Written Answers Nos. 820-839
820. Deputy Séamus McGrath asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to provide an update on a certificate of naturalisation application (details supplied); the reason the applicant was recently advised that their application has been closed because they failed to submit documents which his Department says were requested, though the applicant maintains they received no such request. [30025/26]
View answerI can advise the Deputy that the naturalisation application referred to was closed as it was incomplete. The applicant was afforded an opportunity to supply or correct the missing documentation in February 2026 but failed to do so.
I can advise the Deputy that in cases where incomplete naturalisation applications are received, the application is returned to the applicant with a request to provide the missing documentation within 28 days. A reminder is issued after 18 days if the required documentation has still not been provided.
This application was submitted by a third party on behalf of the applicant. The request for further docs and a 10 day reminder notification also issued to the third party email address. As the documents were never submitted, this application has been closed.
It is open to the person cited to make a new application at any time.
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: [https://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: [https://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.
821. Deputy Paula Butterly asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if he will consider establishing a scheme within An Garda Síochána that would allow retiring Garda members to continue serving on a part-time or reduced hours basis, similar to the arrangements available to retired teachers who may return as substitute or fixed term teachers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30048/26]
View answerIn 2024 the Government increased the mandatory retirement age for members of An Garda Síochána to 62 through the Courts, Civil Law, Criminal Law and Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2024 and subsequent regulations. That Act also provided for the increase in the mandatory retirement age of permanent members of the Defence Forces, firefighters and prison officers from 60 to 62. The increase was also facilitated with amendments to the relevant pension legislation.
Since these changes have been introduced a significant number of Gardaí have availed of the option to continue working until the age of 62 and An Garda Síochána has benefited from the extended contribution of experienced personnel. These changes have also provided a greater opportunity for skills and knowledge transfer to new recruits.
There are currently no plans to allow Gardai to continue to serve beyond retirement age on a reduced hours basis. However the Deputy may be interested to note that the Garda Commissioner, with my consent, may extend the age of retirement of a Garda member where this is in the interests of the efficiency of An Garda Síochána due to special qualifications or experience possessed by that member.
This allows any Garda member to make an application to the Commissioner, through their line management, seeking an extension of their service, potentially up to the age of 65. I can confirm that I have already consented to a number of such requests allowing Garda members to continue to serve beyond the age of 62.
822. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the estimated cost to introduce a speeding camera; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30105/26]
View answer823. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the estimated cost to introduce 500 speeding cameras; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30106/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 822 and 823 together.
Speeding remains one of the greatest risk factors on our roads. Speed reduces the time people have to react and makes collisions much more likely. It also makes it more likely that when collisions happen, they will lead to death or very serious injuries.
Whether it is fixed cameras, average speed cameras or GoSafe vans, we need to use technology to work to reduce speeding on our roads. An Garda Síochána has contributed to making our roads safer through the use of mobile safety cameras, using service provider GoSafe to operate them on its behalf, enforcement cameras operated using a fleet of marked vehicles, and static speed cameras.
Under section 72 of the Policing Security and Community Safety Act 2024, the Garda Commissioner is the Accounting Officer of An Garda Síochána and is responsible for the Garda budget including accounting for the financial cost of each aspect of Garda responsibilities. The Commissioner is independent in the performance of his functions.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that the individual cost of each camera cannot be disclosed as this information is commercially sensitive and forms part of the competitive tender process. However, the overall annual cost of the safety camera project is approximately €26 million.
390 new safety camera zones became operational from 1 January 2026, bringing the total number of safety camera zones nationwide to 1,901. The primary purpose of safety cameras is to reduce speed-related collisions, lessen injuries and save lives. The Deputy can find all zones and locations on the Garda Website using the following link: [www.garda.ie/en/roads-policing/safety-cameras-save-lives/mobile-safety-camera-detection/][Mobile Safety Camera Detection - Garda].
824. Deputy Paul Nicholas Gogarty asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if his Department can investigate the reason a citizenship application (details supplied) has been delayed for over 28 months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30111/26]
View answer825. Deputy Paul Nicholas Gogarty asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the way an applicant’s family received their citizenship years in advance to their own (details supplied); the specific reason holding up their application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30112/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 824 and 825 together.
