Written Answers Nos. 701-720
701. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration further to Parliamentary Question No. 932 of 17 September 2025, if he will list all the domestic and international stakeholders that his Department has engaged since 2022, and continues to engage, in relation to the EU's new chat control legislation, the Regulation to Prevent and Combat Child Sexual Abuse. [51592/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, the Government supports the draft Regulation laying down rules to prevent and combat child sexual abuse, as it establishes rules in relation to illegal content and complements it with provisions to address the specific challenges posed by child sexual abuse material (CSAM) online.
Since the proposed regulation was published in 2022, my Department has engaged, and continues to engage, with other EU Member States and a wide variety of domestic and international stakeholders. These include relevant Departments and agencies, such as the Data Protection Commission, An Garda Síochána and Coimisiún na Meán.
In addition, the Department has engaged with children’s rights advocacy groups such as Thorn, WeProtect, Hotline.ie, the Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children and with the Irish Council for Civil Liberties. The Department has also engaged with the relevant service providers including Discord, Dropbox, Google, Match, Meta, Microsoft, Proton, TikTok and Yahoo, who have shared their perspectives on the proposals.
Officials in my Department have also received and responded to a significant volume of correspondence much of which is from organisations and academics, focused on digital privacy rights. While this engagement is too voluminous to list, Department officials have carefully considered the detailed positions set out by all interested parties in formulating Ireland’s position throughout the ongoing process of negotiating this piece of legislation.
Some of the international engagements have taken place with the Justice Attaché in the Permanent Representation of Ireland to the European Union.
702. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the details of the rate card for IPAS accommodation which he referenced in the meeting of the Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Home Affairs and Migration on Tuesday 23 September 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51595/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) in my Department is currently accommodating nearly 33,000 residents in over 320 international protection accommodation centres around the country.
My Department receives offers of international protection accommodation on an ongoing basis from external commercial providers, and reviews all offers under a standardised appraisal procedure.
A decrease in the numbers seeking accommodation has allowed my Department to transition out of a crisis response and to institute a range of value for money, compliance, and process improvements.
One such measure, is the introduction of a new rate card pricing structure, effectively ensuring that lower rates for accommodation and cost savings can be applied in negotiation on renewals of contracts and new commercial accommodation providers.
The Department estimates that this rate card model has achieved savings of over €52.9m since its introduction in May of this year.
The rate card is not published as it is commercially sensitive and to do so would weaken the Government’s ability to ensure value for money for the State in contract negotiations with commercial accommodation providers.
While details of contractual arrangements for IPAS centres are confidential and commercially sensitive, quarterly reports on all payments to IPAS accommodation providers over €20,000 are published online and are available on gov.ie.
www.gov.ie/en/collection/dfdadb-department-of-children-and-youth-affairs-purchase-orders-for-20000-o/
703. Deputy Marie Sherlock asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of funded positions in young person’s probation; the number of filled positions in young person’s probation between the years 2020 to date in 2025, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51652/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraYoung Person Probation (YPP) is an operational region of the Probation Service that assesses and supervises approximately 750 children referred to it each year. YPP Probation Officers work with children in the community, in detention and post-detention. Within YPP, there are three dedicated teams, Dublin North, Dublin South and Cork/Limerick.
Probation Service staff working in this region are trained in specific approaches to working with children and young people who are involved in the criminal justice system.
Outside of the dedicated teams mentioned, theYoung Person Probation (YPP) is an operational region of the Probation Service that assesses and supervises approximately 750 children referred to it each year. YPP Probation Of Probation Service provides child specific training to equip Probation Officers assigned to work with children where there is no dedicated YPP team. The Probation Service prioritises children’s referrals, both at assessment and supervision stages.
I am advised that the current number of funded positions across Young Persons Probation teams is 18, and a breakdown of current staffing and vacancies across those teams is contained in the attached table 1.
The number of filled positions (Newly hired staff) from 2020 to date in 2025 is contained in the table 2 attached.
