Written Answers Nos. 377-393
377. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the current number of temporary protection beneficiaries accommodated in private accommodation supported by the Accommodation Recognition Payment, State-contracted commercial accommodation, the modular or rapid-build housing; and the average annual cost per person within each category. [33606/26]
View answerThe Accommodation Recognition Payment (ARP) was introduced to recognise the contribution of members of the public who have opened their homes to provide accommodation to Temporary Protection Beneficiaries displaced by the war in Ukraine. The scheme is provided for under Part 2 of the Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2022 and is administered by the Department of Social Protection on behalf of the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration.
Since the start of the ARP scheme in 2022, approximately €468m has been paid to date to over 28,400 hosts in respect of hosting over 65,200 Temporary Protection Beneficiaries displaced by the war in Ukraine. In addition, as of 05 May 2026, there were over 23,500 active claims in payment in respect of hosting over 42,000 Temporary Protection Beneficiaries, at an average monthly cost of approx. €14.5m. The average cost per person, per night under the ARP scheme is €11, or around €4000 per person per year.
517 contracts are in operation to provide accommodation to people with Temporary Protection fleeing the conflict in Ukraine. Over 18,500 people are currently in state-contracted accommodation. The current average cost per person per night per contract is €39.50. These costs are continuously reviewed to through an ongoing programme to maximise value for money. If annualised, the average annual cost per person would come to €14,400.
All 11 rapid build sites on state-owned land have been completed with 2,640 residents occupying their new homes, while the site at Columb Barracks in Mullingar has 62 two-bedroom modular units accommodating 259 people fleeing the war in Ukraine.
The approved Housing Body, Tuath, has been contracted to manage facilities across all 11 rapid build sites and at the modular site at Columb Barracks. The cost of facilities management is offset by contributions made by the residents comprising €40 per week per unit for utilities and 16% of their weekly income. Given that they are linked to income, contribution amounts fluctuate with the circumstances of residents in the Rapid Build units.
The total net of contributions cost of facilities management at the rapid build sites in 2025 was €1.06m. When averaged across the 2,640 residents, this gives an average cost per person per annum of €403. The total net of contributions cost of facilities management at the Columb Barracks site in 2025 was €75.23k. When averaged across the 259 residents this gives an average cost per person per annum of €290.
379. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration whether his Department has undertaken any assessment of the consistency of support levels, accommodation provision, and financial assistance across different categories of protection applicants within the State; and if so, to provide details of such assessments. [33612/26]
View answerI understand from your question that you wish to ask whether the Department has undertaken any policy-level assessment of the consistency or variation in support levels, accommodation provision, and financial assistance across these groupings:
• Applicants accommodated within IPAS centres compared to those in own-door or emergency accommodation.
• Applicants at different stages of the protection process, including first instance, appeal, and leave to remain stages.
• Distinctions between single applicants and family units.
• Applicants with permission to work compared to newly arrived applicants.
• Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection in comparison to international protection applicants.
The provision of accommodation and other benefits is not differentiated or grouped by the main categories set out above. As such, no analysis such as that set out in the question has been undertaken, but I am happy to provide background information to assist.
IPAS accommodation is provided for in EU regulations and transposed into Irish law. Statutory Instrument No 230/2018, European Communities (Reception Conditions) Regulations 2018, provides that all IP applicants are entitled to Material Reception Conditions.
This is defined as housing, food and associated benefits provided in kind, the daily expenses allowance (DEA), and clothing provided by way of financial allowance under section 201 of the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005. DEA is currently set at €38.80 per week per adult and €29.80 per week per child.
This is set out in regulations that apply to all international protection applicants, and is generally not varied based on their stage of application or the type of accommodation IPAS allocates them to them.
IPAS provides an enhanced payment to applicants who cannot be offered accommodation, an extra €75 per week compared to those who are accommodated. IPAS also provides supports through arrangements with homeless day and outreach services.
The Temporary Protection Directive was invoked in 2022 in response to the displacement of Ukrainians following the Russian invasion of their country, and is provided for under separate regulations, with different provisions for people who qualify.
People who have fled the war in Ukraine and come here seeking temporary protection have been accommodated, but this is separate to the IPAS system. Details of the services provided to people who are beneficiaries of temporary protection are provided here.
Ireland's response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine
www.gov.ie/en/department-of-justice-home-affairs-and-migration/campaigns/irelands-response-to-the-russian-invasion-of-ukraine/
380. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration when the Coroner Report for 2025 will be published by his Department; the reason it has not been published to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33446/26]
View answerUnder Section 55 of the Coroners Act, 1962 – 2024, coroners make annual returns to my Department on completed cases in their districts. This data is collated and published by my Department here: Coroner’s Annual Returns 2018-2025 www.gov.ie/en/department-of-justice-home-affairs-and-migration/collections/coroners-annual-returns-2018-2025/. The data relating to inquests on these returns relate to completed inquests, where a death certificate can issue. The Coroners Annual Returns for 2025 was published on 22 April and can be viewed here: Coroner’s Annual Returns 2025 www.gov.ie/en/department-of-justice-home-affairs-and-migration/publications/coroners-annual-returns-2025/
381. Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the High Visibility Policing Plan for Dublin city will be expanded into northside communities such as Cabra; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33466/26]
View answerThe Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of Garda business under section 33 of the Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024, including the allocation and deployment of Garda resources. Decisions regarding patrols, including the rollout and expansion of the high-visibility policing plan, are operational matters for the Commissioner and local Garda management.
