Written Answers Nos. 227-246
229. Deputy Catherine Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the progress on developing a new national cybersecurity strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30073/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, responsibility for National Cyber Security policy transferred to my Department from the former Department of Environment, Climate and Communications, in recent weeks.
The previous National Cyber Security Strategy covered the period 2019-2024. Work on a successor Strategy is underway in my Department and I expect to be in a position to publish the new Strategy before the end of this year.
230. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of people prosecuted for illegally modifying an electric bicycle to increase its power or speed since 2020, broken down by year, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30882/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra231. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of people prosecuted for use of an overpowered or modified electric bicycle since 2020, broken down by year, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30883/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 230 and 231 together.
Road traffic legislation comes under the remit of the Department of Transport. E-Scooter legislation was introduced last year and solely governs the use of e-scooters.
As was confirmed with the Deputy, the relevant legislation referred to are sections 9 and 28 of the Road Traffic (Electric Scooters) Regulations 2024 provide that:
(9) A person shall not modify an electric scooter and,
(28) Where a person uses an electric scooter in a public place which does not comply with these Regulations, then the owner of the scooter is prescribed for the purposes of Section 11 (5)(a) of the Road Traffic Act 1961 (No. 24 of 1961) as also committing an offence in respect of the non-compliance.
I have been informed by the Courts Service that there are no prosecutions recorded for the above offence.
232. Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration further to Parliamentary Question No. 1607 of 29 April 2025, if he will set out the basis and purpose for the review of the immigration data management; and the rationale for engaging a retired Garda and not utilising a current member of An Garda Síochána and or an official in his Department. [30919/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe review referred to in my response to the Deputy's previous question is a technical administrative one concerning data management in the Immigration area of my Department and requires some experience and expertise in the area.
While consideration was given to utilising serving officials or members of An Garda Síochána, this would have diverted from other important priorities. The work is being overseen by serving officials and members of An Garda Síochána.
235. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of family law and childcare cases heard in camera in each of the past five years, by court level - district, circuit or high court, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30961/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, management of the courts, including matters related to the administration of the courts, is the responsibility of the Courts Service, which, under the provisions of the Courts Service Act 1998, is independent in exercising its functions.
To be of assistance to the Deputy, I have had enquires made with the Court Service who have advised that the statistics sought by the Deputy are available in the Courts Service annual reports, accessible on the Courts Service website. I have further been advised that the 2024 annual report will be published in the coming weeks.
236. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the reviews or consultations that have taken place regarding the impact of the in camera rule on public understanding, media reporting, and litigants’ access to justice in family law and childcare proceedings; and if he will publish any findings arising from such reviews. [30962/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra237. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if his Department intends to bring forward legislative proposals to amend or relax the in camera rule in family law and childcare proceedings in order to improve transparency while safeguarding privacy; and if he will provide a timeline for any such proposals. [30963/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra239. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the specific safeguards in place to ensure that parties in childcare proceedings, particularly parents and guardians, can effectively participate in and understand the process, given the restrictions imposed by the in camera rule. [30965/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra240. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if his Department has engaged with legal rights groups, court reporters or family support services on the effect of the in camera rule on access to justice and public accountability; and if he will publish any submissions received. [30966/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 236, 237, 239 and 240 together.
My Department is continuing to implement the Family Justice Strategy 2022-2025, the ambitious programme of reform 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.
Ensuring transparency and promoting a greater understanding of the family law system is critical to maintaining and building trust in it. One of the nine goals in the Family Justice Strategy is to focus on improving data collection and sharing. A key action under this goal is to review the operation of the in-camera rule in family law proceedings.
The Department of Justice issued a request for tender for research on this issue and a research team led by UCC undertook the review.
The primary aims of the research were to:
• review the current operation of the in-camera rule in its entirety;
• analyse issues with the current operation, including but not limited to identifying the challenges and benefits of the law, and the statutory exceptions which permit research and reporting on cases; and
• make recommendations relating to reform of the law which can enhance clarity and transparency and offer the necessary protections for those involved in proceedings.
I am confident that this research will be a catalyst for change in achieving a better balance between the need for a more transparent private family law system, while ensuring the privacy and safety of those who need to access it.
As part of the research, a National Online Survey was conducted by the research team. Some 300 responses were received from individuals with experience of private family law or childcare proceedings in Ireland. In addition, 13 judges took part in the semi-structured interviews, and 18 focus groups were conducted with professionals, services and civil society groups. The findings from these are outlined in the research report.
