Results 541-560 of 11,583 for speaker:Jim O'Callaghan

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (24 Sep 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I am informed by the Garda Authorities that the table below provides a monthly breakdown per Garda division of the number of vehicles seized by Gardaí in the Dublin region for having no insurance in the first eight months of 2025. These figures are based on incidents occurring from 1 January 2025 to 31 August 2025, inclusive. All information contained in this report is based upon...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (24 Sep 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: Parliamentary Question No 2001 of 29 July 2025 sought "the number of each category of firearm training courses that took place in garda headquarters for armed Garda personnel in 2024 and to-date in 2025; and the duration of each course, in tabular form." This information was not available at the time, however I have now been advised of the below by the Garda authorities. The Firearms...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (24 Sep 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I am advised by the Garda authorities that the Garda Air Support Unit (GASU) is a national resource based at Casement Aerodrome, Baldonnel, Co. Dublin. There are currently two helicopters attached to the Garda aircraft fleet, a Eurocopter EC135 T2 and a EC135 T2+ which were delivered in 2001 and 2007 respectively. An application was made to replace both aircraft, and sanction for a fixed...

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

Jim O'Callaghan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 118 to 121, inclusive, together. The Department has not received an offer of accommodation at this location and is not currently examining this property for use as international protection accommodation. Providing reception conditions – accommodation and other basic supports – to people seeking international protection is part of Irish and EU...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Service (24 Sep 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I am advised that a 14-month review of the Chaplains Service was commissioned by the Irish Prison Service and conducted by the Jesuit Centre for Faith and Justice from January 2024 to March 2025. A copy of that review has now been issued to prison chaplains and to the Prisons Liaison of the Irish Episcopal Conference. I am further advised that the recommendations contained within the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (24 Sep 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: In the interest of transparency, An Garda Síochána publishes information in relation to the allocation of Garda members nationally, including Roads Policing by Division, which 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 July 2025...

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

Jim O'Callaghan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 126, 127, 128, 129, 130, 131, 132, 133, 134, 135 and 137 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...

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

Jim O'Callaghan: The Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration continues to work as part of the whole-of-Government response to the war in Ukraine with a focus on providing access to emergency temporary accommodation to those fleeing the conflict who request it, in line with Government policy. This supports the people in question to make longer term independent arrangements. Council Directive...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (23 Sep 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: As Deputy Hearne said, I had the pleasure of being in Ballymun to meet the integration forum there. A huge amount of excellent work is being done. I am alarmed by the statistic that Deputy Hearne has put onto the record of the House. It is frightening that men in Ballymun are 150% more likely to die in the circumstances he has outlined. Deputy Hearne wants more gardaí on the streets...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (23 Sep 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: As the Deputy said, I was down in Cork before the summer and saw the great work that is done by members of An Garda Síochána in the Cork area. I am aware of the issue in respect of units. I hope the Deputy will forgive me if I do not throw myself into the middle of it. It is an operational matter for the Garda Commissioner. The last thing I want to do, as Minister for Justice,...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (23 Sep 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: Notwithstanding the fact that the culprits on Eden Quay were using e-scooters and were wearing black clothing, I can assure Deputy McCormack that the strong likelihood is that they will be apprehended. The Garda has great success in apprehending people involved in those types of violent criminal attacks in the city centre. We saw that a suspect was arrested in respect of the injuries...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (23 Sep 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I am conscious that at present, there are two live issues before the courts in respect of that investigation. One of the associates of the late Mr. Fitzgerald has pleaded guilty so there has to be an issue with regard to sentencing in respect of his plea. Second, another individual, I understand, has not yet made a plea so there could be a trial so I am not going to get involved in the...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (23 Sep 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: At the outset, I should say that I have no difficulty meeting the family. I am happy to meet the family. In fact, I was down in Carrick-on-Shannon on 8 September last and Deputy Scanlon asked me to meet the family. I agreed to meet them on 8 September but unfortunately it did not suit them. There is no issue with me meeting them. I am due in front of the justice committee, chaired by the...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (23 Sep 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: -----unless Deputy Carthy is happy to put back the committee meeting and I will meet the Farrells. I am conscious they are here but if Deputy Carthy cannot, I will not be able to meet them now.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (23 Sep 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I am conscious that everyone in this House has, to a large extent, contributed to the occupied territories Bill. As the Deputy knows, Deputy Lahart did an excellent job chairing the committee that did pre-legislative scrutiny on that Bill. The report is now being published. That was necessary in order that pre-legislative scrutiny would be done and for it to be progressed through the...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (23 Sep 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I refer to what I said to Deputy Bacik earlier on in that there was a very informative report published by An Garda Síochána at the end of August, which showed that knife crime is down, knife seizures are up and knife injuries are down. However, that is of cold comfort to the 17-year-old young man who was injured over the weekend and indeed the 11-year-old. This is a more complex...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (23 Sep 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: The biggest problem I face as Minister for justice is that every elected representative and member of the public I meet wants to see more gardaí in their community. There is a positive story behind that when we reflect upon it. It was great that 20 gardaí went to Limerick city. I do not decide where new recruits coming out of Templemore go. I know everyone wants them. As I said...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (23 Sep 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I thank Deputy Burke for his question. He highlights an issue that many of us experience in our local communities where there is a delay in major infrastructural residential development because of not getting a connection with Uisce Éireann. There definitely should be a process in place whereby local authorities and Uisce Éireann can engage. I am surprised there is not. I will...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (23 Sep 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: Like Deputy Bacik, I was very concerned when I heard about the stabbing of the two individuals over the weekend but it has to be put in context as well. I received a report from An Garda Síochána at the end of August this year in respect of knife crime. It showed that knife-crime seizures where up and knife-crime injuries were down. In general, knife crime as a criminal offence...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (23 Sep 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I thank Deputy Cummins for her question. To answer it straight, no, we will not suspend it and it needs to be put in context with what is being done in respect of special education at present. There are over 23,000 SNAs currently in place in the education system, which is an increase of 43% since 2020, and budget 2025 added 1,600 SNAs, the largest increase to date. Almost 21,000 special...