Brendan Smith
Question:501. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the progress of an investigation (details supplied) to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [64670/25]
View answerDepartmental Investigations
Questions (501)
Written answers
The murder of two innocent young people in Belturbet in December 1972 was an appalling act of brutality. The perpetrators of this bombing demonstrated a callous disregard for human life and it is a source of great regret that, in spite of a comprehensive investigation, it has not been possible for those responsible to be prosecuted for their crimes.
As the Deputy is aware, in recent years a comprehensive review of the investigation was carried out by An Garda Síochána which identified a number of lines of inquiry. In 2022, a Senior Investigating Officer was appointed to lead the investigation from the incident room at Ballyconnell Garda Station. An Garda Síochána has issued appeals for those with information in relation to the bombing to make contact, including via RTÉ’s Crimecall. I am informed by the Garda Authorities that this investigation remains open and that their work continues with the aim of bringing the perpetrators to justice.
At the British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference earlier this week, I raised the Belturbet Bombing with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and underlined the need for continued cooperation by the UK authorities with the investigation. I will continue to raise the bombing and the All-Party Motions with the British Government.
Additionally, I am aware that the Belturbet Bombing is one of a number of incidents that occurred in this jurisdiction which have been examined by Operation Denton, part of the UK Kenova structures. Operation Denton is an analytical review by the independent Kenova Investigation Team into the activities of a group of individuals known as the Glenanne Gang in Northern Ireland. While we await publication of its report and findings, it is my hope that it may shed new light on some of these incidents and provide some of the answers that the families have long sought.
Departmental Data
Questions (502)
Tom Brabazon
Question:502. Deputy Tom Brabazon asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of offences of poisoning under the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act 1997 recorded for 2023, 2024 and to date in 2025, per county, in tabular form. [64704/25]
View answerWritten answers
I have sought the information from the Garda Authorities, and I am advised that the information below sets out the annual counts of reported incidents of Poisoning in from 2021 to date in 2025.
|
Incident Type |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
Q1 - Q3 2025 |
|
Poisoning |
14 |
58 |
25 |
20 |
15
|
Please note that there are not sufficient incident volumes to provide a breakdown below national level. The above information is operational and subject to change.
The Central Statistics Office (CSO), as the national statistical agency, is responsible for the compilation and publication of all crime statistics.
The CSO produces these statistics using data recorded on An Garda Síochána’s PULSE system and makes regular releases in relation to various crime statistics.
Crime statistics are publicly available from //data.cso.ie/.
Departmental Data
Questions (503)
Tom Brabazon
Question:503. Deputy Tom Brabazon asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of prosecutions for poisoning, under the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act 1997, for 2023, 2024 and to date in 2025, per county, in tabular form. [64705/25]
View answerWritten answers
The 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 given the separation of powers in the Constitution.
To be of assistance, I have referred your question to the Courts Service for their direct reply. The Courts Service also has a dedicated email address for the provision of information to members of the Houses of the Oireachtas: oireachtasenquiries@courts.ie.
An Garda Síochána
Questions (504, 505)
Tom Brabazon
Question:504. Deputy Tom Brabazon asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if incidences of spiking with a needle have been recorded on the Garda PULSE system in 2023, 2024 and to date in 2025; the number of incidences, by county, in tabular form. [64706/25]
View answerTom Brabazon
Question:505. Deputy Tom Brabazon asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if incidences of drink spiking have been recorded on the Garda PULSE system in 2023, 2024 and to date in 2025; the number of incidences, by county, in tabular form [64707/25]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 504 and 505 together.
Spiking is a crime that preys on vulnerability, undermines consent and can have devastating consequences for victims. As Minister I am committed to taking a zero-tolerance approach to all forms of domestic, sexual, and gender-based violence (DSGBV). The Programme for Government also includes a commitment to introduce stronger laws to combat the spiking of drinks.
Spiking a person’s drink or spiking someone by injection constitute, in effect, poisoning, and as such are criminal offences under the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act 1997 that can result in a three-year prison term.
Section 12 of the 1997 Act applies to anyone who intentionally or recklessly administers a substance which is capable of interfering substantially with another person’s bodily functions, which explicitly includes inducing unconsciousness or sleep. A person guilty of the offence of poisoning may be subject to a maximum penalty of three years’ imprisonment. Depending on the nature of the substance that is administered, it may be possible to charge a perpetrator with endangerment under section 13 of the Non-Fatal Offences against the Person Act 1997. This provides that it is an offence to intentionally or recklessly engage in conduct which creates a substantial risk of death or serious harm to another. The offence of endangerment carries a maximum penalty of seven years imprisonment.