I engage regularly with the Commissioner to ensure our Gardaí have the resources they need. The Garda Vote in Budget 2026 includes unprecedented funding of €2.74 billion which will support the continued recruitment of Garda personnel. This allocation demonstrates the Government’s commitment to ensuring An Garda Síochána has provision for the equipment, technology, facilities, fleet and personnel it needs to carry out vital policing work.
As of the end of March, there were 733 Gardaí and 63 staff assigned to the Dublin Metropolitan Region West Division. There are 67 Gardaí assigned to Cabra Garda Station as of this date.
The latest attestation from Templemore was held on Friday, 1 May, and 57 of the 193 Probationer Gardaí who attested were assigned to DMR West.
An Garda Siochana introduced a High Visibility Policing (HPV) Plan in Dublin City Centre in March 2025. This initiative has since been rolled out to Cork and Limerick City Centres, as well as areas of South Dublin, including Tallaght and Dún Laoghaire. The Garda Commissioner is committed to continuing this rollout to other areas of the Dublin Metropolitan Region, and to other areas nationwide. Ongoing Garda recruitment is supporting this commitment.
Feedback from business and the public on the High Visibility Policing approach in Dublin and the other cities where it has been introduced, has been very positive and I look forward to it being rolled out to other areas into the future.
382. Deputy Catherine Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if he will provide a list of all capital projects including Garda stations, courthouses, prison and immigration-related infrastructure delivered under the remit of his Department, and bodies under its aegis, which have been completed on time and within budget in Carlow in each of the past five years, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33509/26]
View answer383. Deputy Catherine Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if he will provide a list of all capital projects including Garda stations, courthouses, prison and immigration-related infrastructure delivered under the remit of his Department, and bodies under its aegis, which have been completed on time and within budget in Kilkenny in each of the past five years, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33510/26]
View answer387. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if he will provide a list of all capital projects including Garda stations, Courthouses, prison and immigration-related infrastructure delivered under the remit of his Department, and bodies under its aegis, which have been completed on time and within budget in Dublin West in each of the past five years, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33682/26]
View answer393. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if he will provide a list of all capital projects including Garda stations, courthouses, prison and immigration-related infrastructure delivered under the remit of his Department, and bodies under its aegis, which have been completed on time and within budget in Dublin in each of the past five years, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33830/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 382, 383, 387 and 393 together.
It has not been possible to provide the information requested in the time provided. I will write to the Deputy directly once this information is available.
384. Deputy Ciarán Ahern asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of driving licence suspensions in each of the years from 2018 to 2025; the number of suspended driving licences received by the National Driver Licence Service in each year from 2018 to 2025; the number of fines collected in each of the years from 2018 to 2025, for the failure to surrender a driving licence following a court order to do so, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33573/26]
View answerRoad safety is a shared responsibility. The whole of Government response is led by the Department of Transport and is taken very seriously across Government.
Road traffic laws are enforced by Gardaí assigned to Roads Policing and as part of the day-to-day duties of uniformed Gardaí nationwide. This includes a programme of high-visibility road safety and enforcement operations carried out in partnership with other state agencies.
In respect of notifications of disqualification issued by the Courts Service, for drivers convicted of a court disqualification, the notification includes the requirement to surrender the driving licence or learner permit to the Road Safety Authority within 14 days of commencement of disqualification.
Furthermore the National Vehicle and Driver File (NVDF) database is the central system of record for all vehicles and drivers in Ireland and falls under the responsibility of my colleague the Minister for Transport.
It is an offence not to surrender a suspended driving licence. The offence carries a maximum fine of €1,000 on first conviction and up to €2,500 on a second or further conviction. As fines are levied on conviction the Courts Service are responsible for the collection of these fines and the collation of relevant data.
The management of the courts, along with related 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.
388. Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if his Department or any bodies and agencies under his aegis use software and or products from a company (details supplied); and the duration and cost of the contract; and the services they avail of from the company. [33725/26]
View answerI can confirm that my Department does not use any software or products from the company referenced.
I am informed that this is also the case for the agencies under the aegis of my Department.
389. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration when the provision to extend the limitation period for clinical negligence from two to three years, as set out in the Legal Services Regulation Act 2015, will commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33732/26]
View answerThe Legal Services Regulatory Authority (LSRA) is an independent body responsible for the regulation of the legal professions under the provisions of the Legal Services Regulation Act 2015.
