Written Answers Nos. 427-445
427. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of road traffic incidents involving motorised bicycles, including e-bikes and electric scooters, reported to An Garda Síochána in 2024, in 2025 and to date in 2026; whether any fatalities or serious injuries have resulted from such incidents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41296/26]
View answerRoad traffic legislation is enforced as part of the day-to-day duties of members of An Garda Síochána, as well as through a programme of high-visibility road safety and enforcement operations carried out in partnership with other state agencies, in order to make our roads safer for all.
The Road Safety Authority is the statutory body with responsibility for reporting on fatal, serious and minor injury collisions on public roads. They receive collision data from An Garda Síochána and produce official statistics to help develop evidence based road safety interventions. Road traffic collision data can be found at the following address:
Road traffic collision data from the Road Safety Authority: www.rsa.ie/road-safety/statistics/road-traffic-collision-data
For the Deputy’s information, the Road Safety Authority publishes a road collision map which is searchable by vehicle type and lists all fatal and serious collisions by year. Collision data from 2016 to 2024 is publicly available and can be found at the following link: www.rsa.ie/road-safety/statistics/collisions
428. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to provide a list of all International Protection Accommodation Service centres operating in the State which have an on-site medical room, clinic, or healthcare facility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40825/26]
View answer429. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to specify, for each International Protection Accommodation Service centre with on-site healthcare provision, the type of healthcare services provided; if the service includes GP, nursing, healthcare assistant, mental health, or emergency response provision; the days and hours of operation; if healthcare staff are physically present on-site 24 hours per day; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40826/26]
View answer430. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to specify, for each International Protection Accommodation Service centre operating, the total resident capacity; the current occupancy level; the number of healthcare staff assigned to the centre; and the ratio of healthcare staff to residents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40827/26]
View answer431. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to specify, for each International Protection Accommodation Service centre, how many healthcare staff are directly employed by the HSE; the number that are agency staff; the number that are employed through NGOs, charities, or private contractors; the names of any contracted healthcare providers operating within IPAS centres; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40828/26]
View answer432. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to provide the annual cost to the State of healthcare provision within International Protection Accommodation Service centres for the years 2023, 2024, and to date in 2026, including GP services, nursing services, agency staffing costs, mental health supports, interpretation services, and emergency response arrangements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40829/26]
View answer433. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if any International Protection Accommodation Service centres operate without access to regular on-site healthcare provision; if so, the alternative arrangements in place for residents requiring medical assessment or treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40830/26]
View answer434. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if healthcare staffing standards, minimum staffing ratios, or clinical governance requirements apply to International Protection Accommodation Service accommodation centres; to provide details of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40831/26]
View answer435. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if his Department or the HSE has conducted a review regarding healthcare staffing adequacy within International Protection Accommodation Service centres, continuity of care, reliance on agency staffing, or emergency medical response capability within large accommodation centres; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40832/26]
View answer436. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the total amount spent on agency healthcare staffing within International Protection Accommodation Service accommodation centres in each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40833/26]
View answer437. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if his Department intends to publish a national overview of healthcare provision, staffing levels, and associated costs within International Protection Accommodation Service accommodation centres; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40834/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 428 to 437, inclusive, together.
The provision of supports and services to people seeking international protection is a whole of Government response. Under the requirements of the European Communities (Reception Conditions) Regulations, people are entitled to basic supports including accommodation, which is provided by my Department through IPAS accommodation, and other supports including healthcare and education.
People seeking international protection access health services through mainstream HSE services, including primary care and GP services, referral to specialist services, and urgent or emergency healthcare services.
As such, much of the material requested in your questions is not under the remit of my Department, and would be available from the Department of Health and the HSE. This includes details of healthcare costs, staffing and clinical governance matters. Details of all IPAS accommodation centres which may have access to in-reach healthcare services is not routinely collated by my Department.
In terms of reception conditions and accommodation, people who apply for international protection are entitled to a vulnerability assessment. This assessment is provided through IPAS on application and allows IPAS to identify any particular needs the applicant and their family may have, including health conditions or disabilities.
Any person applying for international protection residing in IPAS accommodation is entitled to apply for a medical card and IPAS Resident Welfare Services, along with NGO advocates, can support people to access health and social care services as needed.