An Garda Síochána take all reports of spiking seriously and thoroughly investigate to determine the exact nature of each incident including results of toxicology reports in each case. The nationwide roll out of Divisional Protective Service Units (DPSUs) has ensured that when victims of DSGBV-based crimes present to Gardaí, they are met with a consistently high standard of specialist, sensitive, professional and expert assistance. There is now a DPSU in every Garda Division. An Garda Síochána advise any victims of incidents or any form of spiking to come forward and report to local Gardaí.
I am advised by the Garda authorities that the following publication on the garda website garda.ie may be of assistance: www.garda.ie/en/about-us/publications/general-reports/spiking-incidents-may-2024.pdf. The published data records the number of incidents reported throughout the country at 52 in 2023. The total for 2024 was 60 reported incidents, each of which was investigated. Figures for 2025 will be released next year.
Per the published data regarding spiking incidents reported from 2020-2023, there are a number of ways in which a spiking was reported to have occurred. In 50pc of all incidents identified, it was reported a drink was spiked (120 incidents). A needle was used in 28pc or 67 incidents. In the remaining, 22pc or 52 incidents, the method was unknown or it was not possible to determine from the information recorded on PULSE.
I am informed by An Garda Síochána that, of the 60 reported incidents in 2024, 28 were drink spiking, a needle was used in 10, and the method was unknown in 22.
Question No. 505 answered with Question No. 504.
Deportation Orders
Questions (506)
Barry Ward
Question:506. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the position regarding the deportation of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [64715/25]
View answerWritten answers
I can advise the Deputy that the person referred to has made a request to have their deportation order revoked, pursuant to the provisions of Section 3(11) of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended), and this request is currently under consideration by my Department’s Repatriation Division.
Where a person makes representations seeking that their deportation order is revoked under Section 3(11), consideration is given to whether there is compelling new information or material change in circumstances which were not previously put forward, nor capable of being put forward, when the original decision was made. It should be noted that such a request does not suspend the enforcement of a deportation order.
I can advise the Deputy that this case is amongst many to be considered at present and, as such, at this point in time, it is not possible to provide a specific indication as to when a decision will issue. However, they can be assured that there will be no avoidable delay in having their case brought to finality.
It is open to the person concerned to direct any further queries to the Repatriation Division of my Department's Immigration Service by email to: repatadmin@justice.ie.
As an Oireachtas member, you can also request the status of individual immigration cases by e-mail, using the Oireachtas Mail facility at: IMoireachtasmail@justice.ie which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Question process.
International Protection
Questions (507)
Ken O'Flynn
Question:507. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if his Department has undertaken a thorough and detailed survey of the educational and professional qualifications of all individuals residing in IPAS centres, including but not limited, to their levels of secondary and tertiary education, the presence of advanced degrees such as PhDs, professional qualifications in fields like medicine or engineering, and any other vocational skills that may be of value to the Irish labour market; if such a survey has not been conducted, the reason this information has not been gathered; whether there are plans to carry out such an assessment in the near future; and to provide any existing data to facilitate straightforward analysis and public transparency, in tabular form. [64730/25]
View answerWritten answers
It is a central priority for me that Ireland’s immigration system is robust and rules based.
Labour Market Access Permission was made available to eligible International Protection applicants in July 2018. Under the European Communities (Reception Conditions) Regulations 2018 (S.I. No. 230 of 2018), people are eligible to apply for labour market access permission if:
• They are an international protection applicant; and
• They have waited at least 5 months from their “Application Received” date for their first instance recommendation; and
• They are cooperating with the international protection process – delays in receiving a recommendation must not be attributable to the applicant.
Following that, a person will be issued a permission for labour market access if, at 6 months, they have not yet received a first instance recommendation. This permission is valid for 12 months and may be renewed until a final decision is made on the person's international protection application.
It should be noted that labour market access for international protection applicants is not an alternative to a work permit; it is intended to allow certain applicants to work while they await a decision on their asylum application. This is to ensure that those found in need of protection can begin rebuilding their lives here. It is not intended as an alternative route to the established pathways for legal migration for the purposes of employment.
Before a deportation order is made, a full assessment of each person’s individual circumstances is carried out to establish if they should be granted permission to remain in the State. If a person has made submissions in respect of their education or previous or current occupations, these submissions will be given due consideration as appropriate.
