Thomas Gould
Question:728. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of civil servants working in Garda stations currently, by county, in tabular form. [72091/25]
View answerAn Garda Síochána
Questions (728)
Written 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.
The overall Garda workforce, which includes Gardaí, civilian staff and Reserves is close to the highest ever at over 18,000. This includes 14,290 Garda members, 3,487 staff and 291 reserves.
In the interest of transparency, information in relation to the allocation of Garda Staff by Division and Station is publicly available and can be found at the following link:
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.
The Deputy should note that this breakdown only includes Garda Staff assigned to stations and does not include staff assigned to Headquarters or National Units.
Animal Welfare
Questions (729)
Thomas Gould
Question:729. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of horses seized in Cork to date in 2025. [72094/25]
View answerWritten answers
I have requested the information sought by the Deputy from the Garda authorities. Regrettably, this was not available in time and I will write to the Deputy once the information is to hand.
An Garda Síochána
Questions (730)
Thomas Gould
Question:730. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the date of her last meeting with the Chief Superintendent in Cork city; and whether Garda numbers arose as an issue. [72095/25]
View answerWritten answers
I last met the Chief Superintendent in Cork city on 4 April 2025, during a visit to Tougher Garda Station. This meeting was also attended by senior Gardai based at Anglesea Street and Togher Garda Station.
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. As Minister, I have no role in this matter.
It may be of interest to the Deputy to know that An Garda Síochána publishes detailed breakdowns on the allocation of Gardaí including the allocation of Probationer Gardaí by Division and Station. This information is updated on a monthly basis 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/].
An Garda Síochána
Questions (731)
Thomas Gould
Question:731. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of scramblers seized in Cork in 2025. [72096/25]
View answerWritten answers
I am advised by the Garda authorities that from 1 January 2025 to 30 November 2025, there were 19 incidents in which scramblers were detained or seized by An Garda Síochána in the Cork Garda Divisions.
These include vehicles seized or detained under the following incident types - ‘Vehicle Detained’, ‘Vehicle Detained (Section 41 RTA)’ and ‘Property Seized’.
These statistics are based on operational data recorded on the PULSE system as of 15 December 2025.
Prison Service
Questions (732)
Thomas Gould
Question:732. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration for an update on the publication of the latest Inspector of Prisons report into Cork Prison. [72097/25]
View answerWritten answers
I can advise the Deputy that the report in question has been noted by Cabinet.
The Irish Prison Service has submitted an action plan in response to the recommendations made in this report and the Inspector of Prisons has requested that the inspection report and action plan are published at the same time. The Department is liaising with the Irish Prison Service and the Inspector of Prisons to progress publication of both documents.
Prison Service
Questions (733)
Thomas Gould
Question:733. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration for an update on plans for a second prison in the Glen; and whether he has met with the community on same. [72098/25]
View answerWritten answers
I have secured a record capital investment of €527 million for the Irish Prison Service (IPS) over the next 5 years, of which €495 million will be invested in building projects to further increase capacity. The target is to deliver over 1,500 new spaces by 2031. This will be the largest ever building programme in the prison estate.
The proposed project for the extension to the existing Cork Prison, on the site of the old, decommissioned Cork Prison, is still at a very early planning stage. Any new prison facility proposed on the Old Cork Prison site will be an extension of the function of the existing prison and will not be a second prison in The Glen area. This intended approach will ensure efficiencies with the design and the practical operations of the new facility in parallel with the existing prison. I am further advised that, as the project progresses, there will be engagement as part of the planning process.
Visa Applications
Questions (734)
Sean Fleming
Question:734. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the position regarding a visa application by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [72161/25]
View answerWritten answers
I can advise the Deputy that the Join Family visa application referred to was created on 21 June 2024. Supporting documentation was received in the Manila office on 25 July 2024. The application was received in the Dublin Visa Office on 25 July 2024 where it awaits examination and processing.
My Department's business target for join family visa applications is 12 months. It must be made clear that these are business targets for the immigration service and some applications can take longer than others. The business target reflects the detailed and often complex assessment that is required to be carried out in relation to applications for family reunification.
