Results 1,201-1,220 of 9,106 for speaker:Jim O'Callaghan

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Legal Aid (5 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: The Legal Aid Board is the statutory, independent body responsible for the provision of civil legal aid and advice to persons of modest means, in accordance with the provisions of the Civil Legal Aid Act 1995 (“the 1995 Act”) and the Civil Legal Aid Regulations 1996 to 2021. The 1995 Act was amended by Section 54 of the Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2011, which...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Legal Services Regulation (5 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: As the Deputy will be aware, over the past 2 years, there has been an 18% increase in the fees paid under the Criminal Legal Aid Scheme. The budget for criminal legal aid will increase in 2025 by over €9m, which includes an 8% increase in fees from 1 January 2025. This is in addition to the 10% increase in fees secured in Budget 2024. The Programme for Government 2025 –...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: An Garda Síochána (5 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 Employment Affairs and Social Protection: An Garda Síochána (5 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 805 and 819 together. The primary purpose of vetting carried out by the Garda National Vetting Bureau is to ensure the safety of children and vulnerable adults. I know the Deputy appreciates the importance of this task and I am sure he agrees with the need for it to be carried out thoroughly and correctly. Vetting is carried out by An Garda...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Sex Offenders Notification Requirements (5 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: An Information Sharing Agreement allows the sharing of information directly between the Sex Offender Management & Intelligence Unit (SOMIU), Garda National Protective Services Bureau (GNPSB) and the Public Protection Intelligence Unit, Police Service of Northern Ireland regarding convicted sex offenders who cross over the border between both jurisdictions. When the SOMIU receives...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Domestic Violence (5 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: Combatting all forms of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence is a priority for this Government, for the Department and for the Garda Commissioner. 'Zero Tolerance,' the Third National Strategy on Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence (DSGBV), set out an ambitious five-year programme of reform to achieve a society which does not accept DSGBV or the attitudes which underpin these...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Online Safety (5 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: Establishing a zero-tolerance approach to domestic, sexual, and gender-based violence (DSGBV) is vital for safeguarding individuals and promoting a safer society. In 2022, the five-year ‘Zero Tolerance’ DSGBV Strategy was published and in January 2024, Cuan, the DSGBV Agency, was established to drive the Strategy forward. I was very pleased to meet with the CEO of Cuan for...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Citizenship Applications (5 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: The naturalisation application from the person referred to by the Deputy has been received by the Citizenship division of my Department, but has not yet been registered. Citizenship Division are currently registering applications from October 2024. Once registered, a Personal ID and Citizenship application reference number will issue. Once the application for the person referred to by...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Citizenship Applications (5 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: The naturalisation application from the person referred to by the Deputy has been received by the Citizenship division of my Department, but has not yet been registered. Citizenship Division are currently registering applications from October 2024. Once registered, a Personal ID and Citizenship application reference number will formally issue. When the applicant submitted the online...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: International Terrorism (5 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I can confirm that I am aware of the reports referred to by the Deputy. The Deputy will appreciate that it would not be appropriate, nor in the public interest, for me to comment on particular security arrangements. I can, however, assure the Deputy that An Garda Síochána, working with their international partners, remain vigilant regarding potential security threats and the...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Departmental Data (5 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.

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Stardust Fire (5 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 for...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Juvenile Offenders (5 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: As the Deputy is aware Clare Division has merged with Tipperary Division under the Garda Operating Model. I am advised by the Garda authorities that there are, as of end of December 2024, five Juvenile Liaison Officer (JLOs) of Garda rank assigned to Clare/Tipperary Division. I am also informed that there were two JLOs of Garda rank assigned to Clare Division at the end of December 2023. ...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: An Garda Síochána (5 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: As the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is the Accounting Officer for the Garda Vote under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended) and is accountable for the economy and the efficiency of the Garda Síochána in using its resources. As Minister, I have no role in such matters. The unprecedented allocation of over €2.48 billion for 2025 to An Garda...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Road Traffic Offences (5 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: As the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible under section 26 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended) for the general management and administration of Garda business. This includes the enforcement of all applicable legislation and the management of the Fixed Charge Notice system. A total of 56 days is permitted by law for the payment of a fixed...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Citizenship Applications (5 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: The naturalisation application from the person referred to by the Deputy continues to be processed by my Department. I expect that going forward, the vast majority of applicants will continue to receive a decision within one year; however, it is important to note that no two naturalisation applications are the same and some take longer than others to process. I understand the extended...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Citizenship Applications (5 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: The naturalisation application from the person referred to by the Deputy continues to be processed by my Department. This application is based on Section 16 'Irish Association', which can take typically longer to process than applications based upon residency. Section 15 of the Act sets out the statutory conditions that must be fulfilled for a certificate of naturalisation to be...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: An Garda Síochána (5 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 820, 821, 837 and 838 together. As the Deputies 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...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Departmental Staff (5 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I can inform the Deputy that I have not as yet engaged any special advisers.

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: An Garda Síochána (5 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...