Written Answers Nos. 1-20
12. Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the measures that have been taken to ensure additional Gardaí enter the system in 2025 and 2026, which will in turn address shortages in the Mallow, Charleville, Kanturk and Macroom areas of Cork north west; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53246/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraGetting more Gardaí on our streets to prevent crime is my first priority as Minister for Justice.
This Government is committed to ensuring that An Garda Síochána has the resources it needs to fight crime and a strengthened, well-resourced Garda organisation is central to this policy.
At the end of August, the total Garda personnel strength stood at over 18,000, which included 14,369 Garda Members, 3,494 Staff, and 296 Reserves.
I will continue to support An Garda Síochána to increase this number further so that we can see more Gardaí assigned all across the country, including the north western areas of Cork county.
Significant measures have been made to boost recruitment and retention including by increasing the Garda trainee allowance to €354 per week; increasing the age of entry from 35 to 50; and raising the mandatory retirement age to 62.
The Garda recruitment campaign in February attracted over 6,700 applications which is significant given the economy is at full employment. The second competition for this year is currently underway and closes today (9 October). This will ensure that there is a strong pipeline of recruits into An Garda Síochána and will enable the Commissioner to deliver an effective, highly-visible policing service.
149 probationer Gardaí attested in March, 120 attested in June, and 154 attested in August, giving a total of 423 so far this year, with one further attestation scheduled for November.
The Recruitment and Training Capacity Group, chaired by a Deputy Secretary General in my Department, was established to support the achievement of increased recruitment. The Group has kept me informed on actions being taken to maximise future intakes and to ensure that recruitment processes can be as effective as possible.
This group’s final report has been published just last week and is available on my Department’s website. It includes a range of further measures to support recruitment and retention and the achievement of the Programme for Government target of 5,000 new Gardaí over the next five years.
16. Deputy Joe Cooney asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if he will outline the progress on the Civil Law and Criminal Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill, and specifically, the legislation to allow increased use of video link by members of An Garda Síochána in court proceedings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54047/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAmong other provisions, the General Scheme of the Criminal Law and Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2025 provides a comprehensive enabling basis for remote hearings in criminal proceedings and in international co-operation proceedings, such as those under the European Arrest Warrant procedure and the Extradition Act 1965.
At present, substantial amounts of Garda time and resources which could otherwise be devoted to core policing activity are instead consumed by travelling to and from, and waiting around in, the courts – whether this arises from having to convey persons in their custody to the court, or from attending court in person to give evidence. While decisions on remote hearings will rest with the courts, one of the many benefits that such hearings can deliver is the time and expense they can save for An Garda Síochána, the Irish Prison Service, and indeed for other participants in the proceedings.
These proposals build on existing Irish law, in particular the Criminal Evidence Act 1992 as amended, under which a witness in any criminal proceedings may give evidence remotely with the leave of the court, and the Civil Law and Criminal Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) 2020 Act, which provides for video-link participation by persons in custody in various types of criminal and international co-operation hearings and also enables the remote hearing of criminal appeals in the Superior Courts as well as all forms of civil proceedings.
The Bill is prioritised for publication under the Government’s autumn legislative programme and was the subject of a pre-legislative scrutiny hearing by the Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Home Affairs and Migration on 30 September. I look forward to receiving the Committee’s scrutiny report and I hope to bring the finalised Bill to Government as soon as possible for approval to publish.
In line with the provisions outlined in this Bill to improve Courts efficiencies, the Courts Service is progressing an ambitious 10-year Modernisation Programme to deliver digitally enabled services designed around the user. This programme commenced in 2020 with the approval of a multiyear business plan and is currently in the third of its four implementation phases, with the fourth phase scheduled to commence in 2026.
Relevant key initiatives include the roll-out of video-link and technologically-enabled courtrooms. The Courts Service has continued the expansion of these technologically-enabled courtrooms, which provide remote courts and digital evidence display functionality. Video technology is now available in 167 courtrooms, increased from 46 at the start of 2020.
17. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration his views on whether the powers available to An Garda Síochána are adequate to address instances of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence at present; if data available to him suggests that there may be a lacuna in law at present whereby, during the time in which it takes to issue and serve a barring order, there is a heightened risk for a victim; if he is considering means to address this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54192/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn Garda Síochána and my Department are continuing to work hard to strengthen trust and confidence in the system so that victims will feel confident in coming forward to report what has happened to them and perpetrators are brought to justice.
Actions aimed at improving access to justice for victim and survivors, and strengthening the policing of DSGBV include:
• Implementation of the Family Courts Act 2024 with a focus on the needs of victim-survivors of DSGBV including children;
• Further strengthening of protections for victims in sexual offences trials from a victim-survivor perspective;
• Implementation of priority recommendations from the Study on Familicide & Domestic and Family Violence including around guardianship rights and coordination of multi-agency responses;
• Expanding the management of high-risk offenders through Operation Devise to protect those in intimate relationships with perpetrators of DSGBV-related offences; and
• Delivery of DSGBV core training and Continuous Professional Development to all members of An Garda Síochána.
I am informed by An Garda Síochána that depending on the circumstances of any given domestic abuse case, there are a number of fundamental measures they routinely undertake, such as supporting the victim to obtain a domestic abuse order, providing information in relation to domestic abuse support services, ensuring a proactive arrest policy where there is clear evidence that an offence such as assault causing harm; criminal damage; threats to kill; stalking and harassment has occurred.
Members of An Garda Síochána who respond to these incidents utilise a specific risk evaluation tool that assesses and identifies relevant risks to the victim to determine the best course of action to be taken to manage these risks.
Gardaí also ensure that system warnings are placed on locations to alert responding Gardaí to a high-risk location or individual.
I am further informed that, through Operation Devise, if a person is in a relationship with someone previously connected to an incident of domestic homicide, or other serious offences related to domestic violence such as non-fatal strangulation, coercive control and there is evidence of domestic abuse in that current relationship, An Garda Síochána can intervene as follows:
• by visiting the new partner and provide information regarding safety planning and national/local support services;
• monitoring by the Divisional Inspector of any further domestic abuse incidents to ensure appropriate follow up; and
• giving consideration to the procedures to be adopted in responding to threats to persons and subsequent action plan to mitigate risk.
While this operation does not facilitate disclosure of previous offending by their partner, it allows An Garda Síochána to mitigate the risks as much as possible to the potentially vulnerable partner.
Separately, Divisional Protective Service Units (DPSUs) have now been rolled out to all Garda Divisions across the country. This ensures that when vulnerable victims of crimes such as sexual and gender-based violence present to Gardaí they can be immediately met with specialist assistance.
In relation to barring orders and their service, I’m informed that these proceedings are prioritised by the Courts. They are issued immediately by court clerks and served on the respondent, usually be registered post and in some instances they may be served by An Garda Siochana. These orders are also emailed to the member of the Garda Síochána station for the area in which the applicant resides. A respondent cannot be expected to comply with an order unless he/she is actually aware that it has been made.
I am advised that where an applicant believes that service of the order will be an issue, they may advise the Court when the order is being made and the Judge may direct service by alternative means such as digital means.
This mode of service may also be directed where an order cannot be served and an application for substituted or other service has been made. I am advised by the Courts Service that such applications are uncommon.
18. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration further to Parliamentary Question No. 1082 of 10 June 2025, the number of international protection applicants who have not been offered accommodation on arrival, by month, from May 2025 to-date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54232/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraExtensive challenges were posed to the State in sourcing international protection accommodation during an unprecedented surge in applications from 2022 to 2024.
During this period, over 45,000 additional international protection applicants arrived in Ireland. Prior to this, a typical 3-year period would have seen close to 8,000 or 9,000 arrivals.
