Results 2,321-2,340 of 7,003 for speaker:James Browne

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: An Garda Síochána (29 Mar 2022)

James Browne: I thank the Deputy for raising the important matter of policing in rural areas and how it is being strengthened. The Government is committed to ensuring that there is strong, visible community policing across rural and urban Ireland. Under the Garda Síochána Act 2005, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána,...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: An Garda Síochána (29 Mar 2022)

James Browne: In relation to the new model for An Garda Síochána, all aspects of its implementation are a matter for the Garda Commissioner. The Mayo division was selected by the Garda authorities as one of the four pilot divisions for the new operating model. The new model is designed to provide four functional areas in each division, namely, business services, performance assurance, community...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Office of Public Works (29 Mar 2022)

James Browne: I thank the Deputy for raising this important question in regard to the Wicklow courthouse. The National Development Plan 2021-2030, which was approved and published by the Government in October 2021, commits to the provision of further new or refurbished courthouses in cities and county towns where facilities remain substandard, including in Wicklow town. While the management of the...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Office of Public Works (29 Mar 2022)

James Browne: I again thank the Deputy for his question. I am familiar with Wicklow town, a very beautiful town, so I understand his concern when there is that one building standing out that needs a little bit of tender care to bring it up to at least looking the part. The Deputy should raise the matter with the OPW but he can also continue to bring it up with ourselves and we can bring it to the...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Office of Public Works (29 Mar 2022)

James Browne: I again thank the Deputy for raising this important matter. Coming from a historic town myself, I know the importance of these public buildings and having them kept in a presentable manner. We are very proud of our historical towns and, as the Deputy has said, a lot of great work has been carried out with funding from this Government in terms of getting those towns looking as well as...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Crime Prevention (29 Mar 2022)

James Browne: I thank the Deputy, who consistently raises issues with regard to the protection and safety of his constituency of Cork North-Central. The budget provided by Government to the Garda Commissioner has increased to unprecedented levels with more than €2 billion allocated this year, including funding for the recruitment of up to 800 additional Garda trainees and up to 400 Garda staff....

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Crime Prevention (29 Mar 2022)

James Browne: I can tell the Deputy that there was a significant drop in the number of reported incidents of car theft nationally from 2015 to 2016 with the number of reported offences dropping by 29%. Numbers then remained quite stable until the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic. During the pandemic, the number of reported cases dropped by a further 21% in 2020 compared with the 2019 figure. I am informed...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Crime Prevention (29 Mar 2022)

James Browne: I thank the Deputy very much. I will certainly get figures on the number of car thefts in north Cork city for the Deputy. With regard to tackling the issue of the theft of catalytic convertors, we are very conscious of the impact such thefts from car owners have. It seems to be a particularly prevalent issue for the owners of specific types of hybrid vehicles. Perhaps such cars are a...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Asylum Seekers (29 Mar 2022)

James Browne: As I set out, an alternative system has been put in place by the European Union under the temporary protection directive. This applies to everybody leaving Ukraine. They can now come to the European Union for this protection. People can come to Ireland for protection when they need it. They can apply under the international protection system in this country. Those supports are being put...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Asylum Seekers (29 Mar 2022)

James Browne: The Government and the Department have introduced a number of very important reforms in the international protection system. We were the only country to introduce a bespoke protection system to be able to bring Afghans to Ireland. We now have a regularisation scheme which is the most generous regularisation scheme of any country in Europe. The Government and the Department have not been...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Asylum Seekers (29 Mar 2022)

James Browne: When mass displacements of people have occurred as a result of violence and conflict in countries such as Syria and Afghanistan, safety and shelter for people forced to flee has largely been provided to them by their closest neighbours. Most people want to return to their homes as soon as it is safe to do so. That is human nature. Staying nearby helps them to feel closer to that goal. It...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Prison Service (29 Mar 2022)

James Browne: I thank the Deputy for raising this important question. Care and rehabilitation are core aims of the Irish Prison Service. Sentences are managed to encourage and support prisoners in their efforts to reintegrate into society and live law-abiding lives on release. My Department and the Departments of Education and Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science engage with...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Prison Service (29 Mar 2022)

James Browne: It is critical that the Department of Justice works with the Departments of Education and Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science. It is doing so. I agree with the Deputy regarding the concerns. While in opposition, I raised the fact that if all the inmates who cannot read or write were taken out, the number of prisons would be substantially reduced.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Prison Service (29 Mar 2022)

James Browne: That statistic proves that. We now have a hardcore statistic in that regard. It is a matter of which I am very aware, as is the Minister, Deputy McEntee. That is why there is this level of collaboration with the Departments of Education and Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to try to address this issue. Obviously, education is primarily a matter for those...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Prison Service (29 Mar 2022)

James Browne: I am in full agreement with the Deputy on this. That prevention piece is critical. One of the things I have been doing since lockdown ended is visiting youth diversion projects, initially mostly in Dublin, but subsequently widening that circle across the country. With the funding for youth diversion projects we received in the budget in October, we will now be able fund the new role of...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Court Orders (29 Mar 2022)

James Browne: As the Deputy will appreciate, the Constitutional presumption that a person is innocent until proven guilty means that restricting a person’s liberty is a serious matter. While our laws do provide for the refusal of bail in certain circumstances, the decision to grant bail in a particular case is always a matter for the presiding judge, who is independent in the exercise of their...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Strategies (29 Mar 2022)

James Browne: I welcome the publication of the 'Ballymun - a Brighter Future' report, written by Mr. Andrew Montague. I note the Deputy's interest in this report, and I understand the report was commissioned by Dublin City Council following a request by the Deputy when he was the Lord Mayor at the time. The Deputy will be aware that the Council asked for practical and achievable recommendations regarding a...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Strategies (29 Mar 2022)

James Browne: As the Deputy will be aware, Minister McEntee and I published the Youth Justice Strategy 2021 – 2027 on 15 April 2021. The Strategy includes consideration of the full range of issues connected to children and young people at risk of coming into contact with the criminal justice system, including early intervention and preventative work, family support and diversion from crime, through...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Crime Prevention (29 Mar 2022)

James Browne: Pet theft is an incredibly cruel crime which causes huge trauma for pet owners all over the country. I fully appreciate the strong emotional attachment we all have to our pets and that theft not only leads to their loss in our lives, but also a high level of concern for their welfare. It is also a crime which often affects, and is indeed often targeted against, older and particularly...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legislative Reviews (29 Mar 2022)

James Browne: As the Deputy may be aware, the new Justice Plan 2022 contains a commitment to undertake an expansive review to modernise firearms and explosives legislation. Within the plan, Action 34.3 outlines a commitment to identify all outstanding issues requiring overdue reform in the management and processing of firearms licensing, register of firearms dealers and inspections. It also commits to the...