Peadar Tóibín
Question:451. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration for an update on new prison scoping and the way in which his Department is addressing prison overcrowding. [2995/26]
View answerPrison Service
Questions (451)
Written answers
I am acutely aware of the capacity constraints in our prisons and the resulting challenges faced by those who work and live within them.
This Government is pursuing a dual approach to address the issue of prison capacity by increasing physical capacity and pursuing further measures to support non-custodial sanctions.
I can advise the Deputy that over 440 prison spaces have been constructed since 2022 with the majority of these already in use and the rest due to be in use shortly. On conclusion of the NDP Review in July, there was a record capital investment of €67.9 million agreed for 2026, as part of a total investment of €527 million from 2026 to 2030. €495 million will be invested in building projects to deliver on a plan with an overall target of delivering over 1,500 spaces by 2031.
This will be the largest ever building programme in the prison estate and will include a large extension to the existing Cork Prison on the site of the old decommissioned Cork Prison. The programme will include a new block in Wheatfield, an additional block extension at Midlands prison, as well as additional spaces at Castlerea, Mountjoy, Cloverhill, Portlaoise, Limerick and Dóchas. Design, planning and approvals have also commenced for a large number of these projects. It will also fund planning and commencement of the construction of a new prison at the Thornton site in North County Dublin.
The IPS also aims to recruit up to 100 prison officers and up to 50 staff, and a 19% increase in funding will allow for 210,000 additional staff hours in our prisons.
I am also committed to progressing commitments in the Programme for Government related to the expanded use of community sanctions, which will contribute to reducing prison overcrowding and will improve efforts to rehabilitate offenders. Budget 2026 provides a 13% increase in funding for the Probation Service. This additional funding will be used to increase use of supervised community sanctions in the criminal courts, expand restorative justice services, and expand supervised temporary release schemes nationally.
The Criminal Law and Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill was published on 9 January 2026. The Bill includes a number of amendments to the Community Service Act 1983 to encourage greater use of community service orders (CSOs). Under these proposed amendments the maximum number of hours that can be imposed under a community service order will be doubled from 240 to 480 hours. The amendment will also require a court to consider a CSO if a sentence of up to two years is being considered (the current such threshold being one year), and to give reasons if the court considers that a CSO should not be made in any such case.
Work is also under way to develop a pilot bail support policy for women as an alternative to being detained in custody while awaiting trial or sentencing.
The Programme for Government also commits to implement electronic monitoring (EM) for appropriate categories of offender and Budget 2026 allocated funding of €2.1 million for the project to allow for staffing, procurement, and other set-up costs. A Request for Tender (RFT) was published in December with a pilot expected to be operational in 2026.
Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence
Questions (452)
David Cullinane
Question:452. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the funding allocated to domestic, sexual and gender-based violence services in County Waterford in each year 2020 to 2025; and the number of refuge spaces available, in tabular form. [3014/26]
View answerWritten answers
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 this question relates to work being carried out by Cuan, I have referred it to the agency for direct response.
Prison Service
Questions (453)
David Cullinane
Question:453. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of people committed to prison from Waterford courts in each year 2020 to 2025, broken down by offence type, in tabular form. [3015/26]
View answerWritten answers
The management of the courts, operational matters and logistical functions are the responsibility of the judiciary and Courts Service, which are independent in exercising their functions under the Courts Service Act 1998 and the Constitution.
The collation of data on convictions is a function of the courts. The Department does not record data relating to sentencing and/or convictions. The Courts Service has a dedicated email address for the provision of information to members of the Houses of the Oireachtas: oireachtasenquiries@courts.ie. To be of assistance, I have referred the Deputy's questions to the Courts Service for direct reply.
Prison Service
Questions (454)
David Cullinane
Question:454. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of people released from prison to rehabilitative services in Waterford in each year 2020 to 2025, in tabular form. [3016/26]
View answerWritten answers
The Irish Prison Service is committed to supporting the safe and effective transition of prisoners from custody to the community. A key component of this work is the Integrated Sentence Management process.
