Results 14,641-14,660 of 17,543 for speaker:Helen McEntee

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Stations (15 Sep 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 Minister I have no direct role in these matters. I am informed by the Garda authorities...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: International Agreements (15 Sep 2020)

Helen McEntee: At the outset it is important to note that Ireland’s laws are already in line with the Council of Europe Convention on the Protection of Children against Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse (commonly referred to as the Lanzarote Convention). This was largely achieved by the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act 2017. The 2017 Act brought in a new offence of accessing child...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legislative Measures (15 Sep 2020)

Helen McEntee: My Department has commissioned the School of Social Policy, Social Work and Social Justice and University College Dublin to carry out research on the question of adding a discriminatory ground of socio-economic status to the Employment Equality Acts 1998-2015 and the Equality Status Acts 2000-2015. The research involves: - A review of literature that analyses the inclusion of socio-economic...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Direct Provision System (15 Sep 2020)

Helen McEntee: The Programme for Government contains a commitment to end the current system of Direct Provision within the lifetime of the Government and to replace it with a new international protection accommodation policy, centred on a not-for-profit approach.  Last year, Dr Catherine Day was asked to bring together an expert group with representation from asylum seekers and NGOs to examine...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Direct Provision System (15 Sep 2020)

Helen McEntee: The transfer of functions between Departments is governed by the Ministers and Secretaries Acts 1924-2017, and will be determined by a Government decision and resulting Transfer of Functions Order. The implementation of the transfer of functions is also guided by the Transfer of Functions Guidelines and Best Practice Handbook developed by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. This...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Direct Provision System (15 Sep 2020)

Helen McEntee: There are a number of avenues available to public representatives to raise matters with me or directly with officials of my Department in respect of direct provision accommodation centres. Public representatives can make representations on behalf of a person or a group by writing to my office by post or by e-mail or by telephone. Contact details are available on my...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Citizenship Applications (15 Sep 2020)

Helen McEntee: The application for a certificate of naturalisation from the person referred to by the Deputy continues to be processed and will be submitted to me for decision as expeditiously as possible. The granting of Irish citizenship through naturalisation is a privilege and an honour which confers certain rights and entitlements not only within the State but also at European Union...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legislative Programme (15 Sep 2020)

Helen McEntee: The Civil Debt (Procedures) Act 2015 was enacted in July 2015 but has not been commenced.  As well as providing for attachment of earnings, the Act provides for deductions from social welfare payments. It is envisaged that the Act will be commenced once the drafting of the necessary Rules of Court has concluded and once the appropriate procedures have been put in place in the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legislative Programme (15 Sep 2020)

Helen McEntee: This important legislation is kept under review, and any further action needed to ensure that it operates effectively will be taken. My Department is currently engaged in preparatory work for two sets of changes to the legislation. Firstly, my officials are considering a small number of requirements under the Personal Insolvency Acts which may be difficult or impracticable to...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Citizenship Applications (15 Sep 2020)

Helen McEntee: An application for naturalisation in relation to the person referred to is currently being 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 in due course. The granting of Irish citizenship through naturalisation is governed by the provisions of the Irish...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Citizenship Applications (15 Sep 2020)

Helen McEntee: The law governing post-nuptial citizenship in Ireland was set out in Section 8 of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Acts 1956 as amended. However, since 29 November 2005, these provisions were ended and consequently it is no longer possible to make a declaration of post-nuptial citizenship based on marriage to an Irish citizen. Any declarations which were made prior to this date...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Warrants (15 Sep 2020)

Helen McEntee: I propose to take Questions Nos. 576 and 577 together. I have requested information on the matters the Deputy has raised, and will revert to him in the coming days.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Direct Provision System (15 Sep 2020)

Helen McEntee: I propose to take Questions Nos. 578 and 579 together. The National Standards for Accommodation offered to persons in the international protection process were published in August 2019 and are due to come into force in January 2021. The National Standards apply to the living conditions and services provided to residents within accommodation centres. They apply to all...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Public Consultation Process (15 Sep 2020)

Helen McEntee: The Programme for Government commits to introducing, within 12 months, legislation to address those who target victims because of their association with a particular identity characteristic, and to revise and update the Incitement to Hatred Act and I can assure the Deputy that my Department is working to prepare this legislation on hate crime and hate speech as a priority. As part of...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legislative Measures (15 Sep 2020)

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; -...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Direct Provision System (15 Sep 2020)

Helen McEntee: All accommodation centres for people seeking international protection, whether State-owned or privately owned, are operated by commercial companies under contract. There are currently 43 accommodation centres being operated under the Direct Provision reception system, along with a reception centre for newly arrived applicants in Balseskin, Co. Dublin. My Department contracts...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Citizenship Applications (15 Sep 2020)

Helen McEntee: The naturalisation application relating to the person referred to is currently being processed with a view to establishing whether they meet the statutory conditions for the granting of naturalisation and will be submitted to me for decision when processing is complete. The granting of Irish citizenship through naturalisation is a privilege and an honour which confers certain rights and...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Citizenship Applications (15 Sep 2020)

Helen McEntee: The application for a certificate of naturalisation from the person referred to by the Deputy continues to be processed and will be submitted to me for decision as expeditiously as possible. The granting of Irish citizenship through naturalisation is a privilege and an honour which confers certain rights and entitlements not only within the State but also at European Union level and it...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Citizenship Applications (15 Sep 2020)

Helen McEntee: An application for a certificate of naturalisation in relation to the person referred to is currently being processed with a view to establishing whether they meet the statutory conditions for the granting of naturalisation and will be submitted to me for decision as expeditiously as possible. The granting of Irish citizenship through naturalisation is a privilege and an honour which...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: International Agreements (15 Sep 2020)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy is aware, Ireland has ratified the UN Convention against Torture and has signed but not yet ratified the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture (OPCAT). The Optional Protocol is preventive in nature and provides for the establishment of National Preventive Mechanisms which would inspect facilities where persons can be held involuntarily. Legislation is...