Results 281-300 of 9,106 for speaker:Jim O'Callaghan

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Functions (9 Apr 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: Under the Programme for Government, Securing Ireland’s Future, responsibility for the regulation of owner management companies (OMCs) and the Multi-Unit Development Act (MUDs) is to be transferred from my Department to the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. I am advised that the transfer of functions will be completed within the coming weeks.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Family Reunification (9 Apr 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I can advise the Deputy that the average processing time for applications under Section 56 of the International Protection Act 2015 is currently 18 months. Processing times can vary depending on the nature of the application, the documentation supplied, and the detailed and often complex assessment that is required to be carried out on such applications. I understand that people are...

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

Jim O'Callaghan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 183, 184, 185, 186, 187, 188, 189 and 190 together. The term ‘cult’ is not legally defined in Irish law. Some of the types of criminal activity referred to by the Deputy could be addressed through a number of existing provisions in legislation. For example, where a group is engaged in financial exploitation, the Criminal Justice...

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

Jim O'Callaghan: A decision to grant ill health retirement rests with the relevant employer and is subject to an approval process which includes an appropriate medical assessment having been carried out by the relevant medical professional. In the context of the ill health retirement process at An Garda Síochána, the role of the Garda Occupational Health Service (GOHS) is outlined below. ...

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

Jim O'Callaghan: The Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána under Section 33 of the Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024. This includes all Garda HR matters in line with obligations of An Garda Síochána under Section 42 of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Act 2014. I am advised by the Garda authorities...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Electric Vehicles (9 Apr 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 193 and 194 together. Management of the courts, operational matters and logistical functions are the responsibility of the judiciary and Courts Service, which are independent in exercising their functions under the Courts Service Act 1998 and given the separation of powers in the Constitution. However, to be of assistance, I have had enquiries made with...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Visa Applications (9 Apr 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I understand that extended wait times can be frustrating for applicants and I want to assure anyone who has made an application for a join family visa that my Department is doing everything possible to progress these applications as quickly as possible. The entitlement to family reunification varies depending on the permission granted to the sponsor of the application. Accordingly, there...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Visa Applications (9 Apr 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I can advise the Deputy that the application referred to was created on 25 October 2024. Supporting documentation was received in the Abuja Visa Office on 15 November 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: Gambling Sector (9 Apr 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I am advised that the recent procurement process and awarding of the subsequent contract for the Provision of Licensing and Operational Support ICT Systems and Related Services on behalf of the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI) was conducted in line with all national and EU procurement rules. These rules promote an open, competitive, and non-discriminatory tendering regime which...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Irish Sign Language (9 Apr 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: My Department and the agencies and bodies under its aegis are fully aware of their obligations under the Irish Sign Language (ISL) Act 2017 and I am committed to raising awareness of the Act across the Justice sector. My Department and all relevant aegis bodies provide ISL interpretation free of charge upon request. Our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Strategy , launched in...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Data (9 Apr 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I have requested the information sought by the Deputy from the Garda authorities. Regrettably, this was not available in time and I will write to the Deputy once the information is to hand.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Common Travel Area (9 Apr 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 200 and 201 together. Ireland and the United Kingdom (UK) share a long history and common interest in the effective operation of the Common Travel Area (CTA) and work together to prevent any abuses of the CTA. There is extensive engagement, cooperation and data-sharing at all levels between my Department’s officials and their Home Office...

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

Jim O'Callaghan: I am informed by the Garda Authorities that in order to expand the Garda workforce, the Garda Commissioner set an objective to increase the number of applicants by broadening the reach of the recent recruitment campaign to attract a diverse cohort of candidates. The Public Appointments Service and the Commissioner achieved this success by employing innovative strategies, such as...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Victim Support Services (9 Apr 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: Ensuring that all victims of sexual violence 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 different stages of the criminal justice system. This includes the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Victim Support Services (9 Apr 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: Ensuring that all 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 different stages of the criminal justice system. This includes the provision of...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence (9 Apr 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: Keeping our communities safe is my foremost priority as Minister for Justice. I would like to assure you that there are a range of provisions in law and in practice in relation to the management of sex offenders after they’ve been released from prison. The Sex Offenders (Amendment) Act 2023, which was commenced in 2023, strengthened our already robust system for monitoring sex...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Probation and Welfare Service (9 Apr 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: The imposition of a Post Release Supervision Order under Section 29 of the Sex Offenders Act 2001 is a matter for the judiciary as it forms part of sentencing. The judiciary is independent in the exercise of judicial functions, subject only to the Constitution and the law. It is not open to me, as the Minister for Justice, to comment or intervene in any way in relation to how particular court...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Probation and Welfare Service (9 Apr 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 207 and 209 together. There are two forms of post-custodial supervision order that can apply:Post Release Supervision Order (‘PRSO’) under S.29 of the Sex Offenders Act 2001.Part Suspended Sentence Supervision Order (‘PSSSO) under S.99 of the Criminal Justice Act 2006. Approximately half of Sex Offenders who receive some form of...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Probation and Welfare Service (9 Apr 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I have requested the information sought by the Deputy from the Garda authorities. Regrettably, this was not available in time and I will write to the Deputy once the information is provided.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Data (9 Apr 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I am advised by the Irish Prison Service (IPS) the Building Better Lives (BBL) programme had been delivered as the treatment programme for sexual offending since 2009 in Irish Prisons. A review of the programme was conducted between February 2023 and July 2024 by Canadian expert, Professor Liam Marshall, following the emergence of updated research evidence, practice-based evidence,...