Written Answers Nos. 801-820
801. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the outcome of his consideration of business cases relating to the acquisition or use of a software programme (details supplied); the date on which such business cases were received and considered; the date on which decisions were made; the decisions made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15087/26]
View answer802. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the outcome of his consideration of business cases relating to the acquisition or use of programmes or services developed by certain companies (details supplied); the date on which such business cases were received and considered; the date on which decisions were made; the decisions made, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15088/26]
View answer803. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration whether he has implemented any policy or instruction to aegis bodies regarding the consideration of business cases relating to the acquisition or use of programmes or services developed by certain companies (details supplied); if he is aware of considerations by aegis bodies relating to such companies; the date on which such business cases were received and considered; the date on which decisions were made; the decisions made, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15089/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 801, 802 and 803 together.
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.
804. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number or Gardaí per head of population for each of the years 2014, 2019, 2024 and 2026 in County Clare, in a tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15135/26]
View answer805. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of Gardai allocated to the Shannon Garda Station for each of the years 2014, 2019, 2024 and 2026, in a tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15136/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 804 and 805 together.
An Garda Síochána publishes information in relation to the allocation of Gardaí nationally. This includes a breakdown of Gardaí assigned by Garda Stations from 2009 to the end of December 2025, the latest date for which figures are available. 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 station.
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 Gardaí throughout the State.
The Deputy should note that An Garda Síochána is not structured or aligned operationally to county boundaries and, as a result, figures by county are not available. I am also informed that when allocating Gardaí to and from any Division or station, consideration is given to commitments and undertakings outlined in the Annual Service Plan. The requirements of all Garda Divisions nationwide are also taken into account, which include:
• Local and national crime trends and workloads;
• Policing arrangements and operational strategies;
• Minimum establishment statistics;
• Local population and trends, geographical area and size;
• Transfer applications, including welfare, personnel issues and concerns.
806. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the reason an application was rejected (details supplied); if consideration would be given to reviewing the case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15169/26]
View answerA detailed response in this matter was provided to the Deputy via the Oireachtas Mail service.
I can advise the Deputy that the naturalisation application referred to was deemed ineligible and closed, as it was incomplete and the requested documentation was not provided.
It is open to the person cited to make a new application at any time. There is no time limit within which they can make a new application, nor is there any maximum limit on the number of applications.
To maintain the integrity of the file on record, Citizenship Division do not return documentation submitted. However, should applicants wish to lodge a new application, they may request all relevant documents previously submitted to be associated with the new application.
My Department has produced a comprehensive guidance document for all potential applicants, outlining all the documents required for an application. This document is published on my Department's Immigration website and is available here: www.irishimmigration.ie/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Citizenship-Guidance-Document-April-2024.pdf
Detailed information on how to apply for naturalisation and other resources is available here: www.irishimmigration.ie/how-to-become-a-citizen/.
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.
807. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration further to Parliamentary Question No. 900 of 17 February 2026, if it would be feasible to open up this number to Irish citizens to call internationally in situations where the incident occurred within the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15189/26]
View answerCombatting all forms of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence (DSGBV) and ensuring that victims and survivors have access to the care and support they deserve remain absolute priorities for me and for this government.
While my Department, through Cuan, provides funding for the service in question, decisions regarding the operational scope or any potential expansion outside of the State are matters for the independent management of the organisation concerned. These do not fall within my remit. I am advised that neither Cuan, nor my Department, have received a request from Dublin Rape Crisis Centre to make the freephone helpline service internationally available.
I am further advised that, while the DCC freephone 1800 helpline is not accessible internationally, the organisation can be contacted through alternative means, including via a standard telephone number and via email, as outlined on its official contact page: www.drcc.ie/about/contact/
808. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if reforms relating to the licensing of nightclubs, and any other provisions relevant to the night economy, are included in the Intoxicating Liquor Bill currently being drafted in his Department, and described in the current Government legislative programme as a 'Condensed Bill to introduce certain key reforms from the Sale of Alcohol Bill 2022'; if not, the reason; when he expects to publish the Bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15193/26]
View answerThe Programme for Government commits to updating our licensing laws and in keeping with that commitment, the legislation will be advanced in due course.
The publication of the Spring Legislative Programme, on 13 January, set out the 30 Bills that have been prioritised for publication, and 34 Bills for drafting, in the current Dáil session. Other legislative projects, including work on intoxicating liquor legislation, will be taken forward in subsequent iterations of the legislative programme, to be determined by Government in due course.
809. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine whether the Government has assessed the potential for industrial hemp to replace peat based products and industries in former bog regions, including its use in horticulture, low carbon construction and bio materials; whether he will consider developing a targeted pilot programme in peatland transition areas to support employment and climate action; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14326/26]
View answerMy Department carried out a consultative process in 2021 to examine the commercial viability of growing hemp for fibre use only. The report on this consultation was published in December 2022.
As part of the consultation, stakeholders were invited to consider a number of questions including existing markets, the strengths and weaknesses of hemp as a crop its scalability, processing requirements, and the potential economic returns across the supply chain. Two submissions were received as part of that consultation.
The main finding of the report was that the growing of fibre crops such as hemp for the purposes of fibre production only is not currently viable in Ireland. However, hemp can be successfully grown in Ireland and offers opportunities for diversification and crop rotation while delivering environmental benefits. Potential markets also exist for hemp fibre with its use in the construction industry offering the most significant opportunity.
The scaling up of hemp crop production would be dependent on numerous factors including the development of stable markets, significant capital investment to increase processing capacity and collaboration with all stakeholders along the supply chain, all of which must be industry led. The report noted that while the outcome of the consultation did not support the viability of fibre crops such as hemp in Ireland, it is a matter for the industry to address and bring forward a proposal containing viable options for consideration.
Hemp is included as an eligible crop under the Basic Income Support for Sustainability Scheme. However, current legislation in Ireland does not allow for the growing of hemp unless a specific license has been granted by the Health Products Regulatory Authority which operates under the auspices of the Department of Health.
810. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine whether his Department has assessed the economic and job creation potential of an Irish industrial hemp sector; whether he considers there is a risk that Ireland may fall behind other European Union member states in developing this market; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14328/26]
View answerMy Department carried out a consultative process in 2021 to examine the commercial viability of growing hemp for fibre use only. The report on this consultation was published in December 2022.
As part of the consultation, stakeholders were invited to consider a number of questions including existing markets, the strengths and weaknesses of fibre crops and the scaleability of the Irish fibre crop/hemp industry, taking into account the market size and value, industry processing capacity and economic returns along the supply chain. Two submissions were received as part of that consultation.
The main finding of the report was that the growing of fibre crops such as hemp for the purposes of fibre production only is not currently viable in Ireland. However, hemp can be successfully grown in Ireland and offers opportunities for diversification and crop rotation while delivering environmental benefits. Potential markets also exist for hemp fibre with its use in the construction industry offering the most significant opportunity.
The scaling up of a crop fibre industry would be dependent on numerous factors including the development of stable markets, significant capital investment to increase processing capacity and collaboration with all stakeholders along the supply chain, all of which must be industry led. The report noted that while the outcome of the consultation did not support the viability of fibre crops such as hemp in Ireland, it is a matter for the industry to address and bring forward a proposal containing viable options for consideration. DAFM would welcome any such proposal.
Hemp is included as an eligible crop under the Basic Income Support for Sustainability Scheme. However, current legislation in Ireland does not allow for the growing of hemp unless a specific license has been granted by the Health Products Regulatory Authority which operates under the auspices of the Department of Health.
A proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013 on the Common Organisation of Agricultural Markets in the EU was published in July 2025. The proposal includes the provision for harmonized EU rules covering all parts of the hemp plant with a maximum legal THC limit of 0.3%. Discussions on this proposal are ongoing.
811. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if there plans to increase horse seizure operations under the Control of Horses Act 1996; and the number of prosecutions have resulted from these activities. [14003/26]
View answer812. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the measures that are in place to ensure seized horses are protected and re-homed. [14004/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 811 and 812 together.
My Department is responsible for all policy and legislation in relation to the Control of Horses Act 1996. However, operation of the Act comes under the remit of Local Authorities.
Under the Control of Horses Act 1996, local authorities may take a range of actions in relation to equines including prohibiting horses in certain areas, the issuing of licences, the seizure of horses in contravention of the Act and rehoming of horses.
These powers can be used in respect of straying horses, which includes horses put on land without the owner’s permission, including public land, Local authorities may also prosecute offenders under the Act. Information relating to prosecution numbers, referred to in the question, are recorded by the relevant local authority and not available through my Department.
In December 2025, I announced funding of almost €6.5 million to 94 animal welfare charities throughout the country, under the Animal Welfare Grants programme. Of that figure, just over €4 million was awarded to charities involved in the care and welfare of horses.
813. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if there is coordination between Gardaí, local councils and animal welfare organisations to address repeat offenders of (sulky) road racing. [14005/26]
View answerThe use of sulkies on public roads, as with the use of all vehicles, including animal-drawn vehicles, is governed by the relevant provisions of the Roads and Road Traffic Acts. Matters in connection with this legislation are a matter for my colleague the Minister for Transport. In addition, the drivers of all vehicles used on public roads, including horse-drawn carriages, are required to comply with road traffic legislation and to behave in a safe manner paying due care to other road users. The enforcement of such road traffic legislation is a matter for An Garda Síochána.
Animal welfare is a key priority for me as Minister and for the Government. My Department is committed to the continued robust enforcement of the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013, which provides a modern framework for regulating and applying standards in the area of animal health and welfare. In this regard, my Department and authorised officers appointed under the Act, including An Garda Síochána, customs agents, local authorities and the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (NSPCA) undertake appropriate enforcement action, where breaches or shortcomings are identified.
My Department operates a confidential animal welfare helpline through which members of the public can report incidents of animal cruelty or neglect for investigation. The dedicated email address and helpline in place for reporting suspected cases of animal welfare are:
Helpline Phone No: 01 607 2379.
Email address - animalwelfare@agriculture.gov.ie
814. Deputy Cathy Bennett asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the regulations mandated by his Department in regard to pig and turkey farming; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14008/26]
View answerThere are extensive regulations in place in my Department covering the pig and poultry sector primarily the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013. There are also new EU regulations under [Regulation (EU) 2016/429], known as the Animal Health Law (AHL). My Department is currently working on a new animal health law statutory instrument to give enforcement powers to this Regulation. There are also specific Regulations that cover Salmonella control on pig and poultry farms which mandates farms to meet European targets for the reduction in the number of salmonella outbreaks. Animal welfare is an important part of maintaining animal health and EU and national regulations are in place to ensure animal welfare is protected. Antibiotic residue monitoring regulations and end user usage of prescription medicines ensure that the use of antibiotics is not abused and poultry and pig health as a consequence is also protected.
815. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the average annual CAP payments received by farmers in each county in 2025; the breakdown of the total payments issued by his Department (including Direct Payments and Capital Payments such as TAMS) to farmers by county; and to indicate the average farmer payment (rounded to the nearest €500), in tabular form. [14011/26]
View answerMy Department manages payments under the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), and administers several nationally funded schemes.
These payments provide vital supports for our farmers, in turn supporting rural communities, food security and underpinning the economic benefits accruing to the Irish economy from the activities of the agriculture sectors.
As of December 2025 over €2.1 billion had been paid out to farmers in that year. The table provided includes a county breakdown by scheme of the total amounts paid. It should be noted that not all farmers apply for / are eligible for all schemes, but based on the number of eligible land based applications submitted in 2025 an average payment per county has been included.[<ahref="https:/data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/debates/questions/supportingDocumentation/2026-02-24_pq815-24-02-2025_en.xlsx">PQanswer</a>]
I'm keenly aware of the importance of scheme payments to farmers and will continue to ensure that payments are made at the earliest possible time to the maximum number of farmers.
816. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total number of buildings leased by his Department, or bodies or agencies under its aegis, during 2025; the total cumulative sum paid under these leases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14012/26]
View answerThe OPW arranges most of the leases for my Department. However, in 2025, my Department held leases for 4 buildings, totalling approximately €120,000 per annum.
As regards the 13 State Bodies under the aegis of my Department, the information requested is an operational matter for the State Bodies themselves. I have referred the Deputy’s question to the Agencies and have requested that a response should issue within 10 days.
817. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine whether he will issue a fishery natura declaration for SAC areas designated for grey seals, including the Blaskets, in light of the recent report from the Marine Institute on the impact of tangle nets on protected species; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14051/26]
View answerI am advised that the National Parks and Wildlife Service has reported in The Status of EU Protected Habitats and Species in Ireland 2025 that the overall status of grey seal in Ireland is favourable, with an improving trend, unchanged from 2019. That same report also outlines that in 2007 the overall status of grey seal was favourable and in 2013 the overall status and operator, as it was then reported, was also favourable for grey seal.
Fisheries Natura Declarations are issued under the European Union (Birds and Natural Habitats) (Sea-fisheries) Regulations 2013 (S.I. No. 290 of 2013). They provide for the regulation of sea-fishing activities in order to comply with conservation objectives of marine Natura 2000 sites in Ireland, which occur mainly inshore, within six nautical miles.
