Written Answers Nos. 1656-1676
1656. Deputy Conor Sheehan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the position regarding the latest Inspector of Prisons report into Limerick Prison; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [74599/25]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, the Office of the Inspector of Prisons is a statutory body, independent in how it carries out its work, and set up under the Prisons Act 2007. I understand that a general inspection of Limerick Prison was carried out by the Office of the Inspector of Prisons in November 2024. I can advise the Deputy that the Inspector’s report has not yet been received by officials in my Department.
1657. Deputy Conor Sheehan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the total number of Gardaí broken down by rank in each Garda division in the country; and the number of Garda retirements in each division between 2020 and 2025, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [74600/25]
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 nationally. 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.
The table below has been provided to me by the Garda authorities and outlines the number of Gardaí that have retired, by year, in each Division from 2020 to the 30 November 2025. Figures include Voluntary, Compulsory, and Cost Neutral Early Retirements.
|
Division |
2025 |
2024 |
2023 |
2022 |
2021 |
2020 |
|
CLARE/TIPPERARY |
12 |
9 |
18 |
18 |
12 |
7 |
|
CORK CITY |
10 |
14 |
19 |
14 |
11 |
8 |
|
CORK COUNTY |
8 |
13 |
15 |
28 |
21 |
6 |
|
DMR EAST |
4 |
7 |
5 |
9 |
10 |
6 |
|
DMR NORTH |
9 |
8 |
8 |
14 |
11 |
11 |
|
DMR NORTH CENTRAL |
2 |
5 |
4 |
6 |
5 |
4 |
|
DMR SOUTH |
6 |
7 |
10 |
10 |
7 |
5 |
|
DMR SOUTH CENTRAL |
2 |
7 |
16 |
11 |
11 |
13 |
|
DMR WEST |
7 |
6 |
19 |
10 |
11 |
6 |
|
DONEGAL |
4 |
5 |
9 |
14 |
10 |
13 |
|
GALWAY |
7 |
15 |
17 |
16 |
21 |
12 |
|
KERRY |
4 |
4 |
14 |
9 |
7 |
12 |
|
KILDARE/CARLOW |
9 |
9 |
10 |
6 |
7 |
10 |
|
LAOIS / OFFALY |
8 |
9 |
9 |
10 |
7 |
9 |
|
LIMERICK |
4 |
9 |
9 |
10 |
6 |
6 |
|
LOUTH CAVAN MONAGHAN |
9 |
8 |
12 |
19 |
15 |
16 |
|
MAYO/ROSCOMMON/LONGFORD |
9 |
14 |
15 |
14 |
16 |
20 |
|
MEATH/WESTMEATH |
5 |
10 |
9 |
20 |
5 |
12 |
|
SLIGO / LEITRIM |
7 |
3 |
9 |
7 |
8 |
9 |
|
WATERFORD/KILKENNY |
7 |
8 |
12 |
12 |
6 |
10 |
|
WEXFORD/WICKLOW |
11 |
14 |
12 |
10 |
16 |
6 |
|
SPECIALIST AREA/OTHER |
56 |
56 |
68 |
73 |
70 |
49 |
|
Total |
200 |
240 |
319 |
340 |
293 |
250 |
1658. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration when measures will be introduced to incorporate the Convention for the Protection of the Profession of Lawyer into domestic law; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [74618/25]
View answerAs Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration, I welcomed the adoption of the Convention on the Protection of the Profession of Lawyer by the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe in 12 March 2025. The Convention is an international treaty aimed at protecting the profession of lawyer, and endeavouring to support lawyers in promoting the rule of law with the aim of facilitating access to justice for all.
The Convention opened for signature on 13 May 2025 at the annual Council of Europe Committee of Ministers in Luxembourg. The Convention was signed on behalf of Ireland by the Minister of State for European Affairs and Defence, Thomas Byrne.
Work is currently underway in my Department to identify what measures are necessary to ratify the Convention.
