Results 1-20 of 8,862 for in 'Written Answers' speaker:Helen McEntee

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...

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

Helen McEntee: A Change of Status application from the person referred to by the Deputy was received by the Domestic Residence and Permissions Division on 31 October 2023 and continues to be processed by my Department. To be fair to all applicants, applications are dealt with in chronological order by date received. My Department endeavours to process applications as quickly as possible. However,...

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

Helen McEntee: An application for a Change of Status from the person referred to by the Deputy was received by the Domestic Residence and Permissions Division on 31 October 2023 and continues to be processed by my Department. To be fair to all applicants, applications are dealt with in chronological order by date received. My Department endeavours to process applications as quickly as possible. However,...

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

Helen McEntee: The persons referred to by the Deputy currently hold a Stamp 2 immigration permission valid until 01 July 2024. As the Deputy may be aware, when a non-EEA national comes to Ireland to undertake a course of study, be that an English language course or a course at level 6 or above on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ), a Stamp 2 student immigration permission will be granted....

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Residency Permits (25 Apr 2024)

Helen McEntee: I propose to take Questions Nos. 261 and 262 together. The persons referred to by the Deputy were issued letters refusing permission to remain in the state on 04 November 2022. In response to notifications pursuant to the provisions of Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended), written representations have been submitted on behalf of the persons concerned. These...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Schemes (24 Apr 2024)

Helen McEntee: The Start-Up Entrepreneur Programme (STEP) was established by Government in 2012 to stimulate productive investment in Ireland. The Programme enables non-EEA nationals outside of the State, and their families, who commit to establishing a high potential start-up (HPSU) business in Ireland to acquire a secure residency status in the State. The programme is particularly aimed at start-up...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Social Welfare Benefits (24 Apr 2024)

Helen McEntee: The Programme for Government 2020 contains a broad range of policies and proposals that represent a coherent approach to enhancing and sustaining a more just and safe society, with a specific commitment to review policy options for prison and penal reform. In respect of delivering on this commitment, the Review of Policy Options for Prison and Penal Reform 2022-2024 was published in...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Service (24 Apr 2024)

Helen McEntee: I am advised by the Irish Prison Service that on 24th April 2024, there were 909 people held in prison custody solely on a remand or trial warrant. The number of prisoners on remand/trial by Prison as of 24th April 2024 is set out in the table below. Prison Number in Custody Number on Remand/Trial Mountjoy 870 27 ...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Service (24 Apr 2024)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy is aware, the Office of the Inspector of Prisons (OIP) was established under the Prisons Act 2007 and is independent in how it carries out its functions. The Inspector's role is to carry out regular inspections of prisons. As part of this work the Office of the Inspector of Prisons carry out inspections comprising General Inspections and Thematic Inspection (i.e. inspection of a...