Wednesday, 25 Mar 2026

Departmental Policies

Questions (217)

Cathal Crowe

Question:

217. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the main policy achievements of his Department since 22 January 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23081/26]

View answer

Written answers

Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration

I am proud of the considerable progress by my Department on a broad range of policy, operational and legislative initiatives since my appointment as Minister in January 2025. I look forward to continuing this work on my priorities, in line with the commitments set out in the Programme for Government.

I was pleased to recently publish the new Statement of Strategy for my Department for 2025–2028. The Strategy aligns with the Programme for Government, sets out my Department’s strategic direction to 2028 and will further the work towards our shared vision of a safe, fair and inclusive Ireland.

Some of the achievements of my Department since January 2025 are set out below.

Garda Recruitment and Operations

My first priority as Minister for Justice is to get more Gardaí out onto our streets preventing the commission of crime through high visibility patrols. Increased recruitment and appropriate civilianisation where possible are vital to achieving this as is modern technology and equipment and active management of Garda resources. The Programme for Government commits to recruiting at least 5,000 Gardaí in the coming five years. As we strengthen An Garda Síochána, we will see more Gardaí visible in our communities tackling and preventing crime.

In 2025, 794 new recruits were welcomed into the Garda College in Templemore. This is the highest number recruited since 2018. This includes an intake of 223 trainees in November, the largest single intake in over a decade. This positive trend has continued, with 215 recruits commencing their training in February 2026, the first of four intakes planned for this year. Recruitment into An Garda Síochána is now gathering real momentum. New Garda recruits are already making an impact in their communities and the ongoing recruitment of new Gardaí will see further progress in increasing Garda numbers across the State. The work completed by the An Garda Síochána Recruitment Training Capacity Group in 2025 has supported the increase in numbers. The Garda Training Review Group, which is currently examining the future training capacity needs for An Garda Síochána, will, I expect, further support the Government’s Garda recruitment commitments.

I have also introduced the Garda Síochána (Powers) Bill and the Garda Síochána (Recording Devices) (Amendment) Bill, which will provide additional powers to An Garda Síochána in relation to search warrants and use of facial recognition technology in certain circumstances. Both Bills are progressing through the Houses of the Oireachtas.

Domestic, Sexual, and Gender-Based Violence Strategy

Combatting all forms of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence (DSGBV) has been a central priority for me since taking office.

An allocation of almost €80 million was secured through Budget 2026 to fund initiatives aimed at tackling DSGBV, an increase of 18% (€12.2 million) from 2025.

In June 2025, I published the final implementation plan of the five-year ‘Zero Tolerance’ National DSGBV Strategy setting out the delivery targets and collective action to end 2026. The plan contains 95 specific actions across the four pillars of the Istanbul Convention. There is a strong emphasis on delivery, collective responsibility, and meaningful outcomes. I will shortly publish a progress report on implementation in 2025.

Amongst the key deliverables are actions already underway in respect of significant legislative reform including:

• Prioritising the drafting of the Guardianship of Infants (Amendment) Bill that will, in certain situations, allow for the removal of guardianship rights from individuals convicted of killing the other parent or guardian of their child;

• Limiting the disclosure of counselling records in rape and sexual assault cases.

• Banning sex for rent under the Criminal Law and Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2025;

• Introducing the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences, Domestic Violence, and International Instruments) Bill 2025 which will introduce the Domestic Violence Register of Judgments, bringing greater transparency and accountability for serious offenders;

• Changing the threshold from a subjective to an objective test for establishing consent in rape and sexual assault cases;

• Establishing the necessary legislative basis to provide for Operation Encompass, which will enable An Garda Síochána to share information with schools when a child has been exposed to domestic violence.

As part of the Zero Tolerance Strategy, Government committed to doubling domestic violence accommodation capacity in Ireland by the end of 2026 from 141 to 282 family units.

By the end of 2026, it is envisaged to have 94 safe homes and 193 refuge units completed, bringing total safe accommodation to 287, with 50 further refuge units under construction. I am continuing to work with Cuan, my Department and the Department of Housing to ensure we are exhausting all measures to increase the pace of delivery for this much needed additional capacity.

Immigration

It is also a central priority for me to ensure that our immigration system is robust and rules based.

My Department has taken action to significantly improve immigration enforcement measures and increase removals. This includes the renewed use of chartered deportation and removal flights. In 2025, 4,700 deportation orders were signed, an increase of 96% compared to 2024, while 2,111 people had their departure confirmed under various mechanisms (i.e. enforced deportation, voluntary return etc.), an increase of 88% compared to 2024.

In keeping with the Government commitment to significantly enhance the delivery of public services digitally, phase one of my Department's Immigration Customer Service Portal, which enables applicants to check their immigration application status, book first-time registration appointments, and submit queries, has been operational since October 2024. Since the launch of the Portal more than 285,000 customers have registered, with over 243,000 queries resolved and in excess of 147,000 registration appointments made.

