Results 421-440 of 11,583 for speaker:Jim O'Callaghan

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

Jim O'Callaghan: I strongly condemn the use of knives to threaten, intimidate or harm others. The Government is committed to ensuring that the problems that we have seen in neighbouring jurisdictions do not repeat themselves here. There is already a comprehensive and robust legal framework in place in Ireland with respect to knife crime. Increased sentences were introduced last year for certain offences...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Deportation Orders (1 Oct 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: It is a central priority for me 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. If a person does not remove themselves from the State following the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Immigration Status (1 Oct 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I can inform the Deputy that anyone may leave Ireland if their Irish Residence Permit (IRP) card has expired. However, if an individuals IRP card has expired and they are a visa-required national, then they will need to apply for a visa to return. They can apply to their local Visa Office or Embassy for the relevant visa to allow them to travel back to Ireland. Visa applications must be...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: State Bodies (1 Oct 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: Under the General Data Protection Regulation and the Data Protection Act 2018, the Data Protection Commission (DPC) is independent in the performance of its tasks and the exercise of its powers. I am advised that published statistics, which include Human Resources are available in the DPC’s most recent annual report, available at the following link: Data Protection Commission Annual...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Asylum Applications (1 Oct 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: As the Deputy will be aware, my Department is unable to publish any information that would identify any person as being an international protection applicant. This is a separate matter to the law dealing with data protection matters more generally. In general terms, applicants for international protection are requested to provide personal documentation to the International Protection...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Immigration Policy (1 Oct 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 129 to 133, inclusive, and 135 to 137, inclusive, together. The announcement by the British Government concerning the introduction of digital identity cards in the UK has been noted and I look forward to seeing details of the proposals in due course. Changing migration trends are kept under continual review and are responded to by my Department. Any...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Immigration Policy (1 Oct 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: The International Protection Accommodation Service has been operating under significant pressure since 2022. A sudden and unexpected surge in applications for international protection between 2022 and 2024 placed increased demand on its services. Although the rate of increase in demand has eased in recent months, approximately 1,000 people a month are applying for international...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Immigration Policy (1 Oct 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: All applications for a certificate of naturalisation are assessed individually based on the provisions of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended. Applicants are required to have 5 years reckonable residence in the State prior to making an application, except for spouses of Irish nationals where the requirement is 3 years. In all cases, the final 12 months must be...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: International Protection (1 Oct 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: The International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) is currently accommodating nearly 33,000 residents. As of 29 September 2025, 4,855 of these residents have a form of legal status that allows them to remain in Ireland. This means that they are no longer entitled to IPAS accommodation. However, they are now able to access the full range of housing supports available to all Irish...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Family Law Cases (1 Oct 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: My Department has no role in the making of court orders in relation to custody, access or maintenance. This is a function of the courts, which are, subject to the Constitution and the law, independent in the performance of their functions. Section 3 of the Guardianship of Infants Act 1964 obliges the courts in deciding any question regarding guardianship, custody or upbringing of, or...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (1 Oct 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: An Garda Síochána (30 Sep 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I am informed by the Garda authorities that, as of 31 August 2025, there were 3,675 vehicles attached to the Garda fleet. This represents an increase of over 18% since the end of December 2020. In the interest of transparency, An Garda Síochána publishes information on the Garda fleet. For the Deputy’s information, detailed statistics relating to the Garda Fleet are...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (30 Sep 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: The Deputy should select the Garda Workforce figures for the latest available month and access the file titled “Garda members by Division District Station 2009 to present” for a breakdown of...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Regulations (30 Sep 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: As the Deputy will be aware, a Working Group on the Indexation rate for Periodic Payment Orders, to advise on an appropriate index, was established following a High Court determination that the index used in primary legislation was unworkable. As part of a two-stage process, the primary legislation governing PPOs has been amended to allow for the Minister for Justice to set the rate by way...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Projects (30 Sep 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: In June 2022, the Government authorised the roll-out of the Rapid Build Homes Programme to provide homes for those displaced by the Russian invasion of Ukraine. This programme was an emergency response to the accommodation needs of people fleeing the war in Ukraine. Sanction was initially obtained for 500 units to accommodate 2,000 BOTPs. This was subsequently revised to 700 units in 2023...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Strategies (30 Sep 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: The first Family Justice Strategy was published in November 2022 for the period 2022-2025. This ambitious Strategy outlines the steps needed to create a more efficient and user-friendly family justice system that puts the family and children at the centre of its work. This is being achieved through the implementation of over 50 actions across nine goals, with timelines for delivery up to the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Court Procedures (30 Sep 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: Garda authorities have advised there have been 98 people arrested in relation to their alleged offending in the disorder in Dublin city centre on 23 November 2023. Of those 98, 76 have been charged with offences. A further 10 juveniles were dealt with under the Garda Youth Diversion Programme. 46 investigation files have been forwarded to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Data (30 Sep 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: For reasons of operational security, it would not be prudent or appropriate to disclose details of my Department's information technology infrastructure, including cloud computing arrangements. Any information in relation to information technology infrastructure configuration and services could assist bad actors in identifying potential vulnerabilities in cybersecurity arrangements....

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Service (30 Sep 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: As the Deputy will appreciate, management of the courts, operational matters and logistical functions are the responsibility of the judiciary and Courts Service, which are independent in the exercise of their functions under the Courts Service Act 1998 and given the separation of powers in the Constitution. However, to be of assistance, officials at my Department have made enquiries of...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Cybersecurity Policy (30 Sep 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.