Written Answers Nos. 541-560
541. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Social Protection if he supports the implementation of the recommendation in the review of the Gender Recognition Act 2015 to allow for a system of recognition for people who are non-binary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36096/25]
View answerMy colleague the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality recently published the National LGBTIQ+ Inclusion Strategy II 2024-2028 on 12 June 2025, along with its associated National LGBTIQ+ Inclusion Strategy II - Action Plan 2025-2026.
The remaining actions from the Gender Recognition Act 2025 Review, including the one relating to recognition for people who are non-binary, are included in the National LGBTIQ+ Inclusion Strategy.
A Steering Committee, chaired by the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality, will be established comprising representatives from the LGBTIQ+ community and statutory and non-statutory bodies including Government Departments.
My Department will be participating in progressing relevant actions in line with the Strategy and Action Plan.
I trust this clarifies matters for the Deputy.
542. Deputy Shane Moynihan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to provide a county-by-county breakdown of the number of fixed charge notices/parking fines issued for parking in disabled parking bays over the past two years, in tabular form. [36068/25]
View answerI am informed by An Garda Síochána that, as of 27 June 2025, the table below provides a breakdown by Garda division of the number of Fixed Charge Notices issued for offences related to parking or stopping in a disabled parking bay.
In total, 7,518 such notices were issued between 1 January 2024 and 27 June 2025.
Figures are based on date from Fixed Charge Processing System (FCPS) and are subject to change.
|
- |
2024 |
2025* |
|
Clare/Tipperary |
158 |
52 |
|
Cork City |
368 |
154 |
|
Cork County |
89 |
28 |
|
D.M.R. Eastern |
35 |
22 |
|
D.M.R. North Central |
259 |
202 |
|
D.M.R. Northern |
390 |
237 |
|
D.M.R. South Central |
786 |
648 |
|
D.M.R. Southern |
137 |
134 |
|
D.M.R. Western |
325 |
177 |
|
Donegal |
75 |
22 |
|
Galway Div |
163 |
103 |
|
Kerry |
129 |
52 |
|
Kildare/Carlow |
398 |
168 |
|
Laois/Offaly |
123 |
40 |
|
Limerick |
303 |
136 |
|
Louth/Cavan/Monaghan |
294 |
137 |
|
Mayo/Roscommon/Longford |
173 |
81 |
|
Meath/Westmeath |
129 |
67 |
|
Sligo/Leitrim |
60 |
21 |
|
Waterford/Kilkenny |
273 |
100 |
|
Wexford/Wicklow |
203 |
67 |
|
Grand Total |
4870 |
2648 |
543. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration when the SAVI 2 report, originally commissioned in 2018 by the then-Minister for Justice to provide updated national data on sexual abuse and violence in Ireland, is due to be published (details supplied); the reasons for the prolonged delay; if she will commit to publishing an interim statement or summary of the progress to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35191/25]
View answerA new CSO survey providing national prevalence figures on sexual violence in Ireland was published in April 2023.
The Sexual Violence Survey, commissioned and funded by my Department, focused on respondents’ experiences of a broad spectrum of sexual violence and harassment.
The survey covers a range of behaviours from non-contact sexual violence right through to non-consensual sexual intercourse, or rape.
It was generally understood that this was an area that tended to be underreported and that the numbers we have had up to then did not reflect the true extent of the problem. That is why my Department commissioned the CSO to undertake this wide-scale, nationally-representative prevalence survey.
The results can be found here: www.cso.ie/en/statistics/crimeandjustice/sexualviolencesurvey/
From a methodology perspective, the Sexual Violence Survey (SVS) was not a repeat of the previous Sexual Assault and Violence in Ireland (SAVI) survey from 2002. SVS and SAVI used different methodologies and so it is not possible to compare the results from both. The SVS survey built upon the work of the 2018 Scoping Group on Sexual Violence Data reflecting changes in society since 2002, as well as changes in Data Protection.
Using the SVS data, we now know the full extent of this problem and we have a baseline to measure the impact of our work across Government, as well as to help us to develop policy and provide the necessary supports and services. It also underlines the importance of having our whole-of-Government zero tolerance approach to DSGBV.
This is clearly set out in Zero Tolerance, our third national strategy on domestic, sexual and gender-based violence.
