Written Answers Nos. 224-243
224. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration further to Parliamentary Question No. 475 of 15 January 2026, if a response will issue to the question; and if he will include information on those who apply as a result of asylum and all visas. [50127/26]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy is provided below and includes family reunification visas as well as family reunification applications for people granted International Protection status.
As the Deputy will be aware, I obtained government approval to introduce new policies and legislative changes to strengthen Ireland’s migration and asylum system to ensure it is rules-based, efficient and more aligned with EU Member States.
As part of these changes, we published the review of the non-EEA Family Reunification Policy, which had remained largely unchanged since 2013, and sets out how Irish citizens and most non-EEA Irish residents may apply to bring non-EEA family members to live with them in Ireland.
I would like to advise the Deputy that further changes were made to the policy on 12 June 2026 based on commitments made in the review, including an annual review of financial thresholds to keep them in line with the cost of living, and to align with the new Statutory family reunification scheme under the International Protection Act 2026. The latest version of the family reunification policy document is available here: www.irishimmigration.ie/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Family-Reunification-Policy-12-June-2026.pdf
The following table outlines the number of first instance grants for join family visa applications.
Table 1. Join family visa applications granted at first instance 2016-2025.
|
Year |
Join Family Visas (all categories) |
|
2016 |
5,528 |
|
2017 |
6,228 |
|
2018 |
6,131 |
|
2019 |
7,751 |
|
2020 |
6,722 |
|
2021 |
10,099 |
|
2022 |
15,717 |
|
2023 |
15,167 |
|
2024 |
17,262 |
|
2025 |
14,599 |
*Figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing.
The International Protection Act 2026 came into effect on 12 June 2026. From this date, people granted International Protection status are no longer eligible to apply for family reunification under the Non-EEA Family Reunification Policy. Instead, applications for family reunification must be made under section 205 of the International Protection Act 2026, unless the application is regarding a relationship that formed after their entry to the State. People granted International Protection status must wait a minimum of 2 years from the date of having been grated protection before they are eligible to apply for family reunification. This waiting period cannot be waived. Applications made before 12 June 2026 will continue to be assessed under Section 56 of the International Protection Act 2015.
Section 56 of the International Protection Act 2015 was commenced on 31 December 2016 and statistics are available from 2017. In the last 9 years there have been 3,748 family members granted an International Protection family reunification permission, an average of 2.5 per sponsor. Table 2 below gives a breakdown of the figures by year.
Table 2. International Protection Family Reunification grants 2017-2025.
|
Year |
Number of individuals granted Family Reunification |
|
2017 |
62 |
|
2018 |
211 |
|
2019 |
265 |
|
2020 |
196 |
|
2021 |
484 |
|
2022 |
475 |
|
2023 |
407 |
|
2024 |
979 |
|
2025 |
669 |
*Figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing.
225. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the measures in place to ensure timely Garda statements and preservation of evidence where a victim is incapacitated; if he will commit to establishing a clear national pathway across Garda stations to ensure suspected spiking incidents are treated as crimes, investigated promptly, and supported by appropriate policing protocols; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50224/26]
View answer226. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of reported suspected drink-spiking cases in County Kerry; the number of reported suspected drink-spiking cases across the country; the number that were investigated; the number that were brought before the courts; the number that were convicted, in the past five years, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50277/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 225 and 226 together.
Spiking is a crime that preys on vulnerability, that undermines consent and that can have devastating consequences for victims. As Minister I am committed to fostering a zero-tolerance approach to all forms of domestic, sexual, and gender-based violence (DSGBV).
The Programme for Government includes a commitment to introduce stronger laws to combat the spiking of drinks.
Spiking a person’s drink or spiking someone by injection are, in effect, poisoning, which is a criminal offence under the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act 1997, that can result in a three-year prison term.
Depending on the nature of the substance that is administered, it may be possible to charge a perpetrator with endangerment under section 13 of the Non-Fatal Offences against the Person Act 1997. This provides that it is an offence to intentionally or recklessly engage in conduct which creates a substantial risk of death or serious harm to another. The offence of endangerment carries a maximum penalty of seven years imprisonment.
An Garda Síochána has clear protocols in place in responding to report of any crime. Gardaí undertake comprehensive investigations into each case, including toxicology analysis where necessary, to determine the circumstances and nature of the incident. Where evidence indicates a criminal offence linked to suspected spiking, the investigation will be conducted by local Gardaí, supported by or working in conjunction with Divisional Protective Services Units.