The 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, that no two naturalisation applications are the same and some take longer than others to process. Each application is examined individually and assessed on their own merits. 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 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: [https://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.
826. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the recorded number of reported crimes in the Garda division covering Donnycarney, by offence type and year for the past five years, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30121/26]
View answerThe Central Statistics Office (CSO), as the national statistical agency, is responsible for the compilation and publication of all crime statistics.
The CSO produces these statistics using data recorded on An Garda Síochána’s PULSE system and makes regular releases in relation to various crime statistics. The most recent statistics were released on 26 March 2026, providing stats for Recorded Crime for Quarter 4 2025.
Information in respect of criminal offences reported to Gardaí, can be found on the CSO website at the following link: [https://www.cso.ie/en/statistics/crimeandjustice/recordedcrime/]
Datasets providing figures on recorded crime incidents by Garda Station/ Division, type of offence and year/quarter can be accessed on the CSO website at the following link: [Recorded Crime Q4 2025 - Central Statistics Office]
827. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to provide the specific locations of each of the seven large-scale international protection accommodation service centres that are proposed to be exempted from normal planning requirements under the General Scheme of the Planning and Development Act (Planning Status of State Sites) Amendment Bill 2025; and to confirm the current operational status of each site. [30127/26]
View answer828. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to provide a written explanation of the criteria used by his Department and by IPAS to classify or distinguish between different categories of international protection accommodation centres, including the basis on which certain centres are designated as large-scale or "mega" centres; whether such classification is determined by reference to property size, the number of residents accommodated, the ratio of IPAS residents to the local population, or any other metric; and to publish any internal guidance documents setting out these classifications. [30128/26]
View answer829. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the planned maximum capacity of each of the seven IPAS centres proposed to be covered by the forthcoming planning exemption legislation; and to outline the rationale for exempting these centres from the standard planning process, given that the High Court has previously found issues with the planning basis for existing State-owned IPAS sites. [30129/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 827, 828 and 829 together.
The Programme for Government commits to reducing the use of hotels for international protection accommodation, and to providing more State-owned accommodation.
In support of meeting this commitment, work has been ongoing since 2024 to review potential properties for purchase as international protection accommodation. The State purchased the Citywest Hotel and Convention Centre in 2025, which was a significant milestone and increased the number of State-owned bed to a total of 4,000.
While a number of sites remain under consideration, no decisions have been made on further purchases, or on the development of a number of large, new centres as mentioned in your question, or as have been referenced in media reporting over recent weeks.
As well as considering purchase options, the State has also worked to provide accommodation on existing State-owned lands since 2024, including at Crooksling in Dublin, Lissywollen in Athlone and at Thornton Hall in Dublin.
As has been reported extensively over the last year, there were specific legal challenges against the use of planning legislation at these three locations. It will be a matter for Government to consider the appropriate future planning process for these sites and their use.
While moving away from commercial provision, and toward a greater proportion of State-owned accommodation, the overall strategy in Ireland is to speed up processing of international protection applications and reduce the demand for international protection accommodation. The signing into law of the International Protection Act 2026, and the implementation of the EU Migration Pact from 12 June this year, are critical steps toward achieving that.
830. Deputy Noel McCarthy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the current average processing times for extension of student conditions (ESTC) applications; if ESTC applicants are entitled to work or accept a new paid position of employment while their application continues to be processed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30133/26]
View answerAn application for an Extension of Student Conditions (ESTC) is intended for unforeseen or unusual circumstances. It is not intended for students or graduates who fail to secure an employment permit and who have exhausted the maximum time permitted under the Third Level Graduate Programme.
Each ESTC application is considered on its own individual merits taking into account any exceptional circumstances put forward by the applicant. Where such permissions are extended it is generally for a period not exceeding 6 months.
To be fair to all applicants, applications are dealt with in chronological order by date received. My Department endeavours to process applications as quickly as possible. However, processing times may vary due to a number of factors, such as the number of applications on hand, individual circumstances, the complexity of applications, whether further information is required, and the resources available. My Department are currently processing ESTC applications received from October 2025, and there are approximately a total of 2,700 applications on hand.
There has been a significant increase in recent months in ESTC applications and these are being dealt with as expeditiously as possible.