International Protection

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 January this year, the International Protection Bill 2026 was published, which will replace the International Protection Act 2015. It is the most comprehensive reform of immigration law in the history of the State and will implement the EU Migration and Asylum Pact. The Bill has been passed by the Dáil and has progressed through Second Stage and Committee Stage in the Seanad, with Report and Final Stages scheduled for this week.

The Pact is a new EU framework to manage migration and asylum for the long-term. The overall objective of the Pact is to provide a fair, sustainable and efficient asylum procedure. These important changes include streamlining the decisions process, streamlining the returns process, a new ‘Border procedure’ with a three-month time limit for decisions, and new institutional arrangements for international protection decisions and appeals.

A phased transition that mirrors elements of the Pact is currently underway. Ultimately, improved, faster processing will result in decreasing annual costs by reducing the time an applicant remains in the system.

International Protection Accommodation

Since taking back responsibility for international protection accommodation in May of 2025, my Department has focused on speeding up applications, reducing the growth in the accommodation system, and applying new procedures, including improved value for money.

While current levels of applications are reduced since the end of 2024, application numbers remain well above pre-2022 levels. There were over 13,000 applications in 2025 and pressure on accommodation systems remains high.

As part of the strategy to reduce reliance on commercial providers, we have purchased Citywest, renovated other State accommodation, brought on stream modular solutions, all of which contributed to boosting State-owned bed numbers from 900 spaces in early 2024 to over 4,000 today.

The purchase of Citywest is central to Ireland’s ability to meet its obligations under the EU Asylum and Migration Pact. The project has been recognised at EU level as an example of best practice, demonstrating accelerated delivery of a fit-for-purpose screening and border facility at scale.

The Department is reviewing contracts and improvement in standards, governance, compliance and the introduction of a new rate card model is driving costs down for new and renewed contracts, already saving over €83 million across 147 contracts since May 2025.

Commencement of Policing, Security, and Community Safety Act

On 2 April 2025, I was pleased to commence the landmark Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024.

As a result, the following bodies were established:

• The new Garda Board

• The Policing and Community Safety Authority (replacing the existing Policing Authority and Garda Síochána Inspectorate)

• Fiosrú – the Office of the Police Ombudsman

• The Office of the Independent Examiner of Security Legislation

• The National Office for Community Safety

The Act strengthens and consolidates independent, external oversight of An Garda Síochána; makes community safety a whole of government and multi-agency responsibility and enhances the internal governance of An Garda Síochána by establishing a new non-executive board which is a corporate governance standard across the public and private sectors.

Community Safety

The National Office for Community Safety established in April 2025 is a central coordinating body to the new whole of government, collaborative, problem-solving approach to community safety as envisaged by the Commission for the Future of Policing in Ireland (CoFPI).

Last June, I signed regulations to allow for Local Community Safety Partnerships to begin their work across the country. These regulations allow for a total of 36 Local Community Safety Partnerships to be established across every Local Authority. At a local level, community safety partnerships will play a major role in enhancing community safety nationwide in collaboration with An Garda Síochána, local residents, businesses and state agencies.

As of 20 March 2026, members to 35 of these Safety Partnerships have been appointed and 34 are fully operational having held inaugural meetings and elected their Chair and Vice Chair. It is expected that all Safety Partnerships will be operational in the first half of the year. Having launched a call in April last for applications under the Community Safety Fund 2025, I was pleased to announce in October grants totalling €4.4 million from the proceeds of crime, seized by the Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB) and An Garda Síochána, into 42 local projects focused on enhancing community safety.

I have also secured an additional €2.5 million in Budget 2026 to support the the establishment of all 36 Local Community Safety Partnerships across the country, alongside increasing the size of the Community Safety Fund to €4.75 million.

Youth Justice

The Government’s focus on youth diversion and interventions is a keystone in the Youth Justice Strategy, which is a forward-thinking plan designed to address the unique challenges faced by young people in Ireland. At its core, the Strategy emphasises early intervention, prevention, family support, and community engagement. It includes key objectives aimed at promoting positive behavioural change, and it is only by targeting this behaviour that we can break the cycle of offending by young people. YDPs work with young people at risk of crime and anti-social behaviour to divert them away from criminal behaviour and towards better life outcomes.

A key intervention under this Strategy is the network of Youth Diversion Projects (YDPs) which work with young people at risk of crime and anti-social behaviour to divert them away from criminal behaviour and towards better life outcomes.

Last November, I was pleased to announce with Minister of State, Niall Collins TD, that the State’s network of Youth Diversion Projects (YDPs) has been successfully rolled out nationwide, making these critical interventions available to young people at risk of engaging in criminal activity no matter where they live in Ireland.

