Darren O'Rourke
Ceist:109. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Justice the divisions currently without a crime prevention officer, in tabular form. [21329/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn Garda Síochána
Ceisteanna (109)
Freagraí scríofa
There is a Crime Prevention Officer attached to each Garda Division. As of 5 March 2025, the latest date for which figures are available, there are 37 Crime Prevention Officers in the country.
Information in relation to Crime Prevention Officer's is publicly available on the Garda.ie website and can be found at the following link: https://www.garda.ie/en/crime-prevention/who-is-my-local-crime-prevention-officer-/.
An Garda Síochána
Ceisteanna (110)
Darren O'Rourke
Ceist:110. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Justice the number of marked and unmarked Garda cars and vans attached to Garda dog unit as of 22 April 2025; and if he will provide same figures as of 1 April 2021, in tabular form. [21331/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I am informed by the Garda authorities that the allocation of additional resources for specialist units within An Garda Síochána, including the Garda dog unit, is reviewed on a continual basis. The purchase and allocation of vehicles is made on the basis of identified operational demands and the availability of resources.
The table below has been provided to me by the Garda authorities and outlines the number of 4x4 vehicles and vans assigned to the Garda Dog Unit as of 1 April 2021 and 28 February 2025, the latest date for when figures are available. Information supplied is operational and subject to change.
|
Vans Marked |
Vans Unmarked |
Vans Total |
4x4 Marked |
4x4 Unmarked |
4x4 Total |
Total Fleet |
|
|
As of 1 April 2021 |
4 |
4 |
8 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
9 |
|
As of 28 February 2025 |
3 |
12 |
15 |
2 |
1 |
3 |
18 |
An Garda Síochána
Ceisteanna (111)
Darren O'Rourke
Ceist:111. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Justice the number of Garda asset profilers attached to each Garda division as of 22 April 2025. [21332/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I have been advised by CAB that a review was recently conducted of the Divisional Asset Profilers on a National basis. Since training commenced a total of 628 members of An Garda Síochána have completed the Criminal Assets Bureau Divisional Assets Profiler course.
The review indicated that a number of trained Divisional Asset Profilers are now inactive for various reasons including retirement, resignation, promotion and transfer. The total number of active Divisional Asset Profilers currently stands at 424.
The breakdown per Division is outlined in the table below, provided by the Bureau. Information supplied is operational and subject to change.
|
Division |
Number of Active Profilers (per Division) |
|
Clare/ Tipperary |
13 |
|
Cork City |
11 |
|
Cork County |
17 |
|
DMR East |
20 |
|
DMR North |
20 |
|
DMR North Central |
19 |
|
DMR South |
24 |
|
DMR South Central |
12 |
|
DMR West |
21 |
|
Donegal |
11 |
|
Galway |
13 |
|
Kerry |
9 |
|
Kildare |
13 |
|
Laois/ Offaly |
8 |
|
Limerick |
14 |
|
Louth/ Cavan/ Monaghan |
28 |
|
Mayo/ Roscommon/ Longford |
22 |
|
Meath/ Westmeath |
19 |
|
Sligo/ Leitrim |
9 |
|
Waterford/ Kilkenny/ Carlow |
19 |
|
Wexford/ Wicklow |
15 |
|
Various National Units |
87 |
|
TOTAL |
424 |
International Protection
Ceisteanna (112)
Roderic O'Gorman
Ceist:112. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Justice whether international protection applicants who are experiencing faster processing times are at risk of not getting access to legal aid due to delays in the provision of legal aid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21355/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I can assure the Deputy that I am fully committed to ensuring that Ireland’s International Protection system is robust and rules based, and that our borders are protected.
Accelerated processing was introduced in November 2022 and it now applies to those from designated safe countries of origin, applicants who have received protection elsewhere in Europe and citizens of countries from which there are the largest number of applicants.
Under the accelerated process, applicants currently receive a first decision around four months. For remaining applicants under the normal procedure the median processing time is 17 months.
