Latest news with #O'Callaghan
RTÉ News
10 hours ago
- Business
- RTÉ News
Government's NDP is 'fantasy economics', says O'Callaghan
The Government's National Development Plan is based on a "very optimistic scenario" and "falls into the realm of fantasy economics", Social Democrats deputy leader Cian O'Callaghan has said. Coalition leaders finalised the revised NDP yesterday, which is the Government's scheme to build infrastructure such as roads, rail, electricity connections and sewage schemes over the coming years. The Government said that total spending over the coming five years as part of the plan will be almost €100 billion. Speaking on RTÉ's Morning Ireland, Deputy O'Callaghan said the plan was published "as if there was going to be no major fallout from the tariffs and the potential trade war with the US". Mr O'Callaghan, who is his party's spokesperson on public expenditure and reform, said "it is likely that it will not be possible" for the Government to deliver on all the promises made during the election due to tariffs. He stressed that the Government has published statements and forecasts "based on a 0% tariff rate". Funding for housing in the NDP will be the largest part of the €100bn plan, while the Coalition has promised to cut the rate of VAT for the food service industry. Mr O'Callaghan said that the Government should focus on accommodation and food, adding that his party does agree with targeted support for the hospitality industry. He said investment in infrastructure in Ireland is behind comparable countries, with a 25% lower rate of investment in infrastructure in recent years in Ireland. "So that means, in September when children go back to school, you've got kids in schools with leaking roofs where the rain water comes in and it is captured in buckets," he said. He added that the country is "way behind" in terms of public transport, adding that there are "huge pressures" around housing and healthcare, where he said investment is "absolutely key". Mr O'Callaghan also said there are significant gaps in funding in healthcare, adding that elective hospitals are underfunded in the plan. He also said that Ireland has a "much less productive" construction sector than other countries and described the NDP as "the vaguest document" the Government has ever published.
Irish Daily Mirror
3 days ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
Three babies born to inmates in Irish prisons so far in 2025, new figures show
Three babies have been born to inmates at the Dóchas Centre women's prison in Dublin and Limerick's women's prison to date this year, new figures show. According to the new figures provided by the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration, Jim O'Callaghan (FF) TD, four infants aged under 12 months, three at Dóchas and one at Limerick - have been accommodated with their mothers at the females prisons to date this year. This followed three infants being accommodated with their mothers at Dochas Centre only in 2024. The three babies born to inmates across the Irish prison estate this year follow four babies born to inmates in 2024. This followed no babies born to prison inmates in 2023 and 2022 and there was only baby born to a woman jailed at Dóchas Centre prison at the time during 2021 and 2020. In written Dail replies to Deputies Gary Gannon TD (Soc Gen) and Matt Carthy TD (SF), Minister O'Callaghan confirmed that two babies have been born to inmates at Dóchas Centre to date this year and one baby to an inmate at the 50-capacity Limerick's women's prison. In the replies, Minister O'Callaghan also reveals that in 2025, 19 pregnant women have imprisoned at Irish prisons - 13 at Dóchas and six at Limerick. The Dochas Centre women's prison in Dublin This followed 27 pregnant women being jailed last year - 22 at Dóchas and five at Limerick and the 27 total was more than double the 12 total for 2023. In his reply Minister O'Callaghan told the two deputies: 'I can confirm that there are currently no pregnant women remanded to custody within the Irish Prison Estate.' He said: 'Pregnant woman in custody are provided with as much privacy as possible and are accommodated in single occupancy rooms.' He said that in accordance with prison rules 'a child may remain in the care of their mother in prison, until the child has reached twelve months of age' He said that in the Dóchas Centre, mothers and babies are accommodated in single occupancy double rooms. He said: 'These rooms are on a small landing which is shared with enhanced status prisoners. Work is commencing in relation to additional, bespoke rooms for mothers and babies in the Dóchas Centre.' He said that 'Limerick Women's Prison does not have a separate building for women with children, however the women and their babies are accommodated in 'independent style apartments'. Stock image of pregnant woman in hospital (Image: Getty) He said: 'Each has their own individual apartment. This overall area is not specifically for women with babies and may house other prisoners deemed suitable to live in these "independent style apartments'. He said that in relation to the health and safety of pregnant women in custody, the Irish Prison Service has developed and apply bespoke risk assessments to both pregnant women and to mothers and babies who are in their custody. He said: 