Written Answers Nos. 310-330
310. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will review the case of a person (details supplied); if he will provide an update on the disability allowance application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52344/26]
View answerDisability Allowance (DA) is a weekly payment for people aged 16 to 66 with a disability expected to last at least one year. Eligibility is subject to medical assessment, means test and habitual residence conditions. Applicants must demonstrate that they are substantially restricted in undertaking work that would otherwise be suitable given their age, experience, and qualifications, as a result of their condition.
The person concerned has been in receipt of DA since November 2022 and my Department periodically reviews claims in payment to ensure that there is continued entitlement. In this case the means of the person concerned were reviewed.
Means are any income belonging to the person in receipt of DA and their spouse, civil partner, or cohabitant, property, (except their own home) or an asset that could bring in money or provide them with an income, for example occupational pensions, or pensions or benefits from another country.
A means review commenced on 26th May 2026 when an information request issued to the person concerned. Following receipt of the requested information on 22nd June 2026, a letter issued to the person concerned on 2nd July 2026, notifying the person concerned that, based upon the information provided, it appears their means may have an effect on their current rate of payment.
Within the same letter the person concerned was notified that, prior to a decision being reached in relation to this case, they were being offered the opportunity to furnish, within 10 days of the date of this letter, any statement or evidence they may wish to provide. To date there has been no response received from the customer.
The person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome of this means review in due course.
I trust this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
311. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason for the refusal of a person (details supplied) for an exceptional needs payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52384/26]
View answerUnder the Supplementary Welfare Allowance (SWA) scheme, my department may make an Additional Needs Payment (ANP) to help meet expenses that an eligible person cannot pay from their weekly income and personal and/or household resources. The ANP scheme is demand led and administered by Community Welfare Officers (CWOs) in the Community Welfare Service (CWS), taking into account the requirements of the legislation and all the relevant circumstances of the case in order to ensure that the payments target those most in need of assistance.
An ANP application can be made for assistance with furnishing a new accommodation. Where a person accepts an allocation of housing and faces increased or exceptional costs including essential household items, an ANP may be considered to help meet these additional costs. A CWO will assess such applications on a case-by-case basis, taking into account the individual or households’ previous accommodation, financial situation, available resources, the necessity of the expenditure, and the overall suitability of the assistance requested. This ensures that individuals transitioning to new housing are supported where a genuine financial need exists.
According to the records of my department, the person concerned applied for an ANP to assist with the cost of furnishing their new home. This application was processed, and the person was awarded a payment of €2790 in contribution towards white goods, single beds, wardrobes and blinds. A letter advising the person concerned of this outcome and affording him the opportunity to seek a review of the decision issued to him on 08/04/2026.
Determinations made in relation to claims made under Sections 200, 201 and 202 of the Social Welfare (Consolidation Act) 2005, namely allowances-in-kind, Exceptional Needs Payments and Urgent Needs Payments, can be reviewed by a SWA Reviewing Officer under Section 323 of that Act.
Following a request from the person concerned, a SWA Review Officer reviewed their claim and upheld the original decision made by the CWO on the basis that the person was deemed to have enough financial means in the form of savings to cover the remainder of the costs of furnishing their new home from their own resources. The person was advised of this review outcome in writing on 24/04/2026.
If the person concerned feels that they have been treated unfairly, they have the right of recourse to contact The Office of the Ombudsman, 6 Earlsfort Terrace, Dublin 2, D02 W773, Telephone number: 01-639 5600 / 1890 22 30 30, Email: ombudsman@ombudsman.gov.ie
I trust this clarifies the matter.
312. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will review the legislative provisions governing the backdating of domiciliary care allowance in circumstances where a child is subsequently diagnosed with a congenital or lifelong condition that existed from birth but remained undiagnosed for a prolonged period despite ongoing medical engagement; whether consideration has been given to providing for exceptions to the current six-month backdating limit in exceptional cases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52393/26]
View answer313. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will examine whether the statutory six-month limit on backdating domiciliary care allowance may give rise to hardship in cases where entitlement could not reasonably have been identified earlier due to a delayed diagnosis of a congenital condition; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52394/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 312 and 313 together.
Domiciliary Care Allowance is a non means tested payment to a parent or guardian in respect of a child under 16 who has a severe disability and requires continuous care and attention, substantially more than what is typically required by a child of the same age. Eligibility is not based on the disability or diagnosis, but on the impact of the disability in terms of the level of care and attention required by the child.