Criminal Assets Bureau

The Proceeds of Crime and Related Matters Bill 2025, approved by Cabinet last July, represents the most significant update to Ireland’s civil asset forfeiture laws since their introduction in 1996. The Bill strengthens the State’s ability to identify, freeze and confiscate assets linked to serious and organised crime.

The Bill strengthens CAB’s investigative powers, with new provisions to freeze bank accounts when there is a reasonable suspicion that it is being used to hold proceeds of crime. To address the risk of funds being moved quickly or hidden, a direction can be given to a financial institution to freeze an account for up to seven days.

The Bill passed report and final stages in Dáil Éireann on 17 December 2025.

Transfers of responsibilities

Responsibility for integration, International Protection Accommodation Services (IPAS), and the Ukraine Division transferred to my Department from the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, and Equality on 1 May 2025. This transfer includes the transfer of all staff, approximately 340 people, alongside a substantial budget transfer of approximately €2.1 billion. As my Department had existing responsibility for immigration and migration and the processing of applications for international protection, this transfer underpins a more cohesive and strategic approach to migration and integration. The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) also transferred to my Department from the Department of the Environment, Communications and Climate on 2 June 2025. The NCSC is the lead government agency on cyber security.

Responsibility for the Irish Film Classification Office (IFCO) transferred from my Department on 1 August to the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport. This transfer was carried out in line with the Programme for Government and aligns the work of IFCO with the Department responsible for culture. Ahead of the transfer, my Department completed a Periodic Critical Review of IFCO which had a focus on the ongoing business case for the entity, its performance, efficiency, effectiveness, and governance arrangements. The report from the review was published ahead of the transfer.

Responsibility for the Property Services Regulatory Authority (PSRA), as well as the Property Services Appeal Board, also transferred from my Department on 1 August to the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.

Cyber Security

Ireland’s 2025 National Cyber Risk Assessment published in December 2025, set out a detailed cyber security focused assessment providing a strategic view of the systemic cyber risks facing the State, its Critical National Infrastructure (CNI), and the supply chain ecosystem upon which these services rely. It is also the foundation for Ireland’s third National Cyber Security Strategy.

Work is well advanced in my Department on Ireland’s third National Cyber Security Strategy 2030. The Strategy will give rise to a series of measures to build cyber security capability in the State, including in research, development, skills and training. It will also set out the commitment in the Programme for Government 2025 to build a Cyber Security Research Centre of Excellence and providing targeted grant funding for SMEs to improve their cyber security.

Ireland is currently transposing the NIS2 Directive via the National Cyber Security Bill. The drafting of the Bill is at an advanced stage and is expected to be published later this year. It will include measures to ensure providers of critical services take measures to increase their cyber resilience and to protect themselves against cyber security incidents. The Bill also establishes the National Cyber Security Strategy as an executive office of my Department and provides the NCSC with additional powers and responsibilities to monitor, detect and respond to cyber security incidents in the State.

Establishment of the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland

In March 2025, I established the independent Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI). The GRAI is responsible for a new streamlined, simplified, and coherent licensing framework which reflects the nature of modern gambling in the State and for a robust regulatory regime to regulate gambling in-person and online that will replace the existing, fragmented systems which date back to 1929.

The regulatory powers of the GRAI take into account the harms associated with problem gambling and provide safeguards to protect people from those harms, including children, those vulnerable to problem gambling, and those affected by problem gambling. The GRAI will establish and maintain a National Gambling Exclusion Register, funded through licence fees, and establish a Social Impact Fund, financed by a levy on the industry, to support services to treat gambling addiction and fund public education and awareness raising programmes.

The GRAI is planning to commence licensing operations in 2026 as part of a phased stand-up of their functions under the Gambling Regulation Act 2024.

Data Protection Commission

On 17 September 2025, the Government appointed a third Commissioner for Data Protection, with the appointment taking effect from 13 October 2025, for a five-year term. This follows the appointment of two new Commissioners for Data Protection in February 2024. In 2022 the Government approved commencement of a process to increase the number of commissioners. A review was undertaken by the Department of Justice which took account of the evolving organisational structure, governance and business needs of the Data Protection Commission. The appointment completes the process to expand the number of commissioners to 3. As the responsibilities and scope of the DPC continue to grow, the 3 commissioners will now lead and manage this key regulatory body.

Improvements to international judicial cooperation

Bilateral agreements between Ireland and the United Arab Emirates on extradition and mutual legal assistance (MLA) in criminal matters entered into force on 18 May 2025. The bilateral MLA and extradition treaties will ensure that criminals cannot evade the law. They will also serve to mitigate the harm caused by any perception that criminals can evade the law and benefit from the ill-gotten gains of criminal activity abroad, which itself diminishes the trust and confidence of citizens in the rule of law.