The actions within it reflect the importance of a range of areas, including education, training, awareness-raising, supports, robust legislation and importantly, having a victim-centred approach to all of our work in this priority area. We are committed to delivering on the goal of this strategy - a society that does not accept any form of domestic, sexual or gender-based violence.
I recently launched the final implementation plan for Zero Tolerance, which includes 95 actions across various Government departments and state agencies.
The Government is delivering on the commitments in the Strategy to achieve a society where sexual violence, and the toxic attitudes that fuel it, are not accepted. Under the Strategy we have already introduced a range of legal reforms to help achieve this. Coupled with other legislative measures that I am progressing I am delivering a clear message that sexual abuse and sexual violence will not be tolerated, that survivors will be supported and perpetrators will be held accountable.
544. Deputy Noel McCarthy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if there are any instances whereby an international protection applicant would be considered for early labour market access ahead of the six-month eligibility period, such as sponsorship by a prospective employer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35202/25]
View answerUnder the European Communities (Reception Conditions) Regulations 2018 (S.I. No. 230 of 2018), international protection applicants can apply for labour market access permission if are fully cooperating with the IP process. While an application for labour market access can be made five months after the IP application, permission will only be granted once an applicant has waited six months from the date of their international protection application.
The Labour Market Access permission allows the applicant access employment and self-employment and is valid for 12 months. The permission can be renewed until a final decision is made on the person's international protection application.
There are no circumstances where an applicant can be granted a Labour Market Access Permission before the 6-month eligibility period and there are no plans at this time to amend the 6-month waiting period.
From February 2024 the process of applying for Labour Market Access for International Protection applicants has moved to a new online application process. The new system has provided a more streamlined process and shorter processing times for all renewal and first-time applications.
The current processing time for applications is less than 4 weeks.
Any queries in relation to a person's eligibility or otherwise for a labour market permission can be directed to: Lmauqueries@justice.ie
More information and further details on labour market access permission is available here: www.irishimmigration.ie/my-situation-has-changed-since-i-arrived-in-ireland/labour-market-access-permission/
545. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the assessment that is made of the socio-economic impact of placing large-scale, single-gender IPAS centres in smaller communities; and whether local schools, GP practices and Gardaí are consulted in advance of such placements. [35229/25]
View answer550. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the safeguards in place to ensure a balanced gender and age profile in IPAS centres, particularly in smaller towns; and whether his Department has assessed the community impact of accommodating large cohorts of single adult males. [35234/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 545 and 550 together.
The State is currently accommodating almost 33,000 people who have applied for international protection in Ireland, almost 9,500 of whom are children. The International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) provides accommodation in over 320 centres around the country.
From 2022 to 2024, this demand-led system had to grow rapidly, by almost 400%, as a result of a sudden and sustained increase in people applying for international protection (IP).
Given the profound pressure this placed on the accommodation system, it was not possible for the State to apply formal dispersal criteria on a geographical basis during this period. However, IPAS centres are successfully operating in every county in Ireland, in a range of different settings.
The Department receives regular offers of accommodation from external commercial providers and does not predetermine their geographical location. All offers of IP accommodation are reviewed by the Department under a standardised appraisal procedure.
Factors in the appraisal of IP accommodation include the site and its potential, the value for money it offers, planning matters and any works required to meet the required standards.
Consideration is also given to the location and locality, access to services, resident welfare, health and well-being, and the current level of need in the sector.
The Community Engagement Team (CET) was established in late 2023 to engage directly with elected representatives, local authorities, community members and service providers, in advance of a new centre opening.
Access to wider public services such as health and education services for IP applicants is set out in Irish and EU law, and this is planned for and provided by the HSE, the Department of Education and other cross-Government services.
As such, IPAS and the CET are in regular contact with NGOs, Community Fora, local services, the HSE, Education services, An Garda Síochána and others, to help prepare for a new centre and new arrivals.
The team also supports information sharing through a dedicated email service for queries from local groups about new and existing centres. Since its establishment, the CET has worked through the openings of over 130 IPAS and Ukraine accommodation centres. Some of these have involved a simple sharing of information through the relevant channels, while others have involved more detailed meetings with local community groups, local officials, public representatives and other key stakeholders.
