Written Answers Nos. 169-188
169. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration for an update on efforts to develop recommendations for the Government on a contribution model for people in international protection accommodation; if he has contracted any external consultancy provider to assist in this process; if so, if he will provide the details of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36280/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is developing a proposal for a contribution to cost scheme for people in international protection accommodation.
This proposal will consider options to require adults who are in receipt of income, and are living in International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) accommodation, to make a contribution to their accommodation costs.
Work is ongoing by officials in my Department to develop a contribution model proposal, and to date no external contractors have been engaged on this project.
170. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration further to Parliamentary Question No. 920 of 11 February 2025, the number of calls made to An Garda Síochána, by month and by year, from 2016 to 2024, that would fall under the heading of domestic violence, in tabular form.; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36282/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am committed to combatting all forms of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence as a central priority.
'Zero Tolerance,' the Third National Strategy on Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence (DSGBV), set out an ambitious five-year programme of reform to achieve a society which does not accept DSGBV or the attitudes which underpin these crimes.
An Garda Síochána prioritise and proactively respond to incidents of domestic abuse. The nationwide roll out of Divisional Protective Service Units (DPSUs) ensures that when victims of crimes such as domestic abuse and sexual violence present to Gardaí, they are met with a consistently high standard of specialist, sensitive, professional and expert assistance.
I can confirm that there is now a DPSU in every Garda Division.
An Garda Síochána have provided the below data and have offered the following distinction between Domestic Abuse Incidents and Domestic Abuse Calls.
An Garda Síochána record the following as Domestic Abuse Incidents: breaches of any type of domestic abuse order, domestic – no Offence Identified or any incident where the ‘Domestic Abuse’ motive has been recorded. An incident is when An Garda Síochána are formally investigating a crime.
An Garda Síochána record the following as Domestic Abuse Calls: all of the incidents cited in 1 above and any calls through CAD (Computer Aided Dispatch) of the type ‘DVSA’ or ‘Domestic’. Calls cover all incoming requests for police attention, even if no crime is ultimately detected.
Table 1 at the first link below provides details of the total number of Domestic Abuse Incidents reported from 2016 to 2024 by Garda Division.
Domestic Abuse Incidents include:
• Breach of Barring Order
• Breach of Emergency Barring Order
• Breach of Safety Order
• Breach of Protection Order
• Breach of Interim Barring Order
• Domestic - No Offence Identified
or is any incident type but has a recorded ‘Domestic Abuse’ motive.
Table 2 at the second link below details the total number of Domestic Abuse Calls reported from 2020 to 2024 by Garda Division.
Domestic Abuse Calls include the following:
• Breach of Barring Order
• Breach of Emergency Barring Order
• Breach of Safety Order
• Breach of Protection Order
• Breach of Interim Barring Order
• Domestic - No Offence Identified
or refers to any incident type, that has a recorded ‘Domestic Abuse’ motive and all CAD incidents of the type ‘DVSA’ or ‘Domestic’.
An Garda Síochána have advised that the Computer Aided Dispatch system was rolled out nationwide on an incremental basis during 2019 and the first year for which there is complete national data on Domestic Abuse Calls is 2020. That is why Table 2, Domestic Abuse Calls, does not have data for the years prior to 2020.
I am cognisant that the data provided by An Garda Síochána records a steady increase in reported incidents and calls, year-on-year. While any increase in reported cases of domestic violence is deeply concerning, there is evidence that a greater number of people feel more confident to come forward with a criminal complaint, share their experience, and seek the support they have a right to expect. Although the volume is of great concern, this increased confidence is welcome.
A key objective of the whole of Government Zero Tolerance strategy is to encourage victims of domestic and sexual violence to come forward and report the heinous crimes being committed against them. This is an important step because historically there has been significant under-reporting of such crimes.
My Department is continuing to work with agencies in the criminal justice system to strengthen trust and confidence in the system, so that victims will feel more assured in coming forward to report what has happened to them.
I want to reassure anyone who is subject to, or at risk of, domestic or sexual abuse that practical help is always available. I urge anyone who is in fear or danger due to domestic abuse or any other crime, to please contact the Gardaí as soon as it is safe to do so.
171. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if he is satisfied with the current approach to the possession of knives in public places; if he will review sentencing guidelines and enforcement practices to ensure a tougher stance on knife crime; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36306/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra172. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the measures being taken to strengthen the enforcement of section 9 of the Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act 1990, particularly regarding the possession of knives in public without lawful excuse; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36307/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra173. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if his Department will consider developing a dedicated strategy to address knife crime, drawing on examples from other jurisdictions such as London, where rising knife-related incidents have led to targeted policy responses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36309/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 171 to 173, inclusive, together.
I strongly condemn the use of knives to threaten, intimidate or harm others. The Government is committed to ensuring that the problems that we have seen in neighbouring jurisdictions do not repeat themselves here.
Knives may be used in the commission of many different types of offence, ranging from threats and intimidation, robbery and aggravated burglary to serious assaults and murder. There are many complex, interlinked and variable causes for the use of knives in the commission of offences.
As a result, there are no quick-fix solutions to tackling knife crime. Long term, evidence-based strategies are needed that address knife crime as part of a wider strategic response to anti-social behaviour, street violence, youth offending and domestic violence.
There is already a comprehensive and robust legal framework in place in Ireland with respect to knife crime, including heavy penalties for breaches of the laws concerned with the maximum penalty for possessing a knife in a public place, without good reason or lawful authority, of five years.
Five offences related to knives and other offensive weapons were increase under the Courts, Civil Law, Criminal Law and Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2024, which was signed into law on 23 of July 2024. Part 9 of this Act, which increases the penalties for certain offences under the Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act 1990, was commenced in September 2024.
The maximum penalty for the offences of possession of a knife with the intention of unlawfully intimidating or injuring another person, trespassing with a knife, and producing a knife while committing or appearing to be about to commit an offence, increased from 5 years to 7 years imprisonment. The maximum penalty for the offence of manufacturing, importing, selling, hiring or lending offensive weapons increased from 7 years to 10 years.
In addition, the Government doubled the maximum penalty for ‘assault causing harm’ under section 3 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act 1997 from 5 to 10 years imprisonment in 2023. Many assaults involving knives, fall within this offence category and this increase ensures that courts have the necessary sentencing powers to reflect the severity and impact of such crimes. The offence of ‘causing serious harm’ under section 4 of that Act already carries a potential life sentence.
In 2021, my Department commissioned a report from Maynooth University entitled Evidence Review on Knife Crime, which found that intensive stop-and-search practice yields a very low ‘hit rate' and that there is limited evidence of its effectiveness in reducing knife crime.
Enforcement of relevant legislation is, of course, an operational matter for the Garda Commissioner and as Minister I have no role in enforcement matters. I am assured however that Gardaí will continue with their proactive measures to tackle this issue, including their assault reduction strategy, which is targeted at tackling all types of assaults in public, including use of knives. This strategy is informed by a pro-arrest, early investigation and proactive high-visibility approach.
174. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration when community safety partnerships will be established; if he is aware that the delay is impacting communities where task forces on antisocial behaviour are unable to be established; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36318/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAt the outset, I acknowledge the Deputy's concerns and I want to repeat that it is absolutely my intention that the Local Community Safety Partnerships will be established as soon as practicable. The Partnerships are the cornerstone of our policy on community safety and so it is vital we get them up and running so that they can begin work on the development of a community safety plan for their respective areas.
Last week I signed the regulations for the safety partnerships and these came into operation on Monday, 30 June. This now paves the way for a total of 36 partnerships to be established across the country with partnerships in each local authority administrative area.
The regulations outline very clearly how the safety partnerships will operate in practice and will ensure that each partnership operates with transparency, strategic focus, and strong local engagement.
A key principle of the Report of the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland is that community safety requires multi-agency cooperation working in partnership with An Garda Síochána and crucially with communities themselves. The Commission's report recommended the establishment of national and local structures to bring together Departments and State agencies involved in harm prevention, alongside representatives of the local community, to promote community safety.
Local Community Safety Partnerships (LCSPs) will replace and build upon the good work of the Joint Policing Committees, supplementing this by bringing together a broader range of relevant stakeholders. This will include local councillors, An Garda Síochána, local residents, community representatives, business and education representatives, and a range of statutory agencies including the HSE, Tusla and each local authority.
I believe they will be very effective in seeking to achieve what is set out in the legislation, namely to have a broader representation within the partnerships so the issues affecting local communities, not just in respect of policing but also in community safety, can be dealt with in one forum within the local authority.
175. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration for an update on his Department’s engagement with, and contribution to, the Government’s position on the EU proposal for a ban on lead in ammunition and fishing tackle under the reach regulation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36348/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis issue is being discussed under REACH, the Regulation on the registration, evaluation, authorisation and restriction of chemicals (REACH) which is the main EU law to protect human health and the environment from the risks that can be posed by chemicals. The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment is coordinating the Irish position on this matter.
Given that the breadth of this draft Regulation spans the remit of several Government Departments, the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment has established an interdepartmental group to coordinate engagement on the Regulation. I can confirm that an official from my Department was recently nominated to this group.
176. Deputy Mark Wall asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration how a person (details supplied) can go about getting a visa refund given the long delays in processing times; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36357/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can advise the Deputy that on 10 July 2024 visa requirements were introduced for nationals of South Africa, bringing our arrangements into alignment with the visa requirements of Schengen members states, and with those of the UK.
The Dublin Visa Office have established a dedicated “South Africa desk” to process applications from residents of South Africa. My Department also established Visa Application Centres, located throughout South Africa, with visa service provider VFS Global. This is to ensure the facilitation of legitimate travel with processes that are robust, effective, and fair.
In 2024, approximately 201,000 visa applications, of all types, were received by the Visa Division of my Department. This reflects an increase of 21%, compared to 2023, with over 35,000 additional applications received.
Since July 2024 to date, over 11,700 applications of all types have been received by the South African Desk and over 7,900 decisions have issued with an overall 89% grant rate.
The South Africa Desk publishes guidance for people, target processing times and weekly decision reports, at the following webpage: www.irishimmigration.ie/south-africa-visa-desk/
The current target processing times for visa applications submitted to the South Africa Visa Desk are 10 to 12 weeks for applications to visit family/friend and approximately 14 weeks for tourist applications. I can assure the Deputy that efforts are being made to improve the current processing times.
If an application has significantly exceeded the above times, it is possible that, on initial assessment, the application has not met the criteria to be issued a visa, and further assessment/verification is required. In such instances, processing times will be longer than those stated above.
I understand extended wait times can be frustrating. I want to assure anyone who is waiting on a decision that my Department is doing everything possible to progress applications as quickly as possible. In recent months, additional resources and staff have been assigned to my Department’s Visa Division which I expect will reduce the waiting times for all applications.
People are advised that unforeseen delays can arise, which are outside the control of the Visa Desk. Processing times for all applications are influenced by a number of factors. The time it can take varies depending on the type and complexity of application; individual circumstances; peak application periods; such as holidays or the start of the school year; and, crucially, the quality and completeness of the application lodged.
I can advise the Deputy the visa fee is an administration fee which covers the cost of processing the application. This fee is non-refundable. Further information regarding visa application’s fees is available on my Department’s website, at the following address: www.irishimmigration.ie/preclearance-and-entry-visas-fees/
Any person can now directly check the status of their visa application on the Immigration Service’s new Customer Service portal. They can register for, or log in to their existing account at: portal.irishimmigration.ie/en/
177. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration his plans to introduce legislation that will criminalise individuals who use artificial intelligence to produce and distribute deepfake images and videos; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36381/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe rate of development in AI tools is unprecedented. A whole of Government approach is required to address AI challenges effectively and harness AI opportunities. My Department has engaged, and continues to engage, with counterparts across other Departments on digital matters, including AI.
As the Deputy will be aware, the Government includes a Minister of State for Trade Promotion, Artificial Intelligence and Digital Transformation, Ms Niamh Smyth, TD, which is the first time there has been a portfolio concerning AI.
The Department of Enterprise led the negotiations on the AI Act and is leading on its implementation at a national level. The Department of Enterprise established an independent AI Advisory Council, to provide expert advice to the Irish Government on all aspects of artificial intelligence. The Council comprises leading experts from academia, industry and civil society.
Earlier this year the Advisory Council published a report “Ireland’s AI Advisory Council Recommendations - Helping to Shape Ireland’s AI Future”, which includes the following advice on Deepfakes:
Addressing AI Misuse - Deepfakes and Digital Cloning: In light of the potential misuse of AI, such as widely available technology that can digitally clone the image, likeness, and/or voice of individuals, the Council recommends that the Government considers introducing a specific law prohibiting the creation of digital "deep fakes" of individuals without their consent.
