Peadar Tóibín
Ceist:62. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the steps he is taking to increase recruitment to An Garda Síochána. [53287/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn Garda Síochána
Ceisteanna (62)
Freagraí scríofa
Getting 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.
The Programme for Government commits to examining a range of further measures to enable An Garda Síochána recruit 5,000 members across the next five years.
The Garda Vote in Budget 2026 includes unprecedented funding of €2.59 billion which will support the continued recruitment of Garda members and staff.
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.
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 on 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 of this year.
A Recruitment and Training Capacity Group has been established to support the achievement of the increased recruitment to AGS. The group has submitted a report on actions to maximise future intakes and to ensure that recruitment campaigns are as effective as possible. This report has been published and is available on my Department’s website.
The Government has provided the funding to allow for sustained recruitment and, as I have outlined, is committed to ensuring that An Garda Síochána has the resources it needs.
I would like to assure the Deputy that an increased, and a visible Garda presence, is central to the Government's aim to build safe and secure communities for the public to enjoy.
Question No. 63 answered with Question No. 39.
Question No. 64 answered with Question No. 37.
An Garda Síochána
Ceisteanna (65)
Mark Ward
Ceist:65. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the steps he is taking to tackle Garda recruitment and retention including Garda numbers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54118/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Programme for Government commits to examining a range of further measures to enable An Garda Síochána recruit 5,000 members across the next five years.
The Garda Vote in Budget 2026 includes unprecedented funding of €2.59 billion which will support the continued recruitment of Garda members and staff.
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.
Significant measures have been made to boost recruitment and retention that include 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.
By any objective standard, the proportion of Garda resignations remains very low with the resignation rate currently between 1 and 2%. I understand this turnover is far below the level experienced by UK police services (approximately 10%) and across the rest of the public sector in Ireland or in the private sector (between 10% and 20%).
An exit interview process was introduced in 2023, to better understand why people opted to resign, and to inform measures which could aid retention. In 2025 an exit interview survey was introduced to further extend the sample reached.
In February this year, the first Garda recruitment competition for 2025 was launched. This is the fourth such competition in recent years and despite the challenging labour market conditions, I am delighted to say that over 6,700 applications were received. This demonstrates the continued interest in a career as a member An Garda Síochána.
A second Garda recruitment competition launched on 16 September and closes on 9 October. I would encourage anyone with an interest in what can be a challenging but always highly rewarding career to visit publicjobs.ie
In total this year, 571 trainee Gardaí have entered the college, with another intake due in November, ensuring a growing pipeline of trainee Gardaí.
In August 154 new Gardaí attested with 120 attesting in June and 149 in March. These Gardaí have now been allocated to stations around the country.
A Recruitment and Training Capacity Group has been established to support the achievement of the increased recruitment to AGS. The group has submitted a report on actions to maximise future intakes and to ensure that recruitment campaigns are as effective as possible. This report has been published and is available on my Department’s website.
The Government has provided the funding to allow for sustained recruitment and, as I have outlined, is committed to ensuring that An Garda Síochána has the resources it needs.
I would like to assure the Deputy that an increased, and a visible Garda presence, is central to the Government's aim to build safe and secure communities for the public to enjoy.
Local Community Safety Partnerships
Ceisteanna (66)
Ruairí Ó Murchú
Ceist:66. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if he will provide an update on the establishment and commencement of work of the community safety partnerships; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53867/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024, which I commenced on Wednesday 2 April 2025, provides for the establishment of Local Community Safety Partnerships (LCSP) within each local authority area.
The regulations for these Safety Partnerships came into operation on Monday 30 June. 36 Partnerships are in the process of being established in local authority areas across the country.
Members have now been appointed to 8 Local Community Safety Partnerships. Further members will be appointed in October and November with a view to establishing all Safety Partnerships by the end of the year.
The first meeting of a Local Community Safety Partnership took place in Wexford on 30 September when members elected their own chair and vice chair. It is anticipated that other partnerships will host their first meetings in the coming weeks.
LCSPs represent a significant step towards a more collaborative, responsive, and locally driven model of public safety and will play a major role in enhancing public safety alongside An Garda Síochána, residents, businesses and state agencies.
An Garda Síochána
Ceisteanna (67)
John Clendennen
Ceist:67. Deputy John Clendennen asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of successful applicants currently waiting to be called to begin training in Templemore Garda College; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54036/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána under Section 33 of the Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024, which includes the recruitment and training of Garda personnel. As Minister, I have no role in these independent functions.
No applicant is deemed to be 'successful' until a formal offer to attend an intake at Templemore has been issued. As such, the information requested by the Deputy is unavailable. The next intake is scheduled for November.
The below table shows the number of applications by competition for the years 2022 - 2025. The current Garda recruitment campaign closes on 9 October.
|
Garda Recruitment Campaign |
Number of Applications |
|
2025 |
6,784 |
|
2024 |
6,360 |
|
2023 |
4,973 |
|
2022 |
10,565 |
Probation and Welfare Service
Ceisteanna (68)
Gary Gannon
Ceist:68. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration given reports that the probation services worked with 17,000 people last year with about 500 staff, how his Department will expand community service orders without overwhelming probation and setting the policy up to fail; the additional funding, training and supports that are being ring-fenced; and the timeline for implementation. [54116/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I am committed to progressing and implementing policies aimed at increasing the use of community sanctions, reducing offending, diverting people away from the criminal justice system, and providing effective rehabilitation.
I am acutely conscious of the impacts of increased resources in one area of the criminal justice system on other areas, and I am working to ensure that all agencies within the criminal justice sector are aware of and equipped to deal with anticipated demands.
As announced in Budget 2026 on 7 October, I have secured an 11% increase in funding for the Probation Service. This will allow for the recruitment of 100 additional staff to increase use of supervised community sanctions in the criminal courts, expand restorative justice services, expand national supervised Temporary Release scheme, and provide initial staffing for a Bail Supervision Scheme.
On 6 May 2025, I secured Government approval for the drafting of the Criminal Law and Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2025. This Bill amends the Criminal Justice (Community Service) Act 1983 and the Criminal Justice (Community Service) (Amendment) Act 2011 to encourage greater use of community service orders. At present, a judge is obliged to consider imposing a community service order if considering a custodial sentence of up to 12 months’ imprisonment. I am proposing this threshold be increased from 12 to 24 months, and to double from 240 to 480 the maximum community service hours that may be ordered.
The Deputy may be aware that the Probation Service has commissioned two reviews of Community Service, an Evidence Review in 2021 followed by an Operational Review in 2023. The findings of both directly support recommendations in the Review of Policy Options for Prison and Penal Reform 2022-2024.
Findings include that community service operates as intended and provides an opportunity for a robust community sanction, and that community service operations should be underpinned by principles like a desistance approach, restorative justice and social justice.
In April this year, I launched the Probation Service, Community Service: New Directions Implementation Plan 2025-27, which set out a three year plan to further develop and increase community service operations nationwide.
Departmental Schemes
Ceisteanna (69)
Liam Quaide
Ceist:69. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if he will provide an update on the new health diversion scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53734/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
My Department recognises that possession of illicit drugs for personal use must necessarily be viewed as a public health issue, and not just as a matter for the criminal justice system. Additionally, while punishment for those who commit crime is a central element of our justice system, the rehabilitation and reintegration of offenders is at the core of our penal system. For these reasons, my Department is taking an active role in responding to the Citizens’ Assembly on Drug Use recommendation that the State introduce ‘a comprehensive health-led response to possession of drugs for personal use.
The Department of Health together with my Department, the Health Service Executive and An Garda Síochána, are now finalising a Health Diversion Scheme.
The Scheme, which is in line with Recommendation 17 of the Citizens’ Assembly on Drugs Use, will provide a health-led response to possession for personal use. It will facilitate members of An Garda Síochána to connect participants with health services, thereby providing a pathway to treatment and recovery in cases of problematic drug use.
The Programme for Government endorses the health-led approach and commits to implement the Health Diversion Scheme. The Minister of State for the National Drugs Strategy and I have agreed the scheme will commence on an administrative basis, and An Garda Síochána and the Director of Public Prosecutions are currently finalising the scheme’s operational details, prior to commencement at a national level.
The Department of Health has made funding available to the HSE for the necessary posts, and will have a surge plan in place in advance of the scheme’s implementation. The Department of Health has also identified funding to support the monitoring and evaluation of the first year of the scheme’s implementation.
The scheme will be reviewed after one year to ensure it is meeting its aims and to make any necessary changes. A comprehensive process evaluation framework has been developed to undertake this review.
Visa Applications
Ceisteanna (70)
John Connolly
Ceist:70. Deputy John Connolly asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration for the up-to-date waiting times for applications for visiting visas from South Africa; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38295/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I 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.
Since July 2024 to date, over 16,000 applications of all types have been received by the South African Desk and over 13,700 decisions have issued with an overall 91% grant rate.
I can advise the Deputy the majority of visa applications received by the South Africa Desk are being processed within the target processing times. In the first eight months of 2025 the average processing time for a short term visit visa was 11 weeks, for short term business visas it was 6 weeks and for long term employment visas it was 9 weeks.
There are several categories of visas being processed by the South Africa Desk, each with an individual processing target.
Table 1 below details the current target processing times for visa applications submitted to the South Africa Visa Desk:
|
Visa Category |
Target Processing Time (From date of receipt by the South Africa Visa Desk) |
|
Visit Family/Friend |
10 – 12 Weeks |
|
Tourist |
Approx. 14 Weeks |
|
Business / Conference / Event |
10 – 12 Weeks |
|
Employment |
10 – 12 Weeks |
|
Study |
Approx. 14 Weeks |
|
Other Short Stay Categories e.g. Exam, Training |
6 – 8 Weeks |
|
Join Family |
|
|
Join Family (Sponsor is an Irish citizen or is in Category A) |
Approx. 6 Months |
|
Join Family (Sponsor is in Category B) Approx. |
12 Months |
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.
The South Africa Desk publishes guidance for applicants, target processing times and weekly decision reports, at the following webpage: www.irishimmigration.ie/south-africa-visa-desk/.
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. Staffing levels are kept under ongoing review having regard to demands placed on my Department’s Immigration Service Delivery (ISD) function generally. This year additional resources and staff have been assigned to my Department’s Visa Division in response to the growing demand for these services.
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.
Any applicant 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: www.portal.irishimmigration.ie/en/.
International Protection
Ceisteanna (71)
Roderic O'Gorman
Ceist:71. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if it is his or the Government’s intention to apply the border procedure under the Migration and Asylum Pact to families with children requesting international protection; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54188/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The health and well-being of all people who apply for international protection is a priority for myself and my Department.
The EU Migration and Asylum Pact has been designed to establish a common approach to migration and asylum that is based on solidarity, responsibility, and, importantly, respect for human rights.
Ireland’s National Implementation Plan (NIP) is anchored in the EU and the State’s commitment to the delivery and protection of human rights in line with the Constitution of Ireland, European Union Charter of Fundamental Rights, the European Convention on Human Rights, and the UN Refugee Convention.
Under the Pact, all applicants will undergo a screening process before being triaged into a particular pathway: the border procedure, accelerated procedure, inadmissible procedure or standard procedure.
The border procedure provided for in the 2024 Asylum Procedure Regulation applies to applicants from countries of origin with a recognition rate of 20% or less across the EU, applicants who have intentionally misled the authorities by presenting false information or documents or by withholding relevant information or applicants who have, in bad faith, destroyed or disposed of documents in order to prevent the establishment of their identity or nationality, or applicants who are deemed a national security risk.
The co-location of applicant screening and case-processing in designated centres will allow for applicants' cases to be processed efficiently where appropriate support services can be provided to applicants.