Permission to remain and work in the State ends with the expiry of the permissions; if the permission has expired, a temporary permission to work is not available whilst an ESTC application is being examined.
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: [https://portal.irishimmigration.ie/en/]
831. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration whether he is aware that total State expenditure on international protection accommodation rose by 19% to €1.2 billion in 2025 despite a 30% drop in the number of new arrivals; the reason the cost of accommodating asylum seekers has increased from €38 per person per night in 2018 to €99 per person per night in 2025; what steps are being taken to bring accommodation costs under control; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30143/26]
View answerIreland has at all times endeavoured to provide accommodation and other basic supports to people seeking international protection as is required by law.
The State is currently accommodating over 33,000 people in approximately 305 International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) centres around the country.
The expenditure on IPAS accommodation and supports for 2025 was €1.2 billion and this has reduced to an allocation of over €1.1 billion for accommodation and supports in 2026 (the 2025 figure is provisional pending completion of the 2025 Appropriation Accounts).
While numbers of applicants reduced in 2025 compared to 2024 as the Deputy points out, people are provided with accommodation for the full duration of their application process, and any appeals process that applies. Many of those who applied in 2024 have acquired accommodation in 2025.
Not all international protection applicants are resident in IPAS accommodation and the length of time spent by a person resident in IPAS accommodation will vary depending on the individual circumstances of the person or family's application.
The Department is taking action across all aspects of the international protection accommodation system to improve value for money, strengthen governance and compliance, and renegotiate contracts with providers.
The Department has put improved processes in place for appraisal, validation, contracting and payments. This reform within the accommodation system has laid the basis for continued process improvement and costs savings in 2026.
The introduction of a new rate card model in May 2025 is driving costs down for new and renewed contracts. To date 148 rates have been agreed with contractors, with projected savings in annual contract values of over €83 million. The rate card process is being applied to each contract as it comes up for renewal.
While the rates agreed for contracts are considered commercially sensitive due to ongoing negotiation, the current average nightly contracted rate across the IPAS system is €71.
Developing more State-owned options will allow us to move away from the current degree of reliance on commercial provision. The purchase of the Citywest Hotel and Convention Centre in 2025 was an important milestone in this strategy, and has increased the overall State-owned bed numbers from 900 spaces in 2024 to over 4,000 today.
While commissioning emergency commercial accommodation will continue to be necessary in the short to medium term, it is being contracted on a short-term basis, which will enable the State to decommission this capacity with agility as State-owned beds increase, contracts expire, or demand fluctuates.
832. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration whether he is aware that the International Protection Appeals Tribunal accepted more than 15,000 appeals in 2025 and had approximately 19,000 cases on hand at the end of that year; what additional resources, staffing or legislative measures are being considered to address this backlog; whether the Government’s own analytical report has concluded that faster processing of appeals represents the most effective medium-term means of reducing accommodation costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30144/26]
View answer833. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration whether he is aware that approximately 80% of international protection applications are rejected at first instance but that around 62% of those decisions are subsequently appealed, prolonging accommodation stays and increasing costs to the State; the reason the International Protection Appeals Tribunal had approximately 19,000 cases on hand at the end of 2025; what additional resources are being allocated to clear this backlog; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30145/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 832 and 833 together.
It is a central priority for me that Ireland’s immigration system is robust and rules based.
The number of International Protection applications have been rising over the past number of years, reaching 18,500 in 2024. In 2025, application numbers reduced by approximately a third. Year-to-date application numbers in 2026 are around 3,800 and this figure is in line with applications made in the same period in 2025.
In 2025, the International Protection Office (IPO) delivered over 20,200 first instance decisions compared to approximately 14,100 in 2024: a 44% increase. IPAT more than doubled the number of appeals closed from 3,100 in 2024 to nearly 6,300 in 2025.
At the end of 2025 the IPAT had 18,864 cases on hand. There has been a significant increase in investment into the international protection system which, combined with digitisation and process reengineering, has facilitated a major increase in processing capacity and demonstrates a strong commitment to reducing cases on hand.
This resourcing has been particularly evident at IPAT over the past few years with the Tribunal budget increasing by 95% from 2023 to 2025. Administrative staff at IPAT have increased from 37 at the start of 2023 to 86 currently.
