Results 81-100 of 8,883 for speaker:Jim O'Callaghan

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: School Equipment (8 Apr 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 692 and 693 together. Improving people’s understanding of what consent is is of significant importance in delivering a society where there is zero tolerance for all forms of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence. Extensive research on attitudes to sexual consent in Ireland has been carried out over a number of years by the Dublin Rape Crisis...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legislative Measures (8 Apr 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: At the outset it is important to state that there is no absolute privilege when it comes to the disclosure of medical records. It is for the court to decide what material is relevant to the case and what should be disclosed. Doctors’ notes are regularly disclosed at trial and doctors called to give evidence. The disclosure of counselling records is a complex and highly sensitive...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Visa Applications (8 Apr 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: The visa application referred to by the Deputy was refused by the Visa Office in Dublin on 05 September 2023. The reasons for this decision were set out in the refusal letter sent to the applicant at that time. An appeal of this decision was launched on 15 January 2024. While I acknowledge the personal difficulties an applicant might be experiencing, it is not possible to give a definitive...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Data (8 Apr 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.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Online Safety (8 Apr 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 697 and 698 together. The Harassment, Harmful Communications and Related Offences Act 2020, also known as Coco’s Law was enacted by my predecessor, Minister McEntee, in 2021. This Act provides for offences relating to the recording, distribution or publication of intimate images and for the anonymity of victims of those offences; and for an offence...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Crime Prevention (8 Apr 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. The knife-crime sub-group of the Anti-social Behaviour Forum considered many options. In 2021 the Department commissioned a report from Maynooth University entitled Evidence...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (8 Apr 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I am informed that An Garda Síochána is working to compile an update of their previous proactive publication on knife related crime which will provide further insight on the variety of contexts in which a knife may be a feature of an incident, including being used to threaten or to commit physical violence. It is anticipated that this report will be published in the second...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Data (8 Apr 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: The primary purpose of the employment vetting carried out by the National Vetting Bureau is to seek to ensure the safety of children and vulnerable adults. It is carried out by An Garda Síochána in accordance with the provisions of the National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Acts 2012-2016. As Minister, I have no role in the vetting process and I am sure that the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Staff (8 Apr 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I am assured that the Garda Commissioner keeps the allocation of resources under continued review to ensure their optimum use. Among the factors considered are population statistics, crime trends and operational policing demands. I am informed by Garda authorities that a regional competition was held in 2024 to create a panel of Detective Inspectors for fifteen vacancies. Following the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Inquiries (8 Apr 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I refer to Parliamentary Question No. 578 (Dail Number) of 18 February 2025 where you sought: “To ask the Minister for Justice the estimated full-year costs if the number of horses within Garda mounted unit increased to 31.” You will recall that the information could not be obtained in the time available, and I undertook to contact you again when the requested information...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Inquiries (8 Apr 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: While I have not spoken to the United States Secretary of Homeland Security since my appointment as Minister, I have met with the US Chargé d'Affaires, Michael Clausen to discuss matters of mutual concern. The Programme for Government has committed to enhancing engagement with the United States, recognising the unique significance of the transatlantic relationship between us. ...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Data (8 Apr 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: Both I and the Government are committed to providing An Garda Síochána with the resources needed to keep people safe. This is reflected in the unprecedented allocation of over €2.48 billion in Budget 2025. This is allowing for sustained investment in recruitment, equipment, technology, and vehicles. I am informed by the Garda authorities that from 2023 to 31 March 2025,...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: International Students (8 Apr 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: Ireland welcomes international students who wish to live here in order to pursue a full-time course of study. Non-EEA, non-Swiss, and non-UK international students residing in Ireland are given immigration permission on Stamp 2 or Stamp 2A conditions, upon satisfying the relevant criteria. Non-EEA national students residing in Ireland for longer than 90 days must register with...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Alcohol Sales (8 Apr 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 707 and 747 together. The publication of the Spring Legislative Programme, on 18 February, set out the 21 Bills that have been prioritised for publication, and 29 Bills for drafting, in the current Dáil session. It is important to note that the Spring Legislative Programme is the first legislative programme set by the new Government, with further...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Policing of Events (8 Apr 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: Under section 9 of the Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024, one of the functions of An Garda Síochána as the State's national police service is to preserve peace and public order. The right to protest is enshrined in the Constitution and in law and it is a legitimate part of our democracy. It is, however, a right to peaceful protest and it is the responsibility of...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Visa Applications (8 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 join family visa that my Department is doing everything possible to progress these applications as quickly as possible. The entitlement to family reunification varies depending on the permission granted to the sponsor of the application. Accordingly, there...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Inquiries (8 Apr 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I can advise the Deputy that the application referred to was created on 06 November 2023. Supporting documentation was received in the Dublin Visa Office on 15 November 2023 where it awaits examination and processing. My Department's business target for join family visa applications is 12 months. It must be made clear that these are business targets for the immigration service. The business...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Schemes (8 Apr 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: My Department published the Family Justice Strategy 2022-2025 in November 2022. The Strategy sets out the vision for a coordinated, consistent and user-focused family justice system, which helps children and families obtain earlier, appropriate resolutions in a simpler, fairer, and more effective way. It aims to achieve this through the implementation of over 50 actions across nine goals. ...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Data (8 Apr 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I am committed to prioritising investment across the justice system, including in An Garda Síochána. Both I and the Government are committed to providing An Garda Síochána with the resources it needs to fight crime, and a strengthened, well-resourced Garda organisation is central to this policy. Over €2.48 billion has been provided in Budget 2025, a 27%...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Funding (8 Apr 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I am advised that the Courts Service purchased a site in 2020, at Kylekiproe, on which to build a new Courthouse. Further progress in relation to the Portlaoise project and several others, as part of Courts Service building projects included in the National Development Plan (NDP), will depend on the next round of NDP funding. The Programme for Government, Securing Ireland's Future, commits...