Written Answers Nos. 570-589
570. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration for an update on the Programme for Government commitment to support the rollout of the current Youth Justice Strategy and develop a successor strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56648/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraInvestment in youth justice services remains a key priority for this Government, and I am committed to ensuring children engaged in criminality, and those at risk of becoming involved in criminality, are supported to desist from offending behaviour. In Budget 2025, an extra €3.2 million was provided for Youth Justice initiatives, bringing the total allocation to over €36 million. As announced as part of Budget 2026 a significant additional allocation of €7.3 million in core exchequer funding will be provided for Youth Justice measures to support the ongoing implementation of the Youth Justice Strategy.
The Youth Justice Strategy 2021-2027 is a whole of government plan to take a coordinated strategic and tactical approach to the full range of issues connected to children and young people at risk of coming into contact with the criminal justice system.
The vision is to ensure collaboration across all sectors of government and society in the development and delivery of opportunities for children and young people, to harness support in their families and communities in order to strengthen their capacities to live free from crime and harm.
The key principles underlining the Strategy are linked to the standards endorsed by the international community as required to uphold children’s rights and include;
• early intervention and preventative work;
• family support;
• diversion from crime;
• court processes and facilities;
• supervision of offenders;
• detention and reintegration; and
• support post release.
The Youth Justice Strategy 2021 – 2027 commits to extending the remit of the Youth Diversion Project (YDP) network to provide dedicated Family Support, Early Intervention, and Harder-to-Reach programmes throughout the State. These interventions seek to specifically target the immediate family members of participants, children aged between 8 and 11 years who are at risk of coming to the attention of law enforcement once they reach the age of criminal responsibility, and prolific young offenders presenting to YDPs and youth-related services with complex needs, respectively.
Considerable progress has been made to extend the Youth Diversion Project network throughout the State under the current Strategy. Two new YDPs have been approved for East Clare and North Tipperary. Once these new projects are up and running there will be full nationwide Youth Diversion Project coverage, ensuring any child who needs access to their service can get it, no matter what part of the country they are in.
Full implementation of the Youth Justice Strategy model remains a priority to be realised progressively over its final years, and the following Strategy will build on the significant progress that has already been made since 2021.
571. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration for an update on the Programme for Government commitment to enact legislation to combat anti-social behaviour, including enhancing the use of anti-social behaviour warnings and anti-social behaviour orders; if he will consider the introduction of dispersal orders and public space protection orders; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56650/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government is committed to ensuring that communities are safe. Tackling anti-social behaviour is an important part of that commitment.
Legislation currently allows members of An Garda Síochána to issue Anti-Social Behaviour Warnings to adults and children and allows for senior Gardaí (not below rank of Superintendent) to apply for Anti-Social Behaviour Orders before the District Court.
Legislation is being progressed through the Criminal Law and Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2025 that will reduce the minimum rank from Superintendent to Inspector for a Garda to apply for anti-social behaviour orders for children and adults respectively. This will enable swifter action in such cases and will free up Superintendents’ time for other policing matters.
The Government is taking a number of ongoing actions to tackle anti-social behaviour and build safer communities, including:
• Getting more Gardaí on our streets through increased recruitment.
• Introducing Community Safety Partnerships around the country, to develop Community Safety Plans for every area.
• Continuing the expansion of youth justice and youth diversion measures.
• Piloting Garda body-cams in three locations (Dublin, Waterford, Limerick) with national roll-out to follow.
The Government continues to invest in the expansion of youth justice and youth diversion measures, including the full coverage of Youth Diversion Projects nationwide, a focus on early intervention and preventative work and proposals to develop diversion-based responses for young adults aged 18-24.
I have been assured by the Garda Commissioner that the high visibility policing plan in place in Central Dublin will continue and the Commissioner has stated that this plan will be replicated in other areas of the DMR.
From An Garda Síochána's perspective, a long-term strategic approach to anti-social behaviour in communities assists in addressing potential problems before they arise. An Garda Síochána work collaboratively with Local Authorities, community leaders and groups to find solutions to problems associated with anti-social behaviour.