1661. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the way in which applicants can track the status of their application when the ID-Pal Login method requires a passport to login and the applicants passport is currently held by the Visa office; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [74645/25]
View answerI can advise the Deputy that in line with a Programme for Government commitment to significantly enhance the delivery of public services digitally, my Department has introduced a centralised customer service unit, supported by a digital Customer Service Portal, to offer a modern customer contact centre to immigration applicants.
The Customer Service Portal provides comprehensive self-service functionality, making it easier for applicants to engage with immigration services, while also supporting the Department’s operational capacity in the areas of customer service and border security. ID-Pal provides a secure and automated solution for real-time identity verification.
In order to create an account on the Customer Service Portal, applicants are required to verify their identity. Where an applicant does not have possession of their passport, alternative identity documents may be used, including a national identity card, a travel document or a driver’s licence. This verification is for the purposes of creating an account only, subsequent verification of passport details takes place due the course of an application process.
More information on how to use the portal is available at:
www.irishimmigration.ie/customer-service-portal-a-guide-to-using-the-online-self-service-portal/
1662. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the total expenditure by his Department, for 2025, in settlement payments, compensation, damages or negotiated payments arising from the repudiation, cancellation or termination of international protection accommodation contracts, including payments already made, payments legally committed to, and any financial provisions recorded in the Department's accounts, in aggregate, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [74711/25]
View answer1663. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the total expenditure by his Department, for each of the years 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025 in settlement payments, compensation, damages or negotiated payments arising from the repudiation, cancellation or termination of international protection accommodation contracts, including payments already made, payments legally committed to, and any financial provisions recorded in his Department's accounts, in aggregate, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [74712/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1662 and 1663 together.
The State is currently accommodating almost 33,000 people in 313 International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) centres around the country.
No expenditure as described by the Deputy has been incurred in relation to international protection accommodation from 2021 to the end of 2025.
As we work towards a more stable and sustainable accommodation system in this sector, accommodation is being delivered through a range of channels, with a focus on developing more State-owned accommodation.
The Department continues to appraise the portfolio of existing accommodation with a view to consolidation where possible, along with better governance and compliance, and increased frequency of inspections of properties.
1664. Deputy Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration his plans for the temporary accommodation provided at a location (details supplied), which was developed to house people from Ukraine; if so, to outline what assessment has been made of the suitability of this site for conversion to social housing once temporary measures for Ukrainian accommodation cease; the intended future use of this site; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [74734/25]
View answerFurther to an evaluation of the feasibility of developing rapid build, volumetric modular housing to assist in accommodating the significant influx of people fleeing the war in Ukraine in 2022, 11 sites across the state were ultimately developed under the Rapid Build Programme. The last site at Haywood in Clonmel was populated last summer.
In total, 654 modular homes have been delivered with a maximum capacity of 2,640 residents and all are currently accommodating families with children. The positive impact of the programme on the lives of so many has been due in no small part to the support of local communities who have shown great solidarity with those displaced by Russia’s invasion. The accommodation provided at the location to which the Deputy refers comprises 62 units and currently accommodates 248 persons.
The rapid build units were delivered under the European Union (Planning and Development) (Displaced Persons From Ukraine Temporary Protection) Regulations 2022, which limits their current use to those who have been granted Temporary Protection status under the Temporary Protective Directive (European Council Directive 2001/55EC). An EU Council decision of July 2025 extended the application of this Directive to March 2027.
A central consideration under the Rapid Build Programme has been the future use of these sites once the Temporary Protection Directive ceases. Consequently, each site has been developed to be compliant with building regulations and each unit is of sufficient size to allow for alternative housing use. In addition, each site has roads, footpaths, street lighting and community facilities, including a play area and green spaces, in line with Local Authority planning guidance. These design considerations allow for potential future use of the modular units commensurate with their 60-year lifespan.
A multi-stakeholder process commenced in March 2025 to determine the long-term strategy for the sites, post temporary protection. A working group was formed, chaired by officials from my Department and including representation from the OPW and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. This group meets on a regular basis.
