Edward Timmins
Question:126. Deputy Edward Timmins asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the strategies in place, and planned, to deal with cyber-crime; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [66708/25]
View answerCybersecurity Policy
Questions (126)
Written answers
My Department is responsible for developing policy in relation to cybercrime and coordinating a range of different cyber initiatives at national and international level.
In particular, work is currently ongoing to implement the EU e-Evidence Package. This is comprised of Directive (EU) 2023/1544 and Regulation (EU) 2023/1543, which sets out a cross-border framework for accessing electronic evidence (subscriber, traffic and content data) held by online and electronic communications service providers during specific criminal investigations in the EU. Once implemented, this will allow authorities in one EU Member State to issue an order to produce electronic evidence to a service provider based in another EU Member State. Implementation of this package is significant, and will have a major impact on Ireland and other EU Member State’s ability to ensure effective access to digital evidence in tackling serious crime, including cybercrime.
Ireland also remains committed to the ratification of the Council of Europe Convention on Cybercrime (‘Budapest Convention’). A significant number of requirements of the Convention have already been met by the Criminal Justice (Offences Relating to Information Systems) Act 2017. The remaining articles of the Convention will be addressed by two legislative projects that are currently being progressed.
Ireland also recently signed the United Nations Convention against Cybercrime in Hanoi, Vietnam on 25 October 2025. Participation in instruments such as these enable us to improve our ability to tackle cybercrime and cyber enabled crimes, by providing the legal mechanisms and tools which enhance co-operation between law enforcement authorities across jurisdictions.
As of 31 October 2025 there were 72 members of An Garda Síochána attached to the Garda National Cyber Crime Bureau. The Bureau plays a key role as the national Garda unit tasked with the forensic examinations of computer and mobile devices that have been seized during the course of any criminal investigations.
Another important role of the Bureau is the investigation of cyber dependent crimes that target significant or complex attacks on computer systems, corporate networks or critical national infrastructures. The Bureau also provides cyber safety and prevention advice to all sectors of industry and the community on the current and emerging risks to online activity and personal or sensitive data. This comes from its liaison with law enforcement colleagues across the globe, academia and industry partners on ways to identify crime trends.
The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) came under the remit of my Department in June of this year, as per this Government’s commitment to ensuring the proper alignment of our national security infrastructure. The 2026 budget for the NCSC has increased by over 50% to €12 million.
The NCSC and An Garda Síochána actively collaborate in relation to cyber incidents that are also cybercrimes as defined by the Criminal Justice (Offences Relating To Information Systems) Act 2017 and related laws. There are existing information sharing arrangements between NCSC and An Garda Síochána to share cyber intelligence. The organisations also work together to promote awareness of cyber risks among businesses and individuals. Work is underway to formalise the operational relationship, including the secondment of Gardaí to the NCSC by way of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).
Ireland’s second National Cyber Security Strategy, published in 2019, came to a close at the end of 2024. Preparations for the successor strategy are underway in my Department. I expect to be in a position to publish the Third National Cyber Security Strategy early in 2026.
Hospital Services
Questions (127, 134, 363, 367)
Michael Murphy
Question:127. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the specific timelines, actions and responsibilities in place across his Department, the Department of Health and the HSE to secure ongoing coronial post-mortem capacity in University Hospital Waterford (details supplied); if he will ensure that the existing modern mortuary facilities at UHW continue to be used; the status of the collaborative process initiated with the Minister for Health to resolve this matter before 1 January 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [65228/25]
View answerMichael Murphy
Question:134. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if he will provide an update on the urgent discussions referenced in his written reply of 22 October 2025 regarding the planned discontinuation of coronial post-mortems at University Hospital Waterford from 1 January 2026; the interim arrangements which have been agreed for counties Waterford, Wexford, Kilkenny, Tipperary and Carlow; and the way in which his Department plans to ensure that bereaved families in the south-east are not subjected to further delays or distress as a result of these changes. [65227/25]
View answerMichael Murphy
Question:363. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the specific timelines, actions and responsibilities now in place across his Department, the Department of Health and the HSE to secure ongoing coronial post-mortem capacity in the region (details supplied); if he will ensure that the existing modern mortuary facilities at UHW continue to be used; and his views on the status of the collaborative process he has initiated with the Minister for Health to resolve this matter before 1 January 2026. [68837/25]
View answerMichael Murphy
Question:367. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if he will provide an update on the interdepartmental discussions and collaborative efforts underway between his Department, the Department of Health, the HSE, and University Hospital Waterford in relation to the continuation of coronial post-mortem services for the southeast region; if he will outline the progress made since his previous statement to the House in October towards securing the retention of a local and timely service beyond 1 January 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60926/25]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 127, 134, 363 and 367 together.