Local Community Safety Partnerships (LCSP) represent a significant step towards a more collaborative, responsive, and locally driven model of public safety. They will bring together a broad range of relevant stakeholders to address community safety issues in their area which will include residents, local councillors, community representatives (such as those representing young people, older people, and new or minority communities), business and education representatives, and a range of public services including the HSE, Tusla, An Garda Síochána and the local authority.
In June of this year, I signed regulations that provide for the establishment of Local Community Safety Partnerships in each local authority area across the country. I appointed the members of the first Local Community Safety Partnerships in recent weeks and aim to have all of the Partnerships up and running in the coming months.
My Department has also examined and introduced initiatives to tackle knife crime, responses to anti-social behaviour in housing complexes, the misuse of scramblers and quadbikes and the powers available to An Garda Síochána in relation to public order offences.
New laws were also introduced in 2024 which criminalise the grooming of children into crime. In addition, the Greentown project, which aims to break the link between children and the gangs that seek to recruit them, was extended in 2024 for a further 3 years.
572. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration for an update on the Programme for Government commitment to increase the CCTV fund to enable local authorities to install new CCTV schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56651/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraCommunity safety is a top priority for my Department and everyone has the right to be safe and to feel safe in their communities. Community CCTV plays an important role in achieving this goal.
Since 2017 my Department has administered a grant-aid scheme supporting groups wishing to establish a community-based CCTV system in their area.
The CCTV grant scheme was extended in 2019 to cover not only new CCTV systems, but to also provide funding for the extension or upgrade of existing CCTV systems which are incomplete or obsolete. Grants of over €950,000 have been approved to date for 36 Community CCTV schemes.
The Garda Síochána (Recording Devices) Act 2023, which was signed into law in December 2023, provides for a new regime for the authorisation and operation of CCTV schemes. In order to introduce the new regime for CCTV, Part 5 of that Act must be commenced.
There is a new requirement under that Act for the Garda Commissioner to develop a Code of Practice for CCTV which will set out the procedures and standards to be followed, as well as the new rules around confidentiality, security, storage, access and retention of data and data subject rights. I am advised by the Garda authorities that work is ongoing with respect to the development of this Code of Practice.
I am further advised by the Garda authorities that An Garda Síochána are currently working on a new CCTV Strategy which will outline how CCTV infrastructure utilised by Gardaí can be modernised and integrated with other CCTV infrastructure throughout the State. It is hoped that implementation of a modernised CCTV platform for An Garda Síochána can commence in 2026.
573. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration for an update on the Programme for Government commitment to ensure Gardaí have sufficient powers to tackle the misuse of E-scooters and scramblers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56652/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraLegislation and policy concerning road traffic and road safety rests under the remit of my colleague the Minister for Transport. The Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of Garda business, which includes all operational policing matters and is independent in these functions under the Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024.
The Road Traffic and Roads Act 2023 was enacted in June 2023 by the Minister for Transport. It is a large piece of legislation which covers multiple areas, including scrambler bikes and e-scooters.
Among its many provisions, the Act aims to tackle dangerous driving and the antisocial use of scramblers and quadbikes via three key measures:
• Under Section 5(k), dangerous driving has become an offence everywhere, not only in public places;
• Under Section 5(p), An Garda Síochána were granted new powers of seizure;
• Under Section 11(b), there is a new power to provide in regulations for the prohibition or restriction of the uses of classes of vehicles in particular places.
A commencement order was signed into law (S.I. No. 392/2023) giving effect to Sections 5(k), 5(p) and 11(b), empowering An Garda Síochána to seize a vehicle (including scramblers, quadbikes and motorbikes) being driven dangerously in any location.
The Department of Transport is in consultation with stakeholders in the context of preparing regulations under Section 11(b). It is important that these regulations have the desired effect, and that the correct vehicles, areas and territories are targeted.