My Department has been working to address concerns associated with the use of tangle nets in the crayfish fishery off the southwest coast and has funded research undertaken by the Marine Institute under the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF), and its predecessor, the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF), to improve data collection in the crayfish fishery and explore alternative fishing methods that mitigate bycatch, including grey seal, while supporting the economic viability of the fishery.
The Marine Institute’s recently published report on catch, bycatch, fishing effort, and spatial distribution in the crayfish fishery in Tralee Bay and Dingle Bay from 2021 to 2024 provides valuable insights into the fishery and has laid the groundwork for developing sustainable conservation measures. My Department is currently examining the full findings of the study and its recommendations, and is working with the marine agencies and inshore industry representatives, to identify necessary and appropriate mitigation measures. This includes an examination of the impact of crayfish fishing on grey seals within the Blasket Islands Special Area of Conservation (SAC).
818. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to provide an exhaustive list of flood related compensation, paid from vote allocations over the past ten years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14095/26]
View answerIn the past number of years my Department has operated a number of schemes to deal with very specific issues related to flooding, encountered in various parts of the country, for example Cooley in Co. Louth and the Shannon Callows region. However, in order to provide a full and accurate response, it will take some time to review all records for the past 10 years. Once this work is complete, my Department will be in contact with the Deputy.
|
Scheme Launch Year |
Scheme Name |
Total € |
|
2016 |
Emergency Flood Relief 2016 |
97,909 |
|
2016 |
Fodder Aid 2016 |
666,470 |
|
2017 |
Flood Damage Relief Measure 2017 (Inishowen) |
643,650 |
|
2021 |
Wexford Crop Loss Scheme |
46,032 |
|
2022 |
Shass Landslide Scheme |
339,594 |
|
2023 |
Shannon Callows Flood Scheme |
772,613 |
|
2024 |
Cooley Flood Relief |
236,650 |
819. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to provide an update regarding the opening of the Long Bank Mussel Seed Bed (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14297/26]
View answerFollowing the opening of the Rusk Channel mussel seed fishery last November, I am pleased to confirm the opening of the Long Bank mussel seed fishery, also off Wexford, from the next suitable tide commencing on 25 February. The Sea-Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction (Mussel Seed) (Opening of Fisheries) Regulations 2025 (S.I. No. 538 of 2025), allow for mussel seed fishing to 29 March 2026.
I can advise the Deputy that a communication regarding my decision to open the Long Bank was issued to members of the Bottom Grown Mussel Consultative Forum (BGMCF) on 20 February, to allow the bottom grown mussel industry to prepare for the opening of the fishery. I would like to acknowledge the understanding shown by industry in relation to the complex issues surrounding this fishery this season and look forward to the successful operation of this fishery.
820. Deputy Marie Sherlock asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the estimated cost of abolishing the parental levy on the school milk scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14311/26]
View answerIreland receives a fixed annual funding allocation for the School Milk Scheme from the EU Commission of €826,537. My Department may also make supporting national Exchequer funding available. In the current year, this is €200,000. This is to meet the necessary expenditure not covered under the EU allocation.
Parents of pupils participating in the EU school milk scheme who attend DEIS classified schools are exempt from a parental contribution for their children's participation in the EU school milk scheme and accordingly receive school milk free of charge. A parental contribution is in place for those pupils attending non-DEIS classified schools.
The parental contribution is bridges the cost of the milk charged by the national suppliers and the financial allocation made available to Ireland from the EU. This is necessary in order to support the wider availability of the EU school milk scheme to those pupils from non-DEIS schools who choose to enroll, so enabling greater participation in the scheme.
The rate of the parental levy depends on the price charged by the individual milk suppliers to the schools. This price can change per school year and can vary per supplier.
The parental contribution is not income received by the State, but is paid by the schools concerned directly to their school milk supplier. Accordingly, these costs are not readily available to my Department. For the school year 2024/2025 it is estimated to be in the amount of approximately €140,000. The aim is, and has been, to keep the parental contribution as low as possible and the parental contribution, per child per week, of enrolment in the scheme, for the current school year does not exceed €1.40 on a national basis.
A previous evaluation of the EU School Milk Scheme has shown that the parental contribution is not a significant detriment to the voluntary enrolment by a parent, of their child (attending a non-DEIS school), in the daily distribution scheme, in order to inform healthy eating habits of children at an early age and supporting their nutritional requirements.
