Pa Daly
Ceist:670. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to provide a breakdown of all allocations under subheading D.1 to D.10, in tabular form. [55182/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraBudget 2026
Ceisteanna (670, 671)
Pa Daly
Ceist:671. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to provide a breakdown of the funding allocated in Budget 2026 under programme D, broken down by capital and current allocations under each subheading, in tabular form. [55274/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 670 and 671 together.
I was delighted to recently secure a current funding allocation of €12 million in Budget 2026 for the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC). This is a very substantial increase of €4.1 million. This increased funding is due to the significant expansion in scope and role of the centre as a consequence of the NIS2 Directive and the forthcoming National Cyber Security Bill.
Individual capital funding allocations for 2026 within the Justice Vote are currently being finalised and will be advised in due course.
Question No. 671 answered with Question No. 670.
Housing Schemes
Ceisteanna (672)
Michael Murphy
Ceist:672. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if he will provide an update on the inter-agency engagement involving his Department, Tipperary County Council, Tuath Housing, and An Garda Síochána regarding public safety concerns at the modular unit development on Heywood Road, Clonmel; the outcomes of that meeting; and the further actions planned to address ongoing community concerns. [54555/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Due to anti social behaviour at the Haywood site in Clonmel, officials from my Department met with representatives from Tipperary County Council, An Garda Síochána and Tuath Housing on 29 September, further to an earlier meeting on 11 August.
An update was provided by An Garda Síochána and Garda resourcing in Clonmel and the wider functional area was also discussed. Proposed further engagement with the local community regarding ongoing concerns were also outlined. An Garda Síochána detailed increases in patrols which are being carried out and provided crime prevention advice.
Since these meetings have taken place, speed ramps have been installed throughout the development and a road safety sign will also be installed in the coming days.
My officials are currently examining the feasibility of installing CCTV in public spaces within the development that may act as a deterrent to further anti social behaviour.
Tuath continue to engage with residents and to escalate health and safety concerns as they arise. The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) are also supporting the residents of the development by collecting reports and providing translation where necessary.
Further engagement is scheduled with senior Garda management and the Tipperary County Council. In the meantime, the local Gardaí and Tuath continue to monitor all anti-social behaviour at Haywood, and all residents at Haywood are asked to continue to follow their advice.
International Protection
Ceisteanna (673)
Catherine Connolly
Ceist:673. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of people who are in the international protection application process who were directly contacted by email in relation to voluntary return policy announcement made on 29 September 2025; and the number who are from the Occupied Palestinian Territories and who received such communication. [54556/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
It is a central priority for me that Ireland’s immigration system is robust and rules based. Returning people who do not have permission to remain in Ireland is undertaken through voluntary returns and deportation. Both types of returns are essential for the system to work effectively and to ensure that there is confidence in the application of our legislation in this area.
It is the preferred option to return people voluntarily, and my Department has a voluntary return programme to assist people to return prior to the issuance of a deportation order. It is important to note that a person can only avail of voluntary return before a deportation order is issued. In 2024, 934 people left Ireland by way of voluntary return. This year 1,244 people have left up to 10 October 2025, which is an increase of 105% compared to the same period in 2024.
A person who is intending to avail of voluntary return can arrange their return independently or they can be assisted with travel costs, financial aid and administrative support by my Department or through my Department’s partner, the UN’s International Organisation for Migration (IOM). The option of voluntary return is not offered to those convicted of serious criminality.
The voluntary return service comprises of pre-departure counselling, organising travel arrangements and the payment of a reintegration grant. My Department’s programme provides assistance to people who wish to leave and are not deemed to be in a vulnerable situation.
Part of the voluntary return process is the offer of reintegration assistance – this is a grant that helps people get back on their feet when they return home.
This grant was set at €1,200 per person and €2,000 per family unit.
Last month, I announced that for a limited time, people who were in the International Protection process before 28 September 2025, will be offered an increased allowance if they leave at an earlier stage in the process. This aims to reduce pressure on the system from the high number of applications received in recent years.