Under Section 6 of the 2015 Act, the LSRA is required to periodically carry out a review of the Act and, following a consultation process, make a report to each House of the Oireachtas of its findings and conclusions, including such recommendations (if any) to me, as Minister, resulting from that review as it considers appropriate. The first such review caried out by the LSRA was reported on and published in March 2019, and the LSRA formally submitted its second such report to me on the 11th of September 2025. This report is available on the LSRA website at the following link: Reports and Laws - Legal Services Regulatory Authority www.lsra.ie/publications/reports-and-laws/. Officials in my Department are currently considering this comprehensive and extensive report, which contains numerous recommendations.
Furthermore, the Programme for Government contains a commitment to complete a review of the LSRA and to consider legislative amendments to ensure the Legal System is digital, modern, cost-effective, and focused on the needs of victims. The Terms of Reference are currently being drafted and will include consideration of the abovementioned report on the statutory review of the 2015 Act. Once finalised, a review will be carried out. The outputs of both these timely pieces of work will help ensure the continued effective operation of the LSRA and regulation of the legal professions.
The provision of the Act to which the Deputy refers is S.221 of the 2015 Act. This is within Part 15 of the 2015 Act, which is uncommenced at this time. This matter will be reviewed upon the enactment of regulations relating to pre-action protocols for clinical negligence actions, periodic payment orders and the discount rate.
390. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration further to Parliamentary Question No. 846 of 28 April 2026, given the procedures around naturalisation are not informed by the Gender Recognition Act 2015, if he will update his Department’s policy in relation to recognising names changed through gender recognition certificates to ensure that the ‘use and repute’ process is not used for such cases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33761/26]
View answerPersons who wish to have a name other than that on their original birth certificate shown on the Gender Recognition Certificate, are required by the Department of Social Protection to provide evidence of “use and repute” over two years or a Deed Poll for a change of name which has been enrolled in the High Court. As outlined to the Deputy in PQ number 846 of 28 April, this reflects the standard administrative practice across other public and private sector bodies and my Department has no plans to amend the policy in relation to the naturalisation process.
391. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the status of a join family visa application (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33766/26]
View answerI can advise the Deputy that the Join Family (Non-EEA nat.)(spouse) visa application referred to was created on 07 May 2025. Supporting documentation was received in the Dar-es-Salaam office on 04 June 2025. The application was received in the Dublin Visa Office on 23 June 2025 where it awaits examination and processing.
My Department's business target for join family visa applications is 12 months. It must be made clear that these are business targets for the immigration service and some applications can take longer than others. The business target reflects the detailed and often complex assessment that is required to be carried out in relation to applications for family reunification.
While I acknowledge the personal difficulties an applicant might be experiencing; it is not possible to give a definitive date as to when this application will be finalised. All applications are processed in chronological order, based on date order of receipt.
While every effort is made to process applications as soon as possible, processing times will vary having regard to the volume and complexity of applications, the possible need for the Immigration Service Delivery function of my Department to investigate, inquire into, or seek further information, and the resources available.
The current processing times for Dublin visa decisions is available here:
www.irishimmigration.ie/visa-decisions/
The date published on the website is the oldest date of application currently being processed under a given category. However, it should be noted that the Visa team continue to process and make decisions on applications received after the published processing date. If a particular application takes longer to consider this may result in the published processing date remaining unchanged. I can assure you that this does not indicate the processing of these applications has halted overall.
I am acutely aware that join family applications are very important for the people impacted. I understand that people are eager to have their families join them in Ireland, and I am committed to improving the service my Department provides.
In December 2025, the Immigration Service of my Department introduced online payment functionality to my Department's online visa system. This allows applicants to pay visa fees as part of the online application process. The initiative is being rolled out on a phased basis and is currently live in 40 countries, with South Africa added in January 2026.
This reduces the administrative burden on Irish Missions and visa teams and allows visa officers to dedicate more time to core application processing and decision-making, contributing to improved processing efficiency over time.
Furthermore, the ongoing Immigration Service Delivery (ISD) modernisation programme is designed to support a more efficient, transparent and accessible immigration system. The recent establishment of dedicated teams for Application Submission and Join Family Case Processing are intended to help streamline workflows, reduce duplication and strengthen expertise, thereby improving the service delivery for join family visa applications.
The person concerned can also directly check the status of their visa 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.
392. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the organisations currently represented in the Common Travel Area Forum; whether there are any human rights organisations involved in the forum; if so, which organisations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33780/26]
View answerIreland and the United Kingdom (UK) share a long history and common interest in the effective operation of the Common Travel Area (CTA) and work together to prevent any abuses of the CTA.
My Department chairs a Common Travel Area Forum (CTAF) with the UK Home Office which acts as a steering committee for the ongoing work of protecting the CTA in relation to free movement of its citizens between both countries while at the same time ensuring that the CTA is not abused by those not entitled to avail of it.
The Forum comprises officials of both my Department and the UK Home Office, together with relevant operational colleagues. It is jointly chaired by the respective Heads of Immigration functions on both sides. No non-governmental organisations attend.