The new International Protection Bill, which is currently being drafted, will provide for the application of the border procedure to families with children requesting international protection in accordance with the Asylum Procedure Regulation, and subject to the exceptions provided for in that Regulation. Where the border procedure is applied to minors and their family members, priority will be given to the examination of their applications. The border procedure will be applied to unaccompanied minors only where the minor applicant is deemed to represent a national security risk.
International Protection
Ceisteanna (72)
Cathal Crowe
Ceist:72. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration his views on the fact that Lisdoonvarna, County Clare has taken in more IPAS applicants and Ukrainian war refugees than any other town; if, on this basis, he will review ongoing accommodation arrangements in this town; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54030/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The State is currently accommodating almost 33,000 people in 319 International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) centres around the whole country. Over 21,000 people from Ukraine are in State-supported accommodation.
These accommodation systems are demand-led and sensitive to international crises, conflicts and migration trends.
From 2022 to the end of 2024, there was a sudden and sustained increase in numbers of people applying for international protection 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.
A welcome to and support for people fleeing the war in Ukraine was shown by the people of Lisdoonvarna and other areas in Co. Clare, and nationwide, since 2022. While many tens of thousands of people were provided with accommodation across hundreds of towns and areas in Ireland, it is the case that compared to the local population, some counties like Clare welcomed significant numbers.
As of August 2025, there were 662 people accommodated in Lisdoonvarna who are under temporary protection or applying for international protection accommodated in the area by the State, compared with 1182 at the end of 2022.
Since 2024, need for accommodation for people from Ukraine has reduced across the country and applications for international protection have reduced, though accommodation is still needed and in limited supply.
There are currently five accommodation centres in the Lisdoonvarna area providing accommodation for people fleeing the war in Ukraine, or for international protection applicants.
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 international protection application 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.
This is progressing, but the use and commissioning of emergency commercial accommodation will be needed in the short to medium term. This accommodation is contracted on shorter-term bases to allow responsiveness if demand reduces.
The degree of control given to the State by the creation of core supply of State-owned accommodation, of both emergency and permanent options, will increase as supply is delivered, re-establishing strategic direction over the accommodation type, location and dispersal pattern.
Data Protection
Ceisteanna (73)
Liam Quaide
Ceist:73. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if he is satisfied with the safeguards contained in the EU's chat control proposal in respect of privacy and data protection; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53733/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The proposed Regulation to prevent and combat child sexual abuse seeks to establish a harmonised legal framework, which will set out the responsibilities for providers to assess and mitigate risks and, where necessary, to detect, report and remove such abuse on their services. The proposal builds on the Digital Services Act, which lays down horizontal 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 relevant domestic and international stakeholders.
As the prevalence of online child sexual exploitation and abuse continues to grow, the need for effective legislation and international co-operation becomes all the more important. Online service providers must be empowered and, where necessary, compelled to detect, remove and report such abuse on their platforms.
This Government supports the draft Regulation’s intention to place a mandatory obligation on all service providers, rather than leave any ambiguity about the responsibilities service providers have, to address child sexual abuse and exploitation on their services.
Ireland supports the fundamental principles underlying the Commission proposal, i.e. that it should apply to all forms of online child sexual abuse, and that it should be technology-neutral, respect the fundamental rights of all parties concerned, and apply to all relevant services.
The proposed regulation sets out a series of safeguards to minimise the interference with fundamental rights, most notably the right to privacy of users of the services. I can confirm that Ireland is satisfied with the safeguards contained in the proposal in respect of privacy and data protection, particularly the necessity that detection orders be issued by a court, having taken into account the fundamental rights of all parties.
Detection orders are a measure of last resort. They are time bound and targeted at a particular service, that has failed through other measures, to effectively prevent the dissemination of CSAM on their service. Reports sent to the EU Centre by service providers will be assessed to identify any false positives, prior to the EU Centre transmission of reports to Europol as well as to national law enforcement authorities.
As the Deputy will also be aware, negotiations are on-going on this proposal. The privacy concerns associated with the proposal are recognised, and much of the negotiations have focused on ensuring that users’ rights to privacy are appropriately balanced with the protection of children and of child victims of abuse.
