Written Answers Nos. 719-738
719. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of Gardaí assigned to roads policing units in December 2025, by Garda division; and the total number of Gardai currently working in roads policing units, by division. [5588/26]
View answerI am committed to ensuring that An Garda Síochána has the resources it needs to fight crime and a strengthened, well-resourced Garda organisation is central to this policy. The Garda Vote in Budget 2026 saw unprecedented funding of over €2.74 billion for this year which is supporting the continued recruitment of Garda members and staff.
In the interest of transparency, An Garda Síochána publish information in relation to the allocation of Roads Policing by Division which is publicly available and can be found at the following link: (www.garda.ie/en/about-us/our-departments/human-resources-and-people-development/garda-hr-directorate/garda-strength-breakdown-2025/garda-strength-breakdown-2025.html).
The Deputy should select the latest date and then select the file titled ‘Roads Policing by Division 2009 to the latest date’.
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.
720. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to provide the current number of Garda members and community policing personnel assigned to the Glasnevin, Cabra and Drumcondra areas, broken down by station and unit; to outline how these figures compare with staffing levels in 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5629/26]
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. The Commissioner is independent in his functions under Section 34 of the Act and, as Minister, I play no role in the assignment of Garda resources.
The areas referred to are policed by two different Garda Divisions within the Dublin Metropolitan Region (DMR), namely DMR West and DMR North Central.
The table below has been provided to me by the Garda authorities and outlines the number of Gardaí assigned to community policing in both Divisions from December 2022 to November 2025, the latest date for which figures are available.
|
DMR West |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
Nov 2025 |
|
Ballyfermot |
7 |
10 |
10 |
9 |
|
Blanchardstown |
11 |
9 |
11 |
10 |
|
Cabra |
4 |
7 |
8 |
7 |
|
Clondalkin |
7 |
5 |
5 |
10 |
|
Finglas |
9 |
11 |
10 |
9 |
|
Lucan |
10 |
10 |
9 |
10 |
|
Rathcoole |
4 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
|
Ronanstown |
9 |
7 |
8 |
8 |
|
Total |
61 |
64 |
66 |
68 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
DMR North Central |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
Nov 2025 |
|
Bridewell |
10 |
10 |
10 |
7 |
|
Mountjoy |
21 |
18 |
21 |
27 |
|
Store Street |
9 |
15 |
51 |
50 |
|
Total |
40 |
43 |
82 |
84 |
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 all of the Dublin Metropolitan Region by division and a breakdown of members assigned to community policing by 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 Station to the most recent date" to access a breakdown of Garda members assigned by Division. The Deputy can select the file titled 'Community Garda by division to the most recent date' to access a breakdown of community Garda by division.
721. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to provide the number of enforcement actions taken in respect of breaches of the 3.5 tonne weight restriction on Richmond Road between Drumcondra Road and Gracepark Road in each month from 1 January 2025 to 31 December 2025, including the number of checkpoints conducted, vehicles stopped, fixed charge notices issued and prosecutions initiated; in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5630/26]
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.
722. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of full-time equivalent forensic scientists funded by his Department which are currently employed by Forensic Science Ireland; whether there are currently any shortages of staff or unfulfilled staff sanctions for forensic scientists at FSI; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5646/26]
View answerAs Minister for Justice, I am committed to ensuring that the Justice sector has the resources it needs and Government is continuing to invest in the agencies that support this goal, including Forensic Science Ireland (FSI).
Forensic Science Ireland provides a scientific service to the Criminal Justice system by analysing samples submitted from crime scenes and providing expert evidence in criminal trials. FSI employs a range of both scientific and non-scientific staff. Forensic Scientist grades are trained in forensic testing and reporting techniques, supported by a team of Laboratory Analysts, ICT, and administrative professionals working from their state-of-the-art, purpose-built laboratory in Backweston, Celbridge, Co. Kildare.
The current staff numbers at FSI are 206. Of this number, there are 130 Forensic Scientists.
While FSI have some unfilled positions, which include Forensic Scientist Grades, there is ongoing active recruitment.