Omagh Inquiry

Last April, I signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Chairman of the Omagh Bombing Inquiry on matters relating to the disclosure of materials to the Inquiry. This is a truly important step to delivering on the commitment in the Programme for Government, to “play our full part in legacy processes…including facilitating and supporting the Omagh Inquiry”. That is in the best interests of the victims’ families and survivors. In November, I implemented measures to further support the operation of the Memorandum of Understanding including signing Regulations under section 2B of the Data Protection Act 1988 to support the disclosure of personal data to the Inquiry by my Department.

On 13 March 2026, I published the International Co-operation (Omagh Bombing Inquiry) Bill. The Bill is designed to enable the taking of oral testimony before the Irish courts for the purposes of the Omagh Bombing Inquiry. The publication of the Bill is another important step in delivering on the commitment to facilitate and support the Inquiry.

Independent Expert

In September, following extensive work at official and political levels, the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and I announced the appointment of Fleur Ravensbergen as the Independent Expert to conduct a scoping and engagement exercise on whether there is a basis for a formal process of paramilitary group transition to disbandment in Northern Ireland. This appointment was made in line with recommendations by the Independent Reporting Commission. I look forward to receiving the report on the outcome of this exercise in the Autumn of this year.

Family Justice

The ongoing reform of the Family Justice system, for the benefit of families and children, is another of my key priorities.

Work has commenced on the implementation of the Family Courts Act 2024. The Act introduces changes to the current delivery of family justice, including the introduction of specialist family law judges assigned and operating within new family court divisions. I intend to shortly bring an implementation plan to Government, with publication expected shortly afterwards.

Last May, I published the Review of the Operation of the In Camera Rule in Family Law Proceedings. The review, a key action in the Family Justice Strategy, was conducted by a team from University College Cork and Trinity College Dublin and is an important piece of research which details the perspectives of many stakeholders regarding the current understanding and operation of the in-camera rule in family law proceedings. Importantly, it includes the views of those who have been parties in such proceedings.

Officials from my Department are currently engaging with a variety of stakeholders and working on a policy paper regarding how some of the recommendations made in the report could be implemented.

Last August, I published two tenders for the provision of new family law services aimed at making our system more transparent and better for children. The first is for a Private Family Law Reporting Project to provide transparency for the public and increase awareness and understanding of family law proceedings while ensuring that children’s and parents’ right to privacy is upheld. I am pleased to say that the Child Law Project has been contracted to deliver the three-year project and work on it has commenced.

The second is for a service to provide a new and innovative way to hear children’s voices in private family law proceedings. The Children’s Court Advocate Pilot Project will initially be established in Waterford and Clonmel, ensuring that all children to whom guardianship, custody or access applications relate can have the opportunity to be informed about the proceedings relating to them and have their voice heard without any cost to families.

In February 2026, I launched a new online child maintenance calculator to help parents in coming to arrangements on child maintenance payments. The launch of the calculator follows on from the publication of Ireland’s first set of Child Maintenance Guidelines earlier this year. The development of the guidelines was a key recommendation of the 2024 Review of the Enforcement of Child Maintenance Orders.

Civil Reform

In January, I published the General Scheme of the Civil Reform Bill. The Civil Reform Bill is a key measure that will see the implementation of the Review of the Administration of Civil Justice, also known as the Kelly Report, which was published in October 2020. The Report made over 90 recommendations aimed at improving access to justice for all by making it quicker, more efficient and more cost effective.

As part of the Bill, it is my intention to introduce provisions which will codify the existing law on judicial review by placing it on a statutory basis. The measures should achieve greater transparency in the law and lead to a more streamlined review process. Key reforms should ensure that the system cannot be misused on purely technical grounds, that the public interest is placed at the heart of judicial review, costs are reduced where possible and litigants have sufficient standing to properly challenge decisions. Given the significant challenges currently facing our State in terms of housing shortages, energy deficits, inadequate water supplies and climate change, all of which are exacerbated by the demands of a rising population, we can no longer delay on reform of the judicial review system.

I am confident that the Bill will remove weaknesses in the current law, eliminate impediments to progress and deliver reform for the public benefit. I am also confident that measures in the Bill preserve the right of the citizen to ensure that public bodies act lawfully and are accountable for their decisions.

Judicial numbers

The Courts and Civil law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2025 was enacted in December 2025 to provide for an increase in the maximum numbers of judges in the District Court, the Circuit Court, the High Court and the Court of Appeal. The Act provides for a total increase in judicial numbers of 21, delivering on Programme for Government commitments.

General Scheme of the Criminal Law and Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2026

In December 2025, I secured Government approval to publish the Criminal Law and Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2026 which was subsequently presented to Dáil Éireann on 9 January 2026. The Dáil Second Stage debate took place on 22 January.

