Results 1,501-1,520 of 15,047 for speaker:Helen McEntee

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Visa Applications (5 Nov 2024)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy is aware, with effect from 10 July 2024 Irish visa requirements were applied to nationals of South Africa. The Short Stay Visa Waiver Programme referred to by the Deputy, allows nationals of certain countries, who have entered the United Kingdom on foot of certain UK short stay visas, to travel to Ireland without the requirement to obtain an Irish visa. This programme is for...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Service (5 Nov 2024)

Helen McEntee: I can advise the Deputy that there are currently no plans to build Independent Living Units in Portlaoise Prison.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Service (5 Nov 2024)

Helen McEntee: I propose to take Questions Nos. 762 to 764, inclusive, together. As the Deputy is aware, the purpose of the Protected Disclosures Act (the “Act”) 2014, as amended by the Protected Disclosures (Amendment) Act 2022 (“the Act”), is to afford important protections to persons making protected disclosures. A protected disclosure, as set out in section 5 of the Act,...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Visa Applications (5 Nov 2024)

Helen McEntee: I can advise the Deputy that the applications referred to were created on the 08 October 2024. Supporting documentation was received in the Riyadh office on the 15 October 2024. The applications were received in the Ankara Visa Office on the 16 October 2024 where they await examination and processing. It is not possible to give a definitive date as to when these applications will be...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Visa Applications (5 Nov 2024)

Helen McEntee: I can advise the Deputy that the applications referred to were created on 03 August 2024. Supporting documentation was received in the Dublin Visa Office on 27 August 2024 where they await examination and processing. It is not possible to give a definitive date as to when these appeal applications will be finalised. All applications are processed in chronological order, based on date order...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Citizenship Applications (5 Nov 2024)

Helen McEntee: Section 15 of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended, sets out the statutory conditions that must be fulfilled for a certificate of naturalisation to be granted. Section 16 of the Act gives discretion to waive the statutory conditions in certain circumstances, including where the applicant is of Irish descent or Irish associations (related through blood, affinity or...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Visa Applications (5 Nov 2024)

Helen McEntee: The visa applications referred to by the Deputy were refused by the Visa Office in Dublin on 16 January 2023. The reasons for these decisions were set out in the refusal letters sent to the applicants at that time. Appeals of these decisions were launched on 08 March 2023. It is not possible to give a definitive date as to when these appeal applications will be finalised. All applications...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (5 Nov 2024)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of Garda business, including the recruitment and training of Garda members and staff, under Section 26 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended). As Minister I have no role in the Garda recruitment process and decisions related to the timing of Garda recruitment campaigns fall...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (5 Nov 2024)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will appreciate, in accordance with the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), it is the Garda Commissioner who is responsible for managing and controlling generally the administration and business of An Garda Síochána, including the training of its members and civilian staff. As Minister, I have no role in the matter. I have been informed by the Garda...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (5 Nov 2024)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will be aware, under Section 30 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner may provide and charge for police services, including for events on private property or in areas open to the public. Examples of the types of events for which police services may be provided under this section include: (a) sports fixtures; (b) concerts; (c)...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Equipment (5 Nov 2024)

Helen McEntee: The availability of mobile devices is a critical enabler which supports the work carried out across my Department. These devices are subject to the IT Acceptable Use Policy and specific policies with respect to mobile device use and security. As the Deputy will appreciate my Department has increased provision of mobile handsets to support the move to an effective long term blended working...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (5 Nov 2024)

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). The Commissioner is also responsible for the Garda Reserve under the Garda Síochána (Reserve Members) Regulations 2024. As Minister, I have no role in the recruitment or training process...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Visa Applications (5 Nov 2024)

Helen McEntee: I can advise the Deputy that the application referred to was created on 09 December 2023. Supporting documentation was received in the Dublin Visa Office on 24 January 2024 where it awaits examination and processing. It is not possible to give a definitive date as to when this application will be finalised. All applications are processed in chronological order, based on date order of...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Guardian Status (5 Nov 2024)

Helen McEntee: The independent review of familicide, published in May 2023, was commissioned by my Department in order to effectively respond to this difficult but important subject. As part of the review, there was extensive engagement with non-governmental organisations, with State agencies and most importantly with family members of victims. Most of us cannot begin to understand the impact of...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Immigration Policy (5 Nov 2024)

Helen McEntee: I can advise the Deputy that Ireland does not participate in Council Directive 2008/115/EC Directive on common standards and procedures in Member States for returning illegally staying third-country nationals - “the Returns Directive”; accordingly, some of the information sought by the Deputy is in respect of measures and provisions which do not apply in Ireland. In Irish law...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (5 Nov 2024)

Helen McEntee: I have requested the information sought by the Deputy from the Garda authorities. Regrettably, this was not available in time and I will write to the Deputy once the information is to hand.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Service (5 Nov 2024)

Helen McEntee: I am advised by the Irish Prison Service that the estimated full year cost of employing 220 new Recruit Prison Officers, as per the most recent PPC pay scales of 1st October 2024, is approximately €13 million. These pay costs reflect salary and other allowances such as Operational Allowance (8% of annual salary). They also reflect other premium payments and the allocation of up to...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (5 Nov 2024)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will be aware, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána. This includes the distribution of resources, including the Garda fleet, across the various Garda Divisions. As Minister, I have no direct role in this matter. The Government is committed to providing An Garda...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (5 Nov 2024)

Helen McEntee: I can assure the Deputy that the Government is committed to providing An Garda Síochána with the resources needed to Keep People Safe. This is reflected in the unprecedented allocation of €2.48 billion in Budget 2025. This represents a 27% increase in funding since 2020. As the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (5 Nov 2024)

Helen McEntee: Parliamentary Question No. 374 of 8 October 2024 refers to Operation Cartwheel; the number of persons arrested and charged under this operation; and if this operation is still ongoing at present. As the Deputy will be aware, in accordance with the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda...