Written Answers Nos. 676-695
676. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the total number of persons currently recorded as subject to an active deportation order and whose departure from the State has not been confirmed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32927/26]
View answer678. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration further to Parliamentary Question No. 834 of 28 April 2026, the number of persons subject to deportation orders that were identified as having left the State following the Garda National Immigration Bureau sample review; the size of the sample reviewed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32929/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 676 and 678 together.
It 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.
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.
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.
The number of deportation orders signed in 2024 (2,403) increased by 180% compared to 2023 (857). In 2025, 4,700 deportation orders were signed, an increase of 96% compared to 2024.1,513 deportation orders have been signed up to 01 May 2026.
In 2024, 1,122 people departed from the State under various mechanisms (i.e. enforced deportation, voluntary return etc.). In 2025, 2,111 people had their departure confirmed through these pathways, an increase of 88% compared to 2024. Up to 01 May 2026, 728 people have departed 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.
Two charter operations to date in 2026 have seen the removal of 96 people from the State, including 33 EU citizens who were removed on grounds of criminality.
The tables below detail the number of deportation orders signed, as well as the number enforced, from 2020 to 01 May 2026.
Table 1. Deportation orders signed from 2020 to 01 May 2026
|
Year |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
2025 |
2026 (up to 01 May) |
|
Deportation orders signed |
598 |
33 |
549 |
859 |
2,403 |
4,700 |
1,513 |
*Please note, figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing.
Table 2. Deportation Enforcement 2020 to 01 May 2026
|
Year |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
2025 |
2026 (up to 01 May) |
|
Enforced Deportations |
42 |
5 |
24 |
51 |
134 |
185 |
96 |
|
Removed by Charter |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
182 |
62 |
|
Otherwise Confirmed Deportation (1) |
97 |
33 |
93 |
28 |
28 |
67 |
21 |
|
Total Deportations |
139 |
38 |
117 |
79 |
162 |
434 |
179 |
|
Other Removals (2) |
40 |
46 |
39 |
24 |
26 |
61 |
52 |
|
Number of Voluntary Returns |
201 |
132 |
91 |
215 |
934 |
1,616 |
497 |
|
Total Removed |
380 |
216 |
247 |
318 |
1,122 |
2,111 |
728 |
*Please note, figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing.
** During the COVID- 19 Pandemic there was a moratorium on deportations. This was effective during the latter part of 2020, 2021 and for the first 8 months of 2022. During the moratorium only people who whose presence in Ireland would be contrary to the public interest were deported. This moratorium was lifted in July 2022.
*** A deportation order effected in any year may relate to an order signed in a previous year.
1. Otherwise confirmed deportations is where it has been confirmed a person has left the state following receipt of a deportation order without being escorted.
2. Other removals include Dublin III Transfer Orders of International Protection applicants to another EU State and EU Removal Orders for the return of EU Citizens under the Free Movement Regulations (these orders are made on grounds of criminality) and people who are deemed inadmissible under the International Protection Act.
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. If a person issued with a deportation order does not leave the State independently then they are required to present to the GNIB in accordance with the conditions of their deportation order.
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 GNIB 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 nature and extent of these checks are a matter for An Garda Síochána.
677. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration whether his Department has conducted an assessment of introducing routine exit checks at Irish ports and airports for immigration-control purposes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32928/26]
View answerImplementing effective border security arrangements is a priority for me, and the Programme for Government commits to developing a comprehensive border security strategy, including the use of technology to support border screening. This work is underway and will, among other things, consider international developments in this regard, such as the development and roll-out of Exit-Entry Systems in the Schengen area and other jurisdictions.
Introducing such checks would have significant operational and practical implications, particularly in light of the land border and the operation of the Common Travel Area, and will require careful consideration in that context.
679. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of persons subject to deportation orders who were removed from IPAS accommodation in each year from 2019 to 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32930/26]
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).
I understand from your question that you wish to know how many people were removed from IPAS accommodation, and were also subject to deportation orders, over recent years. I regret that this information is not readily available in the manner requested but I will provide what detail is available.
