Written Answers Nos. 430-449
432. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration whether his Department has a formal protocol with An Garda Síochána for prioritising the removal of persons subject to deportation orders who are resident in IPAS accommodation. [36363/26]
View answer433. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration whether his Department will publish quarterly figures on deportation orders signed, deportations enforced, voluntary returns, otherwise confirmed departures, and persons subject to deportation orders remaining in IPAS accommodation. [36364/26]
View answer434. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration whether his Department has examined the feasibility of linking IPAS, immigration, border management and departure records to improve monitoring of persons subject to deportation orders. [36365/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 432 to 434, inclusive, 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.
A deportation order is a legal order to leave the State, and the enforcement of deportation orders is an operational matter for the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB). The Immigration Service, International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) and Border Management Unit of my Department work closely with the GNIB to progress arrangements for the removal of people subject to deportation orders, including those who are resident in IPAS accommodation.
It is important to note that not all of those who are issued with deportation orders were previously applicants for international protection, and of those who were, not all of those were resident in IPAS accommodation.
Each deportation order is accompanied by a letter or notice that informs the person of their obligations and requirements, including the obligation to present to the GNIB at a particular time and date. Other requirements are outlined in the letter, such as the requirement to reside at their address pending their removal and the requirement to co-operate with the GNIB and produce any travel document to facilitate their removal 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.
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 2024.1,712 deportation orders have been signed up to 08 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 08 May 2026, 759 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.
I can advise the Deputy that the IPAS does not collate information on residents by stage of the removal process. However, I can advise that 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.
I can inform the Deputy that my Department publishes monthly figures in relation to International Protection numbers, including data on deportation orders signed and effected. These reports can be accessed at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-justice-home-affairs-and-migration/collections/international-protection-in-numbers/
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.
435. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to provide a copy of the recent correspondence issued by the Minister for public expenditure to his Department referred to in media reports (details supplied); if he will provide details of the percentage reduction(s) in spending in his Department referenced in the correspondence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36410/26]
View answerIn April, Government agreed that additional funding of €646 million will be provided to the Department of Education and Youth in 2026. It was further agreed that €446 million of this additional funding will be provided by way of a levy from 2027, calculated on the current expenditure REV 2026 allocations of Votes other than the Department of Education and Youth.
My Department has been advised by the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitisation that a levy of €39 million will apply to current expenditure in the Justice Vote Group in 2027 and that the Justice, Home Affairs and Migration Group pay is being protected in the distribution of the levy. The levy of €39 million equates to 0.7% of my Vote Groups current gross expenditure allocation of €5.948 billion for 2026.
My Department will be engaging with the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitisation in relation to the application of the levy across the Vote Group and the efficiencies and reforms required to ensure this.
436. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration given the evidence presented to the Justice Committee that over 60,000 coercive control complaints were made to Gardaí last year but only 25 convictions have been secured since 2019, and given concerns around conflicts of interest where Garda members themselves are accused of domestic abuse, the specific reforms he will introduce to ensure independent investigations, victim protection, and accountability within An Garda Síochána. [36443/26]
View answerCombatting all forms of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence, and ensuring that victims and survivors are fully supported, remain absolute priorities for this Government. These commitments underpin the Third National Strategy on DSGBV and a key element of achieving the Strategy’s aims is through robust legislation.
The offence of coercive control, provided for under section 39 of the Domestic Violence Act 2018, recognises and criminalises patterns of psychological and emotional abuse within intimate relationships. A person convicted of this offence is liable to receive a fine or face imprisonment for up to five years.
Under Irish law, criminal investigations can only be carried out by An Garda Síochána, which then submits a report to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP). The DPP decides whether or not someone should be prosecuted, and what crime they should be prosecuted for. The DPP is wholly independent of the Minister and the Department of Justice under the Prosecution of Offences Act 1974 (as amened). The Minister has no role in the operations, functions, oversight or governance of the Office of the DPP and is unable to seek to direct the DPP in any aspect of her functions.
An Garda Síochána prioritise and proactively respond to reported incidents of domestic abuse, including cases of coercive control. The nationwide roll out of Divisional Protective Service Units (DPSUs) ensures that when victims of crimes such as domestic abuse and sexual violence present to Gardaí, they are met with a consistently high standard of specialist, sensitive, professional and expert assistance. I can confirm that that there is now a DPSU in every Garda Division.
