Written Answers Nos. 51-70
51. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the steps taken to address and suspend the use of unqualified, unregistered self-appointed experts on ‘parental alienation’, and the construct of parental alienation itself in family law cases, until the report of the review of experts into its role in the family law process is completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35137/25]
View answerSection 32 of the Guardianship of Infants Act 1964, as amended, permits the ordering of reports from experts in relation to the views of the child and or on any question affecting a child’s welfare in guardianship, custody or access proceedings. These reports can be ordered by the Court on its own motion or following an application by one of the parties.
It is important to note that court appointed assessors are independent individuals appointed by a judge to act as an assessor in a particular case. Under the Constitution, the judiciary is independent in the exercise of their judicial functions.
On 13 June 2024, a wide-ranging review of the role of expert reports in the family law process was published. Further to a particular recommendation contained in the review, in July 2024, the Chief Justice established a Judicial Committee to develop guidelines on the commissioning and use of welfare reports for the Court. While the Committee is independent in its work, I understand the draft guidelines are at an advanced stage.
In 2023, my predecessor published a policy paper on the issue of parental alienation, which put forward six recommendations to address the issue linked to actions within the Family Justice Strategy. They centre on progressing elements of family justice reform, building the system’s capacity to adequately hear the voice of children, and improve the knowledge, skills and experience of all those involved in order to make the best determinations in relation to each case on its own merits. This is especially important in high-conflict cases, in which allegations of parental alienation can often arise.
These recommendations, and the plans for implementation were accepted by Government and are currently being progressed by my Department.
Improved training for family justice professionals was a key recommendation in the Parental Alienation Policy Paper. As committed to in the Family Justice Strategy, a Family Justice Training Working Group was established in July 2024. The group will review existing training needs for those working within family justice and develop effective and relevant training programmes. The work of the group is ongoing.
The Judicial Council, which is independent under the Judicial Council Act, is responsible for all matters regarding training of the judiciary.
In addition to the development of welfare report guidelines, my Department also established the Voice of the Child Working Group, to review mechanisms to hear the voice of the child in family law proceedings can be continue to be heard. This group is carrying forward other recommendations contained in the review of the expert reports, including the development of voice of the child guidelines, a template and the development of a pilot project developing new ways to ensure a child’s constitutional right to be heard in certain family law proceedings continue to be upheld.
52. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if he is aware of the serious problem of drug tourism, where people come to Limerick city to secure and use illicit drugs; the actions the Garda intends to take to deal with this problem; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36300/25]
View answerTackling drug dealing and targeting the work of organised crime groups, who inflict intimidation, violence and misery on families and communities, is a top priority for the Government and my Department.
A number of key actions have been taken as part of our plan to tackle illegal drug use. This includes:
• Increasing the maximum sentence for conspiracy to murder from 10 years to life in prison to tackle those who direct gangland and drug related crime;
• Enacting new laws to criminalise the grooming of children into a life of crime;
• Drafting new laws which will provide for the use of facial recognition technology in the investigation of certain drug offences;
• Rolling out a support programme to break the link between the gangs and the children they try to recruit.
An Garda Síochána acknowledge that people are travelling to Limerick from across the mid-west and further afield to source substances due to criminal networks operating in the area. An Garda Síochána have a number of ongoing targeted operations which seek to confront the sale and supply of drugs at the hierarchal and street level in Limerick:
• Operation Galvone is ongoing on the Southside of the city targeting organised crime groups and implements regular patrols and investigation;
• Operation Croí involves the city centre crime prevention unit focusing on anti-social behaviour, recidivist offenders in respect of retail theft and sale and supply of drug related activity;
• Members attached to the Limerick Garda Division remain committed to fully supporting the objectives of Operation Tara locally through disrupting, dismantling and prosecuting drug trafficking networks at all levels. The Limerick Divisional Drugs Unit regularly engages in intelligence-led operations targeting individuals and Organised Crime Groups involved in the sale and supply of controlled drugs in Limerick. These activities have resulted in several successes in terms of significant seizures of controlled drugs and convictions secured against individuals involved in the sale and supply of controlled drugs.