This means that if a person decides to opt for voluntary return either before a first instance decision is made, or without submitting an appeal, their assistance will be increased to €2,500 per person to a maximum of €10,000 per family unit.
If a person is in the appeals process, it is €1,500 per person and €6,000 per family unit.
If a person has received a final decision on their application the amount remains at the previous rate of €1200 or a slightly higher amount for a family of €3,000.
The increased assistance level will be offered to everyone in the International Protection process before 28 September 2025 and people are not being excluded on grounds of nationality. My officials are distributing this information by email, on our website and with leaflets. Email communications are issued to people in the International Protection system but these communications are addressed to adults and not to children.
It is important to note that people can return to a country where they have legal residency, and this is not limited to their country of nationality. There are safeguards in place for vulnerable people and requests for return can be refused if it would be unsafe for the person to return. My Department assesses each application on their eligibility for the programme.
At the end of September 2025, there were almost 34,000 applications pending at different stages of the international protection process
As of 01 October 2025, there were 481 applications from Palestinian nationals pending at different stages of the international protection process. Statistics are not maintained on the place of residence of applicants at the time of application.
An Garda Síochána
Ceisteanna (674)
Alan Kelly
Ceist:674. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of Garda transfers in and out within Kildare-Carlow division in 2024 and to-date in 2025, in tabular form. [54581/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The table below has been provided to me by the Garda authorities and outlines the number of Garda transfers in and out, within the Kildare/Carlow Division in 2024 and up to 30 September 2025.
|
Year |
2024 |
2025 (end Sept) |
|
Transfer In |
70 |
81 |
|
Transfer out |
51 |
68 |
The Garda Commissioner is responsible under section 33 of the Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024 for the distribution and stationing of Garda personnel throughout the State. As Minister I have no role in these independent functions.
An Garda Síochána
Ceisteanna (675)
Alan Kelly
Ceist:675. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration further to Parliamentary Question No. 888 of 17 September 2025, if he has received the necessary information from Garda authorities in order to have this Parliamentary Question answered. [54582/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I refer to Parliamentary Questions 888 of 17 September 2025 regarding “the amount that An Garda Síochána spent on hiring external jewellery valuers to carry out work on its behalf in 2023, 2024 and to-date in 2025, in tabular form.”
The Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB) is a multi-agency statutory body established under the Criminal Assets Bureau Act 1996. The Bureau’s remit is to target a person's assets, wherever situated, which derive, or are suspected to derive, directly or indirectly, from criminal conduct. The Bureau has staff drawn from An Garda Síochána, the Office of the Revenue Commissioners (including Customs), the Department of Social Protection and my Department.
I am advised by the CAB, that the total cost of jewellery valuations by external jewellery valuers, incurred by the Criminal Assets Bureau as an agency, over the years 2023, 2024 and to-date in 2025 is outlined in the table below:
|
2023 |
2024 |
2025* |
|
€1,830.73 |
€12,773.25 |
€3,280.14 |
*January-August
An Garda Síochána
Ceisteanna (676)
Alan Kelly
Ceist:676. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of suspicious transaction reports submitted to Garda financial intelligence unit in 2024 and to-date in 2025 in relation to identity fraud and financial fraud; and the number that resulted in investigations and or prosecutions, in tabular form. [54583/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I am advised by An Garda Síochána that in 2024, 60,753 suspicious transactions reports (STRs) were submitted to the Garda Financial Intelligence Unit.
I am advised by An Garda Síochána that the breakdown in numbers as requested for ‘identity fraud and financial fraud’ is not available, as these categories are not captured on the system used by An Garda Síochána.
Similarly, the number of suspicious transaction report investigations that resulted in prosecutions cannot be provided as the system does not capture the linkages between suspicious transaction reports and a resulting incident and outcome on PULSE.
I can however inform the Deputy that the total of 60,753 is made up of 35,544 STRs and 25,209 STReus, which is a sub category of reports containing no Irish nexus, submitted by Irish regulated entities passporting services to other EU member states.