During the surge period, the State was obliged to urgently source over 26,000 beds for international protection applicants, and in parallel, up to 60,000 beds for people fleeing the war in Ukraine.
Shortages of suitable accommodation meant that from December 2023 on, IPAS has been unable to offer accommodation to all single male applicants on arrival.
After a vulnerability triage on application, people who are not offered accommodation are given a weekly allowance of €113.80 per week, an increase of €75 more than the standard weekly allowance for asylum-seekers.
While not all unaccommodated applicants are rough-sleeping, IPAS can also make offers of accommodation to any applicant who is, identified through outreach that is organised 7 days a week. IPAS also has arrangements in place with a range of NGO partners to provide drop-in day services for unaccommodated people. This means people can access facilities including hot showers, meals and laundry services.
The number of single male applicants not offered accommodation on arrival from May to September 2025 was:
|
Month |
|
|
May |
296 |
|
June |
309 |
|
July |
351 |
|
August |
317 |
|
September |
407 |
It is important to note in reviewing the data above that many of these applications have been made a retrospective offer of accommodation, after their initial arrival.
The reduced rate of new applications this year has meant that IPAS bas been able to review the cases of people who are awaiting an offer of accommodation and make offers to those who have been waiting longest.
As part of the review process, we are also identifying people who no longer require accommodation. They will be removed from the list of people waiting for an offer, speeding up the process for people on the list who still need accommodation.
This review has reduced the number of unaccommodated people from over 3,500 in March 2025, to 613. As my officials work through these cases on a daily basis and validate data for publication, I expect this number to reduce further for September.
This means that eligible people who applied for international protection during 2023 and 2024 and the first 6 months of 2025 have received an offer of accommodation.
Depending on availability of spaces and numbers of new applicants, we will continue to make offers of accommodation to more people over the coming weeks and months.
19. Deputy Peter Roche asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the specific actions his Department intends to take in response to the recent increase in drug-related arrests across Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54139/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraTackling the scourge of drug dealing and targeting the work of organised crime groups, who inflict intimidation, violence and misery on families and communities across Ireland is a top priority for the Government and my Department.
An Garda Síochána continues to implement an enhanced national anti-drugs strategy through Operation Tara. The focus of this operation is to disrupt, dismantle and prosecute drug trafficking networks, at all levels - international, national and local. It extends to anyone involved in the importation, distribution, cultivation, production, local sale and supply of controlled drugs.
I understand that, as part of Operation Tara and ongoing investigations targeting the sale and distribution of controlled drugs and drug trafficking networks, Gardaí from the Galway Divisional Drugs Unit seized cocaine with an estimated street value of €161,000 and arrested a man on 1 September 2025.
Under Operation Tara, individuals and groups involved in the drug trade will continue to be the target of enforcement activity based on intelligence and the latest crime trends.
At a national level, the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau leads in tackling all forms of drug trafficking and the supply of illicit drugs in Ireland. Collaboration at an inter-agency and international level remain key in tackling this issue. Given the global nature of the drugs trade, international law enforcement co-operation remains a key element in the overall response.
While the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management of Garda resources, I am committed to ensuring that An Garda Síochána has the resources it needs to fight crime and a strengthened, well-resourced Garda organisation is central to this policy. I am pleased to say that I secured a record allocation for An Garda Síochána in last Tuesday's Budget of over €2.59 billion for 2026, which will support the recruitment of up to 1000 Gardaí and 200 Garda staff in 2026.
We can see throughout our communities the damage and devastation that organised drug crime gangs heap on society. The motivator for all these organised crime gangs when it comes to the dealing of drugs is money.
The Criminal Assets Bureau continues to be at the forefront of fighting organised crime in this country and disrupting the activities of criminal gangs by depriving them of ill-gotten assets.
My Department is also working to introduce legislation to further strengthen the State’s ability to seize criminal assets and to target the proceeds of crime. The new Bill will also speed up the process to dispose of seized assets for the benefit of the State.
