Results 9,381-9,400 of 9,467 for speaker:Jim O'Callaghan

Estimates for Public Services 2025 (21 May 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I was very sorry to hear about the issues of concern Deputy Gannon raised and very pleased to hear the Department was of assistance to him. I want all Deputies to know the Department will always be of assistance in dealing with any issues like that. It is there to facilitate not just Deputies but the public.

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Crime Prevention (21 May 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I thank Senator McCormack for raising this matter. It is a great honour for me to be back in the Seanad and I hope to be here frequently. I wish to advise that, within my Department, I am delegating responsibility for youth crime to the Minister of State, Deputy Niall Collins. Notwithstanding that, it is an extremely important issue and I welcome the opportunity to respond to what the...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Crime Prevention (21 May 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: It is important that the Judiciary is aware of the options available under section 98 of the Children Act 2001. There are more options available other than simply a custodial sentence. I agree with the Senator that, on occasion, a custodial sentence is appropriate but the imposition of a sanction on the parent or guardian, or the imposition of an order requiring the parent or a guardian to...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Electronic Tagging (21 May 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I welcome those from Ranelagh Multi-Denominational School who are in the Gallery. They are a great school and it is great to see them in the Houses of the Oireachtas. Senator Gallagher raises an important issue. It is one of the most pressing issues that is facing me as the Minister for Justice. It relates to what is the overcrowding issue in our prisons. Since I have been made Minister...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Electronic Tagging (21 May 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I thank Senator Gallagher. I will provide a detailed update in respect to where we are. I am advised that work is under way involving representatives from the various agencies to prepare to operationalise electronic monitoring. This includes the consideration of technology, data protection, procurement, implementation and operating model design. The project will determine in what order...

Seanad: Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2022: Motion (21 May 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I am back here with such frequency that it will not be long before the Cathaoirleach is looking for a barring order against me to get me out of the place.

Seanad: Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2022: Motion (21 May 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: Fair enough. Like the Cathaoirleach, I welcome the distinguished guests from the Procedure Committee of the House of Commons. You are all very welcome to the Upper House of the Irish Parliament. The Cathaoirleach will be aware that the motion before the Seanad in effect seeks a resolution concerning the accommodation recognition payment. In short, I am asking the Seanad to approve a...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Family Law Cases (21 May 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: The Family Justice Strategy 2022-2025 set out a commitment to undertake both a public consultation and independent research on the topic of parental alienation. The findings of both were analysed, and arising from this, the Department developed a policy paper on how to address the issue. Both the paper and the report recognised that parental alienation is a highly contested and divisive...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Service (21 May 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I am advised by the Irish Prison Service (IPS) that, the IPS Psychology Service has engaged in concerted efforts and a targeted strategy to improve the recruitment of staff. They further advise that a recruitment competition for Staff Grade Psychologists has been recently advertised. The table below Table 1 sets out the information requested by the Deputy. Table 1: A breakdown of...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: International Protection (21 May 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: The Rapid Build sites to which the Deputy refers have been future proofed insofar as the units have been developed to be compliant with building regulations and are of sufficient size to allow for alternative housing use. In addition, each site has roads, footpaths, street lighting and community facilities including a play area and green spaces, in line with Local Authority planning guidance....

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Service (21 May 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I am advised by my officials in the Irish Prison Service that Mountjoy Prison Management have previously carried out inspections of the perimeter of the prison and were unable to locate any mechanical noises being emitted from the prison complex. I have asked my officials in Irish Prison Service to contact the Deputy directly for more information on the specific location of the alleged...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Citizenship Applications (21 May 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: If a person is not eligible for Irish citizenship through birth or descent, they may instead consider applying through naturalisation. 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. A determination on whether an applicant satisfies the statutory criteria for...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Immigration Policy (21 May 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I can advise the Deputy that Ireland supports the entry of migrants through legal pathways for the purposes of study, employment and to join family members. Details of these legal pathways can be found on the Immigration Service website at the following link: www.irishimmigration.ie. In order to work in Ireland a non-EEA National, unless they are exempted, must hold a valid Employment Permit....

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Naturalisation Applications (21 May 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: The naturalisation application from the person referred to by the Deputy continues to be processed by my Department. 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. A determination on whether an applicant satisfies the statutory criteria for naturalisation can only...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Student Visas (21 May 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: It has not been possible to collate the information requested by the Deputy in the time available. I will write to the Deputy directly once the information is to hand.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Immigration Policy (22 May 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: 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 extending pre-clearance mechanisms, such as electronic travel authorisation, for travel from designated third...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Service (22 May 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 294, 295 and 296 together. The old Cork Prison was closed in February 2016. The new prison which was built on a site adjacent to the old prison, with a bed capacity of 296 providing almost an additional 100 prison spaces. I am informed that the community dividend scheme to which the Deputy refers closed with the completion of the new prison in 2016. At...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Freedom of Information (22 May 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I am fully aware of my obligations under Freedom of Information (FOI) legislation and I act in accordance with that legislation and the provisions of the National Archives Act. I have not deleted any messages in the manner suggested by the Deputy. My Department produced a new Records Management Policy in 2024, which commits the organisation to effective records management practices with a...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Naturalisation Applications (22 May 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I am pleased to advise the Deputy that the naturalisation application from the person referred to has been approved by my Department. A request for final documentation and a Certificate fee will issue shortly directly to the person concerned. 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 (22 May 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: There have been 948 applications for international protection from Ukrainian nationals from 1 March 2022 to 19 May 2025. As the Deputy will be aware, this process is governed by the International Protection Act and is a separate process to that provided for under the EU Temporary Protection Directive (2001/55/EC) and on foot of which 116,040 people have been granted temporary protection.