Results 401-420 of 10,120 for speaker:Jim O'Callaghan

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: International Protection (17 Jun 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 610 and 611 together. In terms of demand for Ukraine accommodation, since 2024 and over recent months we continue to see decreases in the numbers of those fleeing the war in Ukraine arriving in Ireland, or requesting accommodation from the State. In addition, those who have already been accommodated continue to choose to move on from State-provided Ukraine...

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

Jim O'Callaghan: I am advised that the Probation Service team based in the Donaghmede Office have responsibilities across a large area of Dublin North which includes Dublin 17, Dublin 13, Dublin 5 and a part of Dublin 3. This team also covers all rural areas north of Dublin Airport to the county boundary including Swords, Malahide and Portmarnock. At any one time the team may be working with up to 250...

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

Jim O'Callaghan: I understand that the Deputy has been in contact with my Department's Immigration Oireachtas service and that an invitation to the upcoming June citizenship ceremonies has re-issued to the person concerned.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Social Media (17 Jun 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I fully recognise the growing and deeply troubling trend of people recording and sharing videos or images of fatal accidents, often using smartphones or similar devices. These actions can cause immense distress to victims’ families, violate the dignity of the deceased, and worsen the trauma of an already tragic situation. What is particularly alarming is that, in some cases, loved ones...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Closed-Circuit Television Systems (17 Jun 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: Departmental Inquiries (17 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 (17 Jun 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: An application under the Turkish Association Agreement from the person referred to by the Deputy continues to be processed by the Domestic Residence and Permissions Division of my Department. Applications are processed in strict chronological order of receipt. The Division endeavours to process applications as quickly as possible. However, processing times may vary due to a number of...

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

Jim O'Callaghan: The Garda Commissioner is responsible for the allocation and deployment of resources available to him under section 33 of the Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024, and for the management and administration of all operational policing matters such as the Garda traffic watch online reporting system. As Minister, I do not direct such operational policing decisions and am unable to...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Service (17 Jun 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 619, 621, 622, 623, 624 and 625 together. In considering the pressing need for new prison spaces, while also considering value for money for the taxpayer, the Irish Prison Service has developed a renewed capital plan to deliver over 1,500 new spaces. This plan makes optimal use of existing sites as this is a more cost effective and efficient path to...

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

Jim O'Callaghan: Details of properties owned by my Department that are currently vacant is provided in the below table. Property Address Westview House Audley’s Place, Cork City Old Cork Prison Rathmore Road, Cork City Thornton Hall Kilsallaghan, Co. Dublin The Westview House property in Cork City...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Courts Service (17 Jun 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: The Deputy refers to the brutal murder of Mr Denis Donaldson in April 2006 in Glenties, County Donegal. It is regrettable that to date it has not been possible to bring those responsible to court to answer for their actions and my sympathies are with his family. The Deputy references Article 2 of the European Convention of Human Rights (ECHR). Article 2 concerns the right to life and has...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Service (17 Jun 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: The work undertaken by Prison Visiting Committees provides an invaluable perspective on our prisons and the experiences of those in their care, and ensures important issues are highlighted. There are currently Prison Visiting Committee in place in all prisons, including Cloverhill. Following a review of the Prison Visiting Committees, the report on a Review of Prison Visiting Committees,...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Asylum Applications (17 Jun 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: It is a central priority for me as Minister that our immigration laws are robust and enforced. The establishment of a person’s identity and nationality is an important feature of our immigration process in general. When it comes to international protection applicants, each person is requested to provide personal documentation to the International Protection Office at the time of...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Asylum Applications (17 Jun 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. The number of International Protection applications had been rising over the past number of years, reaching 18,500 in 2024. This year, we are beginning to see application numbers noticeably reduce. There were 45% less applications in the first...

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

Jim O'Callaghan: People considering applying for naturalisation in accordance with the provisions of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended, are required to provide a range of supporting documentation which demonstrates their identity and residency in the State. Given the importance of citizenship, robust and comprehensive checks take place on each application. Documents provided by...

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

Jim O'Callaghan: My Department's website is part of the gov.ie platform, which is the portal for government services and information. The Office of the Government Chief Information Officer (OGCIO), a division of the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation, hosts and manages the gov.ie platform. All information provided on Gov.ie is intended for public...

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

Jim O'Callaghan: I can advise the Deputy, that concerning Parliamentary Question no. 677 of 20 May 2025, which requested: “.... the number of persons, and of what nationality, have been deported in the past six years as a result of an alert on Sharing Information System SIS II, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter.” My Department sought and received clarification...

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

Jim O'Callaghan: I can confirm to the Deputy that there is no limit on the number of Irish visas issued to any nationality, regardless of the age of the applicant. Visa and preclearance applications provide legal avenues for people moving to Ireland for employment, study and family reasons and also to facilitate visitors who wish to travel for business and/or tourism. It is important to recall these...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Data (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...