Wednesday, 11 Jun 2025

Written Answers Nos. 207-226

• Díospóireachtaí
• Aimsigh díospóireacht
  • Díospóireachtaí na Dála
  • Díospóireachtaí an tSeanaid
  • Díospóireachtaí Coiste
• Aimsigh vótáil
  • Vótálacha na Dála
  • Vótálacha an tSeanaid
  • Vótálacha Coiste
• Ceisteanna Parlaiminte
  • Ceisteanna scríofa
  • Ceisteanna ó bhéal
• Leideanna cuardaigh
• Nuair a bhíonn tionchar tromchúiseach ag aithrisí

Social Welfare Schemes

Ceisteanna (207, 208)

Louise O'Reilly

Ceist:

207. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Social Protection the first- and full-year cost of extending the guardian payment to cover children over the age of 12. [31201/25]

Louise O'Reilly

Ceist:

208. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Social Protection the first- and full-year cost of increasing the rate of guardian payment to be on par with the foster allowance. [31202/25]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Social Protection

I propose to take Questions Nos. 207 and 208 together.

Guardian’s payment (contributory) and guardian's payment (non-contributory), are respectively social insurance and social assistance (means tested) payments made to a person caring for a child who satisfies the definition of an “orphan” under social welfare legislation.

A child is considered an orphan if they are under 18 (or 22 if in full time education) and both parents are deceased; or one parent is either dead or unknown or has abandoned and failed to provide for the child and the other parent is unknown or has abandoned and failed to provide for the child. The purpose of the guardian's payment scheme is to provide income support in respect of those children whose parents are unable to provide for them, through death or other circumstances. Guardians payment is payable in respect of a child 18-22 provided the child is in full time education.

Guardians Payment is currently paid in respect of 2,659 children of which 1,614 are aged 12 or older at the weekly rate of €227.00 per child. It is the highest rate of weekly child income support paid by my Department.

The full year cost of increasing the rate of guardians payment to €400 per week for children under 12, and to €430 per week for children over the age of 12, is estimated to cost in the region of €26.4m per annum.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Question No. 208 answered with Question No. 207.

Social Workers Register

Ceisteanna (209)

Louise O'Reilly

Ceist:

209. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Social Protection the first- and full-year cost of hiring a case worker to help social welfare applicants. [31203/25]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Social Protection

The cost of employing employment services support officers to social welfare recipients is as follows: 

a)  a job coach is at Executive Officer (EO) civil service grade.  The cost of the annual rate of the entry point of the EO payscale is €37,544 and

b) an employment personal advisor is at Higher Executive Officer (HEO) grade.  The cost of the annual rate of the entry point of the HEO payscale is €58,264.

I trust this clarifies the matter for you.

Recruitment of EOs and HEOs is carried out via large-scale recruitment competitions both internally and via PublicJobs and therefore the cost of recruiting a job coach or employment personal advisor is not available.

Social Welfare Application Forms

Ceisteanna (210)

Louise O'Reilly

Ceist:

210. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Social Protection the first- and full-year cost of increasing support for social welfare applicants struggling with literacy or accessibility. [31205/25]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Social Protection

My Department administers more than 100 separate schemes and services, which affect the lives of almost every person in the State.  We are fully committed to ensuring that members of the public are fully aware of the welfare supports and services available, and to ensuring key changes are communicated to them.

Public information campaigns, publications, content on gov.ie, and our online portal MyWelfare.ie all play an important role in this.  All this content is developed using the principles of plain English, and universal design to ensure that it is accessible.  We also provide translations and interpretations services to customers, free of charge, to support their engagement with us. 

My Department has developed the MyWelfare platform as the online home of welfare services and is committed to making the information on MyWelfare accessible to all, regardless of ability.  In order to achieve this, we have designed MyWelfare to follow guidelines set out by the W3C, the World Wide Web Consortium.  The W3C Web Accessibility Initiative produces accessibility guidelines that are an internationally recognised benchmark of accessibility. 