Facilitated by the County and City Management Association (CCMA), members of the working group met with the Directors of Service for Housing and Planning, or their nominees, at each of the ten Local Authorities concerned in late April 2025 to appraise them of the intention of securing an alternative future use for the units post temporary protection. Further to this meeting, individual preliminary discussions with each Local Authority regarding potential future uses took place over the subsequent months.
The CCMA have subsequently formed their own internal group with relevant Local Authority representatives to consider both future use options and planning considerations and my Department will engage with that process to discuss potential approaches. When options are further developed local elected representatives will be informed of the potential future plans under consideration.
1665. Deputy Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration when the current contract between the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) and a hotel (details supplied), is due to cease; if the facility will be discontinued as an IPAS centre and permitted to return to operation as a hotel; the plans the Department has regarding the future use of this facility; and the assessment has been made of the impact of its continued use as an IPAS centre on tourism and local businesses in Roscrea; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [74735/25]
View answerA large number of IPAS Accommodation Centres and Ukraine Accommodation Centres were brought into operation from 2022 to 2024. This was due to the arrival of people fleeing the war in Ukraine, and an unprecedented surge in applications for international protection during this period.
The Department has a contract in place to provide international protection accommodation at this location, which is due to expire in February 2026. All contractual discussions are treated as confidential and commercially sensitive while they are ongoing.
The provision of accommodation for international protection applicants is demand-led, and each premises is considered on a case-by-case basis to decide if the contract will be renewed as it approaches its end date.
At renewal stage, consideration is given to the current and projected demand for accommodation, the provider's performance under contract, and compliance with standards, building and planning regulations, and other legal obligations.
Contracts that are renewed are often of one or two-year duration, to afford flexibility to the State and work towards longer-term investment in State sites and reduced reliance on commercial accommodation.
1666. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of Garda traffic enforcement operations carried out nationally and in the Dublin Metropolitan Region in the years 2023 to 2024 and to date in 2025; the number of Garda members assigned to dedicated traffic duties in each period, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [74801/25]
View answerI 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.
1667. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration his position regarding the issue of facial recognition technology being broadly available in society; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [74852/25]
View answerBiometric recognition technology has many widespread uses across the public and private sectors, ranging from professional security solutions to convenient identity and access solutions like unlocking a smartphone.
If a member of the public has concerns regarding the use of their personal data, I would encourage them to contact the Data Protection Commission.
The Data Protection Commission (DPC) is Ireland’s independent Data Protection Authority under the GDPR. Under the Data Protection Act 2018, the DPC is statutorily independent in the performance of its responsibilities and functions, as is required under GDPR.
The Government fully supports the DPC and understands the critical role it plays in delivering a stable regulatory environment for business to grow, while protecting citizens’ data protection rights.
Likewise any criminal abuse of such technology will receive the appropriate response from law enforcement. I would encourage anyone who is concerned that they have been a victim of a crime to contact An Garda Síochána directly. An Garda Síochána is the relevant authority for investigating crimes and anyone who wishes to report a crime should contact a member of An Garda Síochána immediately, or call the Garda Confidential line on 1800 666 111.
As the Deputy will be aware, the Programme for Government includes commitments in relation to the use of facial recognition technology by An Garda Síochána and I have recently published the Garda Síochána (Recording Devices) (Amendment) Bill 2025 which gives effect to some of these commitments.
1668. Deputy Ciarán Ahern asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the position regarding a change of immigration permission application (details supplied); to expedite the same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [74870/25]
View answerThe person referred to by the Deputy has submitted an application for an Extension of Student Conditions (ESTC), and this application continues to be processed by my Department.
To be fair to all applicants, applications are dealt with in chronological order by date received. My Department endeavours to process applications as quickly as possible. However, processing times may vary due to a number of factors, such as the number of applications on hand, individual circumstances, the complexity of applications, whether further information is required, and the resources available.
There has been a significant increase in recent months in ESTC applications. These are being dealt with as expeditiously as possible but it is only in exceptional circumstances that such an application will be considered.