From January 2026, the monthly rate of Domiciliary Care Allowance increased from €360 to €380. More than 64,460 families are currently receiving Domiciliary Care Allowance in respect of approximately 73,580 children. The estimated expenditure on the scheme in 2026 is almost €359 million.
Legislation provides that Domiciliary Care Allowance may be backdated for up to six months where there was ‘good cause’ for a late claim. ‘Good cause’ is assessed by Deciding Officers based on the circumstances presented and any supporting evidence.
Any further reforms to Domiciliary Care Allowance, will be considered in the context of these commitments and the National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People 2025–2030, having regard to budgetary resources.
314. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection for a breakdown of the additional payments for people in receipt carer's allowance; the number of people in receipt of additional allowances (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52537/26]
View answerCarer’s Allowance is a social welfare payment for people who provide full-time care and attention to a person who requires such care due to age, disability, or illness. Where a person is already receiving certain social welfare payments and meets all the qualifying conditions for Carer’s Allowance, they may retain their primary social welfare payment and receive a half-rate Carer’s Allowance in addition. Details on the numbers of recipients of the half-rate Carer's Allowance, including the breakdown of the other social protection payment, are published in my Department's Annual Statistics Report, available through gov.ie/dsp/statistics.
At end-December 2025, there were 49,234 recipients of Carer’s Allowance who were also in receipt of another social welfare payment; i.e. in receipt of a half-rate Carer’s Allowance. The table below sets out the types of additional social welfare payments received and the number of recipients in receipt of each payment.
|
Primary Social Welfare Payment Scheme |
Number of Recipients on Carer’s Allowance |
|
Bereaved Partner's (Contributory) Pension |
2,331 |
|
State Pension Contributory |
12,025 |
|
State Pension Contributory Increase for a Qualified Adult |
2,555 |
|
State Pension Non Contributory |
4,598 |
|
State Pension Non Contributory Increase for a Qualified Adult |
545 |
|
Bereaved Partner's (Non-Contributory) Pension |
121 |
|
Deserted Wifes Benefit |
188 |
|
Farm Assist |
116 |
|
Farm Assist Increase for a Qualified Adult |
77 |
|
Jobseekers Allowance Increase for a Qualified Adult |
1,260 |
|
Jobseekers Benefit Increase for a Qualified Adult |
49 |
|
One Parent Family Payment |
11,520 |
|
Disability Allowance |
5,777 |
|
Disability Allowance Increase for a Qualified Adult |
3,539 |
|
Illness Benefit |
804 |
|
Illness Benefit Increase for a Qualified Adult |
113 |
|
Invalidity Pension |
2,287 |
|
Invalidity Pension Increase for a Qualified Adult |
1,004 |
|
Other |
325 |
A further 29,160 individuals were in receipt of both Domiciliary Care Allowance and the full rate of Carer’s Allowance at end-December 2025.
315. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration whether a preliminary estimate exists of the capital expenditure, annual operating expenditure, staffing requirements, and the procurement timetable for the implementation of a national entry and exit registration system for non-Irish and non-British citizens; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52598/26]
View answer332. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration whether an assessment has been carried out of the number of biometric capture stations that would be required to process all non-Irish and non-British arrivals entering the State annually; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52600/26]
View answer333. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration whether his Department has carried out a feasibility study, business case, cost-benefit analysis or preliminary costing exercise in respect of an electronic entry and exit registration system; if so, to provide details of the estimated capital and operating costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52601/26]
View answer334. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration whether his Department has examined the implementation costs and staffing requirements associated with the European Union entry/exit system (details supplied) and the applicability of those costs to the State. [52602/26]
View answer335. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the estimated annual volume of passport, biometric and travel movement records that would be generated under an entry and exit registration system applying to all non-Irish and non-British travellers entering and leaving the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52603/26]
View answer336. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the estimated storage and infrastructure costs associated with retaining entry and exit records for periods of three years, five years and ten years respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52604/26]
View answer338. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration whether his Department has estimated the number of additional immigration officers, enforcement personnel, information technology staff and data protection personnel that would be required for the operation of an electronic entry and exit registration system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52606/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 315, 332, 333, 334, 335, 336 and 338 together.