Table 1:
YPP Staffing to date 2025
|
Young Persons Probation (YPP) |
|
|
In post |
Vacant |
|
Senior Probation Officer x 1 Probation Officer x 2 Probation Assistant x 1 |
Probation Officer x2 |
|
Senior Probation Officer x 1 Probation Officer x 3 Probation Assistant x 1 |
Probation Officer x 1 |
|
Senior Probation Officer x1 Probation Officer x 5 Probation Assistant x 1 |
- |
|
Assistant Principal Probation Officer x 1 Clerical Officer x 1 |
- |
Table 2:
|
Year |
Filled positions |
|
2020 |
1 |
|
2021 |
2 |
|
2022 |
2 |
|
2023 |
1 |
|
2024 |
1 |
|
2025 (to August) |
3 |
704. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of persons who, having already been granted international protection or leave to remain, continue to reside in State-funded IPAS accommodation; the estimated cost to the Exchequer of accommodating such persons in 2024 and projected cost for 2025; the number of such residents currently in employment; whether any contribution toward their accommodation costs has been sought or received from those in employment; and the policy measures being considered to require those with income to contribute to the cost of their accommodation, in line with the principle of fairness to taxpayers. [51738/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe State is currently accommodating nearly 33,000 people who have applied for international protection in Ireland, 9,500 of whom are children.
At the moment, approximately 5,000 people in IPAS accommodation have a legal status allowing them to remain in Ireland. This is not a static number of people; approximately 10,000 people with status have moved out of IPAS accommodation since 2022, and just over 3,000 this year to date.
When a person completes their international protection application and receives a positive decision, they have a legal status that allows them to remain in Ireland. This also means they gain access to the full range of housing supports available to all Irish residents, which are not available to people going through the application process. There is a need for people with status to transition living independently in our communities, improving their integration into our society while also creating space within IPAS accommodation for newer arrivals.
The cost of accommodating those with status in IPAS accommodation, expressed separately to that of all current applicants, is not collated by my Department. However, I can inform the Deputy that the average cost of a person being provided with accommodation ranges from €12,000 per year to over €33,000 per year, dependent on whether they are resident in a State-owned facility or a commercial facility.
Data with respect to IPAS residents and their employment status is not collated in the manner requested by the Deputy.
My Department is developing a proposal for a contribution to cost scheme for international protection accommodation, and this will be brought forward shortly. Work has been done to examine similar schemes operating in other EU member states and there has been engagement with other relevant Government Departments on the proposed approach.
705. Deputy Fionntán Ó Súilleabháin asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of times his Department has awarded contracts to persons who did not have ownership of the properties they offered to house IPAS applicants, by county, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51754/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) is currently accommodating nearly 33,000 residents in over 320 international protection accommodation centres around the country.
The Department receives offers of international protection accommodation on an ongoing basis from external commercial providers. All offers are reviewed by the Department under a standardised appraisal procedure.
The Department can consider offers of accommodation from a tax-compliant company, subject to compliance with statutory requirements and minimum standards.
The Department carries out due diligence on accommodation being contracted, including checks via the Companies Registration Office (CRO) to ensure compliance with CRO requirements and tax compliance checks by way of a valid Irish Tax Clearance Certificate.
Part of the appraisal process is to confirm whether an offer has come from someone with the appropriate authority. Offers of accommodation can be made by a property owner, or another person who has authority do so, such as a leaseholder. The Department does not collate data in the detail and manner requested by the Deputy.
Contracts detail the industry standards required, providers are made aware of their obligations and must agree to the extensive requirements set out in agreements.
At the end of a contract period, part of the review and potential renewal process involves a detailed and updated review of all documentation associated with the contract, including authority to offer the property as owner or leaseholder.
With respect to potential for contract renewals, the provision of accommodation for international protection applicants is demand-led, and each premises is considered on a case-by-case basis to decide if the contract will be renewed as it approaches its end date.
At potential renewal stage, consideration will be given to the current and projected demand for accommodation, the provider's performance under contract, and compliance with standards and legal obligations.
706. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the current average times for processing applications for international protection; the average time for processing appeals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51756/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can assure the Deputy it is my intention to continue the investment in the end-to-end international protection process to speed up decision making.
