Peadar Tóibín
Question:291. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration further to previous parliamentary questions (details supplied), to provide a response. [38516/26]
View answerDepartmental Investigations
Questions (291)
Written answers
The report referred to by the Deputy was completed by the organisation in question, rather than by my Department. I confirm that my Department has been and continues to examine concerns which have been raised regarding the management of this funding. Grant payments have been paused since March 2025 while this issue is being examined.
Immigration Status
Questions (292)
George Lawlor
Question:292. Deputy George Lawlor asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the reason a person (details supplied) was issued with a one-year permission to remain by the ISD Office when their family had received a three-year decision from his Department to remain and a three-year authorisation was granted to their mother and two siblings; if he will ensure that the person concerned receives the same length of permission to remain as the other members of their family; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38538/26]
View answerWritten answers
I can inform the Deputy that the matters raised have been resolved. The person concerned has been issued with a new Irish Residence Permit (IRP) card, which they can expect to receive in the next 10-15 working days.
As an Oireachtas member, the Deputy 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.
Domestic Violence
Questions (293, 294, 295, 296, 297, 298)
Ken O'Flynn
Question:293. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of domestic abuse incidents reported to An Garda Síochána in each of the past five years and to date in 2026, in tabular form. [38572/26]
View answerKen O'Flynn
Question:294. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of incidents of coercive control recorded by An Garda Síochána in each year since coercive control became a criminal offence in 2019, in tabular form. [38573/26]
View answerKen O'Flynn
Question:295. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of domestic abuse incidents reported to An Garda Síochána which involved a child in each of the past five years and to date in 2026, in tabular form. [38574/26]
View answerKen O'Flynn
Question:296. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of arrests made arising from domestic abuse incidents in each of the past five years and to date in 2026, in tabular form. [38575/26]
View answerKen O'Flynn
Question:297. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of Garda members assigned to specialist domestic abuse and protective services units in each Garda region, in tabular form. [38576/26]
View answerKen O'Flynn
Question:298. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of Garda members who have received specialist training in the investigation of coercive control and domestic abuse in each of the past five years, in tabular form. [38577/26]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 293 to 298, inclusive, together.
I have sought the information requested by the Deputy from An Garda Síochána, however it has not been made available in time.
I will contact the Deputy directly once this information has been received.
Question No. 294 answered with Question No. 293.
Question No. 295 answered with Question No. 293.
Question No. 296 answered with Question No. 293.
Question No. 297 answered with Question No. 293.
Question No. 298 answered with Question No. 293.
Domestic Violence
Questions (299)
Ken O'Flynn
Question:299. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the average waiting time for applications for protection orders, barring orders and safety orders in the District Courts in each court district, in tabular form. [38578/26]
View answerWritten answers
Management of the courts and operational matters are the responsibility of the Courts Service, which is independent in exercising its functions under the Courts Service Act 1998 and given the separation of powers in 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 have referred the Deputy's question regarding average waiting times to the Courts Service for direct reply.
Domestic Violence
Questions (300)
Ken O'Flynn
Question:300. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration whether her Department has undertaken any review, audit or assessment of the effectiveness of coercive control legislation since its commencement in 2019. [38579/26]
View answerWritten answers
Combatting 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, newly 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.
The Domestic Violence Act 2018 was commenced on 1 January 2019. In July 2019, my Department published a post-enactment report on the Act, which was laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas.
The report updated on progress achieved regarding the implementation of the Act, including on the creation of the new offence of coercive control.
The report is available on the website of the Houses of the Oireachtas: opac.oireachtas.ie/AWData/Library3/JUQdoclaid160719_111304.pdf
My Department keeps the operation of this, and all legislation, under review to ensure that it is achieving its intended purpose.
Question No. 301 answered with Question No. 282.
Question No. 302 answered with Question No. 282.
Domestic Violence
Questions (303, 304)
Ken O'Flynn
Question:303. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration whether the Government has undertaken any assessment of the impact of housing costs and homelessness risk on victims seeking to leave abusive relationships. [38582/26]
View answerKen O'Flynn
Question:304. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration whether any interdepartmental strategy is being developed to address the intersection between domestic abuse, housing insecurity and financial abuse. [38591/26]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 303 and 304 together.