The Bill responds to a range of pressing challenges for the justice system. Among other provisions, the Bill includes measures to:

• criminalise the highly exploitative behaviour commonly known as ‘sex for rent’;

• amend legislation relating to disclosure of counselling records in sexual assault trials;

• encourage greater use of community service orders as an alternative to imprisonment in suitable cases;

• remove the legal prohibition on the possession and use of incapacitant spray by prison officers;

• allow the use of more advanced DNA analysis in missing persons cases;

• further facilitate video link hearings in the criminal courts by enabling bail bonds and suspended sentence bonds to be taken by Gardaí and prison officers respectively;

• establish a permanent regulatory basis under which licenced premises may provide outdoor seating on public land;

• provide for the refusal of bail for persons charged with offences relating to forced marriage or coercive control, and

• empower the Chief Justice to delegate certain non-judicial functions to other members of the judiciary.

In February, I secured further Government approval to introduce additional amendments to the Bill. These amendments concern, inter alia:

• the establishment of an application-based legislative scheme for the disregard of certain historical convictions relating to consensual sexual activity between men;

• further amendments to provide for a presumption of non-disclosure in relation to counselling notes and other sensitive personal records in sexual offence trials;

• an amendment of the Prisons Act 2015 to provide that, where two years or less of the applicable prison term remains to be served, a person may be taken from prison for the purpose of effecting a deportation or removal order;

• a further amendment to the Bail Act 1997 to provide for refusal of bail for persons charged with offences relating to witness intimidation or failure to comply with requirements under the Sex Offenders Act 2001.

This week, I also secured Government approval to introduce an additional amendment to the Miscellaneous Provisions Bill to provide for the use of Passenger Name Record data for intra-EU flights.

Drafting of these amendments, along with a number of outstanding measures from the General Scheme of the Bill, is at an advanced stage and I intend to bring these provisions as amendments to the Bill as it progresses through the Dáil.

Prisons and penal reform

A multi-year building programme is progressing at several key sites across the prison estate. To accelerate delivery, I sought and secured an exemption from the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation for six major projects (960 prison spaces) to move straight to Approval Gare 2- Pre Tender Approval of the Infrastructure Guidelines. This decision is expected to bring forward delivery timelines on those six projects by 12 to 18 months, while freeing up internal capacity within IPS to advance the wider programme. This acceleration reflects the priority placed by Government on strengthening the prison system’s resilience and providing safe, secure and humane accommodation. This is part of the funded plan to deliver over 1,500 new spaces.

In April 2025, I approved the publication of the Probation Service’s 'Community Service - New Directions Implementation Plan 2025-2027. This plan sets out commitments to drive the delivery and support the increased use of Community Service as a robust and meaningful alternative to imprisonment. Engagement with the Judiciary, imbedding the principles of desistence, restorative justice and social justice, and increasing the visibility and accessibility of community service are part of this plan.

A key recommendation of the High-Level Taskforce (HLTF) on mental health and addiction was the establishment of a Community Access Support Team (CAST) to divert those experiencing situational trauma or a mental health crisis away from the criminal justice system, and towards the healthcare system. The CAST project commenced in January 2025 and is a partnership pilot between An Garda Síochána and the Mental Health Services of HSE Mid-West Community Healthcare which is currently being trialled in the Limerick Garda Division.

This has resulted in multiple diversions from arrest and subsequent detentions under Section 12 of the Mental Health Act 2001 to the benefit of individual patients and increased public safety.

Building Pathways Together: Criminal Justice Reintegration Through Employment Strategy 2025-2027

The Building Pathways Together employment strategy launched in November 2024 for implementation during the period 2025 to 2027. To date good progress has been made on implementation of the actions identified, including the establishment of a Criminal Justice Employers Network and Criminal Justice Employment Advisory Committee. Both groups met twice in 2025 and a joint meeting of the groups took place in March 2026 to progress the actions further.

An Garda Síochána

Questions (218)

Michael Murphy

Question:

218. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration further to Parliamentary Question No. 465 of 15 January 2026, the number of gardaí working in roads policing units on 31 December 2025, by Garda division; the total number assigned to roads policing units each month in 2025; the number of transfers, resignations and retirements from roads policing units in 2025; the current number of gardaí in each roads policing unit to date in 2026; if that number includes officers not on active duty; and the number of members who are not currently in active duty in road policing, by roads policing unit. [23116/26]

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Written answers

Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration

An Garda Síochána play a vital role in enforcing road traffic law and in making our roads safer for all road users, including vulnerable road users. Road traffic laws are enforced by Gardaí assigned to Roads Policing and as part of the day-to-day duties of all uniformed Gardaí nationwide. This includes a programme of high-visibility road safety and enforcement operations carried out in partnership with other state agencies.

The Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of Garda business under Section 33 of the Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024. This includes the allocation, deployment and management of Garda personnel, and all other internal Garda HR matters. As Minister, I have no role in these independent functions.

