Results 1,921-1,940 of 10,053 for speaker:Jim O'Callaghan

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Residency Permits (20 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: My Department is working closely with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment to ensure that Ireland's labour market migration arrangements are fair, efficient and meet the needs of our economy and society. Currently, a person from outside the European Economic Area wishing to work in Ireland must make an application to the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment for an...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (19 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: There must be a multifaceted response to knife crime. One of the responses has to be ensuring that we have greater numbers of gardaí on the streets to seize knives. Last year, over 2,100 knives were seized by An Garda Síochána. That is part of the solution. Another part has to be powers for An Garda Síochána in order that gardaí can stop and search people...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (19 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I raised that issue in the Department shortly after I was appointed. I am aware that the review has been ongoing. It is not yet completed but I agree with the Deputy regarding the urgency of it being published. I will go back to the Department and find out the date of publication.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (19 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I have been told by my Department that a contract has been signed in respect of Clonmel Garda station, which, as the Deputy knows, is badly needed. I am also told that it will be finished by the end of 2026, which is very good news. Obviously, we are doing our best to ensure we recruit up to 1,000 gardaí each year. The intention is that they will be spread around the country....

Seanad: EU-UK Youth Experience Scheme: Motion (19 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: Ar dtús báire, déanaim comhghairdeas leis an Leas-Chathaoirleach as a hoifig nua. Is é sin mo chéad uair sa Seanad i gcomhair díospóireachta. Is mór an onóir dom a bheith anseo mar Aire Cirt agus Dlí. Déanaim comhghairdeas freisin le gach Seanadóir atá anseo inniu. This is my first time before Seanad Éireann speaking...

Seanad: EU-UK Youth Experience Scheme: Motion (19 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I greatly respect this House and I recognise that we probably get a higher level of deliberation and reflection on legislation here. That has been seen before on many Bills that have come before the Seanad. I will listen and take into account everything that is said by Senators. I respect the mandate they have and the constitutional position of this House. If Members feel that I am not...

Seanad: EU-UK Youth Experience Scheme: Motion (19 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I thank Senators for their kind reception and illuminating comments. I agree with Senator Clifford-Lee. This proposal is an easier task that I have here at the outset of my career appearing before the Seanad. I must say, however, that it could be a consequential one. If we find ourselves in a situation a number of years from now whereby an agreement is in place for a youth scheme between...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Visa Applications (19 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: In recent years my Department has taken a number of steps to upgrade the visa processing system and improve the service offered to individuals applying for Irish visas. This has included availing of services provided by VFS Global at their Visa Application Centres (VACs). Applications for Irish visas made by residents of South Africa are processed at VACs located in Cape Town, Johannesburg...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Family Reunification (19 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: The review of the Policy Document for Non-EEA Family Reunification, which was last amended in 2016, is examining a wide range of matters relating to applications for family reunification, including the nature and suitability of current income thresholds and waiting periods. My Department has consulted with a wide variety of stakeholders and the expectation is that the review will be brought...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Expenditure (19 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: It has not been possible to collate complete information as requested by the Deputy in the time allowed. I will write to the Deputy directly when the information is to hand.

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

Jim O'Callaghan: The Criminal Assets Bureau is a multi-agency statutory body established in 1996. The Bureau’s remit is to target a person's assets, wherever situated, which derive, or are suspected to derive, directly or indirectly, from criminal conduct. Since its inception nearly 30 years ago, the Bureau has been at the forefront of fighting organised crime in this jurisdiction and disrupting the...

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

Jim O'Callaghan: The Garda Commissioner is, by law, responsible for the management and administration of Garda business, including the allocation of Garda resources in respect of identified operational demands. As Minister, I have no direct role in these matters. The Deputy will appreciate that the execution of warrants, including bench warrants, can be impeded by persons actively seeking to evade...

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

Jim O'Callaghan: The new Programme for Government sets out a number of commitments to ensure that An Garda Síochána has the resources it needs to fight crime; increasing the number of Gardaí to ensure high visibility policing is central to this. There is a record Garda budget allocation this year of over €2.48 billion, a 27% increase since 2020 which is supporting the continued...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Flexible Work Practices (19 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: My Department’s Blended Working (BW) Policy was introduced in August 2022 following extensive consultation with staff and management and was developed in line with the Blended Working Policy Framework for Civil Service Organisations issued by the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform. The BW policy supports my Department’s objective to be a dynamic,...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Domestic Violence (19 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: Tackling the scourge of domestic violence is a central priority for me as Minister for Justice. One of the overarching goals of the Zero Tolerance Strategy to address domestic, sexual and gender-based violence (DSGBV), is ensuring that everyone who needs a refuge space will get one. The Strategy, published in June 2022, includes a commitment to doubling the number of refuge spaces by the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Citizenship Applications (19 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: The naturalisation application from the person referred to by the Deputy continues 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: Coroners Service (19 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: A coroner is an independent office holder who performs a public service by making inquiries into reported deaths. Responsibility for the provision of financial and administrative supports to the Dublin District Coroner’s office was transferred from Dublin City Council to the Department of Justice in 2018. Outside Dublin, the relevant local authority funds the costs of all other...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (18 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I am certainly happy to meet the board and organise for that to take place. I will get back to the Deputy in respect of that. I will speak to the relevant authorities on investment in Ballymun. I am conscious it is an area which requires investment but I do not think there will be any shortage of commitment from the Government on that.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Correspondence (18 Feb 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I am happy to inform the Deputy that following full consideration by a Visa Officer the Visa was issued on 10 February 2025. The person concerned can now directly check the status of their immigration application on the Immigration Service’s new Digital Contact Centre. They can register for, or log in to their existing account, at: as an Oireachtas member, you can also request the...