• Operation Coronation, which commenced in 2020 in the Limerick Garda Division and supported by the Criminal Assets Bureau, has focused on money and assets accumulated by individuals involved in organised crime, particularly through the sale and supply of controlled drugs. This Operation is ongoing and focuses on the investigation and prosecution of money laundering offences, organised crime offences, and the seizure of assets. To date, there have been significant seizures of controlled drugs and cash under the auspices of Operation Coronation, with several individuals having appeared before the Courts charged in relation to money laundering and organised crime offences.
• The Crime Functional Area in Limerick continuously carry out large scale investigations in connection with the Criminal Assets Bureau around those displaying wealth with linkage to the sale and supply of drugs.
The Department of Health leads on Government policy in the area of drugs, and this policy is guided by the whole of Government national drugs and alcohol strategy which sets out a health-led response to drug and alcohol use. The implementation of the strategy is led by my colleague, the Minister for Health. However, the strategy includes actions for all stakeholders, including my Department and An Garda Síochána.
The strategy recognises the need for a balanced health-led approach - reducing demand, while also reducing access to illegal drugs, and is aimed at reducing the number of people criminalised for the possession of drugs for personal use. While this strategy supports vulnerable people who use drugs, it is also matched with strengthened enforcement measures across government to tackle the supply of illegal drugs.
53. Deputy Sinéad Gibney asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the steps his Department is taking to support those applying for a family reunification visa in conflict zones such as Gaza; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36584/25]
View answerI can assure the Deputy that my Department works closely with colleagues in the Department of Foreign Affairs to ensure a coordinated national response to humanitarian crises and conflicts such as the situation in Gaza. This includes work to evacuate Irish citizens and their families who may require visa assistance.
In respect of Gaza, my Department is in regular contact with the Embassy of Ireland in Israel regarding a number of visa applications, from residents of Gaza, the West Bank and Lebanon. The Embassy are actively engaging with applicants to gather the required documents to ensure that the Visa Division of my Department have everything needed to progress these applications.
If any Deputy or Senator wishes to seek assistance with Irish visa applications they can contact my Department by email using the Oireachtas Mail facility at IMoireachtasmail@justice.ie
54. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if he will outline the plans for improving processing times for international protection applicants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35633/25]
View answerAs the Deputy may be aware, there has been a significant increase in investment into the international protection system which, combined with digitisation and process reengineering, has facilitated a major increase in processing capacity.
In 2024 the International Protection Office (IPO) delivered over 14,000 first decisions compared to over 8,500 in 2023, while the International Protection Appeals Tribunal (IPAT) closed around 3,100 appeals in 2024 compared to over 1,700 in 2023.
I intend to further invest in the immigration system to support 25,000 first-instance decisions made in the IPO this year. 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.
Additionally, accelerated processing was introduced in November 2022, and it now applies to those from designated safe countries of origin, applicants who have received protection elsewhere in Europe and those from a country with a particularly high number of applications.
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 3 months for an accelerated decision. This will apply to, amongst others, people who have misled authorities such as by destroying identity documents.
55. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the reason a number of senior leadership positions within An Garda Síochána remain vacant; the impact this is having on operational effectiveness, including the requirement for members to act in higher ranks on a temporary basis; when these vacancies will be filled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36521/25]
View answerThe Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024 set out a new framework for how An Garda Síochána operates. This significant legislative reform which was implemented over the course of the last year necessitated a temporary pause in promotion competitions for certain senior ranks, that is, superintendent and above, until the commencement of the Act and implementation of new Regulations which I signed into law on 2 April last.
Under the Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024 (Appointment to the Ranks of Assistant Garda Commissioner, Chief Superintendent and Superintendent) Regulations 2025 (S.I. 113 of 2025 ) – competitions for vacancies at senior ranks will now be run by An Garda Síochána.