All suspicious transaction reports submitted via the system are reviewed within the Garda Financial Intelligence Unit and, if necessary, forwarded to Divisions for investigation and PULSE incident creation. As the Deputy will appreciate, STRs are considered to be intelligence, so Divisions are directed not to reference the STR when creating any resulting crime incidents in order to protect the source of the information.
An Garda Síochána
Ceisteanna (677)
Alan Kelly
Ceist:677. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration further to Parliamentary Question No. 887 of 17 September 2025, if he has received the necessary information from Garda authorities in order to have this Parliamentary Question answered. [54584/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I refer to Parliamentary Question No. 887 of 17 September 2025 where you sought:
"To ask the Minister for Justice; Home Affairs and Migration the percentage of Gardaí within Dublin north division who have successfully completed the pursuit driving courses in 2023, 2024 and to-date in 2025, in tabular form."
As you will recall, I sought the information from the Garda authorities and undertook to contact the Deputy again once the information was to hand.
The Garda Commissioner is responsible for managing the administration and business of An Garda Síochána including the training of its members and civilian staff and I, as Minister, have no direct role in the matter.
I am informed by Garda authorities that there is a five-level suite of competency based driving (CBD) courses, with each level specifically catering for the required knowledge base, skill set and operational requirements of Garda members.
CBD Level 1 consists of a one-day assessment programme. Gardaí who successfully complete CBD Level 1 are deemed competent to carry out non-response driving functions and routine driving functions commensurate to the role.
CBD Level 2 is a two-week Competency Based Driving Course aimed at front-line Garda Drivers. This course contains Road Craft techniques and emergency response driving.
CBD Level 3 is an addition to the CBD2 course and is of three weeks duration. This course has a requirement for a higher skill set of driving to facilitate the driving of higher powered vehicles. I am advised that Competency Based Driving Level 3 is the highest level of training given to operational Gardaí.
I understand that following the publication of the Garda Spontaneous Pursuit Policy, a pursuit training course is now in development. Level 2 and Level 3 courses include instructions on response driving. The current Garda policy on Spontaneous Pursuits provides that CBD2 and CBD3 drivers may be authorised by the Serious Incident Dispatcher to initiate a pursuit dependant on the threat and risk assessed at the time.
The more specialised levels CBD4 and CBD5 are only delivered to Gardaí undergoing the selection process to become Garda Driving Instructors.
The frequency of all courses is governed by the operational requirements of An Garda Síochána.
With respect to the specific information requested, the table below has been provided to me by the Garda authorities and outlines the number of Gardaí based in the DMR North Division who have successfully completed CBD 2 and CBD 3 driver training.
|
Course |
Number Qualified |
|
CBD 2 |
179 |
|
CBD 3 |
8 |
An Garda Síochána
Ceisteanna (678)
Alan Kelly
Ceist:678. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the age profile of the Garda fleet within Limerick division. [54585/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Garda fleet assigned to the Limerick Division on 30 September 2025 comprised 135 vehicles, which included 103 cars, 24 vans, six motorcycles, one 4x4, and one vehicle classified as "other". This represents an increase of 33 vehicles, or 32%, since 2020.
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 relevant Chief Superintendent, who may allocate vehicles between stations as required by operational circumstances. The allocation of these vehicles is monitored and reviewed on a continual basis.
The Garda authorities have advised that the age profile for Limerick Division fleet on 30 September 2025 is as follows:
|
Age |
Number of Vehicles |
Percentage |
|
<1 year |
8 |
5.93% |
|
1-2 years |
25 |
18.52% |
|
2-4 years |
20 |
14.81% |
|
4 - 6 years |
30 |
22.22% |
|
6+ years |
52 |
38.52% |
|
Total |
135 |
100% |
Probation and Welfare Service
Ceisteanna (679)
Tom Brabazon
Ceist:679. Deputy Tom Brabazon asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration his plans to visit a service (details supplied) before the end of 2025. [54617/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I must firstly acknowledge the Probation Service’s excellent work to address offending behaviour, keep communities safe and rebuild lives, families and communities. As Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration, I have prioritised seeing at first hand the work of the Probation Service and community partners.
