Results 1,101-1,120 of 9,106 for speaker:Jim O'Callaghan

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Service (12 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I am advised by the Irish Prison Service that the number of direct physical assaults involving prison staff between 2021 and 2024 is as detailed in the table below. Every assault on a member of staff is treated as serious and appropriate action is taken by the Irish Prison Service, including the reporting of such assaults to An Garda Síochána for the purposes of investigation...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (11 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I thank the Deputy. I was asked a straight question yesterday and I gave a straight answer. Before I was appointed as Minister for Justice I was asked whether parts of Dublin are unsafe at certain times and I said that they are. I am not going not change my answer simply because it is convenient to do so. I emphasise, however, that I would have thought that if people in this House were...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (11 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I thank Deputy Gogarty for his question. There is a reference to this matter in the programme for Government. I am committed to trying to bring forward that scheme. As the Deputy identified, this issue was raised by Jason Poole in respect of the tragic death of his sister, Jennifer. We met him. This is of benefit to people who find themselves in relationships with individuals who have...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (11 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I am aware of the tragic case of Joe Drennan. As the Minister said, I will get back to the Deputy in respect of it. Obviously, I cannot deal with issues arising from specific sentences imposed in individual cases but it is the case that in certain instances, consecutive sentences appear to be more appropriate than concurrent sentences. There is a benefit in clarifying that across the board.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Functions (11 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 422 and 450 together. As the Deputy will be aware, the Programme for Government commits to bringing the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) under the remit of the Department of Justice. The approach to managing the reorganisation of Departmental structures or functions is set out in the Transfer of Functions Guidelines and Best Practice Handbook -...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legislative Measures (11 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 423 and 465 together. In line with the Programme for Government, I am committed to progressing the existing Defamation Bill to enactment as a matter of priority. The Government respects the strongly and sincerely-held, but widely differing, views of stakeholders on the issue of juries in defamation cases. High Court defamation cases are part of a small...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Citizenship Applications (11 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: The naturalisation applications from the people referred to by the Deputy continue 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: Domestic Violence (11 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I have requested the information sought by the Deputy from the Garda authorities. I will contact the Deputy directly once the information is to hand.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Alcohol Sales (11 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: As the Deputy will be aware, in accordance with the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the general management and administration of An Garda Síochána, including liquor licensing inspections. As Minister, I have no role in these matters. The below table, provided to me by the Garda authorities, outlines the number of...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Visa Applications (11 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I can advise the Deputy that the application referred to was created on 30 August 2024. Supporting documentation was received in the Dublin Visa Office on 30 October 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 detailed and often complex assessment that is required to be...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Family Reunification (11 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: The Family Reunification application for the person referred to by the Deputy has been received by my Department and continues to be processed at this time. All applications are processed in chronological order. I understand the wait times can be frustrating for applicants, however, I want to assure anyone who has an application submitted that my Department is doing everything possible to...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Naturalisation Applications (11 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: As the Deputy may be aware, to make an application for naturalisation there is a fee of €175, and following a positive decision on that application, a certification fee of €950 is then payable. The standard certification fee is set at €950, while a reduced fee of €200 applies in the case of an application made on behalf of a minor or in certain cases where the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Ministerial Responsibilities (11 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I can inform the Deputy that the brief I received following my appointment as Minister will be published in the coming weeks on the Department's website.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Visa Applications (11 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: The person referred to by the Deputy currently holds a Stamp 1 immigration permission, on foot of an employment permit, valid until 04 December 2025. The person concerned can now directly check the status of their immigration application on the Immigration Service’s new Digital Contact Centre (DCC). They can register for, or log in to their existing account, at: As an Oireachtas...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Family Reunification (11 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: The Family Reunification application for the person referred to by the Deputy has been received by my Department and continues to be processed at this time. All applications are processed in chronological order. I understand the wait times can be frustrating and that applicants are eager to have their families join them in the State, however, I want to assure anyone who has an application...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Naturalisation Applications (11 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: The naturalisation application from the person referred to by the Deputy continues to be processed by my Department. An e-Vetting invitation was issued to the applicant and the Citizenship Division are awaiting the return of the e-Vetting consent form. The person concerned can now directly check the status of their immigration application on the Immigration Service’s new Digital...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: EU Regulations (11 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I can inform the Deputy that neither my Department nor any of the agencies and bodies under its aegis are paying any such fines.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legislative Process (11 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I am informed that it has not been possible, within the time, to collate the information requested. I will write directly to the Deputy directly once this is completed.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Asylum Applications (11 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: Under Section 15(1) of the International Protection Act 2015, a person who wishes to make a claim for international protection in Ireland must be at the frontier of the State or already be present in the State. There is no provision in national law for making an asylum application while a person is outside the State. More detailed information on the international protection application...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Public Sector Pay (11 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I can inform the Deputy that the salary payable to the Secretary General of my Department is in line with those as set out in by the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform which apply across the Civil Service. The Secretary General's current salary is Secretary General Level II (non-PPC) - €241,383. This scale was increased in 2024 in line with the Public...