Results 2,601-2,620 of 7,003 for speaker:James Browne

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....

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

James Browne: I thank Deputy Flaherty for raising the issue of the number of gardaí in County Longford. I am aware that policing and protecting rural communities in the county is a hugely important matter for the Deputy, who has raised this matter with me on numerous occasions. The deployment of gardaí is a matter for the Garda Commissioner but I have no doubt that he will deploy additional...

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

James Browne: I thank Deputy Pringle for raising this important matter of Garda numbers in County Donegal. As the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005, for the deployment of An Garda Síochána throughout the State and for the management and administration of Garda business, including the recruitment and training of Garda...

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

James Browne: Deputy Pringle keeps a strong watch on the number of gardaí because it is so important to have the necessary gardaí in place. As I said, the deployment of gardaí is a matter for the Garda Commissioner. I would hope that the additional gardaí going into training this year and next year will be distributed as necessary throughout the country, as they become available to...

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

James Browne: I thank Deputy Burke for raising this very important question. I share his concerns for the Afghan people and the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Afghanistan. Ireland has acted swiftly and compassionately to demonstrate our support and solidarity with the Afghan people. My Department is working closely with colleagues in the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Department of Children,...

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

James Browne: I reiterate that what Ireland is doing about the Afghan situation is unique. Between our Department - the Minister, Deputy Humphreys, and me - and the Ministers, Deputies O'Gorman and Coveney, significant steps have been taken to help the Afghan people inasmuch as we can as one nation. We are encouraging other nations across the European Union and the European Union itself to do similar. I...

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

James Browne: That is absolutely correct. We need to ensure that for anybody coming here the supports are put in place. That is why we have worked with the Minister, Deputy O'Gorman, in that respect. As in many cases, the supports that need to be put in place need to be worked on with the Minister, Deputy O'Gorman, to ensure they are put in place. They would include, for example, school and mental...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (21 Oct 2021)

James Browne: As the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is by law responsible for the distribution and management of Garda resources between the various Garda Divisions. Neither I nor the Minister for Justice have any direct role in these matters, but we are assured that the Garda authorities keep this distribution under constant review, to ensure the optimum use of available Garda members....

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (21 Oct 2021)

James Browne: The budget provided by Government to the Garda Commissioner continues to increase to unprecedented levels, with an allocation of €1.952 billion for 2021. Budget 2022 provides over €2 billion in funding. This has enabled sustained and ongoing investment in An Garda Siochana, including in County Carlow. As the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Crime Prevention (21 Oct 2021)

James Browne: The Government is determined to tackle anti-social behaviour and I am very conscious of the impact it can have on the quality of life for local communities, including in Dublin’s inner city. We want people to feel safe and be safe in Dublin, whether they live or work in Dublin or want to visit and enjoy our capital city.  As the Deputy may be aware, Minister Humphreys...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Antisocial Behaviour (21 Oct 2021)

James Browne: It should be understood that in setting up the provisions to tackle anti-social behaviour on foot of the enactment of the Criminal Justice Act 2006, provision was made for a number of preliminary interventions - warnings, good behaviour contracts and referrals to the Juvenile Diversion Programme - which were intended to address the problem behaviour. The rationale was that if these...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Asylum Seekers (21 Oct 2021)

James Browne: My Department's objective is to have decisions made on applications from people seeking international protection, including the permission to remain consideration, as soon as possible. This ensures that those who are found to be in need of our protection can receive it quickly and begin rebuilding their lives here with a sense of safety and security. My Department is fully committed...