Tuesday, 11 Jul 2023

Written Answers Nos. 514-528

Asylum Seekers

Questions (514)

Gino Kenny

Question:

514. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Justice if fleeing Russia to avoid military conscription will be grounds for granting asylum in Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32473/23]

Written answers

Minister for Justice

All applications for international protection, regardless of an applicant’s country of origin, are assessed on the basis of their individual merits, facts and circumstances.

In that context, the circumstances of each case is assessed having regard to both the subjective elements (the applicant’s own account or personal history) and objective elements (up-to-date, and reputable, information on the conditions prevailing in the applicant’s country or place of origin) at the material time.

In light of the individualised nature of the assessment carried out, and the independent role of the International Protection Officer in each case, it is not my Department's practice to make generalised statements about particular circumstances which might give rise to protection status.

Naturalisation Applications

Questions (515)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

515. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice the current and/or expected position in regard to naturalisation in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34121/23]

Written answers

Minister for Justice

The naturalisation application from the person referred to by the Deputy continues to be processed by my Department, with a view to establishing whether the applicant meets the statutory conditions for the granting of naturalisation. It will be submitted to me for decision in due course.

All applicants who applied for Naturalisation in 2022 should have now received an e-Vetting invitation to further process their application. If the person has not received this they can contact the Citizenship Division by emailing [e-mail] and put "e-Vetting" in the subject line.

The granting of Irish citizenship through naturalisation is a privilege and an honour which confers certain rights and entitlements not only within the State but also at European Union level and it is important that appropriate procedures are in place to preserve the integrity of the process.

I understand the extended wait times can be frustrating for applicants and my Department has been working hard to clear backlogs.

It is recognised that all applicants for citizenship would wish to have a decision on their application without delay. However, 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, completing the necessary checks can take a considerable period of time.

My Department is taking a number of steps to speed up the processing of applications and a number of digitisation measures have been introduced to increase efficiency in the process, including eVetting and online payments. The end result of the digitisation process will be the freeing up of more staff to focus on processing applications in a timely and efficient manner, improving service to our customers and reduction of waiting times.

Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to my Department by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility at: [e-mail], which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Question process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in the cases where the response is, in the Deputy's view, inadequate or too long awaited.

Naturalisation Applications

Questions (516)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

516. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice the current and/or expected position in regard to naturalisation in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34122/23]

Written answers

Minister for Justice

The naturalisation application from the person referred to by the Deputy continues to be processed by my Department, with a view to establishing whether the applicant meets the statutory conditions for the granting of naturalisation. It will be submitted to me for decision in due course.

The Citizenship Division have advised me that an invitation for the eVetting process was issued to the applicant in March 2023 which was not acted on, and that a new eVetting invitation issued last week to the details supplied by the applicant.

If the applicant did not received this they can contact the Citizenship Division by emailing [e-mail] and put "e-Vetting" in the subject line.

The granting of Irish citizenship through naturalisation is a privilege and an honour which confers certain rights and entitlements not only within the State but also at European Union level and it is important that appropriate procedures are in place to preserve the integrity of the process.

I understand the extended wait times can be frustrating for applicants and my Department has been working hard to clear backlogs.

It is recognised that all applicants for citizenship would wish to have a decision on their application without delay. However, 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, completing the necessary checks can take a considerable period of time.

My Department is taking a number of steps to speed up the processing of applications and a number of digitisation measures have been introduced to increase efficiency in the process, including eVetting and online payments. The end result of the digitisation process will be the freeing up of more staff to focus on processing applications in a timely and efficient manner, improving service to our customers and reduction of waiting times.

Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to my Department by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility at: [e-mail], which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Question process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in the cases where the response is, in the Deputy's view, inadequate or too long awaited.

Naturalisation Applications

Questions (517)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

517. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice the progress to date in the determination of an application for naturalisation in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34123/23]

Written answers

Minister for Justice

The naturalisation application from the person referred to by the Deputy continues to be processed by my Department, with a view to establishing whether the applicant meets the statutory conditions for the granting of naturalisation. It will be submitted to me for decision in due course.

All applicants who applied for Naturalisation in 2022 should have now received an e-Vetting invitation to further process their application. If the person cited did not received this they can directly contact Citizenship Division by emailing [e-mail] and put "e-Vetting" in the subject line.

The granting of Irish citizenship through naturalisation is a privilege and an honour which confers certain rights and entitlements not only within the State but also at European Union level and it is important that appropriate procedures are in place to preserve the integrity of the process.

