Written Answers Nos. 794-813
794. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if he will outline the value-for-money assessment carried out before allocating funds to non-governmental organisations involved in migrant integration programmes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38962/26]
View answerThe Department operates a number of EU and national funding schemes related to migration and integration.
All EU and national funding applications are assessed and scored in adherence with assessment criteria which are set out within the published guidelines for applicants.
Value for money is one of the criteria under which all funding applications are assessed, where the benefits of the project are assessed against the costs. Applicants must demonstrate achievement of maximum output for the proposed budget in a number of ways such as providing a clear and well-structured budget, ensuring costs are in line with market norms, and that overall costs are realistic and relevant.
Expected project outcomes are described in each application for funding and are assessed on their merits.
Multi-annual projects are required to submit periodic reports in order to unlock tranches of funding. All projects are required to submit a final project upon completion along with supporting documentation. The reports are reviewed to assess the performance of the project, whether it met the stated outcomes, and whether the funds were spent as outlined in the original funding application.
Any funding that has been deemed misspent, or underspent, is recouped by the Department. All funding is subject to internal and external audits. Audits can be conducted by the Internal Audit Division, and the Comptroller and Auditor General.
Additionally, audits of EU funding can be conducted by Irelands ESF+ Audit Authority, the European Anti-Fraud Office and the European Court of Auditors.
795. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the composition of prison visiting committees for each of the prisons in the State; the name of each committee; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38976/26]
View answer796. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the position regarding the process for appointing a person to a prison visiting committee; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38977/26]
View answer797. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of applications he has received in respect of membership of prison visiting committees for 2024, 2025 and to date in 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38978/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 795, 796 and 797 together.
The work undertaken by Prison Visiting Committees provides an invaluable perspective on our prisons and the experiences of those in their care, and ensures important issues are highlighted.
There are currently 12 Prison Visiting Committees (Limerick Male and Female Prisons both fall under one committee) covering all 13 prisons. The names of the committees and committee members are included in the published Annual Reports of the Prison Visiting Committees, which are available on the gov.ie website.
The current composition of the Prison Visiting Committees is broken down as follows:
|
Prison Committee |
Members |
Prison Committee |
Members |
|
Arbour Hill |
8 |
Loughan House |
6 |
|
Castlerea |
9 |
Midlands |
9 |
|
Cloverhill |
6 |
Mountjoy |
6 |
|
Cork |
9 |
Portlaoise |
6 |
|
Dóchas |
7 |
Shelton Abbey |
9 |
|
Limerick |
9 |
Wheatfield |
8 |
I can advise the Deputy that the number of applications to join a Prison Visiting Committee in 2024 was 16.
In 2025, my Department invited expressions of interest from suitably qualified candidates for consideration for appointment to a Prison Visiting Committee. This followed on from the review of the Prison Visiting Committees, published in April 2023, which included a recommendation to establish an Appointments Process to run regular public competitions for a panel of qualified individuals for consideration for appointment by the Minister.
The expression of interest was run in conjunction with State Boards (Public Appointments Service) and there were 91 applications received. An assessment panel was formed to recommend applicants for appointment. Applicants were informed of the results of their applications in December 2025. Successful applicants were subject to Garda vetting and following completion of this were appointed to their respective committees as of 20 April 2026.
To date in 2026 there have been 12 applications received, and a further expression of interest process will be undertaken in June 2026 to fill existing vacancies and those arising in the future.
798. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the steps being taken to address ongoing difficulties in the enforcement of court ordered maintenance arrangements, particularly in cases where repeated non-payment occurs but arrears are cleared immediately prior to court hearings, resulting in matters being struck-out without judicial consideration of the pattern of breaches. [39310/26]
View answer799. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration whether consideration is being given to reforms that would allow courts to examine patterns of repeated non-compliance with maintenance orders, even where arrears have been discharged shortly before a hearing, in order to prevent the system being used to avoid accountability. [39311/26]
View answer800. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the measures in place to protect individuals from incurring significant legal costs in pursuing enforcement of maintenance orders, particularly where proceedings repeatedly collapse due to last minute payments; and whether reforms are being considered in this area. [39312/26]
View answer801. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the average time taken to bring enforcement proceedings for maintenance arrears before the courts; and whether delays in progressing such cases are being examined as part of broader justice system reform. [39313/26]
View answer802. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the supports available for lay litigants in family law proceedings, particularly those seeking to enforce maintenance orders without legal representation; and whether additional measures are planned to ensure they are afforded fair access and adequate time before the courts. [39314/26]
View answer803. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the frequency with which attachment of earnings orders are granted in maintenance cases; and whether the threshold for granting such orders is being reviewed in light of repeated non-compliance scenarios. [39315/26]
View answer804. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration whether any assessment has been carried out into whether individuals with higher incomes or professional standing are better able to delay or avoid enforcement of maintenance obligations; and the safeguards that exist to ensure equality before the law in such cases. [39316/26]
View answer805. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration whether the Department has examined the broader social and emotional impact on parents and children arising from prolonged enforcement disputes in family law; and the supports that are available to affected families. [39318/26]
View answer806. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration whether consideration is being given to the establishment of a more robust, centralised system for the collection and enforcement of maintenance payments, similar to models in other jurisdictions, to reduce reliance on repeated court applications. [39319/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 798 to 806, inclusive, together.
