Results 201-220 of 11,589 for speaker:Jim O'Callaghan

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: International Protection (9 Oct 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: Extensive challenges were posed to the State in sourcing international protection accommodation during an unprecedented surge in applications from 2022 to 2024. During this period, over 45,000 additional international protection applicants arrived in Ireland. Prior to this, a typical 3-year period would have seen close to 8,000 or 9,000 arrivals. During the surge period, the State was...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Drug Dealing (9 Oct 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: Tackling the scourge of drug dealing and targeting the work of organised crime groups, who inflict intimidation, violence and misery on families and communities across Ireland is a top priority for the Government and my Department. An Garda Síochána continues to implement an enhanced national anti-drugs strategy through Operation Tara. The focus of this operation is to disrupt,...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Immigration Policy (9 Oct 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: It is a central priority for me that Ireland’s immigration system is robust and rules based. Returning people who do not have permission to remain in Ireland is undertaken through voluntary returns and deportation. Both types of returns are essential for the system to work effectively and to ensure that there is confidence in the application of our legislation in this area. It is...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (9 Oct 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: The Government is committed to ensuring that An Garda Síochána has the resources it needs to fight crime and a strengthened, well-resourced Garda organisation is central to this policy. At the end of August, the total Garda personnel strength stood at over 18,000, which included 14,369 Garda Members, 3,494 Garda Staff, and 296 Reserves. I will continue to support An Garda...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Anti-Racism Measures (9 Oct 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: The Government recognises the importance of meaningful action to address racism and its impacts in Ireland. The 5-year National Action Plan Against Racism, or NAPAR, represents a whole-of-Government approach to achieving this, as racism is a cross-cutting issue that necessitates action by Government, public bodies, private bodies, communities and individuals. I had a constructive meeting...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (9 Oct 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: The Garda Commissioner is by law responsible for all operational policing matters, including response by An Garda Síochána to emergency calls. As Minister, I have no direct role in these matters. I am advised that GardaSAFE, a new computer aided dispatch system, was rolled out incrementally across the organisation in 2023. The last region, the Dublin Metropolitan Region, went...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (9 Oct 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: A strong and visible Garda presence in our communities is vital to ensure that people in their communities are safe and feel safe. In May, I secured Cabinet approval for the drafting of the General Scheme of the Criminal Law and Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2025. Several provisions in the Bill have significant potential to free up Garda time for high-visibility front-line...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (9 Oct 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: Getting more Gardaí into all our communities to prevent crime is my first priority as Minister for Justice. This Government is committed to ensuring that An Garda Síochána has the resources it needs to fight crime and a strengthened, well-resourced Garda organisation is central to this policy. The Garda Vote in Budget 2026 includes unprecedented funding of €2.59...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (9 Oct 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I am committed to ensuring that An Garda Síochána has the resources it needs to fight crime and a strengthened, well-resourced Garda organisation is central to this policy. The Garda Vote in Budget 2026 includes unprecedented funding of over €2.59 billion which will support the continued recruitment of Garda members and staff. An Garda Síochána is not aligned...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Judicial Reviews (9 Oct 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: As Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration, I have obtained Government approval to prepare a General Scheme of a Civil Reform Bill. The Civil Reform Bill is a key implementation measure of the Kelly Report of the Review of the Administration of Civil Justice. As part of the Bill, it is my intention to introduce provisions which will codify the existing law on judicial review by...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Local Community Safety Partnerships (9 Oct 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. The regulations for these Safety Partnerships came into operation on Monday 30 June. 36 Partnerships are in the process of being established in local authority areas across the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Local Community Safety Partnerships (9 Oct 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. The regulations for these Safety Partnerships came into operation on Monday 30 June. 36 Partnerships are in the process of being established in local authority areas across the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Service (9 Oct 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: A record capital investment of €527 million is being provided to IPS over the next 5 years, of which €495 million will be invested in building projects to further increase capacity. This will provide for the largest investment in the prison estate in the history of the State. The target is to deliver 1,595 individual prison spaces by 2031 and includes a new prison on the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (9 Oct 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: This Government is committed to ensuring that An Garda Síochána has the resources it needs to fight crime and a strengthened, well-resourced Garda organisation is central to this policy. The Programme for Government also includes a commitment to ensure each community policing area has a dedicated community Garda, so everyone knows their local officer and how to contact them. The...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (9 Oct 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: Getting more Gardaí on our streets to prevent crime is my first priority as Minister for Justice. This Government is committed to ensuring that An Garda Síochána has the resources it needs to fight crime and a strengthened, well-resourced Garda organisation is central to this policy. The Programme for Government includes a commitment to ensure each community policing area...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (9 Oct 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: The primary purpose of vetting carried out by An Garda Siochana under the provisions of the National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Acts 2012 - 2016 is to ensure the safety of children and vulnerable adults. I believe the many organisations nationwide whose work focuses on the safety, enjoyment and comfort of children and vulnerable people understand that they must take...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (9 Oct 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: Any use of Artificial Intelligence by An Garda Síochána complies with the “Guidelines for the Responsible Use of AI in the Public Service” issued by the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery & Reform (DPENDPR) in May last, which is applicable to the public service as a whole. I am informed that, at present, An Garda Síochána does not use...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (9 Oct 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 37 and 64 together. The Programme for Government commits to examining a range of further measures to enable An Garda Síochána recruit 5,000 members across the next five years. The Garda Vote in Budget 2026 includes unprecedented funding of €2.59 billion which will support the continued recruitment of Garda members and staff. At the end...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Domestic Violence (9 Oct 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 38 and 41 together. Tackling domestic, sexual and gender-based violence is a central priority for this Government and underpins the Zero Tolerance Strategy. In January 2024, Cuan, the statutory DSGBV agency was established and has been the lead agency coordinating Government actions under that Strategy, ensuring services, training, and public awareness...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Crime Prevention (9 Oct 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 39 and 63 together. I am fully committed to helping to significantly reduce the harms caused to families and communities by illicit drug use. While my colleague the Minister for Health leads on policy on drug addiction and recovery, I recognise that these areas are complex and there is a clear interface between the work of An Garda Síochána and...