This Government strongly supports the introduction of robust legislation at EU level to tackle online child sexual abuse and exploitation.
Prison Service
Ceisteanna (74)
Brian Stanley
Ceist:74. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of visits that remand prisoners are entitled per week, due to contradictory information; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54140/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Remand prisoners are individuals held in custody who are either awaiting trial for a crime they have been charged with, or who have been convicted of a crime and are awaiting sentencing.
A Remand Warrant is a warrant to hold a prisoner or accused person in custody with instructions to return them to a District Court on a particular day and a Trial Warrant is a warrant to hold a prisoner or accused person in custody to await trial or continuation/conclusion of their trial.
In line with the Prison Rules 2007 remand prisoners are entitled to receive one visit per day of not less than 15 minutes in duration, from relatives or friends on each day for six days per week where practicable, but not less than three days per week.
It should be noted that many prisoners are now opting for video visits over in person visits for personal reasons and video visits are at least 20 minutes in duration.
Given the level of persons in custody it may not always be feasible to give prisoners their full entitlement. The IPS have assured me that they endeavour to ensure that each prisoner receives at least one physical or video visit per week.
International Protection
Ceisteanna (75)
Joanna Byrne
Ceist:75. Deputy Joanna Byrne asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to provide details of the daily occupancy levels and the possibility of re-opening a hotel (details supplied) for tourists, as well as facilitating IPAS applicants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53439/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) is currently accommodating almost 33,000 people in 319 IPAS centres around the country, 9,500 of whom are children.
Since 2024, once a centre is in operation, IPAS has not published details of the capacity or occupancy of our accommodation centres, to preserve the privacy and security of residents and staff.
In relation to the property mentioned, as is the case with many IPAS Accommodation Centres, the configuration of the premises referred to does not lend itself to a practical dual use of this property as suggested. This is related to legal duties to ensure privacy and anonymity of international protection applicants, and also to the fact that this is a family centre, meaning that all staff and the centre has to operate in accordance with Children First Guidelines on child safeguarding.
In terms of potential future use of the location, the State is working to develop more State-owned IP accommodation and reduce reliance on commercial providers over time.
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 IP accommodation.
As developing more sustainable state-owned accommodation system options will take time, the commissioning of emergency commercial accommodation will continue to be a feature in the short to medium term.
Visa Applications
Ceisteanna (76)
Edward Timmins
Ceist:76. Deputy Edward Timmins asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration is there is a way to speed up the application process for short term visit visas, including for academics or for business conferences and meetings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54222/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I 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.
Processing times and decisions at the Dublin Visa Office and the Overseas Visa Offices can be checked at the following link:
www.irishimmigration.ie/visa-decisions/ .
I can assure the Deputy that while processing times can vary across the different Visa Offices and Irish Embassies the majority of visas are processed within stated target times. Most short term applications are determined in a matter of weeks. However, some applications can take considerably longer. 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.
In 2024, approximately 201,000 visa applications, of all types, were received by 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 eight months of 2025, my Department's Visa Division received approximately 151,000 visa applications and has issued over 134,000 decisions.
This reflects an increase in applications of 5% compared to the same period in 2024. My officials are working to meet the increased level of demand, and over 5,500 additional visa decisions have issued in the first eight months of 2025, compared to the same period in 2024.
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.
Where an application is of poor quality or where essential documentation is missing, it will inevitably add substantial additional time to the decision making process. My Department’s website https://www.irishimmigration.ie/ and the online application AVATS system provides clear guidelines to assist the applicant in making good quality and complete applications.
Visa and pre-clearance applications provide legal avenues for people moving to Ireland for employment, study and family reasons and also to facilitate visitors who wish to travel for business and/or tourism. It is important to recall these applications are screening processes, designed to establish that the person has a legitimate reason to come to Ireland prior to travel. Verifying an application is an important part of our immigration system and the checks involved can take time to complete.
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. Staffing levels are kept under ongoing review having regard to demands placed on my Department’s Immigration Service Delivery function generally. This year additional resources and staff have been assigned to my Department’s Visa Division in response to the growing demand for these services.