The Irish Prison Service (IPS) has advised that it has appointed 29 dedicated Integrated Sentence Management Coordinators across all prisons and open centres. These Coordinators meet with prisoners serving sentences of more than one year, or any sentence for a sexual offence, to develop structured sentence management plans. This work focuses on addressing risks and needs during custody and preparing for reintegration toward the end of the sentence, including accommodation, employment, education, addiction, mental health and physical health supports.
The IPS release planning policy places a responsibility on staff to take all reasonable steps to facilitate an effective transition from custody to community. This requires close partnership with a range of statutory and voluntary agencies to ensure appropriate accommodation, welfare and health supports are in place prior to release.
Two structured temporary release schemes support reintegration:
• Community Return Programme, operated jointly with the Probation Service, which incentivises good behaviour, supports engagement with therapeutic programmes, enhances reintegration, and facilitates reparation through community work.
• Community Support Scheme, which provides enhanced supports for people serving short sentences, including early engagement on risk factors, referrals, and sentence planning.
In March 2023, the Irish Prison Service expanded eligibility criteria for both schemes to allow more people to be assessed for participation.
I am advised that the Irish Prison Service does not maintain a standalone statistical category titled “released to rehabilitative services”. Participation in the Community Return Programme and the Community Support Scheme represents the primary structured rehabilitative release pathways. The figures, set out in Table 1.1 and Table 1.2, reflect the number of prisoners on these schemes with a recorded address in County Waterford at the point of temporary release.
Table 1.1: Community Support Scheme Releases
|
- |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year |
Cork |
Midlands |
Portlaoise |
Castlerea |
Total* |
|
2020 |
7 |
1 |
1 |
– |
9 |
|
2021 |
4 |
1 |
1 |
– |
6 |
|
2022 |
5 |
1 |
– |
– |
6 |
|
2023 |
9 |
1 |
– |
– |
10 |
|
2024 |
7 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
10 |
|
2025 |
5 |
1 |
1 |
– |
7 |
|
Total |
37 |
6 |
4 |
1 |
48 |
*Participation rates in 2020 and 2021 were affected by Covid-19 restrictions.
Table 1.2: Community Return Programme Releases
|
- |
|
|
Year |
Number of Individuals* |
|
2021 |
1 |
|
2022 |
4 |
|
2023 |
3 |
|
2024 |
12 |
|
2025 |
11 |
|
Total |
31 |
*Participation rates in 2020 and 2021 were affected by Covid-19 restrictions.
The Probation Service funds and works collaboratively with 56 Community Based Organisations (CBOs), including Treo Port Lairge and Céim Eile, Aiséirí in Co. Waterford.
Treo Port Láirge works very closely with the Probation Service offering a holistic range of social, educational and vocational supports to their clients. Programmes delivered by TREO are designed to challenge harmful behaviours and support participants in building safer, healthier lives.
Céim Eile, Aiséirí is also part funded by the Probation Service. It offers a step-down facility for those who have completed residential treatment. It is an important support for Probation Service clients to further support the efforts that they have made to address their addiction.
JARC (Joint Agency Response to Crime) operates in Waterford. The Joint Agency Response to Crime is a multi-agency response to managing offenders in the community. JARC’s co-partners in Waterford are the Probation Service, An Garda Síochána and the Irish Prison Service supported by the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration.
International Protection
Questions (455)
Cian O'Callaghan
Question:455. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the measures taken by IPAS to ensure the suitability of accommodation for people with serious medical conditions when planning transfers of people with status; the opportunities people with status have to raise their medical needs with IPAS when given a transfer notice; the number of transfers that have been stopped, delayed or reversed due to the presence of a serious medical condition, in 2024 and 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3038/26]
View answerWritten answers
People who have been granted status are no longer entitled to material reception conditions and, as such, have no legal entitlement to IPAS accommodation
In the last three years, more than 10,000 people with status have successfully moved out of IPAS and found their own community accommodation, including approximately 4,000 who moved out in 2025.
