Written Answers Nos. 354-368
354. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to provide a list and/or the number of people affected by Ireland’s imposed travel ban and sanctions on Israeli extremist settlers and leading Hamas figures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49966/26]
View answerIn line with the Taoiseach’s recent statement that Ireland will act to prevent those members of the Government of Israel who have been instrumental in fomenting the unfolding disaster in Gaza from entering our country, I instructed Immigration officers to refuse entry to Itamar Ben-Gvir, Minister for National Security of Israel, and Bezalel Smotrich, Minister of Finance of Israel, should they seek to enter the State.
This measure aligns Ireland with other countries, including Slovenia, France, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Spain, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, and the UK who have also imposed similar measures. Proposals to impose sanctions on the EU level are currently under discussion among Member States. The EU has previously adopted sanctions against extremist settlers and leading Hamas figures.
Ireland implements UN and EU Sanctions, under which a large number of individuals are subject to travel bans under a range of sanctions regimes. A consolidated list of those subject to travel bans under EU sanctions regimes is maintained and updated at EU level, and is incorporated into border management and visa procedures nationally.
A list of EU sanctions, including travel bans, is available at: www.sanctionsmap.eu/#/main.
UN Security Council consolidated list is available at: https://main.un.org/securitycouncil/en/content/un-sc-consolidated-list.
355. Deputy Edward Timmins asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to ensure that the current Garda vetting system remains fit for purpose; the steps he is taking to reduce the administrative burden on volunteers and voluntary organisations; and whether recent technological developments could be utilised to improve and streamline the vetting process while maintaining safeguarding standards. [50328/26]
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. This includes all operational matters, such as Garda vetting applications which are an operational matter for the Garda National Vetting Bureau under the National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Act 2012.
The primary purpose of vetting carried out by the Garda National Vetting Bureau is to ensure the safety of children and vulnerable adults. Clearly, this requires a robust Garda vetting process that reassures the public, and in particular parents, that appropriate checks are conducted on people taking on positions of trust.
The Government is aware of ongoing concerns regarding certain aspects of the vetting process and I have listened carefully to the views of affected sectors. I believe that the vetting system should be updated to ensure that the burden of seeking vetting disclosures, particularly on volunteers and organisations working in their communities, is minimised to the greatest extent possible, while maintaining the high standards that are necessary.
Further to the work carried out by the Garda Vetting Review Group, steps are now being taken to implement a number of key changes to the process that will ensure it remains robust and effective while improving the service to customers.
In practice, and subject to a general requirement that vetting be renewed every three years, it is envisaged that this will mean that when a person is vetted for the work they will be or are likely to be involved in as part of their employment or volunteering within identified risk categories, the person would not be required to repeat the process if they were to move to another role within the same risk category.
My Department is actively engaging with the Garda National Vetting Bureau on the detailed work of developing the necessary legislative and technical steps to meet these goals in a way that is workable in practice. This includes an assessment of appropriate models for an expansion of digital service delivery, which is a very significant project that will necessarily take time to fully scope and implement.
An Garda Síochána also recognises the administrative burden involved, and, in light of ongoing technological advancements, options to improve efficiency while maintaining robust safeguards continue to be examined. These will be considered as part of wider steps that are now being taken to implement the key changes to the vetting process that I have outlined, to ensure it remains robust and effective while improving the service to customers.
356. Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the total number of reported cases of fraudulent use of disabled parking permits, by year from 2016 to 2025 and the latest data available in 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50435/26]
View answerI am advised by the Garda authorities that, since 1 January 2016, 65 summonses have been identified for an offence under section 115 of the Road Traffic Act 1961 (Penalty for false declaration etc).
In addition, 15 summonses were identified for an offence of using, handling or custody of a false instrument, contrary to the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act 2001, where the false instrument was described as a disabled parking permit.
This amounts to a total of 80 summonses identified since 1 January 2016 in respect of the fraudulent use, or suspected fraudulent use, of disabled parking permits.
Garda authorities advise that it is not possible to provide a breakdown by year as the low volumes would require redaction.
I am assured that An Garda Síochána will continue to take appropriate enforcement action where offences are detected.
357. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if he will urgently examine the case of a person (details supplied) who has been waiting for more than eight months for an Irish residence permit; if he will arrange for their case to be prioritised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50436/26]
View answerBeneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BoTP) hold a temporary permission to remain in Ireland, renewable annually for as long as the Directive remains in force.
In 2025, the Justice and Home Affairs Council extended Temporary Protection until March 2027, providing certainty for beneficiaries who can continue to avail of the protections that the Directive provides.
