Results 9,161-9,180 of 9,410 for speaker:Jim O'Callaghan

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: International Protection (15 May 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I thank the Deputy for his question. He specifically focused on the appeals tribunal but it is important to consider the position at first instance because that will really be the driver of the work for the appeals tribunal. The process of hearing and determining appeals at first instance has speeded up very significantly, even in the past year. In 2024, the IPO delivered more than...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: International Protection (15 May 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: The Deputy is correct that in trying to get a handle on, and gain control of, the appeals process, we also need to try to reduce the number of people coming to Ireland seeking asylum. We need to recognise that of the cases processed this year at first instance, more than 80% have been rejected. Regrettably, too many people are coming to Ireland claiming asylum who are not entitled to it. ...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: International Protection (15 May 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: As I indicated previously, the number of appeals on hand for the appeals tribunal is in the region of 12,000. I cannot give a breakdown of the years from which they originate. With regard to judicial review, there is a trend whereby people get a decision in the first instance and then appeal, and when they are rejected on appeal, they proceed to a judicial review. We also need to...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: An Garda Síochána (15 May 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I thank Deputy McGrath for this important question. I commend him on asking it because in order to achieve what we want to in the criminal justice system, we need an appropriate number of members of An Garda Síochána in the force. The Deputy asked a question about Templemore, which I will answer presently. He has also consistently and effectively campaigned to get more...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: An Garda Síochána (15 May 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: It is commendable that every Deputy in this House wants to see more gardaí in their constituency. I agree that there has been a noticeable increase in the visibility of gardaí in Dublin city in recent months. It has been commented upon. It has had a positive impact because individuals feel a greater sense of security and safety when they see members of An Garda Síochána...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: An Garda Síochána (15 May 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: On the lack of capacity, each year, there can be four or five intakes into Templemore. It can take more than 200, probably up to 225 or so per intake. If there are five intakes a year, we will hit 1,000 a year if we get the stream of individuals coming through. The Deputy is right that capacity is tight. At present, the problem is not capacity in Templemore. The number coming through can...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: An Garda Síochána (15 May 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I had a look at the statistics on the number of gardaí leaving the force. This year and last year, we are talking about between 1% and 2% leaving. Based on the calculations we have seen to the end of March, we are probably looking at somewhere in the region of 140 gardaí resigning from the force this year and with around 14,000 on the force. That is around 1%, which is extremely...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: An Garda Síochána (15 May 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: That is a valid point. There was some feedback from departure interviews as to why gardaí were leaving. My recollection is that 47% or 48% just got a better offer in the private sector. Regarding the Commissioner's figure of 18,000, we need to take into account that there are many civilians working within An Garda Síochána. They are not gardaí but they do work that was...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: An Garda Síochána (15 May 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I am obviously very accountable to the House, as I should be. Any information that my Department can provide will be provided. I will look into the issue the Deputy raises about getting further information from An Garda Síochána. Sometimes that just takes a bit of time but I have no difficulty with being accountable in this House for what gardaí do. There is nothing we...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Local Community Safety Partnerships (15 May 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I thank the Deputy. If he will permit me, I will return briefly to something Deputies Carthy and Gannon raised. They talked about exit interviews from An Garda Síochána. What I should have mentioned in my answer was that exit interviews were done in 2024 and the main reason gardaí left was referred to as "family circumstances", namely, gardaí found it difficult to...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Local Community Safety Partnerships (15 May 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: The Deputy makes a very valid point. The whole logic behind establishing the LCSPs was to ensure we broadened it out so that it was not just a member of An Garda Síochána who was having to answer questions related to the HSE or other statutory agencies. As any member of a local authority will know, when it comes to responding to issues that arise in our community, it is very...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Local Community Safety Partnerships (15 May 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I thank the Deputies. In fairness, the 2024 Act was just commenced last month. Under section 114 of that Act, there is an obligation on me to make regulations in respect of the establishment of local community safety partnerships. I assure Deputies that officials in my Department are finalising those regulations. I will use a term I used previously; I believe I will be able to sign them...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Asylum Seekers (14 May 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I would like to thank the Deputy for his question. A response will be provided directly to you in the coming days.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Contracts (14 May 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: All central Government Departments, including my Department, are subject to EU and national public procurement rules. These rules promote an open, competitive, and non-discriminatory tendering regime which delivers value for money for the taxpayer. My Department’s policy and practice is to use Office of Government Procurement national public procurement frameworks for all goods...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (14 May 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I strongly condemn the use of knives to threaten, intimidate or harm others. I am committed to ensuring that communities are safe and tackling knife crime is an important element of that. There are no quick-fix solutions to tackling knife crime. Long term, evidence-based strategies are needed that address knife crime as part of a wider strategic response to anti-social behaviour, street...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (14 May 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 136 and 137 together. I strongly condemn the use of knives to threaten, intimidate or harm others. I am committed to ensuring that communities are safe and tackling knife crime is an important element of that. There are no quick-fix solutions to tackling knife crime. Long term, evidence-based strategies are needed that address knife crime as part of a...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (14 May 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I strongly condemn the use of knives to threaten, intimidate or harm others. I am committed to ensuring that communities are safe and tackling knife crime is an important element of that. There are no quick-fix solutions to tackling knife crime. Long term, evidence-based strategies are needed that address knife crime as part of a wider strategic response to anti-social behaviour, street...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Drug Dealing (14 May 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: Forensic Science Ireland (FSI) quantifies drug purity levels in the market for cocaine and diamorphine (heroin) and provides annual trend information to An Garda Síochána, the Department of Health and other relevant stakeholders in the Criminal Justice field. For operational reasons and for the purposes of the Criminal Justice system, such information is confidential, except to...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: International Protection (14 May 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I regret that statistics in respect of numbers of buildings applying for or availing of planning exemptions for use as international protection or Ukraine accommodation are not collated by my Department. Oversight of planning matters is a function of Local Authorities, to whom such applications would be made. I am happy to provide background information on the accommodation systems for...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Service (14 May 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I am advised by the Irish Prison Service that all Prison Education Centres meet the quality assurance standards demanded by QQI. Statistics on the number of scheduled classes that were cancelled in each prison over the period 2015-2025, would require a manual examination of a considerable amount of records, such an examination would require a disproportionate and inordinate amount of...