While I acknowledge the personal difficulties an applicant might be experiencing; it is not possible to give a definitive date as to when this application will be finalised. All applications are processed in chronological order, based on date order of receipt.
While every effort is made to process applications as soon as possible, processing times will vary having regard to the volume and complexity of applications, the possible need for the Immigration Service Delivery function of my Department to investigate, inquire into, or seek further information, and the resources available.
The current processing times for Dublin visa decisions is available here:
www.irishimmigration.ie/visa-decisions/
The date published on the website is the oldest date of application currently being processed under a given category. However, it should be noted that the Visa team continue to process and make decisions on applications received after the published processing date. If a particular application takes longer to consider this may result in the published processing date remaining unchanged. I can assure you that this does not indicate the processing of these applications has halted overall.
I am acutely aware that join family applications are very important for the people impacted. I understand that people are eager to have their families join them in Ireland, and I am committed to improving the service my Department provides.
The person concerned can now directly check the status of their visa application on the Immigration Service’s Customer Service Portal. They can register for, or log in to their existing account, at: https://portal.irishimmigration.ie/en/
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.
An Garda Síochána
Questions (735, 737)
Alan Kelly
Question:735. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of Gardaí trained and currently deployed in specialist units for serious and organised crime, immigration, public order and cyber-crime within Cork city division. [72167/25]
View answerAlan Kelly
Question:737. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of Gardai trained and currently deployed in specialist units for serious and organised crime, immigration, public order and cyber-crime within the Limerick division. [72169/25]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 735 and 737 together.
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. This includes all operational policing matters, including the allocation and deployment of Garda members to specialist units.
I am advised by An Garda Síochána that the below table outlines the Garda allocations in respect of Gardaí trained and currently deployed in specialist units for immigration, public order, serious and organised crime and cybercrime within Cork City and Limerick Garda divisions:
|
Division |
Immigration |
Public Order |
Serious Crime Hub |
Cybercrime |
|
Cork City |
15 |
79 |
135 |
8 |
|
Limerick |
5 |
58 |
132 |
2 |
Cybercrime is a national unit which is attached to Garda National Cyber Crime Bureau.
With regard to public order policing, I understand that Gardaí are trained in public order and are deployed from across the organisation for operational requirements when the need arises.
An Garda Síochána
Questions (736)
Alan Kelly
Question:736. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the age profile of the Garda fleet within Laois-Offaly division, in tabular form. [72168/25]
View answerWritten answers
The Government is committed to providing An Garda Síochána with the resources needed to keep people safe. This is reflected in the unprecedented allocation of over €2.59 billion in Budget 2026. This is allowing for sustained investment in recruitment, equipment, technology, and vehicles.
I am advised by the Garda authorities that the current age profile of the Garda vehicle fleet within the Laois-Offaly Division is broken down in the table below:
|
Age |
Number of Vehicles |
|
<1 year |
12 |
|
1-2 years |
16 |
|
2-4 years |
8 |
|
4-6 years |
26 |
|
6+ years |
18 |
|
Total |
80 |
The Garda authorities have further advised all vehicles are operated up to the manufacturer's durability limits or uneconomic repair, irrespective of age. A comprehensive Service Repair and Maintenance programme is in place to ensure that all vehicles are operating to manufacturer's specifications
The responsibility for the efficient deployment of all official Garda vehicles in each Division is assigned to the Divisional Officer, who may allocate vehicles between Stations as required by operational circumstances. The allocation of these vehicles is monitored and reviewed on a continual basis.
An Garda Síochána publishes detailed information on the Garda fleet from 2008 to date, including a Divisional monthly breakdown. Monthly fleet reports are currently available from 2020 to November 2025 and are publicly available on the Garda website at the following link:
[www.garda.ie/en/about-us/our-departments/finance-services/finance-fleet-management.html] .
Question No. 737 answered with Question No. 735.
