Results 821-840 of 8,947 for speaker:Jim O'Callaghan

Seanad: EU-UK Youth Experience Scheme: Motion (19 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I thank Senators for their kind reception and illuminating comments. I agree with Senator Clifford-Lee. This proposal is an easier task that I have here at the outset of my career appearing before the Seanad. I must say, however, that it could be a consequential one. If we find ourselves in a situation a number of years from now whereby an agreement is in place for a youth scheme between...

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

Jim O'Callaghan: In recent years my Department has taken a number of steps to upgrade the visa processing system and improve the service offered to individuals applying for Irish visas. This has included availing of services provided by VFS Global at their Visa Application Centres (VACs). Applications for Irish visas made by residents of South Africa are processed at VACs located in Cape Town, Johannesburg...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Family Reunification (19 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: The review of the Policy Document for Non-EEA Family Reunification, which was last amended in 2016, is examining a wide range of matters relating to applications for family reunification, including the nature and suitability of current income thresholds and waiting periods. My Department has consulted with a wide variety of stakeholders and the expectation is that the review will be brought...

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

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

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (19 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: As the Deputy will be aware, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the administration and management of An Garda Síochána, including the distribution of Garda members between the different Garda units and Divisions. As Minister, I have no role in such matters. The Government is committed to ensuring that An Garda...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (19 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: The Criminal Assets Bureau is a multi-agency statutory body established in 1996. The Bureau’s remit is to target a person's assets, wherever situated, which derive, or are suspected to derive, directly or indirectly, from criminal conduct. Since its inception nearly 30 years ago, the Bureau has been at the forefront of fighting organised crime in this jurisdiction and disrupting the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (19 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: The Garda Commissioner is, by law, responsible for the management and administration of Garda business, including the allocation of Garda resources in respect of identified operational demands. As Minister, I have no direct role in these matters. The Deputy will appreciate that the execution of warrants, including bench warrants, can be impeded by persons actively seeking to evade...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (19 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: The new Programme for Government sets out a number of commitments to ensure that An Garda Síochána has the resources it needs to fight crime; increasing the number of Gardaí to ensure high visibility policing is central to this. There is a record Garda budget allocation this year of over €2.48 billion, a 27% increase since 2020 which is supporting the continued...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Flexible Work Practices (19 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: My Department’s Blended Working (BW) Policy was introduced in August 2022 following extensive consultation with staff and management and was developed in line with the Blended Working Policy Framework for Civil Service Organisations issued by the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform. The BW policy supports my Department’s objective to be a dynamic,...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Domestic Violence (19 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: Tackling the scourge of domestic violence is a central priority for me as Minister for Justice. One of the overarching goals of the Zero Tolerance Strategy to address domestic, sexual and gender-based violence (DSGBV), is ensuring that everyone who needs a refuge space will get one. The Strategy, published in June 2022, includes a commitment to doubling the number of refuge spaces by the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Citizenship Applications (19 Feb 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: Coroners Service (19 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: A coroner is an independent office holder who performs a public service by making inquiries into reported deaths. Responsibility for the provision of financial and administrative supports to the Dublin District Coroner’s office was transferred from Dublin City Council to the Department of Justice in 2018. Outside Dublin, the relevant local authority funds the costs of all other...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (18 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I am certainly happy to meet the board and organise for that to take place. I will get back to the Deputy in respect of that. I will speak to the relevant authorities on investment in Ballymun. I am conscious it is an area which requires investment but I do not think there will be any shortage of commitment from the Government on that.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Correspondence (18 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I am happy to inform the Deputy that following full consideration by a Visa Officer the Visa was issued on 10 February 2025. The person concerned can now directly check the status of their immigration application on the Immigration Service’s new Digital Contact Centre. They can register for, or log in to their existing account, at: as an Oireachtas member, you can also request the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Visa Applications (18 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: The Deputy will appreciate that my Department has no role with respect to the processing of visa applications from Irish nationals or other persons residing in Ireland who wish to travel to other jurisdictions. Insofar as visa applications to travel to Ireland are concerned, I am advised that the issue identified occurs infrequently and should the Deputy wish to submit the person's name and...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Sentencing Policy (18 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 513, 529, 566 and 567 together. It is important to emphasise that the conduct of any court case is a matter entirely for the presiding judge. The courts are, subject only to the Constitution and the law, independent in the exercise of their judicial functions, including sentencing. The Judicial Council Act 2019 provided for the establishment of an...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (18 Feb 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 for the recruitment, training and deployment of Garda members. As Minister, I have no role in such matters. I am advised by the Garda authorities that, as of 31 January 2025, there were 22 Garda members of Detective...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Citizenship Ceremonies (18 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: Last week, I was pleased to attend, as Minister, the first Citizenship Ceremonies of 2025. These took place on 13 and 14 February at the Convention Centre Dublin. I can advise the Deputy that planning is underway for the next citizenship ceremonies to be held in the second quarter of this year but no date has been set at this time. My Department is committed to providing regular...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Probation and Welfare Service (18 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: The number of Whole-Time Equivalent (WTE) Probation Officers, by grade, employed by the Department of Justice, as of 10 February 2025 are:14 Assistant Principal Probation Officers49.9 Senior Probation Officers243.6 Probation Officers In addition, there are 31 WTE Probation Assistants that support the functions of Probation Officers.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Road Traffic Offences (18 Feb 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. This Government is committed to tackle anti social behaviour in our communities by ensuring that An Garda...