Transfers to temporary alternative emergency accommodation are offered to those longest with status if they have not sourced their own accommodation by a defined date. IPAS has procedures in place for considering cases based on medical or welfare priority, including where people are undergoing specialist treatment or may need to live within a reasonable travelling distance to a hospital.
Households that have had status for the longest time and are to be transferred can contact IPAS directly via email, speak to their centre manager or link in with their assigned support worker should they feel that they cannot transfer from their current accommodation centre based on medical grounds. In such cases residents will be asked to submit relevant medical documentation which will then be considered by IPAS.
Since 2024, 234 households with status have been permitted to remain in their accommodation based on medical or welfare grounds.
Intelligence Sharing
Questions (456)
Cian O'Callaghan
Question:456. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if he will outline the laws and regulations currently covering the area of covert human intelligence sources (CHIS); his views on whether an independent oversight role should be formalised in law; and to detail his plans for introducing legislation governing this area. [3039/26]
View answerWritten answers
I can confirm to the Deputy that there are detailed guidelines governing the procedures and processes relating to the use of Covert Human Intelligence Sources (CHIS) by An Garda Síochána, and these are set out in a comprehensive Code of Practice.
The Deputy will appreciate that it is policy not to comment on the specifics of the operation of the CHIS system, as this would be contrary to the public interest. The longstanding policy is adopted for sound reasons of the security of the State, the protection of the lives and safety of individuals, and so as not to advantage those who would do harm by undermining the use of this important investigative technique by An Garda Síochána.
The Deputy may be interested to note that An Garda Síochána published a public statement and a policy document in 2022 in relation to the management and use of CHIS and these documents are available at [www.garda.ie/en/about-us/publications/policy-documents/]. The policy document was subject to a review 12 months from its date of effect and resulted in no amendments to the policy; the policy is to be reviewed every three years thereafter.
The operation of the CHIS system is subject to internal oversight by senior Garda management and to independent external oversight, exercised since 2010 by a former judge as the Independent Oversight Authority for CHIS. It has generally not been the practice to publish their reports given the nature of the material concerned.
I have no plans to make any changes to the system at present.
Legislative Measures
Questions (457)
Cian O'Callaghan
Question:457. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration when he will present the Criminal Law and Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2025 to the Houses of the Oireachtas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3040/26]
View answerWritten answers
The Criminal Law and Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2026 was published and presented to Dáil Éireann on 9 January 2026. The Bill responds to a range of pressing challenges for the justice system and addresses various Programme for Government commitments. Among other provisions, the Bill includes measures to:
• criminalise the highly exploitative behaviour commonly known as ‘sex for rent’,
• amend legislation relating to disclosure of counselling records in sexual assault trials,
• encourage greater use of community service orders as an alternative to imprisonment in suitable cases,
• remove the legal prohibition on the possession and use of incapacitant spray by prison officers,
• allow the use of more advanced DNA analysis in missing persons cases,
• further facilitate videolink hearings in the criminal courts by enabling bail bonds and suspended sentence bonds to be taken by Gardai and prison officers respectively,
• establish a permanent regulatory basis under which licenced premises may provide outdoor seating on public land, and
• empower the Chief Justice to delegate certain non-judicial functions to other members of the judiciary.
The General Scheme of the Bill included a number of measures which are not in the published Bill as the drafting of these provisions is ongoing. Once this process is complete, and subject to the necessary Government approval, I intend to bring these provisions as Committee Stage amendments to the Bill.
International Protection
Questions (458)
Cathal Crowe
Question:458. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration his plans for a local international protection centre (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3091/26]
View answerWritten answers
The Department has a contract with a provider to provide international protection accommodation at this location.
With respect to potential for contract renewals, 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 potential renewal stage, consideration will be given to the current and projected demand for accommodation, the provider's performance under contract, and compliance with standards and legal obligations.