The research report has now been submitted to my office and has since been published on Gov.ie. The report contains 21 recommendations including the need to retitle the rule to ensure it is understood by all family court users, that it is clearly and consistently defined, and that its operation does not impede parties accessing support outside Court. The report also contains a number of recommendations to promote greater transparency, along with a strong training strategy. Officials within my Department are working to develop policy proposals in relation to the in camera rule by the end of 2025.
In response to the in-camera rule research, I intend to establish a Private Family Law Reporting Project. There is no comprehensive system in Ireland for regularly and systematically reporting on private family law proceedings. The overall aim of the Project is to provide transparency for the public while ensuring that children’s and parents’ right to privacy is upheld. It will serve to increase awareness and understanding of family law proceedings, while building confidence and trust in the judicial determination of family law disputes. Department officials are currently developing a tender for the establishment of the Project and I expect it to go to market soon.
238. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of accredited media applications made to attend in camera family or childcare proceedings under section 40 of the Civil Liability and Courts Act 2004 or other statutory provisions in the past five years; and the number granted, in tabular form. [30964/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraIt is important to note that the courts are, subject only to the Constitution and the law, independent in the exercise of their judicial functions, and the conduct of any court case is a matter entirely for the presiding judge. Additionally, management of the courts, including matters related to the administration of the courts, is the responsibility of the Courts Service, which, under the provisions of the Courts Service Act 1998, is independent in exercising its functions.
To be of assistance to the Deputy, my officials have made enquiries with the Courts Service who have advised that Section 40 (3A) of the Civil Liability and Courts Act 2004 (as inserted by Section 5 of the Courts and Civil Law Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2013) is the relevant legislative provision and does not require bona fide members of the press to make an application to Court.
The data requested by the Deputy is therefore not available.
241. Deputy Aisling Dempsey asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if his Department has plans to use State-owned accommodation in Trim or the surrounding areas as an IPAS centre. [31089/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere are currently no properties in the Trim area under consideration by my Department as either State-owned or commercially provided international protection accommodation.
242. Deputy Aisling Dempsey asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration when he expects the newly appointed senior counsel to examine the conditions under which a repeat offender may be granted bail while awaiting trial. [31090/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am committed to ensuring our bail laws are fit for purpose. While bail laws in Ireland are comprehensive and the Bail Act 1997 has been revised and strengthened several times, specifically by the Criminal Justice Act 2007, the Criminal Justice (Burglary of Dwellings) Act 2015 and the Criminal Justice Act 2017, I have formally requested Mr Lorcan Staines, SC, to undertake an assessment of the efficacy of Irish bail laws. The Department is engaging with Mr Staines to finalise the Terms of Reference for this review. It is expected the review will commence shortly.
243. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of beneficiaries of temporary protection in accommodation supported by the accommodation recognition payment, through the Irish Red Cross pledge campaign, the offer a home scheme operated by local authorities or by private arrangements, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31136/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Accommodation Recognition Payment (ARP) is a monthly payment available to those providing accommodation to a person or people who arrived in Ireland under the EU Temporary Protection Directive.
The scheme is provided for under Part 2 of the Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2022 and is administered by the Department of Social Protection on behalf of my Department.
As of 9 June 2025, there are some 21,400 active claims in payment in respect of hosting some 39,100 beneficiaries.
Applicants for the Accommodation Recognition Payment are not required to register with the Irish Red Cross pledge campaign or the Offer a Home scheme operated by local authorities. The information that the Deputy has requested is not available as it is not captured as part of the application process as prescribed by the Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2022.
Approx. 23,950 beneficiaries have been placed in accommodation pledged to the Irish Red Cross and to the ‘Offer a Home’ scheme operated by local authorities since the schemes launched.
|
Accommodation stream |
No. of BOTPs accommodated |
|
Irish Red Cross Pledged Accommodation Programme (as of 6 June 2025) |
13,581 |
|
Offer a Home (as of 26 May 2025) |
10,365 |
|
Total |
23,946 |
244. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of beneficiaries of temporary protection in each local authority area or county in accommodation supported by the accommodation recognition payment through the Irish Red Cross pledge campaign, the offer a home scheme operated by local authorities or by private arrangements, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31137/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Accommodation Recognition Payment (ARP) is a monthly payment available to those providing accommodation to a person or people who arrived in Ireland under the EU Temporary Protection Directive.