Coroners are independent office holders, and my Department has no role in directing their work during the death investigation function. Neither does the Department have any role in relation to the work of pathologists who, as clinicians, undertake postmortem examinations on the direction of a coroner.
Policy and operational responsibilities for the provision of postmortem examination services to support the work of the Coroner Service is supported by several departments and agencies. My Department is responsible for the legislation underpinning the work of coroners, while the provision of the postmortem examination service is largely provided through the health service and its personnel. It is important to clarify that pathologists, other than forensic pathologists in the Office of the State Pathologist, are not contracted to either my Department, or to coroners.
Where a coroner deems a postmortem examination to be required, the coroner concerned will arrange the post-mortem examination to be conducted as expeditiously as possible to ensure timely release of remains to the next of kin of the deceased. Depending on the circumstances of the death, a post-mortem examination will be carried out by a pathologist or, in state forensic cases, by the Office of the State Pathologist.
My Department is aware that securing the provision of the postmortem service for the coronial death investigation function is challenging and I have been engaging with the Minister for Health to address the reasons behind these challenges.
I am advised that there are issues arising with respect to the performance of port-mortems within the pathology profession generally, including relating to training and recruitment, as well as competing demands on pathologists in areas of diagnostic and research work and I acknowledge those concerns.
With this in mind, my Department in April 2022 established a ‘Standing Committee on the Provision of Coroner Directed postmortem examination services', membership of which consists of representatives from the Department of Health, the Health Service Executive, the Office of the State Pathologist, An Garda Síochána, the Coroners Society of Ireland, the Department of Housing, Local Authorities and Heritage and the Faculty of Pathology, Royal College of Physicians Ireland as well as my Department. While this committee is an important forum with appropriate membership to discuss issues in relation to the autopsy service, I am conscious that the situation in University Hospital Waterford has reached a critical juncture, and an urgent solution is required.
Following a recent meeting in UHW attended by representatives of these parties and officials in my Department, I am advised that the pathologists employed at that location have indicated that they are not available to carry out post-mortems. On foot of this my Department has been engaging with locum pathologists with a view to agreeing a solution to the situation in UHW from 1 January next. This approach is an unfortunate necessity to minimise any impact on bereaved family members who are engaging with the Coroner Service. However, a long-term sustainable solution is nevertheless required, whereby locum pathologists are not relied upon to provide the autopsy service, and instead this service to the community is provided from within the pathology profession in Ireland generally.
Departmental Schemes
Questions (128)
Matt Carthy
Question:128. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration when legislation to place the Criminal Injuries Compensation Tribunal on a statutory footing will be introduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [68325/25]
View answerWritten answers
The Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme continues to play an important and significant role in providing practical support by way of monetary compensation to victims of violent crime. The Government is committed to reforming the Scheme, including by placing it on a statutory footing as provided for in the Programme for Government, and work is currently being advanced in relation to this.
In 2021, the then Government agreed to introduce a revised Scheme and a number of immediate reforms were introduced. This was acknowledged as a first step toward improving the operation of the Scheme. Following this, an inter-departmental working group was established, which is chaired by my Department, to examine matters pertaining to further reform of the Scheme including placing it on a statutory footing.
While this work is continuing, the Law Reform Commission (LRC) is examining the broader topic of victim compensation as part of its Fifth Programme of Law Reform. I understand that the LRC is expected to report shortly.
Reform of the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme will need to take into account a recent judgment in the Court of Justice of the European Union.
My Department is considering the implications of this judgment and I expect to bring forward amendments to the Scheme in due course.
