Results 981-1,000 of 8,940 for speaker:Jim O'Callaghan

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Visa Applications (6 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: As there is no Irish Embassy in Cuba, the Embassy of Ireland in Mexico liaises with visa applicants from Cuba to provide the best possible service. Cuban nationals are subject to the same requirements that apply to all visa required nationals. I can advise that an interview is not a standard requirement of the Irish authorities for the visa application process. If an interview is...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Stardust Fire (6 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: As the Deputy will be aware, following engagement with the legal representatives for the families of the victims of the Stardust fire, the Government approved last August a two-phased approach to redress arrangements. The first phase focused on the families of the 48 victims who tragically died in the fire and was developed in consultation and agreement with the legal representatives...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Citizenship Ceremonies (6 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I am pleased to informed the Deputy that the person concerned was issued an invitation to the upcoming Citizenship ceremonies. The next Citizenship Ceremonies will take place on 13 and 14 February 2025 at the Convention Centre Dublin (CCD). My Department held 24 citizenship ceremonies last year, an increase from the 15 ceremonies held in 2023, and the 6 that were held in 2022....

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Visa Applications (6 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I can advise that the application from the person referred to by the Deputy was processed in October 2024 and they currently hold a Stamp 4 immigration permission valid until 15 October 2025. The person’s Irish Residence Permit (IRP) card was printed on 25 October 2024 and is recorded as having been delivered to the address provided on their application on 01 November 2024. The...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Immigration Support Services (6 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 174 to 176, inclusive, together. In keeping with the Government commitment to significantly enhance the delivery of public services digitally, phase one of my Department's Immigration Digital Contact Centre (DCC) went live in October 2024. The DCC is a self-service portal that enables applicants to check their immigration application status, book first-time...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Artificial Intelligence (6 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: Firstly, I would like to inform the Deputy that my Department complies with the “Interim Guidelines for Use of AI in the Public Service” issued by the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform last February and also with guidance issued to all Government Departments in June 2023 by the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) in relation to the cyber security...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Crime Prevention (6 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: A key principle of the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland is that community safety requires multi-agency cooperation working in partnership with An Garda Síochána and crucially with communities themselves. The Report recommended the establishment of national and local structures to bring together the relevant departments and State agencies involved in harm prevention to...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legislative Measures (6 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: Combatting the scourge of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence will be a key focus for me as Minister. I know the Deputy will agree that any behaviour from accommodation providers seeking to use their position to prey on vulnerable people is completely unacceptable. The Government is seeking to address this exploitative behaviour by making the offering or advertising of...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Service (6 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 180. 190 and 195 together. The number of people in custody as of 6 February 2025 is outlined in the table below. The Deputy may wish to note these statistics are published on a daily basis and are available on the Irish Prison Service website (www.irishprisons.ie). This information can be located in the Information Centre – under Statistics &...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Visa Applications (6 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I can advise the Deputy that the application referred to was created on 3 March 2024. Supporting documentation was received in the Hanoi office on 19 March 2024. This application was received in the Dublin Visa Office on 2 April 2024 where it awaits examination and processing. My Department's business target for join family visa applications is 12 months. The business target reflects the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legislative Measures (6 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I share the concerns expressed by Deputy regarding the real life dangers and real life harms that can be caused by online communications. It is important to note that several important criminal justice measures have already been introduced to address issues regarding online impersonation. For example, impersonation causing alarm, and distress or harm is already a crime. The Criminal...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Service (6 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 183 and 193 together. I am advised by my officials in the Irish Prison Service that all prisoners are considered for transfer under the Irish Prison Service Open Centre Policy. This policy document is available on the Irish Prison Service website (). I can further advise the Deputy that all prisoners being considered for a transfer from a closed prison to an...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (6 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: As the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is by law responsible for the management and administration of Garda business, including the allocation of resources, and all operational policing decisions. As Minister, I have no responsibility for these matters. I am advised that the items of equipment referenced by the Deputy are not stored centrally. Many of these items are hired...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (6 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: As the Deputy will be aware, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána. This includes the distribution of resources, including the acquisition of aircraft, across the various Garda Divisions. As Minister, I have no direct role in this matter. The Government is committed to...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (6 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 management and administration of An Garda Síochána, including the purchase, allocation, and effective and efficient use of Garda resources. As Minister, I have no role in these independent functions. Garda vehicles, including unmarked Garda Cars, are...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Service (6 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 187, 194 and 196 together. I can advise the Deputies that for security and operational reasons, the Irish Prison Service is not in a position to provide a breakdown of the staff resources allocated to individual prisons. The allocation of staffing across the prison estate is based on the security and operational needs of each individual prison. The number...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Contracts (6 Feb 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: Prison Service (6 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I am advised by my officials in the Irish Prison Service that the average annual cost of an available, staffed prison space during the calendar year 2023 was €88,523. The 2024 cost will be made available by the IPS as soon as is possible.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Service (6 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I am advised by the Irish Prison Service that the number of incidents resulting in prisoner disciplinary sanctions for breach of prison discipline, by prison, for the period 2022 to end of January 2025 are outlined in Table 1 below. A disciplinary system is in place under the Prisons Act 2007 which empowers Governors to deal with prisoners who have breached the Prison Rules and allows for...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Service (6 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: As the Deputy will be aware there are a number of reasons for the restriction of a person’s regime while in custody. This includes for safety or protection reasons, on the grounds of order and to protect the prison population from the spread of infection. My Department has taken steps to bring the Irish prison system into line with the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the...