Results 14,921-14,940 of 27,613 for speaker:Heather Humphreys

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Social Welfare Payments (3 Jun 2021)

Heather Humphreys: Social Welfare legislation states that the person with whom a qualified child normally resides is the person to whom Child Benefit is payable. The customer concerned received Child Benefit for a period during which the child did not reside with her.  As a result she was not entitled to Child Benefit for that period and a revised decision was made to disallow Child Benefit...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Social Welfare Payments (3 Jun 2021)

Heather Humphreys: Carer's allowance (CA) is a means-tested social assistance payment, made to persons who are providing full-time care and attention to a person who has such a disability that they require that level of care. If a person is in receipt of another social welfare payment in their own right (other than unemployment payments or supplementary welfare allowance) or being claimed as a qualified adult...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Crime Prevention (3 Jun 2021)

Heather Humphreys: As the Deputy will be aware, the Department of Justice provides funding to Muintir na Tíre to cover costs incurred by communities in administering the Text Alert Scheme. The scheme is administered on a refund basis, whereby communities submit their annual costs to Muintir na Tíre and a maximum refund of up to €350 is provided to the community. For the last two years, my...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (3 Jun 2021)

Heather Humphreys: As the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the general management and administration of the Garda organisation under the Garda Síochána Act 2005. This includes the deployment of members of An Garda Síochána throughout the State and, as Minister, I have no role in these independent functions. As at 30 April 2021 there were 388...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Proposed Legislation (3 Jun 2021)

Heather Humphreys: The Government is committed to ensuring Ireland is a safe and secure place for all. An Garda Síochána has made important progress in suppressing the threat of organised crime and there has been significant successes achieved in this area through intelligence-led operations. I can assure the Deputy that there will be no let-up in the pressure being brought to bear on those involved...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Crime Prevention (3 Jun 2021)

Heather Humphreys: The Programme for Government commits to significant investment in cycling infrastructure over the lifetime of the Government. This improved infrastructure, in addition to the continued success of the Cycle to Work scheme and other initiatives, have led to a significant increase in the number of cyclists and bikes on our roads in recent years. Inevitably this has also attracted thieves...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Crime Data (3 Jun 2021)

Heather Humphreys: As the Deputy will be aware, theft is an offence under section 4 of the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act 2001. Anyone convicted of a theft offence is liable to a penalty of a fine or up to 10 years imprisonment. Under section 14 of the Act, a person found guilty of robbery (theft using coercion or force) is potentially liable on conviction on indictment to life...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Crime Data (3 Jun 2021)

Heather Humphreys: I am informed by the Garda authorities that Gardaí deploy a wide range of operational measures aimed at tackling public-order offences and anti-social behaviour in all contexts. The legal framework which assists the Gardaí in tackling this type of crime includes provisions under the Criminal Damage Act 1991; the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act 1994; the Criminal...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: International Protection (3 Jun 2021)

Heather Humphreys: I propose to take Questions Nos. 333 and 334 together. My Department is committed to implementing the key recommendations in the Advisory Group Report and the White Paper to reduce international protection processing times of both first instance decisions and appeals to 6 months respectively. A Programme Board has been established in my Department to oversee the implementation of the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Family Reunification (3 Jun 2021)

Heather Humphreys: Minister of State Browne If a person wishes to come to Ireland to reside for longer than 3 months with a family member who is an Irish citizen or who is lawfully resident in Ireland they can apply for a long stay (join family) visa. The visa application can be made at any time using the Department's on-line visa application facility at:...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Crime Data (3 Jun 2021)

Heather Humphreys: I am informed by the Garda authorities that to compile the information requested by the Deputy would require a disproportionate amount of time and expenditure of Garda resources, as there is no specific code on the Garda PULSE system for the theft of food from shops, only for theft from shops generally. As such it is not possible to provide the specific data requested.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (3 Jun 2021)

Heather Humphreys: As the Deputy will be aware, the## Garda Commissioner is responsible by law for the management of An Garda Síochána, including personnel matters and deployment of resources.  As Minister, I have no responsibility for these matters. To be of assistance, I am informed by the Garda authorities that the below table sets out the Ranks, the full strength as agreed under the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Crime Data (3 Jun 2021)

Heather Humphreys: I can assure the Deputy that tackling criminal gang activity is a key priority for the Government and an ongoing priority for An Garda Síochána which is reflected in the National Policing Plan. The Government has supported An Garda Síochána in addressing the threat from organised crime gangs through the introduction of legislative measures such as: The Proceeds of Crime...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Drug Dealing (3 Jun 2021)

Heather Humphreys: I can inform the Deputy that An Garda Síochána continue to disrupt the sale and supply of controlled drugs in communities across the State.  Tackling serious crime is a key priority for the Government and I very much welcome the exceptional work which has been undertaken by the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau (GNDOCB) so far this year. This vital...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Crime Data (3 Jun 2021)

Heather Humphreys: I can inform the Deputy that Garda personnel located in the various Garda Síochána divisions throughout the state investigate money laundering offences.  The Garda National Economic Crime Bureau (GNECB) is a national unit, which falls under the remit of Assistant Commissioner, Organised & Serious Crime and incorporates three Money Laundering Investigation Units and...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Cybersecurity Policy (3 Jun 2021)

Heather Humphreys: As the Deputy may be aware, the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications has primary responsibility for cybersecurity, including the protection of Government data and networks, as well as critical national infrastructure. My Department focuses on the potential and actual criminal use made of the internet and information technology. However, cyber security...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Service (3 Jun 2021)

Heather Humphreys: I am advised by my officials in the Irish Prison Service that there are currently 102 prisoners in custody associated with known organised criminal gangs currently serving a sentence or awaiting trial.  There is an additional 70-80 prisoners who are associates of these prisoners but are not known to be officially aligned to organised gangs and others who are part of...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Crime Data (3 Jun 2021)

Heather Humphreys: I propose to take Questions Nos. 344 and 345 together. The Deputy will be aware that the decision to grant bail in a particular case is a matter for the presiding Judge, who is independent in the exercise of his or her judicial functions. There is also a constitutional presumption in favour of the grant of bail as, under Irish Law, a person is presumed innocent until proven guilty. As...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Crime Data (3 Jun 2021)

Heather Humphreys: Ensuring people feel safe in their communities and in their homes is a priority for this Government and my Department and we are striving to provide that safety through engagement with communities, by reducing crime and tackling recidivism and by supporting victims.  In relation to the Deputy's specific question, while it is recognised that there is no quick...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Island Communities (3 Jun 2021)

Heather Humphreys: As the Deputy will be aware, this relates to a procurement matter, which is still underway.  This process is being undertaken in keeping with the standard approach taken for ferry services subsidised by my Department. As is standard with Requests for Tender (RFTs) issued by this Department for ferry services, the frequency of sailings requested is a minimum acceptable...