Cathy Bennett
Question:81. Deputy Cathy Bennett asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the timeframe in which a domestic violence refuge centre will be opened in Cavan and Monaghan. [54044/25]
View answerDomestic Violence
Questions (81)
Written answers
Combatting all forms of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence and ensuring that victims and survivors receive the support and care they need is an absolute priority for me.
Since its establishment last year, Cuan has been working to accelerate the delivery of refuge spaces across the country.
A key priority for Cuan is the development of a domestic violence refuge in the Cavan and Monaghan region. Cuan is actively engaging with the key stakeholders including Safe Ireland, the lead Approved Housing Body on this development, the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Cavan and Monaghan County Councils and the Housing Agency, to progress the development of an eight-unit refuge in this region, which will also include community-facing ancillary support services.
In November 2024, the former Minister for Justice, Helen McEntee TD and the former Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien TD welcomed the commencement of a site selection process for this domestic violence refuge in the Cavan/Monaghan region, one of the regions identified as a ‘Phase 1’ priority for refuge development under the Zero Tolerance strategy.
Since then, potential sites for refuge development, in both Cavan and Monaghan, have been identified by the working group and site visits were arranged by Cuan for all key stakeholders. Following these site visits, a site has been selected in County Monaghan for development, following a feasibility assessment undertaken with the Housing Agency.
I understand that Cuan has agreed to allocate additional resources to support Safe Ireland to expand its services to provide both emergency refuge and Safe Home accommodation in the Cavan/Monaghan region. I welcome the very strong commitment from all partners to progress both models of accommodation in this region.
While currently almost three quarters of the population in the State is within 30 minutes of a refuge location, Cuan is acutely aware of the need to improve on this, and to ensure that services are accessible to everyone living in rural and urban areas. Achieving this, including through the completion of a National Services Development Plan, is a core objective of Cuan’s Corporate Plan 2025-2027, which was published at the end of last year.
Judicial Appointments
Questions (82)
Naoise Ó Muirí
Question:82. Deputy Naoise Ó Muirí asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration his Department’s plans for the further recruitment of judges; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54033/25]
View answerWritten answers
As Minister, it is my priority to ensure that the courts are adequately resourced to administer justice efficiently and effectively.
In 2023, the Government approved and appointed an additional 24 judges as proposed by the Judicial Planning Working Group. Following an impact assessment of these appointments, Government approval was secured to increase judicial numbers by a further 20 judges in order to meet the growing demands on the justice system and to further reduce long waiting times across the courts. This second tranche of judicial appointments will involve two additional judges for the Court of Appeal and six each for the High, Circuit and District Courts.
Last month, I received Government approval to amend the legislation to increase the number of judges and on 30 September the Joint Committee on Justice, Home Affairs and Migration waived Pre-Legislative Scrutiny of the General Scheme of Bill.
This is the second tranche of additional judges as recommended by the Judicial Planning Working Group. Taken together, these two sets of appointments represent an increase of approximately 25% in the number of Judges in Ireland.
Crime Prevention
Questions (83)
Peter Roche
Question:83. Deputy Peter Roche asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the specific measures he is taking as we enter the winter months, given reports in media outlets such as RTÉ that people are more likely to be burgled during this period; the measures in place to ensure the safety and protection of vulnerable people across rural Ireland in particular this winter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54138/25]
View answerWritten answers
Community safety is a top priority for my Department. Everyone has the right to be safe and feel safe and rural Ireland is no exception.
Supporting the work of the National Rural Safety Forum, my Department has published the second Rural Safety Plan 2025-2027. The Plan’s vision is to ensure people and communities in rural Ireland feel safe and are safe in their homes, places of work, and their local environments.
The Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána, which includes all operational policing matters. As Minister, I have no role in these independent functions.
With regard to burglaries, which can be of particular concern for people living in isolated areas of the country, I can say that An Garda Síochána have had considerable success in reducing the prevalence of this through Operation Thor, which focuses on the prevention of burglaries and associated crimes, throughout Ireland, using strategies which are adapted for both rural and urban settings.
An Garda Síochána launched the Winter Phase (2025/2026) of Operation Thor on 1 October 2025.
In the 10 years since Operation Thor was introduced, burglary and related offences have declined overall. The level of residential burglary during the winter months, October to March, has fallen by 75% since the commencement of Operation Thor in 2015.
Under Operation Thor, the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau (GNDOCB) co-ordinates and supports Divisional resources actively targeting organised crime gangs and repeat offenders, particularly involved in rural burglaries and crimes, through enforcement activity based on intelligence and the latest burglary trends.
Gardaí conduct high-visibility patrols and check-points at specific times of day in known ‘hot-spots’ to reduce the movement of burglars, gathering intelligence on known offenders and regularly communicating with those in the community about crime prevention measures.
