Results 741-760 of 8,947 for speaker:Jim O'Callaghan

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: International Protection (25 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 617, 618 and 625 together. The patterns in international protection applications vary over time and the Government’s response adapts accordingly. It has long been the case that a significant number of people apply for international protection for the first time in the International Protection Office (IPO). There are a number of circumstances in...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: International Protection (25 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 619 and 623 together. 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. In 2024 the International Protection Office (IPO) delivered over 14,000 first-instance decisions compared to over 8,500 in 2023, while the International...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: International Protection (25 Feb 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. In 2024 the International Protection Office (IPO) delivered over 14,000 first decisions compared to over 8,500 in 2023, while the International Protection Appeals Tribunal (IPAT) closed around 3,100 appeals in...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: International Protection (25 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 621 and 622 together. The International Protection Appeals Tribunal (IPAT) is a statutorily independent body and exercises a quasi-judicial function under the International Protection Act 2015. The Tribunal consists of a Chairperson, two Deputy Chairpersons, and ordinary members appointed on either a whole-time or part-time capacity. Tribunal Members...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Asylum Seekers (25 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: The Eurodac database, which began operation in 2003, is used to enable the comparison of fingerprints and assist in determining the country responsible for the assessment of an asylum claim presented in one of the Member States. Statistical data on the work of the Eurodac Central System are made public at the end of each year in accordance with the Eurodac Regulation (Article 8(2) of...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Data (25 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: The Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of Garda business under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), which includes the management of the PULSE system. As Minister, I play no role in these independent functions. I have requested the information sought by the Deputy from the Garda authorities and I am informed that An Garda...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (25 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: The Government is committed to ensuring that An Garda Síochána has the resources it needs to fight crime and a strengthened, well-resourced Garda organisation is central to this policy. I was pleased to secure unprecedented funding of over €2.48 billion for this year, a 27% increase since 2020 which is supporting the continued recruitment of Garda members and staff. In...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (25 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I have requested the information sought by the Deputy from the Garda authorities. Unfortunately, the information was not received in time. I will contact the Deputy directly once the information is to hand.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (25 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: The Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána. This includes the management of the Fixed Charge Notice system and the procurement, allocation and effective use of any Garda equipment or systems. The Fixed Charge Processing System (FCPS) was developed by An Garda Síochána to enable computerised, automated processing of...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Data Protection (25 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: There are currently two Commissioners for Data Protection, appointed by Government with effect from 20 February 2024. The Public Appointments Service is currently running a campaign to recruit a third commissioner. The campaign is due to close at 3pm on 6 March 2025 and is aimed at attracting applicants from Ireland as well as abroad. The successful candidate will be appointed as Commissioner...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Alcohol Sales (25 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 631, 632, 635, 639, 640, 645, 685, 692 and 694 together. I understand that many sports stadiums operating under various sporting codes have existing licences which permit the sale of alcohol. I am not aware of any particular issues arising with respect to the facilities referred to by the Deputy. The Programme for Government commits to updating our...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Courts Service (25 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: As the Deputy will appreciate, under the provisions of the Courts Service Act 1998, management of the courts, including the provision of accommodation for court sittings, is the responsibility of the Courts Service, which is independent in carrying out its functions. However, in order to be of assistance to the Deputy, I have had enquiries made and the Courts Service has provided me with the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Communications (25 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: My Department holds meetings with individual firearms organisations on request and engages with various firearms stakeholders in other ways, while An Garda Síochána also meets with stakeholder organisations in respect of relevant matters. The Firearms Expert Committee (FEC), a non-statutory advisory body, was established in 2022 to provide guidance on matters related to firearms...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (25 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: The Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of Garda business under Section 26 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), which includes the management of the Property Exhibits Management System and PULSE. As Minister I have no role in these independent functions. I am advised by the Garda authorities that a total of 2,157 knives were seized in...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Data (25 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: Management of the courts, operational matters and logistical functions are the responsibility of the judiciary and Courts Service, which are independent in exercising their functions under the Courts Service Act 1998 and given the separation of powers in the Constitution. As Minister, I have no role in these matters. The Courts Service has a dedicated email address for the provision of...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Contracts (25 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: It is a priority for me as Minister that our immigration laws are robust and enforced. The removal of persons who have been refused permission to remain is an essential requirement for the immigration system to work effectively and to ensure that our people have confidence in the application of our laws in this area. In June 2024, a request for tender was published with a view to...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Asylum Seekers (25 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: It is a central priority for me as Minister that our immigration system works effectively and that our laws are robust and enforced in this area. The establishment of a person’s identity and nationality is an important feature of our immigration process in general. The Deputy will appreciate that it would not be appropriate for me to discuss the specific circumstances of any...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: International Protection (25 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: While visits can be arranged for members of the relevant Oireachtas Committee, it is not the practice to arrange meetings with operational officials in the course of their work. My Department can of course arrange for a briefing for the Deputy with the senior officials responsible for managing the International Protection Office.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: International Protection (25 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: Up to the 1st of October 2023 it was the usual practice for a representative of the Department to attend at all oral appeal hearings held by International Protection Appeals Tribunal (IPAT), to assist the Tribunal by explaining the reasons behind the recommendation made in the case in question. Attendance is not mandatory or a statutory requirement of the International Protection Act. From...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (25 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: Under Section 26 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), Section (a) the Garda Commissioner is responsible "to direct and control the Garda Síochána" and Section (b) "to carry on and manage and control generally the administration and business of the Garda Síochána". As Minister I have no role in these independent functions and I am unable to seek to...