The Department of Health leads on Government policy in the area of drugs, guided by the whole of Government national drugs and alcohol strategy. While this strategy recognises the need for a balanced health-led approach, it is also matched with strengthened enforcement measures across government to tackle the supply of illegal drugs.
Sustained action by An Garda Síochána continues unabated, bringing significant convictions and ongoing seizures of drugs, firearms and ammunition. I can assure the Deputy that we will continue to do everything we can to support Gardaí in this regard.
20. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if he will indicate how An Garda Síochána are responding to an apparent increase in vigilantism coordinated through social media which targets minorities; if he can provide information on what new or changed policing approach is being adopted as a result of the novel methods now being employed to undertaken criminal harassment and/or assaults; what data is now being collected on such activity, and how is this being used in support of a policing and security response; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54190/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government's position on vigilante behaviour is simple, there is no place in our society for vigilantism. It cannot and will not be accepted. Individuals or groups who engage in intimidation, assaults or threats, or who purport to take the law into their own hands, will face the full rigour of the law.
Intimidation, assaults, and threats have no place in our society. An Garda Síochána is responsible for operational policing matters and is responsible for investigating any alleged acts of criminality or intimidation. I'm assured that Gardaí investigate the role of relevant online activity in the case of any incidents of criminal behaviour.
I am further advised by the Garda authorities that they are acutely aware of the significant volume of misinformation, disinformation and fake news in circulation in relation to public safety.
The actions of certain private groups are a cause for concern for An Garda Síochána and other police services.
There is a range of legislation under which threats and intimidation can be prosecuted, including the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Persons Act and our Public Order legislation. For example, a threat to kill or cause serious harm is an offence under Section 5 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Persons Act. A person guilty of an offence under this section shall be liable on summary conviction to a class C fine not greater than €2,500 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months or to both, or on conviction on indictment to a fine or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 10 years or to both.
The Government is also determined to stamp out hate-motivated crime and protect vulnerable communities. Attacks of such nature - whether physical, verbal, or online - are utterly unacceptable. Everyone has the right to live safely, free from intimidation or abuse regardless of background.
Anyone who experiences or witnesses such behaviour should report it to Gardaí without delay where they will receive support and protection under the law. The Garda Commissioner determines appropriate operational policing strategies and An Garda Síochána monitors activity and engages with social media companies, including seeking the removal of harmful material.
There is now a significant body of legislation providing the foundation for Ireland’s online safety framework, including the regulation of social media.
Coimisiún na Meán is at the heart of a new Online Safety Framework, comprised of the Online Safety and Media Regulation (OSMR) Act, and the EU’s Digital Services Act and Terrorist Content Online Regulation. The Framework gives Coimisiún na Meán the tools to address the root causes of harm online, including the availability of illegal and harmful online content, and inadequate protections for children on relevant online services. In October 2024, Coimisiún na Meán published its first binding online safety code under the OSMR Act. The code brings about greater accountability by setting out actions that video-sharing platforms like Facebook, TikTok, and Instagram must take to protect users.
Categories restricted under this code includes cyberbullying, and incitement to hatred or violence on a range of grounds including gender, political affiliation, disability, ethnic minority membership, religion and race. Restrictions also include criminal content such as child sex abuse material, terrorism, racism and xenophobia and online content related to certain existing criminal offences, such as those set out in the Harassment, Harmful Communications and Related Offences Act 2020
Social media platforms themselves also have a responsibility to remove harmful content. Under the EU Digital Services Act (DSA), An Coimisiún na Meán as Ireland’s Digital Services Coordinator, will support the European Commission, as the primary enforcer of regulatory obligations applying to Very Large Online Platforms and Search Engines. This includes the obligations on these services to complete risk assessments in relation to the risk of exposure of their users to illegal online content and the risk of their service being manipulated, including to spread disinformation. Once the risks are identified, these services must take mitigation measures to address the risk of user exposure to this content.
Together these measures mark an end of the era of self-regulation for many online services, including social media platforms.
