Written Answers Nos. 233-253
233. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if, as part of the increased expenditure of €3 million allocated to the Data Protection Commission in Budget 2026, he will ensure increased funding is provided for enhanced guidance to help Irish businesses with digital compliance, including enhancements to the DPC website and introduction to a business helpline. [55581/25]
View answerThe delivery of effective data protection regulation is acknowledged as an important policy objective of Government. The Programme for Government provides that the Government will “Invest in the Data Protection Commission (DPC) to ensure it can deliver on its mandate”. Ensuring a well-functioning digital regulatory environment for businesses to grow, employ and innovate is a key priority for Government.
The Government continues to invest significant resources to support the DPC to deliver on its evolving mandate, evidenced by a budget allocation in 2025 of €29.1 million and the recent appointment of an additional Commissioner for Data Protection. Budget 2026 provides a further 10% increase to the budget of the DPC, with an additional €3 million to support increased staffing and to support its work. As the DPC is independent in the performance of its tasks and the exercise of its powers, the allocation of this additional funding is a matter for the DPC.
234. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to outline the new funding allocated to youth justice measures in Budget 2026; for a breakdown for where this funding will be directed, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55662/25]
View answerInvestment in youth justice services remains a key priority for this Government, and I am committed to ensuring children engaged in criminality, and those at risk of becoming involved in criminality, are supported to desist from offending behaviour.
A significant allocation of €7.3 million in additional core exchequer funding for Youth Justice measures was announced as part of Budget 2026.
This represents an increase of more than 20% on the €36 million allocated in Budget 2025 and will support the roll out of a comprehensive, nationwide network of Youth Diversion Projects (YDPs). Allocations to individual YDPs are still being considered in light of their 2026 annual plan submissions for funding.
The Youth Justice Strategy 2021 – 2027 commits to extending the YDPs network. YDPs are community-based, multi-agency youth crime prevention initiatives. They primarily seek to divert young people who have been, or are at risk of becoming, involved in anti-social and/or criminal behaviour away from formal engagement with the Criminal Justice System.
The programmes offered by these YDPs provide participants between the ages of 12 and 17 years with suitable activities to facilitate their personal development. They promote civic responsibility and encourage pro-social behaviour in their communities. In addition, the programmes aim to improve educational outcomes and long-term employability prospects.
These opportunities are intended to allow young people to reflect on and challenge their past behaviour. They help to enhance participant's capacity to regulate their emotions and resolve conflict. In addition, the programmes support the development of positive and appropriate relationships with peers.
The Strategy also commits to extend the remit of the YDP network to provide dedicated Family Support, Early Intervention, and Harder-to-Reach programmes throughout the State.
These interventions are designed to support specific groups. First, they target the immediate family members of participants. Second, they focus on children aged between 8 and 11 years who are at risk of coming to the attention of law enforcement once they reach the age of criminal responsibility. In addition, they address the needs of prolific young offenders who present to YDPs and youth-related services with complex needs.
Other initiatives funded as part of the Youth Justice budget allocation include:
• The Bail Supervision Scheme (BSS) which offers courts an alternative option to remanding a young person to detention by providing them the possibility of granting bail with intensive supervision supports.
• The Greentown Programme which aims to disrupt criminal networks in their recruitment of children into these networks but also offers an intensive programme to support children, young people and their families.
• The Research Evidence into Policy, Programmes and Practice (REPPP) programme in the University of Limerick who act as the research partners to the Department in implementation of the Youth Justice Strategy.
235. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to outline the funding allocated to restorative justice measures in Budget 2026; to outline the spend relative to the spending in Budget 2025; if there is funding for new measures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55663/25]
View answerI am committed to progressing and implementing policies aimed at increasing the use of community sanctions that reduce offending, divert people away from imprisonment, and provide effective rehabilitation. Restorative justice is a key component of this work.
