Results 1,501-1,520 of 15,342 for speaker:Helen McEntee

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: School Accommodation (5 Feb 2025)

Helen McEntee: I propose to take Questions Nos. 510 and 511 together. Following the recent weather events and associated fallout from Storm Éowyn the Department of Education’s Planning and Building Unit and in particular the Emergency Works Scheme (EWS) have been in contact with a number of schools who have suffered damage. The EWS team has provided guidance and support to a number of...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: School Staff (5 Feb 2025)

Helen McEntee: Ensuring that every child's experience in school is positive and that they have qualified, engaged teachers available to support them in their learning is a priority area of action for the Government. The recruitment and appointment of teachers for teaching positions is managed by individual school authorities. There are over 3,700 individual school authorities, responsible for this...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Schools Building Projects (5 Feb 2025)

Helen McEntee: The project to which the Deputy refers has been devolved for delivery to the National Development Finance Agency (NDFA) as part of a programme of school building projects. This school is in the bundle referred to as ‘Project Boyne’. The brief for this project comprises of the development of a new build Post Primary school to accommodate a long-term projected enrolment of...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Disadvantaged Status (5 Feb 2025)

Helen McEntee: My department provides a wide range of supports to all schools, DEIS and non-DEIS, to support the inclusion of all students and address barriers to students achieving their potential. Supplementing the universal supports available to all schools, the Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools (DEIS) Programme is a key policy initiative of my department to address concentrated educational...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Disadvantaged Status (5 Feb 2025)

Helen McEntee: The Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools (DEIS) Programme is a key policy initiative of the Department of Education to address concentrated educational disadvantage at school level. Supplementing universal supports, the DEIS programme provides a targeted and equitable way to address concentrated educational disadvantage that promotes equity and has benefits for students. My...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: School Enrolments (5 Feb 2025)

Helen McEntee: I propose to take Questions Nos. 517 to 522, inclusive, together. I can assure the Deputy that the provision of school places to meet the needs of children and young people at primary and post primary level, including children and young people with special educational needs is an absolute priority for the Department. As the Deputy may be aware, in order to plan for school place needs my...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: School Accommodation (5 Feb 2025)

Helen McEntee: Since 2011, new arrangements have been in place for the establishment of new schools involving the forecasting of demand for school places based on demographic exercises carried out by the department. New schools are only established in areas of demographic growth as the resources available for school infrastructure have to be prioritised to meet the needs of areas of significant population...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: School Facilities (5 Feb 2025)

Helen McEntee: The Department of Education’s approach to supporting wellbeing and mental health is set out in its Wellbeing Policy Statement and Framework for Practice. This approach is founded on research and best international practice in relation to how schools can best support the wellbeing and mental health of children and young people. The approach proposed is a whole school and preventative...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Schools Building Projects (5 Feb 2025)

Helen McEntee: The large scale capital project at the school referred to by the deputy is at an advanced stage of Architectural Planning Stage 3 - Tender Action and Award. The second Tender Report for Reserved Specialists was reviewed by my Department and comments issued to the Design Team and DDLETB for action. When a satisfactory reply is received in relation to the queries raised, we will provide an...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Immigration Support Services (22 Jan 2025)

Helen McEntee: I can inform the Deputy that, since 13 January 2025, all nationwide first-time registrations of Irish immigration residence permissions are the responsibility of the Registration Office of the Immigration Service Delivery (ISD) of my Department. Furthermore, since October 2024, all renewals of immigration permissions transferred to ISD of my Department, meaning that applicants from across...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Staff (22 Jan 2025)

Helen McEntee: I can inform the Deputy that my Department and the bodies under its aegis comply with Department of Public Expenditure, NDP and Reform (D/PENDPR) Circular 4/2013 in relation to career breaks. In general terms, when a civil servant applies for a career break, they must sign a form of acceptance that outlines the terms and conditions of the career break in line with Circular 4/2013. This...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Staff (22 Jan 2025)

Helen McEntee: At the end of December 2024 there were 321 vacancies across my Department. Of these 283 are within the core Department. My Department’s HR function provides support to the Irish Film Classification Office, Insolvency Service of Ireland, Property Services Regulatory Authority, Dublin Coroners Service, Criminal Injuries Compensation Tribunal, International Protection Appeals Tribunal,...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (22 Jan 2025)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is by law responsible for the management and administration of Garda business, including the allocation of resources, and all operational policing decisions. As Minister, I have no responsibility for these matters. I am advised by the Garda authorities that this PQ in its current form is too broad and cannot meaningfully be answered....

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (22 Jan 2025)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of Garda business under section 26 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), including the recruitment and training of Garda members and staff. Appointments to ranks above Garda in An Garda Síochána are governed by relevant legislation. I am advised by the Garda...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (22 Jan 2025)

Helen McEntee: I refer to Parliamentary Question No. 783 of 5 November 2024 where you sought, "the current and capital funding that would be required to increase the capacity of the Garda training college to be able to comfortably train up to 1,500 new recruits each year". The Government is committed to building stronger, safer communities, and strengthening An Garda Síochána is at the core of...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (22 Jan 2025)

Helen McEntee: As you will be aware the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána. This includes the purchasing and distribution of Garda resources. The Government is committed to ensuring An Garda Síochána have the resources they need which is reflected in the unprecedented allocation of over €2.48 billion in Budget 2025. This...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (22 Jan 2025)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will be aware, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the administration and management of An Garda Síochána, this includes all Garda HR matters and the distribution of Garda members throughout the State. As Minister I have no role in these matters To be of assistance, I have sought an update on this matter...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (22 Jan 2025)

Helen McEntee: I understand that Parliamentary Question No 524 of 18 September 2024 sought information on 'when the Garda manual was last updated with regard to the pursuit of riders on e-scooters, motorcycles and e-bikes travelling at high speed on public roads, public open area fields, public parks, etc., who are at high risk of endangering other road users.' As the Deputy will appreciate, in...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Visa Applications (22 Jan 2025)

Helen McEntee: I am happy to inform the Deputy that following full consideration by a Visa Officer the visa refer to was issued on 11 December 2024. Entry into the State is solely at the discretion of the Immigration Officer at the port of entry. The onus is on the individuals to have all documentation relating to their reasons for entering Ireland for presentation to the Immigration Officer to gain...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Citizenship Applications (22 Jan 2025)

Helen McEntee: The fees to be paid by an applicant for a certificate of naturalisation are governed by the provisions of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Regulations 2011 (S.I. No. 569 of 2011). There is an application fee of €175 and a certification fee of €950 is then required following a positive decision being reached on the naturalisation application. The standard certification...