It is important to note that the management of the courts and the conduct of court proceeding is a matter entirely for the Judiciary and the Courts Service. The courts are, subject only to the Constitution and the law, independent in the exercise of their judicial functions.
No court fees are charged on any family law proceeding, or on any matrimonial cause or matter, including maintenance.
Applications for civil legal aid and advice in maintenance cases can be made to the Legal Aid Board.
It is open to an applicant seeking enforcement of a maintenance order to seek their legal costs from the respondent. It is a matter for the Court as to whether an order for costs will be made in the circumstances of the case, and as to how the behaviour of any party should be considered in making such a determination on costs.
The Review of the Enforcement of Child Maintenance Orders, completed by my officials, was published in 2024. The Review put forward 26 recommendations focused on generating maximum compliance with child maintenance orders, to ensure security and stability for children and to aid poverty prevention. The key recommendations include:
• Development of a set of child maintenance guidelines.
• Running an awareness campaign highlighting the importance of paying child maintenance and promoting a ‘culture of paying’.
• Strengthening attachment of earnings orders, including by exploring the possibility of attaching an order to a PPS number rather than employing entities, so that orders do not lapse when there is a change in employer; permitting attachments on social welfare payments and benefits; as well as enabling the court to grant attachment of earnings orders automatically, without representation, if the paying parent defaults.
• Introduction of a single enforcement procedure when the receiving parent makes an enforcement application, allowing the judge to choose the most appropriate enforcement option based on the circumstances of the case. This would enable the courts to ensure enforcement difficulties and patterns of non-compliance with court ordered maintenance orders are addressed by the court in the most timely and effective manner possible.
• Simplification of the bench warrant process.
• Placing the onus on paying parents to pay costs associated with enforcement proceedings.
• Introduction of an information sharing agreement between Revenue, the Department of Social Protection and the Courts Service.
• Allowing for deductions from social welfare, the paying parent’s bank accounts, from government grants and subsidies and allowing for the recovery of arrears from tax refunds.
• Consolidating and simplifying maintenance legislation, which would be particularly beneficial for unrepresented litigants navigating maintenance proceedings.
The Programme for Government commits to enhancing the enforcement mechanisms for child maintenance orders to ensure that children receive the financial support they need from both parents. In line with this commitment, the development of legislative amendments required to give effect to the Review’s recommendations is underway.
On 19 January this year, I published Ireland’s first set of Child Maintenance Guidelines, along with the report on the public consultation. The published guidelines and accompanying report can be accessed at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-justice-home-affairs-and-migration/publications/child-maintenance-guidelines-for-ireland/.
The Guidelines are compatible with Irish legislation on child maintenance and can be used by the courts. However, the courts are not obliged to consider the guidelines when making child maintenance orders. The objectives of the Guidelines include:
• To establish fair, consistent and predictable amounts of maintenance for children whose parents are not together.
• To increase transparency, consistency and predictability for those seeking and paying child maintenance.
• To reduce conflict and tension between parents by making the calculation of child maintenance more objective.
• To reduce the number of child maintenance applications made to the courts by giving parents guidance in setting the levels of child maintenance and by encouraging private maintenance agreements.
• To ensure consistent treatment of parents and children who are in similar circumstances.
• To promote a culture of payment of child maintenance.
An accompanying online child maintenance calculator was also launched on 26 February 2026. It is available at https://childmaintenancecalculator.ie/. The guidelines and accompanying calculator are a first for Ireland and a significant step forward to improving fairness, consistency and transparency when parents are making child maintenance arrangements. The child maintenance calculator is intended as a voluntary support tool to help parents begin the process of working out an appropriate amount of child maintenance for their child or children. In line with another recommendation in the Review, my Department also undertook a social media campaign in October 2025, to reinforce the importance of paying child maintenance and complying with Child Maintenance orders.