An Garda Síochána
Questions (129)
Thomas Gould
Question:129. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of Gardaí who have retired or left the force in Cork to date in 2025, and the number of new Gardaí assigned. [67569/25]
View answerWritten answers
I have been provided with the following table by the Garda authorities which outlines the number of Retirements and Resignations in Cork County and Cork City Divisions in 2025, as of the end of October 2025.
Figures include Voluntary, Compulsory, Cost Neutral Early Retirements, and Resignations.
|
Departure type |
Cork City |
Cork County |
Total |
|
Voluntary Retirement |
6 |
7 |
13 |
|
Compulsory Retirement |
1 |
1 |
2 |
|
Cost Neutral Early Retirement |
1 |
0 |
1 |
|
Resignation |
10 |
3 |
13 |
|
Grand Total |
18 |
11 |
29 |
I can inform the Deputy that between 2020 and so far in 2025, 219 Probationer Gardaí have been assigned to Garda Divisions in Cork. There have been a total of 62 new Gardaí assigned to Cork City Division and 14 to Cork County Division from January 2025 to the end of November 2025. The allocation of 36 new Gardaí to Cork City from the November attestation is supporting the new high visibility policing initiative launched by An Garda Síochána on 24 November.
The Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution and stationing of Garda personnel throughout the State under section 33 of the Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024.
In the interest of transparency, An Garda Síochána publishes detailed breakdowns on the allocation of Gardaí by Division, Station and rank. This information is updated on a monthly basis. 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/.
To access these figures the Deputy should select the Garda Workforce figures for the latest month and access the file titled “Garda members by Division District Station 2009 to the latest date” for a breakdown of Gardaí by Garda station going back to 2009.
In relation to the number of Probationer Gardaí assigned to a Division from the Garda College, Templemore, the Deputy should use the link provided and select the file titled 'Allocation of Probationer Gardaí by Division and Station 2015 to present'.
International Protection
Questions (130)
Joe Neville
Question:130. Deputy Joe Neville asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if his Department will consider introducing legislation which requires all owners of IPAS centres to be legally required to declare and confirm their beneficial ownership as part of any IPAS application to provide accommodation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [68425/25]
View answerWritten answers
The Department is already taking action across all aspects of the international protection accommodation system to improve value for money, strengthen governance and compliance, and renegotiate contracts with providers.
This forms part of an overall reform of the International Protection system that is already working to speed up processing of applications and to move away from commercial provision to more State-owned accommodation.
The Department receives offers of international protection accommodation on an ongoing basis from external commercial providers. All offers are reviewed by the Department under a standardised appraisal procedure.
A dedicated team appraises each offer to accommodate people seeking international protection, and the Department carries out due diligence on the provider who is offering the accommodation service.
This includes checks on the provider offering the service to the Department via the Companies Registration Office (CRO) to ensure compliance with CRO requirements.
Providers must be registered in Ireland. Providers may be part of wider commercial groups and may also be operating in other EU member states, in line with EU principles of free movement of goods, services, and works.
Since 2024, each new or renewing provider of accommodation services must provide a declaration of their personal circumstances. This declaration, which must be notarised, confirms that they are tax compliant, free of any convictions for corruption, fraud or being a member of a criminal organisation. It also confirms that they are solvent and have no history of failing to meet terms of public service contracts, among other requirements.
Today’s standards of pre-contract assessments and negotiations could not be applied to all the accommodation that had to be sourced at pace from 2022 to 2024 during an unprecedented surge in demand.
Applications this year have reduced, and this has given sufficient space to put in place greater controls over the IPAS accommodation portfolio. A range of updated systems and procedures have been put in place and are already having an impact. IPAS has put improved processes in place for appraisal, validation, contracting and payments. A new rate-card pricing structure is being applied to all new or renewing contracts and has already provided savings of over €59m since May 2025.
I am satisfied that the current process in place allows the Department to comprehensively review the provider making an offer of accommodation, and to engage in appropriate contracts that protect State interest.
I am confident that the improvements brought into operation within this process since earlier this year have allowed the State to regain greater control over the accommodation system, and will continue to do so as reform continues.
Northern Ireland
Questions (131)
Brendan Smith
Question:131. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the likely timeline for the introduction of legislation following the publication of the legacy framework; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [66604/25]
View answerWritten answers
The Deputy is referring to the Joint Framework on the Legacy of the Troubles agreed with the British Government and announced on 19 September last and formally approved by Government on 1 October. The Joint Framework provides routes to truth and accountability for those most affected by the violence of the Troubles. It reflects the Government's commitment to play our full part in legacy processes and to address the legacy of the conflict in this jurisdiction.
