Results 801-820 of 10,013 for speaker:Jim O'Callaghan

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Closed-Circuit Television Systems (14 May 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: Community safety is a top priority for my Department and everyone has the right to be safe and to feel safe in their communities. Community CCTV plays an important role in achieving this goal. Since 2017 my Department has administered a grant-aid scheme supporting groups wishing to establish a community-based CCTV system in their area. The CCTV grant scheme was extended in 2019 to cover...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Work Permits (14 May 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I can inform the Deputy that the Reactivation Employment Permit scheme is operated by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (DETE). The purpose of the scheme is to provide non-EEA nationals who hold an employment permit a pathway to re-employment where they have fallen out of employment through no fault of their own. The role of the Immigration Service of my Department is to...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Functions (14 May 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: My Department's work on migration includes engagement with other Departments on the development of policy across Government and to that end a Strategic Migration Policy Group was established in December 2024 to support that work. The objective is to develop whole-of-government approaches to migration that are coherent across Departments and responsive in seeking to address Ireland’s...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Naturalisation Applications (14 May 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 148, 149 and 150 together. I can advise the Deputy that all applications for a certificate of naturalisation are assessed individually in accordance with the provisions of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended. A determination on whether an applicant satisfies the statutory criteria for naturalisation can only be made after an...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: International Protection (14 May 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: The State is currently providing accommodation to approximately 33,000 people applying for international protection and has also welcomed over 114,000 people from Ukraine since 2022. The International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) provides accommodation at over 320 centres nationwide. Our accommodation systems have been forced to expand at a rapid pace over the last two to...

Seanad: Parole (Special Advocates) Bill 2024: Second Stage (13 May 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I agree with the amendment that proposes postponing the passing of Second Stage of this Bill for a period of six months. I thank Senator Ruane and Senator Flynn for introducing this legislation. It raises important issues, as has been identified by both Senators. It is not something that is highlighted publicly as an issue which is causing ongoing mischief in society but that is not a...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Visa Applications (13 May 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 836, 845 and 883 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 visa that my Department is doing everything possible to progress these applications as quickly as possible. In 2024, approximately 201,000 visa applications, of all types, were received by the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Policies (13 May 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 837, 838, 839 and 840 together. Ireland has a longstanding commitment to supporting freedom of religion or belief, equality and non-discrimination. This commitment has been expressed over many years, including at the UN and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), and as a member of the EU. Ireland is also a longstanding member of...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Deportation Orders (13 May 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: It is a central priority for me that our immigration laws are robust and enforced. The enforcement aspects of our laws, including deportation orders, are 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. It is the preferred option to return people voluntarily and my Department has a...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Naturalisation Applications (13 May 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: The naturalisation application from the person referred to by the Deputy continues to be processed by my Department. I understand that 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: Naturalisation Applications (13 May 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: Judicial Review proceedings taken by the person cited on their naturalisation application have now been settled. The processing of this naturalisation application has resumed and the person concerned has an opportunity to submit further documentation before a final decision will issue. The timeline for processing this application will be in line with the settlement agreement. As an...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Schools Building Projects (13 May 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: At the outset, it is important to note that, as Minister, I do not comment on individual Immigrant Investor Programme (IIP) applications. Since the closure of the programme, the IIP Unit has continued to process and submit applications to the Evaluation Committee for consideration and recommendation. At present, there are approximately 100 Immigrant Investor Programme project proposals...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (13 May 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I am informed by the Garda authorities that as of the end of February 2025, there were five Garda members assigned to Carrigtwohill Garda Station. I am informed that when allocating Gardaí to and from any Division or station, Garda management consider commitments and undertakings outlined in the Annual Policing Plan. I understand that the requirements of all Garda Divisions...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Refugee Resettlement Programme (13 May 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I am acutely aware of the grave humanitarian crisis in Gaza and my Department has worked closely with colleagues in the Department of Foreign Affairs to ensure a coordinated national response to this volatile and evolving situation. This includes work to evacuate Irish citizens and their families who may require visa assistance. Visa applications for family members of Palestinian...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Court Accommodation (13 May 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: Management of the courts and operational matters are the responsibility of the Courts Service, which is independent in the exercising of its functions under the Courts Service Act 1998 and given separation of powers in the Constitution. The information requested by the Deputy, in relation to Wicklow district courthouse, is currently being compiled by the Courts Service and I will write to...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: International Protection (13 May 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: Providing reception conditions – accommodation and other basic supports – to people seeking international protection is part of Irish and EU law and is also part of our humanitarian duty to provide shelter to people fleeing war and persecution in their home country. Ireland has seen a sharp increase in the number of people applying for international protection since 2022 and...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Offices (13 May 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: My Department published its most recent Climate Action Roadmap in September 2024, which includes details of actions taken, as well as future plans to meet Ireland’s Climate targets by 2030 in line with the Public Sector Climate Action Mandate 2024. In accordance with that mandate, my Department: has ongoing projects, working closely with the Office of Public Works & the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Service (13 May 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I refer the Deputy to the response provided to Parliamentary Question No. 93 of 22nd November 2018 and can confirm that the position is unchanged.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Service (13 May 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I refer the Deputy to the response provided to Parliamentary Question No. 539 of 5th July 2022. I can confirm the position is unchanged.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: European Court of Justice (13 May 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.