There have been many consistent examples of meaningful and productive engagement, and service providers and elected representatives around the country demonstrate ongoing support for our work and for our residents.
In relation to larger State-owned sites, the model of engagement has been developed to plan for more meaningful dialogue to support these larger centres, particularly those on state-owned lands being developed under Government policy to move away from dependence on commercial providers.
As part of the Programme for Government 2025, Securing Ireland’s Future, there is a commitment to expand the work of the CET to provide for detailed discussions with communities and to plan more effectively for delivery of increased public services.
As part of wider commitments within the Programme for Government, the overall goal is to reform and improve the overall international protection process, to ensure that we can curtail the need for ongoing growth in the accommodation system.
546. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to provide an update on the current backlog of asylum applications in Ireland; the average processing time; and the steps being taken to expedite decisions while preserving the integrity of the system. [35230/25]
View answerI can assure the Deputy that it is a priority to have decisions made on all international protection applications as soon as possible. This will give status to those who are entitled to international protection to rebuild their lives here, while also ensuring faster decision making in respect of those who do not meet the criteria.
There are currently 33,853 pending International Protection applications at various points of the International Protection process.
Budget 2025 provided a €25m package for end-to-end investment in the immigration system including Service Delivery, International Protection Office, International Protection Appeals Tribunal and the Legal Aid Board.
There has been significant investment across the end-to-end international protection process in the last number of years, with additional staffing as well as increased financial and technical resources being made available to Immigration Service Delivery, International Protection Office, International Protection Appeals Tribunal and the Legal Aid Board. There has also been investment in ICT capital expenditure and process improvements.
This is supporting reaching key targets, including the IPO making 25,000 decisions in 2025 compared to over 14,000 cases in 2024. The IPAT also aims to increase the number of appeals completed over the course of 2025 with recruitment of Tribunal Members to increase its decision-making capacity currently taking place.
All aspects of the international protection modernisation programme will continue to be kept under review and improved on a continuous ongoing basis.
The median processing time for first-instance decisions in 2025 is 14 months and for those under accelerated procedure it is four months. The median processing time for IPAT appeals is 13 months.
Ireland has opted in to the EU Asylum and Migration Pact which is due to enter operation in June 2026. The Pact will provide a fair, sustainable and efficient asylum procedure. This will be achieved through convergence in asylum practices across the EU.
The Pact introduces mandatory processing times for International Protection applications. Ireland, along with other Member States, will be required to process applications in three months for an accelerated decision. This will apply to, amongst others, people who have misled authorities, such as by destroying identity documents.
547. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration his views on recent figures showing significant early resignations within An Garda Síochána; the analysis his Department has conducted on morale within the force; and whether targeted retention and support measures are being developed. [35231/25]
View answerStrengthening An Garda Síochána is one of my main priorities and retention of experienced qualified Gardaí is of course an important element of this.
By any objective standard, the proportion of resignations from An Garda Síochána remains very low with the resignation rate currently between 1 and 2%. I understand this turnover is far below the level experienced by UK police services (approximately 10%) and across the rest of the public sector in Ireland or in the private sector (between 10% and 20%).
In addition, police services in the US, New Zealand, and Canada have all reported a significant increase in resignations in excess of the Garda resignation rate, especially in the last few years post-Covid.
While my own Department has increased the mandatory retirement age to 62 and supported the newly agreed Garda rosters to aid retention, I know Garda management are also keen to provide appropriate supports to all employees, including sworn members and Garda staff, particularly given the demands experienced in policing.
The Garda authorities are seeking to ensure the organisation can learn from those in the small percentage who do chose to leave and I am informed that an exit interview process was introduced in 2023, to better understand why people opted to resign, and to inform measures which could aid retention.
In 2024, 39 voluntary exit interviews were conducted among sworn Gardaí and Garda staff. As this is a very small sample, it is difficult to draw any firm conclusions but among the issues cited by people who participated was that they found it difficult to maintain their career as a Garda while also managing their family life. Commuting and the distance between home and their station was also a concern.
An Garda Síochána is working closely with key partners to explore every opportunity to bolster both the recruitment and retention of Garda members in the immediate and longer terms. In 2025, an exit interview survey was introduced to further extend the sample reached. Up to end April, there were 60 responses, again from both sworn Gardaí and Garda staff. This survey will increase the capacity of the organisation to collate, analyse and act upon the data gathered from personnel who have chosen to resign.