When an applicant first applies for international protection, they are provided with comprehensive information on the international protection process including on the availability of legal information and advice as well as how to contact UNHCR and other support organisations.
Applicants can avail of the services of the Legal Aid Board (LAB) which:
* provides legal assistance and advice in support of their application.
* advises them in relation to the completion of their International Protection Questionnaire (if not already completed) including any grounds that they may wish to set out for the purpose of requesting that the Minister should give them permission to remain in the State.
* assists them in the preparation for their international protection interview and any written representations to the Minister.
* in the case of a negative recommendation on their application, provides representation for them in any appeal they may take to the International Protection Appeals Tribunal (IPAT).
The Legal Aid Board does not operate a waiting list for international protection services. However, the level of service given to individual applicants at any particular time may be determined with reference to the stage they are at in the international protection process and the timing of any impending deadlines, interview dates, or tribunal hearing dates.
Detailed information on civil legal aid services and advice provided to international protection applicants can be found on the Legal Aid Board website at: www.legalaidboard.ie/en/our-services/legal-aid-services/services-for-international-protection-applicants/.
Anti-Racism Measures
Ceisteanna (113)
Roderic O'Gorman
Ceist:113. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Justice if Ireland remains at risk of facing infringement proceedings from the EU regarding the Council Framework Decision on combating racism and xenophobia; the steps he will take to mitigate against this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21356/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Transposition of Council Framework Decision 2008/913/JHA of 28 November 2008 on combating certain forms and expressions of racism and xenophobia was formally notified to the European Commission before the deadline in November 2010. In 2014, the Commission published a report on the implementation of the Framework Decision, which outlined concerns over correct transposition in over a dozen EU member states, including Ireland.
A Letter of Formal Notice was received from the Commission in October 2024, setting out its view that Ireland has not fully transposed the Framework Decision, specifically certain elements of Articles 1, 4, 8 and 9. My Department issued a formal response to the Commission and continues to engage with respect to the outstanding provisions.
The Criminal Justice (Incitement to Violence or Hatred and Hate Offences) Bill 2022 was developed with the twin aims of updating the law on incitement to hatred and introducing the outstanding provisions of the Framework Decision to bring our law in this area into line with our European neighbours. It subsequently became necessary to amend the Bill in the Oireachtas by removing the incitement to hatred provisions from the Bill in order to progress the hate crime elements. The resulting Criminal Justice (Hate Offences) Act 2024 fulfilled the State’s obligation with regard to certain elements of the Framework Decision, in particular Article 4.
My Department continues to engage with the Commission on how the remaining outstanding provisions from the Framework Decision are to be formally entered into Irish law.
Road Traffic Offences
Ceisteanna (114, 115)
Pádraig O'Sullivan
Ceist:114. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Justice the measure that will be taken to curb the use of mobile phone while driving; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21394/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraPádraig O'Sullivan
Ceist:115. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Justice the number of driving offences relating to mobile phone usage in each of the years 2022 to 2024 and to date in 2025, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21397/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 114 and 115 together.
Road safety is a shared responsibility. The whole of Government response is led by the Department of Transport and is taken very seriously across Government.
An Garda Síochána plays a vital role in enforcing road traffic law and in making our roads safer for all road users, including vulnerable road users.
Road traffic laws are enforced by Gardaí assigned to Roads Policing and as part of the day-to-day duties of uniformed Gardaí nationwide. This includes a programme of high-visibility road safety and enforcement operations carried out in partnership with other state agencies.
The message from An Garda Síochána is very clear. Driving while on your phone distracts the driver and takes both their eyes and full attention away from the road. This is highly dangerous and potentially life-threatening for drivers and other road users.
Over the recent Easter Bank Holiday weekend, an extensive Garda Roads Policing Operation was in place. Over the course of the weekend 225 fixed charge offences were issued to drivers using mobile phones while driving, 73 were issued for no seatbelt, and over 160 notices were issued to unaccompanied learner drivers.
