Results 4,961-4,980 of 7,312 for speaker:James Browne

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Parole Boards (6 Dec 2022)

James Browne: I thank the Deputy for raising the question. The Parole Board was established as a statutory body under the Parole Act 2019 on 31 July 2021, replacing the former interim parole board which had been in place since 2001. Under the Act, victims now have a right to engage in the parole process.  Victim engagement is an important element of the work, and the board is currently engaging with...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Parole Boards (6 Dec 2022)

James Browne: I acknowledge there is a backlog of cases at the moment. The transition phase from the interim parole board processes will take at least two years to work through. The board increased its number of meetings this year with a view to increasing the number of applications being considered. It will do so even further in 2023. However, the number of cases reviewed still remains lower than...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Parole Boards (6 Dec 2022)

James Browne: These delays were unanticipated. However, having realised the delays, we have already taken pro-active steps to clear the backlog. The board is now fully operational and is hearing cases. Furthermore, it has developed a structured plan which will see a significant increase in meetings and applications considered right throughout 2023. To support this work a 23% increase of funding has...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Asylum Applications (6 Dec 2022)

James Browne: I thank the Deputy for raising the question. This is a difficult situation for our Afghan community and their loved ones. I take this opportunity to assure them that we are processing applications under the Afghan admission programme as quickly as possible. It should be noted that the Afghan admission programme is not the only avenue for Afghan nationals to come to Ireland. Since the...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Asylum Applications (6 Dec 2022)

James Browne: By my maths, 846 Afghans have been approved through the other schemes and, as I said, where they can be used, they are being used to help Afghans. In the context of this particular scheme, there have been 528 applications and 22 applications have been approved. There has been a challenge in terms of the information being provided within those various applications, which has proven to be...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Asylum Applications (6 Dec 2022)

James Browne: On the applications, there has been a challenge in terms of the information that has been provided. We have to examine the information that is provided, and that is part of any process of issuing visas or any type of programme for admission to the country. We do not bring any people to the country under the scheme; we simply issue permissions for people to come here. As already stated, the...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence (6 Dec 2022)

James Browne: I thank the Deputy for raising this very important issue regarding the Government's strategy on step-down accommodation in cases where a person leaves a domestic violence refuge. In June, the Government launched zero tolerance, the third national strategy on domestic, sexual and gender-based violence. Under this five-year ambitious programme of reform, we want to achieve a society that...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence (6 Dec 2022)

James Browne: I certainly hear the Deputy. I assure her that the Minister, Deputy McEntee, is determined to deliver as many refuge spaces as possible as quickly as possible. I agree with the Deputy that steps have to be taken to ensure that survivors can return to their homes without the presence of their abusers, who should be removed. We need to work more on ensuring that is the situation. One of...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence (6 Dec 2022)

James Browne: I thank the Deputies for their contributions. What the Government is doing, led by the Minister, Deputy McEntee, will deliver. It has put in place the correct structures to deliver additional refuge accommodation, including the development of the new statutory agency. We will accelerate the number of additional spaces that can be delivered each year. Already, work is being undertaken to...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Court Accommodation (6 Dec 2022)

James Browne: I thank the Deputy for raising this important matter. The courthouse on Church Street has stood unused for a number of years. The building is a monument of historical significance in terms of the War of Independence and the Civil War. Deputy Michael Moynihan has been raising this matter for some time to try to make the building available for public use. Under the provisions of the...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Court Accommodation (6 Dec 2022)

James Browne: As I know from my previous legal experience, identifying the title of old buildings can often be a challenge and take some work. I will undertake to contact the Courts Service to see whether it can do that work and ensure that the property's title is correctly identified as being under the Courts Service in order that steps can be taken in respect of the building's future use. Regarding...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Court Accommodation (6 Dec 2022)

James Browne: I undertake to contact the Courts Service to emphasise the importance of preserving this courthouse and the attached bridewell, given their historical significance and that of the graffiti.

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Special Educational Needs (6 Dec 2022)

James Browne: I thank Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan for raising the important matter of SNA allocation for Scoil Eoin National School, Innishannon, County Cork. I assure the House that the Department of Education is committed to ensuring that all children can access an education suitable to their needs. I reassure the Deputy that the Department of Education will continue to support the NCSE and schools...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence (6 Dec 2022)

James Browne: I thank Deputy Carroll MacNeill for raising this important matter of funding for domestic, sexual and gender-based violence, DSGBV, services. As the she is aware, Zero Tolerance, the new national strategy to combat domestic, sexual and gender-based violence was launched earlier this year. It is an ambitious five-year programme of reform and a whole-of-society plan of action. Implementation...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence (6 Dec 2022)

James Browne: I again thank the Deputy for raising a very important matter. She has been consistent in raising this important and serious issue since she became a Member of Dáil Éireann, and I am very conscious of that. I am confident combating domestic, sexual and gender-based violence is a priority that is not going to drop off the agenda, and I have no doubt the Deputy will ensure focus on...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Crime Prevention (7 Dec 2022)

James Browne: As the Deputy will be aware, Youth Diversion Projects (YDPs) are community based, multi-agency youth crime prevention initiatives which primarily seek to divert young people who have been, or are at risk of becoming, involved in anti-social and/or criminal behaviour. There are over 100 YDPs nationwide providing suitable activities to facilitate personal development, promote civic...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Restorative Justice (6 Dec 2022)

James Browne: Restorative justice is one of a suite of measures available to the criminal justice system.  As the Deputy will be aware, at its core, restorative justice aims to enable all those affected by an offence to participate actively in repairing the harm done and to find a positive way forward.  It is founded on the principle of consent of the parties to the approach. ...