Results 1,721-1,740 of 7,178 for speaker:James Browne

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (21 Sep 2023)

James Browne: I assure the Deputy that record funding is now being provided to An Garda Síochána. There is significant recruitment happening at the moment in Templemore, where more gardaí are going into training. On the rosters, the Garda roster that is currently in operation was introduced by the Garda Commissioner to deal with the specific policing requirements of the Covid-19 pandemic....

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (21 Sep 2023)

James Browne: I hear the Deputy's concerns, and I will bring them to the Minister for Justice. Obviously, the provision of Garda stations is a matter for the Garda Commissioner in the first instance, working with the OPW but I will bring the Deputy's concerns to the Minister for Justice.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Youth Services (13 Jul 2023)

James Browne: I propose to take Questions Nos. 541, 545 and 546 together. As the Deputy will be aware, Part 4 of the Children Act 2001 (as amended) provides the statutory basis for the Garda Youth Diversion Programme (GYDP). The intention of the programme is to divert children and young people who have engaged in criminal or anti-social behaviour away from the criminal justice system and towards more...

Seanad: Non-Fatal Offences against the Person (Amendment) (Spiking) Bill 2023: Committee Stage (12 Jul 2023)

James Browne: I thank the Senator for bringing forward this Bill and speaking on it this afternoon. It is a very important issue. The contributions have been quite interesting and enlightening. I know there has been a general discussion on this Bill. The Minister, Deputy Harris, spoke on the Bill on Second Stage and he noted that observations are being sought from An Garda Síochána and the...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Pension Provisions (11 Jul 2023)

James Browne: The Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform is aware there are some issues concerning the procedures for qualifying for the payment of an occupational supplementary pension. However, reducing the administrative burden is likely to include a technological solution that will require some time to agree and implement. The Department will commence a...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Food Industry (11 Jul 2023)

James Browne: I remind the Deputy the question put down on the paper by himself is simply the amount in tonnes of sheep meat being imported and exported from the State each year. Had he mentioned traceability in his question, he probably would have got a more specific answer. We are answering the question he asked. The Minister in his reply is quite assured that any meat import from third countries,...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Pension Provisions (11 Jul 2023)

James Browne: The Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform, Deputy Donohoe, has overall policy responsibility for public service occupational pension schemes payable to retired public servants. For all new entrants to the public service on or after 6 April 1995, the date of introduction of full social insurance for public servants who now pay class A PRSI, and...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Food Industry (11 Jul 2023)

James Browne: The Deputy's Topical Issue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Marine the amount, in tonnes, of sheepmeat being imported into and exported from the State each year. That is the question I will answer. The Minister, Deputy McConalogue, thanks the Deputy for raising this important issue, that being the amount, in tonnes, of sheepmeat being imported and exported. We all recognise...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Health Services (11 Jul 2023)

James Browne: I thank the Deputy for raising this very important matter around the ongoing delays in scoliosis surgeries. I welcome the opportunity to address the House on this extremely important issue. The Government sincerely regrets that children like Leah can experience long waiting times for scoliosis treatment and it remains conscious of the burden that this places on them and their families. ...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Health Services (11 Jul 2023)

James Browne: I again thank the Deputy for raising the ongoing issues with regard to delays in scoliosis surgeries and, in particular, for his mentioning of the very difficult situation which Leah is experiencing. As has been acknowledged, many patients, including children, who are waiting for scoliosis treatment are waiting for an unacceptably long time. While significant work continues to positively...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: School Funding (11 Jul 2023)

James Browne: Under the Digital Strategy for Schools 2015-2020, overall investment of €210 million issued to all recognised primary and post-primary schools in annual grant funding. This funding has supported schools to invest in appropriate digital infrastructure and to embed the use of digital technology in teaching, learning and assessment. The new digital strategy for schools to 2027 was...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: School Funding (11 Jul 2023)

James Browne: As previously stated, I expect that the next tranche of funding under the digital strategy will issue in the coming school year, by January 2024. The ongoing commitment to embedding the use of digital technologies in teaching and learning is demonstrated through the continued investment in teacher professional learning, relevant resources and the schools' broadband programme, with policy...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: International Protection (11 Jul 2023)

James Browne: I thank the Deputy again for his question. I do not have the figure he seeks to hand but I will undertake to get it for him. Regarding the information, part of the challenge is the sheer volume of requests that come in. However, the Department and the Minister have undertaken to reach out to Deputies to see what the particular difficulties they are having in dealing with international...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: International Protection (11 Jul 2023)

James Browne: I suppose the challenge is that many of these applications can be very complex. People often come to Ireland from some very traumatic situations looking for help. They often have had to flee their situation with no notice and it can be quite challenging to process those people. It is not a simple case of moving along A, B, C in a processing plant. These cases can be very complex and they...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Prison Service (11 Jul 2023)

James Browne: I thank the Deputy for raising the important matter of prison access to psychology services. As he pointed out, a significant number of people committed to prison have mental health issues. I assure him I am aware that if we address these issues, we can help to break the cycle of offending. The programme for Government commits to considering the mental health and addiction treatments of...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Prison Service (11 Jul 2023)

James Browne: I agree that the numbers are unacceptable. That is why we are determined to get them down. Competitions for principal, senior and staff grade psychologists are under way, with a closing date for applications of Friday, 4 August 2023. It is envisaged that recruitment will be completed and assignments made to existing and new vacancies by the end of 2023. The prison psychology service...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Prison Service (11 Jul 2023)

James Browne: It is worth noting that the increased staffing in prisons of one additional psychologist has allowed the Prison Service to do more group sessions in 2022. An additional 1,842 group sessions were held in 2022 compared with 2021. Consequently, I believe the additional recruitment that is ongoing will provide significant help. In working to reduce waiting lists for psychology...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: International Protection (11 Jul 2023)

James Browne: I thank the Deputy for raising the important matter of the number of applications on hand for international protection, the average length of time to process applications and the steps being taken to reduce the processing time. My Department is taking all necessary steps to manage the international protection process fairly and efficiently, as part of the broader Government response to this...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Legislative Process (11 Jul 2023)

James Browne: The amendment was sought by the Data Protection Commission in support of its ability to carry out its functions under GDPR in an effective, efficient and lawful manner and to ensure fair procedures are maintained for data controllers and data subjects. I will give an example. The Data Protection Commission will, from time to time, need to engage with parties other than the entity whose...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Legislative Process (11 Jul 2023)

James Browne: As I outlined, this will protect very particular information that is given in confidence, in line with the relevant functions of the Data Protection Commission. It is very important that the Data Protection Commission can carry out its duties under GDPR in compliance with EU law in a safe manner that can protect the information provided to it through its audits, investigatory powers or any...