Results 141-160 of 11,583 for speaker:Jim O'Callaghan

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Probation and Welfare Service (14 Oct 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: [Attachment omitted]

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Contracts (14 Oct 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: My Department publishes quarterly reports of purchase orders over €20,000 in line with the Public Service Reform Plan (2011). The information provided in these reports is broadly in line with that published by other Departments. These reports are produced based on the information available on the Department’s financial management system. This financial management system...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Circulars (14 Oct 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: Public procurement is governed by EU and national rules and my Department ensures that appropriate procedures are followed for all procurement activity. I can assure the Deputy that my Department is working towards ensuring full compliance with Circular 05/2023. Individual contracting authorities are obliged to ensure that public procurement is discharged in line with the standard...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Closed-Circuit Television Systems (14 Oct 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: Regrettably it has not been possible for the Garda authorities to provide the information required in the time available. I will write to the Deputy once the information is to hand.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Reports (14 Oct 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: It has not been possible to provide the information requested in the time provided. I will write to the Deputy directly once this information is available.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Programmes (14 Oct 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 711 and 712 together. As the Deputy will be aware, the Government agreed to close the Immigrant Investor Programme (IIP) to further applications from 15 February 2023. Since the closure of the programme, my Department has continued to process remaining applications for consideration and final decision. When the programme closed, there were over 200 project...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence (14 Oct 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: Tackling domestic, sexual and gender-based violence (DSGBV) remains a core priority for this Government. Under Budget 2026, I have secured a funding increase to almost €80 million to support our national DSGBV agency, Cuan, as well as front-line services working to implement the Zero Tolerance Strategy. This represents a year-on-year increase of €11.5 million and is a clear...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Domestic Violence (14 Oct 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: Combatting all forms of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence (DSGBV) and ensuring that victims and survivors receive the support and care they need is an absolute priority for me. Since its establishment last year, Cuan has been working to accelerate the delivery of refuge spaces across the country. A key priority for Cuan is the development of a domestic violence refuge in the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: White Papers (14 Oct 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: Departmental Expenditure (14 Oct 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: A full breakdown of my Department’s financial position is available in the Annual Appropriation Account which is prepared in line with the Public Financial Procedures, circulars and the annual Guidance Manual for the Preparation of Appropriation Accounts, published by the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation and applicable to all...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Service (14 Oct 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: [Attachment omitted]

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Crime Prevention (14 Oct 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: The Government is determined to stamp out hate-motivated crime and protect vulnerable communities. Attacks on migrant communities - whether physical, verbal, or online - are utterly unacceptable. Everyone has the right to live safely, free from intimidation or abuse regardless of background. The introduction of the Criminal Justice (Hate Offences) Act 2024 strengthens the law by ensuring...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Domestic Violence (14 Oct 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 720 and 721 together. Combatting all forms of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence (DSGBV) and ensuring that victims and survivors receive the support and care they need is an absolute priority for me. Since its establishment last year, Cuan has been working to accelerate the delivery of refuge spaces across the country. A key priority for Cuan is...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Legislative Measures (9 Oct 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I want to dispute the Deputy's categorisation of my colleague, the Minister, Deputy McEntee, in terms of her role in the previous Government. It was the policy of the previous Government and the previous Government made a decision to change that policy. It is unfair of the Deputy to focus on her individually. In regard to challenging hate speech, it is important to point out that, as I...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Legislative Measures (9 Oct 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I have answered that already. I said we have fully transposed the Council decision. It is part of Irish law. We fully transposed it. There are no further steps for Ireland to take. However, I believe we all have a responsibility to ensure we challenge hate speech. Irrespective of whether it is challenged in the courts or by the Garda, we have a responsibility to challenge it.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Legislative Measures (9 Oct 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: No, but I will give the Deputy an overview of why that is the answer. I am fairly satisfied that Ireland has transposed the European Council framework decision on combating certain forms and expressions of racism and xenophobia in a manner appropriate and tailored to the domestic system of law in Ireland. I assure Members of the House that Ireland's position has been communicated to the...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Prison Service (9 Oct 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: The Deputy recognises our population is increasing at such a rate it is inevitable we are going to have to increase the number of prison units available. Last year our population increased by 98,000 and this year it is probably going to somewhere similar. When the population increases we expect there is going to be an increase in the prison population as well because there is going to be an...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: An Garda Síochána (9 Oct 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I thank the Deputy for her question. As colleagues are aware, the Garda National Community Engagement Bureau operates See Something, Say Something. It is an initiative that uses a text messaging system to allow members of the public to alert the Garda to any issue that might be of concern. It is a very positive development. Technology can be used very effectively for the purpose of...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: An Garda Síochána (9 Oct 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I thank the Deputy. I certainly think this is the type of initiative local community safety partnerships should be considering. As she will be aware, they are being rolled out. I approved the membership of a whole series of them over a week ago and I want to see those local community safety partnerships up and running in communities as quickly as possible. The type of technology we are...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: An Garda Síochána (9 Oct 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I will certainly speak to the Garda Commissioner in respect of it. I am aware of the point the Deputy makes about community gardaí. Obviously this type of technology is no replacement for them, but it is of great assistance to them and complements the work being done by them. I assure the Deputy that the Leas-Cheann Comhairle, Deputy Cleere and the Minister of State, Deputy Murnane...