Every frontline Garda member now has a mobility device, which is essentially a mobile phone that allows them to access a number of specialised Garda apps at the roadside. These include the ability to issue a Fixed Charge Notice, to check a vehicle's insurance status, if a vehicle is taxed and whether a driver is disqualified. These tasks can now be done within moments, without the need to return to the station making much better use of their time.
During 2024 An Garda Síochána increased capacity for Roads Policing and implemented many initiatives to reduce road-related deaths and improved safety, including:
• deployments of High Performance Unmarked Cars,
• unmarked motorbikes and unmarked Lorry Tractor Cab (Operation Iompair),
• installation of two average and three static safety cameras, with additional average and static safety cameras commencing in Q1 2025,
• additional monitoring hours for Mobile Safety Cameras (GoSafe).
This, along with improved technology, additional speed cameras and enhanced data sharing is helping to ensure a multi-faceted approach to road safety enforcement in Ireland.
I am advised by the Garda authorities that the below table provides a yearly breakdown of the number of Fixed Charge Notices issued for the offence of driving while holding a mobile phone. The offences are broken down by the year in which the offence was committed.
|
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
2025 |
|
18,609 |
19,106 |
21,888 |
6,073 |
Figures are based on incidents occurring from 1 January 2022 to 31 March 2025, inclusive. All information contained in this report is based upon operational data from the FCPS system as was available on 28 April 2025 and is liable to change.
Question No. 115 answered with Question No. 114.
Prison Service
Ceisteanna (116)
Ruth Coppinger
Ceist:116. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Justice his views on whether it is appropriate for staff of the Irish Prison Service to attend an event that includes a keynote address by a senior official in the Israeli prison service (details supplied); if he will ensure that members of staff of the Israeli prison service do not visit any prisons in this State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21414/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I understand that the Correctional Research Symposium (CRS) is an international conference co-organised by EuroPris - a network of European prison agencies and the International Corrections and Prisons Association (IACP).
I am advised that the symposium is dedicated to research in the field of community and institutional corrections and prisons. CRS provides a platform for exchange among professionals from diverse contexts. Each CRS conference is held in a different part of the world. The current CRS is the fourth of its kind and is being held in Belfast, hosted by the Northern Ireland Prison Service.
Participation in the CRS is based on the merit of each research contribution to community and institutional correctional and prison settings. All submitted papers are reviewed by a professional programme committee of experts. Other than those participating in the conference, CRS is open to attendance from international delegates, typically those working within the field and in relevant academia.
The CRS will be attended by the Director General of the Irish Prison Service (IPS) in her capacity as the current President of EuroPris. A number of other IPS staff will also attend.
I am advised that a visit to Mountjoy prison will take place as part of the full programme associated with the symposium. However, the list of those participants in the symposium who will attend the visit to Mountjoy prison has not yet been finalised.
Human Trafficking
Ceisteanna (117)
Cian O'Callaghan
Ceist:117. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice the action he is taking to address child trafficking; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21437/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The prevention, detection and prosecution of the crime of human trafficking is a priority for me and for this Government.
A number of significant measures have been taken to combat human trafficking, to create a more victim-centred approach to identifying and supporting victims; to raise public awareness and provide training to relevant people including professionals to detect, understand and combat human trafficking.
In order to encourage victims to come forward and access supports, in November 2023, the Third National Action Plan to prevent and combat human trafficking (2023-2027) was launched. It includes key actions in respect of the training of frontline workers, ensuring effective anti-trafficking screening measures are in place at point of entry to the State and establishing dedicated accommodation for victims of trafficking who have been trafficked for sexual exploitation.
The establishment of a revised National Referral Mechanism (NRM) is another key action under the National Action Plan. Under the revised NRM, a number of Departments and agencies will become competent authorities for the identification of victims of human trafficking in addition to An Garda Síochána. NGOs can also apply to be designated as “trusted partners” And will be able to make referrals to the competent authorities. This will make it easier for victims to be identified, come forward and access support.
The Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Human Trafficking) Act 2024 put the revised NRM on a statutory footing. Preparatory work is underway to finalise operational aspects of the new mechanism before it can be launched, and the relevant provisions of the legislation commenced.
