Written Answers Nos. 61-80
61. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if he has had any engagement with the Department of Housing; Local Government and Heritage or Meath County Council with a view to transferring a property in County Meath (details supplied) to the local authority or an approved housing body so it can be used for social housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48864/26]
View answerIn line with the Programme for Government 2025 the State is working to develop more State-owned international protection accommodation and reduce reliance on commercially contracted accommodation.
37 in-community properties were purchased by the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth for the accommodation of more vulnerable applicants, for whom group accommodation would not be suitable. The property in the details provided is in this group and is currently being refurbished.
Three of these properties are currently under review for alternative uses outside of international protection accommodation.
I can confirm that the property listed by the Deputy has been the subject of local community engagement.
The property is not being considered for use by the Department of Housing: Local Government and Heritage or Meath County Council.
62. Deputy Catherine Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration for an update on his work to combat online fraud and cyber threats, and to bring Ireland in line with the NIS2 Directive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49368/26]
View answerMy Department continuously evaluates and adapts its strategies to deal with combatting cyber threats to Irish citizens and our critical national infrastructure.
The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), which leads on the State’s response to cyber risk and comes under the remit of my Department, published Ireland’s National Cyber Emergency Plan in May 2026. The plan sets out the national approach for responding to serious cyber security incidents that affect nationally important systems and networks. As the plan has been developed in alignment with the Strategic Emergency Management National Structure and Framework, it establishes the structures for co-ordinating a "whole of society" approach to preparing for and responding to a cyber emergency. In addition, the NCSC regularly publishes alerts, advisories and guidance documents on a range of cyber security related topics to assist citizens in raising their cyber security awareness.
The National Cyber Security Bill which is the legislative vehicle for the transposition of the NIS2 Directive will also establish the NCSC on a statutory basis and provide for related matters including clarity around its mandate and role in general and in relation to other actors in the cyber area. This legislation represents a significant step in strengthening the State’s cyber security and resilience.
As the Deputy will appreciate, under the Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024, the detection and investigation of any form of criminal activity, including online cyber dependant crimes or cyber enabled crimes, is an operational matter for the Garda Commissioner who is independent in the performance of his functions under section 34(1) of that Act. As Minister, I have no direct role in these matters, but if anyone suspects they have been the victim of a cyber crime or fraud, I would encourage them to contact Gardaí to report this at the earliest possible time.
63. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the data his Department collects on the outcomes of women who engage with domestic violence services, including refuge access, repeat victimisation, protection orders and criminal justice outcomes; and whether he is satisfied that the State currently has sufficient data to assess whether victims are becoming safer after seeking help. [49880/26]
View answerThe Deputy will appreciate that data on domestic, sexual and gender-based violence is collected across a range of agencies, including An Garda Síochána, the Courts Service, and service providers funded by the State. However, the data is not currently integrated in a way that allows for the tracking of individual outcomes over time, including refuge access, repeat victimisation, and longer-term safety outcomes following engagement with services.
The Government’s Zero Tolerance strategy on domestic, sexual and gender-based violence (DSGBV), recognises the importance of improved data collection and analysis to support evidence-based policy development. In that context, Cuan, our statutory DSGBV agency is leading efforts to strengthen coordination and develop a more consistent evidence base in this area.
Additional funding was made available to Cuan to expand the development of the national domestic violence helplines which also enables increased data collection. Government Departments, agencies and service providers gather and report data relevant to the implementation of the strategy to Cuan on key performance indicators to track and measure progress.
For incidents of gender-based violence, An Garda Síochána have the lead role in recording details of such incidents in the PULSE system. I am advised that in July 2021, AGS introduced a mechanism to record the relationship between the victim and the offender. Since then, the Garda Information Service Centre (GISC) has implemented a data quality coherency check on the recording of the relationship, to improve the recording of the domestic abuse motive attached to PULSE incidents.
The CSO conducted a Sexual Violence Survey which was published in 2023. The data gathered from that survey is used to inform policy and service provision. A further national survey is planned to take place in 2027. Cuan is represented on my Department's Analytics Steering Group and is engaging with the European Institute for Gender Equality (EIGE) on progressing aligned country data across EU member states. Early progress has been made on a Cuan/ESRI Joint Research Programme on Adult Sexual Violence in Ireland. This will include analysis of the 2023 CSO Sexual Violence Survey data, to examine patterns of victimisation among those that have experienced adult sexual violence and the profile of those that disclose experiencing adult sexual violence and use services.