E-scooters can be legally used on public roads only if they meet the technical and usage requirements for the category. The safety requirements for e-scooters in Ireland are governed by S.I. No. 199/2024 - Road Traffic (Electric Scooters) Regulations 2024.
The requirements for an e-scooter to be used on public roads include that it must have a maximum design speed of 20 kilometres per hour or less, have a maximum continuous rated power output of 400 watts or less, and have a maximum net weight of 25 kilograms.
To enforce these regulations, Gardaí are deploying four testing units called dynamometers on a regional basis, with one unit assigned to each of the four Garda regions, including the Dublin Metropolitan Region (DMR). This initiative is at proof-of-concept stage so Gardaí are not in a position to report on the number of tests conducted until the pilot is complete.
Gardaí have, also, highlighted the dangers associated with the misuse of e-scooters through various media and social media platforms. In order to combat dangerous behaviour and the misuse of e-scooters and scramblers, intelligence is gathered at local level and areas are targeted as appropriate. Garda operations targeting the illegal use of those vehicles involve all members who are assigned to operational duties.
574. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration for an update on the Programme for Government commitment to examine with An Garda Síochána the establishment of a safe public places unit which will advise local authorities and planning authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56653/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government is committed to the principle that everyone, wherever they live in Ireland, should be safe. All people should also feel safe as they live or work in our communities. Building safe and secure communities across the country by investing in An Garda Síochána is a top priority for this Government. Several actions are contained in the Programme for Government to reduce instances of anti-social behaviour and help to ensure that people feel safe in their local communities.
Part 3 of the Policing, Security and Community Safety (PSCS) Act 2024 introduces a new, integrated approach to community safety in Ireland through the establishment of national and local infrastructure. Specifically, the Act provides for the establishment of Local Community Safety Partnerships in each local authority area across the country and has established a National Office for Community Safety.
LCSPs are currently being rolled out in 36 local authority areas throughout Ireland. Appointments have been made to eight Safety Partnerships and further members will be appointed in October and November with a view to establishing all Safety Partnerships by the end of the year. Safety Partnerships replace and build upon the good work previously undertaken by Joint Policing Committees (JPCs) and will bring together a broader range of relevant stakeholders to address community safety issues in their area. Local Community Safety Partnerships will have a maximum of 30 members and membership will include local councillors; An Garda Síochána; HSE; Tusla; local authority executive; business; education; local residents and community representatives, including representatives of youth, new communities, and the voluntary sector.
There are 62 Community Engagement Garda Superintendents nominated to participate on LCSPs. The Safety Partnerships will work together to address issues as they occur within their own areas, which will encourage greater community participation and empowerment. It is envisaged that these LCSPs will together, assess, address and report on the topic of safe public places.
The Garda Commissioner is, by law, responsible for the management of An Garda Síochána, including the distribution of Garda resources and the establishment of any Garda units. While all members of An Garda Síochána promote crime prevention and reduction, Crime Prevention Officers (CPOs) are specifically trained to carry out the role. CPOs encourage, promote, guide and advise on crime prevention to both the private and business community.
One of the responsibilities of a CPO is to promote the principles of Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED), this involves liaising with Local Authorities, architects and others involved in the planning stage of building projects to allow the inclusion of security and crime prevention recommendations at an early stage. In addition, CPOs work alongside local authorities to incorporate crime prevention measures into existing developments and public spaces, amongst other projects.
In addition the Government is also taking a number of ongoing actions to ensure safer communities and public spaces, including:
• Getting more Gardaí on our streets through increased recruitment;
• The deployment of body-worn cameras for Gardaí in Dublin City Centre, Waterford, and Limerick in 2024, with nationwide roll-out to follow;
• Continued expansion of youth justice and youth diversion measures;
• Plans to ban face coverings at protests
• New laws introduced last year which criminalise the grooming of children into a life of crime.
• Progressing legislation to combat anti-social behaviour, including enhancing the use of Anti-Social Behaviour Warnings (ASBWs) and Anti-Social Behaviour Orders (ASBOs).
575. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration for an update on the Programme for Government commitment to enact legislation to extend the use of community sanctions, in particular increasing the use of community service orders; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56654/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am committed to progressing and implementing policies aimed at increasing the use of community sanctions, that reduce offending, divert people away from imprisonment, and provide effective rehabilitation.
In April 2025, the Community Service - New Directions Implementation Plan 2025-2027 was published. This plan from the Probation Service sets out commitments to drive the delivery and support the increased use of community service as a robust and meaningful alternative to imprisonment. Engagement with the Judiciary, embedding the principles of desistence, restorative justice and social justice, and increasing the visibility and accessibility of community service are part of this plan.
One of the actions identified in the report of the Prison Overcrowding Response Group was to amend legislation to increase the maximum number of hours that can be imposed under a Community Service Order from 240 to 480 hours. The amendment will also require a judge to consider a Community Service Order if a sentence of up to two years is being considered, rather than the current one year requirement. These amendments have been included in the General Scheme of the Criminal Law and Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2025 which was published on 6 May 2025. The Bill also includes a range of measures which will bring changes across a number of areas, bolstering sentencing options to reduce reliance on custodial sentences.
The Programme for Government also commits to introduce electronic tagging for appropriate categories of prisoner. Work is underway to operationalise electronic monitoring (EM) in line with existing legislative provisions. Budget 2026 allocated funding of €2.1m for the project to allow for staffing, procurement, and other set up costs. It is intended to go tender for an EM provider this year.
576. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration whether anyone has ever been prosecuted under the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud) Offences Act 2001 specifically for the theft of an animal(s); and, if so, what animal(s). [56678/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAnimal theft is a an incredibly cruel crime. Pet theft causes huge trauma for pet owners and theft of livestock results in significant financial losses. I also appreciate the strong emotional attachment we all have to animals and that theft not only leads to their loss in our lives, but also a high level of concern for their welfare.
Prosecutions are a matter for the Director of Public Prosecutions, who is fully independent in her functions. As Minister, I have no role in the operations, functions, governance or oversight of the Office of the DPP and I am unable to provide any information or statistics relating to the Director's work as a result.
Additionally, management of the courts, along with related operational matters and logistical functions, are the responsibility of the judiciary and Courts Service, which are independent in exercising their functions under the Courts Service Act 1998 and the Constitution.
The Courts Service has a dedicated email address for the provision of information to members of the Houses of the Oireachtas: oireachtasenquiries@courts.ie.
To be of assistance to the Deputy I have sought the information requested from the Courts Service. They have informed me that it has not been possible to provide the data sought. The Courts Service have advised that there is no specific offence for the theft of an animal. Prosecutors are likely to use the offence code for theft pursuant to section 4 of the 2001 Act, which would cover all theft, not just theft of animals. As a result, they are not in a position to provide the information sought.
577. Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the amount that has been spent by his Department to conduct tendering processes for public infrastructure projects in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56697/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has not conducted any tendering processes for public infrastructure projects during the period specified.
578. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration for an update on any research his Department has carried out into the merits of making parental alienation a legal offense; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56703/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, my Department committed to undertake both a public consultation and independent research on the topic of parental alienation. The Department of Justice commissioned research into the area in 2021 and the open consultation on Parental Alienation was then held in May 2022. The findings of both were analysed and, arising from this, Departmental officials developed a policy paper on how to address the issue. This policy paper, along with the independent research paper and consultations submissions, were subsequently published on gov.ie.
Both the policy paper and the research report recognise that parental alienation is a highly contested and divisive concept. While there is little concrete information on the exact extent of accusations of parental alienation within the Irish courts, the research report found that, similar to other courts internationally, there appears to be increasing claims of parental alienation in family law proceedings. It appears to arise particularly in custody and access disputes and in cases where allegations of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence feature.