I can advise the Deputy that the Entry/Exit System (EES) is a Schengen measure which introduced digital border controls at external borders of the Schengen Area. As Ireland is not a member of the Schengen Area, it is not implementing the EES. In this context, additional staffing, feasibility studies or legislative changes would not be required in Ireland as its introduction relates to changes to border controls in other jurisdictions.
The EES was launched on 12 October 2025 and has been deployed gradually at the external borders of the countries in the Schengen Area. The EES will not apply to Irish nationals or to travel within the Common Travel Area. Non-EU nationals traveling from Ireland to the Schengen Area will be registered on the EES of the relevant country, unless they are exempt.
As Schengen Member States implement border controls on behalf of each other they require shared operational systems, such the EES. As a non-Schengen member Ireland does not require the operational capacity to grant access to the Schengen zone and therefore is not party to this measure.
Implementing effective border security arrangements is a priority for me as Minister. The Programme for Government commits to developing a border security strategy to deliver stronger border security, ensuring technology supports border screening and to reviewing the potential of extending pre-clearance mechanisms, such as electronic travel authorisation, for travel from designated third countries. This work is underway.
Ireland will continue to operate its own visa and border systems following the introduction of the EES. There are already systems in place to ensure that relevant information in relation to individuals can be checked at a port of entry. Everyone arriving at a port of entry will have their travel documents inspected by either an Immigration Officer or, for certain confined categories, an electronic system (E-gates). They will also be subject to a Schengen Information System (SIS) check. Under this system Ireland sends and receives SIS II information (termed ‘Alerts’) on persons and objects; for example persons wanted for criminal purposes, missing persons and objects which have been stolen or are wanted as evidence for a judicial purpose.
Changing migration trends are kept under continual review by my Department. Any variation in migration trends following the introduction of the EES will see my Department adapting its response accordingly.
316. Deputy Ciarán Ahern asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the current regulatory framework for section 32 assessors; whether he intends on introducing an independent statutory framework, including safeguarding and mandatory reporting obligations for court-appointed professionals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52325/26]
View answer317. Deputy Ciarán Ahern asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if consideration has been given to the introduction of multi-disciplinary child welfare teams to advise the courts in complex cases involving children; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52326/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 316 and 317 together.
Section 32 of the Guardianship of Infants Act 1964 provides for the ordering of two types of report. Section 32(1)(a) allows the court to order a report, of its own motion or upon an application being made to it by a party to the proceedings, from an expert in writing on any question affecting the welfare of the child in proceedings concerning guardianship, custody or upbringing of, or access to a child.
Section 32(1)(b) allows the court to order a report from an expert to determine and convey the child’s views in any proceedings related to guardianship of, custody of, or access to a child. The sole purpose of the appointment of the expert is to express the wishes of the child either generally or in respect of specific questions on which the court may seek the child’s views. In both instances, experts are appointed by the judge to compile a report for the court’s consideration.
The Guardianship of Infants Act 1964 (Child’s Views Expert) Regulations 2018 (S.I. No. 587 of 2018) specify the qualifications and minimum level of professional experience required of an expert to determine and convey a child’s views to the court. The Regulations, which were recently amended by the Guardianship of Infants Act 1964 (Child’s Views Expert) (Amendment) Regulations 2026, provide that the following professionals may be appointed under section 32(1)(b) of the 1964 Act to perform the functions of an expert if they have a period of 3 out of the previous 5 years’ experience of working directly with children: a psychiatrist; a psychologist; a social care worker; a social worker; a registered teacher; a speech and language therapist; and an occupational therapist.
Section 47 of the Family Law Act 1995 provides that the Circuit Court or High Court may order a report in writing on any question affecting the welfare of a party to family law proceedings or any other person to whom they relate.
The Programme for Government commits to ensuring proper regulation and funding for Voice of the Child and Welfare reports, giving children a voice in legal proceedings that affect them. On 13 June 2024, my Department published a wide-ranging review of the role of expert reports in the family law process. The Review puts forward several recommendations on which significant progress has been made. These include:
• produce guidelines on the commissioning, content and use of welfare reports;
• develop a voice of the child report template and guidelines and pilot the role of Children’s Court Advocate;
• develop cost controls for expert reports and review the fees specified for Voice of the Child reports in the Guardianship of Infants Act 1964 (Child’s Views Experts) Regulations 2018; and,
• establish a panel of assessors with a structure to oversee its management.
