Results 1,621-1,640 of 15,061 for speaker:Helen McEntee

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Visa Applications (22 Oct 2024)

Helen McEntee: I can advise the Deputy that the application referred to was created on 12 June 2023. Supporting documentation was received in the Dublin Visa Office on 12 July 2023 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 receipt....

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Residency Permits (22 Oct 2024)

Helen McEntee: An application for a Stamp 5 “Without Condition As To Time” endorsement from the person referred to by the Deputy was received on 02 May 2024 and continues to be processed by the Domestic Residence and Permissions Division of my Department. Applications are processed in strict chronological order of receipt. The Division endeavours to process applications as quickly as...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (22 Oct 2024)

Helen McEntee: I have contacted the Garda authorities for the information sought by the Deputy, regrettably this was not available on time. I will write to the Deputy again once the information is to hand.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (22 Oct 2024)

Helen McEntee: I propose to take Questions Nos. 572 to 574, inclusive, together. The Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024 was signed into law by the President on 7 February 2024 and final preparations are underway in my Department to commence the Act, which I intend to do by way of Order on 16 December 2024. The Act is largely based on the recommendations made in the report of the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (22 Oct 2024)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will be aware, a further record-breaking increase in funding for An Garda Síochána was allocated in Budget 2025. The allocation for An Garda Síochána now stands at almost €2.5 billion, and has increased by more than a quarter since 2020. This funding will support the recruitment of new Garda members, Garda staff and Garda Reserves, and reflects the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Visa Applications (22 Oct 2024)

Helen McEntee: I can advise the Deputy that over 123,000 visa applications were received in the first seven months of 2024. This reflects an increase of 20%, compared to the same period in 2023, with over 21,000 additional applications received. The vast majority of visa applications are determined in a matter of weeks. However, some applications, in particular those to join family members here, can take...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Service (22 Oct 2024)

Helen McEntee: The Deputy will appreciate that the Irish Prison Service must make the best use of all available prison capacity. Sex offenders, both sentenced and remand, were previously accommodated at 4 locations – Midlands Prison, Arbour Hill Prison, Castlerea Prison and the Training Unit. However, due to capacity limitations at these locations and rising sex offender committals to prison, it...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legislative Measures (22 Oct 2024)

Helen McEntee: Fraud is a crime which can affect anybody but which particularly targets vulnerable people and businesses who may not be aware of or vigilant to the risks of online and telephone fraud in particular. The proposed shared fraud information database for the banking sector is an initiative of the Banking and Payments Federation Ireland (BPFI), who have engaged with my Department and with the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Public Sector Staff (22 Oct 2024)

Helen McEntee: These organisations are funded by the Department of Health and implementation of any arrangements agreed with the HSE are a matter for the Department of Health and HSE.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (22 Oct 2024)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of Garda business under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), including the recruitment and training of Garda members and staff. As Minister, I play no role in the Garda training process. I am advised by the Garda authorities that the next intake into the Garda College,...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (22 Oct 2024)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the recruitment and training of Garda members and staff under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended). As Minister, I have no role in the Garda recruitment process. I am advised by the Garda authorities that two candidates from the 2024 Garda Recruit campaign have already commenced Stage 1 training in the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Properties (22 Oct 2024)

Helen McEntee: I can inform the Deputy that my Department owns three properties that are currently vacant - a house on the land at Thornton Hall in Kilsallaghan, Co. Dublin, the now derelict former Cork Prison site and Westview House in Cork City. The property in Cork is under the Probation Service and has been largely vacant since 2019 apart from some ad hoc use to conduct remote interviews for...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (22 Oct 2024)

Helen McEntee: I am informed that there has been a significant increase in Gardaí in Drogheda in recent years. I can inform the Deputy that there are, as of June 2024, 142 Gardaí assigned to the Drogheda district. This is an increase of almost 26% since 2017. Community policing is at the heart of An Garda Síochána, and I very much support the concept that every Garda has a role to play...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Visa Applications (22 Oct 2024)

Helen McEntee: The visa application referred to by the Deputy was refused by the Visa Office in Abu Dhabi on 10 January 2024. The reasons for this decision were set out in the refusal letter sent to the applicant at that time. An appeal of this decision was received on 14 March 2024. All visa applicants are advised that the onus is on them to provide as much information in support of their application...

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Estimates for Public Services 2024
Vote 20 - Garda Síochána (Supplementary)
Vote 21 - Prisons (Supplementary)
Vote 22 - Courts Service (Supplementary)
Vote 24 - Justice (Supplementary) (17 Oct 2024)

Helen McEntee: Good afternoon, Chair. I thank members for making time to consider these Supplementary Estimates. I am joined from the Department by Ms Yvonne Furey, assistant secretary, Ms Niamh Merrigan, assistant principal, and Mr. Aonghus O'Connor, principal officer. On Vote 20, budget 2024 reflects the commitment of the Government to ensuring our communities are safe and that An Garda...