This Government is absolutely committed to combatting domestic, sexual and gender-based violence (DSGBV) in all its forms, recognising the significant intersection between domestic, sexual and gender-based violence, housing insecurity and financial abuse, including the barriers can create for victims seeking to leave abusive relationships.
Zero Tolerance: the Third National Strategy on Domestic, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence 2022–2026, was published in June 2022, setting out a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach to combatting DSGBV. Government departments, state agencies, NGO partners, and DSGBV services work collaboratively to deliver on the Strategy, which is structured around the four pillars of the Istanbul Convention–Protection, Prevention, Prosecution and Policy Co-ordination. In 2024, Cuan was established as a dedicated statutory agency, with responsibilities including coordinating and monitoring actions under the Zero Tolerance Strategy.
The Strategy acknowledges that domestic or intimate partner violence can have a particularly significant role to play in victims’ experiences of housing insecurity. Violence from an intimate partner is consistently reported as a primary contributor to women’s homelessness and aims in response to enable victim-survivors to rapidly access and live in safe, accessible short and long-term accommodation as a priority.
Three implementation plans have been published to support and guide delivery of the Strategy. In March, I was pleased to publish the progress report for 2025, which highlights developments across key priority areas, including improving access to justice, advancing the National Emergency Domestic Violence Accommodation Plan, and progressing legislative reform. I have directed that work will shortly begin to develop the Fourth National Strategy on DSGBV, which will both maintain and build upon key achievements, actions, priorities, and learnings from the Zero Tolerance Strategy.
In addition, my Department engages with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and other relevant Departments through a number of interdepartmental structures and working groups, including in the context of the Child and Family Homelessness Action Plan, together with the Homelessness Prevention Framework, and will continue to work collaboratively with partners in the sector to strengthen supports and protections for victims and survivors.
Question No. 304 answered with Question No. 303.
An Garda Síochána
Questions (305)
Donna McGettigan
Question:305. Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration further to Parliamentary Question No. 361 of 19 March 2026, if he has received the relevant information from Garda authorities in order to have this PQ answered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38605/26]
View answerWritten answers
A response to Parliamentary Question No. 361 of 19 March 2026 was deferred pending relevant information from An Garda Síochána. A substantive reply issued to the Deputy on the 17 April 2026.
For ease of reference, the information provided in that reply is set out below.
The 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, which includes the distribution and use of Garda equipment throughout the State.
An Garda Síochána have provided the following table which provides a breakdown of the number of times the Garda Water cannon was requested in 2025 and to date in 2026.
|
Year |
Requested |
|
2025 |
8 |
|
2026 |
0 |
It should be noted that the use of Water Cannons is one of a number of tactical options available to members of An Garda Síochána and any decision to deploy or use the Water Cannon is made using the Garda Decision Making Model (GDMM). Any use of force taken must also comply with the fundamental principles of legality, necessity, proportionality and accountability and is applied in a non-discriminatory manner.
An Garda Síochána
Questions (306)
Donna McGettigan
Question:306. Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of Stinger courses that were held for Gardai within Clare-Tipperary division in 2025 and to-date in 2026; the number of Gardaí that participated in each of those courses, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38606/26]
View answerWritten answers
I 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.
Fines Administration
Questions (307)
Michael Murphy
Question:307. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of FCPN fines paid by drivers convicted in court in 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38644/26]
View answerWritten answers
Fixed Charged Penalty Notices are governed primarily by the Roads Traffic Act 2010 and associated Acts. FCPNs provide a system to avoid court proceedings for specific motoring and public order offences by allowing offenders to pay a set fine and accept penalty points.
If an individual does not pay a fixed charge amount on receipt of a Fixed Charge Notice within 56 days, he or she will be summonsed to appear in court and, if convicted of a fixed charge offence, the ensuing fine is paid to the Courts Service, not the Fixed Charge Processing Office.
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. As Minister I have no role in these matters.
The Courts Service has a dedicated email address for the provision of information to members of the Houses of the Oireachtas: oireachtasenquiries@courts.ie.
Citizenship Applications
Questions (308)
Colm Burke
Question:308. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration when a citizenship application will be completed, given that it is over 43 months since the application (details supplied) was first lodged; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38677/26]
View answerWritten answers
The person referred to by the Deputy has filed Judicial Review proceedings. As these Judicial Review proceedings remain on-going at present, and the matter is sub judice, it would not be appropriate for me to comment further.