This information, if received, will be detailed on the person’s individual records but is not recorded in a manner which allows for the collation of statistic based on a person’s occupation or occupational prospects.
Departmental Data
Questions (508, 509)
Marie Sherlock
Question:508. Deputy Marie Sherlock asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration when his Department took the decision to outsource the printing of certificates of naturalisation; and the reason this decision was taken; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [64731/25]
View answerMarie Sherlock
Question:509. Deputy Marie Sherlock asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the reason for delays in receiving certificates of naturalisation following ceremonies; if the decision to outsource the printing of certificates is leading to a delay in individuals receiving their certificates within the recommended timeframes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [64732/25]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 508 and 509 together.
I can inform the Deputy that the process of outsourcing the printing of naturalisation certificates was first introduced for the Citizenship ceremonies hosted in February 2024.
By not issuing certificates on the day of the ceremonies, my Department has been able to simplify the administrative steps required to be completed on the day. This in turn has made it possible to significantly increase the number of attendees on any day of ceremonies, and to reduce the time it takes for people to complete the naturalisation process.
All certificates of naturalisation for attendees of a citizenship ceremony are issued via registered post. Applicants can expect to receive their certificate within around a month of the date of the ceremony. These steps are part of an overall programme of work to speed up the naturalisation process for applicants. This includes introducing an online digital application, online payments, and the introduction of eVetting.
My Department held 24 citizenship ceremonies last year, an increase from 15 held in 2023, and 6 in 2022. My Department has already held 19 ceremonies this year with six more ceremonies planned for December.
In just over two years the Citizenship Division of my Department has gone from processing around 12,000 applications a year to processing over 20,000 applications in 2023 and more than 31,000 decisions in 2024.
My Department is doing everything possible to ensure that new citizens receive their certificates as soon as possible.
Question No. 509 answered with Question No. 508.
An Garda Síochána
Questions (510)
Paul Donnelly
Question:510. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the up-to-date crime statistics for all crimes for both the Dublin west and Dún Laoghaire areas. [64735/25]
View answerWritten answers
The Central Statistics Office (CSO), as the national statistical agency, is responsible for the compilation and publication of all crime statistics.
The CSO produces these statistics using data recorded on An Garda Síochána’s PULSE system and makes regular releases in relation to various crime statistics. The most recent statistics were released on 07 November 2025, providing statistics for Recorded Crime for Quarter 2 2025.
Figures in respect of criminal offences reported to Gardaí, by Garda Region, Division, Station, type of offence and year or quarter can be found on the CSO website at the following link: www.cso.ie/en/releasesandpublications/ep/p-rc/recordedcrimeq22025/data/.
An Garda Síochána
Questions (511)
Paul Donnelly
Question:511. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the amount of full-time and part-time Garda stations for both the Dublin west and Dún Laoghaire areas. [64736/25]
View answerWritten answers
The Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána under Section 33 of the Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024, which includes all operational policing matters and the distribution and stationing of Garda personnel, including opening hours of Garda Stations, throughout the State. The Commissioner is independent in the performance of his functions under Section 34 of the Act and, as Minister, I have no role in these independent functions.
In the interest of transparency, information in relation to the opening hours of individual Garda Stations is publicly available and can be found at the following link. www.garda.ie/en/contact-us/station-directory/.
The Deputy may wish to note that within the Dublin Metropolitan Region (DMR) there are a total of eight Garda Stations in DMR West, six of which operate 24/7 and a total of six Garda Stations in DMR East, five of which operate 24/7.
In relation to Garda stations which are not open to the public on a 24/7 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
Questions (512)
Paul Donnelly
Question:512. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the up-to-date Garda members and rank for both the Dublin west and Dún Laoghaire areas. [64737/25]
View answerWritten answers
In the interest of transparency, information in relation to the allocation of Gardaí by Division, Station and rank, including for the Dublin West and Dún Laoghaire areas, is publicly available and can be found at the following link: www.garda.ie/en/about-us/our-departments/human-resources-and-people-development/garda-hr-directorate/garda-strength-breakdown-2025/.
The Deputy should select the current month and access the file titled “Garda Members by Division District Station 2009 to the most recent date” for a breakdown of total Garda numbers by Garda station going back to 2009.
Departmental Funding
Questions (513)
Shane Moynihan
Question:513. Deputy Shane Moynihan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if his Department provided funding for an organisation (details supplied). [64938/25]
View answerWritten answers
At the outset, it is important to note that, as Minister, I do not comment on individual Immigrant Investor Programme (IIP) applications.