My Department is committed to inclusive design, enabling websites which can be used by all users including those who may have cognitive or physical impairments, such as blindness.  The design of MyWelfare supports cognitive and visual impairments such as dyslexia, colour blindness or those short of sight, to ensure for all users that there is a smooth journey and experience through the site.  In designing new services for MyWelfare, the Department continues to engage with customers and stakeholder groups to assist in the design and testing of prototypes to help shape online services in a customer centric manner. 

MyWelfare’s accessibility statement includes a statement of commitment, and a compliance status statement as required under the European Union (Accessibility of Websites and Mobile Applications of Public Sector Bodies) Regulations 2020. 

My Department also funds the Citizens Information Board, which is a statutory agency tasked with providing independent, impartial, confidential, and non-judgmental information, advice, money advice and advocacy.  The Citizens Information Board also acts as a signpost for people including vulnerable groups and older people and provides information in local Citizens Information Centres and through the Citizens Information website as well as periodicals and publications. 

Officials from my Department directly engage with stakeholders, including groups which represent lower paid, older and vulnerable communities.  Feedback from stakeholders continues to inform our work and improve our communications. 

Supporting customers struggling with literacy or accessibility needs is multifaceted and improvements are made continually.  It is not possible to estimate the cost of increasing these literacy or accessibility supports separately as that is included in the overall cost of the provision of these services generally.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Paternity Leave

Ceisteanna (211)

Louise O'Reilly

Ceist:

211. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Social Protection the first- and full-year cost of doubling the provision of paternity leave benefit to four weeks. [31206/25]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Social Protection

Paternity Benefit is a payment for employed and self-employed people who are on Paternity Leave from work who satisfy certain PRSI contribution conditions.  It is currently paid for two weeks at €289 per week.  

Any decision to extend the period of Paternity Leave for employees is a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Children, Disability, and Equality who has policy and legal responsibility for the scheme.  The Department of Social Protection has responsibility for the associated benefit.  An extension of this leave would require careful consideration and consultation with relevant stakeholders. 

The estimated cost in the first year - from now until the end of 2025 - would be €24.6 million, an additional €8.2 million on the current projected expenditure.

Extending Paternity Benefit by two weeks, from two weeks to four weeks at the current rate of €289 would result in an estimated additional annual cost of over €16.4 million with a new total annual cost of some €32.8 million.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Parental Leave

Ceisteanna (212)

Louise O'Reilly

Ceist:

212. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Social Protection the first- and full-year cost of extending parent’s leave benefit up to eight weeks. [31207/25]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Social Protection

Parent's Benefit is a payment for employed and self-employed people who are on Parent's Leave from work who satisfy certain PRSI contribution conditions.  It is currently paid for nine weeks at €289 per week.  

Any decision to extend the period of Parent's Leave for employees is a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Children, Disability, and Equality who has policy and legal responsibility for the scheme.  An extension of this leave would require careful consideration and consultation with relevant stakeholders. 

The estimated additional cost of extending the duration of Parent's Benefit is approximately €16 million for each additional week.

The cost of extending Parent's Benefit by eight weeks, from 9 weeks to 17 weeks at the current rate of €289 would result in an additional annual cost of over €130 million with a new total annual cost of over €240 million.

These estimates are based on a costing exercise using the 2025 expenditure estimate of €114 million.  It should be noted that this costing is based on estimated recipient numbers and is subject to change.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Social Welfare Schemes

Ceisteanna (213)

Louise O'Reilly

Ceist:

213. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Social Protection the first- and full-year cost of providing up to 20 days of reproductive leave, as outlined in the reproductive health-related leave bill. [31208/25]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Social Protection

The Organisation of Working Time (Reproductive Health Related Leave) Bill 2021 has not been enacted and is currently at Third Stage in Dáil Éireann.

Section 23B(1) of the Bill provides for an entitlement to "leave with pay," meaning the proposed leave would be paid by the employer rather than through a social welfare benefit.  The Bill does not propose the creation of a benefit to be paid by my Department. 

Under Section 47 of the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005, a woman may qualify for Maternity Benefit in the event of a stillbirth or miscarriage.  As defined in the Civil Registration Act 2004, a stillbirth is recognised as a loss occurring from the 24th week of pregnancy or where the baby weighs at least 400 grammes.  In such cases, the woman is entitled to 26 weeks of Maternity Leave and Benefit, provided she satisfies the relevant contribution conditions. 