Operation Thor also aims to reduce burglaries by ensuring every burglary is appropriately investigated to the highest possible standard and by monitoring crime data for changes in trends of burglaries, associated crimes and detection rates.
An Garda Síochána also promotes the practice of ‘property marking' which is a process where a physical mark is etched onto a piece of property such as a bike, laptop or tools. Property Marking engagement days are held by local community policing units and regularly highlighted on Garda social media platforms.
The 'Lock Up Light Up’ campaign is An Garda Síochána's anti-burglary awareness campaign which encourages homeowners to protect their homes over the winter months, when burglaries traditionally tend to rise.
An Garda Síochána
Questions (84)
Louise O'Reilly
Question:84. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration when Rush Garda Station will open on a full time basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53677/25]
View answerWritten answers
The Garda Commissioner is responsible for the deployment of resources and the management of Garda Stations including opening hours under Section 33 of the Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024. However, I am assured that Garda management keeps the distribution of resources under continual review and I engage regularly with him to ensure our Gardaí have the resources they need.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that Rush Garda Station is opened to the public every Monday between 5pm-7pm. Garda Station opening times are regularly reviewed to ensure they meet the needs of the community. This approach allows An Garda Síochána to focus resources on providing high visibility mobile policing and response across a very large rural area rather than keeping stations open with minimal use.
In relation to Garda stations which are not open to the public on a full-time basis, telephone calls to a station during periods of closure are automatically routed to the nearest 24-hour station in the Community Engagement Area.
In cases of emergency, any person should call the 999 or 112 emergency service for an urgent Garda response.
An Garda Síochána maintains an online station directory which includes the contact information and opening hours for Garda stations across the State. The directory is searchable by Garda Division or station and can be accessed at:
Courts Service
Questions (85)
Rose Conway-Walsh
Question:85. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to provide an update on the number of convictions within the State for shoplifting in 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54226/25]
View answerWritten answers
Management of the courts, operational matters and logistical functions are the responsibility of the judiciary and Courts Service, which are independent in exercising their functions under the Courts Service Act 1998 and the Constitution.
The collation of data on convictions is a function of the courts.
The Courts Service has a dedicated email address for the provision of information to members of the Houses of the Oireachtas: oireachtasenquiries@courts.ie. To be of assistance to the Deputy I have referred this question to the Courts Service for direct reply.
Domestic Violence
Questions (86)
Cathy Bennett
Question:86. Deputy Cathy Bennett asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the timeframe in which he intends to establish a register of domestic abusers. [54045/25]
View answerWritten answers
Reforming our criminal justice system to make it more victim-centred is a central focus of the Zero Tolerance Strategy for combatting Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence (DSGBV), which builds on reforms already introduced in this area.
The Programme for Government commits to working with An Garda Síochána to ensure a person in an intimate relationship can be informed of a serious risk to them where a new partner has a history of domestic violence and this work is ongoing.
In this context, I intend to seek Government approval shortly, to draft a Bill that will, inter alia, amend the Domestic Violence Act to set up a Domestic Violence Register of Judgments, which will be managed by the Courts Service. This will ensure any person can find out if their partner has a serious previous conviction for an offence against an intimate partner, or former intimate partner, subject to court discretion and victim consent.
Probation and Welfare Service
Questions (87)
Gary Gannon
Question:87. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration given the Judicial Council noted in 2022 that 23% of community service assessments did not convert into community services orders (the main reasons for this being a lack of available work in the community in a given area or at a given time, or that the individual was unable to cooperate due to being in employment, childcare-related issues or their need to access mental health, health or addiction supports), whether his Department intends to put mechanisms in place to ensure that, should a person be given a community service order of, say, 300 hours, they can complete these in a manner that takes into account existing employment or childcare obligations, or that they may need to be in addiction counselling at a time that might coincide with the order. [54117/25]
View answerWritten answers
A Community Service Order (CSO) requires an individual to perform unpaid work in the community as a direct alternative to a custodial sentence. In line with legislation governing Community Service, an individual must be assessed as suitable in advance of a community service order being imposed. The Probation Service has statutory responsibility to carry out these assessments. The subject of the CSO must consent to the making of the Order.
I can assure the Deputy that line with legislative requirements, arrangements are put in place so as not to impact upon employment or educational commitments of those subject to CSOs. Once an Order is imposed, a formal induction process is undertaken to agree arrangements for work performance with due consideration of the individuals presenting circumstances, including childcare, other family caring responsibilities, and /or employment circumstances. Each individual is supported to maximise compliance with their CSO.
