Written Answers Nos. 681-700
681. Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the amount expended on cloud storage solutions in the past five years and to date in 2025; and if he will provide the data storage supplier, in tabular form. [51368/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFor reasons of operational security, it would not be prudent or appropriate to disclose details of my Department's information technology infrastructure, including cloud computing arrangements.
Any information in relation to information technology infrastructure configuration and services could assist bad actors in identifying potential vulnerabilities in cybersecurity arrangements. Therefore, it is not considered appropriate to disclose any such information or make comment which could in any way compromise the security of my Department’s systems.
682. Deputy Frankie Feighan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the reason the modern, state of the art courtroom and facilities at Castlerea prison continue to lie idle and unused, resulting in prison staff and prisoners having to regularly undertake a 5-hour round-trip to attend Letterkenny district court instead; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51385/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will appreciate, management of the courts, operational matters and logistical functions are the responsibility of the judiciary and Courts Service, which are independent in the exercise of their functions under the Courts Service Act 1998 and given the separation of powers in the Constitution.
However, to be of assistance, officials at my Department have made enquiries of the Courts Service regarding the Deputy's question. I am advised that, in relation to Court sittings at Harristown Courtroom (at Castlerea Prison), the Courts Service have confirmed that there has been no change to the scheduled sittings taking place in that location. The Court is scheduled to sit on four Fridays each month which it continues to do. During 2024, the Court sat on 46 occasions and, to date in 2025, the Court has sat on 34 occasions.
Where the District Court sitting at Harristown is dealing with remands from other Districts (pursuant to section 5 of the Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1997) it should be noted that it has no jurisdiction to finalise the charges/hear the trial and the matter must be remanded back to the originating court for trial/sentence. Physical attendance for remands (rather than appearance by video link) is a matter for the judiciary and is subject to section 23 of the Civil Law and Criminal Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2020.
I am further advised that video link (rather than physical attendance at the Court) is the default position for any remand in Letterkenny District Court unless the Judge directs otherwise.
683. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of members of An Garda Síochána involved in cyber-crime prevention and detection; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51404/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have requested the information sought by the Deputy from the Garda authorities. Regrettably, this was not available in time and I will write to the Deputy once the information is to hand.
684. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of members of An Garda Síochána that have formal training in relation to criminal activity through means of artificial intelligence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51405/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have requested the information sought by the Deputy from the Garda authorities. Regrettably, this was not available in time and I will write to the Deputy once the information is to hand.
685. Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if his Department uses and/or has purchased products developed by a company (details supplied); if he will provide a schedule of the products utilised; and if he will provide the amount expended on same. [51407/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department's records indicate that it does not use, nor has it purchased, any products developed by the company in question.
686. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if his attention has been drawn to the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51419/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy may be aware, my Department is unable to publish any information that would identify any person as being an international protection applicant. This is a separate matter to the law dealing with data protection matters more generally.
My officials and I are legally obliged, under Section 26 of the International Protection Act 2015, to ensure that the identity of any person who applies for international protection is kept confidential. Section 26(1) sets out that:
“the Minister and the Tribunal and their respective officers shall take all practicable steps to ensure that the identity of applicants is kept confidential”.
As I am sure you will appreciate, these confidentiality requirements are especially important for an asylum-seeker, whose claim inherently supposes a fear of persecution by the authorities of their home country and whose situation, or that of their family or friends still living in the country from which they have sought protection, can be jeopardised if the protection of their personal information is not ensured.
An applicant for such protection status, or their legal representative, should contact either the International Protection Office (IPO) or the International Protection Appeals Tribunal (IPAT) directly, as appropriate if they wish to receive an update on the status of their case.
Contact information for The International Protection Office can be found at Contact Us - International Protection Office (ipo.gov.ie)
Contact information for The International Protection Appeals Tribunal can be found at Contact Us - IPAT (protectionappeals.ie)
Both the International Protection Office (IPO) and the International Protection Appeals Tribunal (IPAT) are fully independent in deciding whether or not to grant international protection. Each application is examined individually on its own merits, in line with national and international asylum law. They are also bound by confidentiality provisions in respect of applicants as set out in the International Protection 2015 Act.
Additionally, I can assure you it is my intention to continue the investment in the end-to-end international protection process to speed up decision making.
687. Deputy James Geoghegan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to examine issues with the States labour market access permission system for asylum seekers outlined in correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51469/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraLabour market access permission gives eligible international protection applicants the opportunity to work and helps them to integrate into Irish society while providing for themselves and their families outside of the State’s directly provided services and supports. It also helps people to plan and prepare for their future in Ireland if they receive a positive decision on their application for international protection.
Under the European Communities (Reception Conditions) Regulations 2018 (S.I. No. 230 of 2018), people are eligible to apply for labour market access permission if:
* They are an international protection applicant; and
* They have waited at least 5 months from their “Application Received” date for their first instance recommendation; and
* They are cooperating with the international protection process – delays in receiving a recommendation must not be attributable to the applicant.