The entry level recruitment grade is Forensic Scientist Grade III. In 2024, eleven new Forensic Scientists joined FSI. Competitions were held in 2025 and nine forensic scientists from these panels have taken up roles to date and there are an additional six candidates who have been offered roles.
FSI, through publicjobs, also plan to run a Forensic Scientist Grade III recruitment competition in Q1 2026 to ensure that all staff positions are filled.
723. Deputy Martin Daly asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the average 999/112 call answer time in 2025, as reported in the An Garda Síochána annual report, broken down by region. [5687/26]
View answerI am informed by Garda authorities that data from the GardaSAFE computer aided dispatch system is not yet supported by An Garda Síochána’s Analysis Service and therefore the information requested cannot be supplied at this time.
It is anticipated that initial reporting capabilities (for example on the counts of calls received) in respect of GardaSAFE data will commence in the first quarter of 2026. There will be incremental, additional reporting capabilities in each quarter over the course of 2026.
I am advised that the GardaSAFE system was rolled out incrementally across the organisation in 2023. I understand that while there are some reports available, these are focused on live operational aspects for the Control Rooms to monitor call volumes, etc.
I am further informed that the Garda Regional Control Centres answer every 999/112 call that Emergency Call Answering Service (ECAS) needs to connect. If the caller hangs up before the call is answered, the ECAS operator will stay on the call and connect the call giving all relevant information. In the rare event that a technical issue arises in one of the Regional Control Rooms, ECAS will stay on the call and route the call to a Garda call taker at an alternative location.
The Garda Commissioner is by law responsible for all operational policing matters, including responses by An Garda Síochána to emergency calls. As Minister, I have no direct role in these matters.
724. Deputy Martin Daly asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the median processing time for international protection applications concluded in 2025, as reported by the International Protection Office. [5688/26]
View answerThere has been a significant increase in investment into the international protection system which, combined with digitisation and process reengineering, has facilitated a major increase in processing capacity.
In 2025, the International Protection Office (IPO) delivered over 20,200 first decisions compared to approximately 14,100 in 2024 resulting in a 44% increase.
In 2025 the overall median processing time for IPO first instance decisions was 14 months. Accelerated cases were processed in four months, while standard cases were processed in 16 months.
Ireland has opted in to the EU Asylum and Migration Pact which will come into effect in June this year. The Pact will provide a fair, sustainable and efficient asylum procedure. This will be achieved through convergence in asylum practices across the EU, and through the introduction of streamlined and faster processing times.
Last week, I published the new International Protection Bill 2026 to give effect to the measures of the EU Migration and Asylum Pact. Enactment of the Bill and commencement of the Act is required by 12 June 2026.
725. Deputy Martin Daly asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the prison overcrowding rate in 2025, as published by the Irish Prison Service; the planned capacity increases under the Irish Prison Service Capital Plan. [5689/26]
View answerInformation regarding prison capacity and the numbers of prisoners in custody is collated daily by the Irish Prison Service Statistics Unit and published on its website (www.irishprisons.ie). This information can be found in the Information Centre under Statistics & Information: [Statistics & Information - Irish Prison Service] (www.irishprisons.ie/information-centre/statistics-information/).
The Irish Prison Service further advise that the average daily prison population for 2025 was 5,417 which was an increase of 9.6% on the 2024 figure of 4,941.
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.
I am also committed to progressing and implementing policies aimed at increasing the use of community sanctions, that seek to reduce offending, divert people away from imprisonment, and provide effective rehabilitation.
Budget 2026 provides for 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 last month and a pilot is expected to be operational in 2026.
726. Deputy Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration further to Parliamentary Question No.744 of 16 December 2025, if the necessary information has been supplied to him in order to have this question answered. [5833/26]
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.
727. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of Garda roads policing vehicles equipped with automatic number plate recognition technology and interconnection with Garda mobility devices. [5847/26]
View answerI am committed to ensuring that An Garda Síochána has the resources it needs and a strengthened, well-resourced Garda organisation is central to this policy. The Garda Vote in Budget 2026 saw unprecedented funding of over €2.74 billion for this year which is allowing for sustained investment in recruitment, equipment, technology, and vehicles.