The scheme is provided for under Part 2 of the Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2022 and is administered by the Department of Social Protection on behalf of my Department.
As of 9 June 2025, there are some 21,400 active claims in payment in respect of hosting some 39,100 beneficiaries.
Applicants for the Accommodation Recognition Payment are not required to register with the Irish Red Cross Pledge Campaign or the Offer a Home scheme operated by local authorities. The information that the Deputy has requested is not available as it is not captured as part of the application process as prescribed by the Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2022.
The ARP claim activity per county is as follows.
Awarded claims by county
|
County |
No. beneficiaries associated with active ARP claims |
|
Dublin |
4,208 |
|
Donegal |
4,388 |
|
Cork |
3,021 |
|
Mayo |
2,877 |
|
Kerry |
2,684 |
|
Galway |
1,807 |
|
Wexford |
2,005 |
|
Tipperary |
1,875 |
|
Limerick |
1,571 |
|
Kildare |
1,284 |
|
Waterford |
1,237 |
|
Westmeath |
1,011 |
|
Louth |
1,013 |
|
Clare |
1,269 |
|
Meath |
973 |
|
Sligo |
1,134 |
|
Carlow |
733 |
|
Wicklow |
745 |
|
Offaly |
842 |
|
Leitrim |
959 |
|
Cavan |
758 |
|
Longford |
759 |
|
Laois |
597 |
|
Kilkenny |
566 |
|
Monaghan |
513 |
|
Roscommon |
295 |
|
Totals |
39,124 |
245. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the total number of properties currently contracted by the State to provide accommodation for Ukrainian beneficiaries of temporary protection, and the total number of beneficiaries of temporary protection currently residing in these properties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31138/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs part of the response to the unprecedented humanitarian crisis of the war breaking out in Ukraine, the State contracted for a variety of different commercial properties.
All accommodation contracted by this Department is temporary in nature, and Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection are advised of this when requesting emergency accommodation.
Currently 670 contracts are in operation providing State-contracted temporary accommodation to persons fleeing the war in Ukraine. This contracted accommodation capacity includes beds in hotels, guesthouses, B&Bs, hostels, self-catering accommodation and certain other repurposed settings.
As of 9 June 2025, the total number of people residing in this category of State-contracted accommodation is 23,559.
246. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the total number of properties currently contracted by the State in each local authority area or county to provide accommodation for Ukrainian beneficiaries of temporary protection; the total number of beneficiaries of temporary protection currently residing in these properties, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31139/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraSince February 2022, almost 90,000 Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection have been provided access to state-supported accommodation by the Department of Integration. Almost 23,600 of those are currently in State supported accommodation.
The information requested has been extracted from our systems and is outlined in tabular form below. Please note that the below table refers to people residing in State-provided accommodation only. These figures are as of 9 June 2025.
I would also note that these figures provide an overview at a point in time and are contingent on a number of factors that are subject to change including accommodation availability, providers in contract at any given time, configurations, transfers resulting from contracts ceasing.
|
County |
Number of properties currently contracted by the State to provide accommodation for beneficiaries of temporary protection |
Number of Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection residing in properties currently contracted by the State |
|
Carlow |
7 |
173 |
|
Cavan |
18 |
409 |
|
Clare |
31 |
1,186 |
|
Cork |
66 |
2,909 |
|
Donegal |
56 |
778 |
|
Dublin |
67 |
3,639 |
|
Galway |
40 |
1,425 |
|
Kerry |
112 |
2,985 |
|
Kildare |
6 |
450 |
|
Kilkenny |
13 |
475 |
|
Laois |
6 |
272 |
|
Leitrim |
12 |
214 |
|
Limerick |
21 |
1,063 |
|
Longford |
5 |
64 |
|
Louth |
15 |
449 |
|
Mayo |
24 |
1,031 |
|
Meath |
13 |
698 |
|
Monaghan |
6 |
81 |
|
Offaly |
17 |
781 |
|
Roscommon |
8 |
186 |
|
Sligo |
25 |
670 |
|
Tipperary |
23 |
699 |
|
Waterford |
16 |
502 |
|
Westmeath |
13 |
669 |
|
Wexford |
33 |
863 |
|
Wicklow |
17 |
888 |
|
Total |
670 |
23,559 |