In October 2024, my Department established a Voice of the Child Working Group with membership comprising both statutory and voluntary stakeholders in the family justice system. The group was set up in line with the commitment in Goal One of the Family Justice Strategy, that of “supporting children”. The group is taking forward some of the recommendations in the Review of Expert Reports, including the development of a Voice of the Child report template and guidelines and the development of the Children’s Court Advocate Pilot Project.
The Children’s Court Advocate Pilot Service will be established in two locations, Waterford and Clonmel in the coming months. The pilot will test a new way of hearing the voice of children in private family law cases and will provide regulation of assessors and consistency of practice. It will be a free service for children and their families. The pilot will be comprehensively evaluated to assess its effectiveness in improving how the voice of the child is heard and considered in private family law proceedings.
Officials in my Department are currently undertaking a preliminary scoping exercise to progress work on cost controls and establishing a panel of family law assessors. The panel will address a number of issues identified in the Review of the Role of Expert Reports in the Family Law Process (www.assets.gov.ie/static/documents/review-of-the-role-of-expert-reports-in-the-family-law-process.pdf), including lack of regulation of experts and lack of adequate training or accreditation.
On 16 April, Judicial Guidelines on the Commissioning, Preparation, Content and Usage of Expert Reports in Family Law Proceedings were published. A cross-jurisdictional committee of judges chaired by Ms Justice Nuala Jackson was established to prepare the guidelines. These guidelines are intended to promote consistency and best practice in the use of welfare reports in private family law proceedings in Ireland. They clarify, among other things, the role and duties of an expert, the process of compiling a report, what a report should contain, releasing reports to the parties, as well as the complaints mechanism.
On 26 June, I announced the launch of a new survey to learn more about professionals providing Voice of the Child and Welfare reports in family law proceedings to assist with the development and establishment of a panel of assessors. Once fully implemented, the recommendations in the Review of Expert Reports will help improve the quality of expert reports in family law proceedings, standardising practises relating to how they are developed. The survey findings will be used to build an evidence base to inform decision-making along with insights from stakeholder engagement and focus groups, including those from organisations representing families and children.
In relation to mandatory reporting, court appointed professionals must adhere to required child safeguarding measures and reporting measures under the Children First Guidelines and the Children First Act 2015. There are statutory obligations for mandatory reporting for certain categories of professionals under the Act e.g. social workers, social care workers, speech and language therapists, occupational therapists, teachers, psychologists. Mandated persons have two main legal obligations under the Children First Act 2015:
• To report harm of children, above a defined threshold, to Tusla
• To assist Tusla, if requested, in assessing a concern which has been the subject of a mandated report
Under the legislation mandated persons are required to report any knowledge, belief or reasonable suspicion that a child has been harmed, is being harmed, or is at risk of being harmed. The Act defines harm as assault, ill-treatment, neglect or sexual abuse, and covers single and multiple instances.
318. Deputy Ciarán Ahern asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration whether training is available for judges and all family justice professionals in coercive control, domestic abuse, trauma and child development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52327/26]
View answerThe Family Justice Strategy 2022-2025 is the ambitious programme of reform developed by my Department which sets out a vision for a system refocused on the needs and rights of children, who are central to many family justice matters. The actions within the Strategy are aimed at ensuring the family justice system works better for all those engaged with it, but particularly for those who need additional supports and protection.
Goal 5 of the Family Justice Strategy focuses on people development and includes a commitment to establish a Working Group to:
• Research the minimum standards and recommended training required for professionals working in the family justice area;
• Identify professional development opportunities to address identified gaps relevant to profession/relevant to all where appropriate; and
• Engage with educational and professional bodies and associations to develop and implement training across professions in core family justice areas e.g. child-centred approach, dispute resolution, and trauma-informed practice.
This Working Group was established in July 2024 and comprises membership from key government departments, state agencies and legal professional bodies. The Group examined minimum training standards and proposed a recommended training approach. The recommendations were discussed at the Family Justice Development Forum in January this year and work on implementing the approach has commenced. A first step will be to develop key training videos and to establish a Family Justice Training Hub.
The Judicial Council Act 2019 provides a statutory basis for education and training of the Irish Judiciary. The Judicial Studies Committee was established on 10 February 2020, and Section 17 of the 2019 Act sets out the role and responsibilities of the Committee in facilitating the continuing education and training of judges. Areas of training include matters of child and family law, ethics and conduct, human rights and equality, and judgecraft which covers court management, case management, judgment writing, and other work practices.