I want to acknowledge that the vast majority of Gardaí serve with integrity and work tirelessly to keep our communities safe. I also want to be clear that public confidence in An Garda Síochána depends on members demonstrating the highest level of personal professional standards of behaviour.
The Garda Commissioner is responsible under the Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024 for the management and administration of Garda business. This includes the maintenance of internal Garda discipline. There are robust procedures in place to allow the Commissioner to deal with any allegations of misconduct in the proper manner and I brought forward regulations last April which strengthens these processes.
The Commissioner publishes information related to the number of Garda members on suspension in his monthly reports to the Policing and Community Safety Authority, including the reason for suspension, at the following link: www.garda.ie/en/about-us/publications/general-reports/commissioner-s-monthly-reports-to-policing-and-community-safety-authority/
Additionally, Fiosrú have a Specialist Services Unit to investigate incidents, including public complaints, where a Garda is accused of domestic violence, coercive control, abuse of power for sexual purposes, child sexual abuse or sexual assault. The unit also investigates public complaints where it is alleged that a garda failed to properly investigate incidents of this nature.
437. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration his response to the sharp rise in antisocial behaviour complaints across Dublin city, with Dublin City Council receiving more than 2,400 complaints last year including over 100 classified as serious cases; whether he accepts that many communities feel abandoned in the face of intimidation, drug-related activity, and persistent disorder; and the urgent measures he will now take alongside An Garda Síochána and Dublin City Council to restore safety, strengthen visible community policing, and protect residents from ongoing antisocial behaviour. [36444/26]
View answerAnti-social behaviour is a broad term for any behaviour that can be seen to have a negative impact on the quality of life of residents and citizens. This can range from noise complaints to criminal damage to intimidation and drug related activity. What can be considered to be low level anti-social behaviour, such as persistent littering or noise pollution, may be reported to the relevant local authority. More serious incidents, such as intimidation, drug related activity or the dangerous misuse of e-scooters and similar vehicles, should be reported to An Garda Síochána.
In respect of incidents of criminal damage to public amenities, I have been clear that damage to community facilities is not only unacceptable, it is reprehensible. Every playground, every park, every public space represents considerable investment in not only financial terms, but also in terms of time and effort from the community, from the local authorities and their staff and the contractors who build these wonderful facilities.
The Government is taking a range of actions to tackle anti-social behaviour and public safety, including:
• Continued expansion of youth justice and youth diversion measures to reduce youth offending and improve safety for everyone in the community.
• Strengthening the laws around Anti-Social Behaviour Orders (ASBOs) to enable swifter action by Gardaí in such cases.
• Introducing Community Safety Partnerships (LCSPs) around the country, to develop Community Safety Plans that are tailored for every area.
LCSPs represent a significant step towards a more collaborative, responsive, and locally driven model of public safety. They will bring together a broad range of relevant stakeholders to address community safety issues in their area which will include residents, local councillors, community representatives business and education representatives, and a range of public services including the HSE, Tusla, An Garda Síochána and the local authority. A core part of their work will be to draft a Community Safety Plan tailored to the community's needs.
In addition this Government is committed to ensuring that An Garda Síochána has the resources it needs 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.
Getting more Gardaí on our streets to prevent and detect crime and to ensure that people are safe and feel safe, is my first priority as Minister. Large cohorts of probationer Gardaí are now regularly attesting from the Garda College. 193 probationer Gardai took up duties on 1 May, with 141 of these allocated to the Dublin Metropolitan Region.
I am assured that An Garda Síochána maintains a coordinated and effective approach in protecting communities, individuals and their families from the harm and pain caused by drug abuse, associated violence and intimidation.
Community Gardaí play a pivotal role in building trust between Gardaí and the public, through visible, responsive policing and open dialogue in neighbourhoods, schools and diverse community groups. It is through this engagement that communities and Gardaí work together to prevent crime and strengthen local resilience.
As the Deputy is aware An Garda Siochana also 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.
We already have data on the impact of high visibility patrols in Dublin City Centre. During the period from April 2025 to March 2026, there were nearly 6,500 arrests made, over 13,500 charges/summonses and over 1,000 Adult Cautions/ Juvenile Diversion Referrals. The operation coincided with a 23% drop in theft, a 33% reduction in robbery from the person, and assaults causing harm were down by 18%.