'These risk assessments inform strategies which support managing the health and safety of pregnant women, and mothers who have given birth to babies whilst serving prison sentences, within the prison environment.' He said that the Irish Prison Service employs a National Family Connections Officer and Iin May 2025 this officer established a multi-agency working group to review Protocols and update the Irish Prison Service Mother and Baby Policy to ensure best practice for the care and support of mothers and babies in custody. He said: 'This work is currently at scoping stage.' Minister O'Callaghan said that 'the level of maternity care and supports provided to women in custody, is comparable to that available to women in the community'. Minister for Justice Jim O'Callaghan He said: "Primary care nursing is provided in female prisons on a 24/7 basis, 365 days a year. Doctor services are available Monday to Friday 9-5, with locum services available at the weekends. He said that 'due to the specific needs of a number of the women who are pregnant, specialist HSE services have a very close and responsive working relationship with both prison management and the prison healthcare team'. He said: 'Most pregnant women receive all their antenatal care external to the prison, in routine antenatal clinics in the local HSE maternity hospital. When needed and in cases of emergency, specialist midwives will attend the prison; however, this is not a common occurrence.' He said that 'expectant mothers are always facilitated to have their children born in hospital'. Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest news from the Irish Mirror direct to your inbox: Sign up here.
Sunday World
3 days ago
- Politics
- Sunday World
Three babies born to inmates in Irish prisons and 19 pregnant women jailed this year
The three babies born to inmates across the Irish prison estate this year follow four babies born to inmates in 2024 Three babies have been born to inmates at the Dóchas Centre women's prison in Dublin and Limerick's women's prison to date this year, new figures show. According to the new figures provided by the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration, Jim O'Callaghan (FF) TD, four infants aged under 12 months, three at Dóchas and one at Limerick - have been accommodated with their mothers at the females prisons to date this year. This followed three infants being accommodated with their mothers at Dochas Centre only in 2024. The three babies born to inmates across the Irish prison estate this year follow four babies born to inmates in 2024. This followed no babies born to prison inmates in 2023 and 2022 and there was only baby born to a woman jailed at Dóchas Centre prison at the time during 2021 and 2020. In written Dail replies to Deputies Gary Gannon TD (Soc Gen) and Matt Carthy TD (SF), Minister O'Callaghan confirmed that two babies have been born to inmates at Dóchas Centre to date this year and one baby to an inmate at the 50-capacity Limerick's women's prison. In the replies, Minister O'Callaghan also reveals that in 2025, 19 pregnant women have imprisoned at Irish prisons - 13 at Dóchas and six at Limerick. This followed 27 pregnant women being jailed last year - 22 at Dóchas and five at Limerick and the 27 total was more than double the 12 total for 2023. In his reply Minister O'Callaghan told the two deputies: 'I can confirm that there are currently no pregnant women remanded to custody within the Irish Prison Estate.' He said: 'Pregnant woman in custody are provided with as much privacy as possible and are accommodated in single occupancy rooms.' He said that in accordance with prison rules 'a child may remain in the care of their mother in prison, until the child has reached twelve months of age' He said that in the Dóchas Centre, mothers and babies are accommodated in single occupancy double rooms. He said: 'These rooms are on a small landing which is shared with enhanced status prisoners. Work is commencing in relation to additional, bespoke rooms for mothers and babies in the Dóchas Centre.' He said that 'Limerick Women's Prison does not have a separate building for women with children, however the women and their babies are accommodated in 'independent style apartments'. He said: 'Each has their own individual apartment. This overall area is not specifically for women with babies and may house other prisoners deemed suitable to live in these "independent style apartments'. He said that in relation to the health and safety of pregnant women in custody, the Irish Prison Service has developed and apply bespoke risk assessments to both pregnant women and to mothers and babies who are in their custody. He said: 'These risk assessments inform strategies which support managing the health and safety of pregnant women, and mothers who have given birth to babies whilst serving prison sentences, within the prison environment.' He said that the Irish Prison Service employs a National Family Connections Officer and Iin May 2025 this officer established a multi-agency working group to review Protocols and update the Irish Prison Service Mother and Baby Policy to ensure best practice for the care and support of mothers and babies in custody. He said: 'This work is currently at scoping stage.' Minister O'Callaghan said that 'the level of maternity