Results 9,441-9,460 of 9,467 for speaker:Jim O'Callaghan

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (27 May 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I am informed by the Garda authorities that, as of 30 April 2025, there were a total of 118 vehicles attached to the Dublin Metropolitan Region (DMR) West Division, including 97 cars. 44 of those cars were marked and 53 were unmarked. I am further advised that An Garda Síochána cannot provide figures for which vehicles were used operationally on specific dates. The Garda...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Visa Applications (27 May 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: On 10 July 2024, visa requirements were introduced for nationals of South Africa. My Department has established a dedicated South Africa desk to process these applications along with Visa Application Centres, located throughout South Africa, through an outsourced visa service provider. This is to ensure the facilitation of legitimate travel with processes that are robust, effective, and...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Strategies (27 May 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: The multi-stakeholder process to which the Deputy refers commenced in March of this year with the formation of a working group chaired by officials from my Department and including representation from the Office of Public Works (OPW) and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. Facilitated by the County and City Management Association (CCMA), members of the working group met...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: International Protection (27 May 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I can assure the Deputy that it is a priority to have recommendations made on all international protection applications as soon as possible. This gives status to those who are entitled to international protection to rebuild their lives here, while also ensuring faster decision making in respect of those who do not meet the criteria. The number of International Protection applications have...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: International Protection (27 May 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: My Department does not have a contract for international protection accommodation at the location provided and is not examining this property for use.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Family Reunification (27 May 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: Since the outbreak of the conflict in Ukraine in February 2022, my Department 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 it, in line with Government policy. This supports Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTPs) to make longer term independent arrangements...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Visa Applications (27 May 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I can advise the Deputy that the application referred to was created on 03 November 2024. Supporting documentation was received in the Dublin Visa Office on 04 December 2024 where it awaits examination and processing. All applications are processed in chronological order, based on date order of receipt. While every effort is made to process applications as soon as possible, processing times...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Deportation Orders (27 May 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I can inform the Deputy that the person referred to has made a request to have their deportation order revoked, pursuant to the provisions of section 3(11) of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended). This request is currently under consideration by the Repatriation Division of my Department. Following consideration of this request, the decision will be that the existing deportation order...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: International Protection (28 May 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 295, 296, 297 and 298 together. 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...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: International Protection (28 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. Should any significant development or expansion at the centre be approved, this would be supported by full engagement with...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Visa Applications (28 May 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I can inform the Deputy that all visa applications are processed in chronological order, based on date order of receipt. While every effort is made to process applications as soon as possible, processing times will vary having regard to the volume and complexity of applications, the possible need for my Department to investigate, inquire into, or seek further information, and the resources...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Local Community Safety Partnerships (28 May 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: In 2021, the creation of the Community Safety Innovation Fund was announced to reinvest proceeds of crime funds returned to the exchequer by the Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB) back into communities, in order to fund innovative local projects aimed at building stronger, safer communities. The Fund has since been renamed the Community Safety Fund (CSF). The Community Safety Fund 2024 received...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Contracts (28 May 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: In meeting our obligation to provide material reception conditions to people seeking international protection, the Department can consider offers of accommodation from a tax-compliant company, subject to compliance with statutory requirements and minimum standards. The Department carries out due diligence on accommodation being contracted including checks via the Companies Registration...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Bodies (28 May 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: The Family Justice Strategy 2022-2025 is an ambitious programme of reform which sets out a vision for a system refocused on the needs and rights of children, who are central to many family justice matters. The implementation of over 50 actions across nine goals contained in the Strategy will lay the foundation for this reformed system, one which will assist families to resolve their family...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Visa Applications (28 May 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I can inform the Deputy that the application referred to was created on 16 February 2024. Supporting documentation was received in the Dublin Visa Office on 29 February 2024 where it awaits examination and processing. My Departments business target for join family visa applications is 12 months. It must be made clear that these are business targets for the immigration service. The business...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Immigration Policy (28 May 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I can advise the Deputy that as the child referred to is a visa required national and will not be accompanied by her parents when she returns to the State, she must be issued with a re-entry visa in advance of traveling. Applications for re-entry visas for children under 16 can be made by parents or legal guardians using my Department’s Customer Service Portal, which is available...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Seized Property (28 May 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: Road traffic legislation is enforced as part of the day-to-day duties of members of An Garda Síochána, as well as through a programme of high-visibility road safety and enforcement operations carried out in partnership with other state agencies, in order to make our roads safer for all. Gardaí continue to enforce road traffic legislation and detect dangerous use of scramblers...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Probation and Welfare Service (28 May 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: Young Persons Probation (YPP) is a specialist division of the Probation Service. YPP Probation Officers work with children in the community, in detention settings and post-detention, and have been trained in specific approaches to the assessment and management of young people. I am advised that two key principles underpin the work of YPP, namely that detention be used only as a last...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Visa Applications (28 May 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: The visa application referred to by the Deputy was refused by the Visa Office in Dublin on 23 April 2024. The reasons for this decision were set out in the refusal letter sent to the applicant on 30 April 2024. An appeal of this decision was launched on 25 June 2024. All visa applicants are advised that the onus is on them to provide as much information in support of their application as they...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (28 May 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: The Garda College is utilised to offer training, not only to trainees, but to established Gardaí and others. The College also provides residential training programmes covering Leadership, Management & Professional Development and Crime, Specialist & Operational Skills such as driving courses, firearm courses or specialist interview courses. The Garda College is...