Results 301-320 of 11,583 for speaker:Jim O'Callaghan

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence (7 Oct 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: Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence (7 Oct 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I recognise that sibling sexual abuse is a highly damaging crime. Through the implementation of the “Supporting a Victim’s Journey”, the Government has committed to ongoing reform aimed at reducing the re-traumatisation of victims and ensuring every step of the legal process, from reporting to trial, reflects a victim-centred and trauma-aware approach. There is a...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: International Protection (7 Oct 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: The State purchase of the Citywest Hotel and Convention Centre for international protection accommodation is now completed. The purchase of the site is a key part of the Government’s strategy to develop a stable and sustainable accommodation system for people seeking international protection. State-owned centres are part of the Government’s long-term plan to reduce the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: International Protection (7 Oct 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: The State purchase of the Citywest Hotel and Convention Centre for international protection accommodation is now completed. As stated in previous updates issued to local elected representatives and residents’ groups, the Department can confirm that there are no plans in place to increase capacity on the site or on the grounds. It is important to emphasise that accommodation for...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: International Protection (7 Oct 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: As the Deputy will be aware, Cabinet approval for the State purchase of the Citywest Hotel and Convention Centre for international protection accommodation was secured this year, on 17 June 2025. The purchase of the site is a key part of the Government’s strategy to develop a stable and sustainable accommodation system for people seeking international protection. State-owned...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: International Protection (7 Oct 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: The Citywest Hotel and Convention Centre is an existing accommodation centre for people seeking international protection, and for people fleeing the war in Ukraine who are Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection. The Planning and Development (Exempted Development) (No. 4) Regulations (S.I. 605 of 2022) were introduced to assist the State in meeting Ireland’s legal obligation to provide...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: International Protection (7 Oct 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: In line with the Programme for Government 2025, and the Comprehensive Accommodation Strategy (CAS) for International Protection approved in 2024, the State is working to develop more State-owned international protection accommodation, and reduce reliance on commercial providers over time. This will see a move away from full reliance on private providers and towards a core of State-owned...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Crime Prevention (7 Oct 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: At the outset I would like to assure the Deputy that An Garda Síochána and this Government are fully committed to tackling all forms of crime and anti-social behaviour and building stronger, safer communities. While the Garda Commissioner is responsible for all operational policing matters, I am committed to providing An Garda Síochána with the resources they need to...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (7 Oct 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: In the interest of transparency, An Garda Síochána publishes data on the allocation of Gardaí by Division, Station and rank. This can be found at the following link: www.garda.ie/en/about-us/our-departments/human-resources-and -people-development/garda-hr-directorate/garda-strength-brea kdown-2025/ The Deputy should select the Garda Workforce figures for the latest...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Administrative Arrangements (7 Oct 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: Responsibility for International Protection Accommodation Services (IPAS) and Ukraine accommodation moved from the Department of Children, Disability and Equality (DCDE) to my Department on 1 May 2025. As part of the Transfer of Functions process, some more complex services remain in transition, including aspects of technology and finance systems. A temporary transition arrangement has been...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (7 Oct 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I understand that Parliamentary Question No 2071 of 29 July sought "the number of mountain bikes training courses held for Gardaí within Clare-Tipperary Division in the years of 2024 and to-date in 2025, and the number of Gardai that attended each course." I can confirm that a response issued to the Deputy from my Department on 12 September 2025.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Domestic Violence (7 Oct 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: Combatting domestic, sexual and gender-based violence (DSGBV) is a priority for Government, and ensuring reliable date on service use is central to this work. In January 2024, Cuan, the new statutory agency dedicated to tackling DSGBV was established. Cuan’s role is to coordinate our national response and Government actions in the Third National Strategy on DSGBV and ensure better...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Service (7 Oct 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I can inform the Deputy that based on end of year capacity figures and average occupancy figures for 2024, the following is the position. There were 251 females in custody and a bed capacity of 202 which equates to 124%. There were 4,690 males in custody and a bed capacity of 4329 which equates to 108%. Prison governors are required to accept into custody everyone committed to prison by...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (7 Oct 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 407 and 408 together. In the interest of transparency, An Garda Síochána publishes data on the allocation of Gardaí by Division, Station and rank. This can be found at the following link: www.garda.ie/en/about-us/our-departments/human-resources-and -people-development/garda-hr-directorate/garda-strength-brea kdown-2025/ The Deputy should...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Reviews (7 Oct 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: A review of minimum sentences was carried out by my Department in accordance section 29 of the Judicial Council Act 2019. The resulting report, which was laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas in May 2024, recommended the repeal of statutory provisions which provide that persons sentenced to the presumptive minimum term of imprisonment for various offences are ineligible for temporary...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Immigration Policy (7 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 the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (7 Oct 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I understand that Parliamentary Question No. 1560 of 8 September 2025 sought the number of Gardai, by rank attached to Meath-Westmeath divisional protective services bureau, in tabular form. I can confirm that the reply to the Deputy's follow on Parliamentary Question, No. 448 of 7 October 2025, has issued from my office to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (7 Oct 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 operational policing matters, such as the allocation and deployment of Garda resources, and determining the manner in which Garda resources are to be distributed and stationed throughout the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Youth Services (7 Oct 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: Juvenile Liaison Officers (JLOs) are sworn members of An Garda Síochána and are appointed at Divisional level on full time JLO duties. The Garda National Youth Diversion Bureau has responsibility for the selection, training, support and ongoing liaison with a network of Juvenile Liaison Officers in every Garda Community Engagement Area. I am advised by the Garda authorities...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Probation and Welfare Service (7 Oct 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 415 and 416 together. 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.