In April 2025, I approved the publication of the Probation Service restorative justice plan, ‘Restoring Relationships: Repairing Harm and Empowering Voices through Restorative Justice’. This plan aims to promote awareness and support increased use of restorative justice across the system. The plan also details how the Probation Service is further driving the integration of restorative justice into all its services, while also expanding this provision nationally.
The Probation Service delivers restorative justice (RJ) directly, and also through several Community Based Organisation (CBO's). Currently the Probation Service funds five CBO's to provide dedicated restorative justice programmes across 18 counties.
These are:
• Restorative Justice Services - Dublin, Meath, Wicklow and Kildare
• Restorative Justice in the Community - Tipperary, Laois, Offaly and Westmeath, Carlow, Kilkenny
• Le Chéile - Limerick, Cork, Clare and Kerry
• Cornmarket Project – Wexford
• Tuam Community Training Centre - Galway, Mayo, and Roscommon.
Other Probation Service funded CBOs use restorative practice approaches in their work with clients to promote respectful relationships and address the harm caused by their offending.
In 2024, €20 million of funding was provided for the continued development of 50 community based organisations, €1 million of which supported the development of capacity in CBOs that facilitate restorative justice services.
In Budget 2025, the Probation Service had a total budget of over €60 million to fund an expansion of crime-diversion programmes including restorative justice programmes and community-based alternatives to imprisonment.
I have secured an 11% increase in funding for the Probation Service in Budget 2026. This will be used to increase the use of supervised community sanctions in the criminal courts and the development and expansion of several schemes including restorative justice services.
The Probation Service, through its national Restorative Justice and Victim Services Unit (RJVSU), supports the integration of Restorative Justice models into practice across the country. This includes victim empathy programmes, family/restorative conferences, reparation projects, and victim-offender dialogues. The RJVSU also provides training to Probation teams and supports CBOs in delivering restorative justice programmes.
I can confirm that the Probation Service is currently inviting Expressions of Interest (EOI) from community-based organisations interested in employing dedicated Restorative Justice project workers to deliver restorative justice services in the following regions:
• Donegal and Sligo area(s).
• Louth, Cavan and Monaghan area(s).
This will serve to further support the nationwide provision of restorative justice services.
236. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to outline the funding for the Bail Supervision Service in Budget 2026; the funding allocated to the service in 2025; if there is funding for new measures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55664/25]
View answerThe Bail Supervision Scheme (BSS) offers courts an alternative option to remanding a young person to detention by providing them with the possibility of granting bail with intensive supervision supports. The scheme both reduces the need for remand places and also provides an opportunity to focus on developing successful community resources designed to prevent young people from engaging in criminality.
A multi-systemic therapeutic team work with the young person and their primary caregiver, to facilitate pro-social change in the young person while ensuring they remain at home and engage with education, training or work. An evaluation of BSS published in 2019 found a 72% reduction in reoffending among participants.
The programme currently covers the greater Dublin area, Cork and Limerick.
Funding for the scheme is provided by my Department, with €2,120,000 allocated in the youth justice subhead for 2025. This funding was allocated as a grant to Extern Ireland and used primarily for their own pay and service delivery costs. The funding allocation for BSS for 2026 is still under consideration.
It is intended for oversight of the Bail Supervision Scheme to transfer to the Probation Service in January 2026, and funding has also been provided to the Probation Service to provide the initial staffing for the scheme within its 2026 funding allocation.
Investment in youth justice services remains a key priority for this Government, and I am committed to ensuring children engaged in criminality, and those at risk of becoming involved in criminality, are supported to deist from offending behaviour. In Budget 2025, an additional €3.2 million was provided for Youth Justice initiatives, bringing the total allocation to over €36 million.
A significant allocation of €7.3 million in additional core exchequer funding for Youth Justice measures was announced as part of Budget 2026.
237. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if his Department is using agentic AI in the delivery of its services or operations; if it is considering the use of agentic AI, and in what contexts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55702/25]
View answerMy Department complies with the latest guidance on the use of AI including the “Guidelines for the Responsible Use of Artificial Intelligence in the Public Service”, issued by the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation in May of this year and with guidance issued to all Government Departments in June 2023 by The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) in relation to the cyber security aspects for consideration with respect to the use of Generative AI.
