Results 641-660 of 9,106 for speaker:Jim O'Callaghan

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Family Reunification (20 Mar 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 369, 370 and 379 together. 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 these applications as quickly as possible. The entitlement to family reunification varies depending on the permission...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (20 Mar 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: Under section 26 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended) the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána, which includes all operational policing matters. As Minister, I play no role in these independent functions. Road traffic legislation is enforced as part of the day-to-day duties of members of An Garda...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (20 Mar 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: The Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána which includes the distribution of resources across the various Garda Divisions. As Minister, I have no direct role in this matter. The Programme for Government commits to prioritising investment across the justice system, including in An Garda Síochána. The Government is...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (20 Mar 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: The Garda Commissioner is by law responsible for the management of An Garda Síochána, including the addition of new facilities to the Garda estate. Works on the Garda estate are carried out in close cooperation between the Office of Public Works (OPW) and Garda management. Under the NDP, the Government is committed to investing significant levels of capital funding into An Garda...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: International Protection (20 Mar 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I can assure the Deputy that I am fully committed to ensuring that Ireland’s International Protection system is robust and rules based, and that our borders are protected. Increased staff levels, more investment in technology and infrastructure, and increases in Panel Members in the International Protection Office (IPO) has allowed for a major increase in processing capacity and the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (20 Mar 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: 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 (20 Mar 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: Under the Garda Síochána Act 2005, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána. This includes the distribution of resources, including Garda fleet, across the various Garda Divisions and National/Specialist Units. The Government is committed to providing An Garda Síochána with the resources needed to keep...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Staff (20 Mar 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I can confirm that there have been no secondments from consulting firms to my Department since 2020.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Programmes (20 Mar 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: Delivering on the commitments laid out in the Programme for Government is a priority for me as Minister, my Department and my colleagues, Ministers of State Colm Brophy and Niall Collins. Working with them, I want to ensure that our justice system is modern, efficient, and responsive to the needs of all of our people. To serve the fundamental need of all people to feel safe and secure in...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Domestic Violence (20 Mar 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: A central element of delivering on the Zero Tolerance goal of the Third National Strategy was the establishment, in January 2024, of Cuan, the statutory domestic, sexual and gender-based violence (DSGBV) agency. Cuan has a specific mandate to drive the implementation of the strategy across Government, bringing the expertise and focus required to tackle this complex social issue. Under...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Contracts (20 Mar 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: Neither my Department nor any agency under its aegis has entered into any contract or held contract discussions with the hotel in question.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Immigration Policy (19 Mar 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1087, 1218 and 1219 together. The European Commission has recently proposed a new Returns Regulation to establish a Common European System for Returns with swifter, simpler and more effective return procedures across the EU while fully respecting fundamental rights. This new legal framework is a complementary measure to the EU Migration and Asylum Pact that...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Citizenship Applications (19 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: Direct Provision System (19 Mar 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: The person referred to by the Deputy can apply to renew their Irish Residence Permit (IRP) card using the online portal, which is available at . The person concerned or an advocate acting on the person’s behalf can upload a scan of the person’s expired passport, or a copy of their previous IRP card to proceed when prompted to provide a scan of their passport. As an...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legislative Programme (19 Mar 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: The Victorian-era laws that criminalised consensual sexual activity between men until being repealed in 1993 are now recognized as a historical injustice. In 2021, a multi-stakeholder working group was formed to examine the disregard of such convictions. The group met multiple times and conducted a public consultation in late 2022, receiving 148 submissions. My predecessor, Minister...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Visa Applications (19 Mar 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I can advise the Deputy that citizens of Thailand require a visa to travel to the State. Further information on visa requirements is available on my Departments Immigration Service website at Ireland supports the entry of migrants through various legal pathways including study, work or to join their family. Details of these pathways and associated requirements can also be found on my...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Coroners Service (19 Mar 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I recognise the significance and sensitivity of the coronial investigation process for loved ones of the bereaved, and that delays in coronial investigations can cause distress for families of the deceased. The Coroner Service comprises a network of coroners located in districts throughout the country. Coroners are independent office holders whose function under the Coroners Act 1962, as...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Funding (19 Mar 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: The Department of Justice provides support for organisations that work in the Victims of Crime area, including provision of support, information and advice on the rights of victims, and court and other services, specialised counselling services, helplines and training initiatives. Funding is provided to organisations that can demonstrate that they comply with the objectives of the Victims...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Expenditure (19 Mar 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: Under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the administration and management of An Garda Síochána, including the enforcement of road traffic legislation. The Commissioner is also responsible for procurement and related contract management. I have made enquiries in relation to the fixed speed camera referenced by the Deputy....

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Paramilitary Groups (19 Mar 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I know the Deputy is familiar with the work of the Independent Reporting Commission. The Commission was established under the Fresh Start Agreement 2015 to report on measures aimed at ending paramilitarism. The Commission has submitted seven reports to the UK and Irish Governments to date, the most recent last month. Both the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and I have welcomed the...