Results 3,881-3,900 of 14,127 for speaker:David Stanton

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Asylum Seeker Accommodation (3 Oct 2019)

David Stanton: The Deputy is correct. As I stated, we have had a very large increase on the number of people looking for international protection this year. We have sought expressions of interest from parties interested in providing accommodation and related services. A combination of factors have led to this, including the rising demand for bed spaces and the high volume of residents who have status who...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Asylum Seeker Accommodation (3 Oct 2019)

David Stanton: I share the Deputy's concerns about the right-wing agenda. We have avoided that and do not want it to take hold. We have 38 centres working very well and the local communities have welcomed people looking for international protection in those centres. They have acknowledged that the people who have come to live in their areas have added positively to their areas. They have got involved,...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: International Protection (3 Oct 2019)

David Stanton: I can inform the Deputy that I met recently with the organisation referred to in the Deputy's question shortly after the publication of their report, which we discussed thoroughly.  They raised several issues with me, including the issues around vulnerability assessments and accommodation standards.  They also raised concerns about emergency accommodation and I share those concerns....

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: International Protection (3 Oct 2019)

David Stanton: It is important to emphasise that all Departments and their agencies involved in the delivery of services and supports to applicants have a role to play in identifying and addressing the needs of applicants who present as vulnerable. This is particularly the case where vulnerabilities may only be disclosed or become evident after the initial stage of the protection...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Proposed Legislation (3 Oct 2019)

David Stanton: As the Deputy will be aware, on 23 April 2019, the Government announced that it had approved the priority drafting of the Parent's Leave and Benefit Bill 2019. The proposed legislation will provide for two weeks of parental leave and benefit for all new parents in employment or self-employment in respect of babies born on or after 1 November 2019. This will facilitate parents in spending...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Direct Provision System (3 Oct 2019)

David Stanton: My Department is responsible for offering accommodation and related services to international protection applicants while their claim for protection is being examined. These services are demand led and generally it is difficult to predict demand far in advance.  I am advised that as of 26 September 2019, 7,355 persons were being provided with accommodation by the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: International Protection (3 Oct 2019)

David Stanton: On 15 August, the National Standards for accommodation offered to people in the protection process were published by my Department.  The Standards were prepared by a Standards Advisory Group, established in 2017 and comprising officials from my Department, the Department of Children and Youth Affairs and the HSE National Office for Social Inclusion as well as...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Asylum Seeker Accommodation (3 Oct 2019)

David Stanton: My Department is responsible for offering accommodation and related services to international protection applicants while their claim for protection is being examined. These services are demand led and generally it is difficult to predict demand far in advance. Due to an unexpected rise in applications (figures are up 53% in the first nine months of this year), existing Direct...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Firearms and Ammunition Security (3 Oct 2019)

David Stanton: As the Deputy may be aware, Statutory Instrument 420 of 2019 European Communities (Acquisition and Possession of Weapons and Ammunition) (Amendment) Regulations 2019 gives effect to Directive (EU) 2017/853 in national law. The main changes introduced relate to: - marking of firearms; - new storage requirements for firearms and ammunition; - prohibition of the acquisition of large capacity...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Youth Justice Strategy (3 Oct 2019)

David Stanton: I can inform the Deputy that an expert Steering Group is currently developing the new Youth Justice Strategy, including a review of the Children Act. The Steering Group commenced its work in February and has had a series of meetings during this year which will continue into next year. The Group is tasked with advising and guiding the development of the new Strategy, including...

Firearms and Offensive Weapons (Amendment) Bill 2019: Second Stage [Private Members] (2 Oct 2019)

David Stanton: We were not physically available to take those Topical Issue matters. I apologise for that.

Firearms and Offensive Weapons (Amendment) Bill 2019: Second Stage [Private Members] (2 Oct 2019)

David Stanton: I would like to join with other Deputies in thanking Deputy O'Callaghan for bringing this important Bill before the House and facilitating this very important debate. Everyone in the House was shocked by the tragic knife related events which occurred earlier this year and to which colleagues opposite have referred. They highlight only too clearly the trauma and damage which can occur when...

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Mutual Recognition of Decisions on Supervision Measures) Bill 2019: Second Stage (2 Oct 2019)

David Stanton: I am very pleased to introduce this Bill to the House. This is a detailed and technical Bill. It is, however, a straightforward and faithful transposition of EU Council Framework Decision 2009/829/JHA on the cross-border recognition of decisions on supervision measures as an alternative to provisional detention. This Bill has been a long time coming and, at this stage, is well overdue....

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Mutual Recognition of Decisions on Supervision Measures) Bill 2019: Second Stage (2 Oct 2019)

David Stanton: I am delighted the Senator will support the Bill and I thank her for her consideration of this relatively technical, albeit practical, legislation. As I stated, its primary purpose is to give effect to the provisions of EU Framework Directive 2009/299/JHA on the application among member states of the EU of the principle of mutual recognition of the decisions on supervision measures as an...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Gambling Sector (2 Oct 2019)

David Stanton: In relation to progressing changes to regulation and enforcement in the gaming sector, I can inform the Deputy that the Gaming and Lotteries (Amendment) Bill 2019 completed all stages in the Seanad on 11 June 2019. I hope to be able to take Report Stage in the Dáil as soon as possible in this session so that the Bill can be finalised and enacted. During the preparation of the Bill,...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Parental Leave (2 Oct 2019)

David Stanton: As the Deputy will be aware, on 23 April 2019, the Government announced that it had approved the priority drafting of the Parental Leave and Benefit Bill 2019. The proposed legislation will provide for two weeks of parental leave and benefit for all new parents in employment or self-employment in respect of babies born on or after 1 November 2019. This will facilitate parents in spending...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Family Reunification Policy (1 Oct 2019)

David Stanton: On behalf of the Minister, Deputy Charles Flanagan, and on my own behalf, I thank the Bacik for raising the extreme difficulties being experienced by some people from Syria in obtaining travel documents. As she stated, they have been granted permission to come to Ireland by the Minister as part of the IRPP humanitarian admission programme. I have met some people who have benefited from this...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Family Reunification Policy (1 Oct 2019)

David Stanton: I am always happy to meet the Senator, in particular on a serious issue such as this. I reiterate that for security reasons and to uphold the integrity of the Irish immigration system, a number of checks and balances must be completed by the Irish authorities before a travel document can issue. Our rigorous policies and procedures are in line with those in operation in other EU member...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Parental Leave (1 Oct 2019)

David Stanton:  As the Deputy will be aware, on 23 April 2019, the Government announced that it had approved the priority drafting of the Parental Leave and Benefit Bill 2019. The proposed legislation will provide for two weeks of parental leave and benefit for all new parents in employment or self-employment in respect of babies born on or after 1 November 2019. This will facilitate parents in...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Direct Provision System (1 Oct 2019)

David Stanton: I can confirm to the Deputy that all applicants for international protection who are residents of accommodation centres are there voluntarily. The offer of accommodation and related services to applicants is just that - an offer. There is no obligation on any applicant to accept that offer and there is no restriction on their freedom of movement throughout the State. Some applicants...