I understand the extended wait times can be frustrating for applicants and my Department has been working hard to clear backlogs.

It is recognised that all applicants for citizenship would wish to have a decision on their application without delay. However, 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, completing the necessary checks can take a considerable period of time.

My Department is taking a number of steps to speed up the processing of applications and a number of digitisation measures have been introduced to increase efficiency in the process, including eVetting and online payments. The end result of the digitisation process will be the freeing up of more staff to focus on processing applications in a timely and efficient manner, improving service to our customers and reduction of waiting times.

Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to my Department by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility at: [e-mail], which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Question process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in the cases where the response is, in the Deputy's view, inadequate or too long awaited.

Residency Permits

Questions (518)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

518. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice the progress to date in granting residency approval in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34125/23]

Written answers

Minister for Justice

I am pleased to informed the Deputy that an application from the person concerned under the Regularisation of Long Term Undocumented Migrants scheme was approved on 16 June 2023.

The person concerned should make arrangements to register their permission with their local immigration office as soon as possible, if they have not already done so.

Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to my Department by email using the Oireachtas Mail facility at [e-mail], which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Question process. The Deputy may consider using the email service except in the cases where the response is, in the Deputy's view, inadequate or too long awaited.

Citizenship Applications

Questions (519)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

519. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice the progress to date in the determination of an application for citizenship in the case of a person (details supplied); when the application is expected to be finalised; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34126/23]

Written answers

Minister for Justice

The naturalisation application from the person referred to by the Deputy continues to be processed by my Department, with a view to establishing whether the applicant meets the statutory conditions for the granting of naturalisation. It will be submitted to me for decision in due course.

All applicants who applied for Naturalisation in 2022 should have now received an e-Vetting invitation to further process their application. If the person cited did not received this they can directly contact Citizenship Division by emailing [e-mail] and put "e-Vetting" in the subject line.

The granting of Irish citizenship through naturalisation is a privilege and an honour which confers certain rights and entitlements not only within the State but also at European Union level and it is important that appropriate procedures are in place to preserve the integrity of the process.

I understand the extended wait times can be frustrating for applicants and my Department has been working hard to clear backlogs.

It is recognised that all applicants for citizenship would wish to have a decision on their application without delay. However, 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, completing the necessary checks can take a considerable period of time.

My Department is taking a number of steps to speed up the processing of applications and a number of digitisation measures have been introduced to increase efficiency in the process, including eVetting and online payments. The end result of the digitisation process will be the freeing up of more staff to focus on processing applications in a timely and efficient manner, improving service to our customers and reduction of waiting times.

Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to my Department by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility at: [e-mail], which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Question process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in the cases where the response is, in the Deputy's view, inadequate or too long awaited.

Citizenship Applications

Questions (520)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

520. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice the progress to date in the determination of an application for citizenship in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34127/23]

Written answers

Minister for Justice

The naturalisation application from the person referred to by the Deputy continues to be processed by my Department, with a view to establishing whether the applicant meets the statutory conditions for the granting of naturalisation. It will be submitted to me for decision in due course.

The granting of Irish citizenship through naturalisation is a privilege and an honour which confers certain rights and entitlements not only within the State but also at European Union level and it is important that appropriate procedures are in place to preserve the integrity of the process.

I understand the extended wait times can be frustrating for applicants and my Department has been working hard to clear backlogs.

It is recognised that all applicants for citizenship would wish to have a decision on their application without delay. However, 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, completing the necessary checks can take a considerable period of time.

My Department is taking a number of steps to speed up the processing of applications and a number of digitisation measures have been introduced to increase efficiency in the process, including eVetting and online payments. The end result of the digitisation process will be the freeing up of more staff to focus on processing applications in a timely and efficient manner, improving service to our customers and reduction of waiting times.

Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to my Department by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility at: [e-mail], which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Question process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in the cases where the response is, in the Deputy's view, inadequate or too long awaited.

An Garda Síochána

Questions (521)

Alan Dillon

Question:

521. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Justice what her Department is doing to increase safety and security measures in rural communities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34132/23]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Justice (Deputy James Browne)

At the outset, I would like to assure the Deputy that this Government is committed to building stronger, safer communities in rural Ireland and in our towns and cities. Everybody has the right to feel safe and to be safe in their homes and on their land and property.