I trust this clarifies matters for the Deputy.

Departmental Staff

Ceisteanna (214)

Aidan Farrelly

Ceist:

214. Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of retired officials re-engaged by his Department on a consultancy basis in the past four years and to date in 2025; the reason for engaging them; the costs incurred in respect of their engagement; and if his Department requires consultants to declare conflicts of interest in advance of utilising their services. [31279/25]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Social Protection

My Department has no record of any retired official being re-engaged on a consultancy basis in the past four years and to date in 2025.

Social Welfare Appeals

Ceisteanna (215)

Séamus McGrath

Ceist:

215. Deputy Séamus McGrath asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will be made on an invalidity pension appeal by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31287/25]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Social Protection

The Social Welfare Appeals Office is a service of the Department of Social Protection which is responsible for determining appeals against decisions in relation to social welfare entitlements.  Appeals Officers are independent in their decision making functions.

I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an Appeals Officer, having fully considered all of the available evidence, has decided to allow the appeal of the person concerned by way of a summary decision.  The person concerned will be notified of the Appeals Officer’s decision in the coming days.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Deportation Orders

Ceisteanna (216, 233, 234)

Aidan Farrelly

Ceist:

216. Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of officials from her Department or bodies under her aegis that have travelled on Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration deportation flights in the context of child safeguarding (details supplied). [30870/25]

Aidan Farrelly

Ceist:

233. Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if he will provide the child safeguarding policy he has put in place when children are removed from this jurisdiction on deportation flights (details supplied); and if he will provide a schedule of agencies and State bodies that augment his team in the context of deportation flights when children are among persons being deported. [30950/25]

Aidan Farrelly

Ceist:

234. Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the policy in place in the context of medical emergencies onboard deportation flights (details supplied). [30951/25]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration

I propose to take Questions Nos. 216, 233 and 234 together.

I can assure the Deputy that I am fully committed to ensuring that Ireland’s immigration system is robust and rules based. The enforcement aspects of our laws, including deportation orders, are an essential requirement for the system to work effectively and to ensure that there is confidence in the application of our legislation in this area.

My Department has taken action to significantly improve immigration enforcement measures and increase removals. The number of deportation orders signed in 2024 (2,403) increased by 180% compared to 2023 (857). This year 1,940 deportation orders have been signed up to 06 June 2025.

Last year, 1,116 people departed from the State under various mechanisms (i.e. enforced deportation, voluntary return etc.), an increase of 252% compared to 2023 (317). This year 893 persons have had their departure confirmed through these pathways up to 06 June 2025.

So far in 2025, three charter flight operations have removed 106 people who were subject to deportation orders from the State with a further 54 removed on commercial airlines. Further charter operations and removals on commercial aircraft will be conducted as the year progresses. 

No officials from my Department have travelled with these charter flights. The operational management of all escorted removals, including charters, are the responsibility of the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB); this includes issues related to child safety.

I recognise that an enforced removal is an unfortunate and challenging experience for a child, which is why they are carried out only as a measure of last resort when the family concerned has not removed themselves from the State. The preferred option is to return people voluntarily and my Department operates a voluntary return programme to assist people to return prior to the issuance of a deportation order. I can advise the Deputy that children have only been returned as part of family units. The children and their mothers were not detained in advance of their removal.

I can assure the Deputy that significant planning and consideration is given to ensure the safety and wellbeing of the people being removed. Prior to any removal, members of GNIB conduct a risk assessment for the safety of those travelling. In addition to Garda personnel, medical staff accompanied returnees on each of the charter flights.

An Garda Síochána

Ceisteanna (217)

Michael Cahill

Ceist:

217. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of Garda public order unit vans attached to the Kerry division as of 23 May 2025; if he will provide same figures as of 31 May 2021, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30899/25]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration

The table below has been provided to me by the Garda Authorities and outlines the number of vans in the Kerry Division allocated to Public Order duty.