The identification and protection of child trafficking victims in Ireland is a key priority. While the majority of actions in the new National Action Plan on Human Trafficking relate to both adult and child victims, there are a number of child-specific measures included under each of the Plan’s pillars.
These include to:
• Ensure that all professionals in contact with children, and working on child related matters, are qualified in dealing with and recognising victims of trafficking and act in the child’s best interest;
• Enhance capabilities to locate children who are missing, including those who have run away from State care, and may be vulnerable to human trafficking;
• Consider how best to collect and utilise data from across vulnerable groups identified to be at risk of human trafficking, including unaccompanied children; and
• Protection of trafficked children in the criminal justice system.
An Garda Síochána
Ceisteanna (118)
Alan Kelly
Ceist:118. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Justice if funding is available in 2025 to purchase replacement Garda prisoner transport vehicles. [21443/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I am committed to ensuring that An Garda Síochána has the resources it needs to fight crime. A strengthened, well-resourced Garda organisation is central to this policy.
The Garda Vote in Budget 2025 includes unprecedented funding of over €2.48 billion, representing a 27% increase since 2020. This investment supports the continued enhancement of the Garda fleet, ensuring that An Garda Síochána has a modern, effective, and fit-for-purpose fleet. Funds are allocated based on identified operational demands and prioritised according to the multi-annual sums provided.
These funds have facilitated the purchase of two water cannon and a significant expansion of the Garda fleet, which now comprises over 3,500 vehicles—the largest fleet in the organisation's history.
I am informed by Garda authorities that the purchase of additional Garda prisoner transport trucks is not planned for 2025.
An Garda Síochána publishes detailed information on the Garda fleet from 2008 to date, including a Divisional/District monthly breakdown. 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
An Garda Síochána
Ceisteanna (119)
Alan Kelly
Ceist:119. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Justice further to Parliamentary Question No. 375 of 20 March 2025, if he has received the necessary information from the Garda Commissioner to answer this parliamentary question. [21444/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I refer to Parliamentary Question No. 375 of 20 March 2025 where you sought:
“To ask the Minister for Justice the number of competitions held for sworn Gardaí to apply to join Garda National Immigration Bureau in 2024 and to date in 2025; the number of vacancies, by rank, that were available during each of those competitions; and the number of Gardaí, by rank, that applied for each of those competitions, in tabular form.”
As you will recall, I sought the information from the Garda authorities and undertook to contact you again once the information was to hand.
A reply was issued to you on 23 April 2025.
I have been advised that there were no competitions held in 2024 and to date in 2025 for sworn Gardaí to apply to join the Garda National Immigration Bureau. A number of competitions were held in 2023 for 36 positions across the ranks of Detective Inspector, Detective Sergeant, Sergeant, Detective Garda, and Garda.
An Garda Síochána
Ceisteanna (120)
Alan Kelly
Ceist:120. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Justice for a complete breakdown of the number of young persons referred to the Garda Youth Diversion Programme by Garda district within Dublin region for the past three years, in tabular form. [21445/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The statutory framework relating to young offenders (between the ages of 12 and 18 years of age), and inclusion in the Garda Youth Diversion Programme, is set out in the Children Act 2001. The Act provides that where a young person under 18 years of age is responsible for committing a crime, the young person shall be considered for admission to the Youth Diversion Programme. In order for a young person to be admitted to the Programme, the child must take responsibility for their offending behaviour; agree to be cautioned by a Garda; and, when appropriate, agree to terms of supervision.
The Diversion Programme is supported by a network of Youth Diversion Projects (YDPs). YDPs are community-based multi-agency crime prevention initiatives, which seek to divert young people who have become involved in crime or antisocial behaviour and to support wider preventative work within the community and with families at risk.