The Rural Safety Plan 2022-2024, published by my Department, is the result of strong collaboration between all the relevant organisations and brings together the excellent work already underway in relation to rural safety. The Plan is not intended to replace, but rather supplement, this work. The vision of the Rural Safety Plan is for people and communities in rural Ireland to feel safe and be safe in their homes, their places of work, and their local environments.

This vision is consistent with the community safety policy, currently being piloted through Local Community Safety Partnerships in three locations (Longford, Waterford and North Inner City Dublin) which represent a mix of rural and urban areas of various population densities. The learning from the ongoing evaluation of these three pilot projects is feeding into the planned national rollout of Local Community Safety Partnerships, which will be provided for through the Policing, Security and Community Safety Bill which is currently going through the Houses of the Oireachtas.

More generally, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the administration and management of An Garda Síochána. This includes the allocation of resources, including Garda personnel to a given Division, District or Station.

My Department is committed to ensuring that An Garda Síochána has the resources it needs, with an unprecedented €2 billion plus budget in 2023. This is allowing for the continued recruitment of Gardaí and Garda staff and we are seeing Garda recruits enter Templemore every 11 weeks. 92 recruits entered the Training College late November, 135 in February and another 154 in May. Another class will enter the college at the end of July.

In addition to new recruits, the rollout of the new Garda Operating Model will support the redeployment of Gardaí from non-core duties to frontline policing across the country. The new model will result in a reduction in the number of Garda Divisions from the current 28 to 19 with each comprised of four Functional Areas: Community Engagement, Crime, Performance Assurance and Business Services. The new Operating Model is currently being rolled out in all divisions and is fully commenced in six - Dublin South Central, Cork City, Kerry, Galway, Limerick and Mayo-Roscommon-Longford which was rolled out in 2022.The new model, introduces major changes to the structures of An Garda Síochána by providing more front-line Gardaí, increased Garda visibility, and a wider range of policing services for people in their local area. It will particularly enhance the investigation of crime through the delivery of a greater range of specialised services in local areas such as the investigation of sexual crime, domestic violence, cyber-crime, and economic crime.

As the Deputy will be aware, in 2015, An Garda Síochána launched the highly successful Operation Thor, a nationwide operation established to tackle burglary and prosecute offenders.

Operation Thor actively targets organised crime gangs and repeat offenders through co-ordinated crime prevention and enforcement activity based on intelligence and the latest burglary trends. Since its inception in 2015, burglary has been trending downwards with overall reported burglary in 2022 45% lower than pre-pandemic levels of 2019.

Taken together with other initiatives such as the Community Text Alert Scheme and property marking, these resources will help keep people safe in rural Ireland.

An Garda Síochána

Questions (522)

Alan Dillon

Question:

522. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Justice to provide an update on the increase in the number of gardaí this year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34133/23]

Written answers

Minister for Justice

As the Deputy will be aware the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the recruitment and retention of Garda members. As Minister I regularly engage with the Commissioner to ensure An Garda Síochána has the necessary resources to deliver on the level of recruitment to keep people safe.

As of the end of May 2023, there were 13,927 Garda members across the country. This represents an increase of over 8% since 2015 when there were 12,816 Garda members throughout the country.

The unprecedented €2 billion plus budget in 2023 is allowing for the continued recruitment of Gardaí and Garda staff and we are seeing Garda recruits enter Templemore every 11 weeks. 92 recruits entered the Training College late November, 135 in February and another 154 in May. Another class will enter the college at the end of July.

An Garda Síochána also recently launched a new recruitment campaign, which closed on 14 April 2023 and in combination with those who have deferred, will provide a stream of candidates for the next and future intakes.

This year’s campaign, which was shorter in duration than the 2022 campaign, has attracted 4,973 applicants. This level of interest is in line with 2019, the last pre-COVID recruitment campaign, and demonstrates the demand to join AGS is as strong as ever.

The next Garda recruitment competition is expected to take place later this year or early next year, which will further secure a strong pipeline of candidates.