My Department does not currently use agentic AI in the delivery of its services or operations but plans to continue to assess the opportunities presented by all digital tools, including AI, to improve the delivery, security, efficiency and accessibility of services to our customers. Approval for adoption of any new technology is subject to appropriate governance processes, including security and risk assessment.
238. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if he will consider supporting the withdrawal of temporary protection for Ukrainian refugees from the Oblasts of Volyn, Rivne, Lviv, Ternopil, Zakarpattia, Ivano-Frankivsk and Chernivtsi areas which have been excluded by the Swiss Federal Council as they are deemed to be peaceful; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55805/25]
View answerIreland opted into the Temporary Protection Directive on 11 April 2003. Under Article 2, the Temporary Protection Directive applies to the following groups of people who have had to flee Ukraine due to the invasion by Russia :
a) Ukrainian nationals who were residing in Ukraine before 24 February 2022;
b) Nationals of a third country (other than Ukraine) or a stateless person who would have benefited from international protection (for example: Refugee status) or an equivalent national protection status in Ukraine and were residing there before 24 February 2022;
c) Family members of persons covered by a) and b), where their family already existed in Ukraine, prior to 24 February.
Under Article 4 of the Temporary Protection Directive, where the reasons for temporary protection persist, the Council may decide by a qualified majority, on a proposal from the Commission to extend temporary protection for a further year. Similarly, the Council may at any time decide by a qualified majority to end temporary protection on a proposal from the Commission where the situation in the country of origin is such as to permit the safe and durable return of those granted temporary protection.
On 15 July 2025, the Justice and Home Affairs Council unanimously agreed to extend Temporary Protection by a year until March 2027. This extension is due to the ongoing uncertainty and volatility of the situation in Ukraine, and the related need for ongoing protection in the EU.
This extension has not altered those who are eligible under Article 2 and therefore it is not possible for any EU Member State, including Ireland, to provide protection on the basis of Oblasts. I would note that Switzerland is a Schengen associated country and while it has coordinated its refugee policy with the European Union, it is not bound by the Temporary Protection Directive.
239. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the powers he has to issue removal orders to EU citizens who have been convicted of criminal acts or any other reasons; the number of such removal orders that have been issued in each year since 2019–2024, and to date in 2025, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55876/25]
View answerThe removal of people who are involved in criminality and those who are a danger to society is a priority for me as Minister and my Department works closely with An Garda Síochána and the Irish Prison Service to ensure high risk persons are prioritised for removal from Ireland.
I can advise the Deputy that on Monday 13 October 2025, removal orders were enforced against 23 Romanian citizens who were removed from Ireland by charter flight. These orders were made in accordance with the Free Movement Directive (Directive 2004/38/EC), on grounds of criminality and re-entry bans of up to 10 years have been applied to prevent their return to Ireland. So far in 2025, 22 individuals have been removed from Ireland under the Directive on commercial airlines, this operation brings the total number of such removals to 45.
Under the European Communities (Free Movement of Persons) Regulations 2015, which transposes the Free Movement Directive (Directive 2004/38/EC) into Irish law, order can be made for both the removal and exclusion of citizens of the European Union, European Economic Area and Switzerland or their family members who represent a danger to public policy or public security. These orders can be made on the grounds of that the individual’s personal conduct represents a genuine, present and sufficiently serious threat affecting one of the fundamental interests of society.
A removal order means the person must leave Ireland and if an exclusion order is made a re-entry ban can be imposed for a specified period, of up to ten years.
The table below details the number of orders which have been made under the European Communities (Free Movement of Persons) Regulations 2015 in 2019, 2020, 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025 to 13 October 2025.
|
Year |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
2025* |
|
Orders Signed under the Directive |
76 |
33 |
40 |
58 |
19 |
24 |
99 |
*(to 13/10/2025)
* Please note, figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing.
240. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to outline how a victim of sexual violence can secure a protection order against a convicted perpetrator where that victim has reason to fear for their safety following the release of the perpetrator; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55918/25]
View answerThe Government is committed to ensuring that victims of sexual violence feel safe and supported. Victims who have reason to fear for their safety following the release of a convicted perpetrator have several legal avenues to seek protection.
The Domestic Violence Act 2018 provides for applications to be made to court which are tailored to the level of risk and urgency faced by the victim. These range from temporary emergency orders to longer-term safety and barring orders. The Deputy will be aware that Section 24 of the Domestic Violence Act 2018 provides that a member of An Garda Síochána, not below the rank of sergeant can request the Courts Service to arrange a special sitting of the District Court for the purposes of an out-of hours application for an interim barring order, protection order or emergency barring order. This provision is a further protection measure for victims.
Where An Garda Síochána believe that a convicted offender poses a serious and imminent risk to the public, an application can be made to the courts for a Sex Offender Order under section 16 of the Sex Offenders Act 2001. A Sex Offender Order can prohibit the offender from doing anything the Court considers necessary, in order to ensure that the public is protected from serious harm. The Sex Offenders Act 2001 also provides that a Court can impose conditions on a convicted sex offender as part of their post-release supervision, where a judge has included this as part of sentencing. In addition, the commencement of the Sex Offenders (Amendment) Act 2023 has strengthened our already robust system for monitoring sex offenders.
The Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2023 introduced a new system of civil orders designed to prevent stalking and protect victims. While not an exhaustive list, such orders can prohibit an offender from following or communicating with a victim, or approaching, within such distance as the court shall specify, the place of residence, education or employment of a victim. This new approach extends protections currently available to certain victims under the Domestic Violence Act 2018 to all victims of stalking behaviour, regardless of their relationship with the perpetrator. The order can last for a period of up to 5 years and the Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2023 makes provision for the renewal of orders.
I would like to assure the Deputy that all civil and criminal legislation is kept under review, and I will consider any changes necessary to ensure it remains effective, proportionate, and fully compliant with due process and the Constitution.
241. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if his Department has commissioned or received any risk assessment concerning Chinese intelligence or influence operations within the State, particularly regarding the immigrant investor programme, foreign-linked lobbying or contact with public officials; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55932/25]
View answer243. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if he will outline the measures in place to ensure that individuals associated with foreign intelligence or influence entities are not granted residency, citizenship or investor visas in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55934/25]
View answer244. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if his Department has reviewed past decisions made under the immigrant investor programme to determine whether any approvals involved individuals now known to have links to Chinese intelligence or influence bodies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55935/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 241, 243 and 244 together.
I can assure the Deputy that my Department takes seriously any evidence of hostile state activity, including efforts by other states to exert influence or impede on our national interest.
Ireland, like any other democratic state, is not immune from the risk posed by espionage or other activities aimed at compromising the security of the State. Our security services take all appropriate measures to counteract potential threats.
As Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration, I am regularly briefed by the Garda Commissioner and by my officials on security matters.
The Deputy will appreciate that, for sound reasons, it is not the practice to comment on security matters nor would it be in the public interest to do so.
242. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to outline what inter-agency coordination currently exists between his Department, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the National Cyber Security Centre in respect of the threat of foreign state influence and espionage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55933/25]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) was brought under the remit of my Department in June this year, as part of the Government’s commitment to ensuring the proper alignment of our national security infrastructure.
The NCSC is responsible for the State's Computer Security Incident Response Team (CSIRT-IE) function. CSIRT-IE is an internationally accredited response team with its main function being the enhancement of situational awareness for constituents and for the provision of incident response for national cyber security incidents. It is also the lead state agency in relation to the management of major cyber security incidents across Government. The NCSC is therefore involved in a number of coordination mechanisms across Government on cyber security related matters, including with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
The Programme for Government 2025 - Securing Ireland's Future, acknowledges that this is a period characterised by geopolitical upheaval and challenges to democracy, with threats arising from the rapidly changing geopolitical landscape across the world. In this context, the Government committed to the implementation of a number of measures relating to defence, justice and cyber, and improved co-ordination of national security.
