Written Answers Nos. 828-847
828. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the total number of dedicated community Gardaí in each of the years from 2015 to-date in 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9982/26]
View answer829. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the total number of dedicated community Gardaí from 2020 to-date in 2026 allocated to community policing teams; to provide a breakdown by division of the number in each CPT; the number of community support Gardaí in each division; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9983/26]
View answer840. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of Garda districts that are currently without assigned community Gardaí; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9994/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 828, 829 and 840 together.
The Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána under section 33 of the Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024, which includes the distribution and stationing of Garda personnel throughout the State.
An Garda Síochána publishes information in relation to the allocation of Gardaí nationally. This includes a breakdown of Gardaí assigned to community policing by division for the periods requested. 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 'Community Garda by division to the most recent date' to access a breakdown of community Garda by division.
It should be noted that, with the completion of the roll-out of the Garda Operating Model, Divisions no longer operate on a District model and are now organised into Functional Areas. Under this model an Garda Síochána do not police on a station basis, but rather on a Divisional basis and see stations as locations within communities for people to attend, and for resources to be accommodated. Policing for an area will be delivered using all resources in a Community Engagement Area and supported by Divisional resources and units.
The Deputy may also wish to note that community policing is at the heart of An Garda Síochána and that in addition to those specifically assigned to community policing, all Gardaí have a role to play in community policing in the course of carrying out their duties.
830. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of Garda stations currently in operation; their public opening hours; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9984/26]
View answer838. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of Garda stations that currently open on a full-time and part-time basis, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9992/26]
View answer839. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of Garda Stations which are currently assigned zero or one Garda on a permanent basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9993/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 830, 838 and 839 together.
The Government is 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.
Currently, An Garda Síochána has over 560 Garda stations throughout the country.
It should be noted that An Garda Síochána do not police on a station basis, but rather on a Divisional basis and see stations as locations within communities for people to attend, and for resources to be accommodated. Policing for an area is delivered using all resources in a Community Engagement Area and supported by Divisional resources and units.
Details of opening hours for all stations are available on the Garda Station Directory at the following link: www.garda.ie/en/contact-us/station-directory/
In relation to Garda stations which are not open to the public on a 24/7 basis, telephone calls to a station during periods of closure are automatically routed to the nearest 24-hour station in the Community Engagement Area.
In cases of emergency, any person should call the 999 or 112 emergency service for an urgent Garda response.
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 allocation and deployment of Garda resources throughout the state.
Information in relation to the allocation of Gardaí by Division, Station and rank, 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/
The Deputy should select the current month and access the file titled “Garda Members by Division District Station 2009 to the most recent date” for a breakdown of total Gardaí numbers by Garda station going back to 2009.
831. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of Garda stations either newly opened, reopened or closed in each year from 2015 to-date in 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9985/26]
View answerThe Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of Garda business. This includes responsibility for the formulation of proposals in relation to the opening and closing of Garda stations. Works on the Estate are undertaken by the Office of Public Works (OPW) in cooperation with the Garda Authorities.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that there have been no Garda station closures in the last number of years.
I am also informed that further to the Garda Station Rationalisation Programmes of 2012 and 2013, four of the stations closed were subsequently reopened. Three of the reopened stations are located in Ballinspittle in County Cork, Donard in County Wicklow, and Rush and Stepaside in Dublin. A newly built station in An Spidéal (Spiddle) opened in 2024 on the site of the previous station.
I am further advised that Emyvale Garda Station, Co. Monaghan was demolished following a fire which occurred in late 2019. The permanent replacement of Emyvale Garda Station is included in the current Garda Capital Plan 2023-2030. In the interim, a medium-term solution to maintaining a dedicated policing service in Emyvale has been provided in the form of a modular structure.
In addition five new Garda stations were opened in the period 2015 to date. These included Kevin Street Divisional Headquarters, Dublin 2, Galway Regional Headquarters, Co. Galway and the new Wexford Divisional Headquarters, Co. Wexford, all three of which opened in 2018. In 2023 a new station opened on O’Connell Street, Dublin 1 and the Dublin Port Garda Station was opened in late 2023.
832. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of members of An Garda Síochána assigned to the Garda National Crime and Security Intelligence Service, in each of the past five years, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9986/26]
View answerThe Deputy’s question seeks detailed information regarding the Garda National Crime and Security Intelligence Service.
The Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024 sets out the functions of An Garda Síochána, which include the provision of security services for the State. The GNCSIS carries out a range of activities including the identification of security threats, the implementation of necessary security mitigation measures and the provision of advice to the Government on security threats.
Under the Act, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of Garda business, including the assignment of Garda personnel throughout the State. This responsibility is inclusive of specialist units within the organisation, such as the National Crime and Security Intelligence Service. As Minister, I have no role in these independent, operational functions.
The Deputy will appreciate that for security and operational reasons it is not the practice to comment on the numbers deployed or the means used by An Garda Siochana to safeguard the security of the State. However, I am aware that the Garda Commissioner keeps the allocation of resources under continued review and he is acutely aware of the developments in relation to the security environment.
833. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of members of An Garda Síochána assigned to the Criminal Assets Bureau, for the past five years, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9987/26]
View answerThe Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB) is a multi-agency statutory body established under the Criminal Assets Bureau Act 1996. The Bureau’s remit is to target a person's assets, wherever situated, which derive, or are suspected to derive, directly or indirectly, from criminal conduct. Since its inception, the Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB) has been at the forefront of fighting organised crime and disrupting the activities of criminals by depriving them of ill-gotten assets. CAB works closely with Gardaí and all law enforcement agencies at national and international levels and continues to focus its efforts on targeting assets deriving from all types of criminal conduct. In 2024 for example, more than €17 million was returned to the Exchequer arising from their work.
The table below outlines the number of Gardaí assigned to the Criminal Assets Bureau for the years 2021 - 2025.
|
Year |
Number of Garda members assigned |
|
2021 |
45 |
|
2022 |
37 |
|
2023 |
48 |
|
2024 |
51 |
|
2025 |
50 |
I was pleased to secure a 6.3% increase on the Criminal Assets Bureau budget allocation for 2026.
I am committed to ensuring that the Criminal Assets Bureau have the powers and resources to continue their important work. The Proceeds of Crime and Related Matters Bill is making its way through the Oireachtas currently. Once passed into law, the Criminal Assets Bureau will have stronger investigative powers and will be able to dispose of assets much more quickly than is currently the case.
834. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of members of An Garda Síochána assigned to each of the Mounted Support Unit; the Air Support Unit; the Dog Unit and the Water Unit, for each of the past five years, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9988/26]
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.
835. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of members of An Garda Síochána assigned to the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau, for the past five years, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9989/26]
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.
836. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of members of An Garda Síochána assigned to Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau, for the past five years, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9990/26]
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.
837. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of members of An Garda Síochána assigned to Garda National Cyber Crime Bureau, for the past five years, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9991/26]
View answerThe Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of Garda business under section 33 of the Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024, including 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 have no role in the deployment of Garda resources to the various Divisions and specialist units.
The Garda National Cyber Crime Bureau (GNCCB) provides assistance to investigators in the forensic examination of digital devices that have been seized as part of criminal investigations.
I am advised by the Garda authorities that the table below sets out the GNCCB staff numbers at the end of each year for the past five years.
|
Year |
No. of Personnel |
|
2021 |
51 |
|
2022 |
75 |
|
2023 |
78 |
|
2024 |
81 |
|
2025 |
81 |
841. Deputy Marie Sherlock asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if a review of the current youth justice strategy has taken place; if consideration has been given to updating the youth justice strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10066/26]
View answerThe Government’s focus on youth diversion and interventions is a keystone in the Youth Justice Strategy 2021-2027. The strategy emphasises early intervention, prevention, family support and community engagement. It is aimed at promoting positive behavioural change and targeting this behaviour so that we can break the cycle of offending by young people.
Preparation will begin next year to create a successor strategy to be in place in 2028. Consultations with key stakeholders will take place about what has worked well in relation to the current strategy, any issues that require further attention and future priorities for the lifetime of the next strategy.
