Results 21-40 of 9,077 for in 'Written Answers' speaker:Helen McEntee

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Asylum Applications (15 May 2024)

Helen McEntee: The State has a duty to protect its borders and following examination, ensure that all arriving passengers are entitled to enter the State. This is a fundamental exercise of State sovereignty, which is necessary to protect the security of the State and to prevent illegal immigration. The exercise of powers in this area is at all times subject to the law and to respect for individual rights. ...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Asylum Applications (15 May 2024)

Helen McEntee: I propose to take Questions Nos. 83 and 84 together. 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...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Visa Applications (14 May 2024)

Helen McEntee: I propose to take Questions Nos. 424, 456 and 462 together. I am acutely aware of the grave humanitarian crisis in Gaza and my Department is working closely with colleagues in the Department of Foreign Affairs to ensure a coordinated national response to this volatile and evolving situation. This includes their work to evacuate Irish citizens and their families who may require visa...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Immigration Policy (14 May 2024)

Helen McEntee: The Temporary Protection Directive , which provides immediate protection in EU countries for people displaced by the Russian invasion of Ukraine, was extended to March 2025 at a meeting of the European Council last September. As of Sunday 05 May 2024, a total of 106,617 people have been granted temporary protection in Ireland. I can advise the Deputy that it is open to all beneficiaries...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Citizenship Applications (14 May 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: Citizenship Ceremonies (14 May 2024)

Helen McEntee: Citizenship ceremonies were first introduced in 2011 and have been universally well received, marking the grant of Irish citizenship in a solemn, dignified and appropriate manner. Attendance at a Citizenship Ceremony remains the primary avenue for the granting of Irish citizenship. The Oath of Fidelity to the nation and the declaration are taken before a Presiding Officer appointed by the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (14 May 2024)

Helen McEntee: It has not been possible to collate and examine all the information requested by the Deputy in the time available. I will write to the Deputy directly once the information is to hand.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Data (14 May 2024)

Helen McEntee: I propose to take Questions Nos. 429 and 437 together. As the Deputy will be aware, management of the courts, operational matters and logistical functions are the responsibility of the judiciary and Courts Service, which are independent in exercising their functions under the Courts Service Act 1998 and given the separation of powers in the Constitution. The Courts Service has a dedicated...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Data (14 May 2024)

Helen McEntee: Regulation (EU) No 604/2013 (Dublin III Regulations), came into force on 19 July 2013, and lays down the criteria and mechanisms for determining which EU country is responsible for examining an asylum application. The Dublin Regulation is based on the principle that the first Member State to facilitate entry to the EU should be responsible for examining the protection application. In...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Data (14 May 2024)

Helen McEntee: I propose to take Questions Nos. 431 and 432 together. A deportation order is a legal order to leave the State. Any person who has been ordered to leave the State and fails to do so is committing a criminal offence, and can be arrested without warrant if they come into contact with An Garda Síochána. Such an order remains on the person’s record permanently – it means...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Probation and Welfare Service (14 May 2024)

Helen McEntee: I am advised that the Probation Service has clarified the issues regarding funding to the organisation in question, and is preparing to revert to the organisation in relation to the formal appeal process. The Deputy may also wish to know that funding payments for the first two quarters of 2024 have issued to the organisation in question. I understand that the Probation Service will meet...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Reviews (14 May 2024)

Helen McEntee: I propose to take Questions Nos. 434 and 435 together. I can advise the Deputy that review of the case was directed by me on 1 May, with the terms of reference settled last week, and which I have today forwarded to the Deputy. At this point the review has identified that details of the individual’s criminal record was transmitted from the International Protection Office of the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Data (14 May 2024)

Helen McEntee: Management of the courts, operational matters and logistical functions are the responsibility of the judiciary and Courts Service, which are independent in exercising their functions under the Courts Service Act 1998 and given the separation of powers in the Constitution. The Courts Service has a dedicated email address for the provision of information to members of the Houses of the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Visa Agreements (14 May 2024)

Helen McEntee: I can advise the Deputy that Israeli nationals are not visa required and may seek to enter and reside in the State under the legal pathways provided for non-EEA nationals, including the work permit system. While all immigration schemes and policies are kept under constant review, there are no plans to introduce restrictions for Israeli nationals along the lines the Deputy suggests.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Service (14 May 2024)

Helen McEntee: I wish to inform the Deputy that my officials in the Irish Prison Service have advised that it is not possible to retrieve the information sought as it is not electronically recorded in one central area. As such, the retrieval of this information would involve significant engagement and the manual examination of a considerable amount of records covering approximately 9 years. In the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Service (14 May 2024)

Helen McEntee: The Irish Prison Psychology Service provides an integrated service to people in custody. Specifically, this means the Psychology Service is responsible for both mental health and criminogenic (offence related) assessment and interventions. The Irish Prison Psychology Service works primarily through a layered care model, providing primary, secondary and tertiary level mental health care to...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Service (14 May 2024)

Helen McEntee: I am advised by the Irish Prison Service that until recently, people convicted of, or on remand for, sexual violence were accommodated at four primary locations – Midlands Prison, Arbour Hill Prison, Castlerea Prison and Mountjoy Training Unit. However, due to rising committals to prison for those convicted of sexual violence, it was decided to consider other options within the prison...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Service (14 May 2024)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will appreciate, sexual violence, our understanding of it, and its assessment and treatment has evolved over time. The Building Better Lives (BBL) programme has been delivered as the treatment programme for sexual offending since 2009 in Irish Prisons. It is based on Canada’s Rockwood model of treatment. The programme is provided over two stages; a shorter...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Correspondence (14 May 2024)

Helen McEntee: From 8 April 2024, in addition to Dublin residents, Immigration Service Delivery of my Department assumed responsibility for registration of individuals residing in counties Kildare, Meath, and Wicklow from An Garda Síochána. The case referred to by the Deputy was processed prior to this assumption of responsibility. I have looked into the matter and can confirm that...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (14 May 2024)

Helen McEntee: It has not been possible to collate and examine all the information requested by the Deputy in the time available. I will write to the Deputy directly once the information is to hand.