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 and responsibility for the allocation and deployment of resources and personnel available to him, including the Garda fleet.
I am advised by the Garda authorities that there are currently 158 vehicles equipped with Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR). Of these, 138 have the ability to connect to the vehicle’s ANPR system through the Garda Mobility device. Garda vehicles with ANPR do not require interconnectivity to Mobility devices for the ANPR system to work. Currently 13,000 Garda members have the ability to use an interconnecting Mobile Monitor app on their Mobility device that displays the ANPR results while connected to the vehicle’s internal network.
I am also informed that Mobility devices have a separate handheld ANPR app that works without connectivity to a vehicle. This standalone ANPR app is currently deployed to 739 members.
728. Deputy Paul Nicholas Gogarty asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of people who have applied for international protection from 1 January 2020 to 31 December 2025; of the people who have made their applications in that period, the number who have received a decision in the first instance or separately on appeal; the number who have received a protection status or leave to remain; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5853/26]
View answer731. Deputy Paul Nicholas Gogarty asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number and percentage of applications for international protection from 1 January 2020 to 31 December 2025, where decisions have been made, have resulted in protection status or leave to remain; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5856/26]
View answer732. Deputy Paul Nicholas Gogarty asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the current number of international protection applicants who do not have leave to remain; the number who have been requested to leave the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5857/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 728, 731 and 732 together.
I am fully committed to ensuring that Ireland’s International Protection system is robust, and rules based, and that our borders are protected.
The number of International Protection applications have been rising over the past number of years, reaching 18,500 in 2024. In 2025, application numbers reduced by approximately a third.
There has been a significantly increased investment into the international protection system to improve efficiencies and throughput as well as enhancing the application, interview and decision-making process for applicants.
In 2025, the International Protection Office (IPO) delivered over 20,200 first decisions compared to approximately 14,100 in 2024: a 44% increase. While the International Protection Appeals Tribunal (IPAT) more than doubled the number of appeals closed from 3,100 in 2024 to nearly 6,300 in 2025.
My Department continues to focus on preparing for the EU Migration and Asylum Pact in advance of June 2026. The Pact will provide a fair, sustainable and efficient asylum procedure. This will be achieved through convergence in asylum practices across the EU including standardised processing times for decisions: six months for a standard procedure, three months for accelerated and border procedures and two months for processing applicants who have applied for protection elsewhere in Europe.
Last week, I published the new International Protection Bill 2026 which will give effect to the measures of the EU Migration and Asylum Pact. Enactment of the Bill and commencement of the Act is required by 12 June 2026.
The table below provides a yearly breakdown of IP applications made from 2020 to 2025.
|
Year of Application |
Total |
|
2020 |
1,565 |
|
2021 |
2,647 |
|
2022 |
13,643 |
|
2023 |
13,271 |
|
2024 |
18,553 |
|
2025 |
13,160 |
The table below shows all international protection first instance decisions made from 2020 to 2025 broken down by those granted either Refugee Status (RS), Subsidiary Protection (SP) or Permission to Remain (PTR) and those refused. Please note that there is not a direct correlation between the year an application was made and the year the decision issued.
|
First instance decisions |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
2025 |
|
Granted (RS, SP, PTR) |
725 32.12% |
1,521 61.77% |
3,537 71.70% |
3,236 36.73% |
3,909 27.80% |
3,744 18.64% |
|
Refused / withdrew / inadmissible |
1,532 67.87% |
941 38.22% |
1,396 28.30% |
5,574 63.26% |
10,151 72.19% |
16,497 81.35% |
All applicants refused international protection have a right to appeal to the International Protection Appeals Tribunal (IPAT) who must then consider if the earlier International Protection Office (IPO) determinations on refugee status and subsidiary protection should be affirmed or set aside.