An Garda Síochána publishes information in relation to the allocation of Gardaí nationally. This includes a breakdown of Gardaí assigned to Roads Policing by Garda Division. Statistics regarding 2025 allocations 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

Statistics on Garda allocations for 2026 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-2026/garda-strength-breakdown-2026.html

The Deputy should select the most recently available date and then select the file titled ‘Roads Policing by division 2009 to the most recent date" to access a breakdown of Garda members assigned by Division.

To be of assistance, the link below provides the number of Gardaí assigned to Roads Policing by Division in each month throughout 2025, and to date in 2026.

I am advised that the tables at the link outline the number of Gardaí who have resigned or retired from the Roads Policing Unit, by Division, in 2025. These figures include Voluntary, Compulsory and Ordinary Resignations.

Roads Policing

Departmental Schemes

Questions (219)

Paul Lawless

Question:

219. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide a table detailing the number of financial penalties imposed on farmers for failure to comply with schemes (details supplied); the total monetary value of the financial penalties imposed under each scheme, where that re-couped or withheld money is spent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22638/26]

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Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The information requested by the Deputy is currently being collated and will be forwarded to the Deputy when it is available.

The following deferred reply was recieved under Standing Orders.

I wish to inform the Deputy that the information requested in relation to financial penalties imposed on farmers for failure to comply with schemes (details supplied) over the past 10 years, is set out in the attached table.

There was no National Sheep Welfare scheme for the period 2016 – 2023 inclusive, and no SCEP scheme for the period 2016 – 2022 inclusive. The BISS, ACRES and CISYF schemes were launched in 2023 and the SIM scheme launched in 2021. The 2025 National Sheep Welfare scheme, CISYF and TAMS penalty cases are currently being processed.

Year	Scheme	Number of financial penalties	Total Monetary Value €	Where re-couped/ withheld money was spent
2023-2025	Basic Income Support for Sustainability (BISS)	8,995	6,861,857	Any amount withheld at payment time is available to be used for further scheme payments. Where debts are identified and raised after payment, these funds are returned to the Commission
2016-2025	Areas of Natural Constraint Scheme (ANC)	40,964	10,047,882	Retuned to fund ANC payments
2016-2025	Organic Farming Scheme (OFS)	1,103	1,200,386	Returned and used as part of the OFS budget
2016-2024	Targeted Agriculture Modernisation Scheme (TAMS)	5,886	5,077,267	Any amount withheld at payment time is available to be used for further scheme payments. Where debts are identified and raised after payment, these funds are returned to the Commission
2021-2025	Straw Incorporation Measure (SIM)	429	300,517	Any amount withheld at payment time is available to be used for further scheme payments. Where debts are identified and raised after payment, these funds are returned to the Commission.
2023-2025	Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme (ACRES)	20,090	2,632,910	Reinvested into the ACRES scheme
2023-2025	Suckler Carbon Efficiency Programme (SCEP)	10,872	1,095,951	Returned to fund SCEP payments
2023-2024	Complementary Income Support for Young Farmers (CISYF)	164	940,000	Monies arising from the financial penalties imposed for unsuccessful CISYF inspection cases are paid over to the EU Commission
2024	National Sheep Welfare Scheme (NSWS)	401	117,760	Retuned to fund NSWS payments

Beef Sector

Questions (220)

Cathy Bennett

Question:

220. Deputy Cathy Bennett asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the amount of beef Ireland has exported to each European country in each of the years 2022 to date in 2026, by year, by county, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22651/26]

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Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The Central Statistics Office is responsible for official trade statistics in Ireland, while Eurostat has that responsibility at EU level.

According to preliminary data from the Central Statistics Office, some 457,000 metric tonnes (mt) of beef was exported in 2025 with an estimated value of €3.6 billion.

The table below details the volume of beef exported to all European destinations in tonnes for the years 2022 to 2025 by country. Data is not available on a county basis and data for 2026 to date is not yet available. It should be noted that figures for 2025 are preliminary estimates and subject to revision.

