Results 3,121-3,140 of 4,399 for speaker:Martin Browne

Written Answers — Department of Health: Mental Health Services (25 Nov 2021)

Martin Browne: 369. To ask the Minister for Health the number of whole-time equivalent professionals who have been working in mental health services in CHO 3 and CHO 5 in each of the years 2017 to 2020 and to date in 2021, in tabular form. [58244/21]

Written Answers — Department of Health: General Practitioner Services (25 Nov 2021)

Martin Browne: 370. To ask the Minister for Health the number of general practitioners contracted in a service (details supplied) in CHO 5 in each of the years 2017 to 2020 and to date in 2021, in tabular form. [58245/21]

Committee on Public Petitions: Business of Joint Committee (25 Nov 2021)

Martin Browne: I would like to welcome you all to our virtual meeting this afternoon using Microsoft Teams. Apologies have been received from Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan. The Ceann Comhairle of the Dáil, Deputy Ó Fearghaíl, and the Cathaoirleach of the Seanad, Senator Mark Daly, have appealed to everybody in the parliamentary community to continue to follow public health advice, wear a...

Committee on Public Petitions: Direct Provision Policy and Related Matters: Discussion (Resumed) (25 Nov 2021)

Martin Browne: This is our sixth public meeting about direct provision policy and related matters. We have already met the Ombudsman, the Ombudsman for Children, the Irish Refugee Council, the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission, the Law Society of Ireland and the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth. I am delighted to extend a warm welcome to our witnesses today from...

Committee on Public Petitions: Direct Provision Policy and Related Matters: Discussion (Resumed) (25 Nov 2021)

Martin Browne: I again welcome Ms Buckley and Mr. Delaney for attending today's meeting and briefing members on the measures the Department of Justice is planning to take to implement the White Paper on ending direct provision. As we begin, it is only right to recall yesterday's horrific news that 27 people, including a young girl, died off the northern French coast as they tried to reach England. It...

Committee on Public Petitions: Direct Provision Policy and Related Matters: Discussion (Resumed) (25 Nov 2021)

Martin Browne: I call Deputy Devlin.

Committee on Public Petitions: Direct Provision Policy and Related Matters: Discussion (Resumed) (25 Nov 2021)

Martin Browne: I will give the Deputy a bit of leeway.

Committee on Public Petitions: Direct Provision Policy and Related Matters: Discussion (Resumed) (25 Nov 2021)

Martin Browne: Before I let Deputy Devlin in I want to agree with what Senators Murphy and Craughwell have said. These people are fleeing horrendous circumstances in their countries and people should open their eyes and look at where they are coming from and the situation in those countries. As Senator Craughwell said, the narrative is being put out there that they are coming over for our social welfare...

Committee on Public Petitions: Direct Provision Policy and Related Matters: Discussion (Resumed) (25 Nov 2021)

Martin Browne: I agree with Deputy Devlin that we need to keep in contact with Ms Buckley and the other witnesses that when that review is done in mid to late next year or whenever, we should call them back in.

Committee on Public Petitions: Direct Provision Policy and Related Matters: Discussion (Resumed) (25 Nov 2021)

Martin Browne: Does Deputy Buckley want to come in for a second round?

Committee on Public Petitions: Direct Provision Policy and Related Matters: Discussion (Resumed) (25 Nov 2021)

Martin Browne: I have a couple of questions. The Department's aims are to reduce the processing times of first instance decisions and appeals related to direct provision to six months each, as outlined in the White Paper, and to establish a new international protection support service. How exactly will those aims be achieved?

Committee on Public Petitions: Direct Provision Policy and Related Matters: Discussion (Resumed) (25 Nov 2021)

Martin Browne: With regard to processing applications virtually, has the Department encountered problems where applicants do not have the technological equipment or know-how to take part in virtual meetings? If so, how are those issues addressed?

Committee on Public Petitions: Direct Provision Policy and Related Matters: Discussion (Resumed) (25 Nov 2021)

Martin Browne: Recently we have been told that 4,430 applicants await an interview. Has the shortage of legal representation contributed to the backlog? If so, how can the situation be overcome?

Committee on Public Petitions: Direct Provision Policy and Related Matters: Discussion (Resumed) (25 Nov 2021)

Martin Browne: The undocumented have been mentioned a couple of times during this session. Does Ms Buckley know how many undocumented people are in the country?

Committee on Public Petitions: Direct Provision Policy and Related Matters: Discussion (Resumed) (25 Nov 2021)

Martin Browne: Do members have more questions before we finish? No.

Committee on Public Petitions: Direct Provision Policy and Related Matters: Discussion (Resumed) (25 Nov 2021)

Martin Browne: I invite Ms Buckley, the deputy Secretary General, to make any final comments.

Committee on Public Petitions: Direct Provision Policy and Related Matters: Discussion (Resumed) (25 Nov 2021)

Martin Browne: I thank both Ms Buckley and Mr. Delaney. I think that I can speak for us all when I say that this has been one of the most beneficial and informative discussions that we have had with Departments. On behalf of the committee, I thank the delegation for coming here today. As Deputy Devlin said earlier, we will keep communication channels open and when the review is done we will come back...

Committee on Public Petitions: Decisions on Petitions Received (25 Nov 2021)

Martin Browne: We have six public petitions for consideration today: 9/21, 23/21, 15/21, 26/21 and 35/21. Our first and second petitions are Nos. 9/21 and 23/21 and they will be taken together. This refers to unauthorised development on the River Shannon and it is in the names of Mr. Michael Barrett and Mr. Jamie Forde Kelly. The recommendation are as follows: 1.That correspondence from the Department...

Committee on Public Petitions: Decisions on Petitions Received (25 Nov 2021)

Martin Browne: I agree with the Deputy that we select the third recommendation and ask the two witnesses to come in. To the best of my knowledge, I believe that we received a letter and video from the Department, which tried to wash its hands of the whole issue. I think we need to chase up this matter and I personally think that the Department has a responsibility. Let us take things step by step and ask...

Committee on Public Petitions: Decisions on Petitions Received (25 Nov 2021)

Martin Browne: I thank Senator Murphy. Does anybody else wish to come in? No. Our third petition is P000015/21, submitted by Mr. Des Lafferty, on respectful dialogue. The recommendations are that, first, the correspondence from the Department of Foreign Affairs be forwarded to Mr. Lafferty for comment and second, that the committee writes to Mr. Joe Hackett, Secretary General at the Department of...