In the meantime, the person concerned should continue to seek meaningful graduate level employment, which would allow them to change their immigration status and remain in the State.
Applicants can now directly check the status of their immigration application on the Immigration Service’s Customer Service Portal. They can register for, or log in to their existing account, at: portal.irishimmigration.ie/en/
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to my Department by email using the Oireachtas mail facility (inisoireachtasmail@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 questions process. The Deputy may consider using the email service except in cases where the response is, in the Deputy’s view, inadequate or too long awaited.
1669. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of data breaches recorded by his Department in 2025; and the number that were reported to the Data Protection Commissioner. [74900/25]
View answerI can confirm that 252 data breaches were recorded by my Department in 2025, with 25 reaching the threshold to be notified to the Data Protection Commission.
My Department is a very large organisation comprising over 4,000 people which process a very large volume of personal data, with correspondence annually numbering in the tens of thousands of cases. Despite this, the number of breaches remains relatively low, indicating effective data protection controls and awareness.
My Department is committed to protecting the rights and privacy of all individuals in accordance with the EU General Data Protection Regulation, 2016/679 (GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018. My Department complies fully with data breach reporting requirements.
Securing and managing personal data in accordance with the GDPR principles is a priority and is governed by a comprehensive set of policies, procedures and systems. For example, a Department Data Protection and Records Management Steering Group operates with membership of senior personnel from across the Department to assist the Management Board and the Data Protection Officer in fulfilling their Data Protection responsibilities. My Department also has put in place a network of data stewards to champion data protection awareness in each business unit.
In addition, all staff must complete compulsory data protection training in order to ensure that my Department is compliant with obligations to protect all personal data processed. This includes data protection training provided as part of staff induction and an online Introduction to Data Protection e-learning course.
My Department has implemented appropriate measures to ensure that all data held under its control is secure and is not at risk from unauthorised access. Measures for the protection of personal data are reviewed on an ongoing basis.
1670. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of instances to date where a contract with providers of accommodation for people fleeing the war in Ukraine has been terminated where a breach of contractual obligations was identified; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [74909/25]
View answerMy Department aims to ensure that our portfolio of accommodation meets the evolving needs of the State’s response to the Ukraine Crisis.
Since early 2024, many beneficiaries of the temporary protection have moved from their State provided accommodation. As a result, my Department continues to consolidate and rationalise its Ukraine accommodation portfolio to ensure greater compliance with standards and better value for money.
My Department is making decisions to end commercial contracts, in accordance with contractual terms and conditions agreed with providers, on the basis of financial, administrative or other accommodation management reasons.
Some contracts are ending due to the reduced need overall. This allows the property to return to tourism, student or private use.
Some contracts are ending due to compliance concerns or where the rates and capacity could not be agreed with the provider. Compliance concerns arise when a provider is not meeting the required standards of service. They might include health, safety and wellbeing concerns for residents, incorrect charges by providers or unregulated secondary properties, among others.
In accordance with agreed contractual terms and conditions there is a no-fault 30-day termination clause which is available to both the provider and the Department.
Some providers choose to terminate their contract with the Department and return to original or alternative use.
In 2024, approximately 420 contracts with providers of accommodation for people fleeing the war in Ukraine have been terminated, with a further 195 contracts terminated in 2025. My Department does not specify exact reasons for each termination, and in some cases more than one of the factors outlined above might arise in respect of an individual centre.
Further information is available on our website: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-justice-home-affairs-and-migration/news/accommodation-centres-returning-to-original-or-alternative-use/
1671. Deputy Mark Wall asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the amount of funding provided to each county to combat domestic violence over each of the past three years, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [74914/25]
View answerCombatting all forms of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence (DSGBV) and ensuring that victims and survivors receive the support and care they need are absolute priorities for me.
In June 2025, I published the final implementation plan for the five-year ‘Zero Tolerance’ National DSGBV Strategy which set out the delivery targets and collective action to be taken until the end of this year. Since its establishment two years ago, Cuan the DSGBV Agency, has been responsible for coordinating all Government actions set out in the Strategy.