I can advise you that further details concerning the processing of outstanding IIP applications is published on the Immigration Service website of my Department, including an FAQ document. Both can be accessed at the following link: www.irishimmigration.ie/processing-of-iip-applications-on-hand-following-the-closure-of-the-programme/.
If a project owner has any queries, they can contact the IIP Unit directly.
Youth Work Projects
Questions (514)
John Connolly
Question:514. Deputy John Connolly asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of youth diversion projects operating in County Galway; the staffing cohort associated with each project; the number of participants at each project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [65009/25]
View answerWritten answers
The Government is committed to improving outcomes for young people at risk of a life of criminality through investment in evidence-based youth justice services.
Youth Diversion Projects (YDPs) are community-based multi-agency crime prevention initiatives, which seek to divert young people who have become involved in crime or antisocial behaviour and to support wider preventative work within the community and with families at risk. They provide an invaluable support to complement the work of An Garda Síochána in addressing youth crime and protecting local communities. I was very pleased to secure additional funding to underpin their nationwide coverage in Budget 2026.
I can advise that a total of 18 Full Time Equivalent (FTE) Youth Justice Workers are currently employed in three YDPs in Galway. A breakdown is provided for each YDP in the table below. Also provided is the number of participants who engaged with each of the YDPs in Galway in 2024. Figures for 2025 will be available next year.
|
Location |
Total YDP Worker (FTE) |
Number of Participants 2024 |
|
Corrib YDP (Galway City and West (BÁN and Meas)) |
8.00 |
35 |
|
Junction YDP, Ballinasloe |
6.00 |
26 |
|
Treo Nua YDP, Tuam |
4.00 |
29 |
An Garda Síochána
Questions (515)
John Connolly
Question:515. Deputy John Connolly asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of Garda officers, by rank, attached to all Garda stations within the Galway Garda division in 2023, 2024 and 2025; the number of Garda officers who retired from Garda stations in the Galway division in 2023, 2024 and 2025, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [65011/25]
View answerWritten answers
The Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána under Section 33 of the Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024, which includes the distribution and stationing of Garda personnel throughout the State.
In the interest of transparency, An Garda Síochána publishes information in relation to the allocation of Gardaí nationally, including a breakdown of Garda divisions and stations in Galway. This can be found at the following link: www.garda.ie/en/about-us/our-departments/human-resources-and-people-development/garda-hr-directorate/garda-strength-breakdown-2025/.
The Deputy should select the most recently available date and then select the file titled ‘Garda Members by Division District Station to the most recent date".
In respect of retirements within the Galway Garda Division, the figures below, provided by Garda authorities, outline the number of retirements in the years 2023, 2024, and up to 31 August 2025.
|
2023 |
17 |
|
2024 |
15 |
|
2025 (as at 31 August) |
6 |
An Garda Síochána
Questions (516)
John Connolly
Question:516. Deputy John Connolly asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of Garda cars and vans attached to each Garda district within the Galway division in 2024 and to date in 2025, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [65012/25]
View answerWritten answers
The Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána under the Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024, which includes the allocation and deployment of Garda resources throughout the State.
For the Deputy’s information, An Garda Síochána publishes detailed information on the Garda fleet from 2008 to date. Information in relation to the number of Garda cars and vans attached to the Galway Division is publicly available and can be found at the following link: www.garda.ie/en/about-us/our-departments/finance-services/finance-fleet-management.html.
The Deputy should select Finance Fleet Management and access the file titled “Fleet Management Report October 2025” for a breakdown of Garda vehicles as of 31 October 2025.
The purchase and allocation of vehicles by An Garda Síochána is made on the basis of identified operational demands, the availability of resources and is reviewed on a continual basis.
An Garda Síochána
Questions (517)
John Connolly
Question:517. Deputy John Connolly asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of traffic offences recorded in each Garda division under section 3 of the Road Traffic Act 2006, in each of the years 2022 to 2024, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [65017/25]
View answerWritten answers
Section 3 of the Road Traffic Act 2006 prohibits holding a mobile phone while driving a mechanically propelled vehicle in a public place.