As part of this work, the Taoiseach established a new Ministerial Council on National Security which he chairs. The membership includes the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade and for Defence and myself as Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration.
The Council considers strategic national security developments; reviews progress on delivery of the Government’s national security commitments and measures; and considers reports on the security situation and security threat levels.
245. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration further to his Department’s recent information campaign offering enhanced voluntary return payments to persons in the international protection process, the total number of persons to whom the offer applies; the projected gross and net Exchequer cost, by month and by payment band; the safeguards in place to prevent duplicate or ineligible claims; the key performance indicators being used to evaluate uptake and outcomes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55975/25]
View answerIt is a central priority for me that Ireland’s immigration system is robust and rules based. Returning people who do not have permission to remain in Ireland is undertaken through voluntary returns and deportation. Both types of returns are essential for the system to work effectively and to ensure that there is confidence in the application of our legislation in this area.
It is the preferred option to return people voluntarily, and my Department has a voluntary return programme to assist people to return prior to the issuance of a deportation order. It is important to note that a person can only avail of voluntary return before a deportation order is issued. In 2024, 934 people left Ireland by way of voluntary return. This year 1,244 people have left up to 10 October 2025, which is an increase of 105% compared to the same period in 2024.
Part of the voluntary return process is reintegration assistance. The current level of reintegration assistance offered is up to €1,200 per person and €2,000 per family unit. Last month, I announced that for a limited time, people who were in the International Protection process before 28 September 2025, will be offered increased reintegration assistance if they choose to avail of voluntary return at an earlier stage in the process. Anyone who applies for International Protection after this date, will not be eligible for the enhanced reintegration supports.
The increased assistance level will be offered to everyone in the International Protection process before 28 September 2025; at the end of September 2025, there were almost 34,000 applications pending at different stages of the international protection process.
This means if a person decides to opt for voluntary return up to receiving a first instance decision or before appealing a negative first instance decision their assistance will be increased to €2,500 per person to a maximum of €10,000 per family unit. If they are in the appeals process and decide to voluntary return up to an appeal decision issuing their assistance will increase, but to the lower amount of €1,500 per person and to a maximum of €6,000 per family unit. If they receive a final decision on their application, assistance will only increase for families to a maximum of €3,000 per family unit.
Increasing reintegration assistance for those at an earlier stage in the process is aimed at reducing the costs to the State and pressure on the system from the high numbers of applications received in 2023 and 2024. My officials have reviewed a wide range of arrangements across the EU and the higher levels of support are considered to be generally in line with EU norms in this area.
There are strict safeguards in place for reintegration assistance it can only be availed of once and only provided when the person’s departure from the State is confirmed. The reintegration allowance is administered only in the country of return and my Department can stop the payment if it believes the allowance is at risk of being misused.
People leaving under the voluntary programme are required to provide my officials with documentary evidence that they have left within three days of their arrival in their home country. This can include evidence of flight tickets, boarding passes, the bio-data page of their passports and the re-entry stamp in their passport with the passport number clearly shown.
In many instances, those availing of voluntary return will also be met by officials from my Department or by IOM, to ensure that their return journey is facilitated through Dublin Airport and that their departure is confirmed.
Further information and evidence will be requested if the supporting documentation submitted is not sufficient to confirm that the person has left the State. People who do not submit the required documentation within the timeframes are advised that their cases will be reverted for further processing which may result in a deportation order issuing if the person is not confirmed to have left the State.
Calculating the projected costs for people departing under the programme is complex given the number of variables. However, I can assure the Deputy if people leave earlier and voluntarily this will cost the State significantly less than removing a person by enforced deportation after a final decision has issued, including having regard to accommodation, processing and other costs.
I will be carefully monitoring its operation to ensure this programme it is working effectively and as intended.
246. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if his Department’s Budget 2026 allocation has provided for an increase in the daily expense allowance for children in the international protection system, or any other financial measures to alleviate child poverty amongst children in the system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56000/25]
View answerProviding reception conditions, including accommodation and other basic supports, to international protection applicants is a requirement of Irish and EU law.
Under the EU reception conditions directive, IPAS residents and families are given access to housing, food, clothing and other necessities.
Depending on their accommodation placement, residents will have access to self-catering facilities, or will be provided with daily meals.
Supports are provided to people and families staying in IPAS centres to access community services in relation to their physical and mental health, educational opportunities and employment opportunities.
Residents in IPAS accommodation centres are entitled to a medical card and access GP services within the local community. Specialist health and social care services for families are accessed through primary care, GP referral, and emergency services.
In some larger IPAS Centres, in-reach medical or health care services may also be provided, through local arrangements with the health services in the area.
All children living in Ireland, including international protection applicants, are provided with access to education. When families become resident in an IPAS centre, the IPAS team connects them with local education services, the Tusla Education Support Service and REALT who assist with sourcing school places.
A Daily Expenses Allowance (DEA) is a weekly social welfare payment paid to asylum seekers by the Department of Social Protection. The maximum DEA weekly rate in 2025 is €38.80 for each adult and €29.80 for each child.
Details of the budget allocation for the Daily Expenses Allowance would be available from the Department of Social Protection who administer this service.
After six months, people who have applied for international protection are eligible to work if they have not received a first decision on their application.
In some cases, where a resident family is experiencing financial hardship, they may also be entitled to an Additional Needs Payment. Additional Needs Payments are paid under Supplementary Welfare Allowance which is administered by the Community Welfare Service (CWS) of the Department of Social Protection. An Additional Needs Payment application is reviewed by a Community Welfare Officer (CWO) who makes a decision.
Implementing a child payment for children in the international protection process remains under consideration following the international protection reception function’s transition to the Department of Justice. Home Affairs, and Migration in May of this year.
This will be considered in the context of the development of a new International Protection Act, priorities under the new Programme for Government and the implementation of the new EU Pact on Migration.
247. Deputy Eoin Hayes asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to provide the plans for increasing funding allocations for youth services for Ringsend/Sandymount area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56007/25]
View answerAn increase of €7.3m will be provided in 2026 for Youth Justice funding. This enables us to achieve comprehensive nationwide coverage of our network of Youth Diversion Projects (YDPs) for the first time, which was committed to in the Youth Justice Strategy 2021 – 2027.
Allocations to individual YDPs are still being considered in light of their 2026 annual plan submissions for funding. The Dublin City South YDP project is the relevant service in the Ringsend/Sandymount area. Last year they received €728,806 in funding for pay and non-pay operational costs. They have been funded for a staff of 10 Youth Justice Workers.
These projects provide an invaluable support to complement the work of An Garda Síochána in addressing youth crime and protecting local communities.
Youth Diversion Projects (YDPs) are community based, multi-agency youth crime prevention initiatives which primarily seek to divert young people who have been, or are at risk of becoming, involved in anti-social and/or criminal behaviour. On average the YDPs engage with between 3,500 and 4,000 young people across the State in any one year.
248. Deputy Eoin Hayes asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of employees working in immigration visa services, broken down by role; and the number of applications currently being processed and awaiting decision, broken down by visa type; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56008/25]
View answerI 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 advise the Deputy there are 61.2 whole-time equivalent staff currently assigned to the Dublin Visa Office who are responsible for processing visa applications, visa appeals, and providing customer service support. Of which 36 issue first instance decisions, 14.4 consider appeals, and 10.8 provide clerical and customer support. This figure excludes some staff in management and administrative positions.
Table 1 below details the number of staff across the seven overseas Visa Offices. The overseas Visa Offices are staffed by Visa Officers posted from my Department’s Visa Division and staff employed locally.
