Results 301-320 of 10,435 for speaker:Jim O'Callaghan

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: International Protection (3 Jul 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: Works are now nearing completion at the final site of the Rapid Build programme, in Haywood, Clonmel. This will bring the final output of the programme to 654 homes, with the capacity to accommodate 2,640 people fleeing the war in Ukraine. I am advised that a detailed summary of costs specific to the units in Clonmel as sought by the Deputy is not yet available as the full programme has not...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (3 Jul 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I am committed to ensuring that An Garda Síochána has the resources it needs to fight crime and a strengthened, well-resourced Garda organisation is central to this policy. The Garda Vote in Budget 2025 saw unprecedented funding of over €2.48 billion for this year, a 27% increase since 2020 which is supporting the continued recruitment of Garda members and staff. The...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Detention Centres (3 Jul 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I can confirm that Ireland ratified the UN Convention against Torture in 2002 and signed the Optional Protocol to the convention (OPCAT) in 2007. The ratification of OPCAT will take place when the necessary legislation and structures are in place to give full effect to it. As new legislation is required, it must be enacted by the Oireachtas before ratification can take place. The Programme...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Service (3 Jul 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I would like to assure the Deputy that in relation to conditions of detention for all prisoners, either physical or regime, the Irish Prison Service strives to conform to international standards including those instruments set out by the United Nations as a minimum. Where possible, the Irish Prison Service endeavours to exceed these standards and, where deficiencies are identified, they...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Visa Agreements (3 Jul 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I can assure the Deputy that my Department continues to work closely with colleagues in the Department of Foreign Affairs and across Government to ensure a coordinated national response to the complex and evolving humanitarian crises in Gaza. This includes work both to evacuate Irish citizens and their families who may require visa assistance and, in accordance with a Government decision in...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (3 Jul 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: The Deputy will be aware that the Garda Trainee allowance increased from €305 to €354 per week with effect from 1 October 2024 and has increased by a total of €170 per week when compared with 2023. I am advised by the Garda authorities that an estimate of the cost to place Garda trainees on the first point of the Garda pay scale from day one of training in phase one...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (3 Jul 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 296 and 297 together. I can assure the Deputy that the Government is committed to building stronger, safer communities and a strengthened, well-resourced Garda Síochána is central to this policy. As the Deputy will be aware, the Government has increased the Garda Trainee allowance over the last two budgets - from €305 to €354 per...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Citizenship Ceremonies (3 Jul 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: All certificates of naturalisation for attendees of a citizenship ceremony are issued via registered post and applicants can expect to receive their certificate within 6-8 weeks. I want to assure anyone who is waiting for their certificate of naturalisation that they do not need to renew their immigration permission whilst they await a certificate. By not issuing certificates on the day...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Visa Applications (3 Jul 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: The application referred to by the Deputy was submitted on 25 June 2025. The Registration Office within Immigration Service Delivery of my Department provide a live processing date, which is updated every Monday, and is available at the following link: www.irishimmigration.ie/registering-your-immigration-permiss ion/how-to-renew-your-current-permission/renewing-your-regis...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Immigration Status (3 Jul 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: As the Deputy may be aware, my Department is unable to publish any information that would identify any person as being an international protection applicant. This is a separate matter to the law dealing with data protection matters more generally. My officials and I are legally obliged, under Section 26 of the International Protection Act 2015, to ensure that the identity of any person...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Visa Applications (3 Jul 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I can advise the Deputy that there are currently seven overseas Visa Offices in addition to the Visa Office in Dublin. They are located in Abuja, Beijing, London, Moscow, Ankara, Abu Dhabi and New Delhi. In addition, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade process certain visa applications in Irish Embassies abroad under delegated sanction from my Department. I understand that extended...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legislative Reviews (3 Jul 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: It is not possible for me as Minister to comment or intervene in any way in relation to how particular court proceedings are conducted or on the outcome of those proceedings. The conduct of any court case is a matter entirely for the presiding judge. The separation of powers is enshrined in the Constitution to ensure judges are independent in the exercise of their functions. It is a matter...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: International Protection (3 Jul 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I will write to the Deputy directly once this information is to hand.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Asylum Seekers (3 Jul 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: Since 2022, against the backdrop of war in Ukraine, increased applications for international protection, and the acute shortages of accommodation, it has not been possible for the State to apply specific policies in relation to distribution of accommodation centres, including a geographic or county-by-county based dispersal plan. In relation to the State's Ukraine response, the level of...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (3 Jul 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I have requested the information sought by the Deputy from the Garda authorities. Regrettably, this was not available in time and I will write to the Deputy once the information is to hand.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (3 Jul 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: By law, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of Garda business. This includes all decisions related to the upgrade of the Garda Estate. Works on the Estate are undertaken by the Office of Public Works (OPW) in cooperation with the Garda Authorities. This includes planning and completion matters. I am advised by the Garda authorities that the Garda...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (3 Jul 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I have requested the information sought by the Deputy from the Garda authorities. Regrettably, this was not available in time and I will write to the Deputy once the information is to hand.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (3 Jul 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: Combatting all forms of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence is a central priority for me, this Government, for the Department and for the Garda Commissioner. 'Zero Tolerance,' the Third National Strategy on Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence (DSGBV), set out an ambitious five-year programme of reform to achieve a society which does not accept DSGBV or the attitudes which...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (3 Jul 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I have requested the information sought by the Deputy from the Garda authorities. Regrettably, this was not available in time and I will write to the Deputy once the information is to hand.

Criminal Justice (Terrorist Offences) (Amendment) Bill 2025: Referral to Select Committee (2 Jul 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I move: That the Bill be referred to the Select Committee on Justice, Home Affairs and Migration pursuant to Standing Orders 103(2)(b) and 188(1).