Following that, a person will be issued a permission for labour market access if, at 6 months, they have not yet received a first instance recommendation. This permission is valid for 12 months and may be renewed until a final decision is made on the person's international protection application.
The Deputy may also wish to know that under the EU Migration and Asylum Pact which comes into force in June 2026, the 2024/1346 Reception Conditions Directive requires that international protection applicants are given access to the labour market at 6 months unless a first instance decision has been made on their international protection case.
It is my belief that implementing a firmer and more efficient migration system is a key element in reducing the numbers coming to Ireland to seek international protection, particularly where individuals are unlikely to be entitled to that protection. I have no plans at this time to allow those who have received a negative first decision within six months access to the labour market.
688. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if he will review correspondence (details supplied); if he will outline options available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51478/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person referred to by the Deputy held a Stamp 2 immigration permission as an English language student which expired on 01 September 2025. An application to renew their immigration registration is currently under consideration.
Applications are being dealt with in chronological order that they are received. The current processing date is advertised on the Immigration Service website and updated weekly, and can be accessed at the following: www.irishimmigration.ie/registering-your-immigration-permission/how-to-renew-your-current-permission/renewing-your-registration-permission-if-you-live-in-the-republic-of-ireland/
When a non-EEA national comes to Ireland to undertake a course of study, be that an English language course or a course at level 6 or above on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ), a Stamp 2 student immigration permission will be granted.
A student may be granted an immigration permission for a maximum of three English language programmes of 8 months duration each. The total duration of immigration permission for a new student attending English language programmes is two years (i.e. three permissions of eight months each).
If a person wishes to stay on as a student after that time, they must enrol on a higher education programme listed on the Interim List of Eligible Programmes (ILEP). My Department's Immigration Service website sets out the immigration route for non-EEA national students: at www.irishimmigration.ie/coming-to-study-in-ireland/
The student pathway also provides that international students may apply for an employment permit to allow them to register as workers in the State. If that application is successful, the graduate can then register as a worker in the State on a Stamp 1 immigration permission. Matters relating to employment permits do not fall within the remit of my Department and is a matter for the Employment Permits Division of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment.
As an Oireachtas member, the Deputy can also request the status of individual immigration cases by e-mail, using the Oireachtas Mail facility at: IMoireachtasmail@justice.ie, which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Question process.
689. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the position regarding the status of the criminal legal aid fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51512/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra690. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if his attention has been drawn to the stoppage of criminal legal aid payments (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51513/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra691. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if he can offer assurances to practicing criminal solicitors and barristers that the allocation for legal aid for 2025 is adequate to meet the demands of the scheme and the provision of vital legal services to accused persons in Ireland, in accordance with our international obligations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51514/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra693. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the position regarding the total criminal legal aid budget for 2025; the amount of the budget which has been expended by the end of August 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51516/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 689, 690, 691 and 693 together.
Under the Criminal Justice (Legal Aid) Act 1962, it is the Courts, through the judiciary, that are responsible for the granting of legal aid. Increases in the length and complexity of criminal cases and in the number of legal aid certificates granted have had an impact on expenditure over recent years.
The General Scheme of the Criminal Justice (Legal Aid) Bill 2023 was published in July 2023. The core purpose of the Bill is to transfer the administration of the Criminal Legal Aid Scheme to the Legal Aid Board and update the administration of criminal legal aid. This Bill will modernise the operation of the scheme, introducing strengthened oversight and governance structures. As the Deputy will be aware, the level of fees payable have been increased by 18% over the last two years and my Department is engaging with the legal professions in relation to reform of the scheme.
An initial provision of €91 million was made available for this demand-led scheme in this year's budget. Payments under the scheme continue to be made and expenditure to end of August was €83.5m. A further €8 million has therefore been made available in the further Revised Estimates which I presented to Dáil Éireann last week.
Expenditure continues to be kept under review and I will seek additional funding if required by way of supplementary estimate later in the year.
692. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the timeframe for the restoration of criminal legal aid fees in respect of practicing criminal solicitors and barristers in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51515/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Programme for Government 2025, Securing Ireland’s Future, contains a commitment to reform the operation of the criminal legal aid system and fully restore criminal legal aid fees. Over the past two years, there has been an 18% increase in the fees paid to barristers and solicitors under the Criminal Legal Aid Scheme.
This year’s budget for criminal legal aid included an 8% increase in fees from 1 January 2025 in addition to a 10% increase in fees secured in Budget 2024. It is my aim, as part of this year's budget negotiations, to make further progress on fully restoring criminal legal aid fees.
694. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the position regarding the total amount spent on criminal legal aid for 2022 to 2024, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51517/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Criminal Justice (Legal Aid) Act 1962, it is the Courts, through the judiciary, that are responsible for granting of legal aid.
The table below sets out the expenditure under the Criminal Legal Aid Scheme for 2022, 2023 and 2024. The Deputy may wish to be aware that some claims made in 2024 were processed in early 2025.
|
Year |
Criminal Legal Aid Expenditure |
|
2022 |
€76.6m |
|
2023 |
€89.2m |
|
2024 |
€89.4m |
695. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if he will meet with the family of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51528/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI thank the Deputy for submitting this question. My office has been in contact with the family referred to directly and I can confirm that a meeting has been arranged to take place in the coming weeks.
696. Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number and rank of Garda officers that retired and resigned from An Garda Síochána in 2023, 2024 and to date in 2025. [51543/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder Section 33 of the Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024 the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of Garda business, which includes all internal HR matters, such as retirements and resignations. Furthermore, under Section 34(1) of the same Act, the Garda Commissioner is independent in the performance of his functions.
I am advised by the Garda authorities that the following table outlines the number of Gardaí who have retired and resigned from An Garda Síochána in 2023, 2024 and 2025 as of 30 July. Figures include Voluntary, Compulsory, Cost Neutral Early Retirements, Resignations, Resignations not suitable for appointment and Resignation in lieu of dismissal. It has not been possible to collate a breakdown by rank within the timeframe available.
|
Year |
Number |
|
2023 |
486 |
|
2024 |
379 |
|
2025 |
201* |
|
Total |
1,066 |
*Figures as of 30 July 2025
697. Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of Garda trainees that were attested in 2023, 2024 and to date in 2025. [51544/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn Garda Síochána has provided me with the table below which shows the number of Gardaí who have attested from January 2023 to the latest ceremony on 22 August last. A fourth attestation for 2025 is due to be held in November.
A number of factors influence the number of people who attest in each ceremony including trainees reverting from one intake to another due to academic or health/injury reasons, as well as resignations or training suspensions. The training is, of necessity, quite rigorous and some level of attrition is normal given the high standards of performance required of Gardaí.
|
Attestation |
Number Attested |
|
January 2023 |
25 |
|
July 2023 |
86 |
|
October 2023 |
126 |
|
December 2023 |
151 |
|
March 2024 |
165 |
|
June 2024 |
157 |
|
September 2024 |
108 |
|
December 2024 |
169 |
|
March 2025 |
149 |
|
June 2025 |
122 |
|
August 2025 |
154 |
698. Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of Garda trainees admitted to Templemore College for phase 1 in 2023, 2024 and to date in 2025. [51545/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe table below has been provided to me by the Garda Authorities and outlines the number of intakes since 2023 to date.
The training is, of necessity, quite rigorous and some level of attrition is normal given the high standards of performance required of Gardaí.
|
Intake No. |
No. of Trainees |
|
23.1 |
135 |
|
23.2 |
154 |
|
23.3 |
174 |
|
23.4 |
174 |
|
23.5 |
109 |
|
24.1 |
186 |
|
24.2 |
157 |
|
24.3 |
125 |
|
24.4 |
162 |
|
25.1 |
201 |
|
25.2 |
170 |
|
25.3 |
200 |
A number of factors influence the number of people who attest in each ceremony including trainees reverting from one intake to another due to academic or health/injury reasons, as well as resignations or training suspensions.
As of 30 September 2025, 571 trainee Gardaí have entered the college this year, with a further intake scheduled for November 2025.
699. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if he will report on a television programme (details supplied) of 18 September 2025 in which it was alleged that the phones and geolocation of members of An Garda Síochána, while on duty and/or in Garda campuses, can be tracked by a third party; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51569/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra700. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if he will report on a television programme (details supplied) of 18 September 2025 that outlined that mobile phones geolocation data connected to the Irish Prison Service could be bought on the open market and cause a potential security risk. [51570/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 699 and 700 together.
The recent allegations concerning potential breaches of the GDPR in relation to the selling of personal data by data brokers are concerning. Officials of my Department have met with the Data Protection Commission (DPC) in relation to the serious issues raised and will continue to engage on this important matter.
I am advised that the DPC is continuing to treat this matter very seriously and has used its statutory powers to establish the identity of the companies and the data set concerned. Further, I understand that in respect of one of the companies concerned, based in Ireland, the DPC has attended its office in Dublin. The second company is based in another EU country and the DPC is engaging with the relevant EU Data Protection Authority, in keeping with the procedures provided for under the General Data Protection Regulation.
I am informed that the DPC’s investigation into this matter is ongoing and that it will take further steps as necessary including engagement with relevant authorities. As this matter is now subject to an investigation by the DPC and the DPC is independent in the exercise of its powers and function, I do not propose to comment any further at this time on the specific details of this case.