Alongside this, my Department is progressing work to develop a single unique identifier and standardising data categorisation across the Justice Sector which will facilitate better collation and sharing of data to support policy research and inform DSGBV service development.
Through development of the National Service Development Plan (NSDP), Cuan is 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.
Monitoring on DSGBV service activity and outcome for 2024 and 2025 provides, for the first time, a national picture of service activity and impact across all DSGBV funded services. In 2025, 23,239 individuals were supported across Cuan funded Domestic Violence services. This along with the ongoing engagement with DSGBV funded services as part of annual funding process provides an evidence base on service delivery, outcomes and need.
The range of data available, together with the enhanced monitoring being undertaken by Cuan, is significantly strengthening the State’s understanding of service delivery and outcomes and will continue to improve the evidence base over time.
64. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if he has had any recent discussions with his counterpart in the Northern Ireland Executive in relation to the introduction of additional measures to counteract cross-Border criminality; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49843/26]
View answerSignificant engagement took place at Ministerial, senior official and operational level at the Cross Border Police Conference on Organised and Serious Crime in Co. Cavan in March of this year. I attended the event myself alongside Naomi Long MLA, Minister for Justice in the Northern Ireland Executive, the Garda Commissioner, the Chief Constable of the PSNI, senior officers from all the agencies and senior officials from Department of Justice Northern Ireland and my own Department.
This is an annual event, aimed at enhancing understanding and cooperation between law enforcement agencies on both sides of the border, particularly in relation to cross border organised criminality and related issues.
The objectives of the Conference include sharing experiences, identifying effective approaches and recommending actions to the Joint Agency Task Force aimed at enhancing cross-border working relationships to enhance our collective ability to tackle organised crime.
The theme of the conference was: ‘Tackling the Business Model of Organised Crime: One Threat – Shared Responsibility’ . The message of the conference was clear in this regard. If we are to effectively tackle organised crime, we must address its entire business model – the ways it identifies demand, creates supply lines, generates profits and then reinvests those profits. Topics that were explored under this theme include ‘People’, ‘Finance’ and ‘Technology’ and ‘Merchandise’.
As the Deputy will appreciate, the specific matters discussed at the Conference are sensitive and operational in nature, however I can advise the Deputy that robust and fruitful discussions around tackling cross border criminality and cross border co-operation between law enforcement agencies North and South took place. The conference also heard about actions taken on foot of last year's conference.
Also discussed were learnings from recent successes of the task force, updates regarding Operation Tara, and discussion of the Proceeds of Crime (Amendment) Bill 2024 which is currently making its was through the Oireachtas.
More recently I met with Minister long on 8 May for a meeting under the auspices of the Inter-Governmental Agreement on Co-operation on Criminal Justice Matters (IGA), in Armagh.
At the meeting, Minister Long and I formally closed off the 2023-2025 IGA work plan and signed off on a new plan to run from January 2026 to January 2028. The new work plan contains shared goals and projected outcomes under five headings, each informed by its own Project Advisory Group
• The Public Protection Group work centres on collaborative responses to emerging challenges, cross border seminars, research activity and leadership development.
• The Support for Victims Group will continue to prioritise domestic abuse, sexual violence, human trafficking and Domestic Homicide Reviews, with further joint learning events and operational cooperation planned.
• The Forensic Science Group priorities including joint strategic planning, business continuity support, knowledge exchange and collaboration on capital projects.
• The Criminal Justice and Social Diversity Group is strengthening cooperation to address hate crime, protect minority communities and improve responses to radicalisation, violent extremism and paramilitarism.
• The Youth Justice Group is focused on early intervention, diversion, bail support and addressing harmful attitudes and behaviours informed by the Stable Lives, Safer Streets joint research project funded by the Shared Island Initiative.
The Joint agency Task Force is also reported on it operations. Key findings of the 19th JATF report include:
• Ongoing disruptions of organised crime groups exploiting the Common Travel Areas.
• The continued prevalence of rural crime, particularly burglaries and theft, driven by organised crime groups exploiting the border.
• Significant drug trafficking activity, particularly cocaine and cannabis.
• The increasing complexity in financial crime, with growth in online fraud and complex cross jurisdictional investigations.
• Challenges law enforcement is facing in tackling human trafficking cases, particularly victim engagement and online exploitation.
• Continued threat from excise fraud, including illicit fuel, alcohol and tobacco supply chain.