In 2024 the International Protection Office (IPO) delivered over 14,000 first decisions compared to over 8,500 in 2023, while the International Protection Appeals Tribunal (IPAT) closed around 3,100 appeals in 2024 compared to over 1,700 in 2023.
The median processing time for first-instance decisions in 2025 is 14 months overall and for those under accelerated procedure it is four months. The median processing time for IPAT appeals is 13 months overall for those under accelerated procedure it is 11.7.
Ireland has opted in to the EU Asylum and Migration Pact which will come into effect in June 2026. The Pact will provide a fair, sustainable and efficient asylum procedure. This will be achieved through convergence in asylum practices across the EU.
My Department continues to focus on preparing for the Pact in advance of June 2026.
The General Scheme of a new International Protection Bill to give effect to the measures of the EU Migration and Asylum Pact was approved by Government on 29 April 2025. The General Scheme has been published and referred to the Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Home Affairs and Migration for pre-legislative scrutiny. The drafting of the Bill is underway. It is expected that the Bill will be published by the end of the year. Enactment of the Bill and commencement of the Act is required by 11 June 2026.
The Bill will provide for the timeframes for the different procedures under which an international protection application can be examined, in accordance with the 2024 Asylum Procedure Regulation and the 2024 Asylum and Migration Management Regulation (AMMR).
These timeframes will be 6 months for standard procedures, 3 months for the accelerated procedure, 2 months for the admissibility procedure, and in procedures for determining the Member State responsible in accordance with the AMMR, 6 months.
The Asylum Border Procedure will have a 12-week time limit for first instance and appeal decisions to be completed for applicants from countries of origin with a recognition rate of 20% or less across the EU, or for those who have no documents, false documents, or are deemed a security risk.
707. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the current number of IPAS centres and residents per local electoral area; the corresponding figures in 2020 and 2024, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51757/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe State is currently accommodating almost 33,000 people in over 320 International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) centres around the country, 9,500 of whom are children.
The data requested is set out in the tables attached.
The Department receives regular offers of accommodation from external commercial providers and does not predetermine their geographical location. All offers of international protection (IP) accommodation are reviewed by the Department under a standard appraisal procedure.
From 2022 to the end of 2024, there was a sudden and sustained increase in numbers of people applying for IP in Ireland. This increase happened at the same time as the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the EU Temporary Protection Directive, which saw over 114,000 people from Ukraine come to Ireland.
Over 45,000 people claimed IP from 2022 to 2024, exceeding the total number claiming in the preceding 16 years (from 2006 to 2021 - 44,000), indicating the immediacy and scale of the challenge.
These changes placed profound and sustained pressure on the State’s responsibility to source viable accommodation for new arrivals over the last three years.
As we respond to changing trends, and work toward a more stable and sustainable accommodation system in this sector, accommodation is being developed and delivered through a range of channels, with a focus on developing more State-owned accommodation.
This is part of wider reform of the IP processing system itself.
Reforming and speeding up processing of applications should also serve over time to reduce the scale of the demand for IP accommodation.
708. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the date in which IPAS residents were first housed at a location (details supplied); the occasions in which new contracts relating to this premises were formalised; the current number of IPAS residents at this premises; the date in which the current contract is due to expire; if he will consider at that time whether this premises can be returned to its former use as a commercial hotel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51758/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department can confirm that the property listed in the detail supplied has been in use as an International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) centre since July 2023. Renewed contracts relating to this premises were formalised in July 2024. The Department conducts all contractual negotiations on the basis of there being no guarantee of the continuity of a contract beyond its end date.
Since 2024, once a centre is in operation, the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) has not published details of the capacity or occupancy of our accommodation centres. This is due to both safety and security concerns, and to protect the privacy of international protection applicants in line with legal obligations under the International Protection Act 2015.
With respect to potential for contract renewals, the provision of accommodation for international protection applicants is demand-led, and each premises is considered on a case-by-case basis to decide if the contract will be renewed as it approaches its end date.
At potential renewal stage, consideration will be given to the current and projected demand for accommodation, the provider's performance under contract, and compliance with standards and legal obligations.