An Garda Síochána takes all reports of spiking seriously and thoroughly investigates to determine the exact nature of each incident including results of toxicology reports in each case. I would advise any victims of similar incidents or any form of spiking to come forward and report to local Gardaí.
On the measures in place to ensure timely Garda statements and preservation of evidence where a victim is incapacitated, I’m informed that on receipt of a report of any crime, Gardaí are duty bound to gather and seize evidence at a crime scene.
Statements form part of the evidence gathering process and will be taken from injured parties at an appropriate time and will be taken in a timely manner by the investigating member or the Senior Investigating Officer, if it is an SIO led investigation.
Considerations such as the victim’s health and welfare, readiness and availability to provide a statement will be considered in preparing to take a statement of evidence.
Preliminary notes and details may however be taken from the injured party - and witnesses if available - at the earliest time possible to initiate the investigation with a view to the early gathering of evidence and identification of the suspect(s).
All victims of crime are dealt with by Gardaí in line with the Victims Charter (www.garda.ie/en/victim-services/garda-victim-service/victims-charter.pdf).
I am advised by the Garda authorities that the following publication on garda.ie may be of assistance: www.garda.ie/en/about-us/publications/general-reports/spiking-incidents-may-2024.pdf. It is an analysis of spiking incidents published in May 2024 which contains an overview of spiking incidents between 2010 and 2023.
Per the published data, the count of incidents reported throughout the country was 107 in 2022 and 52 in 2023. I’m informed by An Garda Síochana that the total for 2024 was 61 reported incidents and 58 for 2025, each of which was investigated.
I’m further informed that none of the counted incidents since 2022 resulted in a prosecution under the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act 1997.
However, as per the published data, there have been 31 charges or summons in cases involving spiking incidents from 2010 up to the end of January 2024, relating to 12 unique incidents. These charges and summonses may be made in relation to the principal offence, for example, the sexual assault or assault causing harm, rather than for the spiking/poisoning element of the incident.
An Garda Síochána has advised that volumes were not sufficient to summarise beyond a regional breakdown. As per the published data, there were 38 incidents of spiking (16pc of overall) in the southern region between 2020 and 2023.
Court outcome data is a matter for the Courts Service. There is a dedicated email address for the provision of information to members of the Houses of the Oireachtas at: oireachtasenquiries@courts.ie.
227. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the change in policy referred to in correspondence on behalf of an applicant (details supplied) for naturalisation; the date the long standing policy of waiving the five years reckonable residency requirement for refugees changed; the reason for the change; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50302/26]
View answerEffective from 8 December 2025, refugees are generally required to have five years of reckonable residence in the State to meet the eligibility criteria for citizenship. Applications for citizenship submitted prior to 8 December 2025 will continue to be assessed in accordance with the previous residency requirement of three years, while applications submitted on and after that date are assessed under the revised policy of five years.
Under the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, time spent in the State as an applicant for International Protection is not reckonable residence towards becoming an Irish citizen (as stated in section 16A(1)(c)). Only once an individual has been granted an International Protection declaration and who has accrued the required period of reckonable residence in the State can they generally be considered for Irish citizenship.
Since 2025, Citizenship Division has been reviewing the previous discretionary practice of waiving any shortfall of reckonable residence after the date of grant of international protection by looking at an applicant’s date of arrival in the State. This review is being done following legal advice. As part of this process Citizenship Division wrote to all applicants asking them to provide any submissions they wished the Minister to consider in determining whether any or all the statutory conditions for the issue of a Certificate of naturalisation be waived, particularly any shortfall in reckonable residence.
228. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the assessment that has been undertaken of the State’s capacity across housing, health and education services to meet current and projected migration levels; and how this is informing overall migration policy. [50275/26]
View answerThe Programme for Government contains a commitment to publish a National Migration and Integration Strategy detailing how Government intends to meet the demands and the opportunities facing Ireland’s society and economy over the next decade.
My Department is currently working collaboratively with a wide range of other Government departments to develop this strategy with the aim to publish Ireland’s first overarching whole-of-government National Migration and Integration Strategy later this year.
The scope of the Strategy will also include issues such as labour market needs, legal pathways, international education and planning for public service provision including housing, amongst other issues relating to migration.
