Results 241-260 of 3,040 for speaker:Colm Brophy

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Family Reunification (15 May 2025)

Colm Brophy: Migrant workers make an enormous contribution to the Irish economy and society. It is a central priority for me, as Minister for State with responsibility for migration, that our immigrations laws are fair and efficient. An important part of this is having clear legal pathways for workers and their families. My Department’s policy document for Non-EEA family reunification, which...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Family Reunification (15 May 2025)

Colm Brophy: It is under review and I want to see that concluded as soon as possible and be able to come back on this. I take on board what the Deputy said but it is important that we ensure with family reunifications that financial thresholds in income are met for permit holders to be eligible to apply for their family to join and that it can be done in a proper and clear way. I take his points on...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Family Reunification (15 May 2025)

Colm Brophy: I am acutely aware that for families involved in situations like this it is very important to them and it is very important that they have information. I again refer to what I outlined in reply to the Deputy earlier, namely that it is clearly an important part that someone has sufficient income to sustain a family reunification. A review is ongoing looking at all the processes involved. I...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: International Protection (15 May 2025)

Colm Brophy: It important to note that the IPAS has grown rapidly and by more than 400%. It is important to note there is extensive oversight of all aspects of accommodation, the commissioning process and all the processes that have been improved incrementally over the past three years. Regarding appraisal of providers, my Department carries out due diligence on accommodation being contracted, including...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: International Protection (15 May 2025)

Colm Brophy: It is important to say that standard procedures have been developed and documented for all aspects of the process. There is full transparency from the Department in terms of providers receiving payments. Details of payments over €20,000 are published quarterly online on gov.ie.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: International Protection (15 May 2025)

Colm Brophy: There is full detail and transparency within the process.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: International Protection (15 May 2025)

Colm Brophy: I thank the Deputy. I wish to start by also expressing my sympathy and condolences to Garda Flatley's family, colleagues and the community. It is a very sad occasion in which we are taking these questions here today, and they put a lot of things in context. The Government has brought significant focus to addressing a range of complex systemic pressures within our international...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Family Reunification (15 May 2025)

Colm Brophy: I recognise the enormous contribution made by migrant workers to the Irish economy and society. It is a central priority for me, as Minister for State with responsibility for Migration, that our immigrations laws are fair and efficient. An important part of this is having legal pathways for workers and their families. As the Deputy is aware, my Department’s Policy Document for...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Overseas Development Aid (8 May 2025)

Colm Brophy: I thank the Deputy for raising this matter. I have a reply to read on behalf of the Minister but the Deputy knows what the Minister would say. I want to talk as someone who held the job. There is only one disagreement I have with what the Deputy has said. He said that hundreds of thousands of lives are at risk. I think it is millions. I have seen these issues at first hand. I have...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Overseas Development Aid (8 May 2025)

Colm Brophy: I thank the Deputy. He makes the valid point that while what has happened with USAID is the most impactful, we have also seen impacts in the range of countries that have reduced their aid budgets, including the UK. At the heart of what we do has always been the process of reaching the furthest behind first. We target our ODA on that basis. The Government is committed to that approach and...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Special Educational Needs (8 May 2025)

Colm Brophy: At the outset, I stress that enabling students with special educational needs to receive an appropriate education is an absolute priority for this Government. It is the Government's priority to ensure all children have an appropriate school placement and that the necessary supports are provided to our schools to allow children with special educational needs to flourish and prosper. There...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Special Educational Needs (8 May 2025)

Colm Brophy: I restate that in excess of 28,000 children are now being supported in special schools and classes. The number of special classes has increased by 100% since 2020. It is the statutory responsibility of the NCSE to work with schools to provide sufficient special education provision each year. As I outlined, budget 2025 provides funding for 400 new special classes - up to 300 additional...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Legislative Reviews (8 May 2025)

Colm Brophy: I reiterate that the Minister’s aim is to ensure the most effective operation of the assisted decision-making (capacity) legislation and to ensure that its principles are upheld and that its objectives of promoting and enshrining the rights of those with capacity difficulties to retain as much autonomy as possible are realised. We must always make sure that our laws are working for...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: School Accommodation (8 May 2025)

Colm Brophy: I thank the Deputy for the question and for giving me the opportunity to reply on behalf of the Minister for Education and Youth and to outline how the Department is working to ensure that there is appropriate school accommodation in place to meet the school place needs of all children. I stress that enabling students to receive an education appropriate to their needs is an ongoing priority...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: School Accommodation (8 May 2025)

Colm Brophy: Again, I thank the Deputy for raising the matter. I reassure him that I will convey that concern back to the Minister to ensure that continued engagement takes place. I have no doubt that the Deputy will continue to raise it and engage on it himself too.

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Legislative Reviews (8 May 2025)

Colm Brophy: I thank Deputy Sherlock for raising this important issue and for offering me the opportunity to respond. The Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015 was commenced in 2023, and it represents a landmark legal reform in this country. The Act replaced the 1871 Victorian-era wards of court system with a rights-based model for tiered decision support arrangements. It is a key component...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Air Services (8 May 2025)

Colm Brophy: I thank Deputy Currie for raising this matter which I am taking on behalf of the Minister for Transport. From the aviation safety perspective, the regulation of the recreational and commercial use of drones, or unmanned aircraft systems as they are technically known, is provided for under European Union regulations that are directly applicable to Ireland. Two drone-specific EU regulations...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Air Services (8 May 2025)

Colm Brophy: Aviation is obviously a highly regulated area, but I agree with the Deputy that the rapid pace of drone innovation and its commercialisation have created a challenge. The Government is aware of the impact of that and of the growing drone sector, particularly in the context of the increasing volume of operations. The programme for Government includes a commitment to finalise and implement a...

Parental Choice in Education: Motion [Private Members] (8 May 2025)

Colm Brophy: Today's debate has been beneficial. I have listened carefully to contributions made by all Deputies, each important and warranting consideration. The Minister, Depute McEntee, who was in the Chamber until just now, has given particular updates and outlines of current work happening within the Department and the planned work to increase the number of multidenominational schools where parents...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Road Projects (8 May 2025)

Colm Brophy: I thank the Senator for raising this matter. I welcome the opportunity to discuss the topic to which it relates on behalf of the Minister for Transport. I also very much welcome the opportunity to do so because the Senator and I live in the same constituency. I know exactly the condition of the roads mentioned and very much agree with the points made her. Road opening licences are...