The IPAS Resident Welfare Team directs applicants with special reception needs within our accommodation to relevant services or provide information as required.
Where appropriate, the Resident Welfare Team engages with centre managers and advocates to ensure that an applicant’s reception needs can be addressed within their current accommodation centre, providing information and support and signposting persons to relevant services. IPAS Social Workers seconded to the Resident Welfare Team are available to help applicants with high levels of vulnerability, and can make onward referrals to services and advocate for vulnerable persons as appropriate.
If a medical emergency arises within an IPAS accommodation centre, centre managers are required to contact emergency services. IPAS has protocols and procedures in place for centre managers to submit incident reports and to report emergencies that occur within the accommodation setting to IPAS.
438. Deputy Tom Brabazon asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to detail, the number of people prosecuted and/or incarcerated for organised crime drug related offences in Ireland for each of the years 2015 – 2026, inclusive in tabular form. [40850/26]
View answerOperation Tara is An Garda Síochána’s national anti-drug crime operation which began in July 2021.
The focus of Operation Tara is to disrupt, dismantle and prosecute drug trafficking networks and drug related organised crime groups at all levels - international, national, local - involved in the importation, distribution, cultivation, production, local sale and supply of controlled drugs.
Under Operation Tara, individuals and groups involved in drug crime are the target of enforcement activity based on intelligence and the latest crime trends.
While it is not possible to provide the precise data requested, I have been advised by An Garda Síochána that the table below highlights the number of charges and summons created nationally between 1 January 2015 to 31 March 2026 for drug related offences and offences linked to Operation Tara. This encompasses all incident types under the category drugs, intoxicated driving a vehicle and intoxicated in charge of a vehicle (if they are linked to drugs), drug driving offences and search under Misuse of Drugs Act 1977/1984 and incidents associated to Operation Tara by virtue of it being drug related.
|
Year |
No. of Proceedings |
|
2015 |
19,700 |
|
2016 |
22,048 |
|
2017 |
23,927 |
|
2018 |
26,493 |
|
2019 |
32,940 |
|
2020 |
37,986 |
|
2021 |
34,998 |
|
2022 |
31,154 |
|
2023 |
31,804 |
|
2024 |
30,146 |
|
2025 |
33,933 |
|
2026 |
9,537 |
These figures are correct as of 25 May 2026 and based on PULSE data. As such, figures provided are operational and may be subject to change.
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. Statistics related to Court outcomes for drugs offences, including the numbers convicted and the number of those imprisoned or detained (if under 18 years of age), are available in the relevant Courts Service Annual Reports:
www.courts.ie/publications/
The Courts Service has a dedicated email address for the provision of information to members of the Houses of the Oireachtas: oireachtasenquiries@courts.ie.
439. Deputy Joe Cooney asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration for information on the implementation of Grace's Law; the number of arrests made, prosecutions pending and convictions under the new legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40925/26]
View answerOn 1 April the Road Traffic (Control of Certain Vehicles) Regulations 2026, known as Grace's Law, were signed into law by my colleague Darragh O'Brien TD, the Minister for Transport, who has responsibility for road traffic legislation and policy. The regulations implement an explicit ban on scrambler use in any public place.
The regulations prohibit the use of an off-road motorcycle, such as a scrambler or a quadbike, in any place, except on private land with the written consent of the landowner or use by the landowner. They impose a requirement of consent where restricted vehicles are used on private land, and will make enforcement easier. The mere use of scramblers is now explicitly an offence, assisting An Garda Síochána operationally by ensuring that members no longer have to form a reasonable belief about dangerous use of the vehicle.
Gardaí have significant legislative powers to combat the antisocial and dangerous misuse of scramblers, quad bikes, e-scooters and other such vehicles including under the Road Traffic Act 1961, the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act 1997, and the Criminal Law Act 1997 and the Road Traffic and Roads Act 2023. I am assured that An Garda Síochána continues to adopt a proactive approach in addressing the illegal use of scramblers, quads, e-bikes and e-scooters.
