Results 1,861-1,880 of 15,060 for speaker:Helen McEntee

European Union Regulations: Motion (9 Oct 2024)

Helen McEntee: To answer the previous question, as this regulation requires an opt-in, it is a requirement that we seek and get the approval of both Houses, which requires a debate, however long it is. This will be a short debate today but sometimes we have had opt-ins where the debates were for much longer. It is a requirement if we choose to opt in that we make that known to the Council and that it is...

European Union Regulations: Motion (9 Oct 2024)

Helen McEntee: I move: That Dáil Éireann approves the exercise by the State of the option or discretion under Protocol No. 21 on the position of the United Kingdom and Ireland in respect of the area of freedom, security and justice annexed to the Treaty on European Union and to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, to take part in the adoption and application of the following...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (9 Oct 2024)

Helen McEntee: This is an area Deputy Durkan is passionate about. I can confirm that the Family Courts Bill is going through the Seanad at the moment. I hope to have it in the Dáil in the coming weeks and enacted very soon to make sure we have specific family courts. Separate to that, the €3 million in the budget will be vital to make sure, first, that we have advocates for children in our...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Crime Prevention (9 Oct 2024)

Helen McEntee: Community safety is about people being safe and, importantly, feeling safe in their own communities. At the heart of this policy is the principle that every community has the right to be and feel safe in order to thrive and flourish. Our approach to community safety is a whole-of-Government one. We want to bring the relevant social service providers, including the Gardaí, together with...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Courts Service (9 Oct 2024)

Helen McEntee: I propose to take Questions Nos. 142 and 143 together. As Minister, I am fully committed to reforming the family justice system in Ireland. I am also acutely aware of the need for vulnerable victims to be supported. In November 2022 I published the Family Justice Strategy, which outlines the steps needed to create a more efficient and user-friendly family court system that puts the family...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Citizenship Applications (9 Oct 2024)

Helen McEntee: The granting of Irish citizenship through naturalisation is governed by the provisions of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended. All applications for a certificate of naturalisation are processed and assessed individually in accordance with the provisions of the Act. It is open to anyone to make an application for citizenship once they meet the criteria as set out in...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Immigration Policy (9 Oct 2024)

Helen McEntee: I can advise the Deputy that in order to work in Ireland a non-EEA National, unless they are exempted, must hold a valid Employment Permit. The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (DETE) administers the Employment Permits system. Full details of the various types of Employment Permits available can be found at the link below:...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (9 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: Citizenship Applications (9 Oct 2024)

Helen McEntee: The naturalisation applications from the people referred to by the Deputy continues to be processed by my Department. These applications are based on Section 16 'Irish Association', which can take longer to process than applications based upon residency. I understand the extended wait times can be frustrating for applicants. I want to assure anyone who has an application for...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Service (9 Oct 2024)

Helen McEntee: The former Cork Prison ceased to operate as an operational prison in February 2016 following the opening of a new facility on a site adjacent to the old prison. Following the transfer of operations to the new facility, the former prison facility was closed and decommissioned and has remained unused over the past 8 years. Following the closure a number of statutory and non-statutory groups...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (9 Oct 2024)

Helen McEntee: I have sought the information requested from the Garda Commissioner and I will write to the Deputy directly once the information is to hand.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Staff (9 Oct 2024)

Helen McEntee: The Border Management Unit (BMU) of my Department has responsibility for front-line immigration duties at Dublin Airport only. Other airports and other ports of entry, are the responsibility of the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB). As of 4 October 2024, there are 177 staff working in the BMU at Dublin Airport, excluding staff on unpaid leave, such as career breaks. Funding for...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legal Aid (9 Oct 2024)

Helen McEntee: In its over forty years of operation, the Civil Legal Aid Scheme has been a significant and beneficial public service, providing legal aid and advice to people of limited means in civil disputes, including family law. However, since the Scheme was set up, Irish society has changed, and the demands on the service have grown. In June 2022, the Minister established the Civil Legal Aid Review...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (8 Oct 2024)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy rightly pointed out, this is an area we can be rightly proud of given the work and companies that have flourished in recent years. There has been significant investment in our arts sector overall, including our studio and film sector. In this year's budget there was a specific recognition of the work they do, the jobs they create but also what they add to our overall cultural...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (8 Oct 2024)

Helen McEntee: Come on now.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (8 Oct 2024)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy has rightly acknowledged, there has been significant investment in UHL in recent years, including a 59% increase in funding, a 58% increase in the region overall in the satellite hospitals, as well as a 42% increase in the staff specifically. I do not have the exact details for the oncology area the Deputy mentioned, but of course we want to ensure that investment is going into...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (8 Oct 2024)

Helen McEntee: I assure the Deputy one of my top priorities has been to increase the number of gardaí overall as well as to get our college up and running, having had to close it because of Covid-19 and the health challenges there. To increase numbers and get recruitment back to what it was, I have done a number of things. I have provided significant funding, increased the age at which people can...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (8 Oct 2024)

Helen McEntee: I fully support the Deputy's call for the Leader of the Opposition to make a statement on recent claims concerning individuals in her party, particularly where it has become clear that child safety was not paramount and children were potentially put at further risk because of the actions and decisions of that party. It is essential child safety is to the fore of everything we do. I support...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (8 Oct 2024)

Helen McEntee: I will have to come back to the Deputy on that.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (8 Oct 2024)

Helen McEntee: I acknowledge the week that is in it and the time that has passed since that national tragedy. I am clear, as I think we all are, that families must get answers as to what happened to their loved ones and that we must ensure this never happens to any family again. As the Deputy will be aware, there is a Garda investigation under way. I have been assured by the Garda Commissioner that a...