I am advised by the Garda authorities that the table below provides a breakdown of young people referred to the Garda Youth Diversion Programme by Garda District in Dublin (i.e. received one or more referral) for the years 2022-2024. Please note that the below figures are reflective of distinct persons referred per local District per year and rely on the District of the youth at the time of the referral.
|
District |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
|
Balbriggan |
187 |
184 |
170 |
|
Ballymun |
149 |
115 |
130 |
|
Blackrock |
121 |
83 |
61 |
|
Blanchardstown |
380 |
295 |
267 |
|
Bridewell |
39 |
35 |
25 |
|
Clondalkin |
222 |
194 |
202 |
|
Coolock |
270 |
269 |
220 |
|
Crumlin |
127 |
94 |
98 |
|
Donnybrook |
33 |
15 |
29 |
Please be advised that the above figures are based on referrals created between 1 January 2022 and 31 December 2024, inclusive. The above figures represent persons ages 12+ for all years. All of the information outlined above is based upon operational data from the PULSE system, as was available on 10 April 2025, and is liable to change.
Closed-Circuit Television Systems
Ceisteanna (121)
Alan Kelly
Ceist:121. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Justice the amount spent by An Garda Síochána on purchasing new Garda CCTV cameras in 2023, 2024 and to date in 2025, in tabular form. [21446/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I have requested the information sought by the Deputy from An Garda Síochána. Regrettably, this was not available in time and I will write to the Deputy once the information is to hand.
An Garda Síochána
Ceisteanna (122)
Alan Kelly
Ceist:122. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Justice if he will allocate the necessary funding for anti-stab vests to be issued to each frontline prison officers. [21447/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
A Personal Protective Equipment review group, which includes representatives from the Irish Prison Service, State Claims Agency and the Prison Officers Association, was established in 2024. This group will conduct a fresh review of the requirement for PPE for operational staff in our prisons.
I am informed by my officials that a range of Personal Protective Equipment was considered by the review group, and that the deployment of stab-proof vests was not being prioritised at this time. However, this may be reviewed in the future.
The Government continues to make significant funding available to the Irish Prison Service, and an increase of €79m (18%) was secured in Budget 2025 towards a total of €525m in funding.
Prison Service
Ceisteanna (123)
Gary Gannon
Ceist:123. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Justice the average daily prison population and the official bed capacity of each custodial institution for the months January to March 2025; the percentage occupancy for each; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21475/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The average daily prison population, official bed capacity of each capacity of each custodial institution for the months January to March 2025 and the percentage occupancy for each are published on a daily basis and are available on the Irish Prison Service website (www.irishprisons.ie). This information can be located in the Information Centre, under Statistics and Information – Daily Prisoner Population.
In recent years, in excess of 300 additional spaces have been added across our prisons, with 139 of these added in the last 12 months and 25 in the coming weeks. These spaces were added through the reopening of the Training Unit in Mountjoy as well as the opening of new male accommodation in Limerick Prison, the new standalone female prison in Limerick, and a range of other projects across the prison estate.
The current Programme for Government, Securing Ireland's Future, has committed to increasing capacity of our prisons by 1,500. My Department is committed to achieving this, and work has already commenced to do so.
Prison Service
Ceisteanna (124)
Gary Gannon
Ceist:124. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Justice whether he accepts that the State is in breach of its obligations under Article 3 of the European Convention on Human Rights owing to current overcrowding levels, and what immediate actions he will take. [21476/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Government is acutely aware of capacity restraints in our prisons and has committed to increasing capacity of our prisons by 1,500 under the Programme for Government. This work has already commenced.
An increase of €79m (18%) was secured in Budget 2025 towards a total of €525m in funding to increase prison capacity and tackle overcrowding. The Irish Prison Service capital budget is €53m in 2025, an increase of €22.5m on the original 2024 allocation, focused on bringing additional prison spaces into the system.
Since 2022, capacity across the prison estate has been increased by more than 300 new spaces with over 125 delivered in the last 12 months and over 100 additional spaces to be added this year.
The Irish Prison Service also aims to recruit 300 prison officers in 2025, in addition to the 271 prison officers recruited in 2024.
These actions form part of one of the fastest-ever expansions of prison capacity in Ireland.
