Results 361-380 of 10,057 for speaker:Jim O'Callaghan

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Visa Applications (17 Jun 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: Departmental Data (17 Jun 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: Providing reception conditions – accommodation and other basic supports – to international protection applicants is a requirement of Irish and EU law. The State is currently accommodating almost 33,000 people who have applied for international protection in Ireland, about 9,500 of whom are children. The International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) provides this...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Citizenship Ceremonies (17 Jun 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I am pleased to inform the Deputy that the next Citizenship Ceremonies are taking place on 23 and 24 June at the INEC Killarney, and invitations to successful applicants have already issued.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Expenditure (17 Jun 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: The Cabinet has today provided approval for the State purchase of the Citywest Hotel and Convention Centre for international protection accommodation. The purchase of the site is a key part of the Government’s strategy to develop a stable and sustainable accommodation system for people seeking international protection by moving away from commercial properties to State-owned...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Expenditure (17 Jun 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: The Cabinet has today provided approval for the State purchase of the Citywest Hotel and Convention Centre for international protection accommodation. The purchase of the site is a key part of the Government’s strategy to develop a stable and sustainable accommodation system for people seeking international protection by moving away from commercial properties to State-owned...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (17 Jun 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 644 and 645 together. An Garda Síochána have advised that this information cannot be shared on security grounds. I am informed that it is the experience of the Garda National Drugs & Organised Crime Bureau (GNDOCB), that such information is invaluable to local drug trafficking networks and can at times be taken into account when active...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Visa Agreements (17 Jun 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I can advise the Deputy there has been no change to my Department's policy regarding the validity period of Irish visas. When a person applies for a visa they are required to provide their proposed dates of travel. Visas are normally granted for the duration for which they are required. If a visa is granted, the visa sticker will show the validity dates of the visa. This period is when a...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Judicial Reviews (17 Jun 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: My Department has reviewed its records and the information requested by the Deputy is not readily available in the case of every judicial review defended by the State in each of the past ten years. Officials in my Department are engaging with the CSSO regarding this request and will follow-up with the Deputy when this information is received. However, officials in my Department have been...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Business Regulation (12 Jun 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: The Multi-Unit Developments Act 2011 (MUDs Act) was enacted with the primary objective of reforming the law relating to the ownership and management of common areas of multi-unit developments, and facilitating the fair, efficient and effective management of owners' management companies (OMCs). The Act acknowledges the risk of disputes arising in the enforcement of rights and the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: International Protection (12 Jun 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: The International Protection Procurement Service (IPPS) had received an offer from this property, but this is no longer under consideration for international protection accommodation. All offers of international protection accommodation are reviewed by the Department under a standardised appraisal procedure. Properties from all areas undergo the same transparent process, including the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Visa Applications (12 Jun 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I can advise the Deputy that on 10 July 2024 visa requirements were introduced for nationals of South Africa. The Dublin Visa Office have established a dedicated “South Africa desk” to process applications from residents of South Africa. My Department also established Visa Application Centres, located throughout South Africa, with visa service provider VFS Global. This is to...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: International Protection (12 Jun 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: The Accommodation Recognition Payment (ARP) was introduced to recognise the contribution of people who have opened their homes on a humanitarian basis to provide accommodation to beneficiaries of temporary protection from Ukraine. The scheme is in place until 31 March 2026. From 1 June 2025, the monthly contribution rate is reduced from €800 to €600, with the first reduced...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Expenditure (12 Jun 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: In line with a Programme for Government commitment and with effect from 5 June 2025, the title of my Department was officially changed to the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration, An Roinn Dlí agus Cirt, Gnóthaí Baile agus Imirce. In advance of this title change my Department ran mini tenders, following public procurement guidelines, to facilitate the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Meetings (12 Jun 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I can inform the Deputy that, to date, I have held six meetings with the Garda Commissioner since taking office. All these meetings were held in my Department's offices at 51 St. Stephen's Green and were attended by senior officials from my Department as well as from An Garda Síochána. The relevant dates are as follows:24 January 2025;7 February 2025;6 March 2025;28 April 2025;5...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Functions (12 Jun 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: In line with the Programme for Government, responsibility for all aspects of international protection accommodation, Ukraine accommodation and integration transferred from the Department of Children, Disability and Equality to my Department on 1 May 2025. The implementation of the transfer of functions was guided by the Transfer of Functions Guidelines and Best Practice Handbook developed...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (12 Jun 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: The Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of Garda business. This includes responsibility for the formulation of proposals in relation to the opening and closing of Garda stations. I am informed by the Garda authorities that under the Garda Station Rationalisation Programmes of 2012 and 2013, one hundred and thirty-nine (139) Garda Stations were closed...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (12 Jun 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: In the interest of transparency, information in relation to the allocation of Gardaí by Division, Station and rank, including for each Garda station in the country, is publicly available and can be found at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/publication/bd777-an-garda-siochana-your-polic e-service-some-facts-and-figures/ The Deputy should access the file titled “Allocation of...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Inquiries (12 Jun 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I would like to advise the Deputy that certain matters related to the case referred to are the subject of legal proceedings. As this case is currently before the courts, it would not be appropriate for me to make any public comment at this time.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: International Protection (12 Jun 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. The completion date is in the coming weeks with the first residents expected to take up occupation in early July. Site security is in ongoing contact...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Contracts (12 Jun 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: The information requested by the Deputy relating to the amount expended by my Department and bodies under its aegis on external training, simulations and advice relating to appearances as witnesses at Oireachtas committees from 2021 to date in 2025, is provided in the below table. Body/Agency Year Supplier Cost Details of Training Provided ...