Results 141-160 of 11,873 for speaker:Helen McEntee

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Sentencing Policy (2 May 2024)

Helen McEntee: The Government takes the issue of sexual exploitation of children very seriously and there is comprehensive legislation in place to deal with these offences. The Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act was enacted in 2017. This wide-ranging piece of legislation significantly enhanced the laws combatting the sexual exploitation and sexual abuse of children. The Deputy may also be aware that...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Naturalisation Applications (2 May 2024)

Helen McEntee: The naturalisation application from the person referred to by the Deputy continues to be processed by my Department. It is recognised that all applicants for citizenship would wish to have a decision on their application without delay. However, the nature of the naturalisation process is such that, for a broad range of reasons, some cases will take longer than others to process. In some...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Immigration Status (2 May 2024)

Helen McEntee: Immigration officials of my Department have checked their records and advised that they cannot locate any applications for the person cited in the details supplied by the Deputy. However, if the Deputy can provide any additional information via my Department's Oireachtas mail facility, I will arrange for a further response to the Deputy. If the person concerned is present in the State...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Family Reunification (2 May 2024)

Helen McEntee: The Family Reunification application for the person referred to by the Deputy has been received by my Department and continues to be processed at this time. All applications are processed in chronological order. The speed in which a decision can be made largely depends on the quality of the application received. My Department will continue to engage with the applicant for any further...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Naturalisation Applications (2 May 2024)

Helen McEntee: The Citizenship Division of my Department have advised that a Certificate for the person referred to by the Deputy was issued via registered post on the 27 April 2024. Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to my Department by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility at: IMoireachtasmail@justice.ie, which has been specifically established...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Family Reunification (2 May 2024)

Helen McEntee: I can inform the Deputy that following full consideration by a Visa Officer, the visa applications referred to were refused. A letter issued to the applicants on 22 March 2024 outlines the reasons for these refusals. An appeals process, which is free of charge, is available which allows applicants, in the event of a refusal of the application at first instance, to address the factors...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Immigration Status (2 May 2024)

Helen McEntee: The application for the person referred to by the Deputy was approved on 24 April 2024. A letter of the same date issued to the person concerned granting them temporary permission to remain in the State on Stamp 1 conditions for 6 months to enable an employer to apply for an employment permit on their behalf. The person concerned should make arrangements to register their permission with...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Family Law Cases (2 May 2024)

Helen McEntee: The Deputy will be aware that Article 42A.4 of the Constitution requires that provision be made by law that in the resolution of all proceedings concerning the guardianship or custody of, or access to, any child, the best interests of the child shall be the paramount consideration. The Article requires that provision be made by law for securing, as far as practicable, that in all such...

European Union Migration and Asylum Pact: Motion [Private Members] (1 May 2024)

Helen McEntee: Setting places on fire is not raising an issue.

European Union Migration and Asylum Pact: Motion [Private Members] (1 May 2024)

Helen McEntee: I thank the Deputies for their contributions. With regard to a point made by the previous speaker, my understanding is that this is the third, if not fourth, debate on migration, specifically immigration and the pact, I have attended in the House in as many months. We had a three-hour debate in the committee last week and it is open to any Deputy at any time to raise the matter as a Topical...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Citizenship Applications (1 May 2024)

Helen McEntee: I recognise that the delay in receiving a Naturalisation Certificate is frustrating for people and my Department is examining on how to speed up the delivery of Certificates for future Ceremonies to be held this year and for minor applicants. I can advise the Deputy that a Certificate of Naturalisation issued to the person referred to on 27 April 2024 via registered post. Queries in...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Staff (1 May 2024)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy is aware, employees of my Department and bodies under its aegis are expected to adhere to the Civil Service Code of Standards and Behaviour at all times. The Code forms part of the terms of employment of all civil servants. This Code states that civil servants above clerical level cannot stand for local election. Civil servants in clerical grades and certain non-industrial...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence (1 May 2024)

Helen McEntee: Sexual violence disproportionately affects women but we also know that men are victims too and that they too need to know if they reach out for help they will get it. Men also need to be encouraged and supported to come forward to seek help and to report their abuser. The Third National Strategy on domestic, sexual and gender-based violence recognises and acknowledges the need to...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Mental Health Services (1 May 2024)

Helen McEntee: I can advise the Deputy that the Mental Health Reform report ‘’Mental Health Services and Supports in Prisons: Service Mapping and Reflections from Lived Experiences’’ was published on Tuesday 23rd April 2024. I welcome this report as does the Irish Prison Service, particularly considering its focus on broader mental health services and supports in prisons. ...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Visa Applications (1 May 2024)

Helen McEntee: My Department has assisted the Department of Foreign Affairs in their work to evacuate Irish citizens and their families from Sudan. At this time there are no plans to establish specific programme in respect of Sudan, however, all existing immigration arrangements and programmes are open to the persons affected by the conflict. I can advised the Deputy that since 1 April 2023, over 260...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Service (1 May 2024)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will be aware, the Irish Prison Service must accept into custody all people committed to prison by the Courts. As such, the Irish Prison Service has no control over the numbers committed to custody at any given time. The Irish Prison Service is working closely with officials in my Department to take steps to ensure a safe working environment for staff and the safety and...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Service (1 May 2024)

Helen McEntee: The Deputy will appreciate that the Irish Prison Service must make the best use of all available prison capacity, particularly at this time when severe overcrowding is being experienced. Sex offenders, both sentenced and remand, were previously accommodated at 4 locations – Midlands Prison, Arbour Hill Prison, Castlerea Prison and Mountjoy Training Unit. However, due to limitations...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legislative Programme (1 May 2024)

Helen McEntee: The General Scheme of the Sale of Alcohol intends to modernise our existing licensing laws in line with the expectations and needs of today’s society, and to encourage the development of a modern and diverse night-time economy. The proposed legislation endeavours to strike a balance between maintaining strict controls and safeguards in relation to the sale of alcohol, while providing...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legislative Measures (1 May 2024)

Helen McEntee: The Victorian-era laws that were repealed by the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act 1993 caused immeasurable harm to generations of gay and bisexual men, criminalising and stigmatizing them simply because of their sexual orientation. I am deeply conscious that people who were criminalised by these laws, and their families, are hopeful that a disregard scheme can be put in place in the near...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Service (1 May 2024)

Helen McEntee: Under the Review of Policy Options for Prison and Penal Reform 2022-2024, there is a commitment to conduct a review of remission and temporary release to improve rehabilitation and reduce reoffending and overcrowding in prisons. As the Deputy will be aware, those sentenced to a definite term of imprisonment generally qualify for one quarter remission on the basis of good behaviour. In the...