These are still small samples, but the objective is that, over time, it will help develop better understanding of these issues and in turn allow further adjustments where possible. I am aware, for example that Garda management seek to locate new recruits within a reasonable commuting distance of their homes but this is not always possible to achieve in every case. Ultimately however, the Garda Commissioner is responsible by law for all Garda operational matters, including Garda HR. The publication of detailed analysis or data would therefore be a matter for An Garda Síochána.
548. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration whether emergency planning powers or Ministerial discretion have been used in the past 12 months to bypass public consultation in the approval of accommodation for international protection applicants; and whether he will publish a record of such interventions. [35232/25]
View answer575. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to provide a list of S 181(2)(a) orders that have been issued with respect to accommodation provided by the International Protection Accommodation Service for people seeking international protection and people in receipt of temporary protection; and to explain the legal purpose of these orders. [35745/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 548 and 575 together.
Under section 181(2)(a) of the Planning and Development Act 2000, in emergency circumstances, certain sections of that Act can be disallowed through the development of a Ministerial Order.
The purpose of this section is to ensure that the State, in emergency circumstances, has the power to take action to meet urgent need within public and State services.
From 2022 to the end of 2024, there was a sudden and sustained increase in numbers of people applying for International Protection (IP) in Ireland. This increase happened at the same time as the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the EU Temporary Protection Directive, which saw over 114,000 people from Ukraine come to live in Ireland.
Over 45,000 people claimed international protection from 2022 to 2024, exceeding the total number claiming in the preceding 16 years (from 2006 to 2021 - 44,000), indicating the immediacy and scale of the challenge.
Amid a basic shortage of accommodation across society, these changes placed profound and sustained pressure on the State’s responsibility to source viable accommodation for new arrivals over the last two years.
This shortage led to up to 3,500 international protection applicants being left without an offer of accommodation and at risk of homelessness.
The Government’s Comprehensive Accommodation Strategy for international protection published in March 2024 set out a range of actions to address this, including the development of accommodation, including tented and modular options, on State-owned lands, to meet urgent need for shelter for vulnerable people.
Sites were identified, including at Thornton Hall in Dublin, Lissywollen in Athlone, Crooksling in Dublin and others. An existing site at Columb Barracks in Mullingar was being used for Ukraine accommodation by the State.
In 2024, Ministerial Orders were put in place under section 181(2)(a) of the Planning and Development Act 2000 in respect of 4 sites: Thornton Hall, Fingal; Lissywollen, Athlone; Crooksling, Brittas; and Columb Barracks, Mullingar.
These orders were all published in Irish Oifigiúíl, and in newspapers circulating in the area of the relevant sites, as the time. The relevant Statutory Instruments are listed below.
While two of these orders have subsequently been revoked, at Thornton Hall and Crooksling, all these sites remain an important part of the implementation of the Government’s Comprehensive Accommodation Strategy and the Programme for Government. This aims to build a sustainable system and develop more State-owned international protection accommodation.
Thornton Hall:
S.I. No. 399/2024 - Planning and Development Act 2000 (Section 181(2)(a))(No.2) Order 2024
www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/2024/si/399/made/en/print.
Thornton Hall Revocation order:
S.I. No. 617/2024 - Planning and Development Act 2000 (Section 181(2)(a)) Order 2024 (Revocation) Order 2024
www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/2024/si/617/made/en/print
Crooksling:
S.I. No. 481/2024 - Planning and Development Act 2000 (Section 181(2)(a)) (No. 3) Order 2024
www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/2024/si/481/made/en/print
Crooksling Revocation order:
S.I. No. 260/2025 - Planning and Development Act 2000 (Section 181(2)(a)) (No. 3) Order 2024 (Revocation) Order 2025
www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/2025/si/260/made/en/print
Midlands Accommodation Centre :
S.I. No. 507/2024 - Planning and Development Act 2000 (Section 181(2)(a)) (No.4) Order 2024
www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/2024/si/507/made/en/print
Columb Barracks:
S.I. No. 365/2024 - Planning and Development Act 2000 (Section 181(2)(a)) Order 2024
www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/2024/si/365/made/en/print
549. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration whether he accepts there has been a marked deterioration in public safety and street-level crime in major cities such as Dublin, Cork, and Limerick; and whether the current community safety partnership model is fit for purpose. [35233/25]
View answerBuilding safe and secure communities across the country by investing in An Garda Síochána is a top priority for this Government. I want every part of the country to be a safe space for people to live and work in, and our major cities are no exception to this.