The current strategy also commits to the preparation and publication of annual progress reports. These reports, referred to as Implementation Statements, provide an overview of advances made by the Department and its partner agencies in a given year. Implementation Statements for the years 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024 can be found at www.gov.ie/en/department-of-justice-home-affairs-and-migration/publications/youth-justice-strategy-2021-2027/.
The Youth Justice Strategy is underpinned by significant funding, reflecting this Government's commitment to tacking youth crime and rehabilitating the young people involved. The budget allocation for Youth Justice measures has increased by 144% from 2020 to 2026 with a significant allocation of €7.3 million in additional core exchequer funding for Youth Justice measures announced as part of Budget 2026.
842. Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of road traffic collisions the Garda fleet have been involved in by vehicle type, and by division, in 2024, 2025 and to date in 2026; the number of vehicles that have been written off as a result; and a schedule of costs and compensation received and paid out arising from collisions over this time period. [10133/26]
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.
843. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration when a citizenship application will be completed in view that it is over 30 months since the application (details supplied) was first lodged; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10134/26]
View answerThe naturalisation application referred to by the Deputy continues to be processed by my Department.
I understand that extended wait times can be frustrating for applicants. I want to assure anyone who has an application for naturalisation submitted that the Citizenship Division of my Department is doing everything possible to progress applications as quickly as possible.
It is important to note, however, that no two naturalisation applications are the same and some take longer than others to process. Given the importance of citizenship, robust and comprehensive checks must take place on each application. Unfortunately, some checks, such as international checks, can take a considerable amount of time and these are largely outside of the control of the Immigration Service.
For that reason, while, I expect that going forward, that most applicants will receive a decision within one year, this cannot be guaranteed in the case of applications made in any specific year.
Citizenship Division have taken a significant number of steps to improve up the process for applicants. These included introducing an online digital application, online payments, and the introduction of eVetting. I am pleased to inform the Deputy that these changes are reducing processing times.
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/
As an Oireachtas member, you can also request the status of individual immigration cases by e-mail, using the Oireachtas Mail facility at: IMoireachtasmail@justice.ie, which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Question process.
844. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration when an application for naturalisation will be complete (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10139/26]
View answerThe naturalisation application referred to by the Deputy continues to be processed by my Department.
This application is based on Section 16 'Irish Association', which can take longer to process than applications based upon residency.
Section 15 of the Act sets out the statutory conditions that must be fulfilled for a certificate of naturalisation to be granted. Section 16 of the Act gives discretion to waive the statutory conditions in certain circumstances, including where the applicant is of Irish descent or Irish associations (related through blood, affinity or adoption to a person who is or is entitled to be an Irish citizen).
Last year my Department published new guidelines for applications on the basis of Irish Associations under Section 16(1)(a) of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956. They set out the factors that may be considered when deciding whether to waive the statutory conditions in certain circumstances, including where the applicant is of Irish descent or Irish associations. Details of the guidelines are available on my Department’s website at the following link: www.irishimmigration.ie/how-to-become-a-citizen/.
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/
As an Oireachtas member, you can also request the status of individual immigration cases by e-mail, using the Oireachtas Mail facility at: IMoireachtasmail@justice.ie, which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Question process.
845. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to provide details of all active interdepartmental, interagency, and department-agency working groups organised under his remit. [10159/26]
View answerMy Department's priorities are shaped by the Programme for Government and by the recently published Statement of Strategy for 2025-2028.
Working groups play a key role in setting strategic direction, implementing key reforms, developing legislative and policy proposals and determining the short and long-term needs of my Department. In addition to working groups, my Department utilises a range of internal structures to support its day-to-day work. This includes, for example, the MinMAC, Management Board, and various strategic committees, steering boards and programme boards.