The table below details International Protection appeal decisions from 2020 to 2025.
|
International Protection Appeals Tribunal Decisions Issued |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year |
Decision |
|
Grand Total |
Decision % |
|
|
|
Granted/Set Aside |
Refused/Affirmed |
|
Granted/Set Aside |
Refused/Affirmed |
|
2020 |
317 |
766 |
1083 |
29.3% |
70.7% |
|
2021 |
385 |
667 |
1052 |
36.6% |
63.4% |
|
2022 |
496 |
804 |
1300 |
38.2% |
61.8% |
|
2023 |
446 |
1136 |
1582 |
28.2% |
71.8% |
|
2024 |
819 |
2051 |
2870 |
28.5% |
71.5% |
|
2025 |
1488 |
4016 |
5504 |
27.0% |
73.0% |
Following a negative international protection decision an individual no longer has permission to reside in the State. The International Protection Act 2015, at section 51, provides that a person shall have a deportation order made in respect of them if they are refused international protection or permission to remain in the State and if they also do not avail of the option of voluntary return.
The table below details the number deportation orders which have been signed in respect of people who have been refused International Protection from 2020, up to end of 2025.
|
Year |
IP Deportation Orders Signed |
|
2020 |
290 |
|
2021 |
0* |
|
2022 |
541 |
|
2023 |
765 |
|
2024 |
2,001 |
|
2025 |
3,573 |
* During the COVID- 19 Pandemic there was a moratorium on deportations. This was effective during the latter part of 2020, 2021 and for the first 8 months of 2022. During the moratorium only persons who whose presence in Ireland would be contrary to the public interest were deported. This moratorium was lifted in July 2022.
The information requested by the Deputy on the number of international protection applications processed to a final decision during 2025 is not easily extracted.
Please note, all figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing.
729. Deputy Paul Nicholas Gogarty asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of those people who have applied for international protection between 1 January 2019 and 31 December 2024 have received a final decision within a 12-month period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5854/26]
View answer730. Deputy Paul Nicholas Gogarty asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of current outstanding applications and appeals for international protection; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5855/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 729 and 730 together.
There has been a significant increase in investment into the international protection system which, combined with digitisation and process reengineering, has facilitated a major increase in processing capacity.
In 2025, the International Protection Office (IPO) delivered over 20,200 first decisions compared to approximately 14,100 in 2024: a 44% increase. The International Protection Appeals Tribunal (IPAT) more than doubled the number of appeals closed from 3,100 in 2024 to nearly 6,300 in 2025.
In 2025 the median processing time for IPO first instance decisions was 14 months (Accelerated cases were processed in four months, while standard cases were processed in 16 months).
In 2025 the median processing time for appeals at the IPAT was 12.5 months.
Ireland has opted in to the EU Asylum and Migration Pact which will come into effect in June this year. The Pact will provide a fair, sustainable and efficient asylum procedure. This will be achieved through convergence in asylum practices across the EU, and through the introduction of streamlined and faster processing times.
The information requested by the Deputy on the number of international protection applications processed to a final decision within a 12-month period is not easily extracted. However to be helpful to the Deputy the table below shows median processing times for first instance decisions at the IPO from 2019 to 2024.
|
IPO First Instance Median Process Time in Months |
|
|
2019 |
17 |
|
2020 |
18 |
|
2021 |
23 |
|
2022 |
18 |
|
2023 |
13 |
|
2024 |
16 |
The table below show the median processing time at the IPAT from 2019 to 2024.
|
IPAT Median Process Time in Months |
|
|
2019 |
6 |
|
2020 |
9 |
|
2021 |
13.5 |
|
2022 |
10.2 |
|
2023 |
5.5 |
|
2024 |
10 |
The table below shows applications pending at different stage of the international protection process as of 31 January 2026.
|
International Protection Applications Pending |
|
|
IPO - International Protection Office |
14,998 |
|
IPAT - International Protection Appeals Tribunal |
18,793 |
|
PTRR - Permission to Remain Review |
838 |
|
MDU - Ministerial Decision Unit |
99 |
|
Total* |
34,728 |
*To COB 21 January 2026.
All data provided is correct at time of issue and may be subject to data cleansing.