While Ireland is generally a safe community, with relatively low crime rates, some communities may experience a different reality.
The Government are taking a number of ongoing actions to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour, including:
• Getting more Gardaí on our streets through increased recruitment;
• Introduction of Local Community Safety Partnerships around the country, to develop Community Safety Plans for every area.
• Continued expansion of youth justice and youth diversion measures.
• Garda body-cams in three pilot locations (Dublin, Waterford, Limerick) with national roll-out to follow
• €1 million provided in 2025 for local authorities to apply for Community CCTV
• Plans to ban face coverings at protests
• Passing legislation which will make it easier for Gardaí to apply for ASBOs.
My first priority is to get more Gardaí on our streets through increased recruitment and appropriate civilianisation where possible. The Programme for Government commits to recruiting at least 5,000 Gardaí in the coming five years. As we strengthen An Garda Síochána, we will see more Gardaí visible in our communities tackling and preventing crime.
An Garda Síochána have a range of targeted operations in place to deal with crime and anti-social behaviour in our cities, including:
• Operation Táirge, which is targeting Retail Theft,
• Operation Tara tackling street level drug-dealing, and
• Operation Saul which is a policing plan for providing a safe environment for public transport services in the Dublin area.
An Garda Síochána can also issue Anti-Social Behaviour Warnings to adults and children and can apply for Anti-Social Behaviour Orders (ASBO) before the District Court. The Programme for Government contains a commitment to enact legislation to combat anti-social behaviour, including enhancing the use of Anti-Social Behaviour Warnings (ASBWs) and Anti-Social Behaviour Orders (ASBOs).
More broadly, it is absolutely my intention that the Local Community Safety Partnerships will be established as soon as practicable. The Partnerships are the cornerstone of our policy on community safety and so it is vital we get them up and running so that they can begin work on the development of a community safety plan for their respective areas.
Last week I signed the regulations for the safety partnerships and these came into operation on Monday, 30 June. This now paves the way for a total of 36 partnerships to be established across the country with partnerships in each local authority administrative area.
The regulations outline very clearly how the safety partnerships will operate in practice and will ensure that each partnership operates with transparency, strategic focus, and strong local engagement.
Local Community Safety Partnerships (LCSPs) will replace and build upon the good work of the Joint Policing Committees, supplementing this by bringing together a broader range of relevant stakeholders. This will include local councillors, An Garda Síochána, local residents, community representatives, business and education representatives, and a range of statutory agencies including the HSE, Tusla and each local authority.
I believe they will be very effective in seeking to achieve what is set out in the legislation, namely to have a broader representation within the partnerships so the issues affecting local communities, not just in respect of policing but also in community safety, can be dealt with in one forum within the local authority area.
551. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration when the 2025 rounds of the International Protection Fund, the National Integration Fund and the Community Integration Fund will each be opened for applications; the amounts that will be available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35249/25]
View answerDetails of Integration funding opportunities for 2025 will be announced by my Department very shortly.
This will be shared and publicised to reach organisations working within the community and related sectors, to enable awareness and invite applications.
The National Integration Fund (NIF) typically opens every three years; the next round of NIF funding is planned for 2026.
552. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the status of a citizenship application (details supplied) and when it is likely that same will be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35305/25]
View answerThe Citizenship Division of my Department requested further documentation from the person cited by the Deputy. This information has been received and the application can now proceed.
The person concerned can check the status of their immigration application on the Immigration Service’s new Customer Service Portal. They can register for, or log in to their existing account, at: https://portal.irishimmigration.ie/en/
As an Oireachtas member, you can also request the status of individual immigration cases by e-mail, using the Oireachtas Mail facility at: IMoireachtasmail@justice.ie, which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Question process.
553. Deputy Naoise Ó Muirí asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration for an update on an application (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35328/25]
View answerI can advise the Deputy that the visa applications referred to were granted on 25 June 2025.
