Written Answers Nos. 874-893
874. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the position regarding the guidelines in place for immigration department officers operating within Irish Airports; the mechanism in place that deem it necessary to carry out passport checks on the runway for arriving aircraft; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40046/26]
View answer875. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the position regarding the criteria that must be met to require immigration department officers to carry out passport checks on the runway for arriving aircraft; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40062/26]
View answer876. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration views on the merits of immigration department officers carrying out passport checks on the runway for arriving aircraft; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40048/26]
View answer877. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration regarding a code of practice in effect for immigration department officers in relation to the way in which passport checks are carried out for passengers arriving in Irish airports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40063/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 874, 875, 876 and 877 together.
The Border Management Unit (BMU) is part of the Immigration Service Delivery of my Department, and is responsible for front-line Immigration at Dublin Airport only. Other airports and other ports of entry are the responsibility of the Garda National Immigration Bureau.
Immigration officers carry out border management functions in order to protect the integrity of the State’s immigration system and ensure compliance with immigration law.
The establishment of a person’s identity and nationality is an important feature of our immigration process. At ports of entry, Immigration officials conduct passport checks, and run operations as required, to ensure passengers arriving in the State are properly documented in accordance with Section 11 of the Immigration Act 2004. Section 12 of the Act also provides that every non-national shall produce on demand their passport or IRP card to an Immigration Officer or a member of the Garda Síochána.
As part of this work, the BMU and An Garda Síochána conduct ongoing intelligence-led doorstop operations at aircraft arriving into Dublin Airport. These operations are undertaken to detect passengers who may have destroyed documents inflight and to identify the point of embarkation of undocumented passengers. In 2025 the BMU carried out 7,447 doorstop operations, and up to the end of April this year, 2,710 doorstop operations have been conducted by the BMU.
My Department is also working closely with airlines on a range of measures to ensure that passengers have the required documentation when boarding. This includes delivering in-person training to relevant airline ground-handling staff on immigration requirements and false travel documentation. BMU officials are available 24/7 to assist airlines with any immigration queries.
Both 2025 and 2024 saw a reduction of more than 50% in the number of people arriving at Dublin Airport without documentation compared with 2022.
For security reasons and to protect the integrity of the immigration system, both I and my Department do not comment on specific operational procedures of the BMU or An Garda Síochána.
878. Deputy Natasha Newsome Drennan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the amount paid in fines issued for speeding on the N25 near Glenmore, County Kilkenny from 10 November 2025 to 1 May 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40149/26]
View answerI have requested the information sought by the Deputy from the Garda authorities. Regrettably, this was not available in time and I will write to the Deputy once the information is to hand.
879. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if in the context of reforming the accommodation system for displaced Ukrainians compassionate consideration will be given to elderly and disabled persons; to mothers of very young children; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40192/26]
View answer880. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if consideration is being given to a repatriation scheme for Ukrainian citizens; if so, if particular attention will be paid to the question of Ukrainian citizens returning to Russian occupied areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40193/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 879 and 880 together.
Ireland will continue to support people from Ukraine, and to fulfil its obligations under the Temporary Protection Directive in respect of supports and social assistance under Article 13(1), while the Directive is in effect.
Proposals have been developed for Government in line with the EU Council Recommendation for a co-ordinated approach to transition people out of Temporary Protection across the EU.
Ireland is advancing the four sets of measures outlined in the Recommendation:
• Promote and facilitate the transition to other legal statuses before the end of temporary protection;
• Pave the way for a smooth and sustainable reintegration in Ukraine;
• Ensure information provision to displaced people and
• Ensure coordination, monitoring and exchange of information among Member States and with the Ukrainian authorities.
This includes proposals to phase out state-funded accommodation, provided to people from Ukraine since 2022.
Ireland’s state-funded accommodation model for people from Ukraine is in excess of that offered across the EU and of what is available to other people living in Ireland.
Any approved changes to this accommodation model would be introduced on a phased basis, with information and support provided to those affected. The proposals will also consider ongoing supports for people whose specific circumstances may make independent living challenging.
Accommodation will continue to be provided prior to the implementation of these proposals and significant notice will be given to persons affected by the changes.
The number of people living in state-provided accommodation has reduced considerably over recent years, as people source their own accommodation or move away. The Government has actively supported these moves to independence and greater integration.
