Wednesday, 26 Mar 2025

An Garda Síochána

Questions (117)

Matt Carthy

Question:

117. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice the annual cost of delivering an additional 500 community Gardaí; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14282/25]

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Written answers

Minister for Justice

Community policing is at the heart of An Garda Síochána and all Gardaí have a role to play in community policing in the course of carrying out their duties.

A member of An Garda Síochána is deemed to be a ‘Community Garda’ where that person is allocated to a Community Policing Team (CPT), and is responsible and accountable for applying a problem–solving approach to appropriate crime and policing quality-of-life issues in a specified geographic area through community partnership and engagement. Examples of this engagement are working with Neighbourhood Watch, Community Alert, or local business fora.

Like most Garda members, those assigned to CPTs have dual functions. In addition to their strategic roles in these teams, part of which requires them to regularly update their Community Engagement Superintendent on the policing needs of their community, they are also frontline members. It is also important to note that CPTs draw on all frontline Gardaí to carry out community policing.

The Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution of resources, including personnel, among the various Garda Units and as Minister I have no direct role in the matter.

I am advised by Garda authorities that the estimated annual payroll related costs of delivering an additional 500 community Gardaí is €34.2 million.

Salary costs are calculated using the midpoint of the current Garda rank salary scale and include fixed allowances which the member is entitled to. An estimate of Employer’s PRSI is also included. Allowances for unsocial hours and any potential overtime payments in excess of standard briefing time are not included. Future pension costs are also not included.

An Garda Síochána

Questions (118)

Matt Carthy

Question:

118. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice if the Garda recruitment campaign was advertised in the North of Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14283/25]

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Written answers

Minister for Justice

The Garda Commissioner is by law responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána, including Garda members. I am informed that the following advertising took place in Northern Ireland for the most recent Garda recruitment campaign:

• Print media: Belfast Telegraph and Sunday Life newspapers

• Social media: Paid advertising campaign on Meta including in Northern Ireland

• Digital display: Adverts online also including Northern Ireland.

Departmental Data

Questions (119)

Matt Carthy

Question:

119. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice further to Parliamentary Question No. 541 of 4 March 2025, regarding the number of crimes that were recorded where the suspected offenders were on bail, to outline the breakdown of the other 41% of offence types committed by offenders on bail for 2024 for which detail was not given in that reply; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14284/25]

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Written answers

Minister for Justice

The Bail Act 1997 (as amended), provides for the refusal of bail in particular circumstances in line with the Constitution. The law sets out the circumstances where bail can be refused and also provides powers to An Garda Síochána to object to bail being granted. The Bail Act has been strengthened on a number of occasions to allow the courts the option of imposing bail conditions, including the use of curfews, along with stronger garda powers to deal with breaches of bail. The Bail Act as it stands contains robust provisions on both dealing with and pre-empting breaches of bail.

The presiding judge is entirely independent in the exercise of their judicial functions, and the decision to grant or refuse bail in a particular case is solely a matter for the court. It must be noted that restriction on a person’s liberty prior to conviction is taken very seriously, given the Constitutional presumption that every person is deemed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

It is, of course, totally unacceptable that offences are committed by people while on bail. That is a direct breach of their undertaking when granted bail by the court.

Where an individual fails to comply with any bail conditions, the judge may issue a bench warrant, mandating An Garda Síochána to arrest and bring the person before the court. Furthermore, a Garda may immediately arrest a person without a warrant where the member has reasonable cause to suspect that person has breached, or is about to breach, a bail condition and the Garda considers the arrest necessary to prevent harm to, interference with, or intimidation of a victim or witness.

I am committed to keeping our bail laws under review and any necessary amendments that are identified will be introduced as appropriate.

It should be noted that the District Court alone deals with approximately 300,000 criminal offences annually.

In relation to offence types committed by persons on bail in 2024, the statistics listed below account for 98% of all of the 40,348 incidents. Lower incident counts (or proportions) are not provided to protect the anonymity of victims and in line with standards agreed with AGS's Data Protection Officer and the Central Statistics Office.