Details of active interdepartmental, interagency and department-agency working groups organised under my remit are provided in the table below.
|
Name |
Purpose |
Type |
|
Name |
Purpose |
Type |
|
Criminal Justice Strategic Committee |
The Criminal Justice Strategic Committee's purpose is to ensure the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration and the agencies across the criminal justice sector have a coordinated approach to the identification and resolution of the structural and strategic issues affecting the sector. |
Department/Agency |
|
Customer Service Working Group |
To guide the implementation of the Customer Service Action Plan |
Department/Agency |
|
EU Presidency Planning Working Group |
To plan for Ireland’s holding of the EU Presidency in 2026 |
Department/Agency Interdepartmental |
|
Garda Budgeting Oversight and Resource Group |
Oversight of Garda budget and resource requirements |
Department/Agency Interdepartmental |
|
Garda Training Review Group |
The task for the Group is to identify delivery options to increase the scale and capacity of high-quality education, training and continuous professional development in An Garda Síochána. |
Interdepartmental Department/Agency |
|
Human Trafficking Governance and Strategy Group |
Convened under the National Action Plan to prevent and combat Human Trafficking 2023-2027 |
Interdepartmental Department/Agency |
|
Human Trafficking Oversight Group |
Convened under the National Action Plan to prevent and combat Human Trafficking 2023-2027 |
Interdepartmental Department/Agency |
|
Irish Refugee Protection (IRPP) Taskforce |
To support delivery of IRPP measures having regard to humanitarian context, international obligations and interests of the State |
Interdepartmental Department/Agency |
|
Judicial Planning Working Group |
To set the strategic direction for determining Ireland's judicial needs in the short, medium and long term. |
Department/Agency |
|
Justice Energy Performance Officer (EPO) Network |
Network to support work of EPOs across Justice sector |
Department/Agency |
|
Justice Network FOI Group |
Guidance and oversight for FOI units |
Department/Agency |
|
Justice Sector DPO Network |
Network to support work of DPOs across Justice sector |
Department/Agency |
|
Labour Exploitation Subgroup |
Subgroup tasked with specific strands of work as identified in the National Action Plan to prevent and combat Human Trafficking 2023-2027 |
Department/Agency Interagency |
|
Prison Overcrowding Response Group |
To assist in driving a resolution to the problem of prison overcrowding |
Department/Agency |
|
Rapid Build Future Use Working Group |
The Rapid Build Future Use Working Group was formed in March 2025 as part of a multi-stakeholder process to determine the long-term strategy for the use of the Rapid Build modular units, once temporary protection for persons fleeing the war in Ukraine comes to an end. |
Interdepartmental |
|
Review of the Administration of Civil Justice (Kelly Report) Implementation Group |
To work to implement the range of recommendations made in the Kelly Report |
Department/Agency |
|
Strategic Migration Policy Group |
The Strategic Migration Policy Group (SMPG) was established in December 2024 to support the work of developing a new National Migration and Integration Strategy. |
Interdepartmental |
|
Working Group on the Implementation of the Court Proceedings Delays Act |
To identify measures required to implement/give effect to the Act |
Interdepartmental |
|
Working Group on Reform of Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme (CICT) |
To examine reforms to the CICT in Ireland |
Interdepartmental |
|
Working Group on the Implementation of the Garda (Powers) Bill |
To identify measures required to implement/give effect to the Bill |
Department/Agency |
|
Prison Education Task Force |
The Prison Education Taskforce aims to ensure greater alignment between prison education and work training and the tertiary education system. |
Interdepartmental |
|
OMGSG - Offender Management Governance & Strategy Group |
The Offender Management Governance & Strategy Group (OMGSG) was established in 2020 to provide oversight and governance to multi-agency offender management programme. |
Department/Agency |
|
OMOG - Offender Management Oversight Group Meeting |
The Offender Management Oversight Group (OMOG) was established in 2021 with responsibility for the national coordination of the various adult multi-agency offender management initiatives. |
Department/Agency |
|
Parole Regulations Working Group |
A Parole Regulations Working Group was established in 2024. The group is examining the introduction of regulations regarding eligibility for parole for those serving determinate sentences, as per s.24 of the Parole Act 2019. |
Department/Agency |
|
Bilateral Treaties Working Group |
A Bilateral MLA & Extradition Treaties Working Group was established by the Department in 2024 to progress the negotiation of bilateral treaties with third countries and to ensure Ireland takes a comprehensive and consistent approach to the negotiation of bilateral mutual legal assistance and extradition treaties. |
Interdepartmental |
|
Youth Justice Governance & Strategy Group |
The Youth Justice Governance & Strategy Group is a high-level cross-agency oversight structure to monitor and support the implementation of the Youth Justice Strategy. |
Department/Agency |
|
Youth Justice Oversight Group |
The Youth Justice Oversight Group has an operational focus and is responsible for national co-ordination of the development of Youth Justice initiatives |
Department/Agency |
846. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the position regarding a work permit/stamp 1G extension for an individual (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10167/26]
View answerThe person referred to by the Deputy applied to renew their immigration permission on 16 January 2026 and this application is currently in the queue for consideration.