Last April, I visited the Probation Service Headquarters in Haymarket, in Dublin. I have also visited organisations who receive funding from the Probation Service including Churchfield Community Trust in Cork, Merchants Quay Ireland and Care After Prisons. At these visits, I met the service delivery teams and learned more about their work. I also attended the launch of the Diamond Project at Belvedere Youth Club at the end of May.
While there is no visit scheduled to the site the Deputy has referred to, I intend to continue to visit more Probation Service offices and funded organisations as time goes on.
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. As announced in Budget 2026 on 7 October, I have secured an 11% increase in funding for the Probation Service.
Departmental Expenditure
Ceisteanna (680)
Paula Butterly
Ceist:680. Deputy Paula Butterly asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if the funding for a facility (details supplied) will continue beyond 31 October 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54670/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Drug Treatment Court (DTC) in Louth, operating as a pilot, encompasses principles of the National Drug Rehabilitation framework, i.e. assessment, care planning, client consent, a shared care model and exit planning.
The DTC was not directly funded, but rather funding from my Department is provided to the Red Door Project in Drogheda to employ a DTC Liaison Case Worker. My Department will continue to fund the DTC Liaison Case Worker post until Q3 2025.
Options for mainstream funding for the DTC Liaison Case Worker are currently being examined and will be determined in due course.
Departmental Advertising
Ceisteanna (681)
Gary Gannon
Ceist:681. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration his expenditure on advertising, with details of the objective, duration, social media platforms, reach, audience, CTR and cost of each social media advertising campaign, in 2023 to date in 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54674/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
It 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.
Departmental Advertising
Ceisteanna (682)
Gary Gannon
Ceist:682. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the National Cyber Security Centre’s expenditure on advertising, with details of the objective, duration, social media platforms, reach, audience, CTR and cost of each social media advertising campaign, in each of the years 2023 to date in 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54677/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I am informed that details associated with the National Cyber Security Centre's expenditure on public information campaigns between 2023 and 2025 is provided in the table below.
|
Campaign Title |
Purpose of Campaign |
Duration of Campaign (Start Date - End Date) |
Social Media Platforms Used |
Reach |
Audience |
Click Through Rate |
Cost (€) (Incl. Vat) |
|
NIS2 National Awareness Campaign |
Drive awareness of the national NIS 2 legislation for impacted audiences, alongside encouraging basic understanding of the main impacts of the legislation. |
30/09/2024 - 27/10/2024 |
Meta(Facebook and Instagram) |
914,287 |
SME & Business Owners |
0.45% |
€8,000 |
|
NIS2 National Awareness Campaign |
Drive awareness of the national NIS 2 legislation for impacted audiences, alongside encouraging basic understanding of the main impacts of the legislation. |
31/09/2024 - 27/10/2024 |
Linked In |
270,972 |
SME & Business Owners |
0.25% |
€4,000 |
|
Cyber Security Awareness Month |
Encouraging basic understanding of phishing scams and cyber security |
02/11/2023 - 19/11/2023 |
|
786,898 |
General Public |
0.35% |
€2,647 |
Departmental Advertising
Ceisteanna (683)
Gary Gannon
Ceist:683. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration his expenditure on advertising, with details of the objective, duration, social media platforms, reach, audience, CTR and cost of Garda Trainee Recruitment Campaign in 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54679/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As the Deputy will be aware, under the Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024, the Garda Commissioner is the Accounting Officer for the Garda Vote. The Garda Trainee Recruitment Campaign was funded from that Vote. Accordingly, no expenditure from my Department’s Vote was incurred on advertising for this campaign.
However, to be of assistance to the Deputy I have sought this information from the Garda authorities and I will reply to the Deputy directly once this information is to hand.
International Agreements
Ceisteanna (684)
Barry Ward
Ceist:684. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the position regarding Ireland's status and level of engagement with the European Public Prosecutor's Office; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54683/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The European Public Prosecutors Office (EPPO) was established in 2017 under the EU's enhanced cooperation measure to investigate and prosecute crimes against the financial interests of the European Union. These crimes are as set out in Directive (EU) 2017/1371 of the European Parliament and of the Council on the fight against fraud to the Union’s financial interests by means of criminal law, otherwise known as the PIF Directive.