Further to the regulations that introduced a ban on the use of scramblers in public places, it should be noted that the ban has only been in effect since the beginning April and as such the number of arrests, prosecutions and convictions made under this legislation are not yet available. Tackling dangerous driver behaviours and promoting compliance with road traffic laws will continue to be addressed through road safety education and public awareness campaigns and the enforcement of road traffic laws.
440. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the steps he is taking to tackle rising hate crime, racism, online extremism and social division in Ireland; the progress made under the National Action Plan Against Racism 2023-2027; the way such progress is being measured; the measures being taken with An Garda Síochána, schools, local authorities and social media platforms to prevent radicalisation and community tensions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40945/26]
View answerI would like to state unequivocally that any acts of hostility or prejudice towards any community of people in Ireland are unacceptable. Ireland has a longstanding commitment to supporting freedom of religion or belief, equality and non-discrimination. The Government is determined to stamp out hate and to protect all minority communities from discrimination. This is being actively achieved through legislation, policy and the provision of supports.
Any incitement of hatred against individuals and groups based on inherent characteristics is abhorrent to the values of our republic and is condemned by all right-thinking people. Everyone has the right to live safely, free from intimidation or abuse regardless of background.
The legal framework, including the Prohibition of Incitement to Hatred Act 1989, the Criminal Justice (Hate Offences) Act 2024 and the relevant common law principles, is available to address incitement to hatred, including conduct occurring online. The law contains specific protections against hatred based on race, religion, sexuality and gender, as well as other characteristics of frequently targeted groups in society.
The National Action Plan Against Racism (NAPAR) was submitted to Government in March 2023 and launched on 21 March 2023, the UN International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. The NAPAR represents a national level, State-led, co-ordinated approach to eliminating racism in all its forms in Ireland. This includes antisemitism, Islamophobia, racism that impacts the Traveller and Roma people and communities, and racism affecting people of African Descent. Ireland is taking a broad approach to this issue, by considering all facets of racism. The NAPAR is being implemented over the five-year period 2023-2027 and it will have a significant positive impact on all minority ethnic communities and faith-based groups in Ireland.
Monitoring the progress of the NAPAR is multifaceted. My department publishes an annual NAPAR Implementation Report which provides significant updates from Government Departments and Agencies on the progress of the NAPAR actions. Publication of the 2025 NAPAR Implementation Report to the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration website is imminent. Officials from my department meet regularly on a bilateral basis with multiple Government Departments and public sector bodies on the progress of their NAPAR actions. The NAPAR also undergoes independent monitoring in the form of the Special Rapporteur for Racial Equality and Racism’s annual report. The Special Rapporteur’s first annual report was published in February 2026.
The Ireland Against Racism Fund (IARF) is an annual funding call which enables non-government and community organisations to provide projects and local initiatives intended to combat racism and promote social cohesion among communities. Since its inception in 2023, a total of 94 projects have received funding amounting to €3.9 million under the scheme. The results of the 2025 Ireland Against Racism Fund were announced in December 2025 with thirty-seven projects awarded a total of €1.5m.
The Integration Fund combines two previously run funds – the International Protection Integration Fund (IPIF) and the Communities Integration Fund (CIF). Since their inception, these funds have provided close to €10m to more than 1,000 projects across the country. The Integration Fund is for projects supporting migrant integration and social cohesion in areas such as sport, education, employment and culture. Results of the 2025 Integration Fund were announced in November 2025. One-hundred and seventeen projects were awarded a total of €3.6m.
I would like to draw your attention to the Garda National Diversity Unit. The Unit operates with the Garda National Community Engagement Bureau (GNCEB). At present, there are approximately 550 Garda Diversity Officers (GDOs). GDOs are trained and supported to actively engage with and attend to the concerns of minority, diverse and hard to reach communities - providing reassurance, building trust, and extending the accessibility of the Garda Service. Gardaí are also actively engaged with advocacy groups to support minority and diverse communities.
The Department of Culture, Communications and Sport has primary responsibility for Online Safety. The Online Services and Media Regulation Act was introduced and Coimisiún na Meán established to regulate online media, including enforcing rules about how online services or platforms should deal with harmful and illegal content on their services. Working with stakeholders to tackle the use of recommender algorithms to protect children from harmful content is a commitment of the Programme for Government. Meaningfully addressing this issue requires a holistic approach not just by law enforcement agencies but by stakeholders across government and private industry.
