)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible by law for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána, including operational matters such as the seizure of cars.  As Minister, I have no role in this matter. However, I am informed by the Garda authorities that the total number of vehicles detained by An Garda Síochána for no...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Strategies (14 Jan 2021)

Helen McEntee: I wish to inform the Deputy that since my appointment as Minister, I have prioritised a number of issues, including the tackling of sexual and domestic violence, the reform of family law, and digitalisation of the justice sector, in particular. Key actions I have taken since my appointment as Minister include: - Published the findings of the O'Malley Review and secured Government...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Immigration Policy (14 Jan 2021)

Helen McEntee: I propose to take Questions Nos. 165 and 166 together. The Programme for Government contains a commitment to bring forward a regularisation scheme within 18 months of the formation of the Government, to create new pathways for long-term undocumented people and their dependents, meeting specified criteria and bearing in mind Ireland's European Union (EU) and Common Travel Area (CTA)...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Proposed Legislation (14 Jan 2021)

Helen McEntee: In July 2019, the previous Government approved the priority drafting of an Irish Nationality and Citizenship (Amendment) Bill to address issues arising from the High Court judgment in the case of Jones v. Minister for Justice and Equality relating to the continuous residence condition for the issue of a certificate of naturalisation under section 15 of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Transport Provision (14 Jan 2021)

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: Domestic Violence Policy (14 Jan 2021)

Helen McEntee: Tackling domestic abuse and providing supports for victims is a priority for me as Minister and for Government. I am working with my colleagues and with our partners to ensure we have an appropriate collective national response that supports victims and holds perpetrators to account. The Deputy will be aware that the draft Programme for Government contains a commitment to conduct an audit...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Wards of Court (13 Jan 2021)

Helen McEntee: The High Court has jurisdiction in wards of court matters and management of the courts is the responsibility of the Courts Service, which is independent in exercising its functions under the Courts Service Act 1998.  However, in order to be of assistance to the Deputy, I have had enquiries made to the Courts Service who have responded with the following: 2020 ...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Residency Permits (13 Jan 2021)

Helen McEntee: The person referred to by the Deputy has lodged an application for certificate of naturalisation, which was received on 11 August 2020. This application continues to be processed with a view to establishing whether the applicant meets the statutory conditions for the granting of naturalisation and will be submitted to me for decision as expeditiously as possible....

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Contracts (13 Jan 2021)

Helen McEntee: I wish to advise the Deputy that neither my Department nor the State agencies under its aegis have awarded any contracts to the company specified in the period 2016 to 2020. 

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Deportation Orders (13 Jan 2021)

Helen McEntee: The Border Management Unit (BMU) of the Immigration Service of my Department has responsibility for frontline immigration services at Dublin Airport only. Other ports of entry are the responsibility of the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB). Under Section 4 of the Immigration Act 2004, an Immigration Officer must determine whether a non-EEA national should be granted leave to land...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prisoner Data (13 Jan 2021)

Helen McEntee: It has not been possible to obtain the information requested by the Deputy in the time permitted. The information has been sought and I will send it to the Deputy directly when it has been compiled.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Operations (13 Jan 2021)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will be aware, the Adult Caution Scheme was introduced to An Garda Síochána in 2006 having been approved by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).  The operation of the scheme is an operational matter for An Garda Síochána and the DPP, both of which are independent in the exercise of their functions.  I am advised by the Garda...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Domestic Violence Services (13 Jan 2021)

Helen McEntee: Tackling domestic abuse and providing supports for victims is a priority for me as Minister and for Government. I am working with my colleagues and with our partners to ensure we have an appropriate national response that supports victims and holds perpetrators to account. As the Deputy may be aware, Tusla, the Child and Family Agency under the aegis of the Minister for Children,...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Naturalisation Applications (13 Jan 2021)

Helen McEntee: The application of the person referred to by the Deputy has been received by the Immigration Service of my Department and I am advised that their passport will be returned to them in the coming days. My Department has not suspended the receipt or processing of citizenship applications at any stage during the pandemic. However, processing rates have unfortunately been negatively impacted by...