Although organised crime groups continue to evolve, the report highlights the ongoing commitment of law enforcement agencies on both sides of the border, which has been effective in disrupting their activities.
65. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of asylum seekers that are currently sleeping rough; his plans to stop this from happening; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49380/26]
View answerIreland is currently accommodating almost 33,000 people in approximately 303 International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) centres around the country.
From the end of 2023, accommodation shortages meant that not all applicants could be offered an accommodation place. From that period on, IPAS prioritised women, children and those who were most vulnerable for the limited accommodation available.
IPAS was unable to offer accommodation to all single male applicants for international protection from December 2023. People who were not offered accommodation are given a weekly allowance of €113.80 per week, an increase of €75 from the standard weekly allowance for asylum-seekers.
Many applicants make their own accommodation arrangements and therefore are not rough-sleeping. IPAS has arrangements in place with a range of NGO partners to provide drop-in day services so people can access facilities including hot showers, meals and laundry services.
IPAS teams can make offers of accommodation to any applicant who is rough-sleeping, identified through outreach.
Since March 2025, IPAS has been able to review the cases of people who are awaiting an offer of accommodation and make offers to those who have been waiting longest, using the information they have provided to the International Protection Office (IPO).
Through various actions taken since I have taken office, the number of people unaccommodated has reduced from over 3,500 to 914 currently.
The new International Protection Act 2026 gives effect to the measures of the EU Migration and Asylum Pact and was passed into law last month. The new rules came into effect on 12 June. Reforming and speeding up processing of applications should also serve over time to reduce the scale of the demand for international protection accommodation.
Additionally, my Department is working to increase the amount of State-owned international protection accommodation and creating a more stable and sustainable accommodation system. The purchase of the Citywest Reception Centre in 2025 was an important step in this strategy, and increased State-owned beds to 4,000 in 2025, compared to 900 in early 2024.
67. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if he will outline the proposals there are to increase the emphasis on community policing, which is a very highly regarded policing measure in communities throughout the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49842/26]
View answerThe Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána under section 33 of the Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024, which includes the distribution and stationing of Garda personnel throughout the State. As Minister, it is my role to support the Commissioner by ensuring he has the resources he needs. Budget 2026 provides unprecedented funding of €2.74 billion to support recruitment and staffing.
I engage regularly with the Commissioner and I am assured that community policing remains at the heart of An Garda Síochána and is something that all Garda members have a role in. A member of An Garda Síochána is deemed to be a ‘Community Garda’ where that person is allocated to a Community Policing Team (CPT), and is responsible and accountable for applying a problem–solving approach to appropriate crime and policing quality-of-life issues in a specified geographic area through community partnership and engagement. Examples of this engagement can include working with Neighbourhood Watch, Community Alert or local business fora.
I am advised by the Garda authorities that the Garda National Community Engagement Bureau have conducted a review of Community Policing nationwide and are currently drafting a new Garda Community Policing Policy document. Community Engagement Superintendents are also nominated representatives of An Garda Síochána to the Local Community Safety Partnerships.
Community Policing is delivered across the country through a hybrid model of Community Engagement/frontline Garda members and dedicated full time Community Policing teams, depending on the demography and demands of the particular Garda Division/Community Engagement Area.
The allocation of Garda members to Community Policing duties is managed at Divisional level by local Garda management. Figures from May 2026 show 600 Garda members assigned to Community Policing duties nationwide.
An Garda Síochána publishes information in relation to the allocation of Gardaí including the allocation of Community Gardaí by Division.
Information for 2026 can be found at the following link:
[]www.garda.ie/en/information-centre/garda-statistics/human%20resources/
Information for previous years can be found at the following link:
www.garda.ie/en/about-us/our-departments/human-resources-and-people-development/garda-hr-directorate/garda-strength-breakdown-2025/december-2025.html
There is real momentum in Garda recruitment, which is providing more resources to the Garda Commissioner to deploy to frontline policing. This includes the roll out of high visibility policing initiatives in Dublin City Centre, as well as areas of South Dublin including Tallaght and Dún Laoghaire, and to Cork and Limerick Cities, which provide reassurance to the local communities. The Commissioner is committed to expand the rollout of the high visibility policing plan to other areas and I look forward to its further rollout.
68. Deputy Naoise Ó Muirí asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to outline progress on the Programme for Government commitment to construct a new prison at Thornton Hall; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49839/26]
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. The Irish Prison Service (IPS) must accept into custody all people committed to prison by the courts and has no control over the numbers committed to custody at any given time.