733. Deputy Paul Nicholas Gogarty asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the estimated number of failed international applicants without leave to remain who have voluntarily left Ireland between 1 January 2020 and 31 December 2025; the number who have been removed through legal processes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5858/26]
View answerIt is a central priority for me that Ireland’s immigration system is robust and rules based and that if a person is not granted international protection or permission to remain, that they leave the State.
The enforcement aspects of our laws, including deportation orders, are an essential requirement for the system to work effectively and to ensure that there is confidence in the application of our legislation in this area.
Deportations are costly and complex to enforce. It is the preferred option to return people voluntarily and my Department has a voluntary return programme to assist people to return prior to the issuance of a deportation order.
A person can only avail of voluntary return before a deportation order is issued and I have increased resources into this programme to enable individuals who wish to return before a deportation order is issued to them.
Please below see data below with respect to voluntary returns.
Table 1: Voluntary Returns (VR) from 2020 to 2025
|
Year |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
2025 |
|
Non-International Protection VR |
105 |
72 |
50 |
105 |
240 |
417 |
|
International Protection VR |
96 |
60 |
41 |
108 |
694 |
1199 |
|
Total Number of Voluntary Returns |
201 |
132 |
91 |
213 |
934 |
1616 |
If a person does not remove themselves from the State following the issuing of a deportation order, they will be removed, and my Department has taken action to significantly improve immigration enforcement measures and increase removals.
The number of deportation orders signed in 2024 (2,403) increased by 180% compared to 2023 (857). In 2025, 4,700 deportation orders were signed, an increase of 96% compared to 2024.
In 2024, 1,122 people departed from the State under various mechanisms (i.e. enforced deportation, voluntary return etc.). In 2025, 2,111 people had their departure confirmed through these pathways, an increase of 88% compared to 2024.
In 2025, six charter flight operations removed 205 people from the State. Of these, five operations to non-EU destinations removed 182 people who were subject to deportation orders and one operation removed 23 EU citizens on grounds of criminality.
The tables below detail the number of deportation orders signed and effected from 2020 to 2025.
Table 3: Deportation orders signed from 2020 to 2025
|
Year |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
2025 |
|
Deportation orders signed |
598 |
33 |
549 |
859 |
2,403 |
4,700 |
*Please note, figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing.
Table 4: Deportation Enforcement 2020 to 2025
|
Year |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
2025 |
|
Enforced Deportations |
42 |
5 |
24 |
51 |
134 |
185 |
|
Removed by Charter |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
182 |
|
Otherwise Confirmed Deportation (1) |
97 |
33 |
93 |
28 |
28 |
67 |
|
Total Deportations |
139 |
38 |
117 |
79 |
162 |
434 |
|
Other Removals (2) |
40 |
46 |
39 |
24 |
26 |
61 |
|
Number of Voluntary Returns |
201 |
132 |
91 |
215 |
934 |
1,616 |
|
Total Removed |
380 |
216 |
247 |
318 |
1,122 |
2,111 |
*Please note, figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing.
** During the COVID- 19 Pandemic there was a moratorium on deportations. This was effective during the latter part of 2020, 2021 and for the first 8 months of 2022. During the moratorium only people who whose presence in Ireland would be contrary to the public interest were deported. This moratorium was lifted in July 2022.
1. Otherwise confirmed deportations is where it has been confirmed a person has left the state following receipt of a deportation order without being escorted.
2. Other removals include Dublin III Transfer Orders of International Protection applicants to another EU State and EU Removal Orders for the return of EU Citizens under the Free Movement Regulations (these orders are made on grounds of criminality) and people who are deemed inadmissible under the International Protection Act.
As Ireland does not operate routine exit checks at Irish borders, it is not possible to confirm in all instances that a person has departed the State. A person is only recorded as being deported when their deportation has been enforced by An Garda Síochána or when officials have been provided with evidence that they have left Ireland.
While over 300 of the people subject to deportation orders above have confirmed they have left the State independently since 2020, it is the case that a significantly larger number of individuals who were subject to Deportation Orders have left the State without notifying the relevant authorities.
