Results 8,041-8,060 of 9,409 for speaker:Jim O'Callaghan

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Visa Applications (13 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: The person referred to by the Deputy holds a Stamp 2 immigration permission as an English language student valid until 09 June 2025. Non-EEA national students should note that the Student Pathway on my Department's Immigration Service website sets out the immigration route for non-EEA national students at: . When a non-EEA national comes to Ireland to undertake a course of study, be that...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (13 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 250 and 251 together. The Government is 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...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (13 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: Under the Garda Síochána Act 2005, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána. This includes the distribution of resources, in the Garda fleet, across the various Garda Divisions and National/Specialist Units. As Minister, I have no direct role in this matter. The Government is committed to providing An Garda...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (13 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: Road safety is a shared responsibility, and while the whole of Government response is led by the Department of Transport, it is one which is taken very seriously across Government. Road traffic laws are enforced by both Roads Policing Gardaí and as part of the day-to-day duties of uniformed Gardaí nationwide. This includes a programme of high-visibility road safety and enforcement...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Deportation Orders (13 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: It is a central priority for me as Minister that our immigration laws are robust and enforced. The removal of persons in the immigration system who are involved in criminality or who are a danger to society is an essential requirement for the system to work effectively and to ensure that our people have confidence in the application of our laws in this area. Under Section 3 of the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Immigration Policy (13 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I can inform the Deputy that all applications for renewal of Irish immigration residence permissions should be submitted using the Immigration Service Delivery (ISD) Online Forms portal at: . There has been no change to the system for online renewals of permissions and the subsequent issue of an Irish Residence Permit card since the online service was first launched in July 2020. ...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Family Reunification (13 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I can inform the Deputy that the applicant created a Visit visa application, under a different family name, on 12 May 2023. Following full consideration by a Visa Officer, this visa application was refused. A letter issued to the applicant on 26 July 2023 outlines the reasons for this refusal. No appeal of this decision was ever submitted. The applicant subsequently created a Join Family...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Human Rights (13 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I am informed that officials of my Department are aware of these reports, which are understood to be disputed by the immigration authorities concerned, from publicly available sources. The Deputy will appreciate that it would not be appropriate for me to comment on the immigration policy or practice of another jurisdiction in such circumstances. There are no plans to alter the current...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Human Rights (13 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: Very close attention is paid to all unsealed arrest warrants issued by the International Criminal Court. As the Deputy will appreciate, operational details in that regard are not made public. If, in due course, Ireland were to receive a request for the arrest and surrender of a person who is subject to an International Criminal Court arrest warrant, such a request would fall to be dealt...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legislative Measures (13 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: Establishing a zero tolerance approach to domestic, sexual, and gender-based violence (DSGBV) is vital for safeguarding individuals and promoting a safer society. In 2022, the five-year Zero Tolerance DSGBV Strategy was published and in January 2024, Cuan, the DSGBV Agency, was established to drive the Strategy forward. Under Budget 2025, DSGBV funding from my Department was increased to...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (13 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: My first priority as Minister for Justice is to get more Gardaí on our streets through increased recruitment and appropriate civilianisation where possible. The Programme for Government commits to recruiting at least 5,000 Gardaí in the coming five years. A new recruitment process commenced this month and will remain open for applications until 27th February. The overall Garda...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Visa Applications (13 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I can advise the Deputy that there was an issue with the online application portal of the Immigration Service of my Department. I have been informed that this issue has now been resolved on this application and it has subsequently been processed and approved. I can further advise the Deputy that the Atypical Working Scheme Unit are in ongoing contact with the sponsor involved. As an...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Visa Applications (13 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I can advise the Deputy that the application referred to was created on 20 January 2024. Supporting documentation was received in the Dublin Visa Office on 31 January 2024 where it awaits examination and processing. My Department's business target for join family visa applications is 12 months. The business target reflects the detailed and often complex assessment that is required to be...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Coroners Service (13 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: As the Deputy may be aware, the Coroner Service comprises a network of coroners located in districts throughout the country. I fully acknowledge the contribution local authorities make, both financial and otherwise, to the provision of the service by coroners in the various county and sub-county districts. Responsibility for the Coroner Service has been a matter for local authorities...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Family Reunification (13 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: As the Deputy will be aware, family reunification as provided for in Section 56 of the International Protection Act 2015, allows people granted International Protection to apply for certain family members to join them in the State. An application for family reunification must be made by the sponsor within 12 months of them being granted an International Protection permission and is...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (19 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I raised that issue in the Department shortly after I was appointed. I am aware that the review has been ongoing. It is not yet completed but I agree with the Deputy regarding the urgency of it being published. I will go back to the Department and find out the date of publication.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (19 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I have been told by my Department that a contract has been signed in respect of Clonmel Garda station, which, as the Deputy knows, is badly needed. I am also told that it will be finished by the end of 2026, which is very good news. Obviously, we are doing our best to ensure we recruit up to 1,000 gardaí each year. The intention is that they will be spread around the country....

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (19 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: There must be a multifaceted response to knife crime. One of the responses has to be ensuring that we have greater numbers of gardaí on the streets to seize knives. Last year, over 2,100 knives were seized by An Garda Síochána. That is part of the solution. Another part has to be powers for An Garda Síochána in order that gardaí can stop and search people...

Seanad: EU-UK Youth Experience Scheme: Motion (19 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: Ar dtús báire, déanaim comhghairdeas leis an Leas-Chathaoirleach as a hoifig nua. Is é sin mo chéad uair sa Seanad i gcomhair díospóireachta. Is mór an onóir dom a bheith anseo mar Aire Cirt agus Dlí. Déanaim comhghairdeas freisin le gach Seanadóir atá anseo inniu. This is my first time before Seanad Éireann speaking...

Seanad: EU-UK Youth Experience Scheme: Motion (19 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I greatly respect this House and I recognise that we probably get a higher level of deliberation and reflection on legislation here. That has been seen before on many Bills that have come before the Seanad. I will listen and take into account everything that is said by Senators. I respect the mandate they have and the constitutional position of this House. If Members feel that I am not...