To that end, a Strategic Migration Policy Group (SMPG) was established in December 2024 to support that work which now consists of ten Government Departments, meeting at senior official level.
The key objective of the Strategy and the SMPG is to develop a whole-of-government approach to migration policy that is coherent across Departments and responsive in seeking to address Ireland’s current and future demographic, economic and social policy needs.
More broadly, capacity-based planning for Government services is a matter for each Department in its area of responsibility, be that Health, Education, Housing or any other sector, whether the demand for those services increases or declines in line with demographic changes, and whether those demographic changes arise from natural increases or declines in population or from immigration or emigration.
The Government considers such matters at a central level in initiatives such as the National Development Plan and National Planning Framework, and via consideration at appropriate Cabinet Committees of capacity planning measures.
229. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if his Department will publish up-to-date figures on migration inflows, processing times, outcomes and outline the measures being taken to ensure the system remains fair, efficient and sustainable. [50276/26]
View answerMigration benefits our economy, our public services, our infrastructure and has contributed to making contemporary Ireland a dynamic and successful society. There are a number of legal pathways available to non-EU nationals to enter the State, based on a variety of different reasons, including employment, education or to join a family member, details of which can be found on my Department's Immigration Service website: Home - Immigration Service Delivery (www.irishimmigration.ie/)
The Central Statistics Office (CSO), which is fully independent in its role, tracks population and migration flows. This information can be accessed on the CSO website at the following link (www.cso.ie/en/releasesandpublications/ep/p-pme/populationandmigrationestimatesapril2025/)
My Departments Immigration Service Delivery (ISD) website provides a live application processing date, broken down by stamp category, for those who have submitted an online immigration permission renewal application. This can be accessed here (www.irishimmigration.ie/registering-your-immigration-permission/how-to-renew-your-current-permission/renewing-your-registration-permission-if-you-live-in-the-republic-of-ireland/)
Processing times and decisions at the Visa Offices in Dublin and overseas can be checked at the following link (www.irishimmigration.ie/visa-decisions)
Additionally, statistics on International Protection are published regularly on gov.ie and the International Protection Offices (IPO) own website, all of which can be found below
International Protection in Numbers (www.gov.ie/en/department-of-justice-home-affairs-and-migration/collections/international-protection-in-numbers/).
International Protection and Accommodation (www.gov.ie/en/department-of-justice-home-affairs-and-migration/campaigns/international-protection-and-accommodation/).
It is a central priority for me that Ireland’s immigration system is robust and rules based, and my Department has taken action to significantly improve immigration enforcement measures and increase removals.
In 2025, 4,700 deportation orders were signed, an increase of 96% compared to 2024. Up to 26 June 2026, 2292 deportation orders have been signed.
In 2025, 2,111 people had their departure confirmed under the various mechanisms such as enforced deportation, voluntary return, an increase of 88% compared to 2024. Up to 26 June 2026, 1153 people have had their departure confirmed through these pathways.
In 2025, six charter flight operations have removed 205 people from the State, while four charter operations to date in 2026 have seen the removal of 172 people from the State.
Since September 2023, nationals of Bolivia, Dominica, Honduras, Vanuatu, Botswana, South Africa, Eswatini, Lesotho, Nauru and Trinidad and Tobago have become visa required. More recently, with effect from Monday 15 June 2026, nationals of Nicaragua, Saint Kitts and Nevis and Saint Lucia will also be required to obtain a visa before travelling to Ireland.
The aim is to strike the right balance between maintaining effective immigration controls and ensuring that people can continue to come to Ireland.
The number of International Protection applications had been rising over the past number of years, reaching 18,500 in 2024. In 2025, application numbers reduced by approximately a third.
In 2025, the IPO delivered over 20,200 first decisions compared to approximately 14,100 in 2024, a 44% increase. The International Protection Appeals Tribunal (IPAT) more than doubled the number of appeals closed from 3,100 in 2024 to nearly 6,300 in 2025. This year and is on track to significantly exceed the number of appeals closed in 2025.
Additionally, the International Protection Act 2026, that gives effect to the EU Migration and Asylum Pact, came into effect on 12 June 2026.
The Pact provides a fair, sustainable and efficient asylum procedure. This will be achieved through convergence in asylum practices across the EU including standardised processing times for decisions: six months for a standard procedure, three months for accelerated and border procedures and two months for processing applicants who have applied for protection elsewhere in Europe.
