Results 301-320 of 10,013 for speaker:Jim O'Callaghan

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (17 Jun 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: The Garda Commissioner is responsible for the allocation and deployment of resources available to him under section 33 of the Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024, and for the management and administration of all operational policing matters such as the Garda traffic watch online reporting system. As Minister, I do not direct such operational policing decisions and am unable to...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Service (17 Jun 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 619, 621, 622, 623, 624 and 625 together. In considering the pressing need for new prison spaces, while also considering value for money for the taxpayer, the Irish Prison Service has developed a renewed capital plan to deliver over 1,500 new spaces. This plan makes optimal use of existing sites as this is a more cost effective and efficient path to...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Properties (17 Jun 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: Details of properties owned by my Department that are currently vacant is provided in the below table. Property Address Westview House Audley’s Place, Cork City Old Cork Prison Rathmore Road, Cork City Thornton Hall Kilsallaghan, Co. Dublin The Westview House property in Cork City...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Courts Service (17 Jun 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: The Deputy refers to the brutal murder of Mr Denis Donaldson in April 2006 in Glenties, County Donegal. It is regrettable that to date it has not been possible to bring those responsible to court to answer for their actions and my sympathies are with his family. The Deputy references Article 2 of the European Convention of Human Rights (ECHR). Article 2 concerns the right to life and has...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Service (17 Jun 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: The work undertaken by Prison Visiting Committees provides an invaluable perspective on our prisons and the experiences of those in their care, and ensures important issues are highlighted. There are currently Prison Visiting Committee in place in all prisons, including Cloverhill. Following a review of the Prison Visiting Committees, the report on a Review of Prison Visiting Committees,...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Asylum Applications (17 Jun 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: It is a central priority for me as Minister that our immigration laws are robust and enforced. The establishment of a person’s identity and nationality is an important feature of our immigration process in general. When it comes to international protection applicants, each person is requested to provide personal documentation to the International Protection Office at the time of...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Asylum Applications (17 Jun 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I am fully committed to ensuring that Ireland’s International Protection system is robust and rules based, and that our borders are protected. The number of International Protection applications had been rising over the past number of years, reaching 18,500 in 2024. This year, we are beginning to see application numbers noticeably reduce. There were 45% less applications in the first...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Citizenship Applications (17 Jun 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: People considering applying for naturalisation in accordance with the provisions of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended, are required to provide a range of supporting documentation which demonstrates their identity and residency in the State. Given the importance of citizenship, robust and comprehensive checks take place on each application. Documents provided by...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Websites (17 Jun 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: My Department's website is part of the gov.ie platform, which is the portal for government services and information. The Office of the Government Chief Information Officer (OGCIO), a division of the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation, hosts and manages the gov.ie platform. All information provided on Gov.ie is intended for public...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Inquiries (17 Jun 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I can advise the Deputy, that concerning Parliamentary Question no. 677 of 20 May 2025, which requested: “.... the number of persons, and of what nationality, have been deported in the past six years as a result of an alert on Sharing Information System SIS II, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter.” My Department sought and received clarification...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (17 Jun 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: Visa Agreements (17 Jun 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I can confirm to the Deputy that there is no limit on the number of Irish visas issued to any nationality, regardless of the age of the applicant. Visa and preclearance applications provide legal avenues for people moving to Ireland for employment, study and family reasons and also to facilitate visitors who wish to travel for business and/or tourism. It is important to recall these...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Data (17 Jun 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: The Cabinet has today provided approval for the State purchase of the Citywest Hotel and Convention Centre for international protection accommodation. 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 by moving away from commercial properties to State-owned...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Anti-Racism Measures (17 Jun 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 636, 637 and 646 together. The Anti-racism Policy and Funds Administration Unit formed part of the International Protection and Integration Division within the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY) which transferred to my Department with effect from May 1 last in line with the Programme for Government 2025. A...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (17 Jun 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I am advised by the Garda authorities that, as of 31 May, the age profile of the Garda vehicle fleet within the Clare-Tipperary division is broken down in the table below: - No. of vehicles < 1 year 11 1-3 years 28 4-5 years 47 6-7 years 21 8-9 years...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Contracts (17 Jun 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: 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 money. Public procurement practices are subject to audit...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Visa Applications (17 Jun 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I can advise the Deputy that there are currently seven overseas Visa Offices in addition to the Visa Office in Dublin. They are located in Abuja, Beijing, London, Moscow, Ankara, Abu Dhabi and New Delhi. In addition, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade process certain visa applications in Irish Embassies abroad under delegated sanction from my Department. I understand that extended...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Data (17 Jun 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: Providing reception conditions – accommodation and other basic supports – to international protection applicants is a requirement of Irish and EU law. The State is currently accommodating almost 33,000 people who have applied for international protection in Ireland, about 9,500 of whom are children. The International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) provides this...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Citizenship Ceremonies (17 Jun 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I am pleased to inform the Deputy that the next Citizenship Ceremonies are taking place on 23 and 24 June at the INEC Killarney, and invitations to successful applicants have already issued.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Expenditure (17 Jun 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: The Cabinet has today provided approval for the State purchase of the Citywest Hotel and Convention Centre for international protection accommodation. 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 by moving away from commercial properties to State-owned...