Results 521-540 of 11,583 for speaker:Jim O'Callaghan

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (24 Sep 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: It is being complied with-----

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (24 Sep 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: What about the other resources that the Deputy has not mentioned?

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (24 Sep 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: The Government has put €200 million into ICT in schools. The minor works programme can be availed of for the purposes of works in schools. The summer works programme, which is very popular, ensures works can be done over a short period of time while schools are out on holiday.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (24 Sep 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: As I stated, the free books scheme has not been mentioned by him. There is the hot meals scheme as well in schools.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (24 Sep 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: There are huge advantages that have been introduced into the education sector in schools by this Government and its predecessor and they need to be acknowledged by the Deputy. We acknowledge that there are schools that are under financial pressures but there is a mechanism for them to engage with the Department in respect of that. If there are schools that need to engage with the...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (24 Sep 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: The Deputy is ignoring the great work being done on securing renewable energy in this country. As of last February, 48% of Ireland's power was powered by onshore wind. They are facts the Deputy simply cannot ignore. The Deputy also talked about how we need to ensure there is no LNG plant. We have to provide people in this country with energy security.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (24 Sep 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: It is absolutely essential we have a secure form of energy for them. The Deputy is aware of what is happening as a result of the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the consequence of that from a European perspective. We cannot continue to fund President Putin and Europe cannot continue to fund President Putin by purchasing his fossil oil. A huge amount is being done. Minister O'Brien...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (24 Sep 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I thank the Deputy for her question. Her statement that the Government is doing nothing is not in fact correct. The Minister of State who has responsibility for this area and who has been engaging with the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, CCPC, is Minister Dillon, and he met representatives of the CCPC in June and has asked it to conduct an analysis of the Irish grocery...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (24 Sep 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: They were part of a Government proposal that was sneered at by Sinn Féin at the time. Let us wait to see what the Ministers, Deputies Chambers and Donohoe, and the rest of the Government come up with. I assure the Deputy that the cost-of-living issue will be at the forefront of their consideration and Government consideration.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (24 Sep 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: Every Government TD, and indeed every TD who is not in Sinn Féin, is aware of the pressures that people are under when it comes to the cost of living. The Deputy does not have a monopoly in terms of understanding that. We are fully aware of it. We have introduced measures in the past that the Deputy has acknowledged have ameliorated the cost-of-living pressures on people. She is...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (24 Sep 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: -----families are at the centre of the budget package that will be introduced 13 days from now. The Deputy spoke about the cost of energy. She also has to be aware of the other measures that have been introduced by the Government to alleviate costs on families. For instance, if we look at the retrofitting that is going on, over €558 million has been allocated for residential and...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (24 Sep 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: A lot has been done and the Deputy should not ignore it.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (24 Sep 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I should have pointed out when I was responding to Deputy McDonald that my understanding is that Deputy Barry Heneghan is on that flotilla as well. I extend my best wishes to him. I express my concern and the concern of the wider Government for his safety as well as that of Senator Andrews. Deputy Bacik is being unfair. It is inappropriate to compare the response of the Irish...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (24 Sep 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: Gabhaim buíochas leis an Teachta as an gceist. On behalf of myself and the Government parties, I would also like to wish Julie Lyons all the best in her retirement. I thank her for the excellent service she has provided to Members over 34 years. There is an expression in politics: "If you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen." That certainly never applied to Julie. She...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Data Protection (24 Sep 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 97, 99, 100 and 101 together. I share the Deputies' concerns about recent allegations concerning potential breaches of the GDPR in relation to the selling of personal data by data brokers. The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) provides comprehensive EU wide protections for the personal data of EU citizens, including what constitutes the lawful...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legal Aid (24 Sep 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: The Legal Aid Board is the statutory, independent body responsible for the provision of civil legal aid and advice to persons of modest means, in accordance with the provisions of the Civil Legal Aid Act 1995 (“the 1995 Act”) and the Civil Legal Aid Regulations 1996 to 2021. Section 3(3) of the 1995 Act states that the Board shall, subject to the provisions of the Act, be...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Domestic Violence (24 Sep 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: This Government is absolutely committed to combatting domestic, sexual and gender-based violence (DSGBV) in all its forms, and I am acutely aware that such abuse does not stop at our borders. The Deputy's question refers to Irish safety orders. Depending on the nature of the order made, it may be possible to seek recognition and enforcement of a safety order or similar order, including one...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: International Protection (24 Sep 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 103 to 112, inclusive, together. 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...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: International Protection (24 Sep 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: The International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) is committed to maintaining safeguards to help protect residents from domestic, sexual and gender-based violence and harassment. IPAS teams, centre management and centre staff do not tolerate victimisation or harassment of residents or staff in IPAS centres and the safety and wellbeing of all residents is the paramount concern. The...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: International Protection (24 Sep 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: While the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) cannot comment publicly on individual cases, I can advise the Deputy that officials in my Department are aware of this case and the person's identified needs. Individuals and families request transfers for a variety of reasons and IPAS facilitates those requests as appropriate and where possible. These transfers can be more...