Results 10,061-10,080 of 10,346 for speaker:Jim O'Callaghan

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: International Protection (1 Jul 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 545 and 550 together. The State is currently accommodating almost 33,000 people who have applied for international protection in Ireland, almost 9,500 of whom are children. The International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) provides accommodation in over 320 centres around the country. From 2022 to 2024, this demand-led system had to grow rapidly,...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Asylum Applications (1 Jul 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I can assure the Deputy that it is a priority to have decisions made on all international protection applications as soon as possible. This will give 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. There are currently 33,853 pending International...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (1 Jul 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: Strengthening An Garda Síochána is one of my main priorities and retention of experienced qualified Gardaí is of course an important element of this. By any objective standard, the proportion of resignations from An Garda Síochána remains very low with the resignation rate currently between 1 and 2%. I understand this turnover is far below the level experienced by UK...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: International Protection (1 Jul 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 548 and 575 together. Under section 181(2)(a) of the Planning and Development Act 2000, in emergency circumstances, certain sections of that Act can be disallowed through the development of a Ministerial Order. The purpose of this section is to ensure that the State, in emergency circumstances, has the power to take action to meet urgent need within...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Crime Prevention (1 Jul 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: Building safe and secure communities across the country by investing in An Garda Síochána is a top priority for this Government. I want every part of the country to be a safe space for people to live and work in, and our major cities are no exception to this. While Ireland is generally a safe community, with relatively low crime rates, some communities may experience a different...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Funding (1 Jul 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: Details of Integration funding opportunities for 2025 will be announced by my Department very shortly. This will be shared and publicised to reach organisations working within the community and related sectors, to enable awareness and invite applications. The National Integration Fund (NIF) typically opens every three years; the next round of NIF funding is planned for 2026.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Citizenship Applications (1 Jul 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: The Citizenship Division of my Department requested further documentation from the person cited by the Deputy. This information has been received and the application can now proceed. The person concerned can check the status of their immigration application on the Immigration Service’s new Customer Service Portal. They can register for, or log in to their existing account, at: As...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Visa Applications (1 Jul 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I can advise the Deputy that the visa applications referred to were granted on 25 June 2025. Any person can now directly check the status of their visa application on the Immigration Service’s new Customer Service portal. They can register for, or log in to their existing account, at: As an Oireachtas member, you can also request the status of individual immigration cases by e-mail,...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (1 Jul 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 554 and 569 together. As the Deputy will appreciate, it is the Garda Commissioner who is responsible for carrying on and managing and controlling generally the administration and business of An Garda Síochána, including by arranging for the recruitment, training and appointment of its personnel, and this includes members of the Garda Band. I can...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: International Protection (1 Jul 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: IPAS is currently accommodating nearly 33,000 residents who have applied for international protection, as provided for in Irish and EU law. Of those accommodated, approximately 5,300 people have completed the process and have received a positive decision. This means they have a legal status that allows them to remain in Ireland, to work, and to access the full range of housing supports...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence (1 Jul 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: Cuan, the statutory domestic, sexual and gender-based violence agency, operating under the aegis of my Department, has responsibility for coordinating the implementation of the Third National Strategy and overseeing delivery across all relevant departments, agencies and stakeholders. It is a priority for Cuan to establish strong governance, oversight, and reporting structures for...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Asylum Seekers (1 Jul 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: It is a central priority for me that our immigration system is robust and enforced. There has been significant investment in staff across the entire international protection process in recent years. The International Protection Office (IPO) now has 614 staff, an increase of 190% since 2022 and recruitment is ongoing. In addition, 241 case processing panel members are also contracted by...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Student Visas (1 Jul 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 558 and 559 together. Ireland welcomes international students who wish to travel here to pursue a full-time course of study, thereby providing economic and other benefits to Ireland, as well of course as to the students themselves. At Government level, the administration and management of international student programmes is within the remit of the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: International Protection (1 Jul 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: As part of the response to the unprecedented humanitarian crisis of the war breaking out in Ukraine, the State contracted for a variety of different commercial properties to meet the needs of people fleeing the war who have been granted temporary protection in Ireland. All accommodation contracted by my department is temporary in nature, and Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTPs)...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Visa Applications (1 Jul 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I can advise the Deputy that on 10 July 2024 visa requirements were introduced for nationals of South Africa, bringing our arrangements into alignment with the visa requirements of Schengen members states, and with those of the UK. The Dublin Visa Office have established a dedicated “South Africa desk” to process applications from residents of South Africa. My Department also...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Contracts (1 Jul 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: It has not been possible to collate the information in the time available. I will write to the Deputy when the information is available.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Service (1 Jul 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: As the Deputy will be aware, the separation of powers is enshrined in the Constitution to ensure judges are independent of Government. The courts are subject only to the Constitution and the law, independent in the exercise of their judicial functions and the conduct of any court case is a matter entirely for the presiding judge. In accordance with the principle of judicial independence,...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Crime Prevention (1 Jul 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I want to assure the Deputy that this Government takes the issue of retail crime extremely seriously. I am acutely aware of the very real impact that this type of offending has on business owners, staff, and customers across the country. Retail crime is not a victimless offence. It undermines livelihoods, affects community confidence, and in many cases causes serious personal trauma to...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Visa Applications (1 Jul 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I can advise the Deputy that the visa applications referred to have been refused. The reasons for this decision were set out in the refusal letter sent to the applicants at that time. An appeal of this decision was launched on 05 March 2024. All visa applicants are advised that the onus is on them to provide as much information in support of their application as they feel is necessary....

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Courts Service (1 Jul 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: As the Deputy will appreciate, management of the courts and operational matters, including matters pertaining to court buildings, are the responsibility of the Courts Service, which is independent in the exercising of its functions under the Courts Service Act 1998. However, to be of assistance to the Deputy, my officials have made enquiries with the Courts Service and the following sets...