Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 6 May 2026
632. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of applications for civil restraining orders received annually between 2023 and 2026; the number approved or refused; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32319/26]
View answer633. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of civil restraining orders granted from 2023 to 2026 related to domestic violence cases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32320/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 632 and 633 together.
The management of the courts, operational matters and logistical functions are the responsibility of the judiciary and Courts Service, which are independent in exercising their functions under the Courts Service Act 1998 and the Constitution.
The Courts Service has a dedicated email address for the provision of information to members of the Houses of the Oireachtas: oireachtasenquiries@courts.ie
To be of assistance, I requested the information sought by the Deputy.
Section 28 of the Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2023 provides the District Court with the power to receive and determine applications for civil restraining orders (CROs). It was commenced on 2 September 2024 which is, therefore, the earliest date from which applications could be accepted under the new provisions.
Section 82 of the Act amends Section 15 of the Domestic Violence Act to provide that a District Family Court can grant a CRO in domestic violence proceedings. There are no applications for such an order before the Court.
I'm informed that the legacy system currently in use within the relevant courts cannot provide the data requested. In the interim, limited data on Section 28 CROs is being collected manually.
The Courts Service has recently began to roll out a new Unified Case Management System to Civil and Family District Court offices. After the rollout is complete next year, more comprehensive data will be available.
The table below outlines the available data on CROs.
|
Q.3 2024 |
Q.4 2024 |
Q.1 2025 |
Q.2 2025 |
Q.3 2025 |
Q.4 2025 |
|
|
Applications |
48 |
266 |
378 |
425 |
428 |
416 |
|
Granted |
11 |
122 |
97 |
129 |
170 |
163 |
|
Refused |
NA |
NA |
NA |
104 |
169 |
159 |