Since 2020, all newly appointed judges participate in a structured induction programme which includes modules on procedural justice, courtroom dynamics, judicial conduct and ethics, as well as unconscious bias. The Committee further offers a series of education and training programmes to the entire judiciary, covering modules such as:
• Avoiding Re-traumatisation: A specialised workshop for criminal trial judges, focusing on reducing trauma for victims during sexual offence cases, with inputs from organisations such as One in Four.
• Coercive Control: This training workshop delivered by the judicial trainers includes input from Women’s Aid and a leading academic and examines legal provisions, psychological impacts, and emerging case law.
All courses and materials are regularly reviewed and updated to reflect participant feedback, new requirements, and best international practices.
Ensuring that our justice system can respond effectively to domestic, sexual and gender-based violence (DSGBV) is a key priority for the Government. It is important that frontline professionals, including the judiciary, have the necessary skills and understanding of DSGBV to work within the sector. Cuan, the Domestic, Sexual and Gender Based Violence Agency, has worked with the Judicial Council to develop an action on judicial training under the Prosecution Pillar of the Zero Tolerance Strategy to combat DSGBV.
In addition to training for the judiciary, the 2025-2026 Zero Tolerance Implementation Plan outlines a programme of mandatory DSGBV training for those working in family law, including technical skills and further specialist training depending on the role. It is intended that this action will develop and train the family justice workforce to ensure it is trauma-informed, empathetic and responsive to the needs of all users of the family justice system, including children and survivors of DSGBV.
319. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if his Department will ensure two join family visa applications can be examined and expedited (details supplied). [52346/26]
View answerI can advise the Deputy that the visa applications referred to were created on 26 April 2026. Supporting documentation was received in the Bogota office on 20 May 2026. The applications have been forwarded to the Dublin Visa Office for examination and processing.
My Departments 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 these applications 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 people concerned can now directly check the status of their visa applications on the Immigration Service’s Customer Service Portal. They can register for, or log in to their existing accounts, 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.
320. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to examine the delays affecting an extension of student conditions (1G Extension) visa application (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52398/26]
View answerThe person referred to by the Deputy has submitted an application for an Extension of Student Conditions (ESTC), and this application continues to be processed by my Department.
To be fair to all applicants, applications are dealt with in chronological order by date received. My Department endeavours to process applications as quickly as possible. However, 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 the resources available.
There has been a significant increase in recent months in ESTC applications. These are being dealt with as expeditiously as possible but it is only in unforeseen or unusual circumstances that such an application will be considered.
In the meantime, the person concerned should continue to seek meaningful graduate level employment, which would allow them to change their immigration status and remain in the State.
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/
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to my Department by email using the Oireachtas mail facility (inisoireachtasmail@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 questions process. The Deputy may consider using the email service except in cases where the response is, in the Deputy’s view, inadequate or too long awaited.
321. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration whether he is aware of the case of a person (details supplied); and to expedite the case. [52399/26]
View answerI can advise the Deputy that the visa applications referred to were created on 21 June 2026.
Supporting documentation was received in the Tel Aviv office on 06 July 2026 where they await examination and processing.
It is not possible to give a definitive date as to when these applications will be finalised. 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. Some applications can take longer than others if the Visa Office needs to seek further information or if the application is made during a busy time of year, e.g. before holiday periods.
Processing times and decisions at the Overseas Visa Offices can be checked at the following link: www.irishimmigration.ie/visa-offices/
Applicants are advised not to pay for airline or other travel tickets without having first been issued with a visa. The people will be notified as soon as a decision has been reached by a Visa Officer.
The people concerned can now directly check the status of their visa applications on the Immigration Service’s Customer Service Portal. They can register for, or log in to their existing accounts, at: https://portal.irishimmigration.ie/en/
As an Oireachtas member, you can also request the status of individual immigration cases by e-mail, using the Oireachtas Mail facility at: IMoireachtasmail@justice.ie, which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Question process.
322. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration whether emergency requests submitted through the immigration customer service portal are reviewed; the service standard that applies to such requests; the escalation mechanism that exists where no response is received; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52402/26]
View answerI understand the Deputy is referring to a request to expedite a visit visa people through the Customer Service Portal.
In line with a Programme for Government commitment to significantly enhance the delivery of public services digitally, my Department introduced a centralised customer service unit, supported by a Digital Customer Service Portal, to offer a modern customer contact centre to immigration applicants.