Since 2024, 258 spaces have been constructed across the prison estate, with 126 delivered in 2024,106 in 2025 and 26 finished so far in 2026. There are plans to build another 39 spaces in 2026 and 70 in 2027.
In addition, Government has allocated funding for a significant building programme across the prison estate. On conclusion of the NDP Review in July 2025, I secured a record capital investment of €67.9 million for 2026, as part of a total investment of €528 million from 2026 to 2030, of which €495 million is being invested in building projects to further increase capacity.
The IPS is delivering one of the most significant capital programmes in the justice sector, reflecting the Government’s commitment to increase prison capacity and modernise the estate in line with population growth, with an overall target of delivering over 1,500 spaces by 2031.
This will include a large extension to the existing Cork Prison on the site of the old, decommissioned Cork Prison, a new block in Wheatfield, and an additional block extension at Midlands prison. This is in addition to spaces at Castlerea, Mountjoy and the Dóchas Centre.
This record capital allocation will allow for work to start to plan and develop a new prison on the Thornton site in North County Dublin. A master plan for the site is planned to be developed in 2026, determining its future use as a combined site for use by the IPS, International Protection Accommodation Services and An Garda Síochána with plans to commence works in 2030.
69. Deputy Noel McCarthy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of long stay (join family) visa applications received, approved and rejected by his Department in each of the years 2023 to 2025 and to-data in 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49369/26]
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.
Processing times and decisions at the Visa Offices in Dublin and overseas can be checked at the following link: www.irishimmigration.ie/visa-decisions
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.
Furthermore, the ongoing Immigration Service Delivery (ISD) modernisation programme is designed to support a more efficient, transparent and accessible immigration system. The recent establishment of dedicated teams for Application Submission and Join Family Case Processing are intended to help streamline workflows, reduce duplication and strengthen expertise, thereby improving the service delivery for join family visa applications.
The tables below outline the figures for Join Family applications received, granted and refused as requested by Deputy.
Table 1. Join Family Visa applications received 2023 - 2026 (to 31/05)
|
Category |
2023 |
2024 |
2025 |
2026 |
|
Family member of EU/EEA/Swiss cit. (de facto partner) |
28 |
35 |
51 |
26 |
|
Family member of EU/EEA/Swiss cit. (other) |
818 |
1,021 |
1,431 |
700 |
|
Family member of EU/EEA/Swiss cit. (spouse) |
1,170 |
1,512 |
2,252 |
1,276 |
|
Join Family (Irish nat.)(de facto partner) |
39 |
52 |
64 |
19 |
|
Join Family (Irish nat.)(other) |
1,005 |
1,013 |
910 |
230 |
|
Join Family (Irish nat.)(spouse) |
1,081 |
1,042 |
1063 |
410 |
|
Join Family (Non-EEA nat.)(de facto partner) |
52 |
117 |
71 |
35 |
|
Join Family (Non-EEA nat.)(other) |
8,769 |
10,399 |
8,728 |
2,962 |
|
Join Family (Non-EEA nat.)(spouse) |
8,172 |
9,235 |
8,475 |
3,280 |
|
Join Family (UK nat.) |
107 |
101 |
110 |
55 |
|
Join Family (de facto partner CSEP/HA) |
110 |
115 |
142 |
62 |
|
Preclearance - Join Family (Dependents) |
<5 |
0 |
<5 |
0 |
|
Preclearance - Join Family (Irish nat.)(de facto partner) |
0 |
<5 |
0 |
0 |
|
Preclearance - Join Family (UK nat.) |
0 |
0 |
19 |
0 |
* Please note, figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing.
* The Department does not release figures where there are less than 5, as there is a possibility that a person may be identifiable by releasing such information.