As part of this, the Government has committed to putting into place the arrangements necessary to facilitate the fullest possible cooperation with the Legacy Commission, once established. The UK Government has also committed to reciprocal cooperation on the same basis and in the same spirit. Legislation is required in both jurisdictions to support the full implementation of our respective commitments.
At the British Irish Intergovernmental Conference on 17 November, the Tánaiste and I had a productive discussion with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland on progress on this matter. I welcomed the introduction of the Northern Ireland Troubles Bill in the UK Parliament on 14 October which has since undergone its Second Reading, and stated my commitment to bringing forward the necessary legislation to support implementation in jurisdiction, in particular, cooperation with the Legacy Commission processes.
While our legislation can only be published and proceed through the Houses once the UK Bill is in place I hope to be in a position to publish my proposals next Spring and to be in a position to bring them before the Houses as quickly as possible once the UK Bill is law. My intention at that point would be to support its passage through the Houses as a priority having regard to the timeline for the Legacy Commission to become operational.
Question No. 132 taken with No. 110.
Question No. 133 taken with No. 119.
Question No. 134 taken with No. 127.
Asylum Seekers
Questions (135)
Paul Murphy
Question:135. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the action he will take to stop forcing homeless asylum seekers to sleep rough over the winter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [68247/25]
View answerWritten answers
Ireland is currently accommodating almost 33,000 people seeking international protection in nearly 320 International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) centres around the country.
Extensive challenges were posed to the State in sourcing international protection accommodation during an unprecedented surge in applications from 2022 to 2024. Many of the impacts of this surge period remain in place at this time, though significant change is underway.
During this period, over 45,000 additional international protection applicants arrived in Ireland. Prior to this, a typical 3-year period would have seen close to 8,000 or 9,000 arrivals.
During the surge period, the State urgently sourced over 26,000 beds for international protection applicants, and in parallel, up to 60,000 beds for people fleeing the war in Ukraine.
From the end of 2023, accommodation shortages meant that not all applicants could be offered an accommodation place.
There is ongoing pressure on availability of accommodation in the international protection system, particularly in accommodation for single male applicants, with new arrivals each week. IPAS remains unable to make an offer to all single male applicants, as the limited number of available beds must be available as contingency for those who are most vulnerable on arrival.
People who are not offered accommodation are given a weekly allowance of €113.80 per week, an increase of €75 from the standard weekly allowance for asylum-seekers
IPAS has arrangements in place with a range of NGO partners to provide drop-in day services so people can access facilities including hot showers, meals and laundry services.
IPAS teams can currently make offers of accommodation to any applicant who is rough-sleeping, identified through outreach that is organised seven days a week.
While the demand for IPAS accommodation remains very high, the rate of increase in new applications for international protection has reduced since October 2024. This means that since March 2025, IPAS has been able to review the cases of people who are awaiting an offer of accommodation and make offers to those who have been waiting longest.
The review has reduced the number of unaccommodated people from over 3,500 in March to 613 in October 2025.
Depending on availability of spaces and numbers of new applicants, it is hoped to continue to make offers of accommodation to more people over the coming weeks and months.
Updated information on unaccommodated international protection applicants is published online at Gov.ie.
www.gov.ie/en/department-of-justice-home-affairs-and-migration/publications/statistics-on-international-protection-applicants-not-offered-accommodation/?referrer=https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/e202e-statistics-on-international-protection-applicants-not-offered-accommodation/.
Domestic Violence
Questions (136)
Cathy Bennett
Question:136. 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. [68505/25]
View answerWritten 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 safe accommodation across the country.
Following a request from me, Cuan worked with services and partners to assess and review progress and identify a series of actions to accelerate delivery of safe accommodation to meet the needs of those fleeing violence.
On foot of this review, completed in spring 2025, and following agreement with me, the following will be delivered:
• 52 new family refuge units by the end of 2026
• 45 new safe homes by the end of 2026
• 50 new units under construction by the end of 2026.