Social Media
Questions (738, 739, 740)
Barry Ward
Question:738. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of persons that have been convicted for online social media abuse, by specific offence, in each of the years since 2010 to date in 2025, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [72185/25]
View answerBarry Ward
Question:739. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of cases that have been before the courts in relation to online harassment, by specific offence in each of the years since 2010 to date in 2025, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [72188/25]
View answerBarry Ward
Question:740. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the position regarding the number of cases that have been before the courts in relation to non-consensual sharing of intimate images online, by specific offence, in each of the years since 2010 to date in 2025, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [72189/25]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 738, 739 and 740 together.
Management of the courts is the responsibility of the judiciary and Courts Service, which are independent in exercising their functions under the Courts Service Act 1998 and the Constitution.
To be of assistance, officials in my Department sought the information requested by the Deputy from the Courts Service, however it has not been possible to collate this information in the time available. I will write to the Deputy directly once the information is to hand.
Question No. 739 answered with Question No. 738.
Question No. 740 answered with Question No. 738.
Question No. 741 answered with Question No. 700.
Departmental Data
Questions (742)
Paul Lawless
Question:742. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number and percentage of persons who have been prosecuted for the offence of illegal entry to the State, in each of the past five years. [72212/25]
View answerWritten answers
It has not been possible to collate the information requested by the Deputy in the time available. I will write to the Deputy directly once the information is to hand.
Departmental Data
Questions (743)
Paul Lawless
Question:743. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of persons currently in custody who are non-Irish nationals; the length of sentence being served by each; the offence category for which they were convicted; and the length of time each individual had been a resident in the State prior to committing the offence, for each of the past 5 years, in tabular form. [72213/25]
View answerWritten answers
I can assure the Deputy that this Government remains focused on reducing re-offending, including by diverting people, where appropriate, from the criminal justice system and ensuring the underlying causes of offending behaviour are addressed.
The Irish Prison Service has advised that the number of persons currently in custody who are non-Irish nationals; the length of sentence being served by each and the offence category for which they were convicted is as outlined in the tables below. These statistics have been taken from the most recent snapshot of the prison population, conducted on 30 November 2025. There was a total of 1,038 non-nationals in custody at this time, of which 675 were serving a custodial sentence.
|
Nationality Group |
Female |
Male |
Total |
% |
|
African |
8 |
141 |
149 |
14.4 |
|
Asian |
3 |
84 |
87 |
8.4 |
|
British |
5 |
123 |
128 |
12.3 |
|
Central American |
0 |
1 |
1 |
0.1 |
|
European Union |
21 |
487 |
508 |
48.9 |
|
Middle East |
0 |
21 |
21 |
2.0 |
|
North American |
2 |
11 |
13 |
1.3 |
|
Oceania |
0 |
1 |
1 |
0.1 |
|
Other European |
5 |
58 |
63 |
6.1 |
|
South American |
6 |
61 |
67 |
6.5 |
|
Total |
50 |
988 |
1,038 |
100.0 |
|
Offence Group Description |
<3 Mths |
3 to <6 Mths |
6 to <12 Mths |
1 to <2 Yrs |
2 to <3 Yrs |
3 to <5 Yrs |
5 to <10 Yrs |
10+ Yrs |
Life Sentences |
Total |
|
Homicide Offences |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
8 |
5 |
41 |
56 |
|
Sexual Offences |
0 |
1 |
2 |
10 |
12 |
30 |
59 |
47 |
0 |
161 |
|
Attempts/Threat to Murder, Assaults, Harassments and Related Offences |
1 |
2 |
8 |
23 |
18 |
23 |
11 |
6 |
0 |
92 |
|
Dangerous or Negligent Acts |
0 |
1 |
1 |
5 |
8 |
7 |
1 |
|
0 |
23 |
|
Kidnapping and Related Offences |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
3 |
1 |
2 |
0 |
7 |
|
Robbery, Extortion and Hijacking Offences |
0 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
4 |
2 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
10 |
|
Burglary and Related Offences |
0 |
0 |
1 |
6 |
2 |
11 |
6 |
0 |
0 |
26 |
|
Theft and Related Offences |
0 |
7 |
8 |
12 |
5 |
12 |
4 |
2 |
0 |
50 |
|
Fraud, Deception and Related Offences |
1 |
1 |
0 |
4 |
1 |
11 |
6 |
0 |
0 |
24 |
|
Controlled Drug Offences |
1 |
1 |
1 |
8 |
24 |
73 |
45 |
16 |
0 |
169 |
|
Weapons and Explosives Offences |