All temporary protection certificates valid up to 4 March 2026 are now valid until 4 March 2027 and as such can be used when applying for an Irish Residence Permit (IRP) card.
It should be noted that the Temporary Protection certificate is the permission to be in the State and grants a BoTP access to all services and also the right to work. BoTPs do not need an IRP card to work.
Specifically, Temporary Protection currently provides holders with a wide range of supports, including:
• permission to reside in Ireland for as long as the Directive remains in force.
• full access to the labour market.
• access to accommodation, if needed.
• social welfare income supports.
• access to education.
• access to medical care.
Anyone who has yet to be registered and yet to receive an IRP card should contact tpregistration@Justice.ie and a member of the staff will be in touch to make the necessary arrangements to attend Citywest for registration.
I can advise the Deputy an appointment has been confirmed for the person concerned for Saturday 4 July.
The Department also operates the following website with further information: 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/.
The following information notice is also available for BoTPs: www.irishimmigration.ie/registering-your-immigration-permission/how-to-renew-your-current-permission/registration-renewal-beneficiaries-of-temporary-protection/.
Please see also the following information notice for employers: www.irishimmigration.ie/registering-your-immigration-permission/how-to-renew-your-current-permission/notice-to-employers/.
358. Deputy Ciarán Ahern asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the status of a naturalisation application for a person (details supplied) which was submitted three years ago and has completed all required vetting processes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50442/26]
View answerThe naturalisation application referred to by the Deputy continues to be processed by my Department.
I understand that extended wait times can be frustrating for applicants. I want to assure anyone who has an application for naturalisation submitted that the Citizenship Division of my Department is doing everything possible to progress applications as quickly as possible.
It is important to note, however, that no two naturalisation applications are the same and some take longer than others to process. Given the importance of citizenship, robust and comprehensive checks must take place on each application. Unfortunately, some checks, such as international checks, can take a considerable amount of time and these are largely outside of the control of the Immigration Service.
For that reason, while, I expect that going forward, that most applicants will receive a decision within one year, this cannot be guaranteed in the case of applications made in any specific year.
Citizenship Division have taken a significant number of steps to improve the process for applicants. These included introducing an online digital application, online payments, and the introduction of eVetting. I am pleased to inform the Deputy that these changes are reducing processing times.
Applicants can now directly check the status of their immigration 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.
359. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the details of the changes to the temporary protection scheme (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50461/26]
View answerThe Government has agreed to introduce an alternative residence permission for Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection who wish to remain in Ireland independently and who satisfy certain eligibility criteria.
It is proposed that applicants would be required to have been resident in Ireland for at least one year as a Beneficiary of Temporary Protection, have independent accommodation, have been in employment or self-employment for a period of at least six months immediately prior to application and have an annual gross income of at least €29,432.
The permission would be granted for a period of up to two years and would be renewable thereafter. Time spent on this permission would be reckonable for the purposes of an application for Irish citizenship by naturalisation, subject to the requirements of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Acts.
The alternative permission is not intended to replace Temporary Protection but to provide an additional pathway for those who are eligible and who wish to remain in Ireland on an independent basis. Persons who do not satisfy the eligibility criteria will continue to benefit from Temporary Protection and its associated rights and entitlements while the Temporary Protection Directive remains in effect.
While Temporary Protection is in place until March 2027, there may be further extensions to the directive which will be agreed at EU level. As mentioned above, Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection will remain entitled to this protection while the Directive is in effect.
Further details of the scheme will be published in due course.
Separately, the non-EEA Family Reunification Policy 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. Changes were made to the policy, following a review, on 26 November 2025 and again on 12 June 2026.
The latest version of the policy document is available here: www.irishimmigration.ie/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Family-Reunification-Policy-12-June-2026.pdf
Financial thresholds for Irish citizens applying to be joined by spouses/partners and children increased from a gross income over 3 years of €40,000 (€13,333 per year) to €75,000 (€25,000 per year). This reflects increases in the cost of living since the figure was set in 2013, and is intended to limit any future migrant reliance on state supports, on which the sponsor must not have been mainly reliant in the two years prior to application. There is also now a requirement for sponsors not to be in certain supported accommodation.
I wish to advise the Deputy that declared and verifiable savings by the family member or sponsor may also be taken into account in assessing cases that fall short of the thresholds.
Additionally, income earned in another jurisdiction by an Irish national may be considered, on a case-by-case basis, towards financial thresholds, except where the application is regarding a dependent adult relative other than a spouse, civil partner or de facto partner (e.g. a dependent parent, or a dependent adult child). An important consideration in such cases will be that the sponsor is in a position to continue meeting the thresholds into the future, for instance by having verifiable future employment in the state with a sufficient salary.