Gambling Sector

Questions (523, 524, 525)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

523. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice if, in relation to obligations on licensees of in-person gambling licences as outlined in the Gambling Regulation Bill 2022, chapter 6, she envisages that the ban on enabling cash withdrawals on premises will extend to horse and greyhound racing tracks that provide ATMs on premises; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34137/23]

Bernard Durkan

Question:

524. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice if she is aware that the UK Gambling Commission has not introduced a ban on enabling cash withdrawals at venues with in-person gambling licences and has instead instigated guidance that customers must cease gambling in order to be able to use them, as well as ensuring that information on responsible gambling must be available adjacent to ATMs; if she will consider introducing a similar regime here in the new Gambling Regulation Bill 2022; if she is satisfied that sufficient protection against gambling by vulnerable people is incorporated in the Gambling Regulation Bill 2022; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34138/23]

Bernard Durkan

Question:

525. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice to outline the types of venues which will be impacted by the proposed ban on allowing cash withdrawals on premises with in-person gambling licences; if she is aware of how many such venues currently have ATMs on site; if she has considered the impact this may have on customers who gamble responsibly and for entertainment-purposes only; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34139/23]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Justice (Deputy James Browne)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 523, 524 and 525 together.

The Programme for Government includes a clear commitment to reform gambling legislation, with a focus on public safety and well-being. The Gambling Regulation Bill 2022 will cover gambling online and in person. The Bill was published and completed Second Stage in the Dáil in early December 2022. Committee Stage is taking place today 11 July 2023.

Following Committee Stage, I will review the Bill to ensure that its provisions are proportionate and fair to all parties affected by it, and in that context. The Bill proposes a prohibition on the provision of cash withdrawal facilities by the licensees at their premises. This prohibition is not intended to be at the discretion of the Regulator. However, this provision is under review and I have asked my officials to consider the matters raised in the Deputy’s questions and I may bring amendments concerning those matters at Report Stage if necessary. In developing the Bill, both I and my officials have kept relevant developments in other jurisdictions under review.

The Bill sets out the framework and legislative basis for the establishment of a new, independent statutory body – Údarás Rialála Cearrbhachais na hÉireann, the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland – and for a robust regulatory and licensing regime to regulate gambling in-person and online, and for the regulation of gambling advertising, websites and apps.

A key focus of the Bill is to protect children and vulnerable people from the harms associated with gambling. The Bill includes restrictions on gambling advertising and on sponsorship by gambling service providers.

The Deputy will be aware that section 141 of the Bill provides for a watershed prohibiting the broadcast of gambling advertising on television, radio and on audio-visual media services between the hours of 5:30am and 9:00pm, with a focus on protecting children from the widespread proliferation of gambling advertising across these forms of media.

In addition to the watershed provisions, the Bill provides for a wide-ranging power to allow the Authority to prescribe the times, place and events where gambling advertising can be broadcast, displayed or published, and allows the Authority to specify the frequency which advertising can be broadcast, the duration of advertisements, and the volume / amount of advertisements that can be shown. This power will allow the Authority to address the issue of gambling advertising on social media, online and on traditional media such as on television, radio, in publications and outdoor advertising such as billboards, etc.

The Bill also prohibits advertising portraying gambling as attractive to children and any advertising that promotes excessive or compulsive gambling or seeks to misrepresent any perceived social or financial benefits of gambling. Furthermore, gambling advertising must be clearly identifiable and the Bill sets out what information must be included in advertisements. Furthermore, the Bill prohibits persons from advertising, or causing another person to advertise, a relevant gambling activity on an on-demand audio-visual media service or by any other means of electronic communication (including on a video-sharing platform, a social media website, by telephone, text message or email) to another person, unless that person has consented to such advertising.

The Bill also includes a number of safeguards to protect those who participate in gambling. The Bill prohibits the offer or extension of credit (of any kind) or loans or similar facilities to players of licensed services or activities. This means that where a player has exceeded the amount they have deposited they will not be able to avail of any credit options, credit note, tokens, loans, etc., and will have to pay via a permitted payment method to continue playing.

The Bill also includes a number of further measures to protect people participating in gambling such as:

• obligations on licensees to train staff to be able to identify excessive and compulsive gambling behaviour according to standards set by the Authority;

• obligations on licensees to provide proper and transparent information to customers when opening an account and while participating in gambling activities;

• information to be provided to people gambling online, while they are playing, to inform them of their winnings and losses;

• obligations to refund money where a person closes their account with a licensee; and

• obliging licensees to provide facilities to allow people to set limits on the amount of money that may be lodged to their account in a particular timeframe;

In addition, the Bill provides that the Authority may make regulations to set limits on the amounts of money that may be lodged when gambling online and also limits on the number of lodgements a person may make with licensees within in a particular timeframe.

Question No. 524 answered with Question No. 523.

Question No. 525 answered with Question No. 523.