My Department, in conjunction with the Public Appointments Service, has also been actively recruiting for additional whole-time and part-time Tribunal Members over the last two years, with three such open competitions having been held in 2024.
Appointments from these competitions have been made throughout 2025 and 2026. The number of whole-time Members increased from 3 at the start of 2025 to 9. The number of part-time Members has increased from 44 at the start of 2025 to 141.
A competition recruiting for full time appeals officers closed on 21 April with a further competition for part time appeal officers to be advertised shortly. These further competitions incorporate requirements for appeals officers for the new appeals body, the Tribunal for Asylum and Returns Appeals (TARA) to be configured under the EU Migration and Asylum Pact.
In addition to measures to improve processing generally, an operational plan between Ireland and the European Union Agency for Asylum (EUAA) has also seen 21 EUAA personnel deployed to support the work being done at IPAT to reduce cases on hand. This work includes preparing appeal files, conducting research on country-of-origin information and international protection jurisprudence. The Operational Plan also includes the EUAA providing interpretation resources in difficult-to-source languages.
As the Deputy will be aware, the International Protection Act was passed into law last week and gives effect to the EU Migration and Asylum Pact. My Department continues to focus preparing for these new rules to take effect on 12 June 2026.
The Pact will provide a fair, sustainable and efficient asylum procedure. This will be achieved through convergence in asylum practices across the EU including standardised processing times for decisions: six months for a standard procedure, three months for accelerated and border procedures and two months for processing applicants who have applied for protection elsewhere in Europe.
Faster processing will mean that applicants spend less time in International Protection Accommodation Services (IPAS) accommodation, and this will significantly reduce the cost of the asylum system to the State. Faster decision-making will also mean that successful applicants will be granted international protection sooner, and those whose applications are refused can be returned to their country of origin sooner.
834. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration whether he can account for the significant and growing gap between the number of international protection deportation orders signed and the number actually executed (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30146/26]
View answerIt is a central priority for me that Ireland’s immigration system is robust and rules based. The enforcement aspects of our laws, including deportation orders, are an essential requirement for the system to work effectively and to ensure that there is confidence in the application of our legislation in this area.
If a person does not remove themselves from the State following the issuance of a deportation order, they will be removed, and my Department has taken action to significantly improve immigration enforcement measures and increase removals.
In 2024, a total of 1,122 people departed from the State under various mechanisms (i.e. enforced deportation, voluntary return etc.) In 2025, a total of 2,111 people had their departure confirmed through these pathways, an increase of 88% compared to 2024. Up to 31 March 2026, 513 people departed from the State through these pathways.
In 2025, six charter flight operations removed 205 people from the State. Of these, five operations to non-EU destinations removed 182 people who were subject to deportation orders and one operation removed 23 EU citizens on grounds of criminality. In 2026, two charter flights have removed 96 people from the State.
Deportations are costly and complex to enforce. It is the preferred option to return people voluntarily and my Department has a voluntary return programme to assist people to return prior to the issuance of a deportation order. A person can only avail of voluntary return before a deportation order is issued and I have increased resources into this programme to enable individuals who wish to return before a deportation order is issued to them.
Any person who is the subject to a deportation order is ineligible for social assistance payments and a range of other public services such as accommodation. In relation to supports received by people who are subject to a deportation order, I can advise the Deputy that when a person is issued with a deportation order my Department notifies the Department of Social Protection.
It is the case that a significant number of individuals who were subject to Deportation orders have left the State without notifying the relevant authorities; however, as there are no routine exit checks at Irish borders, it is not possible to definitely provide the number of people who have or have not complied with an order. I am, however, informed that the Garda National Immigration Bureau has reviewed a large sample of cases of people subject to deportation orders; their inquiries suggest a very significant number of these individuals have left the State.
The enforcement of deportation orders is an operational matter for the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB), and my Department works closely with the GNIB to progress arrangements for the removal of people subject to deportation orders. The resources required for the effective operation of the end-to-end International Protection system, including removals, is kept under review and additional resources will be deployed within the system as is appropriate and necessary.