The Customer Service Portal went live in October 2024, and is a self-service portal that enables applicants to check their immigration application status, book first-time registration appointments, and submit queries. The Customer Service Portal is now the primary avenue to communicate with my Department's immigration function which is committed to providing the best possible service to applicants.
When an individual requests to have their visa expedited due to exceptional circumstances, they will need to explain their circumstances and the urgent need to travel. All such requests are prioritised and considered on a case-by-case basis. The person concerned can also engage with the relevant Embassy of Ireland, explaining the nature of the emergency and provide any documentary evidence that may be available to them. A full list of Irish embassies is available at the following link: www.ireland.ie/en/dfa/embassies/
Further details on how to submit a query to the Registration Office can be found at the following link: www.irishimmigration.ie/registering-your-immigration-permission/submitting-registration-or-renewal-queries/
My Department continues to monitor customer experience and is committed to its continuous improvement. The functionality of all our online platforms are under constant review.
323. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of incidents involving the illegal use of e-scooters reported to An Garda Síochána in County Mayo in each of the past three years; the number of fixed penalty notices issued and e-scooters seized during this period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52420/26]
View answer324. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the measures An Garda Síochána is taking to enforce legislation relating to the use of e-scooters by persons under the legal age requirement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52421/26]
View answer326. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of complaints relating to anti-social behaviour involving e-scooters in Ballinrobe, County Mayo since May 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52423/26]
View answer330. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of fines that have been issued in relation to the use of e-scooters, broken down by year, where data is available. [52589/26]
View answer331. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of e-scooters that have been seized by An Garda Síochána since the commencement of the recent enforcement campaign/clampdown on e-scooter regulations. [52590/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 323, 324, 326, 330 and 331 together.
Our road safety strategy takes a whole of government approach and is a shared responsibility. Development and implementation of road traffic legislation and policy falls within the remit of my colleague, the Minister for Transport, and the vital role of enforcing road traffic laws is carried out by An Garda Síochána.
Gardaí have significant legislative powers to combat the antisocial and dangerous misuse of e-scooters, e-bikes, scramblers and other such vehicles and I am assured that An Garda Síochána continues to adopt a proactive approach in addressing this issue.
Road traffic legislation is enforced as part of the day-to-day duties of members of An Garda Síochána, as well as through a programme of high-visibility road safety and enforcement operations carried out in partnership with other state agencies, in order to make our roads safer for all.
An Garda Síochána respond to all calls for service and calls are routed through a regional control room and prioritised for response. I can assure the Deputy that Gardaí respond to reports of anti-social behaviour and conduct operations on a continuous basis, targeting people engaged in anti-social activities involving the misuse of scramblers, electric motorbikes and e-scooters in public places. These initiatives are supported by campaigns across various media and social media platforms to highlight the dangers connected with the use of these vehicles.
The Central Statistics Office, as the national statistics agency, publish information on recorded crime. While there is no specific category for e-scooter, these offences generally fall under public order and other social code offences in addition to dangerous / negligent acts. Datasets providing figures on recorded crime incidents by Garda Station/ Division, type of offence and year/quarter can be accessed on the CSO website at the following link: www.data.cso.ie/
I am advised by An Garda Síochána that since the introduction of the Road Traffic (Electric Scooters) Regulations on 20 May 2024, there have been 1,921 recorded fines issued involving electric powered personal transporter (ePPT) vehicles.
The below table provides a breakdown of incidents by year where a fine was issued involving electric powered personal transporter (ePPT) vehicles from 1 May 2024 to 30 June 2026.
|
Year |
Incident Count |
|
2024 |
99 |
|
2025 |
1,223 |
|
2026 |
599 |
|
Total |
1,921 |
I am further advised by the Garda authorities that there were 40 Fixed Charge Notices issued in respect of e-Scooter offences in the Mayo/Roscommon/Longford Division for the period from 1 May 2024 to 30 June 2026.
Road traffic legislation provides for the detention, removal, storage and subsequent release or disposal of electric scooters by an Garda Síochána.
I am further informed by the Garda authorities that based on reported PULSE incidents of ‘Vehicle Detained’ and ‘Property Seized’ the following table describes the number of incidents in which e-scooters were seized or detained nationally in 2024, 2025 and 2026.
|
- |
2024 |
2025 |
2026 (as of 31 March) |
|
Incidents where e-scooters were seized or detained |
310 |
931 |
754 |
These figures include 25 incidents reported between 2024 and Q1 2026 in which an e-Scooter was seized or detained in the Mayo/Roscommon/Longford Division.
