Written Answers Nos. 493-501
493. Deputy Conor Sheehan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the timeframe for implementation of the recommendations of the report into the review of the operation of the in camera rule in family law proceedings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [71178/25]
View answer494. Deputy Conor Sheehan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration his views on transparency orders under the family court reporting pilot, as introduced in England and Wales; if he has given consideration to introducing these in Ireland, notwithstanding that they were not included as a recommendation in the report into the review of the operation of the in camera rule in family law proceedings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [71179/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 493 and 494 together.
Ensuring transparency and promoting a greater understanding of the family law system is critical to maintaining and building trust in it. At the same time, those who seek the assistance of the Courts in resolving their family justice disputes need to be assured that their privacy, and that of their children, will be maintained at what can be very difficult times for them. In recognising the need for a balance between these two positions, the Family Justice Strategy committed to undertaking a review the operation of the in-camera rule in family law proceedings.
Further to this commitment, an independent research report was published in the operation of the rule in May 2025. The report contains 21 recommendations. These include the need to retitle the rule to ensure its purpose is understood by all family court users; that it is clearly and consistently defined; and that its operation does not impede parties accessing support outside Court. A number of the recommendations also related to the promotion of greater transparency, while ensuring that the privacy of those seeking the court’s help, as well as any children about whom proceedings relate, is protected.
Officials from my Department are currently considering the findings and recommendations of the report in the context of development policy proposals for reform. Officials are also examining how family court proceedings operate in other jurisdictions, to see what can be learned from them. This includes developments in England and Wales such as the roll out of open reporting and Transparency Orders in Family Law proceedings.
It is important to note that, as the law currently stands in Ireland, section 40 of The Civil Liability and Courts Act 2004 explicitly permits solicitors, barristers, and individuals approved by the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to attend and report on Family Law cases. Furthermore, under The Courts and Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2013, members of the media can attend Family Law proceedings and report on what occurs, on an anonymised basis, when granted permission by the presiding judge. Those who are permitted to attend under the aforementioned provisions, are subjected to restrictions on what they may report, and this must be done on an anonymised basis to protect the identities of the parties involved.
My Department has also recently concluded a tender for a Private Family Law Reporting Project. The overall aim of the Project is to provide transparency for the public, while ensuring that children’s and parents’ rights to privacy are upheld. It will also increase awareness and understanding of family law proceedings, while building confidence and trust in the judicial determination of such disputes. Once established, it is expected that the project will run for three years.
Given that the privacy of all parties involved in-camera Family Law proceedings – and those who may be the subject of them, such as children – are an important consideration, any policy proposals developed will need to ensure this privacy continues. At the same time, such proposals will also consider how clarity can be provided regarding the scope of the rule and its impact for those involved in proceedings, and enhance understanding of family law proceedings across society.
495. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the supports that will be available for international protection applicants already in the system given the Government's proposal to increase the citizenship residency requirement for refugees from three to five years (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [71221/25]
View answerI want to clarify for the Deputy that International Protection applicants are not eligible to apply for naturalisation. Only a person who has been granted an International Protection declaration and has accrued the required residence in the State can be considered for Irish citizenship.
The Deputy should be aware that a range of supports are available to international protection applicants including accommodation, medical assistance, education and financial assistance. Similarly, any person who has been granted an International Protection declaration can avail of State supports to help then integrate into Ireland.
Last month I secured Government approval to introduce new policies and legislative changes to strengthen Ireland’s migration and asylum system to ensure it is rules-based, efficient and more aligned with EU Member States.
As part of this, I intend to make a number of changes to the rules on the granting of citizenship, one of which relates to the residency requirements of a person granted international protection to be granted citizenship.
Previously, individuals granted international protection status could apply for citizenship after a time period of three years. Effective from 8 December 2025 people granted international protection must generally have five years of reckonable residence in the State before they can apply for citizenship.
Applications received before 8 December 2025 will continue to be processed under the previous three year rule, while applications submitted from that date onwards will be assessed in line with the new five year residency requirement. This change brings citizenship applicants with international protection status in line with most other citizenship applicants.
All applications for a certificate of naturalisation are assessed individually based on the provisions of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended.
Detailed information on how to apply for naturalisation and other resources is available on my Department’s Immigration website here: www.irishimmigration.ie/how-to-become-a-citizen/
496. Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to provide clarity on the future of the accommodation recognition payment for families providing accommodation for Ukrainian refugees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [71222/25]
View answerThe Accommodation Recognition Payment is a tax-free monthly payment available to those providing accommodation to people who arrived in Ireland under the EU Temporary Protection Directive since March 2022. The scheme, which was introduced in July 2022, is provided for under Part 2 of the Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2022.
The original scheme termination date was set as 31 March 2023 to align with the duration of temporary protection under Council Directive 2001/55/EC of 20 July 2001, as activated by https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:32022D0382To date, the scheme has been extended three times to align with previous extensions of the Temporary Protection Directive (TPD), most recently to 31 March 2026. The scheme may be further extended by Ministerial Order, subject to Oireachtas approval and consultation with relevant Ministers.
The monthly contribution rate was originally set at €400 from 4 March 2022. It was then increased to €800 from 1 December 2022 to coincide with the introduction of the ‘Offer a Home’ scheme. The rate was subsequently reduced to €600 from 1 June 2025. This change was one of several measures introduced by my Department to ensure that such temporary and timebound supports for temporary protection beneficiaries from Ukraine are proportionate and equitable.
