Results 2,301-2,320 of 7,789 for speaker:James Browne

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Gambling Sector (26 Oct 2023)

James Browne: At present the Gaming and Lotteries Act 1956, as amended, provides for the promotion of lotteries, including bingo, under either a lottery licence or permit depending on the nature of the activity being provided. Activities such as card drives are currently licensed under gaming licences, also issued under the 1956 Act. The Programme for Government includes a clear commitment to reform...

European Parliament Directive on Victims of Crime: Motion (Resumed) (25 Oct 2023)

James Browne: I thank Deputies for their important contributions on what we will all agree is an important opportunity to opt-into the proposal to strengthen victims' rights and access, discussed in today's motion. I will respond to some of the issues raised. We always have a tight timeline in these types of opt-in scenarios. Unfortunately, under Article 3, we only have three months from the date of...

European Parliament Directive on Victims of Crime: Motion (25 Oct 2023)

James Browne: I move: That Dáil Éireann approves the exercise by the State of the option or discretion under Protocol No. 21 on the position of the United Kingdom and Ireland in respect of the area of freedom, security and justice annexed to the Treaty on European Union and to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, to take part in the adoption and application of the following...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Programmes (24 Oct 2023)

James Browne: My Department is committed to protecting all communities, especially those most affected by crime, and to implementing policies designed to prevent our young people from falling into crime. When they do fall into crime, my Department is further committed to providing them with a pathway to a better future, free from crime. Justice Plan 2023 commits to diverting children away from gangs...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Gambling Sector (19 Oct 2023)

James Browne: I note and welcome the Economic and Social Research Institute’s report on problem gambling, published on 5 October 2023. Reform of gambling legislation, licensing and regulation is a priority for the Government and my Department. The Programme for Government includes a clear commitment to reform gambling legislation, with a focus on public safety and well-being from both an online and...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Schemes (12 Oct 2023)

James Browne: 132. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he will provide related to a Government-funded scheme (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44533/23]

Financial Resolutions 2023 - Financial Resolution No. 4: General (Resumed) (11 Oct 2023)

James Browne: My colleague, the Minister for Justice, has informed the House about the record justice budget for 2024, which prioritises building stronger and safer communities. The future of our communities lies with our young people, and I warmly welcome the allocation of €33 million for youth justice, which is an increase of 10% or €3 million. This will have a significant impact on...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Court Accommodation (11 Oct 2023)

James Browne: I hear the Deputy's genuine concerns on this issue in regard to disabilities both obvious and hidden. As I say in terms of physicality we are putting in that programme to ensure our courts are accessible but also in terms of training for people to be able to deal with vulnerable witnesses, vulnerable victims and all vulnerable court users so they can be dealt with in a sympathetic manner....

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Citizenship Applications (11 Oct 2023)

James Browne: Regarding the backlog, I fully appreciate applicants for citizenship wish to have their decision made as quickly as possible and without any delay. There certainly has been a backlog but it is one we are working through as quickly as possible. The nature of the naturalisation process is such that for a broad range of reasons some cases take longer than others to process. In some cases,...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Citizenship Applications (11 Oct 2023)

James Browne: If the Deputy wants to give me details of the specific case, I can look into that particular situation.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Citizenship Applications (11 Oct 2023)

James Browne: Obviously, there are a lot of moving parts in any process when dealing with a backlog, such as how many applications will be made in a particular year and, of course, as the Deputy mentioned, staffing as well, but it is being given priority. We are moving to a digitisation of e-vetting, replacing a largely paper-based process with a simple email link. This is speeding up the process...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Court Accommodation (11 Oct 2023)

James Browne: I thank the Deputy for asking this very important question on the action the Department is taking to ensure provision of appropriate facilities and interview suites in Courts Service buildings for those who are vulnerable or who have invisible or visible disabilities. The Government has invested substantial additional resources into the Courts Service in recent years to support the...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Court Accommodation (11 Oct 2023)

James Browne: I again thank the Deputy for her very important question. In addition to its approach to physical facilities the Courts Service is also continuing to invest in initiatives to improve the experience of all court users. I will mention two projects in particular, the first is the "just a minute", JAM, card. The Courts Service provided JAM card training to all of its staff in 2021. As the...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Family Law Cases (11 Oct 2023)

James Browne: I thank Deputy Durkan for raising the very important matter of proposals for family law reform with particular reference to the need for an indicative timescale. As the Deputy is aware, we are leading an ambitious programme of family justice reform. The Minister, Deputy McEntee, and I published the family justice strategy in November of last year. It sets out a vision for a family justice...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Family Law Cases (11 Oct 2023)

James Browne: I can assure the Deputy that the review is a priority for the Department. The voice of the child in court proceedings is essential to everything this Department does in terms of reviews. In relation to parental alienation, as the Deputy will be aware, my Department published a research report and policy paper on parental alienation on our website last May. Officials from the Department...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Citizenship Applications (11 Oct 2023)

James Browne: I thank the Deputy for raising the important matter of the measures undertaken by the Department to reduce citizenship application processing times in particular in respect of applications submitted in 2021 and 2022. My Department is focused on improving the naturalisation process for applicants and reducing the backlog of cases as soon as possible. Additional staff have been assigned and...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legal Aid (11 Oct 2023)

James Browne: Both Minister McEntee and I recognise that the role played by barristers and solicitors in undertaking criminal legal aid work is a fundamental part of the criminal justice system. The Constitution obliges the State to provide an accused person with the means to obtain appropriate legal representation. To protect that right and ensure due process, the Criminal Justice (Legal Aid) Act, 1962...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Antisocial Behaviour (11 Oct 2023)

James Browne: I would like to assure the Deputy that the Government is determined to tackle anti-social behaviour and its causes. The funding of over €2 billion made available to An Garda Síochána this year and next demonstrates the Government’s ongoing commitment to ensuring Gardaí have the equipment, technology, facilities, fleet and, most importantly, the personnel they...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Gambling Sector (11 Oct 2023)

James Browne: I note and welcome the Economic and Social Research Institute’s report on problem gambling, published on 5 October 2023. The ESRI’s latest Report and the ESRI’s Literature Review on problem gambling, published in June 2023, underscore the need to recognise and meaningfully confront problem gambling and the harms it causes. The ESRI’s research reinforces the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Crime Prevention (11 Oct 2023)

James Browne: As the Deputy will be aware, Part 4 of the Children Act 2001 (as amended) provides the statutory basis for the Garda Youth Diversion Programme (GYDP). The intention of the programme is to divert children and young people who have engaged in criminal or anti-social behaviour away from the criminal justice system and towards more positive life choices. Children who commit criminal offences are...