Results 21-40 of 3,040 for speaker:Colm Brophy

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Citizenship Ceremonies (14 Oct 2025)

Colm Brophy: All certificates of naturalisation for attendees of a citizenship ceremony are issued via registered post. Applicants can expect to receive their certificate within around a month of the date of the ceremony. By not issuing certificates on the day of the ceremonies, my Department has been able to simplify the administrative steps required to be completed on the day. This in turn has made...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Naturalisation Applications (14 Oct 2025)

Colm Brophy: The naturalisation applications from the persons referred to by the Deputy continue to be processed by my Department. I am aware that extended wait times can be frustrating for applicants, particularly considering the current processing times. I want to assure anyone who has an application for naturalisation submitted, that the Citizenship Division is doing everything possible to progress...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: International Protection (9 Oct 2025)

Colm Brophy: I thank the Deputy. My Department is taking action across all aspects of international protection accommodation to provide value for money, strengthen governance and compliance, and renegotiate contracts with providers. This forms part of the overall reform of the international protection system that is already working to speed up processing of applications and move from commercial...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: International Protection (9 Oct 2025)

Colm Brophy: The Department has accepted the recommendations of the Comptroller and Auditor General's report and has put in place a set of updated processes and standards which will appraise offers and manage and oversee contracts. Extensive new checks and balances have been put in place to ensure high standards of oversight on invoicing. Queries and irregularities have been identified through a...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: International Protection (9 Oct 2025)

Colm Brophy: The Department is always vigilant about taxpayers' money and it is important to note we have achieved €52 million in savings in terms of contracts this year. There is a new rate card in place delivering real savings. One of the most important things we are doing is moving to State-owned, which will bring a real saving in terms of taxpayers' money. When the migration pact comes in,...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Visa Applications (9 Oct 2025)

Colm Brophy: I thank the Deputy. The programme for Government contains a commitment to publish a national migration and integration strategy detailing how the Government will meet the demands and opportunities facing Ireland’s society. My Department is currently working on that with other Departments with the aim of having it published in 2026. Looking at the international student sector will...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Visa Applications (9 Oct 2025)

Colm Brophy: I thank the Deputy for his acknowledgement of the fact that international students do make a contribution. They contribute in so many ways to our country. The Government is looking at student visas in the context of our national migration and immigration strategy. For the purpose of clarity with regard to the issue of total registrations, there can be multiple registrations during a...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Visa Applications (9 Oct 2025)

Colm Brophy: It is important to examine the regulation in this area. There is quite a bit of regulation in this area. There is an allowance of 20 hours that a student can work during term time and that increases to 40 hours. It is very important that is monitored and correctly enforced. We have changed the requirements for students in terms of the income they would have to have to sustain...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: International Protection (9 Oct 2025)

Colm Brophy: My Department is taking action across all aspects of international protection accommodation to ensure we improve value for money, strengthen governance and compliance, and renegotiate contracts with providers. This forms part of the overall reform of the international protection system that is already working to speed up the processing of applications and move away from commercial provision...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: International Protection (9 Oct 2025)

Colm Brophy: To outline the position again, we have accepted the recommendations in the Comptroller and Auditor General’s report. We absolutely recognise them. We have put in place contract reviews designed to deliver genuine savings. We recognise that due to the surge that took place from 2022 to 2024, we were not in a position to have the relevant structures in place, but we now are and we are...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: International Protection (9 Oct 2025)

Colm Brophy: As I have said to the Deputy, all contracts we are now putting in place have checks and balances in respect of tax clearance certificates.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: International Protection (9 Oct 2025)

Colm Brophy: We are totally transparent in publishing details of all payments made, and we do that regularly. We believe the contracts we are now putting in place are absolutely clear and deliver on some of the things the Deputy is asking about. I understand that, in the case the Deputy mentioned, the water provision issue has been completely addressed and what he described is not happening at this...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Citizenship Applications (9 Oct 2025)

Colm Brophy: I propose to take Questions Nos. 32 and 61 together. As part of my Department’s continued commitment to improving its services, an online citizenship application portal was made available in October 2023. This portal is a separate system to the Customer Service Portal and has made the application process easier for applicants, allowing them to easily fill in relevant forms and...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Visa Applications (9 Oct 2025)

Colm Brophy: I can advise the Deputy that on 10 July 2024 visa requirements were introduced for nationals of South Africa, bringing our arrangements into alignment with the visa requirements of Schengen members states, and with those of the UK. The Dublin Visa Office have established a dedicated “South Africa Desk” to process applications from residents of South Africa. My Department also...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Visa Applications (9 Oct 2025)

Colm Brophy: I can advise the Deputy that there are currently seven overseas Visa Offices in addition to the Visa Office in Dublin. They are located in Abuja, Beijing, London, Moscow, Ankara, Abu Dhabi and New Delhi. In addition, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade process certain visa applications in Irish Embassies abroad under delegated sanction from my Department. Processing times and...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Visa Applications (9 Oct 2025)

Colm Brophy: I understand the Deputy has clarified that his question relates to join family and employment visas. I can advise the Deputy that there are currently seven overseas Visa Offices in addition to the Visa Office in Dublin. They are located in Abuja, Beijing, London, Moscow, Ankara, Abu Dhabi and New Delhi. In addition, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade process certain visa...

Financial Resolutions 2025 - Financial Resolution No. 5: General (Resumed) (8 Oct 2025)

Colm Brophy: That is not true.

Financial Resolutions 2025 - Financial Resolution No. 5: General (Resumed) (8 Oct 2025)

Colm Brophy: As the House has heard from my colleague, the Minister, Deputy O'Callaghan, the justice budget of €6.17 billion for 2026 will support a robust, rules-based immigration system. The additional funding for immigration and international protection will improve our systems, speeding up processing, strengthening the return and ensuring that Ireland is fully ready to implement the EU...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Tourism Industry (8 Oct 2025)

Colm Brophy: I thank the Senator. I know Glenveagh and have been there many times. It is a lovely place. It is one of Donegal's great treasures, as the Senator knows well. He has been a strong supporter on this issue. I am here representing the Minister. The National Parks and Wildlife Service, NPWS, within the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage has primary responsibility for...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Tourism Industry (8 Oct 2025)

Colm Brophy: I will, of course, bring the Senator's concerns to the responsible Minister and ensure he hears those concerns. I will also add my knowledge of Glenveagh and how wonderful it is. It is important from the perspective of tourism in Donegal that we seek to maximise accessibility to places such as Glenveagh. I recognise the Senator's concerns and will bring them to the attention of the...