This document was presented to the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment Peter Burke, TD, and the AI and Digital Transformation Minister of State, Niamh Smyth, TD. This report was also shared with the Department of An Taoiseach. Minister Burke has publicly stated his commitment to ensure the contents of this report are considered by Government.
My Department and I are committed to continuing our active engagement and collaboration with our counterparts across Government, to ensure we deliver on our Department's mission of working for a safe, fair and inclusive Ireland.
The Harassment, Harmful Communications and Related Offences Act 2020 (also known as “Coco’s Law”) defines the term “intimate image” broadly in order to capture all of the potential means by which intimate images may be produced. This covers AI-generated materials and deepfakes. The term “intimate image” in the Act “means any visual representation (including any accompanying sound or document) made by any means including any photographic, film, video or digital representation”.
The 2020 Act also criminalises the distribution, publishing, or threats to distribute or publish such deepfakes. The Act contains both summary and indictable offences - including imprisonment for a term not exceeding seven years and class A fines.
Anyone who becomes aware of intimate images being used in this way, whether they are deepfakes or not, should report it to An Garda Síochána or to Hotline.ie, which works with all the major internet service providers in Ireland, as well as a network of international partners, and has been successfully getting illegal material online removed from various platforms for over 20 years.
The Child Trafficking and Pornography Act 1998, is already framed so that no distinction can made between AI- generated material and other child sexual abuse material. Section 2(2) provides that: “The reference in paragraph (a) of the definition of child pornography to a person shall be construed as including a reference to a figure resembling a person that has been generated or modified by computer-graphics or otherwise”. The existing penalties in Ireland’s national legislation exceed all of the maximum sentences in the Directive 2011/93/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 December 2011 on combating the sexual abuse and sexual exploitation of children and child pornography, and replacing Council Framework Decision 2004/68/JHA and also exceed all of the revised maximum sentences proposed in the Revising Directive currently being negotiated at EU level.
178. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the timeframe for processing of Irish citizenship applications via Irish association, in particular those who submitted additional requested documentation as per the new guidelines published by his Department in April 2025, taking into account that no timeframe has been given and many applicants have been waiting over five years for a decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36382/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAll applications for a certificate of naturalisation are assessed individually in accordance with the provisions of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended.
My Department has recently published guidelines for applications on the basis of Irish Associations under Section 16(1)(a) of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956. The guidelines provide clarity to both applicants and decision-makers. They set out the factors that may be considered when deciding whether to waive the statutory conditions in certain circumstances, including where the applicant is of Irish descent or Irish associations.
The guidelines have been developed in the interests of fair and transparent procedures and comprehensive decision making. Details of the guidelines are available on my Department’s website at the following link: www.irishimmigration.ie/how-to-become-a-citizen/
Citizenship Division have written to over 1,500 people with ongoing Section 16 applications advising them of the recently published guidelines and have provided an opportunity to them to provide additional documentation, should they wish.
A significant number of responses have been received and these are being reviewed. Decisions have begun to issue but my Department cannot, at this time, offer a specific time frame for the processing of all on-hand applications.
I can assure the Deputy that the Citizenship Division of my Department is doing everything possible to progress applications as quickly as possible; however, given the nature of these applications, Section 16 applications can take longer to process than applications based upon residency.
My expectation is that once an appreciable number of decisions have been reached, my Department will be in a better position to provided indicative timeframes for processing.
Any application under Section 16 that relies on Irish associations and affinity should be supported by substantive documentation that renders the application exceptional and one where the normal pathways to citizenship provided for under the legislation are not appropriate.
179. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the current average processing time for join family visa applications made by non-EU spouses of Irish citizens; and his Department’s plans to address current backlogs. [36442/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can advise the Deputy that there are currently seven overseas Visa Offices in addition to the Visa Office in Dublin. They are located in Abuja, Beijing, London, Moscow, Ankara, Abu Dhabi and New Delhi. In addition, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade process certain visa applications in Irish Embassies abroad under delegated sanction from my Department.
I understand that extended wait times can be frustrating for applicants, and I want to assure anyone who has made an application for a visa that my Department is doing everything possible to progress these applications as quickly as possible. In recent months, additional resources and staff have been assigned to my Department’s Visa Division which I expect will reduce the waiting times for all applications.