-	Vans
As of 31 May 2021	0
As of 31 May 2025	1

An Garda Síochána publishes detailed information on the Garda fleet from 2008 to date, including a Divisional/District monthly breakdown. Monthly fleet reports are currently available from 2020 to May 2025. 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

Departmental Bodies

Ceisteanna (218)

Holly Cairns

Ceist:

218. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to provide an updated list of all email and phone lines for use of Oireachtas Members within his Department, including all subsidiary bodies, in tabular form. [30927/25]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration

Any area of my Department can be reached using the email address [e-mail]. The telephone numbers for my Department are 01 602 8202 or 1800 221 227. Queries from Oireachtas members in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to my Department by email using the Oireachtas Mail facility at [e-mail] which has been specifically established for this purpose. 

Contact information for the agencies and bodies under the aegis of my Department are listed below, in tabular form:

Agency/Body	Contact Information
Courts Service	Website: www.courts.ie/ Email: [e-mail] Phone: n/a
Data Protection Commission	Website: www.dataprotection.ie/en Email: [e-mail] Phone: [phone] & 1800 437 737
Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland	Website: www.grai.ie/ Email: [e-mail] Phone: n/a
Irish Film Classification Office	Website: www.ifco.ie/ Email: [e-mail] Phone: [phone]
Insolvency Service of Ireland	Website: www.gov.ie/en/organisation/32f6d-insolvency-service-of-ireland/ Email: [e-mail] Phone: [phone]
Judicial Council	Website: judicialcouncil.ie/ Phone: [phone]
Legal Aid Board	Website: www.legalaidboard.ie/en/ Email: [e-mail] Phone: [phone] & 0818 615 200
Legal Services Regulatory Authority	Website: www.lsra.ie/ Email: [e-mail] Phone: n/a
Property Services Regulatory Authority	Website: www.psr.ie/ Email: [e-mail] Phone: [phone] & 1800 252 712
Property Services Appeal Board	Website: www.psab.ie/ Email: [e-mail] Phone: [phone]
Dublin Coroner's Office	Website: www.dublincoronerscourt.ie/ Email: [e-mail] Phone: [phone]
International Protection Appeals Tribunal	Website: www.protectionappeals.ie/ Email: [e-mail] Phone: [phone]
Criminal Injuries Compensation Tribunal	Website: www.gov.ie/criminalinjuries/ Email: [e-mail] Phone: [phone]
Cuan	Website: www.gov.ie/en/campaigns/09288-cuan/ Email: [e-mail] Phone: n/a
An Garda Síochána	Website: www.garda.ie/en/ Email: [e-mail] Phone: [phone]
Criminal Assets Bureau	Website: www.cab.ie Phone: [phone]
Forensic Science Ireland	Website: forensicscience.ie/ Email: [e-mail] Phone: [phone]
Fiosrú	Website: www.fiosru.ie/ Email: [e-mail] Phone: [phone] & 0818 600 800
Policing and Community Safety Authority	Website: www.policingauthority.ie/en Email: [e-mail] Phone: [phone]
Irish Prison Service	Website: www.irishprisons.ie/ Email: [e-mail] Phone: [phone]
Office of the Inspector of Prisons	Website: www.oip.ie/ Email: [e-mail] Phone: [phone]
Office of the Independent Examiner	Website: independentexaminer.ie/ Email: [e-mail] Phone: n/a
Office of the State Pathologist	Website: www.gov.ie/en/publication/20e64-office-of-the-state-pathologist Phone: [phone]
Parole Board	Website: www.gov.ie/en/organisation/parole-board/ Email: [e-mail] Phone: [phone] & 01 474 8770
Private Security Authority	Website: www.psa-gov.ie/ Email: [e-mail] Phone: [phone]
Probation Service	Website: www.probation.ie/ Email: [e-mail] Phone: [phone]

Information and Communications Technology

Ceisteanna (219, 220)

Mairéad Farrell

Ceist:

219. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if he will provide the list of capital projects for IT services, by his Department or bodies under its aegis, which had contracts valued in excess of €1 million and which failed to reach completion; the value that was written off, for the years 2022, 2023 and 2024, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30931/25]

Mairéad Farrell

Ceist:

220. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if he will provide, the list of capital projects, by his Department or bodies under its aegis, which had contracts valued in excess of €5 million and which ran over cost in 2023, along with a description of the contract, the initial price and final price provided, in tabular form. [30937/25]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration

I propose to take Questions Nos. 219 and 220 together.

