Results 301-320 of 11,589 for speaker:Jim O'Callaghan

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Cybersecurity Policy (8 Oct 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I can assure the Deputy that Ireland remains fully committed to ratification of the Council of Europe ‘Budapest’ Convention on Cybercrime. The Convention is divided into three main sections: criminalisation of listed offences; measures for the gathering of evidence in relation to the listed offences and from computer systems generally; and international cooperation. A...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Sentencing Policy (8 Oct 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 283 and 284 together. Management of the courts, along with related 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 the Constitution. It should be noted that the Department does not record data relating to...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Data Protection (8 Oct 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: The issue of selling precise location data generated by mobile phones – brought to light by the recent RTÉ Prime Time programme – raises serious privacy, data protection and security concerns. The processing of personal data is regulated at EU level by the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). This affords the most appropriate level of protection to individuals,...

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

Jim O'Callaghan: My Department has an office in Killarney and any vacancies are filled on a case-by case basis. At present, my Department has no plans to expand the number of staff working in this office. Public Jobs is the primary recruiter for the Civil Service and any open recruitment competitions are typically advertised on publicjobs.ie.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Local Community Safety Partnerships (7 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: Citizenship Applications (7 Oct 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I understand that the Deputy has been in contact with my Department's Immigration Oireachtas service regarding the person cited and a status update was recently provided. This application continues to be processed by the citizenship division of my Department. I am aware that extended wait times can be frustrating for applicants, particularly considering the current processing times. I...

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...