Results 781-800 of 8,947 for speaker:Jim O'Callaghan

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Immigration Policy (25 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I can advise the Deputy that Block F of Cloverhill Remand Prison, which has a capacity of 24, is not currently being used to accommodate persons detained for illegal immigration purposes. I am advised by the Irish Prison Service that there are currently 36 prisoners being held on immigration matters and they are accommodated in the following prisons, as of 24 February 2025. ...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Immigration Policy (25 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: It has not been possible to collate the information requested in the time allowed. I will write to the Deputy directly when the information is to hand.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Immigration Policy (25 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I can advise the Deputy that the Immigration Acts provide several non-custodial measures which may be used as alternatives to detention. These include requirements for the person to report to Gardaí at specified intervals and that the person must reside at a specified place. These non-custodial measures are normally applied to persons who have found to be illegally present in the State...

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

Jim O'Callaghan: I can advise the Deputy, in June 2024, the Council of the European Union adopted the decision to extend the Temporary Protection Directive until March 2026. This was an important demonstration of continued solidarity and support for Ukraine at a time when innocent civilians continue to be displaced as a direct result of ongoing Russian aggression. The tables below detail the number of...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Ministerial Responsibilities (25 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: The brief which I and the Ministers of State at my Department received following our appointments as Ministers will be published in the coming days on the Department's website. Niall Collins TD has been appointed Minister of State at my Department with special responsibility for International Law, Law Reform and Youth Justice. Colm Brophy TD has been appointed Minister of State with...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Data (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 recent years there has been a significant increase in investment into the international protection system. This has allowed for a major increase in processing capacity and in 2024 the International Protection...

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

Jim O'Callaghan: I am advised that it has not been possible for An Garda Síochána to collate the information requested by the Deputy in the time frame available. I have requested that An Garda Síochána continue working to collate this information and I will write directly to the Deputy as soon as it is available.

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

Jim O'Callaghan: The restricting of a person’s liberty is a serious issue, given the Constitutional presumption that a person is deemed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. However, the Bail Act contains robust provisions on both dealing with and pre-empting breaches of bail. Where an individual fails to comply with any bail conditions, the judge may issue a bench warrant, mandating An...

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

Jim O'Callaghan: Under the Bail Act, if a person fails to comply with any bail conditions, the judge may issue a bench warrant, mandating An Garda Síochána to arrest and bring the person before the court.Furthermore, a Garda member may immediately arrest a person without a warrant where the member has reasonable cause to suspect that that person has breached, or is about to breach, a bail condition...

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

Jim O'Callaghan: As the Deputy will be aware, jury service exists to protect an individual's rights and to involve the public in the administration of justice. Jury service is one of the most important civic duties that a person can be asked to perform. While there are no expenses paid to jurors who are called for jury duty, lunch and refreshments are provided for those who ultimately serve on a jury. ...

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

Jim O'Callaghan: It is a central priority for me as Minister that our immigration laws are robust and enforced. The establishment of a person’s identity and nationality is an important feature of our immigration process in general. When it comes to international protection applicants, each person that enters the process is fingerprinted and photographed. These fingerprints are checked against...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Crime Prevention (25 Feb 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 are no quick-fix solutions to tackling knife crime. Long term, evidence-based strategies are needed that address knife crime as part of a wider strategic response to...

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

Jim O'Callaghan: It is a central priority for me as Minister that our immigration laws are robust and enforced. The removal of persons in the immigration system who are involved in criminality or who are a danger to society is an essential requirement for the system to work effectively and to ensure that our people have confidence in the application of our laws in this area. Criminal convictions are...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Misuse of Drugs (25 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: Tackling drug dealing and targeting the work of organised crime groups, who inflict intimidation, violence and misery on families and communities, is a top priority for the Government and my Department. A number of key actions have been taken as part of our plan to tackle illegal drug use. This includes:Increasing the maximum sentence for conspiracy to murder from 10 years to life in prison...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Medical Inquiries (25 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 686, 687 and 688 together. The Office of the State Pathologist (OSP) plays a key role in providing independent expert advice on matters relating to forensic pathology and in performing post mortem examinations in cases where foul play is suspected playing a vital role in Ireland’s Criminal Justice system. The Office of the State Pathologist...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Court Procedures (25 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: The Court Proceedings (Delays) Act 2024 provides for the establishment of an independent assessment process, under the aegis of the Department of Justice, to assess claims for breach of the right to the conclusion of proceedings within a reasonable time. Arrangements to operationalise the requirements of the Act are currently being finalised with a view to the Act being commenced this autumn.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Citizenship Applications (25 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: Citizenship Division of my Department receives a significant number of applications which are incomplete. In such cases, the application is returned to the applicant to upload the additional required documentation. If the required documentation is not submitted by applicants within the specified timeframe, then their application is deemed incomplete and subsequently refused. I can advise...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Traffic Management (25 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I have requested the information sought by the Deputy from the Garda authorities; however, this was not available in time. I will write to the Deputy again once the information is to hand.

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 2024...

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

Jim O'Callaghan: In February 2024, my predecessor Minister for Justice, Helen McEntee TD, announced the establishment of the Ballymun Implementation Board. The Board is being hosted by Dublin City Council, and includes representatives from the following agencies/organisations: Dublin City Council, An Garda Síochána, Tusla, HSE, City of Dublin Education and Training Board, City of Dublin Youth...