Results 81-100 of 8,947 for speaker:Jim O'Callaghan

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Service (30 Apr 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: Structured temporary release can refer to two particular schemes, namely the Community Support Scheme and Community Return Scheme. The Community Return Programme is a shared initiative between the Irish Prison Service and the Probation Service, a key element of which is that the participants must engage in work on community service sites as part of their release conditions, thereby giving...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Sentencing Policy (30 Apr 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I am committed to progressing and implementing policies aimed at increasing the use of community sanctions, reducing offending, diverting people away from the criminal justice system, and providing effective rehabilitation. I will very shortly be seeking Government approval for the drafting of the Criminal Law and Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions Bill) 2025. The Scheme includes a...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Service (30 Apr 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: As part of the Probation Service’s overall strategy to further develop capacity to deliver a high-quality service and meet the requirements contained in section 26 of the Criminal Justice (Victims of Crime) Act 2017, the Service established a National Restorative Justice and Victim Services Unit (RJVSU) in October 2018. The Unit meets two core objectives: 1. Provide leadership and...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Service (30 Apr 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I am advised that the Irish Prison Service (IPS) has a continuous rolling capital plan in place for 2025 with an associated funding envelope of €53M.The current high level allocations for 2025 by NDP categories are: € New Build/Accommodation Facilities 27,800,000 Infrastructure Improvements 6,500,000 ...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Service (30 Apr 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: The Inspector of Prisons is a statutory office holder, independent in the performance of his functions, in accordance with the Prisons Act 2007 and plays a vital role in ensuring effective independent oversight of our prison system. The Irish Prison Service takes due account of the Inspection Framework for Prisons published by the Office of the Inspector of Prisons and endeavours to...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Service (30 Apr 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I can confirm that no female prisoners have been transferred abroad or to Garda stations due to lack of capacity. A Prison Overcrowding Response Group (PORG) was established in July 2023, composed of officials from the Department of Justice and representatives from relevant agencies. The Group is considering measures to address capacity issues in the prison estate. In June 2024, following...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Service (30 Apr 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: The Council of Europe Annual Penal Statistics (commonly known as SPACE - Statistiques Pénales Annuelles du Conseil de l’Europe) have collected data on imprisonment and penal institutions across Europe since 1983. Data relating to Irish prison population rates as they compare to those of EU member states is publicly available at: www.coe.int/en/web/prison/space.The Council’s...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (30 Apr 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I have requested the information sought by the Deputy from An Garda Síochána. This was not available in time and I will write to the Deputy once the information is to hand.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (30 Apr 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: Data on the allocation of Gardaí, including in Monaghan for the years requested, is publicly available on my Department's website and can be found at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/publication/bd777-an-garda-siochana-your-polic e-service-some-facts-and-figures/ The requested information can be found under the file 'Garda Members by Division District Station 2009 to 28 February...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Asylum Applications (30 Apr 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 140 and 141 together. The decision to accelerate and prioritise particular international protection cases, or groups of cases, in accordance with the provisions of the 2015 Act, is kept under review. At this time, applications from Palestinian nationals are not accelerated. The median waiting time from the date of application for a first instance...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Bench Warrants (30 Apr 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: While 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, I am assured that An Garda Síochána execute warrants as expeditiously as possible, giving priority to the execution of warrants relating to serious crimes. The execution of warrants,...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Visa Applications (30 Apr 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: 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 Visa Division of my Department. This reflects an increase of...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Prison Service (10 Apr 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I thank Senator Keogan for raising this important matter. It is unquestionably the case that we have a problem in respect of prison overcrowding. It is also the case that we need to make additional space available in our prisons in order to deal with an increase in the prison population over the past number of years. A great deal of work has been done to date to enhance prison...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Prison Service (10 Apr 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I will clarify what I said in case there is any ambiguity. I said the Department had revoked the ministerial order put in place for the Thornton Hall site and that there were plans to develop a replacement order in the coming months. That is what I indicated to the Senator. In terms of Thornton Hall being used as a prison, it is unquestionably the case that we need further prison space....

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Closed-Circuit Television Systems (10 Apr 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I thank Senator Kennelly for raising this important matter. I am well aware of the usefulness and significance of CCTV footage from my time as Minister for Justice and, indeed, before. Last Friday, I was in Anglesea Street Garda station in Cork where I was given a presentation on the vast array of CCTV footage that is available to gardaí as a result of CCTV cameras placed in Cork city....

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Closed-Circuit Television Systems (10 Apr 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I note the Senator's point about the CCTV footage from the Dublin riots. He is correct in stating that it was very helpful to An Garda Síochána in seeking to identify and prosecute individuals involved in the riots. I am aware of the confusion that can sometimes exist around the process for local authorities to apply. The Senator will be aware that I commenced the Policing,...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Crime Prevention (10 Apr 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I thank the Senator for raising this important issue. I commend her on her tireless advocacy on behalf of citizens and people in Dublin Central. I am fully aware of the issue of retail crime, not just in the constituency of Dublin Central but in the cities and towns throughout Ireland. It is a significant issue for people who are trying to run businesses in those towns and cities. The...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Crime Prevention (10 Apr 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: It is important to emphasise, as I always do, that one of the problems I face as Minister for Justice is that people want to see more gardaí in every community. It is a great advantage we have in Ireland. In some other countries, people do not want to see a police force in their communities because they do not trust it. The overwhelming majority of Irish people trust An Garda...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Crime Prevention (10 Apr 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I am delighted to be in the Seanad.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (10 Apr 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I am informed by Garda authorities that when allocating and transferring Garda members to and from any Division, consideration is given to commitments and undertakings outlined in the Annual Policing Plan and priorities as determined in delivering ‘A Policing Service for The Future’. In the interest of transparency, figures related to the Garda workforce are published on my...