Beef Exports to European Countries

-	2022	2023	2024	2025
	2022	2023	2024	2025
Country	Tonnes	Tonnes	Tonnes	Tonnes
Austria	255	422	533	613
Belgium	7,363	8,419	7,687	8,479
Bulgaria	132	192	222	1,483
Croatia	339	258	220	221
Cyprus	90	141	246	298
Czech Republic	2,138	2,002	2,259	2,229
Denmark	9,970	9,599	9,646	9,794
Estonia	81	6	5	7
Finland	499	357	364	233
France	62,400	58,860	61,910	55,598
Georgia			0	1
Germany	21,001	21,049	22,276	22,924
Great Britain	168,915	164,822	160,479	147,380
Greece	158	610	209	127
Hungary	601	165	310	548
Iceland	2	4	78	57
Italy	29,444	29,495	27,028	26,942
Latvia	147	76	90	34
Lithuania	308	30	23	19
Luxembourg	565	625	561	386
Malta	790	878	811	559
Netherlands	36,980	37,509	39,627	36,429
Northern Ireland	43,323	50,976	46,794	46,484
Norway	219	60	62	52
Poland	4,022	2,864	3,785	4,509
Portugal	5,546	6,633	7,032	8,064
Romania	648	1,136	683	653
Slovakia	1,160	1,178	1,518	1,539
Slovenia	17	23	40	26
Spain	11,421	11,266	13,149	14,044
Sweden	23,719	21,798	22,583	23,007
Switzerland	2,624	2,146	2,585	2,107
Turkey			5
Ukraine	21		307	428
Grand Total	434,896	433,595	433,126	415,273

Further information on agri-food sector trade can be found in chapter six of the [Annual Review and Outlook for Agriculture, Food and the Marine 2024-2025], my Department's annual economic publication.

Forestry Sector

Questions (221, 222, 223, 224, 225, 228, 241, 243, 244)

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Richard Boyd Barrett

Question:

244. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine whether his Department has begun work on the next forestry programme after 2027; and the way in which the lessons from the mid-term review will inform its design. [22706/26]

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Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine

I propose to take Questions Nos. 221 to 225, inclusive, 228, 241, 243 and 244 together.

The Forest Strategy Consultative Committee (FSCC) represents a broad range of Forestry stakeholders across State agencies, industry and environmental groups. It was established as a consultative group to make contributions to the implementation of our Forest Strategy and to receive updates on the implementation of the Forestry Programme 2023-2027.

The Mid-Term Review (MTR) of the Forestry Programme 2023-2027 was not designed to create new forest policy or to reform current objectives. Instead, it aimed to help fulfil my Department’s existing forestry policy goals. As the acting consultative group, submissions were therefore requested from FSCC members to help improve the performance of our forestry schemes for the remainder of the Programme term. Submissions from members of the public or other external stakeholders were not accepted during this process, due to the specific focus of this review.

I am pleased to have recently published the results of this Mid-Term Review. The actions arising from this consist of a comprehensive package of financial and administrative measures, which I am confident will help to continue support this important sector.

These actions were screened for the possibility of potential impacts on the environment, including a period of consultation with prescribed statutory authorities. My Department has determined that these actions will not give rise to likely significant effects on the environment.

The Mid-Term Review fully aligns with the existing Strategic Environmental Objectives outlined in the Forest Strategy Implementation Plan (FSIP), which includes the Forestry Programme 2023-2027. It does not have the potential to introduce new sources of environmental impact or to change the level of ambition associated with my Department’s existing policy objectives.

Any actions outside of this remit would in most cases also necessitate a new State Aid Decision from the European Commission. Due to the lengthy and complex nature of this process, any FSCC submissions which fell outside of this scope will instead be considered during the development of the next Forestry Programme iteration. As the Mid-Term Review has been completed, this work now will begin in earnest and involve engagement with a broad range of stakeholders and a public consultation.

Further details, including FSCC membership, related submissions and independent screening reports are published on my Department’s website.

Question No. 222 answered with Question No. 221.

Question No. 223 answered with Question No. 221.

Question No. 224 answered with Question No. 221.

Question No. 225 answered with Question No. 221.

Forestry Sector

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Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine

I propose to take Questions Nos. 226, 227, 246, 247, 250, 257 and 259 together.

Forests are key to achieving our national objective of net zero emissions by 2050. The Government’s afforestation target of 8,000 hectares per year is set out in the Climate Action Plan. The planted figures published on the Forestry Dashboard show the success of the current Forestry Programme 2023-2027 through a significant increase in planting from 2024 to 2025 as per the table below:

Year	Number of Hectares planted
2023	1,652
2024	1,573
2025	2,527

My Department will continue to build on this success through the provision of a broad range of schemes, grants, and premia to suit all landowners, both public and private, as part of a suite of supports and outreach activities.

Key actions include:

• a choice of 12 Forest Types covering a broad range of planting options

• open calls for promotion, training, knowledge transfer schemes and other supports to the sector

• engagement events tailored to the interests of different landowners

• the Forest Creation on Public Lands initiative aimed at progressing afforestation on lands in public ownership

• a communications and engagement plan to promote opportunities targeted at different landowners

• an interactive management plan tool, iPLAN, to enable forest owners’ complete management plans

• the provision of supports to current forest owners through the Ash Dieback and windblow reconstitution schemes providing assurances of the sustainability of the sector

In addition to the above, my Department has ensured that a diverse species composition is supported through the current Forestry Programme with measures including:

• an increased broadleaf target from 30% to 50% for new afforestation.

