Results 1,841-1,860 of 10,053 for speaker:Jim O'Callaghan

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Courts Service (26 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: Management of the courts, operational matters and logistical functions are the responsibility of the judiciary and Courts Service, which are independent in exercising their functions under the Courts Service Act 1998 and given the separation of powers in the Constitution. As Minister, I have no role in these matters. The Courts Service has a dedicated email address for the provision of...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Immigration Status (26 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.

Seanad: Community Safety: Statements (25 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: It is a great honour to be before Seanad Éireann for the second time. I was here last week talking about a youth mobility scheme the EU is implementing with the UK and our intention to opt into it. I am back today to talk on an issue that probably is of more central importance to my function as Minister for Justice, that is, the whole area of crime, policing and community safety. I...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Vacant Sites (25 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: The former Cork Prison facility was built in the early 1800s and operated as a prison from 1972 to 2016. The prison was deemed no longer appropriate for use as prison accommodation due to the condition of the facilities, the size of the cellular accommodation and the lack of in-cell sanitation. The site at Cork Prison remains of strategic interest to the Prison Service as a location for...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Ground Rents (25 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: Awaiting reply from Department

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Ground Rents (25 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: The rights of tenants occupying property under long leases has long been a topic of interest. Such tenants normally pay a yearly ground rent to the landlord. Several statutory changes since the 1960s have strengthened the rights of tenants occupying property under long leases to acquire the freehold in the property. The Landlord and Tenant (Ground Rents) Act 1967 gave tenants in certain...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: International Protection (25 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 617, 618 and 625 together. The patterns in international protection applications vary over time and the Government’s response adapts accordingly. It has long been the case that a significant number of people apply for international protection for the first time in the International Protection Office (IPO). There are a number of circumstances in...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: International Protection (25 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 619 and 623 together. I can assure the Deputy that I am fully committed to ensuring that Ireland’s International Protection system is robust and rules based, and that our borders are protected. In 2024 the International Protection Office (IPO) delivered over 14,000 first-instance decisions compared to over 8,500 in 2023, while the International...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: International Protection (25 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I can assure the Deputy that I am fully committed to ensuring that Ireland’s International Protection system is robust and rules based, and that our borders are protected. In 2024 the International Protection Office (IPO) delivered over 14,000 first decisions compared to over 8,500 in 2023, while the International Protection Appeals Tribunal (IPAT) closed around 3,100 appeals in...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: International Protection (25 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 621 and 622 together. The International Protection Appeals Tribunal (IPAT) is a statutorily independent body and exercises a quasi-judicial function under the International Protection Act 2015. The Tribunal consists of a Chairperson, two Deputy Chairpersons, and ordinary members appointed on either a whole-time or part-time capacity. Tribunal Members...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Asylum Seekers (25 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: The Eurodac database, which began operation in 2003, is used to enable the comparison of fingerprints and assist in determining the country responsible for the assessment of an asylum claim presented in one of the Member States. Statistical data on the work of the Eurodac Central System are made public at the end of each year in accordance with the Eurodac Regulation (Article 8(2) of...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Data (25 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: The Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of Garda business under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), which includes the management of the PULSE system. As Minister, I play no role in these independent functions. I have requested the information sought by the Deputy from the Garda authorities and I am informed that An Garda...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (25 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: The Government is committed to ensuring that An Garda Síochána has the resources it needs to fight crime and a strengthened, well-resourced Garda organisation is central to this policy. I was pleased to secure unprecedented funding of over €2.48 billion for this year, a 27% increase since 2020 which is supporting the continued recruitment of Garda members and staff. In...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (25 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I have requested the information sought by the Deputy from the Garda authorities. Unfortunately, the information was not received in time. I will contact the Deputy directly once the information is to hand.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (25 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: The Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána. This includes the management of the Fixed Charge Notice system and the procurement, allocation and effective use of any Garda equipment or systems. The Fixed Charge Processing System (FCPS) was developed by An Garda Síochána to enable computerised, automated processing of...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Data Protection (25 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: There are currently two Commissioners for Data Protection, appointed by Government with effect from 20 February 2024. The Public Appointments Service is currently running a campaign to recruit a third commissioner. The campaign is due to close at 3pm on 6 March 2025 and is aimed at attracting applicants from Ireland as well as abroad. The successful candidate will be appointed as Commissioner...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Alcohol Sales (25 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 631, 632, 635, 639, 640, 645, 685, 692 and 694 together. I understand that many sports stadiums operating under various sporting codes have existing licences which permit the sale of alcohol. I am not aware of any particular issues arising with respect to the facilities referred to by the Deputy. The Programme for Government commits to updating our...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Courts Service (25 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: As the Deputy will appreciate, under the provisions of the Courts Service Act 1998, management of the courts, including the provision of accommodation for court sittings, is the responsibility of the Courts Service, which is independent in carrying out its functions. However, in order to be of assistance to the Deputy, I have had enquiries made and the Courts Service has provided me with the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Communications (25 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: My Department holds meetings with individual firearms organisations on request and engages with various firearms stakeholders in other ways, while An Garda Síochána also meets with stakeholder organisations in respect of relevant matters. The Firearms Expert Committee (FEC), a non-statutory advisory body, was established in 2022 to provide guidance on matters related to firearms...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (25 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: The Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of Garda business under Section 26 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), which includes the management of the Property Exhibits Management System and PULSE. As Minister I have no role in these independent functions. I am advised by the Garda authorities that a total of 2,157 knives were seized in...