Results 8,901-8,920 of 9,410 for speaker:Jim O'Callaghan

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Service (30 Apr 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: The data requested by the Deputy is being collated. I will write to the Deputy with the information in due course.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Service (30 Apr 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I am advised by the Irish Prison Service that the number of direct physical assaults involving prison staff and prisoners in 2023 and 2024 is set out in the attached table. I am further informed by the Irish Prison Service that assault figures are published on an annual basis; therefore, data for Quarter 1 of 2025 is not yet available at the time of this response. Every assault on a member...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Service (30 Apr 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I would like to advise the Deputy that the Irish Prison Service have confirmed that educational opportunities are available in all prisons and all prisoners are eligible to avail of these opportunities. All prisoners are encouraged to attend education. Those who attend, engage in an education interview with the Head or Deputy Head Teacher where they discuss and agree their individual...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Service (30 Apr 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: The Government is acutely aware of capacity restraints in our prisons and we have committed to increasing capacity by 1,500 under the Programme for Government. This work has already commenced. An increase of €79m (18%) was secured in Budget 2025 towards a total of €525m in funding to increase prison capacity and tackle overcrowding. The Irish Prison Service capital budget is...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Service (30 Apr 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 129 and 130 together. I am aware that the flow of contraband is one of the most pressing issues affecting security and safety in our prisons. Preventing the access of contraband, including drugs, into prisons is a high priority for the Irish Prison Service, and the Service has committed to continuing to invest in new technologies and measures to support...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Service (30 Apr 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: Structured temporary release can refer to two particular schemes, namely the Community Support Scheme and Community Return Scheme. The Community Return Programme is a shared initiative between the Irish Prison Service and the Probation Service, a key element of which is that the participants must engage in work on community service sites as part of their release conditions, thereby giving...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Sentencing Policy (30 Apr 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I am committed to progressing and implementing policies aimed at increasing the use of community sanctions, reducing offending, diverting people away from the criminal justice system, and providing effective rehabilitation. I will very shortly be seeking Government approval for the drafting of the Criminal Law and Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions Bill) 2025. The Scheme includes a...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Service (30 Apr 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: As part of the Probation Service’s overall strategy to further develop capacity to deliver a high-quality service and meet the requirements contained in section 26 of the Criminal Justice (Victims of Crime) Act 2017, the Service established a National Restorative Justice and Victim Services Unit (RJVSU) in October 2018. The Unit meets two core objectives: 1. Provide leadership and...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Service (30 Apr 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I am advised that the Irish Prison Service (IPS) has a continuous rolling capital plan in place for 2025 with an associated funding envelope of €53M.The current high level allocations for 2025 by NDP categories are: € New Build/Accommodation Facilities 27,800,000 Infrastructure Improvements 6,500,000 ...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Service (30 Apr 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: The Inspector of Prisons is a statutory office holder, independent in the performance of his functions, in accordance with the Prisons Act 2007 and plays a vital role in ensuring effective independent oversight of our prison system. The Irish Prison Service takes due account of the Inspection Framework for Prisons published by the Office of the Inspector of Prisons and endeavours to...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Service (30 Apr 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I can confirm that no female prisoners have been transferred abroad or to Garda stations due to lack of capacity. A Prison Overcrowding Response Group (PORG) was established in July 2023, composed of officials from the Department of Justice and representatives from relevant agencies. The Group is considering measures to address capacity issues in the prison estate. In June 2024, following...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Service (30 Apr 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: The Council of Europe Annual Penal Statistics (commonly known as SPACE - Statistiques Pénales Annuelles du Conseil de l’Europe) have collected data on imprisonment and penal institutions across Europe since 1983. Data relating to Irish prison population rates as they compare to those of EU member states is publicly available at: www.coe.int/en/web/prison/space.The Council’s...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (30 Apr 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: An Garda Síochána (30 Apr 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: Data on the allocation of Gardaí, including in Monaghan for the years requested, is publicly available on my Department's website and can be found at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/publication/bd777-an-garda-siochana-your-polic e-service-some-facts-and-figures/ The requested information can be found under the file 'Garda Members by Division District Station 2009 to 28 February...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Asylum Applications (30 Apr 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 140 and 141 together. The decision to accelerate and prioritise particular international protection cases, or groups of cases, in accordance with the provisions of the 2015 Act, is kept under review. At this time, applications from Palestinian nationals are not accelerated. The median waiting time from the date of application for a first instance...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Bench Warrants (30 Apr 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: While the Garda Commissioner is, by law, responsible for the management and administration of Garda business, including the allocation of Garda resources in respect of identified operational demands, I am assured that An Garda Síochána execute warrants as expeditiously as possible, giving priority to the execution of warrants relating to serious crimes. The execution of warrants,...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Visa Applications (30 Apr 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I understand that extended wait times can be frustrating for applicants and I want to assure anyone who has made an application for a visa that my Department is doing everything possible to progress these applications as quickly as possible. In 2024, approximately 201,000 visa applications, of all types, were received by the Visa Division of my Department. This reflects an increase of...

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

Jim O'Callaghan: The number of naturalisation applications received by my Department from US nationals in 2023 was 613, and in 2024 it was 783; statistics for 2025 are not yet available. All applications for a certificate of naturalisation are assessed individually in accordance with the provisions of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended. Applicants are required to have 5 years...

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

Jim O'Callaghan: Thank you for your question, Deputy. A response will be provided directly to you in the coming days.

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

Jim O'Callaghan: The International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) provides accommodation and other basic supports to people applying for international protection in Ireland. This is part of EU and Irish law. IPAS currently provides accommodation for over 33,000 people, and 9,000 of these are children with their families. IPAS has 325 accommodation centres across the country, based in every county....