Furthermore, An Garda Síochána also operate an online hate reporting mechanism. The online reporting form allows anyone who has been the victim or a witness of a Hate Crime/Incident to make an online report if they do not wish to make a report at a Garda station. I assure you that any reports made to An Garda Síochána are dealt with the utmost care.
441. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of incidents classified as hate-related, extremist-related or politically motivated recorded by An Garda Síochána in each of the past five years, broken down by county and category; the number resulting in prosecution; and whether his Department has identified any increase in online radicalisation activity. [40969/26]
View answerThe Government is determined to stamp out hate-motivated and politically motivated crimes.
An Garda Síochána takes crime against minority groups very seriously. Every suspected hate crime reported to An Garda Síochána is professionally investigated and victims are supported during the criminal justice process. All witnesses or victims of hate crimes should report these to An Garda Síochána.
Hate Crime statistics for the period 2021-2024 have been published on the Garda website at the following link: www.garda.ie/en/information-centre/statistics/. I am informed that Gardaí expect to publish the 2025 report in the coming months.
The Director of Public Prosecutions is fully independent under the Prosecution of Offences Act 1974. The Director of Public Prosecutions decides whether or not someone should be prosecuted, and what crime they should be prosecuted for. I have no role in the operations, functions, oversight or governance of the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions and I am unable to provide any information or statistics relating to the Director's work.
The management of the courts, operational matters and logistical functions, are matters for the Courts and the Judiciary. As a result, my Department does not keep statistics on convictions in the courts. The Courts Service has a dedicated email address for the provision of information to members of the Oireachtas at: oireachtasenquiries@courts.ie.
Regarding online radicalisation activity, there is no doubt that the online environment enables the spread of extremist content and also facilitates increased transnational collaboration among like-minded individuals and groups. The manifestation of online disinformation and incitement to violent action in the physical world is of concern to my Department and An Garda Síochána and part of the Garda response to such incidents is to investigate the role of relevant online activity.
In addition to our counter-terrorism framework, principally the Offences Against the State Acts and the Criminal Justice (Terrorist Offences) Acts 2005-2015, robust statutory measures address extremist activity. This includes the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act, the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act 1994, and the Prohibition of Incitement to Hatred Act. Furthermore, the Criminal Justice (Incitement to Violence or Hatred and Hate Offences) Act criminalises the dissemination of material which incites violent extremism.
The role of An Garda Síochána in respect of countering these threats is part of the wider whole-of-Government responsibility with regard to addressing the rise in extremism.
The Department of Culture, Communications and Sport has primary responsibility for Online Safety. The Online Services and Media Regulation Act was introduced and Coimisiún na Meán established to regulate online media, including enforcing rules about how online services or platforms should deal with harmful and illegal content on their services.
The Government and relevant state bodies also engage regularly with EU partners, including through the EU Knowledge Hub on Radicalisation, and also with other partners, on the evolving nature of extremism in various ideologies, to develop our understanding of the evolution of the threat posed.
442. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of frontline Gardaí assigned to public order, community engagement and hate crime investigation duties in each Garda division; the number of vacancies currently existing; and the additional resources requested by Garda management since 2020. [40970/26]
View answerUnder the Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution and stationing of Garda personnel throughout the State. I engage regularly with the Commissioner and I am assured that the resourcing of each Garda Division is fully considered within the overall context of the needs and requirements of Garda Divisions throughout the country.
All frontline members of An Garda Síochána are engaged in community engagement activities by the very nature of their role. Hate crime complaints or incidents can be reported to any member of An Garda Síochána at any Garda station.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that Gardaí with specialist training in public order policing perform duty with the Public Order Unit to provide tactical support as well as a graduated policing response to appropriate incidents, while effectively assisting frontline Gardaí.
These Garda members are only required to perform public order duties when operational demands require their deployment, otherwise they are engaged in routine policing duties. The Garda National Public Order Unit, (GNPOU), is not a full-time unit. Members trained in public order policing are deployed from across the organisation for operational requirements when the need arises.