Table 2. Join Family Visa applications granted at first instance 2023 - 2026 (to 31/05)
|
Category |
2023 |
2024 |
2025 |
2026 |
|
Family member of EU/EEA/Swiss cit. (de facto partner) |
13 |
13 |
23 |
<5 |
|
Family member of EU/EEA/Swiss cit. (other) |
400 |
517 |
721 |
274 |
|
Family member of EU/EEA/Swiss cit. (spouse) |
837 |
1,104 |
1,523 |
502 |
|
Join Family (Irish nat.)(de facto partner) |
12 |
18 |
29 |
12 |
|
Join Family (Irish nat.)(other) |
501 |
567 |
431 |
157 |
|
Join Family (Irish nat.)(spouse) |
581 |
500 |
533 |
268 |
|
Join Family (Non-EEA nat.)(de facto partner) |
18 |
51 |
36 |
<5 |
|
Join Family (Non-EEA nat.)(other) |
7,355 |
8,426 |
6,927 |
1,204 |
|
Join Family (Non-EEA nat.)(spouse) |
6,700 |
7,700 |
6,643 |
1,296 |
|
Join Family (UK nat.) |
11 |
28 |
52 |
8 |
|
Join Family (de facto partner CSEP/HA) |
70 |
63 |
97 |
20 |
|
Preclearance - Join Family (Dependents) |
<5 |
0 |
<5 |
0 |
|
Preclearance - Join Family (Irish nat.)(de facto partner) |
0 |
0 |
<5 |
0 |
|
Preclearance - Join Family (UK nat.) |
0 |
0 |
19 |
0 |
* Please note, figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing.
* A decision made in a particular year may relate to an application received in a previous year.
* The Department does not release figures where there are less than 5, as there is a possibility that a person may be identifiable by releasing such information.
Table 3. Join Family Visa applications refused at first instance 2023 - 2026 (to 31/05)
|
Category |
2023 |
2024 |
2025 |
2026 |
|
Family member of EU/EEA/Swiss cit. (de facto partner) |
12 |
15 |
23 |
5 |
|
Family member of EU/EEA/Swiss cit. (other) |
349 |
498 |
430 |
255 |
|
Family member of EU/EEA/Swiss cit. (spouse) |
337 |
322 |
472 |
230 |
|
Join Family (Irish nat.)(de facto partner) |
17 |
7 |
26 |
8 |
|
Join Family (Irish nat.)(other) |
364 |
194 |
119 |
32 |
|
Join Family (Irish nat.)(spouse) |
394 |
185 |
122 |
26 |
|
Join Family (Non-EEA nat.)(de facto partner) |
16 |
12 |
22 |
7 |
|
Join Family (Non-EEA nat.)(other) |
533 |
457 |
367 |
132 |
|
Join Family (Non-EEA nat.)(spouse) |
416 |
438 |
250 |
85 |
|
Join Family (UK nat.) |
59 |
41 |
83 |
22 |
|
Join Family (de facto partner CSEP/HA) |
24 |
13 |
25 |
<5 |
* Please note, figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing.
* A decision made in a particular year may relate to an application received in a previous year.
* The Department does not release figures where there are less than 5, as there is a possibility that a person may be identifiable by releasing such information.
70. Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of Garda stations in County Galway operating on a full time basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48936/26]
View answerThe Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána under Section 33 of the Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024, which includes all operational policing matters such as the opening hours of Garda stations. The Commissioner is independent in his functions under Section 34 of the Act.
The Garda Commissioner publishes full details of Garda stations including their opening hours in the Station Directory at the following link: www.garda.ie/en/contact-us/station-directory/. The Deputy should select the Galway Division and review the information using either the map or the list feature.
It is important to emphasise that An Garda Síochána do not police on a station basis, but rather on a Divisional basis. Gardaí see stations as locations within communities for people to attend, and for resources to be accommodated. Policing for an area will be delivered using all resources in a Community Engagement area, supported by all Divisional resources and units.
71. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the total number of new Gardaí recruited over the past ten years; and the total number of Gardaí to leave the force in that period. [49841/26]
View answerUnder section 33 of the Policing Security and Community Safety Act 2025, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the administration and management of An Garda Síochána. This includes the recruitment, training and appointment of members of Garda personnel. The Commissioner is independent in his functions under section 34 of the Act.
An Garda Síochána publishes information in relation to the allocation of Gardaí nationally, including a breakdown of the allocation of newly attested Gardaí to Garda divisions and stations nationwide. Historical data on the allocation of Gardaí from 2015 - 2026 can be found here:
[][www.garda.ie/en/information-centre/garda-statistics/human%20resources/]
The Deputy should select the relevant month and then select the relevant file.