An important consideration in all family reunification applications is the ability of the sponsor to demonstrate a clear capacity to provide for their family members if they are to be granted a permission to come to Ireland. The purpose of the revised Policy is not to deter people from making applications, but to ensure that people who are sponsoring an application have sufficient resources to provide for their family, without the reliance on State funds.
Further information on how to join an Irish spouse or partner in Ireland is available here: www.irishimmigration.ie/coming-to-join-family-in-ireland/joining-an-irish-national/.
360. Deputy Ryan O'Meara asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of vacant civilian staff positions in Nenagh Garda Station; the length of time each of these positions have been vacant; when these positions will be filled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50463/26]
View answer361. Deputy Ryan O'Meara asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of vacant civilian staff positions in Thurles Garda Station; the length of time each of these positions have been vacant; when these positions will be filled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50464/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 360 and 361 together.
Under the Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution and stationing of Garda personnel, which includes Garda Staff, throughout the State. I engage regularly with the Commissioner and I am assured that the resourcing of each Garda Station is fully considered within the overall context of the needs and requirements of Garda Divisions throughout the country.
As Minister, I am fully committed to ensuring that An Garda Síochána has the resources it needs. As part of Budget 2026 I provided an unprecedented €2.74 billion to support recruitment, training and staffing. This will support recruitment of up to 1,000 Gardai, 200 more Garda staff and additional members of the Garda Reserve.
Garda Staff are an integral part of our police service and they are involved in the provision of a wide range of administrative, professional and technical services. As well as providing clerical support and financial management functions in Garda stations and offices across the country, Garda Staff also carry out a range of specialised support roles.
In recent years, these additional staff have provided expertise in support of the investigation of crime and freed up 900 Gardaí for deployment to frontline duties.
An Garda Síochána publishes information in relation to the allocation of Garda staff nationally. This includes a breakdown of Garda Staff assigned to Nenagh Garda Station and Thurles Garda Station from 2010 to the end of May 2026, the latest date for which figures are available. This can be found at the following links:
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 .
362. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if he will consider updating the published guidance and the notice to employers in relation to the processing of Irish residency permit renewal applications, to reflect that Stamp 4 renewals including change of status renewals from Stamp 1 to Stamp 4 are currently exceeding the 12 week processing timeline window; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50481/26]
View answer363. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration regarding the processing of Irish residency permit renewal applications, if consideration will be given to the recognition of imminent loss of employment as grounds for expediting the process, in view that the current expedite route is aimed at travel emergencies rather than the loss of employment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50483/26]
View answer374. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if he is aware that renewal IRP applications are taking approximately 15 weeks in processing; the efforts underway to reduce these timeframes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50711/26]
View answer375. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if his Department is currently considering reintroducing the travel confirmation notice for those who have experienced administrative delays in the renewal of their Irish residence permit for the summer travel period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50735/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 362, 363, 374 and 375 together.
The Registration Office of my Department is currently experiencing an exceptionally high demand for first time registration appointments and immigration permission renewal applications.
I understand that the extended wait times can be frustrating for applicants, and I can assure the Deputy that my Department is exploring every avenue available to facilitate as many customers as possible and to increase processing capacity.
The Registration Office is open seven days a week to facilitate customers to process both first time registration appointments and online renewals. Additional staff have been assigned to this work, which has now begun to reduce the processing time for renewals. For certain categories of renewals, the processing time is now approximately 6 - 8 weeks from the time of initial application, with no category exceeding a wait time of 17 weeks.
The Registration Office provide a live application processing date broken down by stamp category, which is updated every Monday, and is available on the Immigration Service website at the following link: Renewing your registration permission if you live in the Republic of Ireland - Immigration Service Delivery (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/) .
While my Department endeavours to process applications as quickly as possible, processing times may vary due to a number of factors, such as the number of applications on hand, individual circumstances, the complexity of applications, whether further information is required, and peak application periods.
The Registration Office has issued a notice to employers regarding the legality of employing someone awaiting renewal. If an employee’s Irish Residence Permit (IRP) card has expired and they are unable to obtain a new one by the expiry date of their current IRP card, they are still legally permitted to remain in the State on their existing IRP card for a maximum of 12 weeks.
This is subject to the applicant submitting their renewal application prior to their current IRP card expiring and there are no plans to amend these provisions as suggested by the Deputy. Further information on this notice can be found here: www.irishimmigration.ie/notice-to-employers-regarding-employees-awaiting-renewal-of-their-irp-card/
In addition, customers may submit their renewal applications up to 12 weeks prior to expiry of permission, to allow sufficient time for an application to be reached and processed prior to a current permission expiring.