Neither my Department nor the bodies under its aegis have any capital projects valued in excess of €5 million and ran over cost in 2023.

Neither are there any such IT capital projects to report valued over €1 million and written off in the years 2022, 2023 or 2024.

I am informed that it has not been possible for An Garda Síochána to collate the requested information in the allocated timeframe. I will forward this information directly to the Deputy upon receipt.

My Department currently manages a portfolio of strategic projects and programmes within Vote 24 to modernise manual processes and legacy systems fulfilling our obligations under the National Development Plan; Harnessing Digital – The Digital Ireland Framework; and the EU’s Digital Compass to deliver 90% of our services online by 2030 and to build effective and customer focussed systems.

A dedicated Project, Programme and Portfolio Oversight Committee is in place to oversee governance of this work. The Committee is chaired by a member of my Department's Management Board and includes two external members in addition to a number of senior officials from across the Department. In the case of all major projects, a business case is submitted to the Committee. Such business cases are assessed under a range of criteria, including feasibility, alignment with strategy and existing infrastructure, the benefits to be accrued, and value for money.

The Committee also keeps existing projects and programmes under review to make sure they are delivering the expected outcomes, and are within the agreed budget, time and scope. Projects costing in excess of €2m are subject to an external and independent peer review group which provides quarterly assurance reports to the Oversight Committee. This in turn reports to the Management Board.

This structured governance approach ensures information on the progress of all projects is constantly reviewed and there are opportunities for escalation where any issues arise. If any change is proposed to the scope, timeframe or budget of a project, this is considered in the same manner as a new business case, and further expenditure authorised following approval by the Project, Programme and Portfolio Oversight Committee (and if relevant a project, steering or programme board).

Question No. 220 answered with Question No. 219.

Deportation Orders

Ceisteanna (221, 222, 223, 224)

Gary Gannon

Ceist:

221. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if he will provide a breakdown of the number of individuals deported to Nigeria on the State-co-ordinated charter flight that took place on 4 June 2025, including the gender of each person; the age of each person; whether each individual was an adult or child; if any were part of a family unit, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30940/25]

Gary Gannon

Ceist:

222. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if he will list the locations of detention or accommodation where individuals were held or assembled in advance of the deportation flight to Nigeria on 4 June 2025, including the number of individuals held at each location; the duration of their stay prior to removal; and the legal basis under which they were detained, in tabular form. [30941/25]

Gary Gannon

Ceist:

223. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration whether any family groups, including children, were deported on the flight to Nigeria on or around 4 June 2025; if so, to state the number of family units; the number of adults and children in each group; whether any child welfare assessments were conducted prior to removal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30942/25]

Gary Gannon

Ceist:

224. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration whether an independent human rights observer or monitor was present on board the deportation flight to Nigeria on 4 June 2025, or present during the removal process; and if not, to explain the reason such monitoring was not provided for in this case. [30943/25]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration

I propose to take Questions Nos. 221 to 224, inclusive, together.

I am fully committed to ensuring that Ireland’s immigration system is robust and rules based. The enforcement aspects of our laws, including deportation orders, are an essential requirement for the system to work effectively and to ensure that there is confidence in the application of our legislation in this area.

A deportation order is a legal order to leave the State. Any person who has been ordered to leave the State and fails to do so, within the timeframe issued with the deportation order, is committing a criminal offence and can be arrested without warrant if they come into contact with An Garda Síochána. Such an order remains on the person’s record permanently, unless revoked – it means they may not enter Ireland again in future.

It is the preferred option to return people voluntarily and my Department has a voluntary return programme to assist people to return prior to the issuance of a deportation order. It is important to note that a person can only avail of voluntary return before a deportation order is issued.

My Department has taken action to significantly improve immigration enforcement measures and increase removals. The number of deportation orders signed in 2024 (2,403) increased by 180% compared to 2023 (857). This year 1,940 deportation orders have been signed up to 06 June 2025.