Cuan had a total budget of €66.917 million for 2025, the majority of which funded 78 service providers across the country. Additional funding was secured through Budget 2026 to continue tackling at pace the scourge of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence. The allocation in Budget 2026 of almost €80 million represents an increase of 18% (€12.2 million).
As this question relates to information held by Cuan, I have referred it to the agency for direct response.
1672. Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of Gardaí, by rank attached to Donegal Divisional Drugs Unit as of 8 December 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [74922/25]
View answerThe 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 and is independent in his functions under Section 34 of the Act.
I am advised that, as of 30 November 2025, the strength of Donegal Divisional Drugs Unit was as below.
|
Rank |
Sergeant |
Garda |
|
Strength |
1 |
10 |
Tackling drug dealing and targeting the work of organised crime groups, who inflict intimidation, violence and misery on families and communities, is a top priority for the Government and my Department.
A number of key actions have been taken as part of our plan to tackle illegal drug use. These include:
• Increasing the maximum sentence for conspiracy to murder from 10 years to life in prison to tackle those who direct gangland and drug related crime;
• Enacting new laws to criminalise the grooming of children into a life of crime;
• Drafting new laws which will provide for the use of facial recognition technology in the investigation of certain drug offences;
• Rolling out a support programme to break the link between the gangs and the children they try to recruit.
My Department is also working to introduce legislation to further strengthen the State’s ability to seize criminal assets and to target the proceeds of crime. The new Bill will also speed up the process to dispose of seized assets for the benefit of the State.
In addition to the legislative and other measures introduced by my Department, unprecedented funding has been provided to An Garda Síochána which has enabled the Commissioner to assign extra resources to the specialist units involved in tackling organised crime.
1673. Deputy Ciarán Ahern asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration in respect of the accommodation of people in the international protection process, the number of people currently accommodated in settings that are not monitored by the Health Information and Quality Authority for compliance with the 2019 National Standards for Accommodation Offered to People in the Protection Process; and the nature of those settings including emergency, temporary and contingency settings. [74926/25]
View answerAll 313 IPAS accommodation centres are subject to routine inspections and compliance checks, either by Department officials, by HIQA, or through IPAS-commissioned inspections. These inspections are fully transparent and published online regularly.
The Department is reviewing contracts and improving overall governance and compliance across the IPAS accommodation system, and as part of this, numbers of inspections commissioned by the Department increased significantly in 2025.
The European Communities (Reception Conditions) (Amendment) Regulations 2023 commenced in early 2024 and provide for the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) to conduct inspections of certain accommodation centres contracted by the Department.
48 IPAS accommodation centres were inspected by HIQA in 2024, and to date in 2025, 31 reports for IPAS accommodation centres inspection reports have been published. Inspection reports by HIQA can be viewed on www.hiqa.ie. These centres accommodate approximately 6,500 residents.
www.hiqa.ie/reports-and-publications/inspection-reports
In addition to HIQA's inspections of permanent centres, IPAS carries out inspections of emergency accommodation centres. These centres are primarily those who were brought into operation during a significant surge in applications from 2022 to 2024.
Emergency centres operate under shorter-term contracts, often of 2-years' duration, to allow for flexibility and fluctuations in demand. The Department does not use designations such as temporary or contingency as outlined in the question.
In 2025, there were 420 inspections completed by the Department, comparing with 268 in 2024. Inspections covered 291 separate properties and related to centres that accommodate approximately 26,500 residents. 229 of these inspections were carried out by Department officials and 191 by an inspector commissioned by the Department.
Reports of IPAS inspections are available online at:
www.gov.ie/en/international-protection-accommodation-services-ipas/publications/ipas-inspection-reports/
Where any centre has areas of partial or non-compliance identified during an inspection, a bespoke compliance plan is agreed and outlined in the inspection report, noting the specific and time-bound measures which will be taken in order to ensure full compliance with the National Standards.