Ireland has transposed the PIF Directive and the full suite of measures to investigate and prosecute PIF offences are available to Irish authorities under our domestic structures. At that time, Ireland decided not to opt in to the EPPO Regulation, given that it represented a departure from our common law model of investigation and prosecution.
In October 2023, the Government approved the drafting of the General Scheme of legislation to allow Ireland to join EPPO. This detailed preparatory work will take some time to complete before the Government makes a formal decision to join EPPO.
I can assure the Deputy that, in the meantime, co-operation with the EPPO as a non-participating Member State is operational and working well. Legislative changes required to facilitate Ireland’s cooperation with the EPPO are fully operational, as of 1 November 2023. This was effected by way of amendments to the Criminal Justice (Mutual Assistance) Act 2008. Since this date, there has been ongoing positive engagement between the Central Authority and the EPPO in relation to the processing of MLA requests.
The Irish Government remains fully committed to protecting the Union’s financial interests and to providing every support possible to the EPPO as it carries out its very important work.
An Garda Síochána
Ceisteanna (685, 692, 693)
Roderic O'Gorman
Ceist:685. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the proportion of applications to join An Garda Síochána that are responded to within three months; the current average processing time of applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54740/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra
Conor D. McGuinness
Ceist:692. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the average waiting time in the Garda application process from the final interview to notification of acceptance, per county, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54835/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraConor D. McGuinness
Ceist:693. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the average waiting time in the Garda application process from the final interview to notification of acceptance for those who conducted their final interview in a Garda station (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54836/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 685, 692 and 693 together.
The Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána, including the recruitment of its members.
In order to support increased recruitment to An Garda Síochána, a Recruitment and Training Capacity Group was established last year. The group’s main focus was on improving the recruitment process to ensure that it can deliver sufficient numbers of trained new Gardaí to meet the current and future needs of An Garda Síochána. The Group's report details the changes that have been made by Government, An Garda Síochána and publicjobs to their end-to-end processes for Garda Trainee recruitment, including increased recruitment age and training allowance, shortened recruitment timeframes, reform of the physical competency test, introduction of an Assessment Centre approach to elements of recruitment and two recruitment competitions launched in 2025.
These changes have already significantly improved the situation on recruitment and the Group is satisfied that the process has been made much more efficient.
To be of assistance, the Deputy can access this report here
https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-justice-home-affairs-and-migration/publications/an-garda-s%C3%ADoch%C3%A1na-recruitment-training-capacity-group-report-september-2025/
In respect of the relevant timelines I am advised by the Garda authorities that the Garda trainee recruitment process encompasses multiple stages across application, selection and appointment. The application and selection stages of the process are undertaken by publicjobs on behalf of the Garda Commissioner, the final element of which is the interview stage. Significant changes have been introduced over the last year that have improved the efficiency of these processes which have reduced timelines considerably. In 2024, it took 42 weeks from the closing date of the campaign for all candidates to complete the interview process. For the 2025 competition, this was reduced to 22 weeks for the vast majority of candidates.
Candidates then enter the An Garda Síochána recruitment stages which consist of vetting, medical, physical competency test and substance misuse testing, all of which need to be undertaken before a candidate is offered a place to commence training in the Garda College. As such, each candidate’s recruitment process is individual and the timelines can vary considerably. An Garda Síochána are implementing a series of targeted reforms designed to streamline their processes. These measures have enabled An Garda Síochána to make offers to a number of the first candidates from the 2025 competition within 2 to 4 weeks from entering the An Garda Síochána selection stages. As the stages are ongoing at present it is not yet possible to compare with the average timelines from previous competitions.
It should be noted that as recruitment campaigns for An Garda Síochána are national competitions, it is not possible to provide a ‘by county’ breakdown.