There was consensus in the public consultation that the means to address parental alienation lie in improvements to the Irish family courts and family justice system. Reflecting this consensus, the policy paper put forward six recommendations to address the issue of parental alienation, which are also linked to actions within the Family Justice Strategy. These recommendations, and the plans for implementation were accepted by Government and are currently being progressed by my Department and the Family Justice Implementation Group.
The current status of the recommendations contained in the Parental Alienation Policy Paper is provided below:
|
Recommendation |
Status |
|
Recommendation 1: Give priority to children’s voices being heard and considered by the court and support them in their journey through the system. |
In October 2024, my Department established a Voice of the Child Working Group with membership comprising both statutory and voluntary stakeholders in the family justice system. The group is taking forward some of the recommendations in the Review of Expert Reports, including the development of the Children’s Court Advocate Pilot Project and the development of a Voice of the Child report template and guidelines. As part of its work, the Voice of the Child Working Group recently commissioned a consultation with children and young people to inform the development of the pilot and the report template and guidelines. The envisaged role of a Children’s Court Advocate is to support children in their journey through private family law proceedings, providing information and ensuring their voice is heard. €3 million was allocated to implement some of the recommendations of the Review in Budget 2025 and part of that will go towards funding the pilot. A request for tender to commission a service to run the pilot concluded on 15 September 2025. Subject to the completion of the procurement process, the pilot is expected to be established by the end of the year. |
|
Recommendation 2: Examine how these reports are conducted, what they contain and how assessors are appointed. Provide additional training for those tasked with compiling assessments, particularly in relation to the dynamics of family breakdown. |
On 13 June 2024, a wide-ranging review into the role of expert reports in the family law process was published. The Review sets out 20 ambitious recommendations for reform, the implementation of which will, amongst other things, promote consistency and common standards in hearing the voice of the child and safeguarding their best interests. The Chief Justice has established a Judicial Committee to develop guidelines on the commissioning, content and use of welfare reports chaired by the Honourable Ms Justice Nuala Jackson of the High Court. The Committee is being supported by my Department and is expected to conclude its work shortly. The Family Justice Training Working Group was established in July 2024. The role of the Group is to: - Research the minimum standards and recommended training required for professions working in the family justice area; - Identify professional development opportunities to address identified gaps relevant to profession/relevant to all where appropriate; and - Engage with educational and professional bodies and associations to develop and implement training across professions in core family justice areas e.g. child-centred approach, dispute resolution, trauma-informed practice to review existing training needs for those working within family justice and to develop effective and relevant training programmes. The group has met on a number of occasions, and its work to identify the necessary standards and areas of training for family justice is continuing. |
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Recommendation 3: Review assessment tools currently available to the courts, with a view to making recommendations to improve them, as well as identifying how to assist judges in considering issues on a case-by-case basis. |
As noted above, a review of expert reports was published by the Department in June 2024 and the Family Justice Training Working Group was established in July 2024. The Judicial Council who are responsible for providing training for judges are a member of the group. As part of the Family Courts Act 2024, dedicated judges will be listed for family law cases. This will be an important element of reform to provide enhanced skills and greater space for consideration of issues on a case-by-case basis. An implementation plan for the Act will be published in January 2026 and engagement with the Judicial Studies Committee of the Judicial Council will be required as part of the implementation process. |
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Recommendation 4: Support and extend family support services, including ADR, and make them more accessible. |
Work on developing a directory of services, initially for the Dublin area, which will assist parents in finding relevant information and support is at an advanced stage. Work on increasing awareness and promotion of ADR among professionals, families and service users is ongoing. In particular, the Courts Service family law information hub provides detailed information for court users on many aspects of family law proceedings, as well as signposting people to services including mediation. The Legal Aid Board has also initiated a call back service for its Family Mediation Service. In delivering another action in the Family Justice Strategy, the Legal Aid Board has established a panel of private mediators to supplement its in-house family mediators to deliver an expanded service across the country. |
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Recommendation 5: Improve the training and awareness amongst legal professionals and others involved in high-conflict proceedings to increase their understanding of concepts and descriptors associated with behaviours of parents and children in these situations. |
As noted above, the Family Justice Training Working Group was established in July 2024. The Judicial Council is a member of the group. |
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Recommendation 6: Actions should be implemented with regards to establishing, and in some areas improving, data collection on family justice issues. |
The Department is currently undertaking an in-depth data mapping exercise and a policy paper will be developed with recommendations on how family justice data collection can be improved. A tender process for a Family Law Reporting Project closed on 15 September 2025 and the bids are currently being evaluated. The overall aim of the Project is to enhance transparency both for the public about family law proceedings and confidence in the judicial determination of family law disputes, while continuing to ensure the privacy of those proceedings for children and families. The systematic reports on aspects of family law cases that the Project will produce and publish will further public understanding and awareness of, and confidence in, the judicial determination of family law disputes. It is expected that the project will run for three years. |
579. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of new Garda road policing motorcycles that came into the fleet in 2024 and to date in 2025; and the number of motorcycles withdrawn during same period, in tabular form. [56745/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe table below has been provided to me by the Garda authorities and outlines the number of motorbikes allocated to and removed from Roads Policing duty in 2024 and 2025 as at 30 September 2025.