The future of the ARP will be considered further in the context of the extension of TPD to March 2027 and planning across Government for a coordinated approach to transitioning out of temporary protection having regard to the Council Recommendation of 4 June 2025 in this regard.
497. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of unresolved cases that have been referred for peer review since 2022 to date in 2025; the number completed; the number reopened; and the number in which new investigative actions were taken. [71275/25]
View answerUnder Section 33 of the Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and control of the administration and business of An Garda Síochána which includes both detecting and investigating crime. Under section 34 of the Act, the Commissioner is independent in his functions.
I have been advised by the Garda authorities that each of these matters are dealt with on a case by case basis, and no central repository exists cataloguing timelines for peer reviews.
I am advised that for operational reasons, An Garda Síochána are not in a position to provide figures for this request. The Garda authorities have informed me that a disproportionate amount of time and resources would be required to collate the data requested, relative to the information sought.
It should also be noted that in a large number of cases peer reviews would remain open/ongoing and would therefore not be reflected in the return.
The Deputy may wish to note that it is the role of the Garda Serious Crime Review Team, often referred to as the Cold Case Unit, to review long standing investigations, at the direction of the Garda Commissioner. As Minister, I have no role in these decisions.
498. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of Gardai, by rank attached to the Garda band as of 5 December 2025, in tabular form. [71289/25]
View answerI am informed by the Garda authorities that, as of December 2025, there were 21 members assigned to the Garda Band, consisting of 20 Gardaí and 1 Inspector.
These are the latest figures available from An Garda Síochána.
499. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the amount spent on purchasing new Garda public order equipment in 2024 and to-date in 2025, in tabular form. [71290/25]
View answerThe Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána, including all operational matters. This includes the provision of equipment for specialist units. Under the Policing Security and Community Safety Act 2024, the Garda Commissioner is also the Accounting Officer for An Garda Síochána and is responsible for the Garda budget.
I understand that for the purposes of compiling this information, An Garda Síochána have considered “public order equipment” as the equipment that the organisation provides to Garda National Public Order Unit (GNPOU) members to allow them complete their task of public order policing. This includes GNPOU uniform, PPE, shields and vehicles.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that expenditure on public order equipment in that regard amounted to €6.37 million in 2024 and €0.97 million in 2025, as of 20 August 2025, the latest date for which this information is available.
This information is subject to revision as invoices are processed and payments are issued.
The following provides a breakdown of the principal items purchased in 2024 and those ordered in 2025:
|
Item |
2024 |
2025 |
|
Balaclavas |
€23,935.80 |
€0.00 |
|
Boots |
€31,567.67 |
€0.00 |
|
FR Base Layers |
€56,027.27 |
€0.00 |
|
Kit Bags |
€22,964.10 |
€0.00 |
|
GNPOU Gloves |
€77,830.12 |
€0.00 |
|
GNPOU Helmet Markings |
€0.00 |
€602.70 |
|
MK9 Incapacitant Spray |
€325,821.34 |
€0.00 |
|
Peter Jones Holster |
€21,525.00 |
€0.00 |
|
Riot Overalls |
€392,786.48 (GBP Conversion) |
€0.00 |
|
Importation and VAT |
€35,972.50 |
€0.00 |
|
Round Shields |
€114,205.50 |
€0.00 |
|
Groin Protectors |
€56,272.50 |
€0.00 |
|
Torso Protectors |
€218,595.60 |
€0.00 |
|
Trifold Cuffs and Equipment |
€51,015.48 |
€0.00 |
|
Replacement Helmet Visors |
€8,271.75 |
€19,869.42 |
|
Utility Belt Helmet Clips |
€1,476.00 |
€0.00 |
|
New Public Order Body Armour - Following Tender |
€2,738,415.00 |
€912,805 |
|
Barriers and Equipment for GNPOU |
€110,476.30 |
€32,715.54 |
|
GNPOU Vehicles incl Water Cannons |
€2,085,482.51 |
€0.00 |
|
TOTAL |
€6,372,640.92
|
€965.992.66 |
I am informed that water cannon vehicles were paid for in 2024 and delivered in 2025. Body armour was ordered in 2024 and, to secure the shortest possible lead time, was also paid for in 2024 as agreed with the supplier. A further order for 500 more units of body armour has not yet been finalised so there is no current spend to record.
An Garda Síochána are investing heavily in public order equipment. The new GNPOU body armour and protectors are top of the range and when delivered will provide members with unprecedented levels of protection, comfort and flexibility. An Garda Síochána are also currently trialling a new two-piece GNPOU suit and alternative GNPOU helmet, following which a tender process will be undertaken.
500. Deputy Keira Keogh asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of Gardaí in the Westport district of Mayo, including the areas of Achill, Louisburgh and Newport, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [71300/25]
View answerThe 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. This includes a breakdown of Gardaí assigned to Garda stations in County Mayo. 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" to access a breakdown of Garda members.
501. Deputy Keira Keogh asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of Gardaí in the Westport district of Mayo who have left the district either through resignations, retirements, promotions, transfers, including the areas of Achill, Louisburgh and Newport, the number of cases in which the departure of these Gardaí has resulted in their replacement, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [71301/25]
View answerI have requested the information sought by the Deputy from the Garda authorities. Regrettably this information was not available in time and I will write to the Deputy again once it is to hand.
In the interest of transparency, An Garda Síochána publishes information in relation to the allocation of Gardaí nationally. This includes a breakdown of Gardaí assigned in the Mayo/Roscommon/Longford Division. 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, and Station to the most recent date" to access a breakdown of Garda members assigned to all Divisions and Stations.