Any person can now directly check the status of their visa application on the Immigration Service’s new Customer Service portal. They can register for, or log in to their existing account, at:
https://portal.irishimmigration.ie/en/
As an Oireachtas member, you can also request the status of individual immigration cases by e-mail, using the Oireachtas Mail facility at: IMoireachtasmail@justice.ie, which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Question process.
554. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the position in regard to recruitment for the Garda band as there has been no recruitment since 2006 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35352/25]
View answer569. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to outline the supports being given to An Garda Síochána to support the survival of the Garda Band; the efforts being made to support the bands survival; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35696/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 554 and 569 together.
As the Deputy will appreciate, it is the Garda Commissioner who is responsible for carrying on and managing and controlling generally the administration and business of An Garda Síochána, including by arranging for the recruitment, training and appointment of its personnel, and this includes members of the Garda Band.
I can assure the Deputy of my continued support for the Garda Band which provides an excellent service to An Garda Síochána and to our communities.
555. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the total number of families and the number of children with status, per county who have been issued with letters informing them that they will be moved to alternative IPAS accommodation if they have not sourced private accommodation by 4 July 2025, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35360/25]
View answerIPAS is currently accommodating nearly 33,000 residents who have applied for international protection, as provided for in Irish and EU law.
Of those accommodated, approximately 5,300 people have completed the process and have received a positive decision. This means they have a legal status that allows them to remain in Ireland, to work, and to access the full range of housing supports available to all Irish residents.
These housing supports are not available to people who are still going through the international protection application process.
When people get a positive decision on their international protection application, they are informed that this means they are no longer entitled to IPAS accommodation.
The Department is very mindful of the challenges that exist for people in trying to move on from IPAS accommodation. To assist in this, IPAS has a team that works in collaboration with DePaul Ireland, the Peter McVerry Trust, the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, and Local Authorities.
In the past 18 months, over 7,000 people with status have left IPAS accommodation and progressed into the community.
During the coming months, IPAS will be progressing moves for approximately 650 families with status from IPAS accommodation.
The families being moved have had their status to remain for more than 12 months and were first informed about the planned moves a year ago. IPAS also sent them a follow up letter in March 2025. Everyone who has been notified will be moved, except in very rare circumstances where someone cannot be moved for medical reasons.
IPAS gives people significant notice, and progressed moves during Summer months in order to allow families time to plan and to avoid moving children during the school year.
People in this group will be supported to move into the community or, if necessary, they will be offered alternative emergency accommodation by IPAS.
The first moves will take place on 4 July and they will continue on a phased basis throughout the summer. More detail on the numbers of people to be moved in each county is provided below.
It is essential that IPAS maintains enough accommodation to meet the needs of new applicants, who have a legal entitlement to IPAS accommodation, do not have immediate access to the labour market, and do not have access to standard housing benefits or standard social welfare entitlements.
Families with Status to be offered transfer from July 2025
|
County |
No. of Families |
No. of Children |
No. of Adults |
Total number of people |
|
Carlow |
5 |
7 |
5 |
12 |
|
Cavan |
1 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
|
Clare |
28 |
47 |
36 |
83 |
|
Cork |
67 |
161 |
92 |
253 |
|
Donegal |
47 |
119 |
70 |
189 |
|
Dublin |
137 |
216 |
175 |
391 |
|
Galway |
26 |
62 |
40 |
102 |
|
Kerry |
11 |
20 |
16 |
36 |
|
Kildare |
6 |
15 |
9 |
24 |
|
Laois |
23 |
38 |
32 |
70 |
|
Leitrim |
3 |
8 |
6 |
14 |
|
Limerick |
8 |
19 |
11 |
30 |
|
Louth |
8 |
19 |
11 |
30 |
|
Mayo |
26 |
52 |
36 |
88 |
|
Meath |
61 |
131 |
82 |
212 |
|
Monaghan |
15 |
29 |
21 |
50 |
|
Offaly |
11 |
23 |
16 |
39 |
|
Roscommon |
2 |
3 |
3 |
6 |
|
Sligo |
9 |
16 |
11 |
27 |
|
Tipperary |
11 |
34 |
20 |
54 |
|
Waterford |
24 |
43 |
34 |
77 |
|
Westmeath |
24 |
57 |
35 |
92 |
|
Wexford |
7 |
15 |
9 |
24 |
|
Wicklow |
40 |
85 |
51 |
136 |
|
Total |
600 |
1,220 |
823 |
2,042 |
556. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if there has been any formal review of interagency coordination between sexual assault treatment units, Gardaí, and social services in the cases of group sexual assault, particularly where minors and vulnerable adults are involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35383/25]
View answerCuan, the statutory domestic, sexual and gender-based violence agency, operating under the aegis of my Department, has responsibility for coordinating the implementation of the Third National Strategy and overseeing delivery across all relevant departments, agencies and stakeholders.