The International Protection Act was passed into law last week and gives effect to the EU Migration and Asylum Pact. My Department continues to focus preparing for these new rules to take effect on 12 June 2026. The Pact will provide a fair, sustainable and efficient asylum procedure. This will be achieved through convergence in asylum practices across the EU including standardised processing times for decisions. Faster processing will mean that applicants spend less time in International Protection Accommodation Services (IPAS) accommodation, and this will significantly reduce the cost of the asylum system to the State.
835. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration following his signing of the commencement order on 7 April 2025 reestablishing the power to revoke naturalised Irish citizenship under Section 19 of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended by the Courts, Civil Law, Criminal Law and Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2024; if he will provide an update on the number of revocation proceedings initiated since the process was recommenced; the number of cases currently before a Committee of Inquiry; whether any certificates of naturalisation have been successfully revoked to date; if he will outline the specific criteria and thresholds being applied to determine cases of fraudulent acquisition of citizenship and cases involving a serious risk or threat to the State; the resources and staffing allocated within his Department to administer the revocation process; whether his Department has any intention to expand these criteria; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30147/26]
View answerThe grounds for the revocation of citizenship are set out in as set out in section 19 of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956 (as amended).
Changes to this process were made by the Court, Civil Law, Criminal Law and Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2024; these changes were required to address issues identified in a Supreme Court judgment that had found the then revocation process to be unconstitutional. Amendments to the process of revocation of citizenship came into effect from 7 April 2025 and the revised provisions can be found at revisedacts.lawreform.ie/eli/1956/act/26/section/19/revised/en/html
Under the new procedure, where the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration decides to revoke citizenship, they may do so under the five grounds set out in the 1956 Act. A notification of this intention is issued to the individual, who will be provided with the opportunity to make representations, and has 28 days to so, before a decision is made to revoke their certificate of naturalisation.
Following receipt of those representations, or on expiry of the 28 days, if it is decided to proceed to revoke the certificate of naturalisation, then the individual has 14 days in which to request a Committee of Inquiry. Upon receipt of this request, the Minister will appoint a Committee of Inquiry, which will be composed of a chairperson who will be a retired Judge of the Circuit Court, the High Court, the Court of Appeal, or the Supreme Court, and two ordinary members with appropriate experience and qualifications. The Committee of Inquiry will be independent in its function of inquiry into the Minister's decision and can either affirm the decision or set it aside.
In the last 10 years, this power has been used eight times with one person having their citizenship revoked since 7 April 2025.
A number of units within my Department may be involved in revocation cases and any necessary resources are provided as required.
836. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration whether he is aware of consistent media reporting that companies and individuals registered for tax purposes in offshore jurisdictions, including the Isle of Man, have been awarded contracts by his Department for the provision of International Protection Accommodation Services; in all instances where the Department has contracted with entities registered in offshore jurisdictions for services delivered within the State, what tax treatment has been applied to those payments; whether there are any instances in which payments made by the Department to offshore-registered entities for services delivered in Ireland are not subject to Irish taxation; whether there are instances in which the Department has self-assessed and paid the VAT element associated with such services through the reverse charge mechanism rather than receiving a VAT-inclusive invoice from the provider; given the scale and nature of these contracts, what ongoing compliance activities the Department undertakes with respect to monies paid, including due diligence on the tax status, corporate structure and solvency of contracted entities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30148/26]
View answerThe Department is taking action across all aspects of the international protection accommodation system to improve value for money, strengthen governance and compliance, and renegotiate contracts with providers.
These actions have been escalated since 2025, when the steep increase in applications seen since 2022 began to stabilise. While application numbers remain well above pre-2022 norms, the Department has taken action across all these dimensions to help strengthen and improve the IPAS accommodation system.
This is happening in parallel to the increase in State-owned beds in the system, which over time will allow the Department to continue to reduce reliance on commercial provision.
The Department receives offers of international protection accommodation on an ongoing basis from external commercial providers. All offers are reviewed by the Department under a standardised appraisal procedure.
A dedicated team appraises each offer to accommodate people seeking international protection, and the Department carries out due diligence on the provider who is offering the accommodation service.
This includes checks on the provider offering the service to the Department via the Companies Registration Office (CRO) to ensure compliance with CRO requirements.
Providers must be registered in Ireland. All payments made in respect of International Protection accommodation are to an Irish entity, to an Irish bank account, with tax clearance in Ireland.