I am advised by the Garda authorities that the below table provides a breakdown, by year and Garda Division, of the number of Fixed Charge Notices issued for the offence of driving while holding a mobile phone. The offences are broken down by the year in which the offence was committed.
|
Division |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
|
Clare/Tipperary |
1,232 |
1,264 |
1,368 |
|
Cork City |
1,167 |
1,145 |
1,110 |
|
Cork County |
729 |
749 |
1,254 |
|
D.M.R. Eastern |
450 |
336 |
508 |
|
D.M.R. North Central |
625 |
590 |
960 |
|
D.M.R. Northern |
957 |
831 |
1,087 |
|
D.M.R. South Central |
580 |
569 |
851 |
|
D.M.R. Southern |
582 |
518 |
802 |
|
D.M.R. Western |
1,213 |
1,038 |
1,548 |
|
Donegal |
344 |
362 |
295 |
|
Galway |
736 |
1,320 |
1,214 |
|
Kerry |
805 |
1,198 |
929 |
|
Kildare/Carlow |
1,604 |
1,539 |
1946 |
|
Laois/Offaly |
771 |
710 |
744 |
|
Limerick |
886 |
1,199 |
1,185 |
|
Louth/Cavan/Monaghan |
771 |
889 |
1,040 |
|
Mayo/Roscommon/Longford |
1,206 |
1,238 |
1,317 |
|
Meath/Westmeath |
1,430 |
1,106 |
975 |
|
Sligo/Leitrim |
171 |
237 |
300 |
|
Waterford/Kilkenny |
1,242 |
1,216 |
1,387 |
|
Wexford/Wicklow |
1,108 |
1,052 |
1,068 |
|
Total |
18,609 |
19,106 |
21,888 |
The above figures are based on incidents occurring from 1 January 2022 to 31 December 2024, inclusive. This information is based upon operational data from the Fixed Charge Processing System which was available on 18 November 2025.
International Protection
Questions (518)
Pearse Doherty
Question:518. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the total number of receipt hosts and persons benefitting from accommodation under the accommodation recognition payment, by county; the number of new entrants into the scheme each month since January 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [65038/25]
View answerWritten answers
The Accommodation Recognition Payment (ARP) is a monthly payment of €600 available to those providing accommodation to a person or people who arrived in Ireland under the EU Temporary Protection Directive.
Since the scheme launched in July 2022 to 16 November 2025, over €395m has been paid to almost 26,800 recipients in respect of hosting over 61,300 temporary protection beneficiaries. As of 16 November 2025, over 17,500 hosts are accommodating almost 41,400 temporary protection beneficiaries in approx. 23,100 properties supported by the ARP.
A statistical summary of current claim activity by county is provided in the attachment below.
The information sought by the Deputy in relation to new entrants to the scheme each month since January 2023 is not available in the format requested and it is not readily available within the timeframe allowed. I will write to the Deputy directly with further statistical information once it is to hand.
International Protection
Questions (519)
Carol Nolan
Question:519. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of international protection accommodation centres currently not in possession of a fire safety certificate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [65042/25]
View answerWritten answers
The safety and well-being of all residents in International Protection accommodation is the highest priority for the Department and fire safety is a critical requirement for all accommodation centres.
The Department does not routinely collate data in the manner requested in the question, but all international protection accommodation centres are subject to inspections each year through either Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) or IPAS-commissioned inspections.
The IPAS inspection regime is a key mechanism for ensuring that all providers adhere to their contractual obligations, which explicitly include full compliance with all statutory fire and building control regulations.
Correct fire safety certification, in line with relevant Local Authority requirements, is also a priority aspect of the appraisal process for all international protection accommodation centres.
It is a mandatory requirement for any new or renewed contract for accommodation for international protection applicants.
Reports from IPAS inspections are published on gov.ie: www.gov.ie/en/international-protection-accommodation-services-ipas/publications/ipas-inspection-reports/.
HIQA inspection reports can be found on the HIQA website: www.hiqa.ie/reports-and-publications/inspection-reports.
IPAS also carries out unannounced inspection compliance visits which ensure adherence to established IPAS policies, procedures, and standards, by the contracted service provider.
It is important to note that a published inspection report is a snapshot in time, reflecting the findings on the day of the inspection. The report itself is not updated with subsequent actions.
Therefore, while a report may highlight deficiencies, the formal follow-up actions, remedial works, or photographic proof of resolution provided by the contractor are handled after the report is issued, as part of the compliance process.
Official Engagements
Questions (520)
Darren O'Rourke
Question:520. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if he has spoken formally with his Australian counterpart in the past six months. [65045/25]
View answerWritten answers
I can confirm that I have not spoken formally with my Australian counterpart in the past six months.