Question No. 77 answered with Question No. 54.
An Garda Síochána
Ceisteanna (78)
Paul Donnelly
Ceist:78. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration regarding the Garda drone evaluation project that concluded in 2023, if he has any plans to address the ‘legislative clarity’ required by An Garda Síochána to utilise drones for operations. [54185/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The use of recording devices by An Garda Síochána, including those that are mounted on unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) is provided for under Part 2 of the Garda Síochána (Recording Devices) Act 2024. The legislative framework for use of drones is to be further supported by a Code of Practice which is to be prepared by An Garda Síochána.
The drone evaluation project is an operational matter for the Commissioner to consider. No identified need for additional legislation has been communicated to my Department, however, officials in my Department will consider any such request if received from An Garda Síochána.
Drug Dealing
Ceisteanna (79)
Brendan Smith
Ceist:79. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration how he intends to address the prevalence of drugs in rural Ireland, and its consequences on community safety and criminality in rural areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54197/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Tackling 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, including in rural 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.
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. Under Operation Tara, Gardaí recently seized €1.9m worth of cocaine and cannabis in New Ross, Co Wexford. In a separate investigation, they seized over €750,000 worth of cannabis from a grow house in Drogheda, Co Louth in August.
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.
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 are at the forefront of fighting organised crime in this country and disrupting the activities of criminal gangs by depriving them of ill-gotten assets.
I will be introducing 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.
Drug Related Intimidation is also a high priority for An Garda Síochána. Nominated Garda Inspectors are available throughout the country through the Drugs Related Intimidation Reporting Programme to assist victims of intimation. I am assured that An Garda Síochána maintains a coordinated and effective approach in protecting communities, individuals and their families from the harm and pain caused by drug abuse, associated violence and intimidation.
In May, alongside the Minister of State with responsibility for Public Health, Well Being and the National Drugs Strategy, I launched the DRIVE (Drug related intimidation & violence engagement) project. DRIVE’s primary goal is to establish effective systems and structures for a unified, timely, and sensitive response to drug-related intimidation. It focuses on responding to incidents, supporting those affected, and preventing future occurrences.
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.
The recently published Rural Safety Plan 2025-2027 contains a number of relevant actions in this area, including to ensure nationwide accessibility to youth diversion services and to improve drug harm reduction across rural communities.
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.
An Garda Síochána
Ceisteanna (80)
Noel McCarthy
Ceist:80. Deputy Noel McCarthy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of An Garda Síochána vehicles taken out of service in each respective year from 2021 to 2024 inclusive, and to date in 2025; the reasons for their removal from service; the number of vehicles added in the same period; if there is a minimum number of Garda service vehicles required for each station; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54235/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I am informed by the Garda authorities that the table below sets out the vehicles allocated to and removed from the Garda Fleet from 2021 to 2025 as of 30 September 2025.
All vehicles are operated up to the manufacturers durability limits or uneconomic repair, irrespective of age. A comprehensive service repair and maintenance programme is in place to ensure that all vehicles are operating to manufacturers specifications.
The responsibility for the efficient deployment of all official Garda vehicles in each Division is assigned to the Divisional Officer, who may allocate vehicles between stations as required by operational circumstances. The allocation of these vehicles is monitored and reviewed on a continual basis.
|
Year |
Allocated |
Removed |
|
2021 |
369 |
241 |
|
2022 |
282 |
212 |
|
2023 |
271 |
163 |
|
2024 |
431 |
262 |
|
2025 * |
323 |
234 |
* as of 30 September 2025.
An Garda Síochána publishes detailed information on the Garda fleet from 2008 to date. Information in relation to the number of Garda vehicles is publicly available and can be found at the following link:
[https://www.garda.ie/en/about-us/our-departments/finance-services/finance-fleet-management.html]
The Garda Commissioner is responsible under Section 33 of the Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024 for the management and administration of Garda business, including the purchase and allocation of Garda fleet resources. As Minister, I have no role in these independent functions.