The existing promotion list had been fully used so no new appointments could be made until the new framework under the Act was fully operational. I understand that this led to several people acting up in higher ranks on a temporary, albeit remunerated, basis to maintain continuity of leadership and service delivery.The Garda Commissioner has confirmed that a new promotion competition for the rank of superintendent will conclude in September. This will facilitate the filling of outstanding vacancies and the restoration of full leadership capacity across An Garda Síochána. While this temporary gap has presented some challenges, I am assured that Garda management have taken steps to mitigate operational impacts, including the assignment of experienced members in acting roles and the continued oversight of regional and national leadership structures.
The Government remains committed to supporting An Garda Síochána in its recruitment, retention, and leadership development efforts. I am confident that the forthcoming promotions will strengthen operational effectiveness and enhance community policing across the State.I will continue to monitor this matter closely in collaboration with the Garda Commissioner and ensure that the necessary resources and processes are in place to support the organisation’s leadership and strategic goals.
56. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if he is aware that the moving of court proceedings from Youghal to Dungarvan will mean no gardaí will be in Youghal and Killeagh when the court is in session; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36666/25]
View answerAs the Deputy will appreciate, the allocation of court business is the responsibility of the judiciary who are, under the Constitution, independent in the exercise of their judicial functions. Furthermore, under the provisions of the Courts Service Act 1998, management of the courts is carried out by the independent Courts Service. Insofar as the administration and management of An Garda Síochána is concerned, these are matters for the Garda Commissioner. in which I have no role as Minister.
However, I am advised that Garda management throughout the country keeps the distribution of resources under ongoing review, to ensure their optimum use in light of crime trends and identified operational needs, including managing court attendance. The Government is committed to ensuring that An Garda Síochána has the resources it needs. There is an unprecedented allocation of over €2.48 billion this year which is providing for increased recruitment of Garda personnel.
There are currently 663 Garda members assigned to the Cork County Division, of which Youghal is a part. There are also 76 Garda staff currently working in the Division. Gardaí now operate under a Divisional organisational model and do not police the country on an individual station basis.
The overall Garda workforce, which includes Gardaí, Garda Staff and Reserves currently stands at over 18,000, the highest level in the organisation’s history. The Government is committed to continuing to build this and a range of further measures is ongoing to support An Garda Síochána recruit 5,000 members over the next five years.
58. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to provide an update on funding for a new courthouse and services in Portlaoise, County Laois; to provide a timeframe around commencement and completion of the works; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36566/25]
View answerI am advised that the Courts Service purchased a site in 2020, at Kylekiproe, on which to build a new Courthouse.
Further progress in relation to the Portlaoise project and several others which form part of Courts Service projects included in the National Development Plan (NDP), will depend on the next round of NDP funding.
The inclusion of courthouses in the National Development Plan, and their funding, is a decision for the Government and will be considered as the NDP progresses in due course.
The Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Services, Reform and Digitalisation announced a review of the National Development Plan in April 2025, which is due to be complete in July 2025.
59. Deputy Paula Butterly asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if, given the notable increase in rape and sexual assault cases in the Louth-Cavan-Monaghan area, he will outline any planned preventative programmes to stem this concerning rise; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36376/25]
View answerAs Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration, I am absolutely committed to combatting all forms of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence (DSGBV), and to ensuring that the victims of these crimes have access to the appropriate supports.
Any increase in reported cases of rape and sexual assault, while deeply concerning, may also be evidence that greater numbers of people feel confident to come forward, share their experience, and seek support.
Significant work to improve a victim's engagement with the justice system has already been undertaken, including through the implementation of ‘Supporting a Victims Journey'; a detailed plan to give effect to the recommendations made in the O'Malley Review, which was published in 2020.
This work has been brought forward in 'Zero Tolerance', the Third National Strategy on DSGBV, the government's five-year programme of reform structured around the four pillars of the Istanbul Convention – Protection, Prevention, Prosecution and Policy Co-ordination.
Cuan, the DSGBV agency, is responsible for driving and implementing all actions set out in the Strategy.
A key objective of the prevention pillar is to enhance public understanding of all forms of DSGBV as well as to educate society regarding the harm it causes.
I recently brought the final implementation plan for the Zero Tolerance Strategy to Cabinet.
Among 95 actions, it provides for preventative measures such as awareness campaigns on sexual consent and pathways to safety, including the new national public awareness campaign on DSGBV, ‘Hardest Stories’, which I launched in February.