care and supports provided to women in custody, is comparable to that available to women in the community'. He said: "Primary care nursing is provided in female prisons on a 24/7 basis, 365 days a year. Doctor services are available Monday to Friday 9-5, with locum services available at the weekends. He said that 'due to the specific needs of a number of the women who are pregnant, specialist HSE services have a very close and responsive working relationship with both prison management and the prison healthcare team'. He said: 'Most pregnant women receive all their antenatal care external to the prison, in routine antenatal clinics in the local HSE maternity hospital. When needed and in cases of emergency, specialist midwives will attend the prison; however, this is not a common occurrence.' He said that 'expectant mothers are always facilitated to have their children born in hospital'. Dochas women's prison. Photo: Jim Walpole Today's News in 90 Seconds - July 21st
RTÉ News
3 days ago
- RTÉ News
Three babies born to inmates in Irish prisons this year
Three babies have been born to inmates at the Dóchas Centre women's prison in Dublin and Limerick's women's prison to date this year, new figures show. According to the new figures provided by the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration, Jim O'Callaghan, four infants aged under 12 months, three at Dóchas and one at Limerick - have been accommodated with their mothers at the females prisons to date this year. This followed three infants being accommodated with their mothers at Dochas Centre in 2024. The three babies born to inmates across the Irish prison estate this year follow four babies born to inmates last year. This followed no babies born to prison inmates in 2023 and 2022 and there was only one baby born to a woman jailed at Dóchas Centre prison at the time during 2021 and 2020. In written Dail replies to Gary Gannon TD and Matt Carthy TD, Minister O'Callaghan confirmed that two babies have been born to inmates at Dóchas Centre to date this year and one baby to an inmate at the 50-capacity Limerick's women's prison. Nineteen pregnant women imprisoned Minister O'Callaghan said 19 pregnant women have imprisoned at Irish prisons this year - 13 at Dóchas and six at Limerick. This followed 27 pregnant women being jailed last year - 22 at Dóchas and five at Limerick and the 27 total was more than double the 12 total for 2023. In his reply Minister O'Callaghan said: "I can confirm that there are currently no pregnant women remanded to custody within the Irish Prison Estate." He said: "Pregnant woman in custody are provided with as much privacy as possible and are accommodated in single occupancy rooms." Baby can live with mother for first year He said that in accordance with prison rules "a child may remain in the care of their mother in prison, until the child has reached twelve months of age". He said that in the Dóchas Centre, mothers and babies are accommodated in single occupancy double rooms. He said: "These rooms are on a small landing which is shared with enhanced status prisoners. Work is commencing in relation to additional, bespoke rooms for mothers and babies in the Dóchas Centre." He said that "Limerick Women's Prison does not have a separate building for women with children, however the women and their babies are accommodated in independent style apartments". He said each has their own individual apartment. "This overall area is not specifically for women with babies and may house other prisoners deemed suitable to live in these "independent style apartments," Minister O'Callaghan added. The Irish Prison Service has "developed and apply bespoke risk assessments" to both pregnant women and to mothers and babies who are in their custody, the minister continued. Risk assessment for pregnant women in prisons "These risk assessments inform strategies which support managing the health and safety of pregnant women, and mothers who have given birth to babies whilst serving prison sentences, within the prison environment," he said. The Irish Prison Service employs a National Family Connections Officer and in May 2025 this officer established a multi-agency working group to review Protocols and update the Irish Prison Service Mother and Baby Policy to "ensure best practice for the care and support of mothers and babies in custody". The Minister said this work is currently at scoping stage. He said "the level of maternity care and supports provided to women in custody, is comparable to that available to women in the community". "Primary care nursing is provided in female prisons on a 24/7 basis, 365 days a year. Doctor services are available Monday to Friday 9-5, with locum services available at the weekends. "Due to the specific needs of a number of the women who are pregnant, specialist HSE services have a very close and responsive working relationship with both prison management and the prison healthcare team. "Most pregnant women receive all their antenatal care external to the prison, in routine antenatal clinics in the local HSE maternity hospital. When needed and in cases of emergency, specialist midwives will attend the prison; however, this is not a common occurrence," the minister added. He said "expectant mothers are always facilitated to have their children born in hospital".
