Results 8,141-8,160 of 9,409 for speaker:Jim O'Callaghan

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Child Protection (20 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: The primary purpose of vetting carried out by the Garda National Vetting Bureau is to ensure the safety of children and vulnerable adults. I know the Deputy appreciates the importance of this task and I am sure he agrees with the need for it to be carried out thoroughly and correctly. I believe the many organisations concerned with the safety, enjoyment and comfort of children and...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Crime Prevention (20 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: Management of the courts, operational matters and logistical functions are the responsibility of the judiciary and Courts Service, which are independent in exercising their functions under the Courts Service Act 1998 and given the separation of powers in the Constitution. As Minister I have role in these matters. The Courts Service has a dedicated email address for the provision of...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Service (20 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I am advised that the policy in relation to dealing with such matters has been followed and the outcome of an external evaluationis being considered by my Department. Following completion of this process, officials will be in contact with the individual concerned.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Closed-Circuit Television Systems (20 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: The Garda Commissioner is by law responsible for the administration and management of An Garda Síochána, including the implementation of Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) and the roll out of the new regime for CCTV. As Minister, I have no role in such matters. The Programme For Government commits to expand the number of cameras using Automatic Number Plate Recognition...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Official Engagements (20 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: The information requested by the Deputy with regard to my engagements for the week ending 16 February 2025 is set out in the following table: Monday 10 February 9:30 -10:15 Meeting with ISME 10:45 - 11:15 Clip for Media 11:00 - 11:30 Meeting RE: Local Community Safety Partnerships 14:00 - 15:00 Briefing with...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Artificial Intelligence (20 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: My Department complies with the “Interim Guidelines for Use of AI in the Public Service” issued by the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform in February 2024 and also with guidance issued to all Government Departments in June 2023 by the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) in relation to the cyber security aspects. To further support our modernisation...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Residency Permits (20 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: My Department is working closely with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment to ensure that Ireland's labour market migration arrangements are fair, efficient and meet the needs of our economy and society. Currently, a person from outside the European Economic Area wishing to work in Ireland must make an application to the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment for an...

Seanad: Community Safety: Statements (25 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: It is a great honour to be before Seanad Éireann for the second time. I was here last week talking about a youth mobility scheme the EU is implementing with the UK and our intention to opt into it. I am back today to talk on an issue that probably is of more central importance to my function as Minister for Justice, that is, the whole area of crime, policing and community safety. I...

Gender-Based Violence: Motion [Private Members] (26 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I commend Deputy Coppinger and her colleagues on using their Private Members' time to table this extremely important motion. As the Deputy indicated, the Government will not oppose the motion. I assure her that is not a case of the Government saying to leave it in our hands. I am fully aware Government will not have all the answers on this issue. Many proposals have been put forward by...

Gender-Based Violence: Motion [Private Members] (26 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I know but I think it is appropriate that-----

Gender-Based Violence: Motion [Private Members] (26 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: -----I go down and launch that Hardest Stories campaign by Cuan. It is also working in partnership with the Department of education. I thank the Deputy for the motion. The Government is not opposing it. This is an issue that requires full attention from Government but I reiterate the Government will not have all the answers. There is a requirement for more and I will listen to all...

Gender-Based Violence: Motion [Private Members] (26 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: We will.

Gender-Based Violence: Motion [Private Members] (26 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: We will.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Vacant Sites (25 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: The former Cork Prison facility was built in the early 1800s and operated as a prison from 1972 to 2016. The prison was deemed no longer appropriate for use as prison accommodation due to the condition of the facilities, the size of the cellular accommodation and the lack of in-cell sanitation. The site at Cork Prison remains of strategic interest to the Prison Service as a location for...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Ground Rents (25 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: Awaiting reply from Department

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Ground Rents (25 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: The rights of tenants occupying property under long leases has long been a topic of interest. Such tenants normally pay a yearly ground rent to the landlord. Several statutory changes since the 1960s have strengthened the rights of tenants occupying property under long leases to acquire the freehold in the property. The Landlord and Tenant (Ground Rents) Act 1967 gave tenants in certain...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: International Protection (25 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 617, 618 and 625 together. The patterns in international protection applications vary over time and the Government’s response adapts accordingly. It has long been the case that a significant number of people apply for international protection for the first time in the International Protection Office (IPO). There are a number of circumstances in...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: International Protection (25 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 619 and 623 together. I can assure the Deputy that I am fully committed to ensuring that Ireland’s International Protection system is robust and rules based, and that our borders are protected. In 2024 the International Protection Office (IPO) delivered over 14,000 first-instance decisions compared to over 8,500 in 2023, while the International...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: International Protection (25 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I can assure the Deputy that I am fully committed to ensuring that Ireland’s International Protection system is robust and rules based, and that our borders are protected. In 2024 the International Protection Office (IPO) delivered over 14,000 first decisions compared to over 8,500 in 2023, while the International Protection Appeals Tribunal (IPAT) closed around 3,100 appeals in...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: International Protection (25 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 621 and 622 together. The International Protection Appeals Tribunal (IPAT) is a statutorily independent body and exercises a quasi-judicial function under the International Protection Act 2015. The Tribunal consists of a Chairperson, two Deputy Chairpersons, and ordinary members appointed on either a whole-time or part-time capacity. Tribunal Members...