Other recent awareness campaigns include:
• 'Serious Consequences', which deals with intimate image abuse.
• 'Always Here', which raises awareness of the services available for victims of DSGBV.
• 'Let’s Have the Consent Conversation', which aims to generate a national conversation on consent in sexual relationships.
The implementation plan also contains a comprehensive set of training actions to upskill frontline professionals across the health and social care sector, DSGBV services, the judiciary, courts and other justice agencies.
The nationwide roll out of Divisional Protective Service Units (DPSUs) in Garda Stations across Ireland, a key measure under Supporting a Victim's Journey, ensures that when vulnerable victims of crimes such as sexual violence present to Gardaí they can be immediately met with specialist assistance. There is now a DPSU in every Garda Division, including in Louth, Cavan and Monaghan.
The past two years have also marked significant progress in the education system’s approach to relationship education.
With the rollout of revised SPHE specifications across Junior Cycle and Senior Cycle, there is now a clearer mandate for schools to address complex topics with students, including consent, pornography, image-sharing, sexual violence and healthy relationships.
This shift brings Irish education policy more closely in line with international best practice and the commitments of the Third National Strategy.
As I have previously said, DSGBV is mainly perpetrated by men - and it is men who must lead the cultural change required to end it. Zero tolerance should mean just that.
The importance of prevention, particularly with young people, is now widely acknowledged across government, education, and the wider public and is an essential aspect of our collective fight against DSGBV.
60. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of opt-ins under Article 3 and under Article 4 of Protocol 21 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union in each year since the introduction of the protocol, including to date in 2025, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36604/25]
View answerMy Department publishes a list of measures that Ireland has opted into on our website. This list, up to December 2022, is available at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-justice-home-affairs-and-migration/policy-information/european-affairs/
Those measures Ireland has opted into since the start of December 2022 are contained in the table at the link below and I have made arrangements for the website to be updated to include these additional measures.
Last May I published the findings of a Review of the operation of Protocol 21, which is a legal mechanism that is part of the Treaties of the European Union and which, uniquely, provides for Ireland to be able to opt-into measures that relate to the area of freedom, security and justice on a case-by-case basis.
The review was undertaken by my Department and informed by detailed statistical analysis of relevant legislation, internal and external consultations, and by a targeted consultation process with a range of key stakeholders facilitated by the Institute for International and European Affairs (IIEA).
Among the recommendations made in the review are that Ireland continue to be covered by the terms of Protocol 21 but that greater adherence be given to the undertaking in Declaration No. 56, which was made by Ireland at the time of the negotiation of the Protocol, and which commits to Ireland participating to the maximum extent possible in all measures covered by the Protocol.
At the time the review was published I noted our unique defining characteristic as a member state which we must continue to protect, chief among them being our membership of a Common Travel Area with the UK and our common law legal system. I agree with the key findings of the review that it is in Ireland’s best interests that we continue to be covered by the terms of Protocol 21 but that we must adhere to the undertaking we made to opt into measures to the maximum extent possible. Doing so will help demonstrate our commitment to protecting and strengthening the EU’s Area of Freedom, Security and Justice.
Most recently we have lived up to this by opting into a range of important measures including: the seven non-Schengen measures that form part of the Migration and Asylum Pact; the new Directive on the rights of victims of crime; a Regulation to enhance police cooperation in relation to the prevention, detection and investigation of migrant smuggling and trafficking in human beings, and a Regulation on combating the sexual abuse and sexual exploitation of children and child sexual abuse material.
62. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the process in place within the Irish Prison Service system to co-ordinate services for the person being released, both in respect of their housing needs and the financial aid they require from the Department of Social Protection to ensure they have adequate supports in place when released; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36373/25]
View answerThe Irish Prison Service (IPS) has a total of 26 dedicated Integrated Sentence Management (ISM) Coordinators operational across all prisons and open centres. These ISM coordinators support rehabilitation, to address offending-related risks and assist with release planning and integration into the community.