The table below has been provided to me by the Garda authorities and outlines the the number of resignations and retirements respectively in each of the years from 2015 to December 2025.
|
Years |
Cost Neutral Early Retirement |
Compulsory Retirement |
Resignation (Ordinary) |
Voluntary Retirement |
Total |
|
Years |
Cost Neutral Early Retirement |
Compulsory Retirement |
Resignation (Ordinary) |
Voluntary Retirement |
Total |
|
2015 |
2 |
14 |
20 |
222 |
258 |
|
2016 |
1 |
20 |
24 |
207 |
252 |
|
2017 |
1 |
53 |
39 |
172 |
265 |
|
2018 |
3 |
40 |
77 |
175 |
295 |
|
2019 |
3 |
60 |
71 |
160 |
294 |
|
2020 |
3 |
34 |
66 |
213 |
316 |
|
2021 |
2 |
78 |
89 |
213 |
382 |
|
2022 |
1 |
79 |
106 |
260 |
446 |
|
2023 |
8 |
66 |
167 |
245 |
486 |
|
2024 |
6 |
32 |
137 |
202 |
377 |
|
2025 |
4 |
10 |
141 |
204 |
359 |
|
To 13/2/ 2026 |
|
2 |
17 |
6 |
25 |
|
Total |
34 |
488 |
954 |
2,279 |
3,755 |
Retirement eligibility requires both reaching the minimum retirement age and completing the necessary years of pensionable service. The minimum retirement age is either 50 or 55 years of age (depending on when a person joined), with 30 years service. The compulsory retirement age is currently 62.
72. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration for an update on "Grace's Law" in relation to scrambler use; how effective it is; if the incidents of scrambles driving recklessly in communities has decreased; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49739/26]
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. These regulations implement an explicit ban on scrambler use in any public place, to enhance community safety.
The regulations prohibit the use of an off-road motorcycle, such as a scrambler or a quadbike, in any place, except on private land. 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.
It should be noted that the ban has only been in effect since the beginning April and as such the data on arrests, prosecutions and convictions made under this legislation are not yet available.
Gardaí also have additional, and 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.
I informed by Garda authorities of a substantial increase in the seizure of these types of vehicles during the first quarter of 2026 when measured against the full year 2025.
Garda authorities report 754 incidents in which an e-scooter has been seized in the first quarter of this year, compared to a full year figure of 931 for 2025.
In respect of e-bikes, the 140 seizures recorded in Quarter 1 is already over half the 237 seized in the whole of 2025.
Similarly, scrambler and quad bike seizures, at 94 and 17 incidents respectively for the first quarter of this year, are tracking well ahead of 2025 full-year figures of 159 and 40.
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.
73. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration his views on whether the proposed changes to the criminal legal aid system risks delaying justice for victims and witnesses; and the updates, if any, on the changes to the scheme. [49883/26]
View answerI welcome the opportunity to explain the changes to the Criminal Legal Aid Scheme in the District Court that I signed into law on Monday and that will come into effect on Wednesday 1 July. At the outset, I would like to acknowledge the critical role played by the legal professions in the effective administration of criminal justice and that Criminal Legal Aid is essential in upholding the right to a legal defence.
I have progressed the Programme for Government commitments in relation to Criminal Legal Aid, of which there are three. The first is to reform the operation of the criminal legal aid scheme. The second is to restore the fees which were cut during the economic crisis. And the third is to enact the Criminal Justice (Legal Aid) Bill. The changes I am making to the fee structure address the first two commitments and I intend to progress the new legislation over the next year. The Bill will reform the overall system of legal aid; strengthening the provisions around eligibility and transferring responsibility for the operation of the system to the Legal Aid Board.
The reform of the criminal legal aid fee structure in the District Court will not affect the ability of legal professionals to engage in criminal legal aid work. Neither is it intended to reduce the cost to the State of providing criminal legal aid. Rather, it will improve efficiencies, reduce unnecessary adjournments, simplify the administration of criminal legal aid, speed up case resolution and enable faster payments to practitioners. I expect that the improved efficiency and effectiveness of the system will be to the benefit of victims and witnesses.
I can assure the Deputy that my officials will keep the operation of the new system under review over the coming months. This will allow any emerging issues to be identified without delay and addressed where necessary. The objective of these reforms is to provide a fair, sustainable and efficient framework for the delivery of criminal legal aid while maintaining access to high-quality legal representation.
74. Deputy Tom Brabazon asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of Gardaí that have been seconded to operational duties away from their base stations to Ireland's Presidency of the Council of the European Union. [49646/26]
View answerThe Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána under section 33 of the Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024, which includes the distribution and stationing of Garda personnel throughout the State. The Commissioner is independent in his functions under section 34 of the Act.