I can advise the Deputy that majority of join family visas receive a first instance decision within the 12-month business target. In 2024 the average processing time for join family visa applications, where the sponsor was an Irish national, was 139 days. This figure includes join family visa applications made by spouses, children and other family members.
Processing times for all applications are influenced by a number of factors and some applications may take considerably longer than average to progress to finalisation. The time it can take varies depending on the type and complexity of application; individual circumstances; peak application periods; such as holidays or the start of the school year; and, crucially, the quality and completeness of the application lodged.
In 2024, approximately 201,000 visa applications, of all types, were received by the Visa Division of my Department. This reflects an increase of 21%, compared to 2023, with over 35,000 additional applications received. These increases have continued, in the first five months of 2025, my Department's Visa Division received approximately 88,400 visa applications and has issued over 76,900 decisions. This reflects an increase in applications of 14%, compared to the same period in 2024.
My officials are working to meet the increased level of demand, and over 5,400 additional visa decisions have issued in the first five months of 2025, compared to the same period in 2024.
180. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration further to Parliamentary Question No. 147 of 25 June 2025, if he will provide the information which was not provided regarding the highest rate per-bed per-day paid for accommodation in IPAS accommodation in each of the past five years, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36456/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFurther to Parliamentary Question of 25 June 2025, the State is providing accommodation to almost 33,000 people who have applied for international protection, in over 320 centres nationwide.
Over 90% of this accommodation is commercially provided at this time, and the State is actively working to shift this balance away from commercial accommodation, toward more State-owned provision.
The financial information regarding the highest rate per-bed per-day paid for contracts or contractual arrangements between my Department and external providers are considered commercially sensitive.
In order to preserve the State's negotiating position, the specific costs paid to providers per night, or the details of contract prices, are not published as making this data available to other accommodation providers would not serve the public interest in terms of attaining value for money.
The Department provides access to detailed information on payments to accommodation providers on gov.ie, through quarterly online reports detailing Purchase Orders (PO) relating to payments of a value greater than €20,000. These are published, once per quarter, on: gov.ie:www.gov.ie/en/collection/dfdadb-department-of-children-and-youth-affairs-purchase-orders-for-20000-o/
181. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration how his Department intends to rebuild trust among victims and survivors of domestic, sexual and gender based violence who may be reluctant to seek support again due to previous negative experiences with An Garda Síochána; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36499/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra182. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration how his Department is engaging with organisations such as women’s aid to ensure that victim-survivor feedback informs Garda training and policy development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36500/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 181 and 182 together.
Combatting all forms of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence (DSGBV) is a central priority for me as Minister for Justice.
The work that Women's Aid do to confront, challenge and end domestic abuse in Ireland is vital and its impact cannot be overstated. It was my privilege to launch the organisation's annual report last month, which provided me the opportunity to hear from survivors, their experiences and their concerns.
In March, I hosted the annual national DSGBV forum, which brings together key stakeholders to advance the Government’s commitment to a zero tolerance approach to DSGBV. Both An Garda Síochána and Women’s Aid are members of this forum. At this forum I reiterated my commitment to expanding support services, strengthening legal protections and driving cultural change to prevent violence and abuse.
It should be noted that work to improve victims' engagement with the justice system is ongoing, including through the implementation of ‘Supporting a Victims Journey’; a detailed plan to give effect to the recommendations made in the O'Malley Review, which was published in 2020.
This work has been brought forward in 'Zero Tolerance', the Third National Strategy on DSGBV, which commenced in 2022. This is the government's five-year programme of reform to establish a society which does not accept these heinous crimes or the attitudes which underpin them.
I am informed by the Commissioner that all Garda trainees receive comprehensive training in relation to understanding and investigating and dealing with incidents of Domestic Abuse. As first responders to incidents of domestic abuse and violence I believe it is essential that all Gardaí are trained to respond appropriately and are equipped to deal with victims. I have been advised by An Garda Síochána that there has been significant investment in training for their members (attested, probationer and serving Garda members) to deal with domestic violence and importantly support victims and of their commitment to continue this.
A further key development has been the roll out of Divisional Protective Service Units (DPSUs) in Garda Divisions across the country. This ensures that when vulnerable victims of crimes such as sexual violence present to Gardaí they can be immediately met with specialist assistance.
The establishment of Cuan the Domestic Sexual Gender and Based Violence Agency in 2024 is a key element to achieving Zero Tolerance by driving and implementing all actions set out in the Strategy, and developing future plans regarding DSGBV.