Departmental Data

Questions (526)

Carol Nolan

Question:

526. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Justice if her Department or any agency under the aegis of her Department operates a ‘barter account’ for the provision of goods or services; if so, if payments have been directed to be made to a barter account during the period 2011 to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34152/23]

Written answers

Minister for Justice

I can inform the Deputy that neither my Department nor any of the agencies under its aegis operates a barter account for the provision of goods or services.

Domestic Violence

Questions (527)

Pa Daly

Question:

527. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Justice when she anticipates bringing forward legislation for first stage of the Domestic Violence (Amendment) Bill 2023. [34219/23]

Written answers

Minister for Justice

As the Deputy will be aware, the Domestic Violence (Amendment) Bill 2023 is a Private Members’ Bill (PMB) introduced in Seanad Éireann by Senator Vincent Martin earlier this year. This PMB sought to amend the Domestic Violence Act 2018 to protect victims of coercive control, by allowing the Court to prohibit the accused from personally cross-examining victims and children when they are giving evidence during a trial for this offence.

I consider that the intention behind the PMB has merit. Its aim is in line with Government policy, in particular, with commitments to protect victims of domestic violence as set out in the Third National Strategy on Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence (DSGBV). It also complements the approach of the O’Malley Review of Protections for Vulnerable Witnesses in the Investigation and Prosecution of Sexual Offences. On my recommendation, Government agreed not to oppose this PMB at Second Stage in the Seanad.

My Department is currently engaged in developing legislation to implement the recommendations of the O’Malley Review. This will strengthen the rights of victims of sexual offences, ensure anonymity for victims in all trials for sexual offences and extend the victim’s rights to separate legal representation. In this context, my Department had already been considering how to strengthen protections for other vulnerable victims, such as victims of coercive control, forced marriage, stalking and harassment, to minimise potential re-traumatisation and intimidation during trial.

In relation to the issue raised in Senator Martin’s PMB, I am bringing forward legislation to address this – and protect vulnerable victims more broadly – by means of an amendment to the Criminal Evidence Act 1992. The 1992 Act already provides protection against cross-examination in person for children and victims of sexual offences. The amendment will broaden the scope of this protection to ‘relevant offences’ within the meaning of the 1992 Act. ‘Relevant offence’ encompasses sexual offences, offences involving violence or the threat of violence, coercive control, forced marriage and specified offences under child pornography and human trafficking legislation, and will be expanded to include stalking and harassment offences. The amending provision is contained in the Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2023, which is currently making its way through the Houses.

This legislation will allow for strengthened protections to safeguard victims from repeat victimisation, intimidation or retaliation for offences which by their nature, are likely to be traumatic for victims.

Domestic Violence

Questions (528)

Pa Daly

Question:

528. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Justice to provide an update on the Study on Familicide and Domestic and Family Violence Death Reviews to Government, especially plans around implementation of its recommendations and further steps arising from the reviews; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34220/23]

Written answers

Minister for Justice

The Study on Familicide and Domestic and Family Violence Death Reviews addresses a very difficult but very important subject.

Most of us cannot begin to understand the impact of something like this unless we have lived through it and I would like to express my gratitude to the families who engaged in the process leading up this report and for giving of themselves and their time.

We really needed to hear that lived experience to understand where the system is working and, more importantly, where it is not working.

Fundamentally, of course, we want to try to prevent such incidents from happening as much as possible. But, where they can’t be prevented, we want to ensure the whole system responds appropriately to ensure that individuals and communities are supported.

As the Deputy is aware, the report has been published. It is now being examined by my Department. We will work closely with families in taking forward this work and I will announce further details in the autumn.

The report itself is comprehensive and far reaching, containing a large number of recommendations of varying degrees of complexity.

A number are already being progressed through my Department’s work to tackle domestic abuse and protect victims. Others will require further examination by three new groups that will assist in taking this work forward.

A cross-functional Interdepartmental Group (IDG) will be established by my Department to examine how to bring forward, if suitable, other recommendations contained in the study, including through our implementation of the Third National Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence (DSGBV) Strategy.

In addition, and to assist in the examination of cross-cutting recommendations, a small advisory group of relevant NGOs will be established for consultation as part of the implementation process.

I have also committed to an advisory committee drawn from the families of victims who will work with my Department on the recommendations. There are recommendations that will require us to work with the families to see how we can deliver what the intention behind the recommendation was in a way that works for everyone and I look forward to continued engagement with the families as we progress this.