These figures are based on incidents which occurred from 1 January 2024 to 31 March 2026, inclusive. Figures for ‘seized or detained’ above are for those vehicles seized or detained under the incident types of ‘Vehicle Detained’, ‘Vehicle Detained Under Sec 41’ and ‘Property Seized'.
The information includes incidents where more than one vehicle was detained or seized. All information above is based upon operational data from the Fixed Charge Processing System and PUSLE system and is liable to change.
Please be advised that data on the number of e-Scooter seizures under new legislation introduced through Section 109A of the Road Traffic Act 1961 in April 2026 cannot be provided by An Garda Síochána at this point as a quarterly validation of incidents must first be completed.
The Road Traffic (Electric Scooters) Regulations 2024 limit the maximum speed of an e-scooter to 20 km/hr, provide for regulation of safety equipment for their operation and prohibit their use on footpaths and by anyone under 16 years of age. On this important point, I urge parents and guardians not to purchase e-scooters for their children, or to allow their children to operate these vehicles.
325. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if he will provide details of Garda resources assigned to Ballinrobe; the number of Garda members currently assigned to the town; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52422/26]
View answerUnder the Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution and stationing of Garda personnel and resources throughout the State. I engage regularly with the Commissioner and I am assured that the resourcing of each Garda Division is fully considered within the overall context of the needs and requirements of Garda Divisions throughout the country.
As Minister, my priority is getting more Gardaí into all our communities by supporting increased recruitment and appropriate civilianisation where possible. A Garda budget of €2.74 billion in 2026 will fund the recruitment of up to 1,000 new Gardaí, 200 more Garda staff and additional members of the Garda Reserve.
The Garda Commissioner and his senior management team keep the distribution of resources under ongoing review and I understand that, when allocating and transferring Garda members to and from any Division, consideration is given to commitments and undertakings outlined in the Annual Policing Plan.
The Commissioner also takes the requirements of all Garda Divisions nationwide into account, which include:
• Local and national crime trends and workloads;
• Policing arrangements and operational strategies;
• Minimum establishment statistics;
• Local population and trends, geographical area and size;
• Transfer applications, including welfare, personnel issues and concerns.
An Garda Síochána publishes information in relation to the allocation of Garda personnel nationally. This includes a breakdown of Garda Members assigned to Ballinrobe Station in the Mayo / Roscommon /Longford Division. Information for 2026, in addition to data for previous years, can be found at the following link:
www.garda.ie/en/information-centre/garda-statistics/human%20resources/
An Garda Síochána publishes detailed information on the Garda fleet from 2008 to date. Monthly Fleet reports that include a Divisional breakdown are also currently available from 2020 to March 2026. This is publicly available on their website at the following link:
www.garda.ie/en/about-us/our-departments/finance-services/finance-fleet-management.html.
327. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of crimes investigated by Gardaí that were recorded as happening within Leinster House; the number of crimes investigated by Gardaí that were recorded as happening within Government buildings in each of the past ten years of such crimes, in tabular form; and to detail the category of crime the recorded crimes were in. [52554/26]
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.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that, in line with established practice, An Garda Síochána are unable to provide crime statistics relating to a specific address, premises or location in order to protect the anonymity of injured parties.
Reported crime statistics are published annually by the CSO for individual Garda Stations and can be found at the below link.
www.data.cso.ie/table/CJA07
328. Deputy Catherine Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if his Department accepts and considers applications made under section 4(7) of the Immigration Act 2004 from non-nationals who do not possess a current permission to remain in the State; if so, the legal basis upon which such applications are considered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52585/26]
View answer329. Deputy Catherine Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of applications received under section 4(7) of the Immigration Act 2004 from persons who did not hold a current immigration permission at the time of application in each of the past five years; the number granted and refused; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52586/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 328 and 329 together.
Section 4 (7) of the Immigration Act 2004 provides that 'A permission under this section may be renewed or varied by the Minister, or by an immigration officer on his or her behalf, whether or not an application is made by the non-national concerned.'
I can advise the Deputy that a person who does not hold a valid immigration permission is not eligible to apply for a permission under section 4(7) of the Immigration Act 2004.