I am informed that the Garda National Immigration Bureau has reviewed a large sample of cases of people subject to deportation orders; their inquiries suggest a very significant number of these individuals have left the State.
734. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the way in which the proposed family reunification for refugee reforms have been assessed for compatibility with Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights and the constitutional protection of the family; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5871/26]
View answerMigration plays an important role in Ireland's economic, social, and community life, and for those granted international protection, the ability to reunite with close family members can be a significant factor in supporting stability and integration. At the same time, family reunification policy must operate within the context of finite public resources, the State's responsibility to manage migration in the interests of the economic and social wellbeing of the country, and the importance of encouraging independence and self-sufficiency from an integration perspective.
I will introduce family reunification provisions into the International Protection Bill at Committee Stage that reflect those aims and that will more closely align with other EU Member States. The provisions are being carefully developed to ensure that they are compliant with all relevant constitutional and ECHR obligations.
An important consideration in the assessment of all family reunification applications is the ability of the sponsor to provide for their family members if they are to be granted a permission to come to Ireland. I also propose to include a provision that adults who are beneficiaries of international protection will not be entitled to seek family reunification for a certain period following their grant of international protection.
This approach reflects the Government's objective of supporting positive integration outcomes for both sponsors and their family members. In that context, my Department invests in a range of integration measures, including community led initiatives, to support the inclusion of migrants and their families in Irish society.
735. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the position regarding any review of the Garda vetting procedure to reduce the timelines and administrative burden placed on schools and other organisations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5875/26]
View answer736. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if his attention has been drawn to how the equivalent to the Garda vetting process is carried out in the UK, which includes a single live register, where individuals are continuously monitored and relevant organisations can check status in real time; if a similar system could be implemented in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5879/26]
View answer758. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the average processing times for Garda vetting applications; the factors contributing to delays in processing; the steps being taken to reduce waiting times; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6256/26]
View answer759. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the rationale for requiring individuals to complete multiple Garda vetting applications when moving between roles or organisations, even when working in the same sector;; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6257/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 735, 736, 758 and 759 together.
The primary purpose of vetting carried out by the Garda National Vetting Bureau (GNVB) is to ensure the safety of children and vulnerable adults. This requires a robust Garda vetting process that reassures the public, and in particular parents, that appropriate checks are conducted on people taking on positions of trust.
However, the Government is aware that concerns have been raised regarding certain aspects of the vetting process and I have listened carefully to the views of the sporting and voluntary sector.
In this regard I'm conscious that aspects of the current vetting system result in a highly-segmented process. Furthermore, I believe that the vetting system should be updated to ensure that vetting is portable.
Further to the work carried out by the Garda Vetting Review Group, steps are now being taken to implement a number of key changes to the vetting process that will ensure it remains robust and effective while improving the service to customers.
In practice, and subject to a general requirement that vetting be renewed every three years, this will mean that when a person is vetted for the work they will be or are likely to be involved in as part of their employment or volunteering within identified risk categories, further vetting would not be required if the person were to move to another role within the same risk category.
These changes will require amending legislation and updated technical systems to support the revised approach and will make the process more efficient for volunteers and organisations, without compromising the essential safeguards that protect those in our care.
In respect of current processing timeframes I am advised by the Garda National Vetting Bureau that its target turnaround time for vetting applications submitted by organisations utilising the eVetting system is 5 to 10 working days for over 85% of applications received.
The current processing time for 85% of vetting applications is 8/9 working days which is within the target turnaround times.
In a number of instances, it is necessary to conduct enquiries with Garda Stations and external agencies such as the Courts Service, Probation Service, and Tusla (the Child and Family Agency), etc. These enquiries are conducted for a multiplicity of reasons such as verification of identity; updating of incomplete records; and establishing outcomes of investigations. In such instances, processing times are significantly longer than the general average. Vetting can also take longer where a person has spent time living abroad.
737. Deputy Michael Collins asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the full list of accommodation premises currently in use, or used at any time since 1 January 2022, in County Kildare by the International Protection Accommodation Service and Ukrainian emergency accommodation/temporary protection accommodation; if details will be provided in relation to each premises (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5901/26]
View answerThe Ukraine and International Protection accommodation systems are currently accommodating almost 50,000 people in State-supported accommodation.