|
|
Motorbikes Allocated |
Motorbikes Removed |
|
2024 |
23 |
11 |
|
As at 30 September 2025 |
3 |
24 |
An Garda Síochána publishes information on the Garda fleet. Information on vehicles assigned to the Garda fleet to date in 2025 can be found at the following link:
www.garda.ie/en/about-us/our-departments/finance-services/finance-fleet-management.html
The purchase and allocation of vehicles by An Garda Síochána is made on the basis of identified operational demands, the availability of resources and is reviewed on a continual basis.
580. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to provide details of the IPAS NGO partners who provide drop-in day services for unaccommodated people and who assist in the provision of access of facilities including hot showers, meals and laundry services; to provide the total funding to each individual partner NGO for every year since 2020 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56750/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFrom the end of 2023, shortages of accommodation meant the State was unable to offer accommodation to all people seeking international protection.
IPAS teams manage a very limited supply of accommodation, prioritising people with families or who have specific health needs or other vulnerabilities. Single male applicants are most affected by lack of accommodation.
The International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) has arrangements in place with a range of NGO partners to provide drop-in day services for unaccommodated people seeking international protection.
This means people can access facilities including hot showers, meals and laundry services. IPAS also makes offers of accommodation to any applicant who is rough sleeping, identified through outreach that is organised 7 days a week.
The Department has arrangements in place for the provision of these services with Mendicity, Crosscare, the Capuchin Day Centre, and Tiglin at the Lighthouse.
These services were all commissioned from the end of 2023 onward, and so were not engaged during 2020 to the end of 2023.
There is full transparency from the Department in terms of providers receiving payments, with details of all payments over €20,000 and the recipients published quarterly online at Gov.ie here: www.gov.ie/en/collection/dfdadb-department-of-children-and-youth-affairs-purchase-orders-for-20000-o/ All expenditure relating to this service is subject to review by the Comptroller and Auditor General.
www.gov.ie/en/department-of-children-disability-and-equality/collections/department-of-children-equality-disability-integration-and-youth-purchase-orders-for-20000-or-above/
581. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of civilian staff currently employed by An Garda Síochána in each of the Garda Stations on the north side of Cork city and Cork city in 2023, 2024, and 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56769/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn the interest of transparency, An Garda Síochána publishes information in relation to the allocation of Garda staff nationally, which can be found at the following link:
www.garda.ie/en/about-us/our-departments/human-resources-and-people-development/garda-hr-directorate/garda-strength-breakdown-2025/
The Deputy should select August 2025 (the latest date for when figures are available) and then select the report titled ‘Garda Staff by Division and Station 31 of August 2025’
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 distribution and stationing of Garda personnel throughout the State. I engage regularly with him to ensure An Garda Síochána have the resources they need.
582. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of civilian staff employed by An Garda Síochána in the wider Cork area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56770/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn the interest of transparency, An Garda Síochána publishes information in relation to the allocation of Garda staff nationally, including a breakdown of Garda divisions and stations in Cork. This can be found at the following link:
www.garda.ie/en/about-us/our-departments/human-resources-and-people-development/garda-hr-directorate/garda-strength-breakdown-2025/
The Deputy should select August 2025 (the latest date for when figures are available) and then select the report titled ‘Garda Staff by Division and Station 31 of August 2025’
The Garda Commissioner is responsible under section 33 of the Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024 for the distribution of Garda personnel throughout the State.
583. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of civilian staff vacancies by An Garda Síochána in each of the stations in Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56771/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have requested the information sought by the Deputy from the Garda authorities. Regrettably, this was not available in time and I will write to the Deputy once the information is to hand.
584. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration for an update on the work being done by his Department, and agencies under its remit, to facilitate, in line with the commitment under the Programme for Government, the easier return to Ireland for emigrants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56792/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department or the bodies under its aegis do not have direct responsibility to facilitate the easier return to Ireland for emigrants as set out in the Programme for Government (PfG).
The Immigration Service Delivery (ISD) unit of my Department indirectly assists Irish citizens by facilitating visas and immigration permissions for their Non-EEA spouses/partners and family members. In 2024, the Visa Division of ISD issued 1,467 visas to the Non-EEA spouses/partners of Irish citizens.
585. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the amount spent by immigration services and his Department on the transfer of International Protection Applicants in the first nine months of 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56806/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI understand the Deputy's question to refer to costs paid by IPAS for taxi services for residents.
The State is legally obliged to offer accommodation and basic supports to people applying for international protection.
Over 32,500 people are currently resident in over 316 International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) centres nationwide.
The cost of accommodating a person in an IPAS centre includes a range of elements, including accommodation, food, security, staffing, and ancillary costs like security, insurance and utilities and transport costs.
While overall resident numbers have been relatively steady since the end of 2024, the IPAS system is complex and dynamic, with individual or groups of residents arriving, leaving and moving to different centres each week, for a range of reasons.
Transport is required as part of some resident moves, and also can be provided for specific urgent needs, e.g. travel to urgent medical care appointments where public transport is not practicable.
IPAS centres are located in all parts of the country. In some cases, a taxi journey for a smaller group of people may be the most economical option, or may be required when short notice or out of hours transfer is needed.
Taxi costs in 2024 were €906,222. Costs in 2025 have reduced year on year, with €228,107 spent on taxis from 1 January 2025 to 1 June 2025.
Direct costs paid by accommodation centre management are not included in these figures.
In relation to service providers contracted by the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) to provide accommodation and related services to International Protection applicants, the Department publishes reports on all payments over €20,000.
These are published, once per quarter, on gov.ie here: www.gov.ie/en/collection/dfdadb-department-of-children-and-youth-affairs-purchase-orders-for-20000-o/
586. Deputy Séamus McGrath asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of convictions regarding the offence of poisoning or endangerment under the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act 1997 where the suspected criminal act was drink spiking in each of the years 2022, 2023 and 2024; and the number of investigations carried out by An Garda Síochána where the suspected offence related to drink spiking and where a conviction was not secured or pursued. [56817/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraSpiking is a crime that preys on vulnerability, that undermines consent and that can have devastating consequences for victims. As Minister I am committed to taking a zero-tolerance approach to all forms of domestic, sexual, and gender-based violence (DSGBV). The Programme for Government also includes a commitment to introduce stronger laws to combat the spiking of drinks.
Currently, there is no specific crime type of spiking. Spiking a person’s drink or spiking someone by injection are, in effect, poisoning, and are criminal offences under the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act 1997, that can result in a three-year prison term.