Electoral Process
Ceisteanna (686)
Ivana Bacik
Ceist:686. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if he will address the impact of issuing certificates of naturalisation, after naturalisation ceremonies for persons who have acquired citizenship, but will miss the voter registration deadline; and his plans to ensure that future such cohorts are not deprived of the opportunity to vote. [54747/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I can inform the Deputy that all certificates of naturalisation for attendees of a citizenship ceremony are issued via registered post. Applicants can expect to receive their certificate within around a month of the date of the ceremony.
By not issuing certificates on the day of the ceremonies, my Department has been able to simplify the administrative steps required to be completed on the day. This in turn has made it possible to significantly increase the number of attendees who can attend any one day of ceremonies, and to reduce the time it takes for people to complete the naturalisation process.
These steps are part of an overall programme of work to speed up the naturalisation process for applicants. This includes introducing an online digital application, online payments, and the introduction of eVetting.
My Department held 24 citizenship ceremonies last year, an increase from 15 held in 2023, and 6 in 2022. My Department has already held 19 ceremonies this year and will continue to hold more ceremonies on a regular basis.
In just over two years the Citizenship Division of my Department has gone from processing around 12,000 applications a year to processing over 20,000 applications in 2023 and more than 31,000 decisions in 2024.
My Department is doing everything possible to ensure that new citizens receive their certificates as soon as possible.
Prison Service
Ceisteanna (687)
Emer Currie
Ceist:687. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the work his Department is undertaking to reduce overcrowding in prisons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54796/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Irish Prison Service must accept into custody all people committed to prison by the Courts. As such, the Irish Prison Service has no control over the numbers committed to custody at any given time.
I am acutely aware of capacity restraints in our prisons and the challenges faced by those who work and live in our prisons as a result. Since 2022 capacity across the prison estate has been increased by 380 new spaces.
A record capital investment of €527 million is being provided to IPS over the next 5 years, of which €495 million will be invested in building projects to further increase capacity. This will provide for the largest investment in the prison estate in the history of the State.
The target is to deliver 1595 prison spaces between now and 2031. This includes a new prison on the site of the old Cork prison, a new block in Wheatfield, an additional block extension at Midlands prison, and additional spaces at Castlerea, Mountjoy and Dóchas. A new mental health therapeutic centre is also planned for Mountjoy.
The delivery of these 960 spaces will be accelerated by moving straight to the second approval gate of the Infrastructure Guidelines. This measure will speed up delivery timelines by 12 to 18 months.
The Irish Prison Service also aims to recruit up to 300 prison officers in 2025, in addition to the 271 prison officers recruited in 2024. I was pleased to secure additional funding for the service of €39 million (8.3%) in Tuesday’s budget. This will facilitate ongoing recruitment and additional hours into 2026.
I am also determined to progress commitments in the Programme for Government related to the expanded use of community sanctions, which will contribute to reducing prison overcrowding and improve efforts to rehabilitate offenders.
In April 2025, I launched the Probation Service Community Service Implementation Plan, “New Directions 2025-2027” which sets out a range of actions and targets to increase the uptake, consistency and availability of Community Service Orders throughout the country so as to provide a meaningful alternative to custodial sentences where appropriate and support desistance from offending behaviour.
In Budget 2026 I have provided the Probation Service with very significant additional resources amounting to €6.7 million, an increase of 11%.
Work is also underway to operationalise electronic monitoring in line with existing legislative provisions for certain categories of offenders. It is intended to go to tender for an electronic monitoring provider this year. In 2026, funding of €2.1m has been allocated for the project to allow for staffing, procurement, and other set up costs.
Legal Services Regulation
Ceisteanna (688, 690)
Emer Currie
Ceist:688. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the measures his Department is evaluating to reduce legal costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54797/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraEmer Currie
Ceist:690. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if his Department has evaluated the development of a development consent order system similar to the system available in England in order that major infrastructure projects can avoid the need to secure consent for different features of the project under different regimes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54800/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 688 and 690 together.
