Results 121-140 of 5,676 for at speaker:Helen McEntee

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Family Reunification (2 May 2024)

Helen McEntee: The visa application referred to by the Deputy was refused by the Visa Office in Dublin on 05 September 2023. The reasons for this decision were set out in the refusal letter sent to the applicant at this time. An appeal of this decision was received on 15 January 2024. All visa applicants are advised that the onus is on them to provide as much information in support of their application as...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Citizenship Applications (2 May 2024)

Helen McEntee: The naturalisation application from the person referred to by the Deputy continues to be processed by my Department. It is recognised that all applicants for citizenship would wish to have a decision on their application without delay. However, the nature of the naturalisation process is such that, for a broad range of reasons, some cases will take longer than others to process. In some...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: International Protection (2 May 2024)

Helen McEntee: The patterns in international protection applications vary over time and the Government’s response adapts accordingly. It has long been the case that a significant number of people apply for international protection for the first time in the International Protection Office (IPO). This has increased in 2024. To COB on 29th April 2024, there have been 7,054 applications for...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Staff (2 May 2024)

Helen McEntee: I can confirm that my Department takes all necessary steps to manage the international protection process efficiently and effectively, while ensuring the integrity of those processes is maintained at all times. Making sure that applications are processed quickly means those who need our protection are given the opportunity to re-build their life in Ireland in a timely manner. It also means...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: International Protection (2 May 2024)

Helen McEntee: I propose to take Questions Nos. 211 and 212 together. I propose to take PQs 211 and 212 together. I can assure the Deputy that I am fully committed to ensuring that Ireland’s International Protection system is robust and rules based, and that our borders are protected. I have significantly increased investment into the international protection system, which has allowed for a...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Inquiry into the Death of Mr. Shane O'Farrell (2 May 2024)

Helen McEntee: The sudden loss of Shane O'Farrell at such a young age, with his whole life ahead of him, is a desperate tragedy for all those who knew and loved him and one which will always be an immense source of grief in their lives. The report of Judge Gerard Haughton arising from the Scoping Exercise into the circumstances surrounding the death of Shane O'Farrell, aged 23 in August 2011 was published...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Naturalisation Applications (2 May 2024)

Helen McEntee: The naturalisation application from the person referred to by the Deputy continues to be processed by my Department. It is recognised that all applicants for citizenship would wish to have a decision on their application without delay. However, the nature of the naturalisation process is such that, for a broad range of reasons, some cases will take longer than others to process. In some...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Family Reunification (2 May 2024)

Helen McEntee: The Family Reunification application for the person referred to by the Deputy has been received by my Department and continues to be processed at this time. All applications are processed in chronological order. The speed in which a decision can be made largely depends on the quality of the application received. My Department will continue to engage with the applicant for any further...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Naturalisation Applications (2 May 2024)

Helen McEntee: The Citizenship Division of my Department have advised that a Certificate for the person referred to by the Deputy was issued via registered post on the 27 April 2024. Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to my Department by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility at: IMoireachtasmail@justice.ie, which has been specifically established...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Family Reunification (2 May 2024)

Helen McEntee: I can inform the Deputy that following full consideration by a Visa Officer, the visa applications referred to were refused. A letter issued to the applicants on 22 March 2024 outlines the reasons for these refusals. An appeals process, which is free of charge, is available which allows applicants, in the event of a refusal of the application at first instance, to address the factors...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Immigration Status (2 May 2024)

Helen McEntee: The application for the person referred to by the Deputy was approved on 24 April 2024. A letter of the same date issued to the person concerned granting them temporary permission to remain in the State on Stamp 1 conditions for 6 months to enable an employer to apply for an employment permit on their behalf. The person concerned should make arrangements to register their permission with...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Family Law Cases (2 May 2024)

Helen McEntee: The Deputy will be aware that Article 42A.4 of the Constitution requires that provision be made by law that in the resolution of all proceedings concerning the guardianship or custody of, or access to, any child, the best interests of the child shall be the paramount consideration. The Article requires that provision be made by law for securing, as far as practicable, that in all such...

European Union Migration and Asylum Pact: Motion [Private Members] (1 May 2024)

Helen McEntee: I thank the Deputies for their contributions. With regard to a point made by the previous speaker, my understanding is that this is the third, if not fourth, debate on migration, specifically immigration and the pact, I have attended in the House in as many months. We had a three-hour debate in the committee last week and it is open to any Deputy at any time to raise the matter as a Topical...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Citizenship Applications (1 May 2024)

Helen McEntee: I recognise that the delay in receiving a Naturalisation Certificate is frustrating for people and my Department is examining on how to speed up the delivery of Certificates for future Ceremonies to be held this year and for minor applicants. I can advise the Deputy that a Certificate of Naturalisation issued to the person referred to on 27 April 2024 via registered post. Queries in...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Staff (1 May 2024)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy is aware, employees of my Department and bodies under its aegis are expected to adhere to the Civil Service Code of Standards and Behaviour at all times. The Code forms part of the terms of employment of all civil servants. This Code states that civil servants above clerical level cannot stand for local election. Civil servants in clerical grades and certain non-industrial...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence (1 May 2024)

Helen McEntee: Sexual violence disproportionately affects women but we also know that men are victims too and that they too need to know if they reach out for help they will get it. Men also need to be encouraged and supported to come forward to seek help and to report their abuser. The Third National Strategy on domestic, sexual and gender-based violence recognises and acknowledges the need to...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Visa Applications (1 May 2024)

Helen McEntee: My Department has assisted the Department of Foreign Affairs in their work to evacuate Irish citizens and their families from Sudan. At this time there are no plans to establish specific programme in respect of Sudan, however, all existing immigration arrangements and programmes are open to the persons affected by the conflict. I can advised the Deputy that since 1 April 2023, over 260...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Service (1 May 2024)

Helen McEntee: ...will be aware, the Irish Prison Service must accept into custody all people committed to prison by the Courts. As such, the Irish Prison Service has no control over the numbers committed to custody at any given time. The Irish Prison Service is working closely with officials in my Department to take steps to ensure a safe working environment for staff and the safety and security of all...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Service (1 May 2024)

Helen McEntee: The Deputy will appreciate that the Irish Prison Service must make the best use of all available prison capacity, particularly at this time when severe overcrowding is being experienced. Sex offenders, both sentenced and remand, were previously accommodated at 4 locations – Midlands Prison, Arbour Hill Prison, Castlerea Prison and Mountjoy Training Unit. However, due to limitations...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Visa Applications (1 May 2024)

Helen McEntee: If a person is an elderly relative of a non-EU/EEA or non-Swiss citizen and they wish to join their family member in Ireland, it may be open to them to apply for permission to reside under Stamp 0 immigration permission. Stamp 0 is subject to several conditions and limitations. For example, it does not allow the holder to access any public services, such as health services or public...