These proposals are subject to Government decision. Officials in my Department are currently finalising operational arrangements for this wind-down and these arrangements will be announced in due course.
881. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of visa applications processed and approved on a monthly basis; the number refused, broken down per visa type, per month in 2026, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40200/26]
View answer882. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of visa applications processed and approved on an annual basis; the number refused, broken down per visa type in each of the years 2019 to 2025, and to date in 2026, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40201/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 881 and 882 together.
I can advise the Deputy that my Department currently operates seven overseas Visa Offices in addition to the Visa Office in Dublin. These are located in Abuja, Beijing, London, Moscow, Ankara, Abu Dhabi and New Delhi. In addition, staff of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade process certain visa applications in Irish Embassies abroad under delegated authority from my Department.
In 2025, approximately 206,000 visa applications, of all types, were received by the Visa Division of my Department. This reflects an increase of 2% compared to 2024, with over 3,900 additional applications received. This follows a 21% increase in applications in 2024 compared to 2023. In the first three months of 2026, my Department's Visa Division received approximately 43,000 visa applications and has issued almost 36,000 decisions.
Processing times and decisions at the Dublin Visa Office and the Overseas Visa Offices can be checked at the following link: www.irishimmigration.ie/visa-decisions/.
The attached document shows the requested figures by visa category.
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.
The attached tables set out the numbers of visas granted and refused by category from 2019 to 30 April 2026.
883. Deputy Marie Sherlock asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration further to Parliamentary Question No. 751 of 19 May 2026, the staffing levels at the visa desk in Abuja; the number of applications that were received in 2025; the processing times for visas at that desk regardless of their nationality; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40269/26]
View answerI can advise the Deputy that my Department currently operates seven overseas Visa Offices in addition to the Visa Office in Dublin. These are located in Abuja, Beijing, London, Moscow, Ankara, Abu Dhabi and New Delhi. In addition, staff of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade process certain visa applications in Irish Embassies abroad under delegated authority from my Department.
In 2025 there were 7,712 visa applications of all types received in the Abuja visa office and there are currently 4 decision makers assigned there.
I can assure the Deputy that while processing times can vary across the different Visa Offices and Irish Embassies, the majority of visas are processed within stated target times. However, some applications can take considerably longer.
Processing times for all applications are influenced by a number of factors. The time it can take varies depending on the type and complexity of application; individual circumstances; peak application periods, such as holidays or the start of the school year; and, crucially, the quality and completeness of the application lodged. Verifying an application is an important part of our immigration system and the checks involved can take time to complete.
The Visa Division of my Department have advised that processing times in the Abuja Visa Office are in line with those in the Dublin Visa Office. These are available at: www.irishimmigration.ie/visa-decisions/.
884. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of serving members of an Garda Síochána have been convicted of a crime; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40291/26]
View answerI have requested the information sought by the Deputy from the Garda authorities. Regrettably, this was not available in time and I will write to the Deputy once the information is to hand.
885. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if construction works, survey works, or any works are currently being undertaken on the old Cork prison site. [40298/26]
View answerI am acutely aware of the capacity constraints in our prisons and the challenges faced by those who work and live in our prisons as a result. 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 spaces by 2031.
The building programme committed to 2031 will include a large extension to the existing Cork Prison on the site of the old, decommissioned Cork Prison.
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. It also frees up capacity within Irish Prison Service (IPS) to progress projects.
The proposed project for the extension to the existing Cork Prison is a part of this accelerated delivery programme, and while it is still at an early planning stage, planning for the Cork Prison project is continuing. The facility on the old decommissioned Cork Prison site will be a large extension of the existing prison and will provide prison spaces for approximately 100 women and 230 men. This intended approach will ensure efficiencies with the design and the practical operations of the new facility, in parallel with the existing prison.
Demolition works are planned for the coming year with completion expected on the project in 2031.
886. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the factors considered for approval under Section 16 for Irish association naturalisation in addition to meeting 50% of the Irish association guideline points in two categories, being related to an Irish citizen and being of good character. [40301/26]
View answerAll applications for a certificate of naturalisation are assessed individually based on the provisions of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended. Section 15 of the Act sets out the statutory conditions that must be fulfilled for a certificate of naturalisation to be granted. Section 16 of the Act gives discretion to waive the statutory conditions (including the 5 year residency requirement) in certain circumstances. This includes where the applicant is a direct descendant of someone who is or was an Irish citizen (for example, a grandparent), has a family connection to an Irish citizen (including by blood, adoption, or civil partnership), or is related by affinity, meaning a close relationship through a spouse’s family.
Last year my Department published new guidelines for applications on the basis of Irish Associations under Section 16(1)(a) of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956. They set out the factors that may be considered when assessing whether statutory conditions should be waived, including where the applicant is of Irish descent or Irish associations. Applications under Section 16 are assessed according to the following indicative categories:
• Experiential connection to the State.
• Family connections to the State.
• Cultural connection to the State.
• Establishment in the State.
Applicants demonstrating a strong connection (i.e. 50% or more of total possible mark) in two or more of the above indicative categories may be considered as potentially suitable for the waiving of any or all statutory naturalisation conditions. Supporting documentation provided at the time of application will be used to assess the application in each indicative category. The details of the indicative criteria and scoring are available on the Immigration Service Delivery website at: www.irishimmigration.ie/how-to-become-an-irish-citizen-guide/.
All applicants are required to satisfy the good character criterion under the 1956 Act. As part of this assessment, An Garda Síochána is requested to make enquiries into the applicant’s background; the detail and extent of which is a matter for An Garda Síochána. eVetting and police clearance certificates form part of this assessment.
887. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if he is aware of the recent annual corruption perceptions index (CPI) rankings (details supplied) published by an organisation; his views on the organisations opinion that the flow of illicit 'dark' money through Dublin poses a threat "to social cohesion, as well as economic integrity and democratic resilience"; the action is he taking to mitigate this risk; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39652/26]
View answerTransparency International’s Corruption Perception Index 2025 was published on 10 February 2026. Ireland scored 76 out of 100 and is ranked 12 out of 181 countries which demonstrates a strong international reputation for fighting public-sector corruption.
Corruption negatively impacts society, individuals and business. It undermines democracy and the rule of law; allows organised crime, terrorism and other threats to human security to flourish; distorts markets and drives away investment; increases inequality; damages the environment; denies access to basic services; provides the wrong incentives and undermines innovation.
Responsibility for the development and implementation of anti-corruption policies in Ireland does not rest with any one body. A number of Departments, agencies and bodies have roles and responsibilities in this area. The competence to prevent, detect, investigate and prosecute corruption is spread across An Garda Síochána and a number of other agencies with a mandate to tackle corruption.
The Criminal Justice (Corruption Offences) Act 2018 consolidated existing offences into one Act and created a number of new offences such as trading in influence and intimidation. Most offences carry a penalty of 10 years imprisonment and/or an unlimited fine upon conviction. Irish corruption law has a global reach and is applicable to Irish nationals, Irish companies and persons ordinarily resident in Ireland when abroad.
In December 2020, my Department published a cross-government report which examines how best to tackle economic crime and corruption in Ireland, the “Review of Structures and Strategies to Prevent, Investigate and Penalise Economic Crime and Corruption”, also known as the Hamilton review. An all-of-government implementation plan to progress the recommendations in the review was published in April 2021.
One of the key recommendations made in the Review was the establishment of an Advisory Council against Economic Crime and Corruption. This Advisory Council was established in 2022 and is chaired by Mr Hamilton, the former Director of Public Prosecutions, and has representatives of various public sector bodies, academia, business, and civil society.
The Advisory Council has worked to develop a Multi-Annual Strategy to combat Economic Crime and Corruption. The Strategy’s overall focus is to strengthen Ireland’s ability to prevent, detect, investigate and prosecute economic crime and corruption, while protecting public trust, economic integrity and Ireland’s international reputation.
I recently secured Government approval for the draft Strategy and work is underway in my Department to publish the strategy. An accompanying Action Plan is also being developed by the Advisory Council.
Furthermore, Ireland is party to a number of international anti-corruption instruments. These are the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC), the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Convention on Combating Bribery of Public Officials in International Business Transactions and the Council of Europe instruments monitored by the Group of States against Corruption (GRECO). As such, Ireland is subject to the evaluation processes and monitoring arrangements associated with these instruments.
888. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) will receive payment for the succession planning and advice grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38697/26]
View answerThe purpose of the Succession Planning Advice Grant, launched by my Department in September 2023, is to assist farmers in obtaining advice regarding succession planning from accredited professionals. This scheme is open for applications from January to November annually with payment tranches in Q1 the following year.
In respect of the named applicant, an application was received on 6th June 2024. Following processing after the deadline, a query was raised on 17th December 2024. Final documentation was received from the applicant on 27th January 2026. The application was subsequently approved and payment issued to the nominated account on 2nd March 2026.
889. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to address the exclusion of young farmers from the traditional farm buildings grant scheme due to the requirement to be in ACRES or the organic farming scheme (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38750/26]
View answerThe Traditional Farm Building (TFB) Grant Scheme 2026 is open to all farmers currently participating in the Organic Farming Schemes or ACRES.
For the Organic Farming Scheme (OFS) active farmers who are aged eighteen years or over, who wish to farm organically are eligible to apply. Young farmers are prioritised and receive extra marks within the scheme's ranking and selection criteria. OFS has opened every year for new entrants since 2021 with the most recent tranche open for applications from 19th November 2025 until 12th December 2025.
ACRES is an Agri-environment climate measure provided under Ireland’s CAP Strategic Plan 2023 – 2027 and must comply with the CSP Regulation (EU) 2021/2115. Article 70(6) of that regulation provides that environmental, climate-related and other management commitments shall be undertaken for a period of five to seven years. It is not therefore possible to re-open ACRES at this time because there is insufficient time left within current CAP period for a new intake to meet the minimum requirement of five years.
It is important to highlight that the Traditional Farm Buildings grant scheme (TBF) which is a collaboration between my Department and the Heritage Council (HC), has over the 30 years it has been in place supported many farmers to successfully transform over 1,000 vulnerable farm buildings into functional agricultural assets.
890. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the mechanisms in place in his Department to ensure delivery on the commitments in the Programme for Government; the civil servant specifically responsible for overseeing such delivery; the measures that are used to assess progress; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38805/26]
View answerThe new Programme for Government, “Securing Ireland's Future”, was published in January 2025. Of the 122 actions in the Agriculture and Food, and the Fisheries and Marine sections, my Department was identified as the lead organisation for 105 of these.
These actions are assigned to Heads of Divisions within my Department. An update on action progress is requested on a bi-annual basis. The process is overseen by the Management Board of my Department, led by the Secretary General.
32% of the actions are either ‘Target achieved’ or ‘Substantial action undertaken & ongoing’, with another 61% reported as ‘Action commenced & progressing’.
The table below provides a status overview of these actions.
|
Action Status |
Number of Actions |
|
Total actions where DAFM is the lead Department |
105 |
|
Target achieved |
5 |
|
Substantial action undertaken and ongoing |
28 |
|
Action commenced and progressing |
64 |
|
Action not yet commenced |
8 |
Some of the main achievements since January 2025 include:
• Continued Government support for farmers under the €9.8 billion CAP Strategic Plan and via specific sectoral supports.
• My Department issued more than €2.18 billion in payments to farmers and fishers over the course of 2025.
• The establishment of a new €30 million National Tillage Sustainability Support Scheme.
• Preparations for a new round of CAP post-2027 have commenced.
• Ireland has secured the continued availability of the Nitrates Derogation for a further three years.
• Ongoing implementation of Food Vision 2030, our shared stakeholder-led strategy for the continuing development of the agri-food sector, including progress across the dairy, beef & sheepmeat, tillage, horticulture, organics, forestry and fishery sectors. A new dashboard to track economic, environmental and social progress has been launched. A 'Food Vision Seafood Sector Group was established. A mid-term review of Food Vision has commenced.
• The launch of the Bovine TB Action Plan.
• The launch of the second National Farmed Animal Biosecurity Strategy(2025-2030).
• Ongoing market access work, including the opening of the Thai and Vietnamese markets for Irish beef exports, priority export markets for the beef sector.
• The publication of the Report of the Commission on Generational Renewal in Farming.
• The re-establishment of a dedicated Minister of State for Fisheries and Marine issues.
• The allocation of €27.75 million for capital projects in Ireland’s publicly owned harbours through the 2025 Fishery Harbour Centre and Coastal Infrastructure Development Programme.
