Results 4,761-4,780 of 9,174 for speaker:James Browne

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Citizenship Applications (2 Nov 2021)

James Browne: Traditionally, citizenship applicants are required to attend an in-person citizenship ceremony to take an oath of fidelity to the State and complete the process to receive their certificate of naturalisation. Due to the pandemic, it has not been possible to hold such ceremonies since March 2020. In January, a temporary system was established to enable citizenship applicants to complete...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Residency Permits (2 Nov 2021)

James Browne: My Department is not aware of any particular difficulty encountered by our customers wishing to make payment for their Irish Residence Permit (IRP). My officials have examined the system and confirmed that all functions appear to be operational, outside the occasional issue with submission which, upon further inspection, has been found to be a user error or a difficulty with the user’s...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Immigration Policy (2 Nov 2021)

James Browne: The Programme for Government contains a commitment to bring forward a regularisation scheme within 18 months of the formation of the Government, to create new pathways for long-term undocumented people and their dependents. Applicants will need to meet specific criteria and these will be formed with a clear consideration of Ireland's European Union and Common Travel Area commitments. The...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Citizenship Applications (2 Nov 2021)

James Browne: 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. Section 16 of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended provides discretion to...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Citizenship Applications (2 Nov 2021)

James Browne: An application for a certificate of naturalisation was received from the person referred to by the Deputy on 5 December 2019. This application is currently being processed with a view to establishing whether the applicant meets the statutory conditions for the granting of naturalisation and will be submitted to me for decision as expeditiously as possible. The granting of Irish...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Naturalisation Applications (2 Nov 2021)

James Browne: In response to a notification pursuant to the provisions of Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended), written representations have been submitted on behalf of the person concerned. These representations, together with all other information and documentation on file, will be fully considered, under Section 3 (6) of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended) and all other applicable...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Citizenship Applications (2 Nov 2021)

James Browne: An application for a certificate of naturalisation was received from the person referred to by the Deputy on 10 April 2019 and my Department issued the applicant with an approval letter on 12 October 2021. My Department has received all necessary documentation from the applicant and, provided all is in order, I expect that a certificate of naturalisation should issue in the coming weeks. ...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Citizenship Applications (2 Nov 2021)

James Browne: An application for a certificate of naturalisation was received from the person referred to by the Deputy on 28 February 2020. This application is currently being processed with a view to establishing whether the applicant meets the statutory conditions for the granting of naturalisation and will be submitted to me for decision as expeditiously as possible. The granting of Irish...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Visa Applications (2 Nov 2021)

James Browne: An application for a certificate of naturalisation was received from the person referred to by the Deputy on 6 February 2020. This application is currently being processed with a view to establishing whether the applicant meets the statutory conditions for the granting of naturalisation and will be submitted to me for decision as expeditiously as possible. My Department has continued to...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legislative Process (2 Nov 2021)

James Browne: As the Deputy will be aware, the Programme for Government gives a clear commitment to establish a gambling regulator focused on public safety and well-being, covering gambling online and in person, and the powers to regulate advertising, gambling websites and apps. On 19 October 2021, the Government approved the publication of the General Scheme of the Gambling Regulation Bill. The...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Citizenship Applications (2 Nov 2021)

James Browne: This application is currently being processed with a view to establishing whether the applicant meets the statutory conditions for the granting of naturalisation and will be submitted to me for decision as expeditiously as possible. 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 instances,...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Citizenship Applications (21 Oct 2021)

James Browne: The Department is bringing in a number of reforms to try to speed up the process and make the application process simpler. Certainly, since I came into the Department I have pushed for all of the applications to be as simple and straightforward as possible and to minimise the need for any kind of legal advice. Many applicants are involved in the system at different stages. I favour the...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Citizenship Applications (21 Oct 2021)

James Browne: Our aim is to get the timeframe for processing applications down to six to nine months. Provision has been made in the budget for additional staff in the immigration services to get those numbers down. We are working through ICT and other processes to make the system move more quickly and to streamline the entire system. I understand that the length of time it is taking to process...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Citizenship Applications (21 Oct 2021)

James Browne: I thank the Deputy for raising the important matter of the number of citizenship applications outstanding for longer than 12 months. I am deeply conscious of how important the granting of naturalisation is to those who apply for it. My Department has continued to accept and process citizenship applications throughout the pandemic and during all levels of public health restrictions. ...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: An Garda Síochána (21 Oct 2021)

James Browne: Again, I thank the Deputy for raising the matter of Garda numbers in Donegal. We will always endeavour in the Department of Justice to ensure the Garda Commissioner is deploying gardaí fairly throughout the country as they are needed.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: An Garda Síochána (21 Oct 2021)

James Browne: Budget 2022 will see over €2.062 billion allocated to An Garda Síochána next year. This funding will include provision for the recruitment of 800 new Garda recruits and 400 Garda staff. This increase in the number of Garda members and staff will deliver significant growth in operational policing hours nationwide and improved services to the public generally. In Dublin,...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: An Garda Síochána (21 Oct 2021)

James Browne: Since 2018, there has been an 11% increase in the number of community gardaí. The number of community garda members I have obtained from An Garda Síochána is 326. Four hundred and fifty additional gardaí will be recruited this year, and the budget has allowed for an allocation of funding for another 800 new Garda recruits for next year and 400 Garda staff. The...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: An Garda Síochána (21 Oct 2021)

James Browne: I thank the Deputy for raising the important matter of Garda numbers in his area. As stated already, I do not have any powers regarding the distribution of gardaí or their designation. The 450 additional gardaí being recruited this year, the 800 to be recruited next year, and the 400 additional Garda staff that will be recruited will bring the total number to 14,600 fully attested...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: An Garda Síochána (21 Oct 2021)

James Browne: The budget provided by the Government to the Garda Commissioner continues to increase to unprecedented levels, with an allocation of €1.952 billion for 2021. Budget 2022 provides more than €2 billion in funding. This reflects the Government’s commitment to making sure people are safe in their communities. As the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is by law...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: An Garda Síochána (21 Oct 2021)

James Browne: I thank the Deputy. I also thank rank and file and senior Garda officers who stepped up to the mark during Covid and showed their commitment to the local communities in which they were based and living throughout that very difficult period. I also thank the trainees who stepped up to the mark during the period when a slightly different approach was taken from the approach taken in the past....