Results 21-40 of 9,147 for speaker:Jim O'Callaghan

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Ministerial Responsibilities (7 May 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: Niall Collins T.D. has been appointed Minister of State at my Department with special responsibility for International Law, Law Reform and Youth Justice and Colm Brophy T.D. has been appointed Minister of State at my Department with special responsibility for Migration. Delivering on the commitments laid out in the Programme for Government is a priority for me and my colleagues, Ministers of...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: International Protection (7 May 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 311 and 314 together. The Programme for Government includes a number of commitments that are being progressed and will lead to changes in the structure and responsibilities of my Department. On May 1, responsibility for International Protection Accommodation Services (IPAS) transferred to my Department from the Department of Children, Equality, Disability,...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: International Protection (7 May 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: My Department's Community Engagement Team (CET) was established in late 2023 to engage directly with elected representatives, local authorities, NGOs, Community Fora, local services, An Garda Síochána and other, in advance of opening accommodation centres for people seeking international protection. The purpose of the team is to improve the flow of information about new and...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: International Protection (7 May 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: Providing reception conditions – accommodation and other basic supports – to international protection (IP) applicants is a requirement of Irish and EU law and is also part of our humanitarian duty to provide shelter to people fleeing war and persecution in their home country. The State is currently accommodating over 33,000 people who have applied for IP in Ireland, about...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Citizenship Applications (7 May 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I can assure the Deputy that the Citizenship Division of my Department is doing everything possible to progress applications as quickly as possible. I understand that extended wait times can be frustrating for applicants, however, Citizenship Division have taken a significant number of steps to speed up the process for applicants. These included introducing an online digital application,...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Deportation Orders (7 May 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: Section 3(11) of the Immigration Act 1999, as amended, provides that a deportation order may be revoked. My Department receives submissions from people seeking that this provision be invoked. In assessing such submissions consideration is given to whether there is compelling new information or material changes in circumstances which were not previously put forward, nor capable of being put...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Road Traffic Offences (7 May 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: An Garda Síochána have committed to delivering a system which will enable the public to report and upload video footage via on online Portal, and such a system would include video from road users regarding road traffic offences. This will require the development of a Digital Evidence Management System (DEMS) to store, manage and process any footage received. This system is also...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Correspondence (7 May 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I can inform the Deputy that the issues raised in the correspondence are being dealt with and my officials will engage directly on this matter.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Service (7 May 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: While I cannot comment on individual cases, I will provide details of some of the measures the Government is taking to protect the safety and wellbeing of prison staff. Any act of violence against prison staff is unacceptable. Any criminal act carried out within Irish prisons, including an assault on a staff member, is reported to An Garda Síochána for investigation and...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Naturalisation Applications (7 May 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: The naturalisation application from the person referred to by the Deputy continues to be processed by my Department. Applications for naturalisation are processed in chronological order and unfortunately cannot be expedited due to the intended purpose of naturalisation. I understand the extended wait times can be frustrating for applicants, particularly considering the current processing...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Cycling Policy (7 May 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I fully support the uptake of the Cycle to Work Scheme by staff in my Department and its aegis bodies. My Department has been awarded the Smarter Travel Mark by the National Transport Authority, demonstrating our commitment to promoting walking, cycling, public transport usage and carpooling and by implementing measures that facilitate, support and encourage sustainable travel options for...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (7 May 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I have requested the information sought by the Deputy from An Garda Síochána. 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: Prison Service (7 May 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I am advised by the Irish Prison Service that the estimated full year cost of employing 300 new Recruit Prison Officers, as per the most recent PPC pay scales of 1st March 2025, is approximately €18 million. These pay costs reflect salary and other allowances such as Operational Allowance (8% of annual salary). They also reflect other premium payments and the allocation of up to 360...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Visa Applications (7 May 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I can advise the Deputy that the application referred to was created on 24 August 2024. Supporting documentation was received in the Dublin Visa Office on 27 September 2024 where it awaits examination and processing. My Departments business target for join family visa applications is 12 months. It must be made clear that these are business targets for the immigration service. The business...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Community Welfare Services (7 May 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: All equipment required for community service projects is provided by the Probation Service. I am advised by the Probation Service that any Community Service Supervisor who requires replacement equipment should contact their Line Manager.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Probation and Welfare Service (7 May 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: The Probation Service manages over 10,000 offenders in the community and supports 2,000 prisoners in custody on a daily basis. Offenders under court orders are supervised in line with risk. Probation supervision addresses the root causes of offending behaviour using a social work, evidence-based approach - high risk groups being those who feel alienated and who have experienced social...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Visa Applications (7 May 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I can advise the Deputy that the application referred to was created on 19 March 2025. Supporting documentation was received in the Warsaw office on 24 March 2025. The application was received in the Dublin Visa Office on 09 April 2025 where it awaits examination and processing. My Department's business target for join family visa applications is 12 months. It must be made clear that these...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Refugee Appeals Tribunal (7 May 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I am fully committed to ensuring that Ireland’s International Protection system is robust and rules based, and that our borders are protected. Investment in increased staffing levels, technology and infrastructure, as well as the increased use of panel members and Tribunal members at the IPO and IPAT respectively, has resulted in improved and increased case processing at all levels....

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (7 May 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I am aware that An Garda Síochána and the Defence Forces continue to retain a significant number of firearms which were surrendered to garda stations and army barracks in 1972 as a result of the Firearms (Temporary Custody) Order 1972, Statutory Instrument No. 187/1972. This order required, in the interest of public safety, that every person residing in the State should, on or...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (7 May 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: Under section 33 of the Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of Garda business, which includes compliance with all relevant legislative responsibilities placed upon public bodies by statute. The Commissioner is independent in his functions under section 34 of the Act. Reports produced internally by An...