Results 9,121-9,140 of 9,410 for speaker:Jim O'Callaghan

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Service (7 May 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I am advised by the Irish Prison Service that the estimated full year cost of employing 300 new Recruit Prison Officers, as per the most recent PPC pay scales of 1st March 2025, is approximately €18 million. These pay costs reflect salary and other allowances such as Operational Allowance (8% of annual salary). They also reflect other premium payments and the allocation of up to 360...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Visa Applications (7 May 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I can advise the Deputy that the application referred to was created on 24 August 2024. Supporting documentation was received in the Dublin Visa Office on 27 September 2024 where it awaits examination and processing. My Departments business target for join family visa applications is 12 months. It must be made clear that these are business targets for the immigration service. The business...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Community Welfare Services (7 May 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: All equipment required for community service projects is provided by the Probation Service. I am advised by the Probation Service that any Community Service Supervisor who requires replacement equipment should contact their Line Manager.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Probation and Welfare Service (7 May 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: The Probation Service manages over 10,000 offenders in the community and supports 2,000 prisoners in custody on a daily basis. Offenders under court orders are supervised in line with risk. Probation supervision addresses the root causes of offending behaviour using a social work, evidence-based approach - high risk groups being those who feel alienated and who have experienced social...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Visa Applications (7 May 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I can advise the Deputy that the application referred to was created on 19 March 2025. Supporting documentation was received in the Warsaw office on 24 March 2025. The application was received in the Dublin Visa Office on 09 April 2025 where it awaits examination and processing. My Department's business target for join family visa applications is 12 months. It must be made clear that these...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Refugee Appeals Tribunal (7 May 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. Investment in increased staffing levels, technology and infrastructure, as well as the increased use of panel members and Tribunal members at the IPO and IPAT respectively, has resulted in improved and increased case processing at all levels....

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (7 May 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I am aware that An Garda Síochána and the Defence Forces continue to retain a significant number of firearms which were surrendered to garda stations and army barracks in 1972 as a result of the Firearms (Temporary Custody) Order 1972, Statutory Instrument No. 187/1972. This order required, in the interest of public safety, that every person residing in the State should, on or...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (7 May 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: Under section 33 of the Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of Garda business, which includes compliance with all relevant legislative responsibilities placed upon public bodies by statute. The Commissioner is independent in his functions under section 34 of the Act. Reports produced internally by An...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (7 May 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: Eradicating organised crime is central to building safer, stronger communities. I am committed to that goal, and strengthening and expanding the Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB) is an important element of this. It is essential to deprive criminals of the proceeds of crime. CAB is a multi-agency statutory body established under the Criminal Assets Bureau Act, 1996. The Bureau’s remit is to...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (7 May 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: My first priority as Minister for Justice is to get more Gardaí on our streets through increased recruitment. For the fourth year running, a Garda recruitment competition took place in 2025. I am delighted to note that just under 6,800 applications were received. Regarding applications that are still in progress, there are six applications remaining in progress from the 2022...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: International Protection (7 May 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: All International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) centres are contractually bound to provide menus that reasonably meet the dietary needs of the different religious and ethnic groups accommodated in its centres, and the prescribed dietary needs of any person accommodated at a centre. Menus must include a vegetarian option, and all food products provided must have a traceability system...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Residency Permits (7 May 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I am advised by the Domestic Residence and Permissions Division within Immigration Service Delivery (ISD) of my Department that they have corresponded directly with the person concerned in recent days to deal with the matter raised. As an Oireachtas member, you can also request the status of individual immigration cases by e-mail, using the Oireachtas Mail facility at:...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: International Protection (7 May 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: As the Deputy will be aware, following the Transfer of Functions on 1 May 2025, the Department of Justice is now responsible for sourcing and providing accommodation for people applying for international protection. This function forms part of Irish and EU law and is also part of our humanitarian duty to provide shelter to people fleeing war and persecution in their home country. The State is...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (7 May 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 336, 337 and 338 together. 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...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: International Protection (7 May 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 339 and 340 together. Thank you for your questions, Deputy. A response will be provided directly to you in the coming days.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: International Protection (7 May 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: The State is currently accommodating over 33,000 people who have applied for international protection in Ireland, about 9,000 of whom are children with their families. The International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) provides accommodation in 325 centres around the country, in every county. As of 13 April 2025, there are 1,468 people who are international protection (IP) applicants...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Bodies (7 May 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 342 and 343 together. My Department and public bodies under its aegis are required to submit quarterly prompt payment reports in accordance with Government Decision S29296 of 19 May 2009, 2 and 8 March 2011, and 28 March 2017, regarding the 15-Day Prompt Payment Commitment. These reports are published on a quarterly basis and are available for the years...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Emergency Accommodation (7 May 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: Providing reception conditions – accommodation and other basic supports – to international protection (IP) applicants is part of Irish and EU law and is also part of our humanitarian duty to provide shelter to people fleeing war and persecution in their home country. The State is currently accommodating over 33,000 people who have applied for IP in Ireland, about 9,000 of whom...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Emergency Accommodation (7 May 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: Providing reception conditions – accommodation and other basic supports – to people seeking international protection is part of Irish and EU law and is also part of our humanitarian duty to provide shelter to people fleeing war and persecution in their home country. While there is no current proposal to conduct an audit such as the Deputy mentions, accommodation provided by...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Emergency Accommodation (7 May 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: Providing reception conditions to international protection (IP) applicants is part of Irish and EU law and is also part of our humanitarian duty to provide shelter to people fleeing war and persecution in their home country. The State is currently accommodating over 33,000 people in over 320 international protection accommodation centres around the country. The provision of accommodation,...