They are supported by prison management and the prison-based multi-disciplinary team, which includes the Psychology Service, the Education Service, Work and Training, the Chaplaincy Service, the Probation Service, the Training & Employment Service, the Resettlement Service, and the Healthcare & Addiction Service, as well as operational staff. Measures to address homelessness and the provision of accommodation to people vulnerable to homelessness are the responsibility of the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government. The IPS maintains regular contact with that Department and local authorities about the release of prisoners who have identified themselves as homeless or at risk of homelessness. All releases are planned to help these people to make informed and effective transitions from prison to the community.
It is entirely the choice of the individual in custody whether or not to disclose their homeless status to prison authorities during their sentence. When a sentenced prisoner informs prison authorities that they were homeless prior to coming into custody, or that they are at risk of homelessness on release, they are referred to the prison-based Resettlement Service.
The IPS provides funding to an organisation called Tosú (formerly IASIO) who provide Resettlement co-ordinators within Irish prisons. The co-ordinators work with individual prisoners and the relevant local authority to complete their social housing application and identify accommodation solutions ahead of their release into the community. They may also work with the individual in custody to submit social welfare and medical card applications to appropriate contact points.
I am advised that in 2024, a total of 6,885 individuals accounted for 8,126 releases from custody, (a person can be committed on more than one occasion within a calendar year). In 2024 on committal into custody, 748 individuals reported their address as No Fixed Abode. This information only includes prisoners who chose to self-identify as homeless. 317 individuals released from prison in 2024 sought the assistance of the Resettlement Service prior to their release, completed an application for social housing and were released from prison to attend public housing appointments for emergency homeless accommodation. The application for social housing can be submitted months or days in advance of the release date, depending on the timing of the prisoner’s voluntary declaration of homelessness, which influences opportunities for response.
63. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to provide an update on the Building Pathways Together programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36682/25]
View answerIn November 2024, my Department launched ‘Building Pathways Together: Criminal Justice Reintegration Through Employment Strategy 2025-2027’. This builds on the strong foundations laid by the 2017 Social Enterprise strategy ‘A New Way Forward’, and the 2020 ‘Working to Change’ strategy. The aim of this strategy is to remove barriers to employment for people with a criminal conviction and to increase opportunities for employment. It seeks to provide effective interventions to ensure people have the appropriate supports and opportunities available to them. It underscores a renewed cross-sectoral commitment to create meaningful employment opportunities for people with criminal convictions.
The strategy has been developed by my Department, in conjunction with the Irish Prison Service and the Probation Service, and in consultation with key stakeholders including Government Departments, agencies, and those with lived experience of the criminal justice system and have faced barriers to reintegration. Work has commenced on the implementation phase of the strategy in 2025. The first meetings of the Criminal Justice Employment Advisory Committee and the Criminal Justice Employer’s Network took place in June.
The Irish Prison Service advises me that work, training and education is available in all prisons. Work and training in prisons is provided by Work and Training Officers and provides a range of purposeful activities in areas such as catering, laundry, industrial cleaning and industrial skills. The Irish Prison Service has expanded the number of accredited courses and opportunities available in this area to meet contemporary skill requirements for employment in the community.
Programmes of education are provided in prisons in partnership with the Education and Training Boards. Supports and services provided include basic literacy and numeracy education provision, state exams and third level qualifications. The Programme for Government includes continued implementation of the Prison Education Taskforce which was established in May 2023. The taskforce is co-chaired by Ministers from the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, and the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration.
Taken together, these important initiatives represent a coherent approach to breaking the cycle of offending behaviour by providing integrated work, training and education opportunities to support desistance.
64. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if the progression unit in Mountjoy Prison will reopen fully; if there are plans to open a similar facility elsewhere; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36607/25]
View answerI would like to reassure the Deputy that the Irish Prison Service are committed to making the best use of all available prison capacity when managing accommodation across the estate.Sex offenders, both sentenced and remand, were previously accommodated at 4 locations – Midlands Prison, Arbour Hill Prison, Castlerea Prison and Mountjoy Training Unit. However with rising sex offender committals to prison, other options within the prison estate have been considered to accommodate this cohort of prisoner.
