Results 1,541-1,560 of 11,583 for speaker:Jim O'Callaghan

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: International Protection (1 Jul 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: IPAS is currently accommodating nearly 33,000 residents who have applied for international protection, as provided for in Irish and EU law. Of those accommodated, approximately 5,300 people have completed the process and have received a positive decision. This means they have a legal status that allows them to remain in Ireland, to work, and to access the full range of housing supports...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence (1 Jul 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: Cuan, the statutory domestic, sexual and gender-based violence agency, operating under the aegis of my Department, has responsibility for coordinating the implementation of the Third National Strategy and overseeing delivery across all relevant departments, agencies and stakeholders. It is a priority for Cuan to establish strong governance, oversight, and reporting structures for...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Asylum Seekers (1 Jul 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: It is a central priority for me that our immigration system is robust and enforced. There has been significant investment in staff across the entire international protection process in recent years. The International Protection Office (IPO) now has 614 staff, an increase of 190% since 2022 and recruitment is ongoing. In addition, 241 case processing panel members are also contracted by...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Student Visas (1 Jul 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 558 and 559 together. Ireland welcomes international students who wish to travel here to pursue a full-time course of study, thereby providing economic and other benefits to Ireland, as well of course as to the students themselves. At Government level, the administration and management of international student programmes is within the remit of the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: International Protection (1 Jul 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: As part of the response to the unprecedented humanitarian crisis of the war breaking out in Ukraine, the State contracted for a variety of different commercial properties to meet the needs of people fleeing the war who have been granted temporary protection in Ireland. All accommodation contracted by my department is temporary in nature, and Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTPs)...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Visa Applications (1 Jul 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I can advise the Deputy that on 10 July 2024 visa requirements were introduced for nationals of South Africa, bringing our arrangements into alignment with the visa requirements of Schengen members states, and with those of the UK. The Dublin Visa Office have established a dedicated “South Africa desk” to process applications from residents of South Africa. My Department also...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Contracts (1 Jul 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: It has not been possible to collate the information in the time available. I will write to the Deputy when the information is available.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Service (1 Jul 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: As the Deputy will be aware, the separation of powers is enshrined in the Constitution to ensure judges are independent of Government. The courts are subject only to the Constitution and the law, independent in the exercise of their judicial functions and the conduct of any court case is a matter entirely for the presiding judge. In accordance with the principle of judicial independence,...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Crime Prevention (1 Jul 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I want to assure the Deputy that this Government takes the issue of retail crime extremely seriously. I am acutely aware of the very real impact that this type of offending has on business owners, staff, and customers across the country. Retail crime is not a victimless offence. It undermines livelihoods, affects community confidence, and in many cases causes serious personal trauma to...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Visa Applications (1 Jul 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I can advise the Deputy that the visa applications referred to have been refused. The reasons for this decision were set out in the refusal letter sent to the applicants at that time. An appeal of this decision was launched on 05 March 2024. All visa applicants are advised that the onus is on them to provide as much information in support of their application as they feel is necessary....

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Courts Service (1 Jul 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: As the Deputy will appreciate, management of the courts and operational matters, including matters pertaining to court buildings, are the responsibility of the Courts Service, which is independent in the exercising of its functions under the Courts Service Act 1998. However, to be of assistance to the Deputy, my officials have made enquiries with the Courts Service and the following sets...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Correspondence (1 Jul 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I understand that the Deputy has been in touch with my Department and will resubmit the correspondence she references. Once this correspondence is received and considered by officials in my Department I will engage with the Deputy on the matters she wishes to raise.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (1 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 (1 Jul 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: As I mentioned to the Deputy in my response to him on 24 June, with reference to the report on asbestos from 2016, I have been informed by An Garda Síochána that the OPW re-surveyed the 12 Garda Stations in early 2017 and was satisfied that works to remove asbestos containing materials (ACMs) were not necessary at that time. In all 12 cases there were either no ACMs detected, they...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: International Protection (1 Jul 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: While the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) cannot comment publicly on individual cases, I assure the Deputy that IPAS officials are aware of the specific case and the identified needs, and are giving this matter attention. By way of context, I also wish to reassure the Deputy that IPAS has a number of protocols and procedures in place for considering applications for...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Residency Permits (1 Jul 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I can inform the Deputy that the issues raised in the correspondence are being dealt with and officials from Immigration Service Delivery of my Department have engaged directly with the person concerned.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Visa Applications (1 Jul 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I can advise the Deputy that the application referred to was created on 20 February 2024. The application and supporting documentation was received in the Tehran Embassy on 06 March 2024. The application was received in the Dublin Visa Office on 02 April 2024 where it awaits examination and processing. My Departments business target for join family visa applications is 12 months. It must be...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Citizenship Applications (1 Jul 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: While the Temporary Protection Directive was extended until March 2026, political agreement was reached at the Justice and Home Affairs Council on 12-13 June to extend it to by a further year until March 2027. This will provide certainty for Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BoTP) who can continue to avail of the protections that the Directive provides during this time. BoTPs hold...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: International Protection (1 Jul 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: Since 2022, against the backdrop of war in Ukraine, increased need, 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 need for accommodation among people...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legislative Programme (1 Jul 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 578 and 579 together. An Garda Síochána needs modern tools and equipment to protect people from harm and save lives. The Programme for Government includes a commitment to allow for the use of biometric technologies in certain circumstances as a tool to process evidence in serious cases. Work is well advanced on the drafting of a Bill to...