Results 9,241-9,260 of 9,467 for speaker:Jim O'Callaghan

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Public Sector Pensions (15 May 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: Matters relating to the terms & conditions of the relevant Superannuation Scheme, and establishing entitlement or otherwise to a Civil Service (which includes Prison Officers) pension are a matter for the Minister for Public Expenditure, NDP & Reform (DPENDR). I am advised that, during the period to which the Deputy refers, a total of 5 years of service was required under...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Bodies (15 May 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: There are over 30 agencies that support the work of my Department across the Justice Sector, 12 of which have been established in the last decade. Some recent examples include: Cuan, the Domestic, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (DSGBV) Agency, established in 2024 which has a mandate of working towards achieving a society with zero tolerance for any form of DSGBV or the attitudes which...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (15 May 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 268 to 270, inclusive, together. In line with section 26 of the Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024, I have requested publicjobs (the Public Appointments Service) to run an open competition for the role of Garda Commissioner. The competition launched last week on Friday 9 May 2025; the deadline for receipt of applications is 29 May 2025. I...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Visa Applications (15 May 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I am acutely aware of the grave humanitarian crisis in Gaza and my Department has worked closely with colleagues across the public service to ensure a coordinated national response to this volatile and evolving situation. This includes work to evacuate Irish citizens and their families who may require visa assistance and, in accordance with a Government decision in September 2024, in...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Visa Applications (15 May 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I can advise the Deputy that the application referred to was created on 10 March 2024. Supporting documentation was received in the Belgrade office on 27 March 2024, and the application was subsequently received in the Dublin Visa Office on 29 April 2024, where it awaits examination and processing. My Department's business target for join family visa applications is 12 months, however, some...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Family Reunification (15 May 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I can advise the Deputy that the application referred to was created on 29 November 2023. Supporting documentation was received in the Bangkok office on 14 December 2023, and the application was subsequently received in the Dublin Visa Office on 09 January 2024, where it awaits examination and processing. My Department's business target for join family visa applications is 12 months,...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Family Reunification (15 May 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I can advise the Deputy that the applications referred to have been received and were created on 05 December 2023. Supporting documentation was received in the Bangkok office on 29 March 2024, and the applications were subsequently received in the Dublin Visa Office on 11 April 2024, where they await examination and processing. My Department's business target for join family visa...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (15 May 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: The Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of Garda business by law. This includes Garda discipline. As Minister, I play no role in these independent functions, including decisions related to the suspension or dismissal of Garda members. The length of time a member is suspended may be dependent on criminal cases and/or a member choosing to exercise their...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (15 May 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I have sought the information requested by the Deputy from An Garda Síochána, and I will contact him when this is to hand.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (15 May 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 277 and 278 together. An Garda Síochána is governed by the Garda Síochána (Admissions and Appointments) Regulations 2013. publicjobs (the Public Appointments Service), on behalf of the Garda Commissioner, manages the initial recruitment stages for selection of Garda trainees. I am informed by the Garda authorities that as part of...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Local Community Safety Partnerships (15 May 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: A key principle of the Report of Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland is that community safety requires multi-agency cooperation working in partnership with An Garda Síochána and crucially with communities themselves. The Commission's report recommended the establishment of national and local structures to bring together Departments and State agencies involved in harm...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Road Safety (15 May 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: Road safety is a shared responsibility. The whole of Government response is led by the Department of Transport and is taken very seriously across Government. The development and implementation of road traffic legislation and policy, including the Government's Road Safety Strategy 2021-2030, and the promotion and advancement of road safety, falls within the remit of my colleague Mr Darragh...

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

Jim O'Callaghan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 836, 845 and 883 together. 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...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Policies (13 May 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 837, 838, 839 and 840 together. Ireland has a longstanding commitment to supporting freedom of religion or belief, equality and non-discrimination. This commitment has been expressed over many years, including at the UN and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), and as a member of the EU. Ireland is also a longstanding member of...

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

Jim O'Callaghan: It is a central priority for me that our immigration laws are robust and enforced. The enforcement aspects of our laws, including deportation orders, are 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. It is the preferred option to return people voluntarily and my Department has a...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Naturalisation Applications (13 May 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: The naturalisation application from the person referred to by the Deputy continues to be processed by my Department. I understand that extended wait times can be frustrating for applicants, particularly considering the current processing times. I want to assure anyone who has an application for naturalisation submitted that the Citizenship Division of my Department is doing everything...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Naturalisation Applications (13 May 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: Judicial Review proceedings taken by the person cited on their naturalisation application have now been settled. The processing of this naturalisation application has resumed and the person concerned has an opportunity to submit further documentation before a final decision will issue. The timeline for processing this application will be in line with the settlement agreement. As an...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Schools Building Projects (13 May 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: At the outset, it is important to note that, as Minister, I do not comment on individual Immigrant Investor Programme (IIP) applications. Since the closure of the programme, the IIP Unit has continued to process and submit applications to the Evaluation Committee for consideration and recommendation. At present, there are approximately 100 Immigrant Investor Programme project proposals...

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

Jim O'Callaghan: I am informed by the Garda authorities that as of the end of February 2025, there were five Garda members assigned to Carrigtwohill Garda Station. I am informed that when allocating Gardaí to and from any Division or station, Garda management consider commitments and undertakings outlined in the Annual Policing Plan. I understand that the requirements of all Garda Divisions...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Refugee Resettlement Programme (13 May 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I am acutely aware of the grave humanitarian crisis in Gaza and my Department has worked closely with colleagues in the Department of Foreign Affairs to ensure a coordinated national response to this volatile and evolving situation. This includes work to evacuate Irish citizens and their families who may require visa assistance. Visa applications for family members of Palestinian...