Currently, there are over 800 people subject to deportation orders residing in IPAS accommodation. This number fluctuates regularly, as people leave Ireland under the relevant return pathways, and as new orders are made.
Some people subject to deportation orders may have the enforcement of their order suspended due to legal proceedings or due to personal circumstances such as health grounds. Others will be in the process of arranging to leave the State as directed.
My Department works closely with the Garda National Immigration Bureau to arrange for the removal of persons subject to deportation orders.
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. If a person issued with a deportation order does not leave the State independently then they are required to present to the GNIB in accordance with the conditions of their deportation order.
680. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of citizenship revocation cases currently under active consideration by his Department; the number where notice of intention to revoke has issued; and the number where a Committee of Inquiry has been requested since 7 April 2025. [32931/26]
View answerThe grounds for the revocation of citizenship are 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 further notice of intention to revoke has been issued.
681. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration whether his Department has published internal guidance on the operation of section 19 of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended, including evidential thresholds for fraud, concealment of material facts, and serious threat to the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32932/26]
View answerIn relation to the revocation of citizenship, changes to the operation of Section 19 of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956 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
My Department has not published any further internal guidance on the operation of these provisions.
682. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration whether his Department conducts beneficial ownership checks on entities contracted to provide IPAS accommodation, including where the Irish contracting entity forms part of a wider corporate group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32937/26]
View answer683. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration whether IPAS accommodation providers are required to disclose parent companies, connected entities, beneficial owners, directors, related-party leases, management companies or offshore ownership structures as part of the Department’s due diligence process. [32939/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 682 and 683 together.
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.
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.
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.
684. Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the current average processing time for Garda vetting applications; the number of applications currently outstanding with the National Vetting Bureau; the number of applications pending for more than four, eight and 12 weeks; the length of time for which Garda vetting disclosures are considered valid; the measures being taken to reduce processing times; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32940/26]
View answerThe Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána under Section 33 of the Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024. This includes all operational matters, such as Garda vetting applications which are an operational matter for the Garda National Vetting Bureau (GNVB) under the National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Act 2012 (as amended).
The primary purpose of vetting carried out by the Garda National Vetting Bureau (GNVB) is to ensure the safety of children and vulnerable adults. This requires a robust Garda vetting process that reassures the public, and in particular parents, that appropriate checks are conducted on people taking on positions of trust.
I am informed by the Garda Authorities that up to 30 April 2026, the Garda National Vetting Bureau (GNVB) have received 230,370 vetting applications in 2026. There was a total of 633,563 vetting applications received in 2025.
There are currently 39,159 of these applications in progress at the GNVB.
• 61 of these applications are in progress for over 12 weeks.
• 73 applications are in progress for over 8 weeks.
• 2,499 applications are in progress for over 4 weeks.
• The remaining 36,526 were received within the last 4 weeks.
Garda Vetting applications are processed on a first-come, first serve basis in chronological order from date of receipt. This is with a view to observing equity and fairness in respect of all vetting subjects.
The current average turnaround time for vetting applications is 15-18 business days from the date the application is received at the GNVB, for 85% of applications received. Some applications take longer than the average processing time for a multiplicity of reasons.
In respect of the question regarding the length of time for which Garda vetting disclosures are considered valid I wish to advise that vetting disclosures are issued to the relevant organisation, not to the individual. There are currently no statutory guidelines specifying the period of validity for a vetting disclosure.
The Government is aware that concerns have been raised regarding certain aspects of the vetting process. I believe that the vetting system should be updated to ensure that the burden of seeking vetting disclosures, particularly on volunteers and organisations working in their communities, is minimised to the greatest extent possible, while maintaining the necessary high standards for this process.
I have therefore directed that steps be taken to implement a number of key changes, specifically in relation to re-vetting and the portability of vetting. These changes will require amending legislation and updated technical systems to support the revised approach.
My Department is actively engaging with the Garda National Vetting Bureau on the detailed work of developing the necessary legislative and technical steps to meet these goals in a way that is workable in practice. This includes an assessment of appropriate models for an expansion of digital service delivery, which is a very significant project that will necessarily take time to fully scope and implement.
685. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the prevalence of physically disabled persons who have entered Ireland seeking international protection since vulnerability assessments recommenced on 11 November 2024; and whether there are plans in place to recommence use of the vulnerability assessments for single male IP applicants, rather than the vulnerability triage that is currently offered. [32948/26]
View answerIn accordance with S.I. No. 230/2018 - European Communities (Reception Conditions) Regulations 2018 , IPAS is obliged to assess whether a recipient has special reception needs, and if so, the nature of those needs.
The Regulations define a number of categories of vulnerability which include a person who is a minor, an unaccompanied minor, a person with a disability, an elderly person, a pregnant woman, a single parent of a minor, a victim of human trafficking, a person with a serious illness, a person with a mental disorder, and a person who has been subjected to torture, rape or other form of serious psychological, physical or sexual violence. In addition to these categories, IPAS gives consideration to persons who are LGBTQ+.
A voluntary Vulnerability Assessment Programme is in place to assess special reception needs. Where a vulnerability is identified, the person is sign posted to relevant services and the information is also used by IPAS to appropriately accommodate people. It is important to note that the majority of vulnerabilities can be addressed in all IPAS accommodation.
Following a pause in Vulnerability Assessments during 2024, the programme recommenced in November 2024, with assessments for families. From July 2025, couples and single females have also been included in the programme.
Table: Physical disability identified through the Vulnerability Assessment
|
Date |
Number |
|
2024 |
2 |
|
2025 |
18 |
|
2026 (to date) |
23 |
|
Total |
43 |
If a vulnerability or disability emerges or is advised to IPAS after a person or family has already been accommodated and they require accessible or more suitable accommodation in a particular location on medical grounds, applicants or those advocating on their behalf are asked to submit a referral form in accordance with the IPAS Protocol for Medical Transfer or the IPAS Protocol for Medical Considerations.
Referrals enable the person’s medical professionals to outline the accommodation requirements including mobility, proximity to hospital or other service which are then used by IPAS to identify the most suitable accommodation available within its portfolio.
The Department is currently not in a position to provide accommodation to all single male International Protection Applicants due to the severe shortage. A Vulnerability Triage is offered to single male International Protection applicants.
The Vulnerability Triage aims to identify the most vulnerable and ensure that they are prioritised for accommodation and includes, where required, an initial health review by the HSE.
Accommodation supply for this group of applicants remains under significant pressure at this time and the Department is working on an ongoing basis to maximise the use of the limited capacity across the accommodation system.
686. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the amount spent on purchasing firearms and accessories for firearms for armed Garda personnel in 2025 and to-date in 2026, in tabular form. [33084/26]
View answerThe Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána under Section 33 of the Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024. This includes all operational policing and responsibility for the allocation and deployment of resources available to him.
This Government is committed to ensuring that An Garda Síochána has the resources it needs to fight crime and a strengthened, well-resourced Garda organisation is central to this policy. The Garda Vote in Budget 2026 saw unprecedented funding of €2.74 billion to support sustained investment in recruitment, equipment, technology, and vehicles, including firearms and firearms accessories.
The Garda authorities have provided me with the table below which outlines spend on firearms and firearms accessories for 2025 and 2026, as of 6 May 2026.
|
2025 |
2026 (year to date) |
|
|
Firearms |
€144,316 |
€0 |
|
Firearms accessories |
€200,661 |
€8,070 |
687. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of gardaí, by rank attached to the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau. [33085/26]
View answer689. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of gardaí, by rank, attached to the Garda National Cyber Crime Bureau. [33087/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 687 and 689 together.
The Garda Commissioner is responsible for distribution and stationing of Garda personnel throughout the State, including to specialist units, in accordance with the Policing Security and Community Safety Act 2024. I regularly engage with the Commissioner to ensure that he has the resources that he needs, however, as Minister I have no role in these independent functions.