In May 2022, the Minister for Justice published the Civil Justice Efficiencies and Reform Measures (CJERM) Plan. The plan was the result of consideration of the recommendations contained in the Kelly Review and engagement with the Courts Service and members of the Judiciary on how to take forward those recommendations.
While the Kelly Review made recommendations on measures to address the costs of litigation, it failed to reach a consensus on one primary approach to regulate them. Instead, two options were put forward: a set of non-binding guidelines; and the development of a table of maximum costs. In the absence of a clear primary recommendation in this area, the Minister requested that research be commissioned on the options set out in the Review.
To evaluate the matter further, the Department commissioned Indecon Economic Consultants to undertake a multi-criteria analysis of the two approaches set out in the Review Report. The Department also asked Indecon to consider other models that may achieve the goal of controlling litigation costs. The Report identified four possible models to control litigation costs but identified a dearth of data in relation to legal costs in Ireland. One of the options examined was that of providing a scale of fees for legal costs. Such an option has been provided for in the Planning and Development Act, and my Department is liaising with the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment around the development of scales of fees and for Judicial Review applicants in the context of commencing that Act. It is hoped that the outcome of that project can then be extended to other areas of litigation.
In parallel with that work, I have obtained Government approval to prepare a General Scheme of a Civil Reform Bill. The Civil Reform Bill is a key implementation measure of the Kelly Report of the Review of the Administration of Civil Justice.
As part of the Bill, it is my intention to introduce provisions which will codify the existing law on judicial review by placing it on a statutory basis. The measures should achieve greater transparency in the law and lead to a more streamlined review process. Key reforms should ensure that the system cannot be misused on purely technical grounds, costs are reduced where possible and litigants have sufficient standing to properly challenge decisions.
The Civil Reform Bill will also contain measures to reform the law on:
• discovery and production of documents;
• case conduct principles for civil litigation;
• presumption against adjournments;
• deemed discontinuance of actions;
• creation of a standard claim notice;
• monetary jurisdictions of the courts in civil matters; and
• other aspects of the Kelly Review.
These reforms are aimed at addressing costly bottlenecks in the legal system and delivering a more efficient, fair, accessible and lower cost system of civil litigation. I aim to bring the General Scheme of the Bill to Government for its approval later this year.
Judicial Reviews
Ceisteanna (689)
Emer Currie
Ceist:689. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the reforms his Department are evaluating to reduce the cost of judicial review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54798/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration, I have obtained Government approval to prepare a General Scheme of a Civil Reform Bill. The Civil Reform Bill is a key implementation measure of the Kelly Report on the Review on the Administration of Civil Justice.
As part of the Bill, it is my intention to introduce provisions which will codify the existing law on judicial review by placing it on a statutory basis. The measures should achieve greater transparency in the law and lead to a more streamlined review process. Key reforms should ensure that the system cannot be misused on purely technical grounds, costs are reduced where possible and litigants have sufficient standing to properly challenge decisions.
In May 2022, the then Minister for Justice published the Civil Justice Efficiencies and Reform Measures (CJERM) Plan. The plan was the result of consideration of the recommendations contained in the Kelly Review and engagement with the Courts Service and members of the Judiciary on how to take forward those recommendations.
While the Kelly Review made some recommendations on secondary measures to address the costs of litigation, it failed to reach a consensus on one primary approach to regulate them. Instead, two options were put forward: a set of non-binding guidelines; and the development of a table of maximum costs. In the absence of a clear primary recommendation in this area, the Minister requested that research be commissioned on the options set out in the Review.
To evaluate the matter further, the Department commissioned Indecon Economic Consultants to undertake a multi-criteria analysis of the two approaches set out in the Review Report. The Department also asked Indecon to consider other models that may achieve the goal of controlling litigation costs.
The Report identified four possible models to control litigation costs but identified a dearth of data in relation to legal costs in Ireland. Recent developments such as the National Claims Information Database (NCID) have provided better information in this area.
My Department is liaising with the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment around the development of scales of fees and for Judicial Review applicants in the environmental space. It is hoped that the outcome of that project can be used in other areas of litigation.