As of 31 May 2025, there were 800 sentenced prisoners in custody for sexual offences. This compares to 489 sentenced prisoners for the same date in 2022 which represents a 64% increase in this type of prisoner.
I can confirm that the process of accommodating sex offenders in the part of Mountjoy Prison (West) which was previously known as the Progression Unit commenced during March 2024. This area of Mountjoy Prison is self-sufficient in relation to recreation, education, work and training. There is no requirement for prisoners living here to interact or traverse to the main prison. For this reason, it was decided that this is a suitable location to accommodate sex offenders.
The Irish Prison Service advise that while there are some prisoners currently accommodated in Mountjoy Prison (West) serving their sentences for convictions other than sex offences some of these may be moved to alternative suitable accommodation within the prison estate, and others will remain to complete their sentences. For prisoners who transfer from this location, the Irish Prison Service is committed to making every effort to ensure that those transfers will not negatively impact on how their sentences are being managed.
I can confirm that there are currently no plans to open a similar facility elsewhere.
66. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration further to Parliamentary Question No. 1082 of 10 June 2025, the urgent steps he is taking to end the policy of not offering accommodation to international protection applicants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36345/25]
View answerIreland is currently accommodating almost 33,000 people seeking international protection in over 320 International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) centres around the country.
Due to severe shortages of accommodation over recent years, the State was unable to offer accommodation to all people seeking international protection since 2024, and there are currently 2,577 people awaiting an offer of accommodation.
Our teams manage a limited supply of accommodation, prioritising people with families or who have specific health needs or other vulnerabilities. This means that single male applicants are most affected by lack of accommodation.
IPAS has arrangements in place with a range of NGO partners to provide drop-in day services for unaccommodated people. This means people can access facilities including hot showers, meals and laundry services.
IPAS also makes offers of accommodation to any applicant who is rough sleeping, identified through outreach that is organised 7 days a week.
People who are not offered accommodation are given a weekly allowance of €113.80 per week, an increase of €75 more than the standard weekly allowance for asylum-seekers.
While the demand for IPAS accommodation remains high, the reduced rate of new applications has meant that IPAS has been able to review the cases of people who are awaiting an offer of accommodation and make offers to those who have been waiting longest.
This review has reduced the number of unaccommodated people from over 3,500 to 2,577 in the last few weeks.
As part of the review process, we are also identifying people who no longer require accommodation. They will be removed from the list of people waiting for an offer, speeding up the process for people on the list who still need accommodation.
Depending on availability of spaces and numbers of new applicants, we will continue to make offers of accommodation to more people over the coming weeks and months.
Updated information on unaccommodated international protection applicants is published online at Gov.ie.
67. Deputy Edward Timmins asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration when the appraisals will be completed, and decisions made, on properties that have expressed an interest in providing international protection accommodation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36667/25]
View answerThe International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) provides accommodation in over 320 centres around the country. These centres are a mix of State-owned sites, long-term centres, and emergency accommodation contracted commercially.
In line with the Programme for Government 2025, and the Comprehensive Accommodation Strategy for International Protection approved in 2024, the State is working to build a sustainable accommodation system, to develop more State-owned international protection accommodation , and to reduce reliance on commercial providers over time.
The recent decision to purchase the Citywest Hotel and Convention Centre is an example of progress being made on the development of State-owned accommodation. In terms of other potential purchases, an Expression of Interest (EOI) process was launched in 2024 for the sourcing of suitable properties for acquisition or lease. 134 submissions have been received to date, and these options are being assessed.
As developing more state-owned accommodation options will take time, the commissioning of emergency commercial accommodation will continue to be a feature in the short to medium term.
The Department receives offers on an ongoing basis from external commercial providers, and does not predetermine their geographical location. Offers may also be received from providers who have previously provided State-supported accommodation to people from Ukraine, as these contracts are coming to an end in many locations.