The Department is working to increase the amount of State-owned international protection accommodation and creating a more stable and sustainable accommodation system.
As developing these more sustainable state-owned accommodation system options under this strategy will take time, the commissioning of emergency commercial accommodation will continue to be a feature in the short to medium term.
Departmental Advertising
Questions (459)
Eoghan Kenny
Question:459. Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the amount his Department, or agencies under its remit, spent on advertising on a social media platform (details supplied) in each of the years 2024 and 2025 respectively; to outline any expenditure on verification or premium accounts on the platform in those years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3107/26]
View answerWritten answers
I have been advised that my Department has not incurred any expenditure on the social media platform referenced by the Deputy.
I am informed that the Policing & Community Safety Authority recorded expenditure of €29.52 in 2024 and €169.42 in 2025. This was for the provision of paid features on the platform, including analytics and a premium account. In addition, I am informed that The Legal Aid Board spent €84 in 2024 and 2025 for a premium account on the platform.
I am further informed that none of the other agencies under the aegis of my Department have incurred any expenditure.
An Garda Síochána
Questions (460)
Maurice Quinlivan
Question:460. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the way in which Garda resourcing levels are impacting crime detection and prevention; the resourcing improvements expected in 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3118/26]
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.
Visa Applications
Questions (461)
Maurice Quinlivan
Question:461. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the steps being taken to address the ongoing delays in the processing of visas, including family re-unification visas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3120/26]
View answerWritten answers
I can advise the Deputy that my Department currently operates seven overseas Visa Offices in addition to the Visa Office in Dublin. These are located in Abuja, Beijing, London, Moscow, Ankara, Abu Dhabi and New Delhi. In addition, staff of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade process certain visa applications in Irish Embassies abroad under delegated authority from my Department.
I can assure the Deputy that while processing times can vary across the different Visa Offices and Irish Embassies, the majority of visas are processed within stated target times. However, some applications can take considerably longer. Processing times for all applications are influenced by a number of factors. The time it can take varies depending on the type and complexity of application; individual circumstances; peak application periods; such as holidays or the start of the school year; and, crucially, the quality and completeness of the application lodged. Verifying an application is an important part of our immigration system and the checks involved can take time to complete.
In 2025, approximately 206,000 visa applications, of all types, were received by the Visa Division of my Department. This reflects an increase of 2% compared to 2024, with over 3,900 additional applications received. My officials are working to meet the increased level of demand, and over 8,700 additional visa decisions have issued in 2025, compared to 2024. Staffing levels are kept under ongoing review having regard to demands placed on my Department’s Immigration Service Delivery (ISD) function generally.
The current processing times of applications for join family visas varies depending on the circumstances when the application is made. If a non-EEA national is moving to Ireland because they have been granted a Critical Skills Employment Permit they can apply for join family visas at the same time as their own employment visa. When these visas are applied for together, they are processed in tandem and are typically completed in under eight weeks.
I can assure the Deputy the majority of join family visas receive a first instance decision within the 12 month business target.
Processing times and decisions at the Dublin Visa Office and the Overseas Visa Offices can be checked at the following link: www.irishimmigration.ie/visa-decisions/
An Garda Síochána
Questions (462)
Matt Carthy
Question:462. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of former gardaí that applied to rejoin An Garda Síochána in each year 2020-2025 inclusive; the number who successfully rejoined, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3188/26]
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.
Departmental Data
Questions (463)
Pádraig Rice
Question:463. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of offences recorded by An Garda Síochána under sections (details supplied); the number of prosecutions brought in each case; the number of convictions in each case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3192/26]
View answerWritten answers
While An Garda Síochána can advise on the number of court proceedings initiated regarding a named offence or offence code associated with an act, I am informed that Gardaí are unable to provide data related to specific sections of Acts, as requested by the Deputy, as there is no structured field available in PULSE to search for that information.