Ireland has adopted and is now working to implement the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum in mid-2026. Reforming and speeding up processing of applications should also serve over time to reduce the scale of the demand for international protection accommodation.
The Department is working to increase the amount of State-owned international protection accommodation and creating a more stable and sustainable accommodation system.
As developing these more sustainable state-owned accommodation system options under this strategy will take time, the commissioning of emergency commercial accommodation will continue to be a feature in the short to medium term.
709. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the total sum, inclusive and exclusive of VAT, paid by the Irish Prison Service to the presenters of a podcast (details supplied) in 2025; the date on which the payment was made; and the budget line from which it was drawn. [51785/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra710. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the procurement process used by the Irish Prison Service in commissioning promotional content from a podcast (details supplied); if a competitive tender process was undertaken; if so, the number of bids received; if not, the justification for direct award; and if he will make available the documentation supporting this decision. [51786/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra711. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the audience reach figures for a podcast episode (details supplied) funded by the Irish Prison Service, including total downloads, listener demographics, geographic distribution, and average listening duration, as reported back to the service. [51787/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra712. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of applications received for the 2025 prison officer recruitment campaign; the number of applicants who referenced a podcast episode (details supplied) when applying; and the number of candidates subsequently hired who referenced the podcast as their point of engagement with the Irish Prison Service. [51788/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra713. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the cost per applicant and cost per recruit arising from the Irish Prison Service’s podcast sponsorship with (details supplied); and the way in which the figures compare with the cost per applicant and recruit generated through other channels such as digital advertising, radio, or print media. [51789/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra714. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the oversight and editorial approval process used in relation to the content of a sponsored podcast (details supplied); the number of edits requested by the Irish Prison Service; and the official or officials who signed off on the final broadcast version. [51790/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra715. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if a post-campaign evaluation or audit of the Irish Prison Service’s podcast sponsorship was undertaken; if so, to provide the evaluation or audit report; and whether the campaign was assessed as achieving value for money. [51791/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra716. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if the Irish Prison Service intends to undertake further sponsored podcast partnerships or similar promotional arrangements in 2026 and beyond; and if so, the mechanisms which will be put in place to guarantee value for money and accountability in such spending. [51792/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 709 to 716, inclusive, together.
As the Deputy will understand, there is a requirement on the Irish Prison Service to increase staffing levels to meet the current demand on the service. Recruitment campaigns are put in place as required, and since 2016 the Irish Prison Service, in conjunction with the Public Appointments Service, has run eight Recruit Prison Officer campaigns. Recruit Prison Officer campaigns have been run annually since 2022. The Irish Prison Service aims to recruit 300 prison officers in 2025 and the 2025 campaign concluded on 31 July 2025 generating a total of 1,774 applications, up 8% from1,642 in 2024 which had seen a 17% decrease in applications compared to 2023.
I have been informed by the Irish Prison Service that the 2025 recruitment campaign included a sponsored media partnership with the Two Johnnies Podcast with a view to reaching a broad national audience in particular in the age cohort at which recruitment is mainly aimed. The Irish Prison Service is currently reviewing the outcomes of the 2025 campaign to inform its future recruitment strategy. No commitments have been made for 2026 or beyond.
An invoice, dated 25 September, in the amount of €24,600 inclusive of VAT, has been received by the Irish Prison Service which will be processed from the staff training and recruitment budget. This figure covers the podcast episode including four supporting social media segments developed and deployed over the duration of the recruitment campaign. These include the main podcast poster and separate segments on prisoner engagement, female prisons, gang management, and contraband prevention. The project was signed off by the Director of Human Resources in the Irish Prison Service. I understand that the sponsored podcast episode has1.6 million downloads to date and that the social media segments were distributed across Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok.
I am informed that the podcast partnership was sourced on a sole supplier basis. The Irish Prison Service state that, at the time of campaign planning, the podcast in question was Ireland’s most listened-to podcast. I am also informed that as part of the planning process, a quotation was sought from an alternative supplier. However, following assessment, the podcast in question was selected on the basis of their audience reach.