This provides a 24 week window for applicants to obtain a new IRP card.
The arrangements made for people awaiting a renewal of their IRP card who were intending to travel was initially in place until 31 January 2026, and was subsequently extended to the end of February 2026; this position is being kept under review but there are no current plans to reintroduce the travel notice.
It is also open to any person to request to have their renewal application expedited due to extenuating circumstances, and they can do so by contacting the Registration team of the Department via the Customer Service Portal. They will need to explain their circumstances and the urgent need to travel. All such requests are considered on a case by case basis.
Applicants can now directly check the status of their immigration 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/
364. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if he will provide details on the total cost of phase one of the development at The Grove, Castlerea Prison, including all associated planning, construction, consultancy, and related project costs; the total projected cost of phase two of the Grove development, including all associated planning, construction, consultancy, and related project costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50522/26]
View answerI can advise the Deputy that Phase 1 of the development at The Grove, Castlerea Prison - including all associated planning, construction, consultancy - has not yet been fully finalised. It is therefore not possible to outline the total final cost at this juncture.
Phase 1 will provide a single terrace of 4 modular houses, each with six bedrooms, a total of 24 spaces, and a new support and ancillary services building and expand the footprint of the Grove.
Phase 2 will see the construction of 21 lower-security living units within The Grove area of Castlerea Prison creating an additional 126 prison spaces.
As the project is still in progress details of costs at this particular time are commercially sensitive.
365. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the total cost of the construction works and modular units provided at Castlerea Prison, Loughan House Open Centre, and Shelton Abbey Open Centre, with the costs broken down on a site-by-site basis and including all associated planning, construction, consultancy, and related project costs; the total cost of the construction and renovation works for the Governors House at Loughan House Open Centre including all associated planning, construction, consultancy, and related project costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50523/26]
View answerI am advised that the total number of single modular units constructed is 24 with 10 at Loughan House, 10 at Shelton Abbey, 4 at The Grove at Castlerea Prison.
The Castlerea project also included the provision of two three-bedroom semi detached houses, providing shared accommodation for 6 people, resulting in a total of 10 additional spaces at Castlerea Prison.
The final individual VAT exclusive total project costs per unit is as follows;
Loughan House: €430K.
Shelton Abbey: €510K.
Castlerea Prison The Grove: €382K.
Loughan House Open Centre ‘Governors House’ (known as Spruce Lodge) included the full refurbishment of a 3 bedroom house and other common areas such as sitting room/kitchen etc. including new finishes, fixtures and fittings throughout. It also included significant upgrades on the mechanical, electrical and data installations. The house also had external insulated render applied to it and new windows and doors fitted.
The final renovation cost was €392K (exVAT)
366. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the projected cost of demolishing the old Cork Prison site, including all associated preparatory, environmental, safety, consultancy, and site clearance works required to render the site safe and fully prepared prior to the commencement of the new construction works; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50524/26]
View answerIt is anticipated that a tender for the works will issue in the last quarter of this year. There are a number of old buildings to be demolished with various building materials to be removed in a specific manner which makes this a complex, but necessary undertaking.
This intended approach will ensure efficiencies with the design and the practical operations of the expanded prison.
The final overall cost will be subject to a tender process where a competitive tender return price will be determined. As the tendering process is a commercially sensitive procedure it is not proposed to outline potential costs at this juncture. The project will be planned and progressed in line with the requirements of the Infrastructure Guidelines.
367. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the total cost incurred to date by the Irish Prison Service in respect of the Organisation Dashboard Project; the costs associated with consultancy services, including payments made to a company (details supplied) and any other external providers; the costs on software development and procurement, software licensing, project management, training and staff development, hardware and ICT infrastructure, maintenance and support contracts, any other associated expenditure; the projected lifetime cost of the project; if he will provide a detailed breakdown of expenditure incurred and committed under each heading; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50525/26]
View answer368. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the average daily number of users who logged on to the Irish Prison Service Organisational Dashboard during each of the first five months of 2026, by month; the estimated annual costs associated with maintaining the Irish Prison Service Organisational Dashboard for the period January 2026 to January 2030, including software licensing, maintenance and support, hosting, infrastructure, upgrades, training, and any other associated costs, by year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50526/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 367 and 368 together.
It has not been possible to collate the information requested by the Deputy in the time available. I will write to the Deputy directly once the information is to hand.