0 |
0 |
3 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
1 |
0 |
7 |
|
Damage to Property and the Environment |
0 |
2 |
2 |
1 |
0 |
5 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
12 |
|
Public Order and Social Code Offences |
2 |
4 |
5 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
14 |
|
Road and Traffic Offences |
0 |
2 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
5 |
|
Offences against Government, Justice Procedures and Organisation of Crime |
0 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
3 |
1 |
5 |
0 |
0 |
15 |
|
Offences Not Elsewhere Classified |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
4 |
|
Total |
5 |
23 |
36 |
76 |
82 |
180 |
153 |
79 |
41 |
675 |
The Irish Prison Service is not in a position to provide statistics on the length of time each individual had been a resident in the State prior to committing the offence.
The Irish Prison Service publishes statistical information, including the daily prisoner population and a monthly detailed statistical report on their website [www.irishprisons.ie] in the Information Centre – under Statistics & Information.
An Garda Síochána
Questions (744)
Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh
Question:744. Deputy Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the amount spent on installing high speed EV charging points at Garda Stations in 2024 and to date in 2025, in tabular form; and the budget allocated in 2026 for same. [72268/25]
View answerWritten answers
I have requested the information sought by the Deputy from the Garda authorities. Regrettably, this was not available in time and I will write to the Deputy once the information is to hand.
Citizenship Applications
Questions (745)
Robert Troy
Question:745. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if an application for citizenship (details supplied) submitted on 8 December 2025 will be assessed under the rules which were in place at the time of this submission, rather than the proposed policy change which was outlined by his Department on the same date. [72270/25]
View answerWritten answers
Last month Minister O'Callaghan and 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, which came into effect on 8 December 2025.
I want to clarify for the Deputy that International Protection applicants are not eligible to apply for naturalisation. Only individuals who have been granted an International Protection declaration and who have accrued the required period of reckonable residence in the State can be considered for Irish citizenship.
Previously, individuals granted international protection status could apply for citizenship after a time period of three years. Effective from 8 December 2025 persons granted international protection will generally be required to have five years of reckonable residence in the State before they can apply for citizenship.
Applications for citizenship received before 8 December 2025 will continue to be processed under the previous three year rule, while applications submitted on or after that date 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: [https://www.irishimmigration.ie/how-to-become-a-citizen/]
Visa Applications
Questions (746)
Colm Burke
Question:746. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration when a decision will be reached in respect of a stamp 4 visa application (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [72303/25]
View answerWritten answers
The application referred to by the Deputy continues to be processed by my Department.
The Registration Office within Immigration Service Delivery of my Department provide a live processing date, which is updated every Monday, and is available at the following link: [https://www.irishimmigration.ie/registering-your-immigration-permission/how-to-renew-your-current-permission/renewing-your-registration-permission-if-you-live-in-the-republic-of-ireland/#processing]
They are currently processing applications submitted from 15 October 2025. In order to ensure a fair and equitable service, renewals are processed in order of date submitted.
If the application is approved, the person concerned can expect to receive their new Irish Residence Permit (IRP) card within the following 10-15 working days.
I can advise the Deputy that my Department has put in place arrangements for people awaiting a renewal of their IRP card who are travelling over the Christmas period. Details are available at link: [https://www.irishimmigration.ie/isd-announces-initiative-to-facilitate-customers-travelling-at-christmas-2/]
The person concerned can now directly check the status of their immigration application on the Immigration Service’s new Customer Service Portal. They can register for, or log in to their existing account, at [https://portal.irishimmigration.ie/en/].
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.