Results 9,341-9,360 of 9,467 for speaker:Jim O'Callaghan

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: International Protection (20 May 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: While the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) cannot comment publicly on individual cases, I can reassure the Deputy that IPAS officials are aware of the specific case and the identified needs and are giving this matter attention. By way of context, I also wish to reassure the Deputy that IPAS has a number of protocols and procedures in place for considering applications...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Victim Support Services (20 May 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: Victim Support at Court or V-SAC, is the only voluntary service in Ireland dedicated solely to court accompaniment for victims of crime, their families and witnesses. Their services are free and available to anyone who has been a victim of crime. V-SAC is an independent organisation but works closely with other organisations in the criminal justice sector, in particular An Garda...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Victim Support Services (20 May 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: In July 2023, the EU Commission published a proposal to revise the EU Victims’ Rights Directive. In this proposal, it is worth noting that the Victim Support at Court service was noted as a good practice example for assisting victims in Court. There are no plans currently to put Victim Support at Court on a legislative footing. The service is working well, and a legislative basis is...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Victim Support Services (20 May 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I have requested the information sought by the Deputy from the Garda authorities. Regrettably, this was not available in time and I will write to the Deputy once the information is provided.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Victim Support Services (20 May 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: Supporting all victims of crime is a priority for me as Minister for Justice. Under Budget 2025, €3,574,000 was allocated to promote and assist the development of support services to victims of crime. This funding enables the provision of services supporting victims at different stages of the criminal justice system. This includes the provision of emotional and practical support,...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Victim Support Services (20 May 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: Section 8 of the Criminal Justice (Victims of Crime) Act 2017 transposes Article 6 of EU Directive 2012/29/EU (‘the Victims Directive’) establishing minimum standards on the rights, support and protection of victims of crime. Section 8 of the Act relates to a victim’s right to receive information about their case. In July 2023, the European Commission published a...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Anti-Racism Measures (20 May 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 670, 671 and 710 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 the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (20 May 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: While the Garda Commissioner is operationally responsible for the allocation of Garda resources, I engage regularly with him to ensure our Gardaí have the resources they need. I am informed that when allocating and transferring Garda members to and from any Division, consideration is given to commitments and undertakings outlined in the Annual Policing Plan and priorities as determined...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Immigration Policy (20 May 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: Under section 72 of the International Protection Act, the Minister for Justice may make an order designating a country as a safe country of origin. I keep the list of safe countries under review. The EU Migration and Asylum Pact is a new EU framework to manage migration and asylum for the long-term. The overall objective of the Pact is to provide a fair, sustainable and efficient asylum...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Family Law Cases (20 May 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: The Legal Aid Board is the statutory, independent body responsible for the provision of civil legal aid and advice to persons of modest means, in accordance with the provisions of the Civil Legal Aid Act 1995 (“the 1995 Act”) and the Civil Legal Aid Regulations 1996 to 2021. Section 3(3) of the 1995 Act states that the Board shall, subject to the provisions of the Act, be...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legal Aid (20 May 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: The Deputy will be aware that a range of supports are available for people experiencing domestic abuse and needing protection and other orders including from An Garda Síochána and the Courts Service, as well as from specialised domestic violence agencies which partner with and are supported by my Department. The Legal Aid Board is the statutory, independent body responsible for...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Immigration Policy (20 May 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: Implementing effective border security arrangements is a priority for me, and the Programme for Government commits to developing a border security strategy to deliver stronger border security. Ireland and the United Kingdom (UK) share a long history and common interest in the effective operation of the Common Travel Area (CTA) and work together to prevent any abuses of the CTA. While...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Deportation Orders (20 May 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: The Deputy has clarified that their question refers to the number of persons refused leave to land at the border as the result of an alert on the Schengen Information System (SIS II). Implementing effective border security arrangements is a priority for me as Minister. The Programme for Government commits to developing a border security strategy to deliver stronger border security, ensuring...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Immigration Policy (20 May 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I can advise the Deputy that Ireland did not opt-in to the 2008 EU Returns Directive. In March 2025 the EU Commission published a new legislative proposal for a Return Regulation. At present, deportation orders are issued under Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended) and under the International Protection Act 2015. Ireland has shown its commitment to a common EU-wide solution...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Immigration Policy (20 May 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I understand the Deputy has clarified that his question relates to the Schengen Information System (SIS II). Implementing effective border security arrangements is a priority for me as Minister. The Programme for Government commits to developing a border security strategy to deliver stronger border security, ensuring technology supports border screening and to reviewing the potential of...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Immigration Policy (20 May 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: It is a central priority for me as Minister for Justice that our immigrations laws are robust and enforced. The establishment of a person’s identity and nationality is an important feature of our immigration processes. This is especially so in the context of persons who make a claim for international protection. Applicants over the age of 14 are photographed and have their...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Immigration Support Services (20 May 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: The Irish State and the Irish people have responded with exceptional support and generosity since 2022 in supporting people seeking temporary protection here from the war in Ukraine. The Department of Justice (DoJ) continues to work as part of the whole-of-Government response with a focus on providing access to emergency temporary accommodation to those fleeing the conflict who request...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Bodies (20 May 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: The recently established Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland has 19 staff in place, with a target to increase this number to 35 in 2025. Section 26 of the Gambling Regulation Act 2024 provides that the Authority may, with the consent of the Minister for Justice given with the approval of the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform, appoint...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Social Impact Bonds (20 May 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: The development and rollout of a Social Impact Fund is a key priority for the recently established Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland. The new fund will invest in educational and awareness initiatives, research and training. Public and private bodies which support people with experience of gambling harm and/or gambling addiction through treatment will also benefit from the fund. ...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: International Protection (20 May 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: The Midland Accommodation Centre at Lissywollen in Athlone welcomed residents for the first time in early December 2024, and has been providing accommodation for approximately 150 international protection applicants since that time. The health needs of international protection (IP) applicants are met through the health services in Ireland, and services are provided through the Health...