Results 341-360 of 10,013 for speaker:Jim O'Callaghan

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: International Protection (12 Jun 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: My Department has not received an offer from this property, and is not examining it for use as international protection accommodation.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: International Protection (12 Jun 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: Implementing effective border security arrangements is a priority for me as Minister. The Programme for Government commits to developing a border security strategy to deliver stronger border security, ensuring technology supports border screening and to reviewing the potential of extending pre-clearance mechanisms, such as electronic travel authorisation, for travel from designated third...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Family Law Cases (12 Jun 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I have noted the research published by Trinity College and Women’s Aid and I have asked my officials to review its contents. I welcome the report’s emphasis on the need to continue to implement the national Family Justice Strategy 2022-2025, the ambitious programme of reform developed by my Department which sets out a vision for a system refocused on the needs and rights of...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Miscarriages of Justice (12 Jun 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 424 and 425 together. The Deputy will be aware that the questions raised relate to an investigation conducted nearly 50 years ago. This culminated in the Courts overturning the convictions of two people in 1980, a presidential pardon for a third person in 1992, and the subsequent payment of financial settlements. At the time, this case undeniably cast...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Naturalisation Applications (12 Jun 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: The naturalisation application from the person referred to by the Deputy continues to be processed by my Department. I understand that extended wait times can be frustrating for applicants, particularly considering the current processing times. I want to assure anyone who has an application for naturalisation submitted that the Citizenship Division of my Department is doing everything...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Visa Applications (12 Jun 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I can advise the Deputy that the application referred to was created on 27 November 2024. The application and supporting documentation was received in the Pretoria Embassy on 12 December 2024. The application was received in the Dublin Visa Office on 15 January 2025 where it awaits examination and processing. My Departments business target for join family visa applications is 12 months....

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Social Impact Bonds (12 Jun 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: The development and rollout of a Social Impact Fund is a key priority for the recently established Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (the Authority). This fund will support research, education, training, gambling treatment and intervention initiatives, and public awareness activities to help tackle gambling harm. The development of the fund is being conducted with the assistance...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Functions (12 Jun 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 429 to 436, inclusive, and 442 together. My Department now directly employs 4,067 people, including a number of agencies within Vote 24. There are 1603 staff under the Civil Justice Pillar and 255 staff under the Criminal Justice Pillar (as of 11 June 2025). Since my appointment as Minister, work has been ongoing in my Department to develop a new...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (12 Jun 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 437 and 438 together. My first priority as Minister for Justice is to get more Gardaí on our streets through increased recruitment. The overall Garda workforce, which includes Gardaí, civilian staff and Reserves currently stands at over 18,000. Significant changes have been made in recent years to boost recruitment and retention in An...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Service (12 Jun 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 439, 440, 441 and 443 together. I am acutely aware of capacity restraints in our prisons and I am committed to increasing the capacity of our prisons by 1,500 in line with the Programme for Government. This work has already commenced. The Future Prison Capacity Working Group was established in the second half of 2024 to further consider future prison...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Deportation Orders (11 Jun 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 216, 233 and 234 together. I can assure the Deputy that I am fully committed to ensuring that Ireland’s immigration system is robust and rules based. The enforcement aspects of our laws, including deportation orders, are an essential requirement for the system to work effectively and to ensure that there is confidence in the application of our...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (11 Jun 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: The table below has been provided to me by the Garda Authorities and outlines the number of vans in the Kerry Division allocated to Public Order duty. - Vans As of 31 May 2021 0 As of 31 May 2025 1 An Garda Síochána publishes detailed information on the Garda fleet from 2008 to date, including a...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Bodies (11 Jun 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: Any area of my Department can be reached using the email address info@justice.ie. The telephone numbers for my Department are 01 602 8202 or 1800 221 227. Queries from Oireachtas members in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to my Department by email using the Oireachtas Mail facility at IMoireachtasmail@justice.ie which has been specifically...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Information and Communications Technology (11 Jun 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 219 and 220 together. Neither my Department nor the bodies under its aegis have any capital projects valued in excess of €5 million and ran over cost in 2023. Neither are there any such IT capital projects to report valued over €1 million and written off in the years 2022, 2023 or 2024. I am informed that it has not been possible for...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Deportation Orders (11 Jun 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 221 to 224, inclusive, together. I am fully committed to ensuring that Ireland’s immigration system is robust and rules based. The enforcement aspects of our laws, including deportation orders, are an essential requirement for the system to work effectively and to ensure that there is confidence in the application of our legislation in this area. ...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Deportation Orders (11 Jun 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 225, 227 and 228 together. It is a central priority for me that Ireland’s immigration system is robust and rules based. The enforcement aspect of our laws, including deportation orders, are an essential requirement for the system to work effectively and to ensure that there is confidence in the application of our legislation in this area. A...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Visa Applications (11 Jun 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I am advised the Deputy has clarified that he is referring to the processing of Join Family visa applications sponsored by holders of Critical Skills Employment Permits (CSEP). 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...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Cybersecurity Policy (11 Jun 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: As the Deputy will be aware, responsibility for National Cyber Security policy transferred to my Department from the former Department of Environment, Climate and Communications, in recent weeks. The previous National Cyber Security Strategy covered the period 2019-2024. Work on a successor Strategy is underway in my Department and I expect to be in a position to publish the new...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Road Traffic Offences (11 Jun 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 230 and 231 together. Road traffic legislation comes under the remit of the Department of Transport. E-Scooter legislation was introduced last year and solely governs the use of e-scooters. As was confirmed with the Deputy, the relevant legislation referred to are sections 9 and 28 of the Road Traffic (Electric Scooters) Regulations 2024 provide that: ...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (11 Jun 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: The review referred to in my response to the Deputy's previous question is a technical administrative one concerning data management in the Immigration area of my Department and requires some experience and expertise in the area. While consideration was given to utilising serving officials or members of An Garda Síochána, this would have diverted from other important priorities....