The Deputy asks about the cost per applicant, and I am informed that, based on the total spend and number of applications, the cost of the podcast per applicant can be calculated at approximately €14. There is no formal record of applicants or successful candidates who referenced the podcast episode as their point of engagement; however, I understand that anecdotal feedback indicates that the podcast contributed positively to public awareness and application volume.
Media monitoring conducted by the IPS in respect of the campaign for the period covering 26 June to 31 July recorded a combined reach of just over 1 million across magazine, national press, radio, regional press, and television. This figure excludes website traffic and reflects the breadth of traditional media engagement. Content development was subject to editorial review by the IPS with adjustments made post-recording to ensure that no content could prejudice or impair the security of any prison, its staff, or prisoners and final approval was signed off by the IPS Communications Manager.
717. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to provide an update on the provision of additional prison places in the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51797/25]
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.
718. Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration further to Parliamentary Question No. 706 of 20 May 2025, if he has received the necessary information from the Garda authorities to answer this Parliamentary Question. [51839/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI understand that Parliamentary Question No 706 of 20 May 2025 sought the number of occasions that An Garda Síochána have hired out an external forensic archaeologist to carry out work on its behalf, in 2023, 2024 and to date in 2025, in tabular form.
I can confirm that the reply to the Deputy's follow on Parliamentary Question, No 646 of 24 June 2025, has issued from my office to the Deputy.
719. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration when the online portal to submit video evidence of road traffic offences will become operational. [51862/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by the Garda authorities that Traffic Watch is a partnership approach to reducing the number of road collisions and fatalities. It brings road users, An Garda Síochána, the Road Safety Authority and other stakeholders together in a united and sustained effort to improve safety on our roads.
As part of An Garda Síochána’s ongoing commitment to road safety, a new online Traffic Watch reporting form was launched on the Garda website in August 2024.
Members of the public can report non-emergency traffic-related incidents using the online reporting form. In an emergency situation, members of the public should always call 999/112.
These online reports are logged by Garda Staff at the Garda Information Services Centre (GISC) who then forward the report to the Superintendent in the relevant Community Engagement Area to progress by appointing a Garda to investigate the Traffic Watch complaint.
Video or photographic evidence cannot be uploaded to this page and members of the public are requested to provide any video evidence to a member of An Garda Síochána.
The submission of video or photographic evidence will require the development of a Digital Evidence Management System (DEMS) to store, manage and process any footage received.
This system is also required to progress the implementation of body worn camera technology in An Garda Síochána.
The project to introduce body worn cameras and DEMS to An Garda Síochána is underway.
This system, in addition to supporting body worn cameras, will support the use of an online portal to facilitate the uploading and submission of video footage to An Garda Síochána by the public.
Garda authorities envisage that the portal will be developed across the remainder of 2025, and 2026.
720. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if he will outline the cadence of when the Legal Services Regulatory Authority is obliged to publish a review of the operation of the Legal Services Regulation Act 2015; when such a report was last published; if he has received a more recent report and, if so, the timeframe in which he intends to publish such; the reason for any delays; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51865/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Legal Services Regulatory Authority (LSRA) is an independent body responsible for the regulation of the legal professions under the provisions of the Legal Services Regulation Act 2015. Subject to the 2015 Act, the Authority is independent in the performance of its functions.
Under Section 6 of the 2015 Act, the LSRA is required to periodically carry out a review of the Act and, following a consultation process, make a report to each House of the Oireachtas of its findings and conclusions, including such recommendations (if any) to me, as Minister, resulting from that review as it considers appropriate.
Whilst the first such review caried out by the LSRA was reported on and published in March 2019, I am pleased to confirm that the LSRA formally submitted its second such report to me on the 11th of September this year. Pursuant to section 6(1)(b) of the 2015 Act, the report was, on the same date, also submitted by the Authority to both Houses of the Oireachtas. Officials in my Department are currently considering the report and its recommendations.
This report is available on the LSRA website at the following link: www.lsra.ie/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/LSRA-Section-6-Report-to-Oireachtas-2025-FINAL.pdf