The Registration Office within Immigration Service Delivery of my Department provide a live processing date, which is updated every Monday, and is available at the following link: www.irishimmigration.ie/registering-your-immigration-permission/how-to-renew-your-current-permission/renewing-your-registration-permission-if-you-live-in-the-republic-of-ireland/#processing
They are currently processing applications submitted from 15 November 2025. In order to ensure a fair and equitable service, renewals are processed in order of date submitted.
If the application is approved, the person concerned can expect to receive their new Irish Residence Permit (IRP) card within the following 10-15 working days.
The Registration Office has also issued a notice to employers regarding the legality of employing someone awaiting renewal. This notice can be found here: www.irishimmigration.ie/notice-to-employers-regarding-employees-awaiting-renewal-of-their-irp-card/
If an employee’s IRP card has expired and they are unable to obtain a new one by the expiry date of their current IRP card, they are still legally permitted to remain in the State on their existing IRP card for a maximum of 12 weeks. This 12 week provision is subject to the employee providing proof that they have applied to renew their permission, including when changing stamp category, prior to their current IRP card expiring.
The person concerned can now directly check the status of their immigration application on the Immigration Service’s new Customer Service Portal. They can register for, or log in to their existing account, at www.portal.irishimmigration.ie/en/
As an Oireachtas member, you can also request the status of individual immigration cases by e-mail, using the Oireachtas Mail facility at: IMoireachtasmail@justice.ie, which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Question process.
847. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of inspections, unannounced inspections, random spot checks or otherwise, carried out in relation to English language schools, by category in each of the years 2020 to date, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10214/26]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, English language schools in Ireland operate under the Interim List of Eligible Programmes (ILEP), introduced in 2015, which is a restrictive list of education programmes eligible for international student immigration purposes. The list is used as a reference point for the immigration function of my Department in considering visa and residency applications from non-EEA applicants wishing to study on a full-time basis in Ireland. ILEP will be superseded by the new TrustEd education mark over the next year.
Providers must remain in compliance with the relevant criteria to retain a listing on the ILEP. My Department monitors compliance and any education provider may be subject to unannounced inspections, on-line monitoring, or random spot checks to ensure its compliance with ILEP criteria, and this includes the maintenance of records and reports. These may be requested by my Department at any time and failure to do so can result in the removal of a provider from the ILEP.
A detailed breakdown of compliance measures along the lines requested by the Deputy is not available but the number of inspections is detailed in the table below.
I can advise that inspections are only one piece of a suite of compliance activities. Once a provider is listed on the ILEP, they are required to notify my Department of matters such as, but not limited to, any changes to the ownership of the school, change in locations or additional centres, changes to their academic management or teachers, and student capacity numbers.
All ILEP listed English language schools are required to submit information on a weekly basis and includes data on enrolments, attendance rates and expulsions.
I can assure the Deputy that there has been a high level of compliance regarding data provision for immigration compliance purposes. All schools are aware of the consequences of non-compliance, and that failure to adhere with ILEP criteria may result in removal from the list.
The number of English Language schools that potentially could have been subject to physical inspections in 2025 was 86. The table below shows the number of in-person inspections carried out by my Department from 2020 to 2025.
|
Year |
Number of Inspections |
|
2025 |
4 |
|
2024 |
2 |
|
2023 |
3 |
|
2022 |
2 |
|
2021 |
0* |
|
2020 |
7 |
*It was necessary to halt inspections during the pandemic due to the public health restrictions. However, monitoring activities still continued, involving routine or specific requests for records and information relating to compliance with requirements and sector-wide surveys.
**Up to and including 2024, the Garda National Immigration Bureau carried out further inspections for counties within their remit before the transfer of registration functions to my Department was complete.