It is a priority for Cuan to establish strong governance, oversight, and reporting structures for implementation and enhanced cross Government collaboration.
As this question concerns the coordination of multi-agency responses, I have referred it to Cuan in line with their statutory responsibility for leading and coordinating delivery of the strategy.
557. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 472 and 473 of the 29 May 2025, if the information requested in relation to the current average duration of employment of staff in each of the agencies involved in the end-to-end asylum process and the current number of vacancies in each of the agencies involved in the end-to-end asylum process are now available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35404/25]
View answerIt is a central priority for me that our immigration system is robust and enforced.
There has been significant investment in staff across the entire international protection process in recent years.
The International Protection Office (IPO) now has 614 staff, an increase of 190% since 2022 and recruitment is ongoing. In addition, 241 case processing panel members are also contracted by the IPO.
There has also been a substantial increase in resourcing to IPAT through both its budget and staffing. This has been particularly evident in the past two years with the Tribunal budget having increased by 95% since 2023.
My Department has been actively recruiting for additional whole-time and part-time Tribunal Members over the last two years, with the competitive stages of the most recent competitions concluding within the last month. While the candidates who have provisionally qualified from those competitions are going through pre-appointment clearance at present, I expect to be in a position to significantly increase the number of part-time and whole time Members between now and the end of 2025. In addition, the number of administrative staff at the Tribunal have increased from 37 at the start of 2023 to 87 today.
The International Protection and Integration Division (IPID) of my Department provides accommodation in over 320 centres around the country. From 2022 to 2024, this demand-led system had to grow rapidly, as a result of a sudden and sustained increase in people applying for international protection. The increase in the demand for services was accompanied by a corresponding growth in the number of staff members.
As of the end of December 2023, IPID employed 135 staff. As of today, that number has increased to 225. This represents an increase of 67%. Furthermore, the Division currently employs an additional 84 contract staff.
Recruitment and appointments are continuing across all three of the above functions and as such vacancies exist as detailed below, however, these needs to be seen against the backdrop of dramatic expansion in staff numbers in recent years, such that the level of staff deployed in this field is by far the highest it has ever been.
|
Current Staff |
Vacancies |
|
|
IPO |
614 |
69 |
|
IPID |
225 |
13 |
|
IPAT |
87 |
25 |
The table below details the current vacancies at the IPO, IPAT and IPID broken down by grade.
|
Current Vacancies |
PO |
AP |
PTP |
CR |
HEO/LR |
AO |
EO |
CO |
TCO |
Total |
|
IPO |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
26 |
0 |
41 |
1 |
0 |
69 |
|
IPID* |
0 |
1 |
0 |
3* |
2 |
0 |
5 |
2 |
0 |
13 |
|
IPAT |
0 |
0 |
25** |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
4 |
0 |
29 |
*This includes the three positions currently being recruited through Public Jobs.
** There are 24 vacancies for Whole Time Tribunal Members and one additional professional technical post at grade of senior legal researcher.
AP – Assistant Principal
PTP – Professional Technical Post
CR – Construction Roles
HEO/LR – Higher Executive Officer/Legal Researcher
AO – Administrative Officer
EO – Executive Officer
CO – Clerical Officer
TCO – Temporary Clerical Officer
The table below details the current tenure at the IPO, IPAT and IPID.
|
Area |
Average Tenure as of 29/5/25 |
|
IPAT |
26 Months |
|
IPO |
21 Months |
|
IPID |
20 Months |
All data provided is correct at time of issue and may be subject to data cleansing.