Last year, 1,116 people departed from the State under various mechanisms (i.e. enforced deportation, voluntary return etc.), an increase of 252% compared to 2023 (317). This year 893 persons have had their departure confirmed through these pathways up to 06 June 2025.

So far in 2025, three charter flight operations have removed 106 people who were subject to deportation orders from the State with a further 54 removed on commercial airlines. Further charter operations and removals on commercial aircraft will be conducted as the year progresses. 

Of the 35 people removed by charter flight to Nigeria on 04 June 2025, 21 were adult male, 9 were adult female and 5 were children who travelled as part of two family units. I can advise the Deputy that the people removed were between the ages of 8 and 61; a further breakdown cannot be provided as a person may be identifiable by releasing such information.

I can advise the Deputy up to 06 June 2025 of this year there have been 160 enforced deportations (i.e. requiring escort), the majority of these cases have involved periods of detention prior to Departure. Of the 106 people removed by charter flight, 84 were held in custody immediately prior to the flight. Any children removed have been returned as part of family units. The children and their mothers were not detained in advance of their removal. 

The enforcement of deportation orders, and the detention of people prior to their removal, is an operational matter for the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB). Prior to any removal members of GNIB conduct a risk assessment for the safety of those travelling. In addition to Garda personnel, medical staff accompanied the returnees on each charter flight.  A person who is the subject of a deportation order may be detained under Section 5 of the Immigration Act 1999 for up to 56 days for the purpose of ensuring their deportation from the State. An application to extend this period of detention must be made to the District Court. 

The prescribed places of detention are contained in the Immigration Act 1999 (Deportation) Regulations 2005 and are: Castlerea Prison, Cloverhill Prison, Cork Prison, Limerick Prison, Midlands Prison, Mountjoy Prison, and Wheatfield Prison, as well as all Garda Síochána stations. However, not all of these locations are used for this purpose.

Question No. 222 answered with Question No. 221.

Question No. 223 answered with Question No. 221.

Question No. 224 answered with Question No. 221.

Deportation Orders

Ceisteanna (225, 227, 228)

Aidan Farrelly

Ceist:

225. Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if he will provide a schedule of the aircraft leasing companies his Department has engaged with andor utilised in the context of deportation flights, and costs incurred to date in respect of deportation flights and all ancillary services associated with same, in tabular form. [30946/25]

Aidan Farrelly

Ceist:

227. Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if he will provide a schedule of the commercial airline companies his Department has engaged with and-or utilised in the context of deportation flights, and costs incurred to date in respect of deportation flights and all ancillary services associated with same, in tabular form. [30948/25]

Aidan Farrelly

Ceist:

228. Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if he will provide a schedule of the charter airline companies his Department has engaged with and-or utilised in the context of deportation flights, and costs incurred to date in respect of deportation flights and all ancillary services associated with same, in tabular form (details supplied). [30949/25]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration

I propose to take Questions Nos. 225, 227 and 228 together.

It is a central priority for me that Ireland’s immigration system is robust and rules based. The enforcement aspect of our laws, including deportation orders, are an essential requirement for the system to work effectively and to ensure that there is confidence in the application of our legislation in this area.

A deportation order is a legal order to leave the State. Any person who has been ordered to leave the State and fails to do so, within the timeframe issued with the deportation order, is committing a criminal offence and can be arrested without warrant if they come into contact with An Garda Síochána. Such an order remains on the person’s record permanently, unless revoked by the Minister for Justice – it means they may not enter Ireland again in future.

It is the preferred option to return people voluntarily and my Department has a voluntary return programme to assist people to return prior to the issuance of a deportation order. It is important to note that a person can only avail of voluntary return before a deportation order is issued.

My Department has taken action to significantly improve immigration enforcement measures and increase removals. The number of deportation orders signed in 2024 (2,403) increased by 180% compared to 2023 (857). This year 1,940 deportation orders have been signed up to 06 June 2025.