• The launch of Phase 2 of the €26.2 million Vista Milk Research Ireland Centre and the launch of DAFM’s €30 million Thematic Research Call 2025.
• The opening of the National Centre for Brewing and Distilling in Oakpark, Teagasc, which has been allocated funding of €2.3 million by DAFM since 2020.
• The establishment of the One Health Oversight Committee.
• The signing of a €105 million Partnership Agreement with the World Food Programme, the world’s largest humanitarian organisation, over the period 2025 to 2027.
I will continue to lead the development of the agri-food and fisheries sector in collaboration with stakeholders and to deliver on our Programme for Government commitments.
891. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of farm inspections carried out in 2025 related to biodiversity compliance versus those for animal welfare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38968/26]
View answerThe information requested is not yet available but is currently being compiled. It will be forwarded to the Deputy directly as soon as it is finalised.
|
DAFM Division |
Climate and Biodiversity |
Animal Welfare |
|
Conditionality Inspections |
2,071 |
1,112 |
|
Animal Welfare Inspections |
- |
755 |
|
ACRES Inspections |
2,674 |
- |
|
DAFM Total |
4,745 |
1,867 |
892. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding emergency financial supports for farmers facing bluetongue disease risks and associated movement restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38969/26]
View answerIn March, I announced that vaccination for Bluetongue would be included as an option in the 2026 National Sheep Welfare Scheme and the 2026 Beef Welfare Scheme. I recommend that all farmers concerned about Bluetongue consult their Private Veterinary Practitioner regarding vaccination. Vaccination can reduce the impact and severity of Bluetongue virus on livestock and thus mitigate both animal health and welfare issues and the production losses which Bluetongue can cause.
There are no movement restrictions in place within Ireland in relation to Bluetongue.
Up to date information on bluetongue can be found on the Government website at: www.gov.ie/bluetongue.
893. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will urgently address the compensation ceilings currently in place for TB reactors, as current rates are leaving many farmers significantly out of pocket; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39006/26]
View answerBovine TB is an ongoing challenge for Irish farmers. I am acutely aware of the emotional and financial impacts of bovine TB on farmers, their families and rural Ireland.
I have secured an increased budget for bTB in Budget 2026 and I am confident that this will allow the revamped bTB programme to focus on tackling disease levels through the implementation of the measures laid out in the new bTB Action Plan. It will support and enable farm families who are currently dealing with the stress of a TB outbreak to navigate a way out of a TB restriction and protect those herds currently free from TB from the stress of a TB outbreak.
The objective of the new measures in the Bovine TB Action Plan is to reduce the number of farms affected by bTB and decrease costs for farmers and the taxpayer.
My Department provides a range of financial supports that focus on compensating farmers for both direct and indirect losses incurred as a result of a TB breakdown on the farm. The primary support scheme is the On Farm Market Valuation scheme where animals removed as reactors receive compensation subject to scheme ceilings equivalent to their market value in the event they were not disclosed as TB reactors. In 2025 of the 40,583 animals valued under the On Farm Market Valuation scheme just under 90% of animals were valued below the scheme ceilings.
In addition to the compensation package for eligible reactor animals that are removed during a TB breakdown, my Department operates three supplementary schemes that assist farmers with the indirect losses incurred as a result of a TB breakdown on their farm.
The Income Supplement Scheme is a targeted scheme which assists farmers who lose 9.5% or more of their herd to disease due to a single TB breakdown. Income supplement is only payable in cases where the 9.5% threshold is met in one continuous restriction period and where full Depopulation is not deemed an appropriate measure.
The Hardship Grant is a targeted scheme aimed at assisting eligible herd-owners who retain and feed animals during prolonged periods of restriction as a result of a TB breakdown and that have more animals than the same period in the previous year. The scheme runs each year for herds restricted between November 1st and April 30th.
Depopulation Grant is paid for each animal removed in the depopulation measure and for those herds that are partial or fully depopulated on foot of a veterinary decision made on analysis of the overall TB disease situation within a herd.
Due to the increased cost of the bTB programme in recent years, the focus at present is on reducing the levels of disease which will reduce the impact of bTB on Irish farm families and reduce the cost of the programme which has risen to over €121 million in 2025.