Therefore by the end of 2026 it is envisaged that 94 safe homes and 193 refuge units will be completed bringing total safe accommodation to 287, with 50 further refuge units under construction.
On Tuesday, 14 October, I confirmed that a funding application for the development of a refuge in the Cavan and Monaghan region has successfully passed the first stage. The new refuge facility will include 12 independent units of refuge accommodation, along with essential ancillary services, thereby strengthening domestic violence support in the region.
The refuge’s Capital Assistance Scheme Stage 1 application was approved by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. Work is ongoing towards submitting a Stage 2 application, which will include further detail and costings on the full extent of works that will be required.
Cuan is also working with both Monaghan and Cavan County Councils to progress the delivery of Safe Homes in each county in 2026. Cuan has agreed to allocate additional resources to Safe Ireland to support it in expanding its services to provide both emergency refuge and safe home accommodation and there is a 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 safe accommodation, 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.
An Garda Síochána
Questions (137)
Albert Dolan
Question:137. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the current staffing levels at Athenry Garda station. [67869/25]
View answerWritten answers
The Garda Commissioner is responsible under section 33 of the Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024 for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána, which includes the distribution and stationing of Garda personnel throughout the State. The Commissioner is independent in his functions under section 34 of the Act and, as Minister, I have no role in these independent functions.
I am advised by the Garda authorities that there is currently one Sergeant and six Gardaí permanently allocated to Athenry Garda Station.
In the interest of transparency, information in relation to the allocation of Gardaí by Division, Station and rank, and Garda Staff by Division and Station, including for Athenry Garda station, 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 most recent 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.
The Deputy should select the most recent month and access the file titled “Garda Staff by Division and Station to the most recent date” for a breakdown of total Gardaí numbers going back to 2010.
Asylum Seekers
Questions (138)
Paul Murphy
Question:138. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if he has concerns for the safety of homeless asylum seekers in light of racist attacks; the action he will take to protect them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [68248/25]
View answerWritten answers
The Government is determined to stamp out hate-motivated crimes and to protect vulnerable communities.
The Criminal Justice (Hate Offences) Act 2024 came into effect at the start of this year. The new legislation provides for increased prison sentences for certain crimes, where they are proven to be motivated by hatred, or where hatred is demonstrated based on the identity of the victims.
I can assure the Deputy that An Garda Síochána takes hate crime very seriously. Every hate crime reported to An Garda Síochána is professionally investigated and victims supported during the criminal justice process.
An Garda Síochána has an extensive network of nearly 600 trained Garda Diversity Officers who can engage with communities and individuals on a daily basis to provide them with re-assurance and address issues of concern for them. Gardaí also actively engage with representative and advocacy groups to support minority and diverse communities in Ireland.
There is ongoing pressure on availability of accommodation in the international protection system, particularly in accommodation for single male applicants, with new arrivals each week. IPAS remains unable to make an offer to all single male applicants, as the limited number of available beds must be available as contingency for those who are most vulnerable on arrival.
People who are not offered accommodation on arrival are given an enhanced weekly payment, an additional €75 per week compared to those who are offered accommodation.
IPAS has put arrangements in place with a range of NGO partners to provide drop-in day services so people can access facilities including hot showers, meals and laundry services.
IPAS can currently make offers of accommodation to any applicant who is rough-sleeping, identified through outreach that is organised 7 days a week.
Since March 2025, IPAS has been able to review the cases of people who are awaiting an offer of accommodation and make retrospective offers to those who have been waiting longest. The review has reduced the number of unaccommodated people from over 3,500 in March to 613 in October 2025.
Depending on the availability of accommodation, it is hoped that these offers can continue to be made to those without an offer of accommodation.
Departmental Policies
Questions (139)
Keira Keogh
Question:139. Deputy Keira Keogh asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the steps his Department is taking to protect minority communities from discrimination; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [68172/25]
View answerWritten answers
The Government is determined to stamp out hate-motivated crimes and to protect minority communities. This is being actively achieved through legislation, policy and the provision of supports.
As the Deputy will be aware, certain protections from discrimination are under the remit of other Ministers, for example in the areas of employment and equal status law and policy.