Extra.ie
3 days ago
- Politics
- Extra.ie
Controversy flares over recent deportation of families and young children
Justice Minister Jim O'Callaghan was told to emphasise the 'nous and soft skills' of gardaí as controversy flared over the recent deportation of families and young children from Ireland. In a briefing on the removal of school-going children to Nigeria, the minister was told families could have avoided this outcome and returned voluntarily to their country. A Q&A prepared for Mr O'Callaghan said he was 'very conscious' of questions over whether Irish people would be comfortable with the enforced removal of Irish-born children. Justice Minister Jim O'Callaghan. Pic: Leah Farrell/ When asked about it, a suggested answer for him said: 'It's one of the reasons that we are very lucky to have people in An Garda Síochána with the nous and the soft skills to manage what can be a difficult human experience for all the people concerned.' The details were contained in a series of briefings for the Justice Minister on how to tackle tricky questions about expensive deportation charter flights to Nigeria and Georgia. The briefing said he should also be prepared for questions on whether the three charter flights – which together have cost at least €530,000 – were just for 'optics.' On how to respond, the minister was told: 'Forced deportations like these are the last option, not the first.' If asked about whether it was a good use of scarce Garda resources, Mr O'Callaghan was advised to emphasise how such operations needed to be done safely and with 'respect for the dignity' of those removed. The Q&A said: 'This may well be a difficult experience for the people being deported, which may include families with young children.' On value-for-money issues, the minister was given talking points saying that costs were 'relatively comparable' to removals on commercial flights. One suggested answer said: 'No specific cost-benefit analysis was carried out for the use of charters.' For a deportation flight to Nigeria, it said that one of the people on the flight had no fewer than 25 convictions. These were for theft, making gain by loss or deception, possession of drugs and numerous driving offences. On another deportation jet travelling to Georgia, one person had 63 convictions including money laundering, theft, and also the organisation of illegal immigration. Justice Minister Jim Callaghan. Pic: Leah Farrell/ Internal briefing documents said the absence of a human rights observer on a flight to Nigeria was 'deeply regrettable' but 'unavoidable.' Mr O'Callaghan was advised to expect queries on why a human rights report on the charter was not released publicly. If questioned, he was told to say he was 'happy it reflects very well on the operation.' The briefing added: 'I'm considering the question of publication but need to be sure that it won't have any operational implications.' Mr O'Callaghan was also told to be prepared for questions on the detention of unsuccessful asylum applicants in often overcrowded jails ahead of the deportation flights. A Q&A document said: 'The simple fact is that if people know that they are going to be removed, they may abscond.' He said this was based on garda intelligence and that while people could be held for up to 56 days, it was usually 'significantly less.' On whether women had been imprisoned, Mr O'Callaghan was told two were held in jail but that they were not mothers of children aged under 18. Asked about the documents, a department spokesman said: 'The Minister recognises that an enforced removal is an unfortunate and challenging experience for a child, which is why they are carried out only as a measure of last resort when the family concerned has not removed themselves from the State as they are legally required to. 'Children have only been returned as part of family units. The preferred option is to return people voluntarily.'