Providers may be part of wider commercial groups. The Department carries out its appraisals on the providers making the submission, and does not appraise wider commercial entities which may be associated with providers.
Since 2024, each new or renewing provider of accommodation services must provide a declaration of their personal circumstances. This declaration, which must be notarised, confirms that they are tax compliant, free of any convictions for corruption, fraud or being a member of a criminal organisation. It also confirms that they are solvent and have no history of failing to meet terms of public service contracts, among other requirements.
The introduction of a new rate card model in May 2025 is driving costs down for new and renewed contracts, already saving over €90 million for the State to date. It is being applied to each contract as it comes up for renewal.
All provider payments are published on a quarterly basis by the Department, and a provider's tax compliance is verified at each payment by way of a Tax Clearance Certificate.
In relation to contracts ending, IPAS regularly engages with centres to ensure compliance with contracts and standards, with a dual eye on safety and welfare of residents, while also ensuring value for money and compliance by providers.
Developing more State-owned options will allow us to move away from the current degree of reliance on commercial provision. The purchase of the Citywest Hotel and Convention Centre in 2025 was an important milestone in this strategy, and increased State-owned beds to 4,000 in 2025, compared to 900 in early 2024.
While commissioning emergency commercial accommodation will continue to be necessary in the short to medium term, it is being contracted on a short-term basis, which will enable the State to decommission this capacity with agility as State-owned beds increase, contracts expire or demand fluctuates.
837. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration further to Parliamentary Question No. 1953 of 14 April 2026, if his attention has been drawn to significant delays since Q3 2025 for visitor visa to Ireland applications by Russian citizens; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30182/26]
View answer838. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the position regarding the average processing time in 2026 to date, for visitor visa to Ireland applications by Russian citizens; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30183/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 837 and 838 together.
I can advise the Deputy that processing times for all visa applications are influenced by a number of factors. The time it can take varies depending on the type and complexity of application; individual circumstances; peak application periods; such as holidays or the start of the school year; and, crucially, the quality and completeness of the application lodged. Verifying an application is an important part of our immigration system and the checks involved can take time to complete.
The table below shows average processing time for Type C short stay visas received from Russian nationals. Visa applications received by the Embassy of Ireland in Moscow are currently sent to the Dublin Visa Office for examination and processing.
The current processing times for Dublin visa decisions are available here: www.irishimmigration.ie/visa-decisions/
Table 1. Average processing time for Type C short stay visas received from Russian nationals.
|
Year |
Average Processing Time |
|
2026 (up to 31/03/2026) |
85 days |
* Please note, figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing.
* All figures are calendar days and based on a 7-day week. There is no allowance made for weekends, public, bank or religious holidays in the various jurisdictions.
839. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the protocols in place for residents who are expelled from a facility (details supplied) that provides accommodation for people seeking international protection; if these residents are brought anywhere or linked in with any services; if his Department is notified that this has occurred; his Department’s response to these situations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30195/26]
View answerUnder the European Communities (Reception Conditions) Regulations 2018, International Protection Applicants are provided with material reception conditions, including housing, food, clothing and a Daily Expenses Allowance (DEA).
Not all international protection applicants take up IPAS accommodation, nor are they obliged to.
When people seeking international protection arrive at any IPAS accommodation centre, they are provided with the ‘IPAS House Rules’ which explains the rules and procedures that are designed to make reception and accommodation centres safe and effective.
Where a resident is repeatedly in breach of the house rules or, following a particularly serious breach, IPAS may relocate them to another accommodation centre. Usually there are a series of reminders about the house rules and or warnings. If breaches continue, it can be necessary to relocate people following repeated warnings.
In these circumstances IPAS engages directly with the people concerned and the centre management. Any resident who is moved to another centre is required to follow the house rules at that centre.
In instances where there are serious or repeated breaches of the house rules, consideration may be given under Section 7 of the Regulations to amending the reception conditions afforded to a resident. This involves withdrawing IPAS accommodation.
In circumstances where reception conditions are amended, the person will be provided with a letter from IPAS explaining why their reception conditions have been amended, that no further IPAS accommodation will be provided. They are also informed of their right to appeal the decision within 10 working days by email.