558. Deputy Jen Cummins asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the reasons for non-visa required international students having to show €6,665 in financial support to study in Ireland for an eight-month programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35436/25]
View answer559. Deputy Jen Cummins asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if he is aware of the new requirement for non-visa required international students to show €6,665 in financial support to study in Ireland for an eight-month programme; the impact it will have on students accessing education here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35437/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 558 and 559 together.
Ireland welcomes international students who wish to travel here 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, Innovation and Science (DFHERIS), with my Department having responsibility for visa and related residency policies.
There is regular communication and collaboration between both departments, as well as their associated bodies such as Quality and Qualifications Ireland and the Higher Education Authority.
One of the key conditions applicable to a student coming to Ireland is that they must be able to support themselves while in the state. As such, proof of available finances is a requirement for all relevant non-EEA national students, both visa and non-visa required. This is separate to any educational fees and relates only to levels of funds required to live in Ireland. It also considers the welfare of international students to ensure they can meet essential living costs during their studies.
Following a review by my Department in 2022, it was concluded that the level of funds required should be increased to more accurately reflect the average annual living expenses for students in Ireland. Prior to 2022, these finance levels had not been reviewed in more than 10 years. These changes were agreed with DFHERIS, and in consultation with relevant stakeholders.
It was also agreed that the difference in funds required for students based on visa requirements would be removed over time. To this end, the level of funds required was increased in 2023 and 2024, and the recently announced increase, as stated on my Department’s Immigration Service website, came into effect on 30 June 2025: Information on Student Finances - Immigration Service Delivery
These changes followed consultation with stakeholders, including both representative bodies and individual institutions in the higher education and English language sectors. DFHERIS, as the Department with primary responsibility for international education policy, carried out the bulk of this consultation.
The website notice regarding these changes was placed on 24 March 2025, 14 weeks prior to coming into effect, in order to inform and alert students intending to commence or continue study from September 2025. A reminder was also published last week, on 23 June, regarding these changes. Most students will first register or renew their immigration residence permissions in September 2025.
From 30 June 2025, courses shorter than a year in duration have a new monthly financial requirement for both visa and non-visa required students, which will be €833 per month. This equates to €4,998 for a 6 month stay or €6,665 for an 8 month stay.
DFHERIS notified the representative bodies for Ireland’s higher education institutions and English language schools of this change and asked that they disseminate it to their members. It should be noted that my Department had signalled previously to stakeholders that the different financial requirements for international students from visa required and non-visa required countries was an anomaly, and that it was the intention to align them over time. The latest change on 30 June 2025, is the completion of this process.
560. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of housing units being paid for by the State for Ukrainian refugees, in 2024 and 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35463/25]
View answerAs part of the response to the unprecedented humanitarian crisis of the war breaking out in Ukraine, the State contracted for a variety of different commercial properties to meet the needs of people fleeing the war who have been granted temporary protection in Ireland.
All accommodation contracted by my department is temporary in nature, and Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTPs) are advised of this when requesting emergency accommodation.
The number of contracts varies over time. At the end of 2024, approximately 716 contracts were in operation providing State-contracted temporary accommodation to persons fleeing the war in Ukraine. Currently 670 contracts remain in operation. This contracted accommodation capacity includes beds in hotels, guesthouses, B&Bs, hostels, self-catering accommodation and certain other repurposed settings.
By the end of 2024, 10 Rapid Build sites had been delivered comprising 572 homes with a combined capacity of 2,312 residents. A further 82 homes will be delivered in 2025 which can accommodate a further 328 persons fleeing the war in Ukraine. Although these units have been provided by the State, residents of the rapid build units pay a contribution per household of 16% of their income and a flat utilities charge of €40 per week.
The State also supports people fleeing the war in hosted accommodation through the provision of the Accommodation Recognition Payment (ARP) scheme. The scheme involves a monthly financial contribution recently reduced to €600 per month to hosts offering accommodation on a humanitarian basis.
Due to the nature of the scheme, the number of claims may fluctuate over time. At the start of 2024, over 20,600 people were accommodated in some 10,200 properties supported by ARP. By the end of 2024, this had risen to some 34,800 people accommodated in some 18,600 properties.
As of 23 June 2025, approximately 39,400 people are accommodated in some 21,600 properties supported by ARP.