The conversion rate from community service assessment to imposition of an Order is influenced by various factors: lack of co-operation from the subject of the assessment, unsuitability for medical reasons, instability due to addiction issues or the person being unavailable due to other Court matters overtaking the Community Service Order. Additionally, as sentencing is at the discretion of the Court, a decision may be made by the Judge not to impose a Community Service Order following an assessment.
The Probation Service have confirmed that lack of available sites is not a presenting issue in the assessment of suitability or performance of Community Service Orders. There are 112 Community Service sites nationwide providing opportunities for reparation within all local communities. A range of individual placements are also available to facilitate the needs and skill sets of all individuals. Additionally, in certain circumstances it may be possible for a portion of hours to be awarded for addressing offence-related needs such as addiction issues or to support personal progression pathways. This supports desistance from further offending and promotes social inclusion opportunities.
Under the Community Service: New Directions Implementation Plan 2025 – 2027, the Probation Service is committed to increasing the use of Community Service Orders by the Courts to reduce short term imprisonment, strengthening compliance and enforcement of the sanction consistently nationwide and fostering improvement in victim satisfaction levels.
I have included amendments in the General Scheme of Criminal Law and Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2025 that provide for increasing the maximum limit of community service hours from 240 to 480 hours, and that require the judiciary to consider community service as an alternative when considering the imposition of a custodial sentence of 2 years or less. It is anticipated the Bill will be published before the end of the year.
In 2024, the Probation Service managed 1,723 Community Service Orders totalling more than 222,000 hours of work in lieu of 856 years in prison. This resulted in over €2.8m worth of unpaid work for the benefit of communities nationwide.
Visa Applications
Questions (88)
Ruairí Ó Murchú
Question:88. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the work being done to improve processing times for visa applications, citizenship applications and stamp applications at his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53868/25]
View answerWritten answers
I understand the Deputy has clarified that his question relates to join family and employment visas.
I can advise the Deputy that there are currently seven overseas Visa Offices in addition to the Visa Office in Dublin. They are located in Abuja, Beijing, London, Moscow, Ankara, Abu Dhabi and New Delhi. In addition, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade process certain visa applications in Irish Embassies abroad under delegated sanction from my Department.
I can assure the Deputy that while processing times can vary across the different Visa Offices and Irish Embassies, the majority of visas are processed within stated target times. Most short-term applications are determined in a matter of weeks.
The current processing times of applications for join family visas varies depending on the circumstances when the application is made. If a non-EEA national is moving to Ireland because they have been granted a Critical Skills Employment Permit they can apply for join family visas at the same time as their own employment visa. When these visas are applied for together, they are processed in tandem and are typically completed in under eight weeks. My Department aims to process join family visa applications made in other circumstances within 12 months.
I can assure the Deputy the majority of join family visas receive a first instance decision within the 12 month business target; in the first eight months of 2025 the average processing time for a join family application sponsored by an Irish national was 230 days. This figure includes join family visa applications made by spouses, children and other family members.
Processing times and decisions at the Dublin Visa Office and the Overseas Visa Offices can be checked at the following link: www.irishimmigration.ie/visa-decisions/ .
It should be noted that some applications can take considerably longer. Processing times for all applications are influenced by a number of factors. The time it can take varies depending on the type and complexity of application; individual circumstances; peak application periods; such as holidays or the start of the school year; and, crucially, the quality and completeness of the application lodged. Verifying an application is an important part of our immigration system and the checks involved can take time to complete.
I understand that extended wait times can be frustrating for applicants, and I want to assure anyone who has made an application for a visa that my Department is doing everything possible to progress these applications as quickly as possible.
In the first eight months of 2025, my Department's Visa Division received approximately 151,000 visa applications and has issued over 134,000 decisions. This reflects an increase in applications of 5% compared to the same period in 2024. My officials are working to meet the increased level of demand, and over 5,500 additional visa decisions have issued in the first eight months of 2025, compared to the same period in 2024.
Staffing levels are kept under ongoing review having regard to demands placed on my Department’s Immigration Service Delivery (ISD) function generally. This year additional resources and staff have been assigned to my Department’s Visa Division in response to the growing demand for these services.
Finally, regarding applications for renewing immigration permissions, to ensure an efficient service for our customers, all nationwide applications for renewal of permissions are submitted using the ISD online renewal portal. Applicants do not need to attend the Burgh Quay Registration Office in person to renew their permission, and applications for renewal are accepted up to 12 weeks prior to expiry to allow sufficient time for processing. The Registration Office are currently processing renewals applications from the week starting 9 September 2025.
Further information on how to renew, along with processing times, are available on the ISD website at the following link: www.irishimmigration.ie/registering-your-immigration-permission/how-to-renew-your-current-permission/renewing-your-registration-permission-if-you-live-in-the-republic-of-ireland/[] .