Additionally, the Family Courts Act 2024 will introduce important changes to the delivery of family justice in Ireland once commenced. The Act contains a number of provisions to ensure the family courts are more focussed on the needs of children, efficient and user-friendly as well as less costly. The Act provides for the establishment of family courts as divisions within the existing court structures, namely a Family High Court, a Family Circuit Court and a Family District Court, each dealing with family law matters as appropriate to its jurisdiction. Judges who have specialist training or experience in dealing with family law matters will be assigned to the Family Court divisions, providing for improved levels of judicial expertise as well as the streamlining of proceedings in all family law matters, including maintenance.
The Act includes a set of guiding principles for all family law proceedings to which all parties to proceedings will be required to have regard to. The principles include, but are not limited to:
• In family proceedings in which the welfare of a child is involved or likely to be affected, ensuring that the best interests of the child are a primary consideration in the conduct of the proceedings.
• Conducting proceedings in a manner which is user-friendly, accessible, efficient, minimises conflict between the parties as far as possible, and is likely to minimise costs.
The Implementation Plan for the Act was published in April 2026. The plan identifies a phased roll-out of the new system as the best approach to implement the Act, taking account of the needs of court users, staff, and practitioners. Over three phases, designated family courts will be stood up incrementally across the country commencing in January 2027, bringing the new system into operation in selected locations over a series of stages before a full national roll-out. A planning phase dedicated to setting up the necessary foundations to stand up the first tranche of family courts is already under way and will run until the end of this year.
Data on court proceedings is collected and managed by the Courts Service. The Courts Service have advised that data on the frequency with which attachment of earnings orders are granted in maintenance cases and the average time taken to bring enforcement proceedings for maintenance arrears before the courts is not readily available.
Enforcement proceedings are initiated by the maintenance creditor against the maintenance debtor. In relation to the average time taken to bring enforcement proceedings for maintenance arrears before the courts, I am advised that this can occur at any time over the lifetime of the order (which could have effect for many years if there are children involved). I am further advised that the Courts Service cannot provide an average time to bring enforcement proceedings, as it is dependent on the circumstances of each individual maintenance creditor, nor can they provide a median processing time for maintenance enforcement.
The Courts Service website provides Plain English guidance on enforcement of maintenance, available at www.courts.ie/guides/maintenance-not-paid.
807. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of inmates in prisons or places of detention in Ireland that are required to sleep on camp beds, not including those on permanent single beds or mattresses, broken down by prison, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39323/26]
View answerThe Irish Prison Service must accept into custody all people committed to prison by the Courts and has no control over the numbers committed to custody at any given time.
The Irish Prison Service has confirmed that information regarding the number of persons in custody in all prisons, is collated each day by the Irish Prison Service Statistics Unit and published on its website (www.irishprisons.ie). This information can be found in the Information Centre under Statistics & Information, Daily Population Figures.
I can advise the Deputy that on 20 May 2026 there were six female prisoners in Limerick Prison sleeping on camp-style beds. These types of beds are not in use anywhere else in the prison estate.
I am pursuing a dual approach to address the issue of prison overcrowding by both increasing prison capacity and pursuing further measures to support increased use of non-custodial sanctions.
Since 2024, 232 spaces have been constructed across the Prison Estate, with 126 delivered in 2024 and 106 in 2025. There are plans to build another 65 spaces in 2026. In addition, Government has allocated funding for a significant building programme across the prison estate. I have secured a record capital investment of €528 million for the Irish Prison Service (IPS) over the next 5 years, of which €495 million will be invested to deliver one of the most significant capital building programmes in the justice sector, with an overall target of delivering over 1,500 prison spaces by 2031.
A multi-year building programme is progressing at several key sites across the prison estate. The programme includes a large extension to the existing Cork Prison on the site of the old, decommissioned Cork Prison, a new block in Wheatfield, an additional block extension at Midlands prison and additional spaces at Castlerea, Mountjoy and the Dóchas Centre. The record capital allocation will also allow for work to start to plan and develop a new prison on the Thornton site in North County Dublin. A master plan for the site will be developed in 2026.
I have also sought and secured an exemption from the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation for 6 projects (960 prison spaces) to move straight to Approval Gate 2 – Pre Tender Approval of the Infrastructure Guidelines, a measure which is expected to speed up the delivery of these projects by 12 to 18 months.
808. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of Irish Prison Service staff suspended from active duties pending or under investigation, broken down by prison, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39324/26]
View answerThe Irish Prison Service have confirmed that the total number of employees currently suspended from duty is 11, which amounts to 0.27% of the IPS workforce. A breakdown of specific locations cannot be provided as it may identify the individuals involved.
The Irish Prison Service invoke protective measures such as suspension in very limited circumstances and only when considered absolutely necessary, proportionate and justified.