From 2022 to the end of 2024, there was a sudden and sustained increase in numbers of people applying for international protection in Ireland, during the same period as the arrival of over 120,000 people fleeing the war in Ukraine. These arrivals have placed very profound pressure on supply of accommodation across this sector.
The State is currently accommodating over 33,000 people in 312 International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) centres around the country, nearly 10,000 of whom are children.
There are currently 548 international protection applicants being accommodated in Co. Kildare.
In relation to accommodation centres, since 2024, once an IPAS accommodation centre is in operation, IPAS has not published details of the specific locations, resident profile, capacity or occupancy of our accommodation centres. This is to protect the safety, security and privacy of residents and staff.
However, IPAS publishes weekly statistics in relation to international protection applicants accommodated by IPAS. This includes a per county breakdown of where IP applicants are residing
These statistics are located on the Gov.ie website: (www.gov.ie/en/international-protection-accommodation-services-ipas/publications/facts-and-figures/).
In relation to Ukraine accommodation centres, the Department is currently consolidating its accommodation portfolio and ending contracts in a range of centres for various reasons. Some contracts are ending due to a reduced need or compliance issues, and some providers chose to end their own contracts.
Since the outbreak of the conflict in Ukraine in February 2022, the Department continues to work as part of the whole-of-Government response with a focus on providing access to emergency temporary accommodation to those fleeing the conflict who request it, in line with Government policy. This supports people to make longer term independent arrangements if they decide to remain in Ireland for the duration of the Temporary Protection Directive.
Currently there are three contracts in place with regard to the accommodation for the Beneficiaries of the Temporary Protection in Co. Kildare with contracted capacity of around 75 beds. Only one contract has been terminated in Co. Kildare since April 2024. The Department does not publicly detail the locations of such accommodation centres in the interest of the privacy and security of residents and providers.
In addition, there are three Designated Accommodation Centres (DACs) in Co. Kildare. Further information regarding the DACs is available on our website [Designated Accommodation Centres] (www.gov.ie/en/department-of-justice-home-affairs-and-migration/publications/designated-accommodation-centres/).
Details of individual contracts are treated as confidential and commercially sensitive. For both IPAS and Ukraine accommodation, there is full transparency from the Department in terms of providers receiving payments, with details of all payments over €20,000 and the recipients published quarterly online at Gov.ie here: [Purchase Orders for €20,000 or above.] (www.gov.ie/en/department-of-children-disability-and-equality/collections/department-of-children-equality-disability-integration-and-youth-purchase-orders-for-20000-or-above/).[]
738. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of visa applications that were live as of 31 December 2025, by type and expressed as a whole number; the number of these that had been determined by 31 December 2025; the number of these that had been granted by 31 December 2025, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5905/26]
View answerI 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. This follows a 21% increase in applications in 2024 compared to 2023. 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.
Table 1 below provides the statistics requested by the Deputy.
Table 1. Applications received and decisions made in 2025.
|
- |
Short Stay (Type C) Visa |
Long Stay (Type D) Visa |
|
Outstanding/undecided as of 31/12/2025* |
12,981 |
13,504 |
|
Applications received in 2025 |
144,465 |
61,153 |
|
Decisions made in 2025** |
136,909 |
58,677 |
|
Granted in 2025 |
114,324 |
45,349 |
*Total applications that are payment complete as at 31/12/2025 but have not received a decision.
**Decisions made in 2025 will include those made in respect of applications made in previous years.
Please note, figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing.
A decision made in a particular year may relate to an application received in a previous year.
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/).
In December 2025, the Immigration Service of my Department introduced online payment functionality to my Department's online visa system. This allows applicants to pay visa fees as part of the online application process. The initiative is being rolled out on a phased basis, initially with 39 countries. This reduces the administrative burden on Irish Missions and visa teams, and allows visa officers to dedicate more time to core application processing and decision-making, contributing to improved processing efficiency over time.