Table 1. Overseas Visa staff as at 30 September 2025
|
Office |
Posted |
Local |
Total |
|
Abu Dhabi |
4 |
6 |
10 |
|
Abuja |
2 |
5 |
7 |
|
Ankara |
5 |
4 |
9 |
|
Beijing |
5 |
8 |
13 |
|
London |
5 |
2 |
7 |
|
New Delhi |
6 |
21 |
27 |
|
Moscow |
1 |
2 |
3 |
|
Total |
28 |
48 |
76 |
Officials posted overseas from my Department’s Visa Division consist of one “Visa Office Manager” of Higher Executive Officer / Administrative Officer grade in each of the overseas offices who are supported by Visa Officers at Executive Officer and Clerical Officer grade and local staff in administrative roles.
In 2024, approximately 201,000 visa applications, of all types, were received by the Visa Division of my Department. This reflects an increase of 21%, compared to 2023, with over 35,000 additional applications received. These increases have continued, in the first nine months of 2025, my Department's Visa Division received approximately 165,000 visa applications and has issued over 153,000 decisions. This reflects an increase in applications of 5.5% compared to the same period in 2024. My officials are working to meet the increased level of demand, and over 8,200 additional visa decisions have issued in the first nine months of 2025, compared to the same period in 2024.
The tables below detail the number of visa applications received and the first instances decisions issued in the first eight months of 2025.
Table 2. Type C Short stay applications received, granted and refused in the first eight months of 2025.
|
Time period |
Received |
Granted at first instance |
Refused at first instance |
|
01/01/2025 – 30/09/2025 |
118,330 |
89,432 |
15,794 |
*Please note, figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing.
* A decision made in a 2025 may relate to an application submitted in a previous year.
Table 3. Type D Long stay applications received, granted and refused in the first eight months of 2025.
|
Time period |
Received |
Granted at first instance |
Refused at first instance |
|
01/01/2025 – 30/09/2025 |
47,982 |
37,721 |
10,132 |
*Please note, figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing.
* A decision made in 2025 may relate to an application submitted in a previous year.
Visa and preclearance applications provide legal avenues for people moving to Ireland for employment, study and family reasons and also to facilitate visitors who wish to travel for business and/or tourism. It is important to recall these applications are screening processes, designed to establish that the person has a legitimate reason to come to Ireland prior to travel. Verifying an application is an important part of our immigration system and the checks involved can take time to complete. The vast majority of visa applications are determined in a matter of weeks. However, some applications, in particular those to join family members here, can take considerably longer.
Processing times for all applications and appeals 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.
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 or preclearance that my Department is doing everything possible to progress these applications as quickly as possible. Staffing levels are kept under ongoing review having regard to demands placed on my Department’s Immigration Service Delivery 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.
249. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of dog wardens employed in each of the years 2023 to 2025, in tabular form. [55729/25]
View answerMy Department has overall policy responsibility for the Control of Dogs Acts 1986 to 2014. This legislation makes provision for dog licensing arrangements and the functions of dog wardens. Local Authorities have responsibility for all operational, implementation and enforcement matters under the Acts.
Section 15(1) of the Control of Dogs Act 1986 states that every local authority must employ at least one dog warden. It is a matter for each local authority to determine if more than one dog warden is required to carry out the necessary functions of the dog warden service in their local authority area.
The statistics on the number of dog wardens employed by each local authority in 2023 and 2024 can be found in the attached document. Figures for any given year are typically made available in the subsequent year following data collation across all Local Authorities and subsequent checks and validation processes by the parent Department, which is now my Department, following the transfer of functions in the area of dog control policy from the Department of Rural, Community Development and the Gaeltacht during 2025.
250. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if consideration will be given to placing the dog breeding establishment guidelines on a statutory footing. [55730/25]
View answerOn 1 August 2025, all policy and legislative responsibility for Dog Breeding Establishments transferred to my Department. The Dog Breeding Establishments Act 2010 provides a robust regulatory framework for the licensing, monitoring and inspection of dog breeding establishments by local authorities and, where a serious and immediate threat exists to public health or animal health and welfare, for the closure of such establishments. Local authorities retain responsibility for all operational, implementation and enforcement matters.