The Garda Commissioner is committed to continuing this rollout to other areas of the Dublin Metropolitan Region, and to other areas nationwide.
438. Deputy John Clendennen asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the Government's strategy to address public concerns regarding migration at EU level, noting that the recent European Movement Ireland EU Poll 2026 indicates that 49% of respondents in Ireland identify migration as the EU’s weakest area of performance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36473/26]
View answer439. Deputy John Clendennen asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to assess the effectiveness of current EU policies in upholding core values such as human rights and the rule of law, in light of the EU Poll 2026 findings which show that only 50% of respondents in Ireland believe the EU is effectively upholding these values; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36474/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 438 and 439 together.
I welcome the poll from European Movement Ireland and note the findings. I consider it crucial that we have a multi-faceted understanding of how the public view Ireland’s EU membership, and polls like this offer external perspective. It is particularly welcome that the poll found that support for Ireland’s membership of the EU remains strong at 82% in Ireland, and 76% in Northern Ireland.
Ireland remains a strong supporter of the rule of law and respect for fundamental rights as central values of the EU.
There are mechanisms in place within the European Commission which regularly review the effectiveness of current EU policies in this regard. The Commission Work Programme includes an annual plan of evaluations and fitness checks which initiate a process to stress-test the stock of EU legislation. In tandem with an annual programme of evaluations, the Rule of Law Report is a report prepared by the European Commission that examines developments across the Member States, both challenges and positive developments, in four key areas for the rule of law: the justice system, the anti-corruption framework, media pluralism and other institutional issues related to checks and balances. The work of the Fundamental Rights Agency is also of central importance as a centre of excellence for promoting, protecting and defending fundamental and human rights in the EU.
During Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union, we will maintain a strong focus on the development of the rule of law and the protection of fundamental rights throughout our work.
As outlined in the Programme for Government, the EU Migration and Asylum Pact (the Pact) will come into force across the European Union just before our Presidency. This is the single biggest legislative package in this area ever agreed by the Member States and it will strengthen and integrate key EU policies on migration, asylum, border management and integration.
Under our Presidency, we will prioritise work to advance a fair, firm, rules-based approach to migration, asylum, including by working with all other Member States, Schengen-associated Countries, and the Commission to maintain a focus on monitoring implementation of the Pact in the months after it comes into operation, to support its ongoing full application and to identify and address early any gaps, should they emerge.
Hosting the Presidency, Ireland will also progress work on a number of legislative proposals related to ensuring a coherent and fair approach to migration, and to make sure Member States have access to the necessary financial assistance to support their systems.
440. Deputy John Clendennen asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if he will provide a breakdown of spending on advertising which was funded or overseen by his Department, and bodies under its aegis, in each of the past five, including a breakdown by medium that is radio, television, social media, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36494/26]
View answerIt has not been possible to collate the information requested by the Deputy in the time available. I will write to the Deputy directly once the information is to hand.
441. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to clarify the next steps a person (details supplied) should take to access an IRP; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36877/26]
View answerI can inform the Deputy that the application cited has been approved and the person concerned can expect to receive their new Irish Residence Permit (IRP) card within the next 10-15 working days.
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.
442. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department monitors the cost of farm fertiliser; if he will share statistics outlining the percentage increase in the cost of fertiliser in each of the past twelve months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35022/26]
View answerDepending on the type of fertiliser, increases in fertiliser prices have varied with the price of CAN estimated to have risen by 20% since the beginning of March whilst urea has increased by as much as 60%. According to CSO statistics, fertiliser prices rose by 2% for the period February 2025 to February 2026, just before the start of the crisis in the Middle East.
My Department has no function in terms of fertiliser prices beyond the regulatory function of ensuring products placed on the market are in keeping with the fertiliser regulatory framework and that standards such as nutrient content are as described.
The Agricultural Price Indices are published each month by the Central Statistics Office and measure trends in farm input costs. The CSO fertiliser price index is available at the following link: www.cso.ie/en/releasesandpublications/ep/p-api/agriculturalpriceindicesfebruary2026/
I will continue to engage with my EU counterparts with regard to the impact of the Middle East crisis on the supply and price of fertilisers.
443. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of export health certificates that were issued by his Department for horses exported to Great Britain for slaughter in each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35821/26]
View answer444. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of horses that were exported from the Republic of Ireland to Great Britain for slaughter in each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35822/26]
View answer445. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of horses that were moved from the Republic of Ireland to Northern Ireland in each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35823/26]
View answer446. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department holds data on the number of horses transported from Northern Ireland to Great Britain in each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35824/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 443 to 446, inclusive, together.
All horses exported to Great Britain (GB) within the past five-year period have been processed in compliance with the GB Equine health certificate requirements. The GB Equine health certificate does not contain a field/section designated ‘For Slaughter’ and as such my Department does not have statistics on the number of horses certified for export to Great Britain for slaughter. However, for the purposes of keeping our Central Equine Database up to date, my Department does receive quarterly reports from the Department of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) in GB, detailing the number of Irish registered horses that have been slaughtered in GB. The table below shows the number of Irish registered horses slaughtered in GB in the period 01 April 2019 to the 30 September 2025.
|
2019 |
425 |
|
2020 |
427 |
|
2021 |
196 |
|
2022 |
236 |
|
2023 |
253 |
|
2024 |
914 |
|
2025 |
697 |
An equine passport is mandatory for all equines that move jurisdiction on the Island of Ireland. The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) in Northern Ireland are responsible for all data and governance of equine movements between Northern Ireland and Great Britain.
As robust traceability is fundamental to equine welfare, the delivery of the Wall Report Action Plan is already having a positive impact for horses by ensuring accountability, more visible enforcement and increased transparency of how equines are managed. Substantial progress has been made, including the launch of a new central database linking 121,000 equines to their premises, and this ambitious roadmap will continue to guide system improvements.
447. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to instruct Rialálaí Agraibhia (Agri-Food Regulator) to provide the true composite value of beef offal, commonly referred to as the (The Fifth Quarter). [35832/26]
View answerI am satisfied that the Agri-Food Regulator is fulfilling its overall statutory role to the highest standards, in particular on enforcing Unfair Trading Practices legislation, and continues to work on behalf of stakeholders along the agri-food supply chain.
In relation to its price and market analysis role, the Regulator reported that while the majority of operators had submitted all information requested of them, a number of operators failed to comply with its requests for information on a voluntary basis.
As a result, in December 2025, I signed new regulations to fulfil the Programme for Government commitment to confer on the Agri-Food Regulator enhanced powers to compel price and market information from agrifood businesses, including retailers, to deliver additional transparency in the agri-food supply chain.
I am satisfied that the new regulations are proportionate and while the Regulator has no role in setting market prices, it will allow the Regulator to provide further insightful analysis of the agri-food marketplace with a view to strengthening the position of smaller suppliers, while having regard to the potential impact on the competitiveness of and competition within retail and food service sectors.
The new regulations will come into force on 31st December 2026. This lead-in period is to allow the Regulator to develop the capacity and the procedures required to deliver on its additional responsibilities under the new regulations.
The Regulator has ongoing close consultation with stakeholders in the sector and this among other factors informs its annual work plan. I am satisfied that this is working well and that the new powers should assist the Regulator in adding transparency along all sectors of the agrifood supply chain.
I note that while information on the fifth quarter is not collected or published under the European Union Market Transparency Regulations, the Bord Bia tracker does provide information by using the US by-products market indicator as reflective of market trends in these globally traded products.
448. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when will a herd number issue to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35857/26]
View answerThis application was received by Mayo Regional Veterinary Office (RVO) on 12th of March 2026 and has now been approved. To process the application, clarification on certain supplementary documentation was requested. This has now been received. A letter confirming the issuing of the herd number will be sent to the Applicant in the coming days.
449. Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department or any bodies and agencies under its aegis use, or have in the past used, software and or products from a company (details supplied); the duration and cost of the contract; and the services they avail of from the company. [35858/26]
View answerI wish to inform the Deputy that my Department does not use, or have not used in the past, software, and/or products, from the company in question (details supplied).
As regards the 13 State Bodies under the aegis of my Department, the information requested is an operational matter for the State Bodies themselves. I have referred the Deputy’s question to the Agencies and have requested that a response should issue within 10 days.