Insofar as my Department is concerned, the Criminal Justice (Hate Offences) Act 2024 came into effect at the start of this year. The new legislation provides for increased prison sentences for certain crimes, where they are proven to be motivated by hatred, or where hatred is demonstrated based on the identity of the victims.
Every hate crime reported to An Garda Síochána is professionally and thoroughly investigated and victims supported during the criminal justice process.
An Garda Síochána has an extensive network of nearly 600 trained Garda Diversity Officers who can engage with communities and individuals on a daily basis to provide them with re-assurance and address issues of concern for them. Gardaí also actively engage with representative and advocacy groups to support minority and diverse communities in Ireland.
On a policy level, Ireland’s National Action Plan Against Racism (NAPAR) represents a national level, State-led, co-ordinated approach to eliminating racism in all its forms in Ireland. It is intended that the actions will have a significant positive impact on all minority ethnic communities and faith-based groups.
In addition to the above, the Department administers a series of funds to support anti-racism and integration initiatives in sectors and communities across the country.
I am delighted to announce today that 37 projects are set to receive over €1.5m in funding under the Ireland Against Racism Fund 2025, ensuring that both local and national organisations can carry out valuable and much-needed projects to promote cohesion and equality across our communities.
The Integration Fund supports organisations to carry out integration projects at a national, regional or local level. Organisations eligible to apply include local community groups, charities, faith-based groups, formal and informal schools and cultural organisations.
The Fund combines two previously run funds – the International Protection Integration Fund (IPIF) and the Communities Integration Fund (CIF). Since their inception, both funds have provided close to €10m in funding to over 1,000 projects across the country, and 2025 awards were recently announced.
Finally, the Programme for Government 2025 provides a commitment to developing a new Migration and Integration Strategy for Ireland, detailing how we intend to meet the demands and the opportunities facing our society and economy over the next decade. Work is well advanced on this project, with a view to the Strategy being launched next year.
Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence
Questions (140)
Grace Boland
Question:140. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if multi-annual funding commitments will be provided to ensure the sustainability of new refuges, including staffing and wraparound supports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [68350/25]
View answerWritten answers
Combatting all forms of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence (DSGBV) and ensuring that victims and survivors have access to the support and services they need remain absolute priorities.
This Government has taken unprecedented actions to tackle DSGBV. Funding has been increased to almost €80m under Budget 2026 to support Cuan and services working to tackle these crimes, and the implementation of the Zero Tolerance Strategy. This represents an increase of €12m year on year.
This year, Cuan is funding 78 organisations across Ireland. This includes refuge and safe home services, as well as national organisations such as Women’s Aid and Dublin Rape Crisis Centre. In addition, organisations that provide a range of specialised supports, such as Men’s Development Network, MOVE, Pavee Point, Ruhama and Akidwa, will be operational across many counties nationally.
Cuan recognises the burden that having to apply for funding annually places on services. However, multi-annual funding arrangements are not available in respect of current expenditure budgets. Annual current expenditure allocations continue to be made through the annual Estimates process, subject to approval by the Oireachtas.
Cuan is working to ease the administrative burden on services by introducing practical measures that allow annual applications to carry over information from the previous year. Funding to services will increase in 2026 as an outcome of the funding received through Budget 2026. Cuan will be monitoring service activity across all DSGBV funded services, and this monitoring will identify increases in service provision.
Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence
Questions (141)
Naoise Ó Muirí
Question:141. Deputy Naoise Ó Muirí asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if he will outline his Department’s progress in introducing specialised judges to handle domestic, sexual, and gender-based violence cases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [68145/25]
View answerWritten answers
Ensuring that our justice system can respond effectively to domestic, sexual and gender-based violence (DSGBV) is a key priority for the Government. It is important that frontline professionals across the sector, including the judiciary, have the skills and understanding of DSGBV to equip them with the necessary expertise they require.
Cuan, the Domestic, Sexual and Gender Based Violence Agency, has worked with the Judicial Council to develop an action on judicial training under the Prosecution Pillar of the Zero Tolerance Strategy to combat DSGBV.
As part of its statutory remit, the Judicial Council will provide continuous professional learning to judges to include DSGBV and family law throughout 2025 and 2026; and will engage where appropriate with relevant agencies. Currently, the Judicial Council delivers training to judges on domestic and sexual violence, including on trauma-informed approaches, and coercive control. The Judicial Council is also responsible for developing relevant education and training to meet the emerging requirements of Family Court judges and DSGBV.