Agriculture Schemes
Questions (309)
John McGuinness
Question:309. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide an update on an SCIS TAMS 3 application for solar panels in the name of a person (details supplied); and if he will expedite a positive outcome [38476/26]
View answerWritten answers
The person named made an application under the Solar Capital Investment Scheme (SCIS) of the Targeted Agriculture Modernisation Scheme (TAMS) 3 in Tranche 10 and the Women Farmers Capital Investment Scheme (WFCIS) in Tranche 11.
TAMS 3 is a demand led scheme, due to the high increase in application numbers and applications approved in previous tranches, ranking and selection has been applied to Tranche 10 applications for the Solar Capital Investments with a 10% selection rate, in this case the application did not meet the cut off mark for selection.
Ranking and Selection (RASS) must be carried out on all eligible applications at a specific time to allow the assessment of all eligible applications received during the tranche period against the available tranche budget.
The SCIS application will automatically be included in the next assessment, tranche 11 which will be carried out later this month and the applicant will be notified in due course of the outcome of that assessment.
The application for a calf feeder under the Women Farmer Capital Investment Scheme (WFCIS) was submitted in Tranche 11 and will also undergo ranking and selection later this month.
Public Sector Pensions
Questions (310)
John McGuinness
Question:310. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 1462 of 18 March 2026, and a commitment given in the response to contact the individual concerned (details supplied), if he will confirm the action that was taken; if the lump sum due to the person and the full pension entitlements have now been paid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38616/26]
View answerWritten answers
The matter of pension entitlements for former employees is a matter for Human Resources (HR) Division within my Department. I would like to assure the Deputy that a member of the HR team has been in contact with the person directly to assist with their enquiry and all appropriate actions have been taken to address the query raised.
Legislative Measures
Questions (311)
Ryan O'Meara
Question:311. Deputy Ryan O'Meara asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the progress that has been made to date on the proposed native Irish honey bee Bill 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38675/26]
View answerWritten answers
The Protection of the Native Irish Honey Bee Bill 2021, a Private Members Bill, which seeks to ban the importation of non-native honey bees is currently before Dáil Éireann, Second Stage. Progression of the Bill through Dáil Éireann is subject to the procedures of the Oireachtas.
Industrial Disputes
Questions (312)
Pearse Doherty
Question:312. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the action her Department will take regarding the demands of organisations (details supplied) in order to prevent industrial action by nursing staff at the disability services centre; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38443/26]
View answerWritten answers
I note with concern the intention to commence industrial action in the form of a work-to-rule from 2 June at Donegal Intellectual Disability Services, Ard na Gréine.
I would encourage all parties to this issue to engage through the appropriate channels to find a resolution. I have instructed the Department and the HSE to engage in dialogue on the matter, and to ensure that the dispute resolution machinery of the State is availed of if appropriate.
This is an ongoing industrial relations matter, and as such discussions between the parties are confidential. It would be inappropriate for me to comment publicly any further at this time, other than to say that I greatly appreciate the work done by nurses in our disability services.
Childcare Services
Questions (313)
Mark Ward
Question:313. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if creches can refuse children who are included in the vulnerable child sponsorship scheme; the options available to parents who are refused a placement under this scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38493/26]
View answerWritten answers
The National Childcare Scheme (NCS) includes a sponsorship arrangement whereby designated sponsor bodies may refer vulnerable children for childcare support on child welfare, protection, family support or related grounds. Childcare providers participating in the NCS agree to comply with the Scheme’s contractual requirements. Separately, Core Funding Partner Services are required to offer the NCS (including income assessed, universal and in particular sponsorship arrangements) to all eligible children within the age range catered for by that service.
A provider should not refuse or exclude a child solely because that child is supported through NCS sponsorship and should apply the Scheme in accordance with their contractual obligations. However, it should be noted that providers may refuse a placement for reasons unrelated to a child’s sponsorship status–for instance, where there are no places available in that service.
Where a parent believes that a placement has been refused solely on the basis of sponsorship status, they should contact their local City/County Childcare Committee (CCC). The CCCs coordinate the implementation of national early learning and childcare policy and programmes, including NCS, at a local level on behalf of the Department. Not only are the CCCs best placed to advise parents as to how they should proceed but they may also provide support and assistance to families in identifying alternative childcare places.
Families may also use the NCS childcare search facility, on www.ncs.gov.ie/en/, to identify participating providers in their area that offer the Scheme.