As the Deputy may be aware, the Programme for Government contains a commitment to publish a National Migration and Integration Strategy detailing how Government intends to meet the demands and the opportunities facing Ireland’s society and economy over the next decade.
My Department is currently working collaboratively with a wide range of other Government departments to develop this strategy with the aim to publish Ireland’s first overarching whole-of-government National Migration and Integration Strategy later this year.
230. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to provide written confirmation to poultry farmers in the North of Ireland who wish to expand their enterprise in order that they can export poultry manure from the north to the south. (details supplied). [49934/26]
View answerThe movement of poultry litter within the EU is regulated under Article 48 of EC Regulation 1069/2009. Article 48 (1) of 1069/2009 states the following:
Where an operator intends to dispatch Category 1 material, Category 2 material and meat-and-bone meal or animal fat derived from Category 1 and Category 2 materials to another Member State, it shall inform the competent authority of the Member State of origin and the competent authority of the Member State of destination.
The competent authority of the Member State of destination shall decide upon application by the operator, within a specified time period:
(a) to refuse receipt of the consignment;
(b) to accept the consignment unconditionally;
(c) to make receipt of the consignment subject to the following conditions:
(i) if the derived products have not undergone pressure sterilisation, it must undergo such treatment; or
(ii) the animal by-products or derived products must comply with any conditions for the dispatch of the consignment which are justified for the protection of public and animal health in order to ensure that animal by-products and derived products are handled in accordance with this Regulation.
Applications for such movements of poultry manure from Northern Ireland may be submitted to my Department, which will process applications received in line with the legislative requirements.
231. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a name will be removed from a herd number (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49995/26]
View answerA herd number is an administrative device issued by my Department for the purposes of disease control. A herd number does not imply ownership of lands, ownership of any animals kept or tested under that herd number or entitlement to payments under any schemes operated by my Department.
My Department always follows best practice and procedure when dealing with probate issues. In cases where a herdowner is deceased, it is necessary first for my Department to establish legal succession before amending the herdowner role.
Although my Department’s on-farm inspection on 9th June 2026 to assess the holding from a disease control and biosecurity perspective was satisfactory in the case referenced by the Deputy, outstanding information is required before the application by the person named can be further assessed and processed.
The role of herdowner cannot be amended in the case of the application of the person named until the Grant of Probate has been provided to my Department. A Release of Interest form, releasing interest in the herd number will also be required from the beneficiary of the deceased herdowner’s will. The person named was informed by my Department of these requirements on 24th June 2026 and was posted the Release of Interest form.
The person named can contact the Tralee Regional Veterinary Office of my Department, Government Offices, Spa Road, Tralee, V92 VX4V, 021 4851400 or email kerry_dvo@agriculture.gov.ie if they require clarification.
232. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if media reports that an organisation (details supplied) have settled a legal action being taken against them for defamation are true (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50063/26]
View answerRásaíocht Con Éireann (RCÉ) is a commercial state body established under the Greyhound Industry Act 1958 chiefly to control greyhound racing and to improve and develop the greyhound industry. RCÉ is a body corporate and a separate legal entity to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
The question raised by the Deputy is an operational matter for RCÉ and, therefore, the question has been referred to that body for direct reply.
233. Deputy Ann Graves asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the eligibility criteria for YAPAbility services; if Tusla's involvement is effectively becoming a prerequisite for access to certain family support services; the supports that exist for disabled children with significant needs who do not meet child protection thresholds; the preventative and intensive community-based supports that are available before families reach crisis point; the way in which socioeconomic need is assessed when disability-related costs leave families under significant financial strain despite living in areas perceived to be affluent; and the steps being taken to ensure that access to supports is based on need rather than postcode. [50071/26]
View answerAs this question refers to the service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
234. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of children in residential disability services who are currently placed more than 50km and more than 100km from their family home, broken down by HSE Health Region, IHA and county of origin; whether the +100km cohort is included within, or counted separately from, the +50km cohort in each regional return; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49909/26]
View answerI wish to thank the Deputy for raising this question. As this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly.
235. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the reason the HSE was unable to provide complete and usable national distance data for children in residential disability services, including the absence of apparent returns for HSE west and north-west, the apparent absence of north Dublin, Meath and Louth from the HSE Dublin and north-east return, and the absence of 50km and 100km figures for HSE south-west; the steps being taken to correct these data gaps given the significance of this data in reflecting disability rights per the UNCRPD; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49890/26]
View answerI wish to thank the Deputy for raising this question. As this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly.
236. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the plan that is in place to reduce the number of disabled children placed far from home in residential care; whether the HSE has identified the local residential, respite, behavioural support, therapy, home support and family support capacity required to keep children at home or close to home; whether targets and timelines have been set for reducing placements more than 50km and 100km from home; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49910/26]
View answerI wish to thank the Deputy for raising this question. As this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly.
237. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of children’s residential disability placements currently in place, broken down by provider type, including HSE direct provision, Section 38 providers, Section 39 providers, private for-profit providers, and any other provider category; the number and percentage of the total 300 children’s residential disability places represented by each category; whether the placement is funded solely by disability services or co-funded with Tusla or mental health services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49911/26]
View answerI wish to thank the Deputy for raising this question. As this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly.
238. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the longest distance from family home recorded for a child in residential disability services in each HSE Health Region and IHA; the county of origin and county of placement in each case; whether each placement is funded solely by disability services or co-funded with Tusla or mental health services; the length of time the child has been placed at that distance from home; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49912/26]
View answerI wish to thank the Deputy for raising this question. As this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly.
239. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if her Department will help resolve an issue experienced by a childcare business (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49945/26]
View answerThe ECCE programme is administered on the basis of an academic year August to June, running 45 weeks for 38-week services per Programme Call year. ECCE Approved Providers are required to provide the ECCE programme for 182 days over 38 payable weeks during a programme call.
Although the service is offering the required 182 days for ECCE, they must also open over 38 weeks as per the ECCE rules and cited in the ECCE Funding Agreement. The 182 days must meet the 38 week criteria or the system will not allow a calendar submission. This default is designed to enable compliance with the 38 week ECCE structure.
There is much leeway in what is considered one of those 38 (payable) weeks as outlined.
The service calendar rule is :
• 2 days open = Non-payable Week
• 3 days Open = Payable Week
• 2 days Open + Bank Holiday = Payable Week.
The Department reviews the terms of the ECCE programme year during the annual process of programme readiness and takes into consideration the calendar set by the Department of Education and Youth.
In June of this year, the Department revised the ECCE term times and minimum number of weeks that ECCE Approved Providers are required to open. Term 1 now requires a minimum of 15 payable weeks (previously 16) and term 3 will now require a minimum of 8 payable weeks (previously 9) to be selected on the ECCE service calendar. Term 2 was not adjusted and requires 13 payable weeks to be selected.
This update has given ECCE Approved Providers two additional weeks of flexibility to assist them meeting their obligations under the ECCE funding agreement for the provision of 182 days over 38 payable weeks.
The Department acknowledges this particular service’s frustration in that these dates do not align with their intentions for the upcoming programme year, however it is a requirement that the ECCE programme is offered for 38 weeks between the relevant dates of the programme and providers cannot deviate from this requirement.
240. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the criteria used by Tusla's children's residential services national placement team to select a named provider for an individual child once that provider is on the approved panel; whether this selection is recorded, audited, or subject to an independent oversight; the number of residential placements made in 2025 where only one provider had an available vacancy at the time of placement, in tabular form. [49956/26]
View answer241. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the total number of private residential childcare placements in 2025 and to date in 2026; where the cost exceeded the standard or indicative rate set by Tusla; and the aggregate additional cost approved in each year. [49957/26]
View answer242. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality to provide the published rate card or methodology used by Tusla to set standard and indicative rates for private residential childcare placements, in tabular form. [49958/26]
View answer243. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the criteria, threshold, and documentation required before the national director of services and integration approves a placement cost above the standard rate; and whether such approval is subject to independent review or audit. [49959/26]
View answer244. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whether the absence of a published threshold or audit trail for above-rate approvals has been identified on a Tusla risk register or internal audit plan; and if not, to confirm this. [49960/26]
View answer245. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the average and maximum length of time taken to approve an above-rate placement cost in 2025; and whether any child's placement was delayed pending this approval. [49961/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 240, 241, 242, 243, 244 and 245 together.
Thank you Deputy, for your question.
Tusla gathers and collates a broad range of data and information that supports evidence based decisions serving the interests of vulnerable children and families.
I wish to advise that the precise metrics your are seeking are not available.