Percentage of offence type committed by those on bail 2024

Incident Type	Proportion
Theft from Shop	19.90%
Breach of Bail	13.80%
Public Order Offences	13.70%
Drunkenness Offences	7.30%
Simple Possession*	4.70%
Criminal Damage (Not by Fire)	4.00%
Handling / Possession of Stolen Property	3.30%
Possession of Drugs for Sale or supply	3.30%
General Road Offences	3.00%
Burglary	2.50%
Theft (Other)	2.20%
Possession of Offensive Weapon	2.00%
Breach of Safety Order	1.70%
Trespassing in Yard or Curtilage	1.40%
Breach of Protection Order	1.30%
Assault Causing Harm	1.20%
Assault Minor	1.20%
Theft from M.P.V.	1.00%
Assault / Obstruction / Resist Arrest	0.90%
Dangerous Driving	0.90%
Intoxicated Driving a Vehicle	0.80%
Breach of Barring Order	0.70%
Interfering with Mechanism of MPV	0.70%
Obstruction under Drugs Act	0.70%
Unauthorised Taking (Vehicle)	0.70%
Begging	0.60%
Insurance	0.60%
Drugs- Driving offences	0.50%
Possession of an Article (Burglary Or Theft)	0.40%
Robbery from the Person	0.40%
Theft from Person	0.40%
Court Related Offences	0.30%
Driving Licence	0.30%
Murder - Threats	0.30%
Robbery of an Establishment / Institution	0.30%
Unauthorised Taking (Pedal Cycle)	0.30%
Criminal Damage - (by Fire)	0.20%
Deception/Other	0.20%
P.S.V. Regulations	0.20%
Aggravated Burglary	0.10%

* relates to a person who is in possession of a controlled drug for their own personal use.

Family Reunification

Questions (120, 121, 122)

Joanna Byrne

Question:

120. Deputy Joanna Byrne asked the Minister for Justice the number of applications for family reunification received from persons residing in County Louth from 2020 to 2025. [14330/25]

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Joanna Byrne

Question:

121. Deputy Joanna Byrne asked the Minister for Justice the average processing time for a family reunification application.; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14331/25]

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Joanna Byrne

Question:

122. Deputy Joanna Byrne asked the Minister for Justice the number of applications for family reunification from persons residing in County Louth currently being processed. [14332/25]

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Written answers

Minister for Justice

I propose to take Questions Nos. 120, 121 and 122 together.

I can advise the Deputy that Immigration Service of my Department does not collate data by county of sponsors for such applications.

I understand that extended wait times can be frustrating for applicants and I want to assure anyone who has made an application for a join family visa that my Department is doing everything possible to progress these applications as quickly as possible.

The entitlement to family reunification varies depending on the permission granted to the sponsor of the application. Accordingly, there is no average processing time available for each type of join family visa.

Family members of Critical Skills Employment Permit holders can apply for join family visas at the same time as the Sponsor’s employment visa. When these visas are applied for together, they are processed in tandem and are typically completed within 12 weeks.

My Department aims to process join family visas applications within 12 months. The business target reflects the detailed and often complex assessment that is required to be carried out in relation to applications for family reunification. The majority of join family visas receive a first instance decision within this business target. In 2024 the average processing time for all types of Join Family visa application was 72 calendar days.

In 2024, approximately 201,000 visa applications, of all types, were received by the Visa Division of my Department. This reflects an increase of 21%, compared to 2023, with over 35,000 additional applications received. Approximately 22,000 join family visa applications were received by my Department in 2024; this represents an increase of 14% compared to 2023, with 3,000 additional applications received.

For applications where the sponsor is applying for family reunification having been granted International Protection, for the approximately 2,000 family members who received a decision in 2024, the average processing time for their applications was 15 months.

I am acutely aware that join family applications, are very important for the persons impacted and I am committed to improving the service my Department provides. In recent months, additional resources and staff have been assigned to my Department’s Visa Division which I expect will reduce the waiting times for Join Family Visa Applications; additional resources have also been assigned to the Division who process applications where the sponsor is applying for family reunification having been granted International Protection.

Question No. 121 answered with Question No. 120.

Question No. 122 answered with Question No. 120.

An Garda Síochána

Questions (123)

John Brady

Question:

123. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Justice the current status of the Garda vetting process; when the review is expected to be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14346/25]

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Written answers

Minister for Justice

The primary objective of the vetting conducted by the Garda National Vetting Bureau is to ensure the safety of children and vulnerable adults. This is an important task that must be delivered accurately.

Vetting is performed by An Garda Síochána in accordance with the National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Acts 2012 - 2016. As Minister, I have no role in these matters.

Organisations working with children and vulnerable people understand their responsibility to recruit and employ only suitable candidates. A rigorous Garda vetting process reassures citizens that appropriate checks are conducted on individuals assuming positions of trust.

I am informed by Garda authorities that the current Garda Vetting system is delivered in a standard format to each organisation seeking Garda Vetting and this methodology is in line with good practice internationally.

In general, the vetting process functions as follows;

Step 1 – The subject manually completes and forwards to the relevant organisation a vetting application form and provides their consent and proof of identity.

Step 2 – The relevant organisation confirms proof of identity and sends the subject an e-mail with link attached inviting him/her to complete a his/her vetting application form.

Step 3 – The subject completes their vetting application form online and submits it to the relevant organisation.

Step 4 – The relevant organisation reviews the vetting application form and submits it to the Garda National Vetting Bureau (GNVB).

Step 5 – The Garda National Vetting Bureau processes the vetting application and issues a disclosure to the relevant organisation.

