Results 9,401-9,420 of 10,346 for speaker:Jim O'Callaghan

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

Jim O'Callaghan: When a non-EEA national comes to Ireland to undertake a course of study, be that an English language course or a course at level 6 or above on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ), a Stamp 2 student immigration permission will be granted. The primary purpose for a student to be in the State is to study, and their Stamp 2 permission will be aligned with their studies. Under Stamp...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Local Community Safety Partnerships (22 May 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: The Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024, which I commenced on Wednesday 2 April 2025, provides for the establishment of Local Community Safety Partnerships (LCSP) within each local authority area. Each Local Community Safety Partnership will be supported by two full-time, permanent staff at local authority administrative Grades IV and VII. Funding for these staff is provided by...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Sports Facilities (22 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 (22 May 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 303 and 304 together. 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...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: International Protection (22 May 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: The complex referred to has successfully supported accommodation and decision-processing by the State for a number of years, and currently accommodates over 2,000 people, with both international protection applicants and people from Ukraine resident on the site. The Government is committed to moving away from its reliance on the private sector to provide accommodation for people seeking...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Staff (22 May 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: My Department’s Blended Working Policy was introduced in 2022 following consultation with staff and management and was developed in line with the Blended Working Policy Framework for Civil Service Organisations issued by the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform. After two years of operation the policy was reviewed, again in consultation with staff, in 2024. The...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (22 May 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: Strengthening An Garda Síochána is one of my main priorities and the retention of experienced qualified Gardaí is of course an important element of this. The increase in the mandatory retirement age to 62 and a new agreed Garda roster last year are examples of actions taken to support retention. I know Garda management are keen to provide appropriate supports to all...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: International Protection (22 May 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: The Department does not collate information on the classification of International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) accommodation centres according to Pobal deprivation index. IPAS does publish regular statistics in relation to international protection applicants accommodated by IPAS. This includes a per county breakdown of where applicants are residing and a wide range of other...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Equipment (22 May 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 309, 310, 311, 312 and 313 together. My Department uses a standard suite of office and administrative software, however, for sound reasons of operational security, it would not be prudent or appropriate to disclose details of our information technology infrastructure, including software versions or cloud computing arrangements. My Department’s...

Apology to Shane O'Farrell and his Family: Statements (27 May 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I also want to welcome the family of Shane O'Farrell to the Distinguished Visitors' Gallery, his loving parents, Lucia and Jim, and his sisters, Gemma, Aimee, Pia and Hannah. When Shane O'Farrell left his home in Carrickmacross on the evening of 2 August 2011 to go on a cycle in preparation for a charity triathlon, he had his whole life ahead of him. At 23 years of age, Shane had secured...

Committee on Justice, Home Affairs and Migration: Readmission Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Kazakhstan: Discussion (29 May 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I thank the Cathaoirleach. This is the first time I have appeared before this committee as Minister for Justice. I wish the Cathaoirleach and committee well in their work. I was a member of the justice committee from 2016 to 2020 and very briefly, for a couple of months, in 2024 and have always thought that the committee does excellent work and is very effective in what it is required to...

Committee on Justice, Home Affairs and Migration: Readmission Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Kazakhstan: Discussion (29 May 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I thank the Cathaoirleach for raising those preliminary matters. I agree with him that the committee does not have long to deal with the matter. Although I am briefing the committee, that is why it is intended to bring the matter before the floor of the Dáil prior to 17 June, where there will obviously be a full debate. If it is the case, however, that agreement is not reached between...

Committee on Justice, Home Affairs and Migration: Readmission Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Kazakhstan: Discussion (29 May 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: The decision we are discussing here is a decision authorising the opening of negotiations. It is important to understand the limitations associated with the decision. It is simply about opening negotiations to try to reach an agreement between the European Union and Kazakhstan. I note the point the Cathaoirleach has made about Article 3. I believe the Article 3 mechanism is to our...

Committee on Justice, Home Affairs and Migration: Readmission Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Kazakhstan: Discussion (29 May 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: The 12 readmission agreements I outlined are all EU agreements. The Cathaoirleach is correct that countries may enter into bilateral agreements. We have also achieved agreements with other countries in respect of readmissions. For instance, the Cathaoirleach will be aware of recent returns to Georgia. Those returns happened as a result of agreement between the Government of Georgia and...

Committee on Justice, Home Affairs and Migration: Readmission Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Kazakhstan: Discussion (29 May 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: It was since 2019. The numbers we are dealing with are very small but that should not prohibit or prevent us from deciding to expand the readmission agreements in place between the European Commission and third countries.

Committee on Justice, Home Affairs and Migration: Readmission Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Kazakhstan: Discussion (29 May 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: That is correct. It is about opening negotiations.

Committee on Justice, Home Affairs and Migration: Readmission Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Kazakhstan: Discussion (29 May 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: We will have our say in respect of it. If we want to vote against it, we can vote against it as a country. As I said earlier, once the agreement is agreed, it will come back here. There will then be a vote and decision as to whether we opt in to it. As the Deputy has said, this is just about starting a conversation and beginning negotiations with Kazakhstan. We will have a say in respect...

Committee on Justice, Home Affairs and Migration: Readmission Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Kazakhstan: Discussion (29 May 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: On the real benefit, let us say many people have arrived in Ireland from Kazakhstan. They may have been refused international protection or they may be here through other illegal means. In order to return them to Kazakhstan, we need a readmission agreement in place. It is much more beneficial to have a readmission agreement in place in order to facilitate that. On the Senator's first...

Committee on Justice, Home Affairs and Migration: Readmission Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Kazakhstan: Discussion (29 May 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: We have to get agreement from the Kazakhstani Government. We have to enter into discussions with it on a case-by-case basis. As regards returning people to countries, it is much more effective if there is an agreement in place that outlines the mechanism. This may involve having 30 days to notify the country and that country having to reply within the next 30 days. It is much more...

Committee on Justice, Home Affairs and Migration: Readmission Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Kazakhstan: Discussion (29 May 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: As the Senator knows from the numbers, we have only had 12 since 2019. My understanding is that only one deportation order was issued in respect of those 12 people. I suspect no one has been returned to Kazakhstan. We have to think of the future and the likelihood of this arising in the future, however. It will be beneficial to us if it becomes the case that there is a need for such an...