Strengthening trust and confidence in our justice system is essential in encouraging victims to seek help and holding perpetrators to account and I will continue to work closely with An Garda Síochána, Cuan and other stakeholders on this.
As aspects of both questions also relate to the work carried out by Cuan, I have referred them to Cuan for their response.
183. Deputy Conor Sheehan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration for a timeline on legislation to implement the recommendations of the disregard scheme in relation to a mechanism to formally clear the names of those with historical convictions for consensual same sex activity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36581/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Victorian-era laws that criminalised consensual sexual activity between men are now rightly recognised as a historical injustice. In 2021, a multi-stakeholder working group was established to examine the disregard of such convictions. The group met eleven times, with follow up and wider outreach activities occurring between each meeting, before producing its final report in 2023.
The report contains 95 recommendations covering matters such as the range of offences that should be included, the eligibility criteria for a disregard, the procedures for applications, decisions and reviews, and how to address cases where there may be insufficient information available to determine whether a given conviction meets the criteria.
These matters need to be addressed carefully and appropriately in the statutory scheme which this Government has committed to introducing and on which my officials are currently working.
I acknowledge the Private Members’ Bill on this matter which was introduced in this House on Tuesday. I commend the work that has been put into the Bill and for the sincere commitment to securing progress on this matter. My officials are examining the Bill at present. Its procedural provisions differ in certain respects from what the Working Group recommended and, also, from the proposals I intend to bring forward. However, the overall objective is very much the same.
It is clear that there is a shared commitment across this House to address what was a deep and enduring historical injustice, one which stigmatised an entire community and caused pain and hardship to so many. I am very conscious that those affected, and their families, are hopeful that a disregard scheme can be introduced as early as possible. They deserve a scheme that is fair, accessible and straightforward.
Needless to say, it also needs to be legally and procedurally robust. I am confident that the proposals I intend to introduce will meet all of these requirements, and I am determined to bring them forward as soon as practicable and to secure their enactment at the earliest opportunity.
The Deputy will appreciate that there are limits to the capacity of these Houses to debate, amend and pass individual Bills. Any new Bill that is introduced must compete for parliamentary time with numerous other items of legislation and with other essential business. The Government has an extensive legislative programme, and there are currently over 30 pieces of primary legislation being progressed under my Department’s remit alone.
Every one of these Bills is important but, regrettably, it is not possible to advance all of them to enactment as quickly as might be wished. With this in mind, I recently asked my officials to examine whether the draft heads for the disregard scheme could be produced in a streamlined form that would facilitate their inclusion in the Criminal Law and Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill, which is currently with the Office of Parliamentary Counsel for drafting.
I believe this is achievable and that it offers a speedier route to enactment than a dedicated Disregard Bill. Drafting of legislative heads on these lines is now at an advanced stage, and I intend to bring the heads to Government for approval shortly with a view to their being added to the Miscellaneous Provisions Bill.
184. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of gardaí who have retired, by year and by rank, in each county, from 2020 to 26 June 2025, in tabular form. [36594/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am informed by the Garda authorities that the tables in the spreadsheet at the following link outline the number of Garda retirements (include Voluntary, Compulsory and Cost Neutral Early retirements) in each Garda Division between 2020 and 2025, as of 30 May 2025.
185. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the way his Department determines an applicant’s country of origin in cases where no identification is presented at the time of application; and the way his Department ensures that an applicant has not travelled from a country designated as safe while seeking asylum under the UN Refugee Convention; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36650/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraIt is a central priority for me as Minister that our immigration laws are robust and enforced.
The establishment of a person’s identity and nationality is an important feature of our immigration process in general. When it comes to international protection applicants, each person is requested to provide personal documentation to the International Protection Office (IPO) at the time of application to attest to their identity, nationality and date and place of birth. Many applicants are in a position to provide documents but some are not.
All applicants that enter the international protection process are fingerprinted and photographed. These fingerprints are checked against EURODAC, an EU database which stores the fingerprints of asylum applicants and those who have been found to cross borders illegally.
In addition to checks specifically on those applying for international protection, each and every person arriving at a port of entry in the state is subject to Schengen Information System (SIS) check. Under this system Ireland sends and receives SIS II information (termed ‘Alerts’) on persons and objects; for example persons wanted for criminal purposes, missing persons and objects which have been stolen or are wanted as evidence for a judicial purpose.