Step 6 – The relevant organisation accesses the disclosure via the online vetting portal.

I am advised by the Garda authorities that the vetting process for An Garda Síochána can vary greatly for individual candidates due to aspects that may impact one candidate, but not another, for example having lived abroad in several countries compared to having lived solely in Ireland. Each vetting check is performed on its own merits and a standard timeframe for completion is not available.

The Garda Vetting Review Group was tasked with ensuring that any modifications to the vetting process maintain its robustness, efficiency, and effectiveness while improving service to customers.

I assure the Deputy that the Group's primary focus has been to explore ways to strengthen the vetting legislation in a practical and effective manner.

I have been informed that the Group's report on Garda Vetting arrangements is nearing completion, and I look forward to receiving it soon.

An Garda Síochána

Questions (124)

John Brady

Question:

124. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Justice the average timeframe a new Garda recruit can be expected to wait for their vetting application to be processed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14347/25]

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Written answers

Minister for Justice

Under section 26 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of Garda business, including the recruitment and training of Garda members and staff. As Minister I have no role in these functions.

I am advised by the Garda authorities that the current average time from when a Garda Trainee applicant is successful at interview (at which point their name is passed to An Garda Síochána to commence the remaining stages of the selection process), to the stage of offer to commence training is 29 weeks.

The stages of the selection process which are carried out by An Garda Síochána include the physical competency test, substance misuse test, medical, and vetting. It is worth noting that An Garda Síochána vetting process can vary greatly for individual candidates due to aspects that may impact one candidate but not another, for example someone who lived abroad in several countries compared to someone who lived solely in Ireland. For these reasons An Garda Síochána do not report on average times for vetting as it is so specific for each candidate.

In relation to security clearance and vetting, An Garda Síochána is unique in that it is not only the national police service but also the State's security service. As members of An Garda Síochána may be required to fulfil both of these roles throughout their careers, more stringent criteria apply than those in place across the wider Civil and Public Services. I am assured that every effort is made to process security clearance and vetting for applicants to An Garda Síochána as expeditiously as possible, without compromising the integrity of the system.

Question No. 125 answered with Question No. 114.

Question No. 126 answered with Question No. 115.

Road Traffic Offences

Questions (127, 128, 130, 131, 132, 134)

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Written answers

Minister for Justice

I propose to take Questions Nos. 127, 128, 130, 131, 132 and 134 together.

Under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the administration and management of An Garda Síochána, which includes the enforcement of road traffic legislation. As Minister, I have no role in such matters.

Static-speed safety cameras have been proven internationally to reduce speeding, which is one of the main contributors to road deaths.

GoSafe is contracted as the Service Provider for An Garda Síochána to provide static speed cameras. An Garda Síochána do not directly operate the static speed cameras.

In December 2024 GoSafe launched three static cameras on the N13, N17 and the N59. These are the first three of nine static speed cameras, the remainder of which will go live in 2025.

All three of these cameras are currently operational and all have valid calibration certificates.

Question No. 128 answered with Question No. 127.

Traffic Fines

Questions (129, 133)

Alan Kelly

Question:

129. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Justice the number of fines and penalties issued from these static speed cameras operated by Gardaí in 2023 and 2024, in tabular form. [14401/25]

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Alan Kelly

Question:

133. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Justice the number of fines and penalties issued from these static speed cameras operated by third party providers, contracted providers and civilian providers in 2023 and 2024, in tabular form. [14405/25]

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Written answers

Minister for Justice

I propose to take Questions Nos. 129 and 133 together.

It has not been possible to gather the required information in the time available. I will write to the Deputy when the information is available.

Question No. 130 answered with Question No. 127.

Question No. 131 answered with Question No. 127.

Question No. 132 answered with Question No. 127.

Question No. 133 answered with Question No. 129.

Question No. 134 answered with Question No. 127.

Road Traffic Offences

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Written answers

Minister for Justice

I propose to take Questions Nos. 135, 136, 138, 139, 141, 148, 149 and 150 together.

Under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the administration and management of An Garda Síochána, including the enforcement of road traffic legislation. The Commissioner is also responsible for procurement and related contract management. As Minister, I have no role in such matters.

Speed vans, with van-mounted speed detection radars, are currently operated by the service provider GoSafe under the direction of An Garda Síochána.

The table below, which was provided to me by the Garda authorities, sets out the number of safety camera vans and speeding vans used by third party contracted providers in 2023 and 2024.

-	2023	2024
Safety Camera Vans for Mobile Enforcement	55	58

All safety camera vans and speeding vans operated by third party contracted providers for An Garda Síochána in 2023 and 2024 have valid calibration certificates.

GoSafe have current calibration certification for 63 mobile safety cameras. These five additional mobile safety cameras are to allow for repairs, etc.

Question No. 136 answered with Question No. 135.