Last year, 1,116 people departed from the State under various mechanisms (i.e. enforced deportation, voluntary return etc.), an increase of 252% compared to 2023 (317). This year 893 persons have had their departure confirmed through these pathways up to 06 June 2025.

I can advise the Deputy that my Department does not lease aircraft directly for the purpose of enforcing deportation orders. Charter flight services are provided by Air Partner Ltd under a contract entered into in November 2024. This contract was signed following a competitive and open procurement process. The costs for the provision of the aircraft for these operations has been as follows:

•             €102,476 for a one-way flight to Georgia in February.

•             €103,751 for a one-way flight to Georgia in May.

•             €324,714 for a return flight to Nigeria in June.

Costs for the provision of supporting charter flight services such as ground handling services, on-board paramedics and a flight manager have been €46,352 so far in 2025. 

The potential value of this contract is €5m over the lifespan of the contract. The term of the contract is 3 years with a possibility to extend it twice by one year, a potential lifespan of 5 years in total. The total expenditure under the contract with Air Partner will be based on the number of charter flights provided, the frequency of which will be determined by the operational needs of the State.

Commercial flights are also used as part of deportation enforcement operations and are booked through the Department’s commercial flight provider. Therefore my Department does not maintain a schedule of airlines used for this purpose.

The below table sets out the number of removals enforced in 2024 and year to date in 2025; and the associated costs for those years. The figure for commercial flights (often through hubs and long-distance) includes the flight costs for removal operations completed using commercial airlines and also the costs of returning accompanying escorts to Ireland when a one-way charter flight is used to enforce deportation orders.

Table 1. Deportation and Removals Costs

-	2024	2025*
Deportation orders enforced on commercial airlines	134	54
Deportation orders enforced by GNIB on charter flights	N/A	106
Other removals enforced on commercial flights	26	10
Commercial Flight costs	€1,202,750	€527,003**
Charter Aircraft costs	N/A	€530,942
Charter Operations support services	N/A	€46,352

*Please note that the figures for 2025 are provisional and subject to change.

**including the return of escorts for one way charter operations.

A number of factors impact the costs associated with deportation operations. In particular, the costs for any particular deportation reflect the numbers travelling in each instance; in some cases a person may resist deportation and the Garda National Immigration Bureau risk assessment may give rise to the need for additional escorts. Flight costs also can often be impacted by the need to make arrangements to enable escorts to return on the same flight; where, for example, it is necessary for the personal safety of the escorts.

Visa Applications

Ceisteanna (226)

Eoin Ó Broin

Ceist:

226. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the current turnaround time for category D visa applications; the date of category D applications currently being processed; if his Department has considered publishing information regarding this visa category on the Immigration Service website; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30947/25]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration

I am advised the Deputy has clarified that he is referring to the processing of Join Family visa applications sponsored by holders of Critical Skills Employment Permits (CSEP).

I understand that extended wait times can be frustrating for applicants and I want to assure anyone who has made an application for a join family visa that my Department is doing everything possible to progress these applications as quickly as possible.

The processing times of applications for join family visas of CSEP holders varies depending on the circumstances when the application is made. If a non-EEA national is moving to Ireland because they have been granted a CSEP, they can apply for family reunification visas at the same time as their own employment visa. When these visas are applied for together, they are processed in tandem and are typically completed within four to eight weeks.

My Department aims to process join family visas applications made in other circumstances within 12 months. The business target reflects the detailed and often complex assessment that is required to be carried out in relation to applications for family reunification.

The majority of join family visas receive a first instance decision within the 12 month business target. Information regarding the processing times for join family visa applications sponsored by a CSEP holder is not collated in the matter requested by the Deputy. However, I can advise that between 01 January 2025 to 31 May 2025, the average processing time for a join family visa sponsored by a non-EEA national was 86 days. This figure includes join family visa applications sponsored by CSEP holders.

Processing dates and decisions at the Dublin Visa Office can be checked at the following link which is updated each Tuesday: 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 persons 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.

To provide greater clarity, officials in my Department are currently in the process of updating the Immigration Service website to provide processing times for decisions on visa applications at the Dublin Visa Office.

• Written Answers Nos. 187-206
• Written Answers Nos. 227-246