Since January 2024, An Garda Síochána has been actively preparing to meet the policing and security requirements associated with the Presidency of the EU. I am informed that a comprehensive command, control and coordination framework is in place to support the delivery of Presidency-related policing operations, together with all other major and significant policing operations and events, while ensuring the continued provision of effective day-to-day policing services.
I am informed that at present, no significant disruption to normal Garda services is anticipated from EU Presidency-related policing operations. Garda authorities advise that it is expected that Garda clinics, community meetings, stakeholder engagement initiatives, victim support services, criminal investigations, case management functions, court-related duties and prosecution processes will continue to be delivered in the normal course.
While certain events may necessitate the deployment of a greater number of Garda personnel than others, I am assured that sufficient Garda resources will remain available to ensure the continued delivery of effective and consistent Garda services throughout the Presidency period. Continuity of core policing services across all functional areas remains a key organisational priority.
I understand that a small number of Gardaí have been temporarily transferred to Dublin Castle to effectively support and implement a robust policing and security operation for the duration of the EU Presidency however the attestation of 979 Gardaí since March 2025 will ensure that An Garda Síochána have the necessary resources to maintain policing services in divisions nationwide while also providing for the security needs of the Presidency.
75. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the consideration he is giving to strengthening knife crime legislation; the number of assaults and murders involving knives in each of the years 2023, 2024, 2025, and to date in 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49774/26]
View answerThe Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration does not collate or publish crime statistics. That responsibility rests with the Central Statistics Office (CSO), established under the Statistics Act 1993. Under section 13 of the Statistics Act 1993, the Central Statistics Office (CSO) is fully independent in its role of issuing statistics.
Recorded crime statistics are published quarterly and are available from the CSO website at www.cso.ie/en/statistics/crimeandjustice/
I can assure the Deputy that the Government is committed to ensuring that communities are safe and tackling knife crime remains an important part of that work.
Ireland has a comprehensive and robust legal framework in place to address knife crime, with penalties for knife-related offences strengthened in recent years. In 2024, legislation increased the maximum penalty for offences including possession of a knife with intent to cause injury, trespassing with a knife and producing a knife to unlawfully intimidate another person from five years to seven years imprisonment. In addition, the Government doubled the maximum penalty for assault causing harm to ten years imprisonment in 2023.
An Garda Síochána's report on Knife Related Crime for 2015-2024 provides detailed analysis of incidents involving the use of, and/or possession of, a knife. The report shows that assaults causing harm involving a knife accounted for, on average, less than 7% of all assault causing harm incidents over the past decade. The analysis also identified a 40% reduction in robberies involving a knife in retail spaces and a 35% reduction in robberies involving a knife in public spaces since 2020.
The report is publicly available on the Garda website and I am informed by the Garda authorities that it will be updated later in 2026. The report can be viewed at the below link:
www.garda.ie/en/about-us/publications/general-reports/knife-related-crime-2015-to-2024.pdf
An Garda Síochána continues to undertake a range of proactive measures to tackle assaults in public places, including those involving knives. This is informed by a pro-arrest, early-investigation and high-visibility policing approach.
Tackling knife crime requires a sustained, evidence-based approach that addresses wider issues such as anti-social behaviour, street violence and youth offending. The Department is supporting this work through youth justice measures and through the establishment of Local Community Safety Partnerships, which bring together a broad range of stakeholders including local communities, youth, education, new and minority communities, the business community and public services and An Garda Síochána to address community safety issues at local level.
The Deputy may also be interested to note that An Garda Síochána are currently developing a new Crime Prevention and Reduction Strategy 2026-2029. Knife related crime will be encompassed with all violent crime within this new strategy.
76. Deputy Peter Roche asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if his Department has assessed the delays being experienced by Irish citizens seeking to return to the State with non-Irish national spouses due to visa processing times (details supplied); whether any measures are being considered to prioritise spousal visa applications in such cases in order to facilitate family reunification; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49849/26]
View answerI can advise the Deputy that the Join Family visa application referred to was created 08 May 2025. Supporting documentation was received in the Ottawa office on 12 May 2025. The application was received in the Dublin Visa Office on 27 May 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:
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: www.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.
77. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Taoiseach the steps taken by the Government, without prejudice to the statistical independence of the Central Statistics Office, to assess the relevance of the Copenhagen framework on citizen data, endorsed by the United Nations statistical commission in March 2025, to the integration of citizen-generated data into Ireland's official statistics system. [50126/26]
View answerReferred to CSO for answer
The Copenhagen Framework on Citizen Data, developed by the United Nations and the Collaborative on Citizen Data, provides guidance on strengthening collaboration between citizens and official statistical systems. Its core pillars—Participation and Inclusion, Ethics and Trust, and Collaboration and Sustainability—are broadly consistent with the values and strategic objectives underpinning the work of the Central Statistics Office (CSO).
These approaches demonstrate the CSO's longstanding commitment to engaging with citizens and stakeholders and provide a strong foundation for considering how citizen-generated data may complement traditional official statistics, where appropriate and subject to established quality and methodological standards.
The CSO has long recognised that producing high-quality official statistics requires meaningful engagement with the people and communities the data represents. The Office works closely with a broad range of stakeholders to ensure that surveys and statistical outputs are relevant, inclusive and responsive to emerging information needs. Examples include the Census Advisory Group, which is consulted in advance of each Census; extensive engagement with representative organisations during the development of the 2022 Sexual Violence Survey and the forthcoming 2027 Gender-based Violence Survey; and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Stakeholder Forum, which brings together representatives from government, academia, civil society and other sectors to inform the development of SDG indicators. Planning for the 2028 Irish Disability Survey has also involved extensive consultation with disability organisations, advocacy groups and other stakeholders to ensure the survey reflects the experiences and priorities of the disability community.
These consultations are complemented by the CSO's extensive network of statistical liaison groups, which span the Office's principal statistical domains. These groups bring together representatives from government departments, public bodies, researchers, academia, business and non-governmental organisations, providing an ongoing forum for collaboration, knowledge sharing and the identification of evolving data needs.
Trust is fundamental to the production of official statistics. Under the Statistics Act 1993, the CSO is legally required to protect the confidentiality of all information entrusted to it. This commitment is reinforced through the CSO's Trust and Transparency framework, which sets out the Office's commitment to confidentiality, professional independence, transparency, quality and integrity. These principles underpin every stage of the statistical process, from data collection and processing to analysis and dissemination, helping to maintain public confidence in official statistics. The CSO's internal Ethics Group further supports this commitment by providing advice and oversight on ethical considerations relating to statistical activities, ensuring that data is collected, used and shared responsibly and in the public interest.
The CSO also recognises that Official Statistics deliver greatest value when they are accessible and understandable to everyone. Through clear publications, interactive data tools, open data services and accessible communication, the Office seeks to make official statistics relevant to citizens, supporting informed public debate, evidence-based decision-making and greater statistical literacy. This commitment reflects both the CSO Statement of Strategy and the Trust and Transparency principles by ensuring that official statistics remain a trusted public good that serves the needs of society.
Overall, many of the principles contained in the Copenhagen Framework are already reflected in the CSO's existing approaches to stakeholder engagement, trust, transparency and collaboration. Any future consideration of the use of citizen-generated data within Ireland's official statistics system would fall to the CSO in the exercise of its independent statistical functions and in accordance with international statistical standards and national legislative requirements.
78. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Taoiseach if he will list the citizens assemblies which have been held in the past two decades, by title; and the total cost of each assembly. [49984/26]
View answer79. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Taoiseach the amount spent on the provision of alcohol at each citizens assembly, in tabular form; and if a free bar was provided at these assemblies. [49985/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 78 and 79 together.
While funded from the Vote of the Department of the Taoiseach, Citizens' Assemblies operate independently of the Department.
The table below details the expenditure incurred by the Department on Citizens' Assemblies.
|
2016 - 2018 Citizens' Assembly |
Citizens’ Assembly on Gender Equality |
Dublin Citizens’ Assembly* |
Citizens’ Assembly on Biodiversity Loss* |
Citizens’ Assembly on Drugs Use |
|
€2,049,098.91 |
€1,501,531.76 |
€657,133.62 |
€953,226.99 |
€1,642,056.17 |
*A portion of pay costs for the Dublin Citizens' Assembly and the Citizens' Assembly on Biodiversity Loss were borne by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and, therefore, are not included in this table.
The Department understands that in some instances - where the schedule of a Citizens' Assembly included an evening meal or reception - a small amount of alcohol may have been served.
80. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to review an application (details supplied); if an update will be provided on this matter; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49904/26]
View answerWith regard to the specific applications about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service has issued the passports to the applicants.
