Results 201-220 of 9,106 for speaker:Jim O'Callaghan

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Child Safety (29 Apr 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: The primary objective of the vetting conducted by the Garda National Vetting Bureau is to ensure the safety of children and vulnerable adults. This is an important task that must be delivered accurately. Vetting is performed by An Garda Síochána in accordance with the National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Acts 2012 - 2016. I am informed by the Garda...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (29 Apr 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I, and officials within my Department, engage regularly with the Garda Commissioner and his management team on matters related to recruitment and retention. Any further changes to the mandatory retirement age would have to be considered in the context of all uniformed, fast-accrual pension public sector workers and would require consultation with all stakeholders, including the Minister...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Data (29 Apr 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: It has not been possible to collate the information in the time available. I will write to the Deputy directly as soon as I have the information requested.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Cross-Border Co-operation (29 Apr 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I am pleased to inform the Deputy that there continues to be excellent ongoing cross-border engagement and co-operation with counterparts in Northern Ireland on relevant justice matters. This includes close co-operation between my officials and officials in the Northern Ireland Department of Justice on a range of issues, as well as between An Garda Síochána and the Police Service of...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Staff (29 Apr 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: My Department has been implementing its Equality Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Strategy, since 2022. The strategy provides clear actions and a framework through which we build on a shared ambition to be an organisation that is welcoming and inclusive for all staff, customers and service users. Part 5 of the Disability Act 2005 requires the preparation of a statutory report on the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (29 Apr 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: The Community Safety Innovation Fund was launched in 2021 to reinvest proceeds of crime 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 CSF plays a vital role in directing the proceeds of crime...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Crime Prevention (29 Apr 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: Under the Programme for Government and the Youth Justice Strategy, I am committed to improving outcomes for young people at risk of a life of criminality through investment in youth justice services. Youth Justice interventions are about recognising that many young people who stray from the proper path need support and direction to turn their lives around. We can make a lasting difference to...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Information and Communications Technology (29 Apr 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I can confirm that currently all of my Department’s customer-facing I.T. systems can hold data in the Irish language character set, including the síneadh fada. It is the policy of my Department, as set out in Section 4.11 of the Department of Justice Irish Language Scheme, to ensure compatibility with the Irish language of relevant I.T. systems, when considering system...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: EU Directives (29 Apr 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: The below table provides a list of measures under the remit of my Department in respect of which Ireland has not yet notified the Commission of transposition and which fall due for transposition by the end of 2027. Title of Directive Deadline for Transposition Directive (EU) 2024/1226 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 24 April 2024 on the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Properties (29 Apr 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: Departmental Contracts (29 Apr 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1615 and 1616 together. Public procurement is governed by EU and national rules and my Department ensures that appropriate procedures are followed for all procurement activity. Departments are obliged to ensure that public procurement is discharged in line with the standard accounting and procurement rules and that contracts awarded represent best value for...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Local Community Safety Partnerships (29 Apr 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1617 and 1634 together. 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 which will operate at each local authority level. A key principle of the Report of the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland is that community safety...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Domestic Violence (29 Apr 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I am deeply committed to a zero-tolerance approach to all forms of domestic violence and ensuring that victims receive the supports that they need 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...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Citizenship Applications (29 Apr 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: The naturalisation application from the person referred to by the Deputy continues to be processed by my Department. This application is based on Section 16 'Irish Association', which can take longer to process than applications based upon residency. Section 15 of the Act sets out the statutory conditions that must be fulfilled for a certificate of naturalisation to be granted....

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Citizenship Applications (29 Apr 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: The Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956 provides that the President, on the advice of the Government, may grant Irish Citizenship as a token of honour to a person, or to the child or grandchild of a person, who has done honour or rendered distinguished service to the nation. It has, due to its exceptional nature, been bestowed on a very limited number of people. A Government...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Visa Applications (29 Apr 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I can advise the Deputy that the application referred to was created on 01 August 2024. Supporting documentation was received in the Ottawa office on 27 August 2024. The application was received in the Dublin Visa Office on 11 September 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...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (29 Apr 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: The information sought by the Deputy in relation to staff resources of each Garda station in the Cork City Divisions is publicly available and can be found at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-justice/publications/garda-staff /. The number of Gardaí assigned to each station in the Cork City Divisions is also publicly available and can be found at the following link:...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Visa Applications (29 Apr 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I can advise the Deputy on 10 July 2024 visa requirements were introduced for nationals of South Africa. The Dublin Visa Office have established a dedicated “South Africa desk” to process applications from residents of South Africa. My Department also established Visa Application Centres, located throughout South Africa, with visa service provider VFS Global. This is to ensure...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Citizenship Applications (29 Apr 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I can advise the Deputy that the person cited was granted an immigration permission through the Regularisation of Long Term Undocumented Migrants Scheme on 5 July 2022, and this permission expired on 4 July 2024. Due to the length of time that this individuals immigration permission has expired, they are required to register again in-person. All first-time registrations nationwide are...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (29 Apr 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: The Programme for Government commits to examining a range of further measures to grow Garda numbers, including funding the recruitment of 5,000 members over the next five years, supporting and expanding the Garda Training College in Templemore, and widening the talent pool applying to join An Garda Síochána. The Recruitment and Training Capacity Group has been established to...