IPAS publishes regular statistics in relation to international protection accommodation. This includes an overview of the types of accommodation used for accommodation international protection applicants and the numbers of people accommodated in each county.
These statistics are located at:
www.gov.ie/en/international-protection-accommodation-services-ipas/publications/facts-and-figures/
1674. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration further to Parliamentary Question No. 653 of 9 December 2025, if the implementation plan due in January 2026 will specifically include a statutory four-week mandate for initial child contact assessments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [75033/25]
View answerMy Department is fully committed to reforming the family justice system in Ireland through implementation of the Family Justice Strategy 2022-2025. This is an ambitious programme of reform which sets out a vision for a system refocused on the needs and rights of children, who are central to many family justice matters.
Many families make their own arrangements in relation to access or contact. Where support is needed, this can be accessed initially via the range of universal and targeted parenting supports provided by the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality, the Child and Family Agency Tusla, and the network of family resource centres and other voluntary and community family support services which it funds.
Where additional support is required, I am committed to facilitating the increased use of mediation, in line with the principles of the Family Courts Act 2024. Mediation offers people the opportunity to resolve their disputes without the adversarial strain of the courtroom. Goal 4 of the Family Justice Strategy aims to promote more co-operative, less adversarial ways for individuals, children and families to try to resolve disputes. This goal contains a number of actions relating to the role of mediation in family justice.
The Family Courts Act 2024 is a key component of my Department's Family Justice Strategy and contains a number of provisions designed to make the family court process more user-friendly and less costly. Commencing the Family Courts Act 2024 is a priority for Government and an implementation team has been established within my Department. As committed to in the Programme for Government, I intend to publish an implementation plan for a new Family Court System early this year. The implementation plan will be based on the provisions of the Act, which does not include a statutory period for child contact assessments.
The Act includes a set of guiding principles for the family court system which all parties to proceedings will be required to have regard to. The principles include, but are not limited to:
• In family proceedings in which the welfare of a child is involved or likely to be affected, ensuring that the best interests of the child are a primary consideration; the child is informed in an age-appropriate manner; the views of the child are ascertained and taken into account; and, there is no unreasonable delay in determining the proceedings.
• Encouraging and facilitating the use of alternative dispute resolution methods, such as mediation, to resolve family law disputes without recourse to the courts, in so far as is possible and appropriate.
• Operating in an efficient manner which is likely to minimise the cost of the proceedings and encouraging active case management by the courts.
1675. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of domestic abuse refuge accommodation units currently available in each county; the number of family spaces and single-person spaces within those units; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [75063/25]
View answer1676. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the annual funding allocated to domestic abuse refuges in each of the past five years, by county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [75066/25]
View answer1677. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of staff employed in domestic abuse refuges in each county; the number of specialist support workers available, including child support workers, trauma counsellors, and outreach workers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [75067/25]
View answer1678. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the plans in place to increase refuge capacity nationwide; the counties identified as priority areas for new units; the expected timelines for delivery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [75068/25]
View answer1679. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of refuge spaces required for Ireland to meet the standards set out under the Istanbul Convention; the current shortfall; the steps being taken to close this gap; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [75069/25]
View answer1680. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of children accommodated in domestic abuse refuges in each of the past five years; the supports available to them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [75070/25]
View answer1681. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the counties that currently have no refuge provision; the number of victims from those counties who sought refuge elsewhere in each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [75071/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1675 to 1681, inclusive, together.
Combatting all forms of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence (DSGBV) and ensuring that victims and survivors receive the support and care they need are absolute priorities for me.
Since its establishment in 2024, Cuan the DSGBV Agency, has been working to accelerate the delivery of safe accommodation across the country, in line with the Government’s Zero Tolerance DSGBV Strategy. Cuan is now responsible for coordinating all Government actions set out in the Strategy and has a dedicated team in place to support the development of domestic violence refuges.
As these questions relate to work being carried out by Cuan, I have referred them to the agency for direct response.