In addition to training for the judiciary, the 2025-2026 Zero Tolerance Implementation Plan outlines a programme of mandatory DSGBV training for those working in family law, including technical skills and further specialist training depending on the role. It is intended that this action will develop and train the family justice workforce to ensure it is trauma-informed, empathetic and responsive to the needs of all users of the family justice system, including children and survivors of DSGBV.
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 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.
In September, 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.
Taken together, these two sets of appointments represent an increase of approximately 25% in the number of Judges in Ireland. These reforms will ensure that Ireland's family justice system begins to work better for everyone engaging with it.
Legislative Measures
Questions (142)
Sean Fleming
Question:142. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of convictions under the Harassment, Harmful Communications and Related Offences Act 2020 to date in 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [68336/25]
View answerWritten answers
The Harassment, Harmful Communications and Related Offences Act 2020, also known as Coco’s Law, was enacted in 2021. This Act provides for offences relating to the recording, distribution or publication of intimate images and for the anonymity of victims of those offences; and for an offence involving the distribution, publication or sending of threatening or grossly offensive communications.
The Act creates a serious offence of distribution or publication of an intimate image without consent with intent to cause harm to the victim, attracting a maximum penalty of up to 7 years imprisonment. The Act also makes it an offence to threaten to distribute or publish such an image. It also provides for a strict liability offence, with a lower penalty, for engaging in the recording, distribution or publication of an intimate image without consent, with no requirement to prove an intention to cause harm.
To be of assistance, I have had enquiries made with the Courts Service and I am advised that there has been a total of 25 convictions recorded in the period 1 January 2025 to 30 September 2025 in the District Court, for offences contrary to the Harassment, Harmful Communications and Related Offences Act 2020. I am further informed that the Courts Service can only provide data in relation to offence codes used by prosecutors. Prosecutors may have used uncoded free text offences and, therefore, any such offences would not be included in the data provided.
The Court Service has also advised that many of the offences under the Harassment, Harmful Communications and Related Offences Act 2020 have been sent forward for trial from the District Court to a higher court. At this time, the system in use by the Courts Service for the Circuit and Central Criminal Courts cannot produce reports for specific offences.
Separately, an operational review of the legislation, published in autumn of last year, carried out by my Department, found positive early indicators in terms of prosecutions taken, the number of reports of intimate image abuse made, and general awareness of the legislation. While the review concluded that it was too soon to make sweeping generalisations, particularly as it can take some time for cases to proceed through the system, it is clear from this review that the legislation has had a beneficial impact.
The review can be read here: www.gov.ie/en/publication/dd498-review-of-harassment-harmful-communications-and-related-offences-act-2020.
Crime Prevention
Questions (143)
Pádraig O'Sullivan
Question:143. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if he will provide an update on the youth diversion programmes in place in Cork north central; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [66425/25]
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The statutory Youth Diversion Programme is supported by a network of Youth Diversion Projects (YDPs). 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.
There are currently nine YDPs in operation across County Cork as outlined below.
• Bandon YDP
• Cloyne Mobile YDP
• Cork City East YDP
• Cork City Northside YDP
• Cork City South YDP
• Feabhas YDP
• Mallow YDP
• West Cork YDP
• Youghal YDP
Each of these YDPs do invaluable work both for the young people who participate in the projects and for their communities more broadly.
In 2024, YDPs in County Cork engaged with a total of 436 participants at risk of participating in or engaged in criminality.
A top priority for my Department has been the expansion and deepening of the services offered to young people by the YDPs, which are funded by my Department and run by community-based organisations. On average, the YDPs engage with about 4,000 young people across the State in any one year.
Additional funding of €7.3 million has been allocated under Budget 2026 for Youth Justice initiatives.
This will facilitate an increase in the availability of YDP services in the evenings and at the weekends when many young people need them the most.
It will also facilitate an increase in supports for families, interventions for typically hard-to-reach young people and early interventions for 8-11 year olds who may be at increased risk of becoming engaged in criminal activity.
The programmes offered by 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.
Question No. 144 taken with No. 112.