Results 2,821-2,840 of 7,789 for speaker:James Browne

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Estimates for Public Services 2022
Vote 20 - An Garda Síochána (Supplementary)
Vote 21 - Prisons (Supplementary)
Vote 22 - Courts Service (Supplementary)
Vote 24 - Justice (Supplementary) (29 Nov 2022)

James Browne: As regards bike patrols, I have received the same direct feedback from members of An Garda Síochána in terms of the intensity of the course. I also received feedback, particularly when I was out in Cherry Orchard, from members of the community who praised the bike patrols due to the increased visibility of members of An Garda Síochána on such patrols, who are able to...

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Estimates for Public Services 2022
Vote 20 - An Garda Síochána (Supplementary)
Vote 21 - Prisons (Supplementary)
Vote 22 - Courts Service (Supplementary)
Vote 24 - Justice (Supplementary) (29 Nov 2022)

James Browne: On Garda recruitment, trainee members of An Garda Síochána start in Templemore and spend 34 weeks there, followed by a placement of 70 weeks at a Garda station. It is 104 weeks in total or, in effect, two years. It is known as probation. It can be extended by the Commissioner in particular circumstances if needed. One will see those members of the Garda on the streets, albeit as...

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Estimates for Public Services 2022
Vote 20 - An Garda Síochána (Supplementary)
Vote 21 - Prisons (Supplementary)
Vote 22 - Courts Service (Supplementary)
Vote 24 - Justice (Supplementary) (29 Nov 2022)

James Browne: It is 200. It was 92 yesterday for the first class intake of this recruitment process but it will be 200 for every intake thereafter.

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Estimates for Public Services 2022
Vote 20 - An Garda Síochána (Supplementary)
Vote 21 - Prisons (Supplementary)
Vote 22 - Courts Service (Supplementary)
Vote 24 - Justice (Supplementary) (29 Nov 2022)

James Browne: Exactly.

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Estimates for Public Services 2022
Vote 20 - An Garda Síochána (Supplementary)
Vote 21 - Prisons (Supplementary)
Vote 22 - Courts Service (Supplementary)
Vote 24 - Justice (Supplementary) (29 Nov 2022)

James Browne: They are attested after 34 weeks but then they do 70 weeks in-station probation, during which time they are out on the beat and so on.

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Estimates for Public Services 2022
Vote 20 - An Garda Síochána (Supplementary)
Vote 21 - Prisons (Supplementary)
Vote 22 - Courts Service (Supplementary)
Vote 24 - Justice (Supplementary) (29 Nov 2022)

James Browne: Obviously not every garda has or needs to have blue light training and other advanced Garda training. In-service training is carried out at Templemore. It is supported for An Garda Síochána. The Garda Commissioner certainly aims to have as much in-service training done as possible to upskill all members of An Garda Síochána in whatever area they may be specialising....

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Estimates for Public Services 2022
Vote 20 - An Garda Síochána (Supplementary)
Vote 21 - Prisons (Supplementary)
Vote 22 - Courts Service (Supplementary)
Vote 24 - Justice (Supplementary) (29 Nov 2022)

James Browne: We will always have a significant number of probationer officers as these new trainees are rolled out from Templemore. The distribution of An Garda Síochána remains a matter for the Garda Commissioner based on operational security reasons. That remains a matter for the Commissioner. The Department of Justice and the Ministers have no role in that regard. That is the current position.

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Estimates for Public Services 2022
Vote 20 - An Garda Síochána (Supplementary)
Vote 21 - Prisons (Supplementary)
Vote 22 - Courts Service (Supplementary)
Vote 24 - Justice (Supplementary) (29 Nov 2022)

James Browne: The McManus review is being carried out to assess the number of additional judges we need in the District Court, Circuit Court, High Court and Court of Appeal. In addition, last week an amendment was tabled to the Courts and Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill on freeing up Court of Appeal judges. As the legislation is written at present there must always be a panel of three judges no...

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Estimates for Public Services 2022
Vote 20 - An Garda Síochána (Supplementary)
Vote 21 - Prisons (Supplementary)
Vote 22 - Courts Service (Supplementary)
Vote 24 - Justice (Supplementary) (29 Nov 2022)

James Browne: They are and this has been acknowledged.

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Estimates for Public Services 2022
Vote 20 - An Garda Síochána (Supplementary)
Vote 21 - Prisons (Supplementary)
Vote 22 - Courts Service (Supplementary)
Vote 24 - Justice (Supplementary) (29 Nov 2022)

James Browne: I can certainly say as a former member of the Leinster Bar and the south-eastern circuit that judges travelling outside of Dublin is an important part of our Courts Service. It links our population with what the courts do and they are not simply something up in Dublin. The vast majority of judges traditionally have welcomed the opportunity to travel. Obviously the arrangement of the courts...

