Results 1,821-1,840 of 11,583 for speaker:Jim O'Callaghan

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legislative Measures (24 Jun 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: On 1 April 2025, I secured Government approval for the referral of the Scheme of the Guardianship of Infants (Amendment) Bill for pre-legislative scrutiny, and for the formal drafting of a Bill once pre-legislative scrutiny is complete. The General Scheme has been published and is available on Gov.ie: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-justice/press-releases/minister-...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (24 Jun 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: It is important to say at the outset that under both the Garda Síochána Act 2005 and the recently commenced Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the administration and management of An Garda Síochána. It is also worth noting that the Garda estate is provided and managed by the Office of Public Works. Neither I nor my...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (24 Jun 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 677 and 678 together. Section 41 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 included provisions that require the Garda Commissioner to provide information to the Minister for Justice on certain matters including: (a) matters relating to significant developments concerning—(i) the preservation of peace and public order in the State, (ii) the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: International Protection (24 Jun 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: While the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) cannot comment publicly on individual cases, I can advise the Deputy that officials are aware of this case and the person's identified needs and that this is receiving attention. IPAS officials are examining this in line with a previous commitment to review available suitable accommodation in the relevant locality. More...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Service (24 Jun 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I am informed by the Irish Prison Service that it does not collate the data in the format requested by the Deputy. It collates and publishes Prisoner Restricted Regime Census information on a quarterly basis. In 2024 the information was collated on the following dates;Tuesday 16th January 2024Tuesday 16th April 2024Tuesday 16th July 2024Tuesday 15th October 2024This information is available...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Naturalisation Applications (24 Jun 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I can advise the Deputy that if a person received a grant decision in January, they should have received an invitation to attend a citizenship ceremony. For any person where this particular scenario applies, they should check their spam folder in their emails, or they may also create a query via my Department's Customer Service Portal. They can register for an account or log in to their...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Naturalisation Applications (24 Jun 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I can advise the Deputy that all certificates of naturalisation for the attendees of the February citizenship ceremonies have been issued via registered post. For any person who has not received their certificate, they should create a query via my Department's Customer Service Portal. When creating their query, they should select the sub-category “Certificates – I did not...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (19 Jun 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 346 and 347 together. In the interest of transparency, information in relation to the allocation of Gardaí by Division, Station and rank, including for Kildare Division, is publicly available and can be found at the following link: The Deputy should select Garda Workforce and access the file titled “Garda Members by Division District Station...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Immigration Policy (19 Jun 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I can advise the Deputy that on 10 July 2024 a visa requirement was introduced for nationals of South Africa, thereby aligning our approach with that applied by Schengen countries, and by the UK. My Department established a dedicated “South Africa desk” to process applications from residents of South Africa. It also established Visa Application Centres, located throughout South...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Immigration Policy (19 Jun 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: Ireland welcomes international students who wish to travel here in order to pursue a full-time course of study, thereby providing economic and other benefits to Ireland, as well of course as to the students themselves. At Government level, the administration and management of international student programmes is within the remit of the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research,...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Service (19 Jun 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: In general terms the law sets out the maximum sentence that can be imposed for an offence and it is then a matter for the court to decide the appropriate sentence in each particular case, taking into account all the circumstances. The judiciary is independent in the exercise of judicial functions, subject only to the Constitution and the law. The specific question raised by the deputy...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Probation and Welfare Service (19 Jun 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: As the Deputy will appreciate, management of the courts, along with related operational matters and logistical functions, are the responsibility of the judiciary and the Courts Service, which are independent in exercising their functions under the Courts Service Act 1998 and through the separation of powers in the Constitution. It should be noted that the Department does not record data...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence (19 Jun 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: The Programme for Government commits to "fully implement the Zero Tolerance: Third National Strategy on Domestic, Sexual, Gender Based Violence Zero Tolerance (DSGBV) 2022-2026". Action 2.5.4 of the Zero Tolerance Implementation Plan 2025-2026 is "to scope and develop an operational framework to introduce Operation Encompass in the Irish system, including identifying any necessary legislative...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Staff (19 Jun 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.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht – Questions on Policy or Legislation (18 Jun 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: Deputy Collins is correct in stating that yesterday I got approval from the Cabinet for the State to purchase Citywest for €148 million. The reason the Government approved that was because it was going to give effect to a saving of money from the point of view of the State. After four years, we will be making our money back in respect of it. We are spending far too much money...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht – Questions on Policy or Legislation (18 Jun 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I thank the Deputy for his question. Four weeks ago, I was in Limerick city and met the chamber and members of An Garda Síochána. It is true to say that requests were made for further Garda visibility on the ground. I brought that message back to the Garda Commissioner. There was also a request for a community van, which would be of assistance. I am trying to see, through the...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht – Questions on Policy or Legislation (18 Jun 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I thank Deputy Murphy. As he will be aware, Tipperary County Council declared the site an exempted development last January. As a result and following on from that, a contract was entered into with the Department. I believe it was last Monday that the local authority effectively gave into the judicial review applications and, as a result, the section 5 declaration will be quashed. My...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: An Garda Síochána (18 Jun 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: A person is only entitled to take a claim for personal injuries if they have sustained an injury. First, there has to be an injury before somebody can bring a claim and then allege the injury was caused as a result of, in this instance let us say, the presence of asbestos. If people have sustained an injury, it will be diagnosed when they go to the doctor and complain about a specific...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: An Garda Síochána (18 Jun 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: That is why when I engage with the Commissioner, I probe him. The Deputy has brought things to my attention, which I welcome. When he does that, I say I will raise them with the Commissioner and I do. The same will apply to other Members of this House. I have huge respect for this House. If a Member raises an issue of concern with me relating to the Garda, I will bring it to the...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: An Garda Síochána (18 Jun 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. I publicly apologise for the fact there was confusion last Wednesday. Deputy Kelly put down this issue for last Wednesday but I was not here through some confusion in the office. To answer the Deputy's question directly, I am not aware of the December 2016 report he referred to, which was commissioned by the OPW and the State Claims Agency, in...