Results 1,941-1,960 of 7,003 for speaker:James Browne

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Child and Family Agency (15 Dec 2022)

James Browne: The Deputy should ask a more specific question next time.

Income Eligibility for Social Housing Supports: Statements (15 Dec 2022)

James Browne: I thank Deputies for their valuable contributions to this important discussion. As stated earlier by the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, the income eligibility thresholds for social housing supports were introduced in 2011 with the key objective of reserving housing assistance for households unable to secure accommodation from their own resources....

Defects in Apartments - Working Group to Examine Defects in Housing Report: Statements (15 Dec 2022)

James Browne: On behalf of my colleague, the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, I thank all Deputies who have contributed to this debate. We can all agree that many homeowners and residents of apartments and duplexes have found themselves in a difficult and stressful position when defects have arisen in respect of their buildings through no fault of their own. As...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Garda Investigations (14 Dec 2022)

James Browne: I thank the Deputy for raising this very important matter. Almost 50 years ago, bombs exploded at Belturbet, Clones and Pettigo. In Belturbet, this callous act of violence claimed the lives of two innocent young people - Geraldine O'Reilly and Patrick Stanley - and injured others. My deepest sympathies go out to the bereaved and the injured. The dreadful effects of this attack last to...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Garda Investigations (14 Dec 2022)

James Browne: I will certainly endeavour to ensure that the Department keeps the families updated regarding any developments I would expect to happen. I would expect that An Garda Síochána will do likewise. As the Deputy noted, a Garda liaison officer has been appointed. Of course, we think of all those who lost their lives in the immediate events of all these bombings where people were...

Seanad: Tailte Éireann Bill 2022: Committee and Remaining Stages (14 Dec 2022)

James Browne: I thank the Senator for his contribution. The proposed amendment relates to a report that Tailte Éireann be required to prepare, within six months of the passing of this Act, in respect of a review of the digitisation of the land registry and proposed reforms to expedite land disputes where title deeds are unclear. To add this additional function in the manner proposed would not have...

Seanad: Tailte Éireann Bill 2022: Committee and Remaining Stages (14 Dec 2022)

James Browne: There will be no consequence.

Seanad: Tailte Éireann Bill 2022: Committee and Remaining Stages (14 Dec 2022)

James Browne: I thank the Senator for his contribution. The intention of this Bill is to bring about the merger of the PRA, Ordnance Survey Ireland and the Valuation Office. The provisions of the Bill include the transfer of the current functions of these bodies into Tailte Éireann. It is not envisaged at this point to expand the current functions of the existing bodies during the merger process....

Seanad: Tailte Éireann Bill 2022: Committee and Remaining Stages (14 Dec 2022)

James Browne: I understand the intention of this amendment is that Tailte Éireann would commission a report to explore the feasibility of creating a register for land transactions. While I appreciate the objective of the Senator’s amendment, I will mention a number of reasons I am not disposed to accept this proposal. As part of the pre-legislative scrutiny process for this Bill, the joint...

Confidence in Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage: Motion (13 Dec 2022)

James Browne: I stand in support of the Minister, Deputy O'Brien, and the Government's motion of confidence in response to the cynical exercise of a motion put down to deflect from the work of the Minister and the Government. Fianna Fáil sought the portfolio of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage at a difficult and challenging time. We sought it, when many others ran away...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Gambling Sector (13 Dec 2022)

James Browne: The Gambling Regulation Bill was approved by Cabinet on 15th of November, published Friday, 2nd December and completed second stage in the Dáil on Tuesday, 6th December. The Bill sets out the framework and legislative basis for the establishment of a new, independent statutory body – the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland – and for a robust regulatory and licensing...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Crime Prevention (7 Dec 2022)

James Browne: As the Deputy will be aware, Youth Diversion Projects (YDPs) are community based, multi-agency youth crime prevention initiatives which primarily seek to divert young people who have been, or are at risk of becoming, involved in anti-social and/or criminal behaviour. There are over 100 YDPs nationwide providing suitable activities to facilitate personal development, promote civic...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence (6 Dec 2022)

James Browne: I thank Deputy Carroll MacNeill for raising this important matter of funding for domestic, sexual and gender-based violence, DSGBV, services. As the she is aware, Zero Tolerance, the new national strategy to combat domestic, sexual and gender-based violence was launched earlier this year. It is an ambitious five-year programme of reform and a whole-of-society plan of action. Implementation...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence (6 Dec 2022)

James Browne: I again thank the Deputy for raising a very important matter. She has been consistent in raising this important and serious issue since she became a Member of Dáil Éireann, and I am very conscious of that. I am confident combating domestic, sexual and gender-based violence is a priority that is not going to drop off the agenda, and I have no doubt the Deputy will ensure focus on...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Special Educational Needs (6 Dec 2022)

James Browne: I thank Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan for raising the important matter of SNA allocation for Scoil Eoin National School, Innishannon, County Cork. I assure the House that the Department of Education is committed to ensuring that all children can access an education suitable to their needs. I reassure the Deputy that the Department of Education will continue to support the NCSE and schools...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence (6 Dec 2022)

James Browne: I thank the Deputies for their contributions. What the Government is doing, led by the Minister, Deputy McEntee, will deliver. It has put in place the correct structures to deliver additional refuge accommodation, including the development of the new statutory agency. We will accelerate the number of additional spaces that can be delivered each year. Already, work is being undertaken to...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Court Accommodation (6 Dec 2022)

James Browne: I thank the Deputy for raising this important matter. The courthouse on Church Street has stood unused for a number of years. The building is a monument of historical significance in terms of the War of Independence and the Civil War. Deputy Michael Moynihan has been raising this matter for some time to try to make the building available for public use. Under the provisions of the...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Court Accommodation (6 Dec 2022)

James Browne: As I know from my previous legal experience, identifying the title of old buildings can often be a challenge and take some work. I will undertake to contact the Courts Service to see whether it can do that work and ensure that the property's title is correctly identified as being under the Courts Service in order that steps can be taken in respect of the building's future use. Regarding...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Court Accommodation (6 Dec 2022)

James Browne: I undertake to contact the Courts Service to emphasise the importance of preserving this courthouse and the attached bridewell, given their historical significance and that of the graffiti.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence (6 Dec 2022)

James Browne: I thank the Deputy for raising this very important issue regarding the Government's strategy on step-down accommodation in cases where a person leaves a domestic violence refuge. In June, the Government launched zero tolerance, the third national strategy on domestic, sexual and gender-based violence. Under this five-year ambitious programme of reform, we want to achieve a society that...