• specific schemes supporting the planting of native trees including Native Forests, Continuous Cover Forestry, Agroforestry and Emergent Woodlands

• the inclusion of a 20% broadleaf species component as mandatory for all mixed forest types.

• the facilitation of small-scale planting through the Native Tree Area Scheme which does not require an afforestation licence.

The Mid-Term Review was not designed to create new forest policy or to reform current objectives, instead, it was carried out to better fulfil my Department's existing forestry policy goals

I am confident that the attractive rates and supports, the measures included in the Mid-Term Review, and the provision of tailored opportunities to landowners of all types, will continue to support planting and build towards delivering against the target set out in the Climate Action Plan.

Question No. 227 answered with Question No. 226.

Question No. 228 answered with Question No. 221.

Forestry Sector

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Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine

I propose to take Questions Nos. 229 to 231, inclusive, and 240 together.

The Forestry Programme 2023-2027 offers generous incentives for farmers and other landowners to diversify their income streams. There are, however, many competing land-use options available to farmers offering an annual income. To reflect this, the Afforestation Scheme 2023-2027 pays farmers a premia for 20 years compared to 15 years for non-farmers across most Forest Types with newly planted forestry, also qualifying for the Basic Income Support Payment (BISS) Scheme.

I am pleased to have recently published the results of the Mid-Term Review (MTR) of the Forestry Programme. This was undertaken in consultation with the Forest Strategy Consultative Committee (FSCC) which represents a broad range of Forestry stakeholders. Submissions from the FSCC allowed my Department to review the existing schemes, measures and costs by gathering feedback from those who have direct experience of implementing them on the ground.

It is estimated that the comprehensive package of financial and administrative measures arising from the MTR will amount to approximately €3.5 million for 2026. This is allocated across the following priority areas:

• Increases to fencing grant rates and allowances, and agroforestry premium rates for the Afforestation Scheme.

• Increases to fencing rates and allowances and expansion of the Deer Tree Shelter, Hare and Deer Fencing Scheme.

• Increases to fencing rates for the Native Tree Area Scheme.

• Increases to grant rates for the Climate Resilient Reforestation Pilot and Forest Road Schemes.

Full details are available in the Forest Programme 2023 – 2027 Mid-Term Review publication on the Departments website.

While income is not the only consideration in deciding land use by farmers, these incentives offer an attractive option to farmers to plant forests as part of their farm enterprise.

I am confident that these improved financial incentives, increased scheme flexibilities and proactive engagement activities arising from this MTR will offer sufficient supports to enable landowners, including farmers to plant and manage their forests in a way that is most suitable for their requirements.

Question No. 230 answered with Question No. 229.

Question No. 231 answered with Question No. 229.

Forestry Sector

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Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine

I propose to take Questions Nos. 232 to 234, inclusive, 236, 237 and 268 together.

I launched a new Silvoarable and Forest Gardening agroforestry pilot scheme in the last fortnight. I expect that registered foresters and landowners are assessing this scheme and will make applications in the coming months. My Department did not receive nor did I expect that we would have received any valid applications in the first two weeks of the scheme being opened. I look forward to monitoring the interest and the outcomes from this scheme before I make any decision about its future and how it may lead to permanent changes.

All scheme uptake is monitored throughout the course of the Forestry Programme. Scheme uptake is demand led and as such, assessing the likely uptake of new initiatives, including the likely uptake of any alluvial woodland planting, is challenging.

My Department has committed resources to ensure the wide range of options available under the Forestry Programme is effectively promoted. Last year, the second tranche of the open Call for Proposals for Forestry Promotion Projects was launched, seeking innovative projects which support and highlight the environmental, social and economic benefits of forestry, forests and timber products.

I can confirm FT2 – Woodlands for Water is currently live, and eligible areas have been planted under this scheme. Eligibility is based on EPA data and a simplified map based process for identifying eligible areas is being finalised.

As part of the Forest Strategy Implementation Plan including the Forestry Programme, one of the agreed actions is to introduce pre-application discussions (PAD) for forest licence applications. The feedback from pre-application discussions have been positive and that it saves time for both the Registered Forester and for my staff. I would encourage Registered Foresters to consider a PAD when submitting applications, especially for more complex sites.

The Forestry Programme (and subsequent Forestry Programmes) is one of the main enablers for reaching targets set out under the forestry aspects of the Nature Restoration Law. Through Forestry Programme funded schemes, landowners and forest owners will be supported and incentivised to carry out certain actions, that align with the forestry aspects of Ireland’s Nature Restoration Plan. For example, woodland planting measures required under the Nature Restoration law will be supported under my Department’s afforestation grant scheme, subject to eligibility criteria.

Much of the ongoing assessment’s required under the Nature Restoration Law will be carried out as part of Irelands National Forest Inventory.

Question No. 233 answered with Question No. 232.