Results 3,381-3,400 of 7,789 for speaker:James Browne

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Naturalisation Applications (2 Nov 2021)

James Browne: In response to a notification pursuant to the provisions of Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended), written representations have been submitted on behalf of the person concerned. These representations, together with all other information and documentation on file, will be fully considered, under Section 3 (6) of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended) and all other applicable...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Citizenship Applications (2 Nov 2021)

James Browne: An application for a certificate of naturalisation was received from the person referred to by the Deputy on 10 April 2019 and my Department issued the applicant with an approval letter on 12 October 2021. My Department has received all necessary documentation from the applicant and, provided all is in order, I expect that a certificate of naturalisation should issue in the coming weeks. ...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Citizenship Applications (2 Nov 2021)

James Browne: An application for a certificate of naturalisation was received from the person referred to by the Deputy on 28 February 2020. This application is currently being processed with a view to establishing whether the applicant meets the statutory conditions for the granting of naturalisation and will be submitted to me for decision as expeditiously as possible. The granting of Irish...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Visa Applications (2 Nov 2021)

James Browne: An application for a certificate of naturalisation was received from the person referred to by the Deputy on 6 February 2020. This application is currently being processed with a view to establishing whether the applicant meets the statutory conditions for the granting of naturalisation and will be submitted to me for decision as expeditiously as possible. My Department has continued to...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legislative Process (2 Nov 2021)

James Browne: As the Deputy will be aware, the Programme for Government gives a clear commitment to establish a gambling regulator focused on public safety and well-being, covering gambling online and in person, and the powers to regulate advertising, gambling websites and apps. On 19 October 2021, the Government approved the publication of the General Scheme of the Gambling Regulation Bill. The...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Citizenship Applications (2 Nov 2021)

James Browne: This application is currently being processed with a view to establishing whether the applicant meets the statutory conditions for the granting of naturalisation and will be submitted to me for decision as expeditiously as possible. The nature of the naturalisation process is such that, for a broad range of reasons, some cases will take longer than others to process. In some instances,...

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...