However, the following table describes the total number of proceedings initiated* during 2025 citing the main offences contrary to the relevant sections of the three acts of interest.
|
- |
Offence |
Proceedings initiated |
|
|
Assault aggravated by hatred |
< 10 |
|
|
Damaging property aggravated by hatred |
< 10 |
|
|
Threatening, abusive or insulting behaviour in public place aggravated by hatred |
28 |
*Proceedings initiated do not equate to prosecutions.
Prosecutions are a matter for the Director of Public Prosecutions, who is fully independent in her functions. As Minister, I have no role in the operations, functions, governance or oversight of the Office of the DPP and as a result I am unable to provide any information or statistics relating to the Director's work.
Regarding convictions, the management of the courts, operational matters and logistical functions, are solely matters for the Judiciary, who are completely independent in the exercise of their functions under the Courts Service Act 1998 and given the separation of powers in the Constitution. As Minister I have no role in the outcome of any court proceedings and do not keep statistics on court decisions.
I am advised however that the system in use by the Courts Service in the Circuit Courts cannot produce reports for specific offences. Reports are available by offence category rather than for individual offences and categories of offences can contain multiple offences. Consequently, the Courts Service is unable to provide statistics in the format requested by the Deputy.
The Court Service has a dedicated email address for queries from members of the Oireachtas: oireachtasenquiries@courts.ie.
An Garda Síochána
Questions (464)
Michael Murphy
Question:464. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of GoSafe speed camera vans in operation in 2025; if that number has been increased now to cater for the 390 additional GoSafe speed camera zones operational since 1 January 2026; and the number of monitoring hours per month across the national network of GoSafe camera zones in 2025. [3202/26]
View answerWritten answers
The whole of Government response to road safety is led by the Department of Transport and is a shared responsibility taken very seriously across Government.
While the development and implementation of road traffic legislation and policy falls within the remit of my colleague Mr Darragh O'Brien TD, the Minister for Transport, road traffic laws are enforced by Gardaí assigned to Roads Policing and as part of the day-to-day duties of uniformed Gardaí nationwide.
Speeding remains one of the greatest risk factors on our roads. Speed reduces the time people have to react and makes collisions much more likely. It also makes it more likely that when collisions happen, they will lead to death or very serious injuries.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that the Mobile Safety Camera Programme continues to operate using an existing fleet of 58 Mobile Safety Cameras, delivered under contract by GoSafe on behalf of An Garda Síochána. The programme is currently supported by 9,000 operational monitoring hours per month which increased from 7,500 hours in 2024. In addition, there are 9 static speed cameras and 5 average speed zones in operation nationwide.
The use of camera technology for the detection of offences is a priority action in the first phase of the Government's Road Safety Strategy. The development of the first National Safety Camera Strategy is being led by Transport Infrastructure Ireland.
An Garda Síochána
Questions (465)
Michael Murphy
Question:465. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of gardaí working in roads policing units on 31 December 2025, by Garda division; the total number that were assigned to roads policing units each month in 2025; the number of transfers, resignations and retirements from roads policing units in 2025; the current number of gardaí in each roads policing unit to date in 2026; if that number includes officers not on active duty; and the number of members who are not currently in active duty in road policing, by roads policing unit. [3203/26]
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 (466)
Michael Murphy
Question:466. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of gardaí who graduated and were sworn in as full members of An Garda Síochána from the Garda college in 2025. [3205/26]
View answerWritten answers
The Garda Commissioner is responsible for the recruitment, 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. As Minister, I have no role in the recruitment or deployment of Garda resources or operational policing matters.
To be of assistance, I can confirm that the total number of attestations in 2025 was 619.
In the interest of transparency, 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 regular basis, following each attestation, and can be found at the following link:
The Deputy should select the most recent month and then the sheet titled 'Allocation of Probationer Gardaí by Division and Station 2015 to Most Recent Month'.