One of the most important parts of the personal interview and the report considering an application for international protection is establishing the nationality and credibility of the individual. The question of where an applicant comes from is explored in depth at each personal interview. It is important that this is one of the first areas considered, as credibility and whether the applicant meets the threshold of facing a well-founded fear of persecution or face the risk of suffering serious harm can often be linked to geographical areas. In cases where the IPO finds that an applicant is not credible in having come from the country they have indicated, this will be at the heart of why an individual’s claim may be rejected.
Finally, any person being considered for a grant of status (refugee status, subsidiary protection or permission to remain) will have a character and conduct check carried out in respect of them before any such status is conferred on them.
186. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of applicants for asylum or for a protection order that have been convicted for the destruction of identity documents prior to, or during, the application process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36651/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraImplementing effective border security arrangements is a priority for me, and the Programme for Government commits to developing a border security strategy to deliver stronger border security.
The establishment of a person’s identity and nationality is an important feature of our immigration process. At ports of entry, Immigration officials conduct passport checks, and run operations as required, to ensure passengers arriving in the State are properly documented in accordance with Section 11 of the Immigration Act 2004.
I can advise the Deputy that my Department and the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) are working closely with airlines on a range of measures to ensure that passengers have the required documentation when boarding. This includes delivering in-person training to relevant airline ground-handling staff on immigration requirements and false travel documentation. Border Management Unit (BMU) officials are also available 24/7 to assist airlines with any immigration queries.
BMU and GNIB also have an ongoing intelligence-led programme of operations at the point of airplane disembarkment to detect passengers who destroyed documents inflight and to identify the point of embarkation of undocumented passengers. Last year the BMU have carried out over 7,300 doorstep operations at Dublin Airport; so far in 2025, over 2,500 doorstep operations have been conducted.
While there are some exceptions for travel within the Common Travel Area, Section 11 of the Immigration Act 2004, requires that people arriving in Ireland must possess a valid passport or equivalent document, establishing their identity and nationality, and provide this document to immigration officers. Section 12 of the 2004 Act, requires non-EEA nationals to produce identity and residency documents upon demand by An Garda Síochána. An Garda Síochána may prosecute a person for failing to produce an identity document under Sections 11 and 12 of the Immigration Act 2004. Please note that charges under Section 12 of the 2004 Act, cover multiple incident types and do not relate solely to persons arriving into the State.
As the Deputy will be aware, the prosecution of offences in these instances are a matter for An Garda Síochána and the Director of Public Prosecutions, who are independent in the exercise of their functions in this regard; as Minister I have no role in the taking of such prosecutions. I am advised by the Garda Commissioner between January 2024 and May of 2025, 176 people have been brought before the courts in respect of these offences, of which 137 have received a conviction.
Finally, I can advise the Deputy the EU Migration Pact introduces mandatory processing times for International Protection applications. Ireland along with other Member States will be required to process applications in 3 months for an accelerated decision. This will apply to, amongst others, people who have misled authorities such as by destroying identity documents.
187. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the position regarding the number of certificates of miscarriage of justice that have been issued since the establishment of the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36656/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraIt has not been possible to collate the information requested by the Deputy in the time available.
I will write to the Deputy directly once the information is to hand.
188. Deputy John Connolly asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration of any opportunity arising within his Department that could provide additional support to the Galway Rape Crisis Centre to complete the development of their new support centre at the Claddagh in Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36671/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI would like to restate my commitment to a zero-tolerance approach to all forms of sexual violence and to ensuring that victims of these crimes have access to the supports that they need.
A central element of delivering on the Zero Tolerance goal of the Third National Strategy was the establishment, in January 2024, of Cuan, the statutory domestic, sexual and gender-based violence (DSGBV) agency.
Cuan has a specific mandate to drive the implementation of the strategy across Government, bringing the expertise and focus required to tackle this complex social issue.
Under Budget 2025, DSGBV funding was increased to €70 million, with increased funding for Cuan of €67 million. As part of its work, Cuan funds 78 organisations across Ireland which provide specialised supports to victims of DSGBV.
As the Deputy’s question relates to work that falls under the remit of Cuan, specifically in relation to the provision of services for victims of sexual violence, I have forwarded it to the agency for direct response.