All offers of international protection accommodation are reviewed by the Department under a standardised appraisal procedure. Factors in the appraisal of international protection 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 wellbeing, and the current level of need in the sector. Part of the appraisal process for a new contract includes review of the property’s services and planning compliance, and this done in conjunction with the Local Authority where relevant. A large volume of offers of accommodation are received and many are not successful for a variety of reasons including:
• The International Protection Procurement Service (IPPS) may deem a premises unsuitable for accommodation
• The premises may not be compliant with relevant statutory regulations
• IPPS and the prospective provider may not agree to contract terms
• The prospective provider may withdraw the offer during the appraisal process
The timeline for review of a property varies, but the Community Engagement Team can provide updates on specific properties for elected representatives as needed.
A range of steps are being taken to reform the international protection system overall, reducing processing times, providing applicants with a faster and more efficient decision process and in turn reducing the scale of demand for accommodation in the longer-term.
This strategic approach will align with implementation of the Migration Pact across EU Member States, including Ireland, in mid 2026.
68. Deputy Cathy Bennett asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of serving gardaí and those had retired or resigned within the previous five years who were convicted of a crime in each of the past ten years, by rank and by category of conviction, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36669/25]
View answerI have requested the information sought by the Deputy from the Garda authorities. Regrettably, this was not available in time and I will write to the Deputy once the information is to hand.
69. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if he will seek the development of a rural Garda plan to ensure the unique policing of rural areas is recognised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36045/25]
View answerCommunity safety is a top priority for my Department and everyone has the right to be safe and feel safe in their communities. Rural Ireland is no exception.
In 2019, the National Rural Safety Forum was established. The Forum comprises of a broad range of organisations, including my Department, An Garda Síochána, the IFA and stakeholders who share the common purpose of ensuring rural safety.
The Forum works to develop a nationwide network for the distribution of consistent and highly effective crime prevention advice, to increase engagement within communities and to prevent and reduce opportunities for crime. The Forum meets on an ongoing basis to continue its work and to develop Ireland’s second national Rural Safety Plan.
My Department published the first national Rural Safety Plan in 2022. Minister Collins and Department officials are currently drafting the Rural Safety Plan 2025 - 2027 which will be published later this year. The Plan's vision is to continue to build safe communities across rural Ireland.
Achieving this vision requires a multi-agency, collaborative approach including everything from having more visible Gardaí in the community to providing safe public spaces and amenities. My Department is continuing to work closely with the National Rural Safety Forum to develop impactful actions for the upcoming Rural Safety Plan.
An Garda Síochána continue to actively participate in the National Rural Safety Forum. Divisional Crime Prevention Officers, in addition to other local Garda members, also continue to provide crime prevention and security advice throughout our rural communities. This advice incorporates farm safety information. Gardaí locally also continue to liaise with stakeholders within their communities and representatives from national bodies, e.g. the IFA.
An Garda Síochána utilises social media channels and Crimecall to promote crime prevention and safety advices across a plethora of topics, including personal safety, crime prevention, home security and road safety advices. An example of this is the topic of “Sheep Worrying” being covered on the February 2025 episode.
In addition, the Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024, which I commenced on Wednesday 2 April 2025, provides for the establishment of Local Community Safety Partnerships which will operate at each local authority level.
A key principle of the Report of the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland is that community safety requires multi-agency cooperation working in partnership with An Garda Síochána and crucially with communities themselves. The Commission's report recommended the establishment of national and local structures to bring together Departments and State agencies involved in harm prevention, alongside representatives of the local community, to promote community safety.
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 including 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.Each newly established LCSP will be required to develop and implement its own tailored community safety plan. The Partnerships will take a strategic approach to their work so that issues arising can be dealt with in a coordinated manner and addressed collectively by relevant service providers in partnership with the community.
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.
70. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to outline his plans for further increasing the Garda training allowance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36603/25]
View answerI can assure the Deputy that the Government is committed to building stronger, safer communities and a strengthened, well-resourced Garda Síochána is central to this policy.
The Deputy will be aware that the Garda Trainee allowance increased from €305 to €354 per week with effect from 1 October 2024 and has increased by a total of €170 per week when compared with 2023.
Insofar as further increases to the allowance are concerned, these will be considered in the context of the annual Estimates process, having regard to the overarching commitment to recruit at least 5,000 Gardaí over the lifetime of the Government.