I am advised by the Garda authorities that as of 31 March 2026, the latest date for when figures are available, there were 111 Gardaí assigned to the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau, including 86 Gardaí, 19 Sergeants, three Inspectors, two Superintendents, and a Chief Superintendent.
I am advised by the Garda authorities that as of 31 March 2026, the latest date for when figures are available, there were 75 Gardaí assigned to the Garda National Cyber Crime Bureau, including 57 Gardaí, 13 Sergeants, two Inspectors, two Superintendents, and a Chief Superintendent.
The Government is committed to ensuring that An Garda Síochána has the resources it needs to fight all types of crime, including fraud and cybercrime. The 2026 allocation provides a record budget of over €2.74 billion to An Garda Síochána.
688. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of van-personnel carrier courses that were held for Gardaí within DMR north division in 2025 and to-date in 2026; and the number of Gardaí that underwent each of those courses, in tabular form. [33086/26]
View answerI have requested the information sought by the Deputy from the Garda authorities. Regrettably, this was not available in time and I will write to the Deputy once the information is to hand.
690. Deputy Brian Brennan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the status of the discussions to extend the retirement age for prison officers from 62 years on a voluntary basis; when any possible changes will be introduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33231/26]
View answerIn 2024, Government approved increasing the maximum retirement age to 62 years of age for a number of the uniform services, including the Irish Prison Service. This increased retirement age reflects the reality across all sectors that people can and want to work in their chosen careers for longer.
The legislative basis to increase the retirement age was included in the Courts, Civil Law, Criminal Law and Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2024. Section 28 of this Act amended the Civil Service Regulation Act 1956 to provide a power to make regulations relating to the retirement age of prison officers.
The Civil Service Regulation Act 1956 (Retirement of Prison Officers) Regulations 2024 were made pursuant to this power and specified a maximum retirement age of 62 years for prison officers with effect from 19 August 2024.
I can advise the Deputy that while there are currently no plans to increase the retirement age of prison officers further, these matters are kept under review.
694. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the status of an application (details supplied), and when it is likely that a decision will be reached in view that the application is pending over 6 months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33315/26]
View answerThe person referred to by the Deputy has submitted an application for an Extension of Student Conditions (ESTC), and this application continues to be processed by my Department.
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.
There has been a significant increase in recent months in ESTC applications. These are being dealt with as expeditiously as possible but it is only in exceptional circumstances that such an application will be considered.
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: portal.irishimmigration.ie/en/
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to my Department by email using the Oireachtas mail facility (inisoireachtasmail@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 questions process. The Deputy may consider using the email service except in cases where the response is, in the Deputy’s view, inadequate or too long awaited.
695. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if he has received a report (details supplied) on the implication for SMEs of EU proposals to revise the Cybersecurity Act; if he will meet with the organisation that prepared the report; and his position on the EU proposal. [33350/26]
View answerThe Proposal for a revised Cybersecurity Act, known as the Cybersecurity Act 2 (CSA2), was published by the European Commission on 20 January 2026.
At a high level, the proposal contains a number of positive developments including the CSA2’s particular emphasis on the strengthening the mandate of the European Union's Agency for Cybersecurity (ENISA). The reform of the European Cybersecurity Certification Framework will better enable the harmonisation of the recognition of the level of cyber security of ICT solutions across the Union, allowing Irish vendors and service providers to reach more customers throughout the EU. A harmonised approach to the security of the ICT supply chains can address the current fragmentation of the internal market caused by different approaches at national level, avoid critical dependencies and de-risk ICT supply chains from high-risk suppliers, in this way securing critical infrastructure. However, all of these proposed provisions require detailed analysis and discussion within the Council of the European Union to ensure that there is sufficient clarity as to their operation and impact.
My officials are currently engaged in the detailed scrutiny and discussion of these proposals in the Council of the European Union.
I have received the report referenced by the Deputy. I very much welcome and will give due consideration to the detailed analysis and views from stakeholders which have been provided to date. In addition, my officials and the cyber team attached to the Permanent Representation in Brussels have been engaging with, and meeting, stakeholders both here and in Brussels. Any request for other meetings will be considered in the normal course.