An Garda Síochána
Questions (467)
Michael Murphy
Question:467. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the current number of roads policing vehicles, by Garda division. [3206/26]
View answerWritten answers
I am informed by the Garda authorities that, as of 12 January there were 302 vehicles attached to the Garda Road Policing Unit.
The Garda authorities have provided the below table which shows the number of Roads Policing Vehicles by Division:
|
Division |
No of Roads Policing Vehicles |
|
DMR East |
4 |
|
DMR North |
5 |
|
DMR North Central |
8 |
|
DMR South |
5 |
|
DMR South Central |
2 |
|
DMR Traffic |
51 |
|
DMR West |
5 |
|
Kildare/Carlow |
12 |
|
Laois/Offaly |
10 |
|
Meath/Westmeath |
15 |
|
Waterford/Kilkenny |
17 |
|
Wexford/Wicklow |
17 |
|
Donegal |
12 |
|
Galway |
15 |
|
Louth/Cavan/Monaghan |
21 |
|
Mayo/Roscommon/Longford |
19 |
|
Sligo/Leitrim |
6 |
|
Garda National Roads Policing Bureau HQ |
2 |
|
Clare/Tipperary |
19 |
|
Cork City |
15 |
|
Cork County |
19 |
|
Kerry |
9 |
|
Limerick |
14 |
|
Total |
302 |
The purchase and allocation of vehicles by An Garda Síochána is made on the basis of identified operational demands, the availability of resources and is reviewed on a continual basis.
The Garda Commissioner is responsible under Section 33 of the Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024 for all operational policing matters, including the distribution and deployment of the Garda fleet across the State.
Penalty Points System
Questions (468, 469)
Michael Murphy
Question:468. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of fixed charge penalty point notices (FCPNs) issued by gardaí on interception of speeding drivers, by Garda division, in 2025; the number of drivers who failed to pay the FCPN; the number summoned to court; the number that were convicted; and the number who had their driver number captured by the court. [3207/26]
View answerMichael Murphy
Question:469. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of fixed charge penalty point notices issued by An Garda Síochána to the registered owner of a vehicle following a speeding offence detected by a speed camera in 2025; the number of owners who failed to pay the fine; the number summoned to court; the number convicted; and the number of driver numbers recorded by the court on conviction. [3208/26]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 468 and 469 together.
Road traffic laws are enforced by Gardaí assigned to Roads Policing and as part of the day-to-day duties of uniformed Gardaí nationwide. This includes a programme of high-visibility road safety and enforcement operations carried out in partnership with other state agencies. My Department has no operational role in these matters and does not collate or hold data on the number of Fixed Charge Penalty Notices (FCPN) issued for any offence.
An Garda Síochána publish figures on their website in relation to roads policing offences. These are published quarterly. The most recent figures for FCPN issued for speeding, to the end of Quarter 3 2025, can be found at the link below.
I understand that if an individual does not pay a fixed charge amount on receipt of a Fixed Charge Notice at any of the three payment points, they will be summonsed to appear in court and, if convicted of a fixed charge offence, the ensuing fine is paid to the Courts Service.
Individuals are afforded multiple payment opportunities in the lifecycle of a Fixed Charge Notice for speeding. Furthermore, it should be noted that the time limit for paying of FCNs issued in the latter part of 2025 will not expire until March 2026, after which summonses may be issued.
The management of the courts, operational matters and logistical functions, are matters for the Courts and the Judiciary. As a result, my Department does not keep statistics on convictions in the courts or the number of driver numbers recorded by the court on conviction. The Courts Service has a dedicated email address for the provision of information to members of the Oireachtas. That email address is [oireachtasenquiries@courts.ie].
Question No. 469 answered with Question No. 468.
Penalty Points System
Questions (470)
Michael Murphy
Question:470. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of registered owners of vehicles detected speeding in 2025 who nominated another person as the driver at the time of the offence; the number of nominated drivers who were issued with a fixed charge notice (FCN); the number who failed to pay the FCN; the number summonsed to court; the number convicted; and the number who had their driver number recorded in court. [3209/26]
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.