Section 12 of the Act applies to anyone who intentionally or recklessly administers a substance which is capable of interfering substantially with another person’s bodily functions, which explicitly includes inducing unconsciousness or sleep. A person guilty of the offence of poisoning may be subject to a maximum penalty of 3 years’ imprisonment. Depending on the nature of the substance that is administered, it may be possible to charge a perpetrator with endangerment under section 13 of the Non-Fatal Offences against the Person Act 1997. This provides that it is an offence to intentionally or recklessly engage in conduct which creates a substantial risk of death or serious harm to another. The offence of endangerment carries a maximum penalty of 7 years imprisonment.
An Garda Síochána take all reports of spiking seriously and thoroughly investigate to determine the exact nature of each incident including results of toxicology reports in each case. The nationwide roll out of Divisional Protective Service Units (DPSUs) has ensured that when victims of DSGBV-based crimes present to Gardaí, they are met with a consistently high standard of specialist, sensitive, professional and expert assistance. There is now a DPSU in every Garda Division. An Garda Síochána advise any victims of incidents or any form of spiking to come forward and report to local Gardaí.
I am advised by the Garda authorities that the following publication on garda.ie may be of assistance: www.garda.ie/en/about-us/publications/general-reports/spiking-incidents-may-2024.pdf. Per the published data, the count of incidents reported was 107 in 2022 and 52 in 2023. The total for 2024 was 61 reported incidents, each of which was investigated. There were fewer than 10 prosecutions initiated, relating to fewer than 5 of those incidents reported during the 2022 to 2024 period.
587. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration for an update regarding visas for Palestinians in Gaza seeking resettlement in Ireland following the agreement of a ceasefire deal, including any changes to policy, procedure or relevant facts on the ground; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56847/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am acutely aware of the grave humanitarian crisis in Gaza and my Department continues to work closely with our colleagues in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade to ensure a coordinated national response to this volatile and evolving situation. This includes working with Irish citizens and their families who may require visa assistance.
Visa applications from Palestine are received by the Embassy of Ireland in Tel Aviv who process certain visa applications under delegated sanction on behalf of my Department. Officials in my Department’s Visa Division are in regular contact with the Embassy regarding visa applications from residents of Gaza, the West Bank and Lebanon. Both Departments work together to ensure visa applications Palestinian nationals who meet the criteria to be granted a visa are, wherever possible, processed as swiftly as possible.
588. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the reason the 1 percent pay increase has not been paid to prison staff that was due on 1 September 2025; if staff working in the Irish Prison Service headquarters in Longford have received the 1 percent increase; when all prison staff will receive the pay increase; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56848/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy may be aware, the granting, processing and implementation of pay increases across the Civil Service is, in the first instance, a matter for the Department of Public Expenditure Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitisation and as such no Department or agency can unilaterally implement any pay changes in this regard.
I am informed that discussions are ongoing in relation to the terms of implementation of the 1% local bargaining provision for all civil servants and therefore a pay increase has not been applied at this time.
589. Deputy Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of juvenile liaison officers based within Kildare-Carlow division as of 13 October 2025; if he will provide the same figures as of 30 June 2024, in tabular form. [56887/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraJuvenile Liaison Officers (JLOs) are sworn members of An Garda Síochána and are appointed at Divisional level on full time JLO duties.
The Garda National Youth Diversion Bureau has responsibility for the selection, training, support and ongoing liaison with a network of JLOs in every Garda Community Engagement Area.
I am advised by the Garda authorities that, as of 31 August 2025, the latest date for which figures are available, there were 115 JLOs based throughout the country. They are tasked with supporting the Director in the administration, consideration as to suitability, caution, monitoring and implementation of the Youth Diversion Programme.
The table below has been provided to me by the Garda authorities and outlines the number of JLOs attached to the Kilkenny/Carlow and Kildare Divisions in June 2024 and the number attached to Kildare/Carlow division in August 2025.
|
Juvenile Liaison Officers |
June 2024 |
August 2025 |
|
Kildare |
1 |
N/A |
|
Kilkenny / Carlow |
1 |
N/A |
|
Kildare / Carlow |
N/A |
3 |
In May 2025, the Kildare and Carlow divisions merged under the Garda operating model. Previously, Carlow was part of the Kilkenny/Carlow division.
