Results 421-440 of 9,106 for speaker:Jim O'Callaghan

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Service (1 Apr 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: The Programme for Government commits us to establishing high-dependency units within the Irish Prison Service to address severe mental health and addiction challenges and to hiring more therapeutic and medical staff, including psychiatric and addiction nurses, GP’s and psychologists. All people committed to prison are subject to a comprehensive medical assessment by the Prison...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Film Industry (1 Apr 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: Under Irish law, decisions regarding classification of Films, Videos and DVDs are determined by The Irish Film Classification Office (IFCO). IFCO is a statutory body which is independent in the exercise of its official functions. IFCO was established under the Censorship of Films Act 1923, with its role expanded under the Video Recordings Act 1989, to include classification of video and...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Censorship of Publications (1 Apr 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: The Censorship of Publications Act, 1946, provides for a Register of Prohibited Publications. The Register in respect of books is in two parts, and contains details of books which have been prohibited and when the notice was originally published in Iris Oifigiúil, which indicates when the prohibition came into effect. Part 1 contains particulars of books prohibited on the ground that...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Crime Prevention (1 Apr 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: This Government is committed to ensuring that An Garda Síochána has the resources it needs to fight crime. The Garda Vote in Budget 2025 saw unprecedented funding of over €2.48 billion for this year. The Garda Commissioner keeps the distribution of resources under continual review and I will be engaging regularly with him to ensure our Gardaí have the resources they...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (1 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: Domestic Violence (1 Apr 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: Tackling domestic, sexual and gender-based violence is a central priority for me as Minister for Justice. The Programme for Government commits to working with An Garda Síochána to ensure a person in an intimate relationship can be informed of a serious risk to them where a new partner has a history of domestic violence. I have requested officials to examine proposals to...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (1 Apr 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I can inform the Deputy that, to date, I have held three meetings with the Garda Commissioner since taking office. All these meetings were held in my Department's offices at 51 St. Stephen's Green and were attended by senior officials from my Department as well as from An Garda Síochána. The relevant dates are as follows:24 January 20257 February 20256 March 2025In addition to these...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (1 Apr 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 579, 580 and 581 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.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (1 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: Visa Applications (1 Apr 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I can inform the Deputy that the Working Holiday Authorisation Programme (WHA) allows non-EEA nationals from certain countries to come to Ireland to experience living and working for a certain period of time, normally one year, without the requirement of a formal work permit. Applications for the Programme are processed and approved by the Department of Foreign Affairs. My Department is...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Visa Applications (1 Apr 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: The application from the person referred to by the Deputy was approved 27 March 2025. They can expect to receive their new Irish Residence Permit (IRP) card in the next 10-15 working days. The person concerned can now directly check the status of their immigration application on the Immigration Service’s new Digital Contact Centre (DCC). They can register for, or log in to their...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Visa Applications (1 Apr 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I understand that the Deputy's question relates to the requirement for proof of finance available to a Non-EEA national student seeking residence in the State to study. One of the key conditions applicable to a student coming to Ireland is that they must be able to support themselves without claiming state benefits. As such, proof of available finances is a requirement for all relevant...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Crime Prevention (27 Mar 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: My Department funds Muintir na Tíre through a mix of grant funding and a rebate on the costs of their SMS Alert Scheme. Muintir na Tíre is a social movement that develops and assists rural communities across the country. My Department has worked with them for many years in the area of Crime Prevention and Community Development and provides funding to cover the costs incurred by...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Work Permits (27 Mar 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: A Stamp 2 immigration residence permission indicates permission to study a full time course of education on the official Interim List of Eligible Programmes (ILEP) for a specified period, subject to conditions. The primary purpose of the Stamp 2 is to provide opportunities for study in Ireland. All applicants must show that they have sufficient funds to support their stay in Ireland...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Artificial Intelligence (27 Mar 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: Data protection is a fundamental right under EU law and is governed by the General Data Protection Directive (GDPR), and the Law Enforcement Directive. GDPR protects individuals' fundamental rights in the digital age and facilitates business by clarifying rules for companies and public bodies in the digital single market. A single law across the EU, reduces the fragmentation in approach...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Data (27 Mar 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I am advised by my officials in the Irish Prison Service that on the 27th February 2025, there were 5,202 persons in custody, of which 3,423 persons (66%) have previously spent time in custody.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Cybersecurity Policy (27 Mar 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 320 and 324 together. For sound operational and security reasons, my Department does not disclose specific information relating to attacks, spend, training, and/or specific strategies employed to counter and combat the threats posed to information security. My Department implements a security-by-design and defence-in-depth approach to cyber security....

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Citizenship Applications (27 Mar 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: The naturalisation application from the person referred to by the Deputy continues to be processed by my Department. I understand the 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: Citizenship Applications (27 Mar 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I can assure the Deputy that the Citizenship Division of my Department is doing everything possible to progress applications as quickly as possible. I understand the extended wait times can be frustrating for applicants, however, Citizenship Division have taken a significant number of steps to speed up the process for applicants. These included introducing an online digital application,...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (27 Mar 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I would like to extend my deepest sympathies to the Wheelock family for their terrible loss, and the pain Terence's tragic death has caused to them. My Department has previously written to the Wheelock family in response to a request which they have made for a public inquiry to be established to examine the circumstances surrounding Terence's death. The circumstances surrounding Mr...