A high-level stakeholder group was established last year to consider policy and legislative matters, specifically the Dog Control Acts and the Dog Breeding Establishments Act. The stakeholder group’s remit includes considering the need for legislative change. I am committed to reviewing all legislation relating to dogs and in this regard will be guided by the recommendations of the Dog Control Stakeholder Group. I expect the group to revert to me with recommendations on the matter in due course.
251. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to outline the number of dog breeding establishments inspected; the number of unannounced inspections; the number of improvement notices issued and the number of closed down for each of the years 2023 to 2025, in tabular form. [55731/25]
View answerOn 1 August 2025, all policy and legislative responsibility for the Dog Breeding Acts 2010 transferred to my Department. Local authorities retain responsibility for all enforcement matters under the Dog Breeding Establishments Act.
Inspections of Dog Breeding Establishments are carried out by ex local authority vets who transferred to my Department in January of this year, as well as by local authority dog wardens.
All registered dog breeding establishments must undergo an annual inspection. My Department does not hold information on the number of inspections carried out by the Dog Warden service or the number of inspections carried out prior to January 2025. This information can be requested from the local authorities directly.
Provisional figures show that my Department has carried out over 120 inspections on Dog Breeding Establishments on behalf of local authorities from January to 1 October 2025. Of these, 84 inspections were unannounced.
In relation to the number of improvement notices and closure notices, local authorities are responsible for enforcement matters under the Dog Breeding Establishment Act.
My Department operates a confidential animal welfare helpline through which members of the public can report incidents of animal cruelty or neglect for investigation. The dedicated email address and helpline in place for reporting suspected cases of animal welfare are:
Helpline Phone No: 01 607 2379
Email address: animalwelfare@agriculture.gov.ie
252. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the neonicotinoid insecticide acetamiprid will be used in State-owned forestry within the zone of influence of Lough Corrib SAC in 2025 and 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55540/25]
View answerCoillte was established as a commercial state company with private limited status under the Forestry Act, 1988, to become custodian and manager of the national forest estate. The company is currently managing 440,000 hectares of land (7% of the total land area), and its day-to-day operations, such as the management of its forests, are entirely a matter for the company.
I have accordingly asked Coillte to respond directly to the Deputy on the matter raised.
253. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to review and update current veterinary medicines regulations to permit the legal use of sarcoid cream as an evidence-based treatment for equine skin conditions in line with international best practice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55616/25]
View answer254. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will consider aligning Irish veterinary medicines regulations with those in Northern Ireland and other EU member states in the interest of regulatory consistency across the island of Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55617/25]
View answer255. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he is aware that sarcoid cream (details supplied) has been safely and effectively used by equine veterinarians worldwide for over three decades; and the scientific or regulatory rationale for continuing to prohibit its use in Ireland. [55618/25]
View answer257. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he has assessed the reputational and financial impact on the Irish equine sector of prohibiting products such as sarcoid cream that are recognised as standard treatments internationally; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55620/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 253, 254, 255 and 257 together.
I propose to take Questions 55616/25, 55617/25, 55618/25 and 55620/25 together.
The use of veterinary medicines in Ireland is governed by EU Regulation 2019/6 and is directly applicable throughout the EU. In order for a product, such as the one referred to, to be used in Ireland it must be authorised either nationally or centrally at EU level. If no such product is available and in order to alleviate unnecessary suffering of animals, Regulation 2019/6 provides for the possibility to import other products under a licencing system operated by my Department, commonly referred to as 'the Cascade'. Under this system a vet can apply to import a product that is not not nationally or centrally authorised, but must select the highest available option from the following:
(i) a product authorised in their own or another Member State for another food-producing species;
(ii) a product authorised in their own or another Member State for a non food-producing species;
(iii) a human medicine
(iv) an extemporaneous product prepared in accordance with a veterinary prescription.
(v) a product authorised in a 3rd country for the same animal species and the same indication.
Applications are considered on a case by case basis taking the above criteria into account.
