Results 1-20 of 11,742 for speaker:Helen McEntee

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Official Engagements (2 May 2024)

Helen McEntee: I propose to take Questions Nos. 195, 206, 207, 214 and 216 together. I propose to take PQs 195 , 206 , 207 , 214 and 216 together. Ireland and the United Kingdom share a long history and common interest in the effective operation of the Common Travel Area (CTA), and work together to prevent any abuses of the CTA. There is extensive engagement and cooperation at all levels between my...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (2 May 2024)

Helen McEntee: I am advised by the Garda authorities that under the Garda Station Rationalisation Programme of 2012 and 2013, 139 Garda Stations were closed nationwide, and the buildings handed back to the OPW. To date, no other Garda Station has been officially closed by the Garda Commissioner. Of the 139 stations closed, the following eight stations are being held by the Office of Public Works on behalf...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Residency Permits (2 May 2024)

Helen McEntee: I propose to take Questions Nos. 197, 198, 199, 200, 201, 202, 208, 210 and 217 together. Section 9 of the Immigration Act 2004 provides that a register of non-nationals who have permission to be in the State (in general for a period of 3 months or longer) shall be established and maintained by registration officers. It also provides that a non-national is required to pay a fee to the...

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

Helen McEntee: The visa application referred to by the Deputy was refused by the Visa Office in Dublin on 05 September 2023. The reasons for this decision were set out in the refusal letter sent to the applicant at this time. An appeal of this decision was received on 15 January 2024. All visa applicants are advised that the onus is on them to provide as much information in support of their application as...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Citizenship 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: International Protection (2 May 2024)

Helen McEntee: The patterns in international protection applications vary over time and the Government’s response adapts accordingly. It has long been the case that a significant number of people apply for international protection for the first time in the International Protection Office (IPO). This has increased in 2024. To COB on 29th April 2024, there have been 7,054 applications for...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Staff (2 May 2024)

Helen McEntee: I can confirm that my Department takes all necessary steps to manage the international protection process efficiently and effectively, while ensuring the integrity of those processes is maintained at all times. Making sure that applications are processed quickly means those who need our protection are given the opportunity to re-build their life in Ireland in a timely manner. It also means...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: International Protection (2 May 2024)

Helen McEntee: I propose to take Questions Nos. 211 and 212 together. I propose to take PQs 211 and 212 together. I can assure the Deputy that I am fully committed to ensuring that Ireland’s International Protection system is robust and rules based, and that our borders are protected. I have significantly increased investment into the international protection system, which has allowed for a...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Inquiry into the Death of Mr. Shane O'Farrell (2 May 2024)

Helen McEntee: The sudden loss of Shane O'Farrell at such a young age, with his whole life ahead of him, is a desperate tragedy for all those who knew and loved him and one which will always be an immense source of grief in their lives. The report of Judge Gerard Haughton arising from the Scoping Exercise into the circumstances surrounding the death of Shane O'Farrell, aged 23 in August 2011 was published...

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...