An Garda Síochána publishes information in relation to the allocation of Garda personnel nationally. This includes a breakdown of Garda members and staff assigned by Garda Station from 2010 to the end of March 2026, the latest date for which figures are available. This can be found at the following links:
2026: www.garda.ie/en/about-us/our-departments/human-resources-and-people-development/garda-hr-directorate/garda-strength-breakdown-2026/garda-strength-breakdown-2026.html.
2014-2025: www.garda.ie/en/about-us/our-departments/human-resources-and-people-development/garda-hr-directorate/garda-strength-breakdown-2025/garda-strength-breakdown-2025.html.
443. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to expedite the join family visa of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41102/26]
View answerI can advise the Deputy that the Join Family visa application referred to was created on 01 July 2025. Supporting documentation was received in the Tehran office on 7 July 2025. The application was received in the Dublin Visa Office on 29 July 2025 where it awaits examination and processing.
My Department's business target for join family visa applications is 12 months. It must be made clear that these are business targets for the immigration service and some applications can take longer than others. The business target reflects the detailed and often complex assessment that is required to be carried out in relation to applications for family reunification.
While I acknowledge the personal difficulties an applicant might be experiencing; it is not possible to give a definitive date as to when this application will be finalised. All applications are processed in chronological order, based on date order of receipt.
While every effort is made to process applications as soon as possible, processing times will vary having regard to the volume and complexity of applications, the possible need for the Immigration Service Delivery function of my Department to investigate, inquire into, or seek further information, and the resources available.
The current processing times for Dublin visa decisions is available here: https://www.irishimmigration.ie/visa-decisions/
The date published on the website is the oldest date of application currently being processed under a given category. However, it should be noted that the Visa team continue to process and make decisions on applications received after the published processing date. If a particular application takes longer to consider this may result in the published processing date remaining unchanged. I can assure you that this does not indicate the processing of these applications has halted overall.
I am acutely aware that join family applications are very important for the people impacted. I understand that people are eager to have their families join them in Ireland, and I am committed to improving the service my Department provides.
The person concerned can now directly check the status of their visa application on the Immigration Service’s Customer Service Portal. They can register for, or log in to their existing account, at: https://portal.irishimmigration.ie/en/
As an Oireachtas member, you can also request the status of individual immigration cases by e-mail, using the Oireachtas Mail facility at: IMoireachtasmail@justice.ie, which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Question process.
444. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration whether a single consolidated national dataset currently exists recording the number of persons refused emergency domestic violence accommodation due to lack of refuge capacity; and if not, whether their Department intends to establish such a reporting mechanism. [41159/26]
View answer445. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of occasions on which domestic violence refuges reached full capacity in each county in each of the past five years and to date in 2026. [41160/26]
View answer446. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration whether any national waiting-list or overflow accommodation mechanism exists for persons unable to access domestic violence refuge accommodation due to capacity constraints. [41161/26]
View answer447. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration whether Cuan or his Department collects data on repeat requests for emergency domestic violence accommodation by the same individuals following initial refusal due to lack of capacity. [41162/26]
View answer453. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the current occupancy rate of domestic violence refuge accommodation nationally and by county. [41170/26]
View answer454. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of women and children placed outside their home county due to a lack of refuge accommodation availability in each of the past three years. [41171/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 444 to 447, inclusive, 453 and 454 together.
Cuan, the national domestic, sexual and gender-based violence (DSGBV) agency funds 78 DSGBV organisations nationally, including 20 domestic violence refuges.
I am advised that, currently, Cuan does not collect data on the number of people who have sought refuge, the number of requests for safe accommodation refused, or the current occupancy rate of safe accommodation as this information is difficult for services to consistently validate and report.
Occupancy levels fluctuate on a day-to-day basis, making real time collection and reporting challenging. In addition, many support services do not have the capacity to gather this information. I have previously provided data to the Deputy on the number of units in each county - see PQ 38580/26. A unit can typically accommodate a family.
Through development of the National Service Development Plan (NSDP), Cuan is committed to collaborating with services and stakeholders to strengthen data collection processes. An essential element to the NSDP is the establishment of robust monitoring structures for service delivery and outcomes. This monitoring process will identify critical areas for service and sector development.
In addition, as part of the Zero tolerance strategy, Cuan is significantly increasing the capacity of safe emergency accommodation, with plans to double the number of units available nationally.