A Prison Overcrowding Response Group was established in July 2023, composed of officials from the Department of Justice and representatives from relevant agencies. The Group considered measures to address capacity issues in the prison estate. In June 2024, following a report from this Group, a range of actions were agreed and work to implement these is ongoing.
A Working Group was established in the second half of 2024 to further consider future prison capacity needs and to make recommendations on the numbers and types of prison capacity needed out to 2035.
The Government is also committed to progressing and implementing policies aimed at increasing the use of community sanctions, reducing offending, diverting people away from the criminal justice system, and providing effective rehabilitation. Recently the Minister for Justice approved the publication of the Community Service - New Directions Implementation Plan 2025-2027 by the Probation Service, which aims to increase the use and opportunities for Community Service .
The Programme for Government explicitly commits to legislation extending the use of community sanctions and the roll out of the voluntary restorative justice programme.
In addition, the Department of Justice is continuing to progress a series of priority actions under the Review of Policy Options for Prison and Penal Reform 2022-2024. This recommends reducing the use of short custodial sentences, enhancing the operation of community service by the Probation Service, and exploring how the judiciary can be provided with a greater range of community sanctions.
The Programme for Government also commits to implement electronic tagging for appropriate categories of offender, and work is underway to achieve this with the commencement of a project to examine how electronic monitoring can be brought into use in line with existing legislative provisions.
Prison Service
Ceisteanna (125)
Gary Gannon
Ceist:125. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Justice the number of prisoners sleeping on mattresses on floors on each day since 1 January 2024, broken down by prison. [21477/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The data requested by the Deputy is being collated. I will write to the Deputy with the information in due course.
Prison Service
Ceisteanna (126)
Gary Gannon
Ceist:126. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Justice how overcrowding has affected rates of prisoner on prisoner and prisoner on staff assaults in 2023 and Q1 2025; and whether an independent safety audit will be commissioned. [21478/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I am advised by the Irish Prison Service that the number of direct physical assaults involving prison staff and prisoners in 2023 and 2024 is set out in the attached table. I am further informed by the Irish Prison Service that assault figures are published on an annual basis; therefore, data for Quarter 1 of 2025 is not yet available at the time of this response.
Every assault on a member of staff is treated as serious and appropriate action is taken by the Irish Prison Service, including the reporting of such assaults to An Garda Síochána for the purposes of investigation and criminal prosecution where appropriate. Staff who are subject to an assault or threat in a prison are given the necessary supports through the Employee Assistance Programme.
Section 19 of the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act 1994 as amended specifically provides for assaults or threats to peace officers, including prison officers acting in the execution of their duty. Any person who assaults or threatens to assault a peace officer in the execution of their duty is guilty of an offence.
The maximum penalty available for assaulting a peace officer, including prison officers, was increased from 7 years to 12 years in the Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2023, which came into effect in November 2023. This sends a very clear message that attacks on frontline workers will not be tolerated and will be dealt with robustly.
(Table containing Assault Figures for 2023-2024 attached)
Prison Service
Ceisteanna (127)
Gary Gannon
Ceist:127. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Justice the number of prisoners unable to access education, vocational workshops or drug treatment programmes due to capacity constraints in 2024; and the percentage shortfall relative to assessed need. [21479/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I would like to advise the Deputy that the Irish Prison Service have confirmed that educational opportunities are available in all prisons and all prisoners are eligible to avail of these opportunities.
All prisoners are encouraged to attend education. Those who attend, engage in an education interview with the Head or Deputy Head Teacher where they discuss and agree their individual student timetable. Numbers who can attend the education unit in each prison is determined by factors such as education subject, size of the classroom and the number of prisoners who are interested in that subject. The average participation rate for Education in 2024 was 45% of the prisoner population.
The Department of Education provides an allocation of 220 whole time equivalent teachers to the Irish Prison Service through the Education and Training Boards.
I am advised that the Irish Prison Service is not in a position to provide specific data on the number of prisoners unable to access education, vocational workshops or drug treatment programmes due to the variables that impact access. Access to services can be affected on a daily basis by a range of factors including staffing levels, healthcare emergencies, waiting lists, for operational reasons e.g. cell and landing searches and due to a prisoner status, i.e. protection prisoners and remand.