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Estimates for Public Services 2022
Vote 20 - An Garda Síochána (Supplementary)
Vote 21 - Prisons (Supplementary)
Vote 22 - Courts Service (Supplementary)
Vote 24 - Justice (Supplementary) (29 Nov 2022)

James Browne: It address all levels of the Courts Service and the number of judges needed at various levels throughout the country. Any appointment of a judge comes with the additional resources that are required, whether it be researchers or offices. It is not simply a case of appointing a judge and nothing else. Significant resources go with judges. The report of the judicial planning workgroup, or...

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Estimates for Public Services 2022
Vote 20 - An Garda Síochána (Supplementary)
Vote 21 - Prisons (Supplementary)
Vote 22 - Courts Service (Supplementary)
Vote 24 - Justice (Supplementary) (29 Nov 2022)

James Browne: With regard to Roscommon courthouse, the Courts Service has commenced the process of identifying and acquiring suitable sites for the projects to be completed over the period of the national development plan. Additional space on the historic Roscommon courthouse site has already been acquired from the local authority to facilitate the future expansion and refurbishment of the courthouse....

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Estimates for Public Services 2022
Vote 20 - An Garda Síochána (Supplementary)
Vote 21 - Prisons (Supplementary)
Vote 22 - Courts Service (Supplementary)
Vote 24 - Justice (Supplementary) (29 Nov 2022)

James Browne: I will get the Chair a formal update from the Department on Naas. I do not have one to hand.

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Estimates for Public Services 2022
Vote 20 - An Garda Síochána (Supplementary)
Vote 21 - Prisons (Supplementary)
Vote 22 - Courts Service (Supplementary)
Vote 24 - Justice (Supplementary) (29 Nov 2022)

James Browne: Does the Chairman's comment concern criminal legal aid or the family legal aid board?

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Estimates for Public Services 2022
Vote 20 - An Garda Síochána (Supplementary)
Vote 21 - Prisons (Supplementary)
Vote 22 - Courts Service (Supplementary)
Vote 24 - Justice (Supplementary) (29 Nov 2022)

James Browne: On criminal legal aid, unfortunately that is a matter for the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. I mean that remuneration is not dealt with by the Department of Justice.

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Estimates for Public Services 2022
Vote 20 - An Garda Síochána (Supplementary)
Vote 21 - Prisons (Supplementary)
Vote 22 - Courts Service (Supplementary)
Vote 24 - Justice (Supplementary) (29 Nov 2022)

James Browne: I had a view when I was practising but not as a Minister of State. On the parole board and the underspend, it has taken a little bit longer to get that statutory board up and running in terms of recruitment. That is the only reason. The delay in recruitment has resulted in an underspend in pay.

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Estimates for Public Services 2022
Vote 20 - An Garda Síochána (Supplementary)
Vote 21 - Prisons (Supplementary)
Vote 22 - Courts Service (Supplementary)
Vote 24 - Justice (Supplementary) (29 Nov 2022)

James Browne: As I have said, there have been significant increases in the budget for criminal legal aid but that does not address the individual pay of representatives, which is a matter for the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. That Department is responsible for all issues around pay. A review of civil legal aid is under way in terms of how it works and what qualifies for aid. Obviously...

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Estimates for Public Services 2022
Vote 20 - An Garda Síochána (Supplementary)
Vote 21 - Prisons (Supplementary)
Vote 22 - Courts Service (Supplementary)
Vote 24 - Justice (Supplementary) (29 Nov 2022)

James Browne: The day-to-day cost of running domestic refuges is under the remit of Tusla, and that is where they remain at the moment but it will come under the remit of the Department of Justice. The capital funding is under the remit of the Department with responsibility for housing but that too will transfer to the Department of Justice. Last Friday, we turned a sod at the site for the Wexford...

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Estimates for Public Services 2022
Vote 20 - An Garda Síochána (Supplementary)
Vote 21 - Prisons (Supplementary)
Vote 22 - Courts Service (Supplementary)
Vote 24 - Justice (Supplementary) (29 Nov 2022)

James Browne: As the Deputy will know, we are establishing a new agency to co-ordinate all of the supports around refuges and supports for domestic violence. The agency is expected to be fully up and running in 2024. The services will be transferred to the agency, which will be under the auspices of the Department of Justice.

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Estimates for Public Services 2022
Vote 20 - An Garda Síochána (Supplementary)
Vote 21 - Prisons (Supplementary)
Vote 22 - Courts Service (Supplementary)
Vote 24 - Justice (Supplementary) (29 Nov 2022)

James Browne: Yes, legislation is needed. In the meantime, we have the third national strategy on domestic, sexual and gender-based violence. The Minister for Justice, Deputy McEntee, working with the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage and with Tusla ensures that the strategy continues to be rolled out while we await the State agency to be established and then the agency will take over...