Protective measures are not punitive in nature and are only instigated following careful consideration of the specific circumstances and following engagement with that employee.
It is important to emphasise that the use of a protective measure is not in itself a disciplinary action nor is any protective measure an indication of wrongdoing. Each protective measure is reviewed on an ongoing basis.
809. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to outline the funding provided to date by Cuan to the National Women's Council; the purposes of each funding allocation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39332/26]
View answerIn June 2025, Cuan entered into a contract with the National Women’s Council of Ireland who also Chair the National Observatory on Violence Against Women. Cuan provided funding to the National Women’s Council to commission research on the prospective development of structures to enable the lived experience of victim-survivors of DSGBV to inform policy and service response in Ireland.
The final report, which was based on consultations with victim-survivors and their representative groups, the DSGBV sector, and civil and public servants, respectively, was launched at the end of April.
The total sum of funding agreed was €30,000, to be paid in 3 instalments of €12,000 and €9,000 and €9,000. As of 27 February 2026, the first two instalments of this funding were paid to the National Women’s Council of Ireland. Now that the report has been launched, the final invoice will be paid on receipt.
810. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration whether his Department accepts the recommendation that survivor engagement on gender-based violence should be embedded across all Government departments rather than led primarily by Cuan (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39333/26]
View answerCombatting all forms of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence (DSGBV) and ensuring that survivors receive the support and care they deserve remain central priorities for this government. The roadmap to achieving these aims, the ‘Zero Tolerance’ Third National Strategy on DSGBV (2022–2026), is now in its final phase of implementation. The Programme for Government commits to fully implementing the Strategy and developing a successor Strategy for the period 2027–2031.
Development of the fourth national DSGBV Strategy will begin shortly and will be informed by a review of the 2025-2026 Implementation Plan of the Third National Strategy, which was launched in June 2025 and which runs until the end of 2026. My Department, supported by Cuan, will lead the process of development of a successor framework to the current Strategy, under my direction.
It is in the context of development of the fourth national strategy that consideration is being given to establishment of a framework for formal structures of survivor engagement in consultation with the implementation partners currently supporting delivery, civil society and the DSGBV sector.
811. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration is he aware of the case of a person (details supplied); if he will request his officials to investigate the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39351/26]
View answerFurther to my answer to PQ 63546/25 of 17 November 2025, the person concerned was given an opportunity to provide the missing required supporting documents and this application has been deemed ineligible.
It is open to the person cited to make a new application at any time. There is no time limit within which they can make a new application, nor is there any maximum limit on the number of applications.
My Department has recently launched a new webpage to help people better understand the naturalisation application process, including the key documents required for identity and residency. The page also provides guidance on how to have documents certified. Your constituent can view it here: www.irishimmigration.ie/how-to-become-an-irish-citizen-guide/.
It should be noted that with the availability of the Customer Service Portal, queries to the Citizenship Division cannot be submitted by email and must be made through the Portal.
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.
812. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of Gardaí by rank attached to Louth-Cavan and Monaghan Divisional Drugs Unit as of 15 May 2026, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39383/26]
View answerThe Government is fully committed to providing An Garda Síochána with the resources it needs to fight crime. This is reflected in the unprecedented allocation of over €2.74 billion in Budget 2026.
In accordance with the Policing Security and Community Safety Act 2024 the Garda Commissioner is responsible for distribution and stationing of Garda personnel throughout the State, including to specialist units.
I am advised by the Garda Authorities that as of 31 March 2026, the latest date for which figures are available, there were 14 Garda members assigned to the Louth Cavan Monaghan Divisional Drugs Unit. A breakdown by rank is unavailable to prevent identification of individual Gardaí assigned to this sensitive policing area.
An Garda Síochána continues to implement the enhanced national anti-drugs strategy under Operation Tara. The focus of this operation is to disrupt, dismantle and prosecute drug trafficking networks that impact on our communities and prosecute those involved at every level.
813. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of Gardaí roads policing motorcycles attached to Louth-Cavan and Monaghan Roads policing unit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39384/26]
View answerInformation in relation to the Garda fleet, including the number of motorcycles currently assigned in the Louth/Cavan/Monaghan Division, is publicly available and can be found at the following link: www.garda.ie/en/about-us/our-departments/finance-services/finance-fleet-management.html.
The Deputy should select Finance Fleet Management and access the file titled “Fleet Management Report to the most recent date” for a breakdown of vehicles currently assigned to Roads Policing Units.
The Garda Commissioner is responsible under Section 33 of the Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024 for the distribution and deployment of the Garda fleet across the State.
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.