I have also been advised that work training is also available in all prisons, with all prisoners encouraged to engage in some work training activity which provides constructive routine during time spent in custody. A wide range of training workshops operate within the institutions e.g. printing, hairdressing, braille, woodwork, metalwork, construction, industrial cleaning, crafts and horticulture. Many of these activities now provide certified training.
The work training function, staffed by Irish Prison Service Work Training Officers, also includes engagement in essential services such as catering and laundry services by prisoners. Workshop sizes and numbers of prisoners who can attend workshops may be determined by factors such as type of workshop, capacity of workshop and the number of prisoners who are interested in and assessed as suitable for participation in that workshop. The average participation rate for work training in 2024 was 19% of the prisoner population.
Furthermore, the Irish Prison Service provides a health care service for prisoners with addictions in a structured, safe and professional way in line with international best practice. It is the policy of the Irish Prison Service that, where a person committed to prison gives a history of opiate use and tests positive for opioids, they are offered a medically assisted, symptomatic detoxification, if clinically indicated.
Prisoners can, as part of the assessment process, discuss other treatment options with healthcare staff. Those treatment options may include stabilisation on methadone maintenance, addiction counselling, recovery college, and psychological intervention. 12.25% of the prisoner population were on methadone maintenance therapy as at 28th of April, 2025.
The Treatment and Recovery Programme (TARP) is a bespoke programme that was developed in 2022 by Merchants Quay Ireland in partnership with the Irish Prison Service. It supports prisoners who have become drug free in prison to continue their recovery and to support them to continue to lead a drug free life both whilst in prison and post release.
TARP is an eight-week programme, incorporating elements of a residential treatment centre, where the participants are drug free, occupy a self-contained sterile environment and engage in a programme of activities which include psychoeducational, individual and group therapeutic, somatic and life skills elements. Participants enter a stabilisation zone for a number of weeks prior to admittance to the TARP programme. The TARP programme currently runs with nine participants in each group.
Prison Service
Ceisteanna (128)
Gary Gannon
Ceist:128. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Justice his response to the Prison Officers' Association statement that overcrowding has passed the point at which prisons can be safely operated; and what additional staffing or overtime resources will be provided in budget 2026. [21480/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Government is acutely aware of capacity restraints in our prisons and we have committed to increasing capacity by 1,500 under the Programme for Government. This work has already commenced.
An increase of €79m (18%) was secured in Budget 2025 towards a total of €525m in funding to increase prison capacity and tackle overcrowding. The Irish Prison Service capital budget is €53m in 2025. This is an increase of €22.5m on the original 2024 allocation, focused on bringing additional prison spaces into the system.
Since 2022, capacity across the prison estate has been increased by more than 300 new spaces with over 139 delivered in the last 12 months. More than 90 additional spaces are to be added in 2025.
While I cannot pre-empt any budgetary decision, investment in recruitment and the use of additional hours must continue to help make our prisons safe for those who work and live in them.
The Irish Prison Service aims to recruit 300 prison officers in 2025, in addition to the 271 prison officers recruited in 2024. The IPS will launch its next recruitment campaign this summer.
An additional €6.2m has been provided to fund 130,000 additional staff hours in prisons to support prison operations and safety and security across the prison estate.
These actions form part of one of the fastest-ever expansions of prison capacity in Ireland.
Further, a Prison Overcrowding Response Group was established in July 2023, and is composed of officials from the Department of Justice and representatives from relevant agencies. The Group considered measures to address capacity issues in the prison estate. In June 2024, following a report from this Group, a range of actions were agreed and work to implement these is ongoing.
A Working Group was established in the second half of 2024 to further consider future prison capacity needs and to make recommendations on the numbers and types of prison capacity needed up to 2035.
The Government is also committed to progressing and implementing policies aimed at increasing the use of community sanctions, reducing offending, diverting people away from the criminal justice system, and providing effective rehabilitation.