Results 81-100 of 11,742 for speaker:Helen McEntee

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Immigration Support Services (30 Apr 2024)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will be aware, the Government agreed to close the Immigrant Investor Programme (IIP) to further applications from 15 February 2023. As Minister, I do not comment on individual IIP applications, however, my Department’s IIP Unit is committed to ensuring that all applications will be examined on their own merits and will endeavour to conclude all decisions in a timely...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: International Protection (30 Apr 2024)

Helen McEntee: The Legal Aid Board is the statutory, independent body responsible for the provision of civil legal aid and advice to persons of modest means. This includes the provision of legal aid and advice to international protection applicants. While eligibility for the scheme is assessed on a case by case basis, the high rate of successful applications set out below, as provided to me by the Legal...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (30 Apr 2024)

Helen McEntee: We have all been shocked by the recent loss of life on our roads, and concerned by the worrying increase in road fatalities after many years of progress in making our roads safer. Road safety is a shared responsibility and one which this Government takes very seriously. Road traffic legislation is enforced as part of the day-to-day duties of all members of An Garda Síochána, as...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (30 Apr 2024)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána, including all matters relating to the recruitment, training and appointment of its members. As Minister, I have no role in these matters. I have been informed that, to date, in 2024 there has been one regional competition which spans across 3 Garda...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Residency Permits (30 Apr 2024)

Helen McEntee: My Department's Registration Office in Burgh Quay is responsible for registering immigration permissions for non-EU/EEA nationals residing in the Dublin, Meath, Kildare and Wicklow areas only, including the online renewal system. An Garda Síochána has oversight of the first registration and renewal of immigration residence permissions for non-EU/EEA nationals residing outside of...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Immigration Status (30 Apr 2024)

Helen McEntee: Under Section 9 of the Aliens Act, 1935 where a non-EEA national over the age of 18 wishes to legally change their name to a name that is different to the one on their birth certificate, they must apply for a change of name licence from my Department. In order for this name change to take legal effect a deed poll would also need to be executed. I can advise the Deputy, that the granting...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Visa Applications (30 Apr 2024)

Helen McEntee: I can advise the Deputy that the application referred to was created on the 17 July 2023. Supporting documentation was received in the Dar-es-Salaam office on the 25 January 2024. The application was received in the Dublin Visa Office on the 06 February 2024 where it awaits examination and processing. Long Stay Join Family visa applications are processed in accordance with the guidelines set...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Immigration Policy (30 Apr 2024)

Helen McEntee: A Stamp 3 immigration permission indicates permission to stay in Ireland for a specified period, subject to conditions, and is reckonable as residence when applying for citizenship by naturalisation. The conditions of the Stamp 3 state that: ‘one cannot work or engage in any business, trade or profession’. A Stamp 3 immigration permission does not prevent the holder from...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (25 Apr 2024)

Helen McEntee: I propose to take Questions Nos. 241 and 252 together. As the Deputy will be aware, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the administration and management of An Garda Síochána, including for the recruitment and training of Garda members and staff. As Minister, I have no role in such matters. I am committed to...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Visa Applications (25 Apr 2024)

Helen McEntee: My Department endeavours to process applications as quickly as possible. However, processing times may vary due to a number of factors, such as the number of applications on hand, individual circumstances, the complexity of applications, whether further information is required, and the resources available. The immigration services of my Department utilises the resources available in order...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: International Protection (25 Apr 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. Applicants are required to have 5 years reckonable residence in the State prior to making an...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Visa Applications (25 Apr 2024)

Helen McEntee: I propose to take Questions Nos. 244, 245, 246 and 247 together. I can advise the Deputy that the Minister of Religion preclearance scheme applies to both visa required and non-visa required nationals. This scheme gives non-EEA nationals permission to travel to the State. Applicants must apply from their home country or a country where they are a legal resident. Proof of residence outside...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (25 Apr 2024)

Helen McEntee: Community policing is at the heart of An Garda Síochána, and all Gardaí have a role to play in community policing in the course of carrying out their duties. Community policing is also fundamental to the new Garda Operating Model which is currently being rolled out across the country, and is fully commenced in thirteen Garda divisions. The new model will provide more...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Common Travel Area (25 Apr 2024)

Helen McEntee: The EU Asylum and Migration Pact will significantly reform the current approach to migration and asylum both in Ireland and across the EU by providing a robust legislative framework to address the challenges faced in this area. These reforms will ensure Europe acts as a collective in terms of how migration, and in particular asylum, is managed to ensure the system is firmer and fairer....

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (25 Apr 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). This includes all internal Human Resources matters, and the maintenance of HR records for the organisation. I have contacted the Garda authorities and have been advised that An Garda...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (25 Apr 2024)

Helen McEntee: I am committed to ensuring An Garda Síochána have the resources they need to deliver on their mission of 'Keep People Safe'. This is reflected in the unprecedented allocation of over €2.35 billion in Budget 2024 which is allowing for sustained investment in recruitment, equipment and technology. This includes increasing the training allowance by 66% to €305 per week to...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (25 Apr 2024)

Helen McEntee: I have sought the information requested by the Deputy from An Garda Síochána, however, this information was not available in time. I will write to the Deputy directly once it is to hand.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Citizenship Applications (25 Apr 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: Citizenship Applications (25 Apr 2024)

Helen McEntee: An application under the Regularisation of Long Term Undocumented Migrants Scheme by the person referred to by the Deputy was refused on 05 September 2023. An appeal by the person concerned under the Scheme has been received and continues to be processed. It is not possible to provide a guideline as to when processing of all appeals will be completed. It should be noted that...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Family Law Cases (25 Apr 2024)

Helen McEntee: I propose to take Questions Nos. 256 and 257 together. As the Deputy is aware, my Department is leading an ambitious programme of family justice reform set out in the first Family Justice Strategy, which I published in November 2022. The Strategy sets out a vision for a family justice system of the future - a system that will focus on the needs and rights of children and which will...