Máire Devine
Ceist:590. Deputy Máire Devine asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if an IPA repatriation request (details supplied) will be expedited. [56926/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraInternational Protection
Ceisteanna (590)
Freagraí scríofa
An application for Voluntary Return was received from the person referred to by the Deputy on 27 August 2025 and continues to be processed.
It is not possible to provide a specific indication as to when a decision will issue. However, the person concerned can be assured that there will be no avoidable delay in processing their application to finality.
If the person concerned has any queries regarding their application, it is open to them to contact the Voluntary Return Unit at voluntaryreturns@justice.ie.
As an Oireachtas member, the Deputy can also request the status of individual immigration cases by e-mail, using the Oireachtas Mail facility at: IMoireachtasmail@justice.ie, which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Question process.
Departmental Data
Ceisteanna (591)
Pat Buckley
Ceist:591. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of community Gardaí stationed in the east Cork constituency from 2020 to date in 2025. [56935/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
In the interest of transparency, An Garda Síochána publishes information in relation to the allocation of Community Garda 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 ‘Community Garda by Division 2008 to 31 of August 2025’
An Garda Síochána is not aligned operationally to Dáil Constituency boundaries and, as a result, figures by constituency are not available.
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.
Departmental Inquiries
Ceisteanna (592)
Michael Cahill
Ceist:592. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to examine the case of a person (details supplied) needing special accommodations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56965/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The International Protection Accommodation Service cannot publish information on individual cases, but officials in my Department are aware of this case and correspondence has issued from IPAS.
More generally, I can assure the Deputy that IPAS has a number of protocols and procedures in place for considering applications for transfer in cases of medical priority, where people are undergoing specialist treatment or may need to live within a reasonable travelling distance to a hospital.
Individuals and families request transfers for a variety of reasons and IPAS facilitates those requests as appropriate and where possible. These transfers can be more difficult in complex cases, and also in the context of limited available accommodation options.
Such transfers are dependent on accommodation availability, particularly in instances where a resident has specific personal, health, and accessibility needs.
Departmental Data
Ceisteanna (593)
Mattie McGrath
Ceist:593. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the full and final cost of a housing site (details supplied) including all site preparation, ancillary and constructions costs, security costs, landscaping etc; for a breakdown of these costs; the total cost per unit; the annual cost of operating these housing units by the approved housing body; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56972/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
While the site at Haywood, Clonmel has been completed and all 82 units now occupied by families fleeing the war in Ukraine, final costs for this site have not yet been signed off and agreed.
I am advised that the Final Account for the overall Programme will be concluded over the coming weeks. I understand that this process is currently underway between the OPW and John Sisk & Son, to whom the contract was awarded.
Full Rapid Build Programme costs are estimated to be in the region of €285.3m. I will be happy to provide definitive final costs for Haywood to the deputy when these are available.
Using current estimated Rapid Build Programme costs, this equates to an average projected cost of the development and delivery of each unit across all sites of €436k. This includes the cost of the physical units, inclusive of supply, delivery and provision of loose electrical and household items. It should be noted that this figure also includes average site development and utility connection costs which amount to approximately €271k per unit.
Security has been provided at all of the Rapid Build Sites during development and up until handover. These costs are included in the overall estimated costs. In the case of Haywood Road, there has been some anti-social behaviour incidents impacting on residents in the weeks following the moving in of residents.
These incidents have been reported to An Garda Siochana and are being followed up. My department subsequently met with local Gardai, Tipperary County Council, and Tuath, the approved Housing Body managing the site, on this matter. Following which the Department agreed with Tuath to extend security for a short time to allow the 82 families to settle in. This transitional arrangement was ultimately phased out with the additional transitional security arrangement for this site costing €140k.
The approved Housing Body, Tuath, has been contracted to manage facilities across all 11 sites. The cost of facilities management is offset by contributions made by the residents comprising €40 per week per unit for utilities and 16% of their weekly income. Given that they are linked to income, contribution amounts fluctuate with the circumstances of residents in the Rapid Build units. Since July, monthly Tuath costs across all Rapid Build sites average at €86k.
Departmental Data
Ceisteanna (594, 595, 596)
Catherine Connolly
Ceist:594. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of approvals issued under the Afghan Admissions Programme; the number of persons that have arrived in Ireland to-date in 2025 under the programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56973/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraCatherine Connolly
Ceist:595. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to detail the supports in place to assist persons who arrived in Ireland under the Afghan Admissions Programme; if their sponsor can no longer financially support them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56974/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraCatherine Connolly
Ceist:596. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the details of the path to Irish citizenship for persons who arrived in Ireland under the Afghan Admission Programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56975/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 594, 595 and 596 together.
In 2021, my Department opened the Afghan Admission Programme (AAP) in response to the humanitarian situation in that country. This programme allowed Afghan nationals already resident in Ireland to apply to bring their close family members to join them, upon satisfying the relevant programme criteria.
The AAP closed on 11 March 2022, and my Department received 532 applications in respect of 1,549 potential beneficiaries.
The AAP unit commenced issuing decisions in the last quarter of 2022. To the end of September 2025, 339 positive decisions have issued in respect of more than 984 beneficiaries.
One of the conditions of the programme is that sponsors must have sufficient financial resources to support all of their successful beneficiaries from the date of their arrival in the State, until they are able to support themselves. The sponsor must also be in a position to arrange and pay for necessary travel arrangements for all beneficiaries for their travel to the State.
I can advise the Deputy that the AAP is not a visa category recorded by my Department, therefore the exact data requested is not available.
It is open to any individual to lodge an application for a certificate of naturalisation if and when they are in a position to meet the statutory requirements as prescribed in the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended.
Applicants are required to have 5 years reckonable residence in the State prior to making an application, except for spouses of Irish nationals where the requirement is 3 years. In all cases, the final 12 months must be continuous residence in the State with up to 70 days allowed to facilitate foreign travel for business family or holiday purposes.
Detailed information on how to apply for naturalisation and other resources is available here: www.irishimmigration.ie/how-to-become-a-citizen/
Question No. 595 answered with Question No. 594.
Question No. 596 answered with Question No. 594.
Departmental Data
Ceisteanna (597)
Catherine Connolly
Ceist:597. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of applications received to the 2025 Humanitarian Admission Programme; the number of applications that have been approved; the number refused; the number of persons who have arrived in Ireland to date in 2025 under the programme; his plans to increase the number of spaces on the programme beyond the promised 50, given the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan, and in particular the deepening women's rights crisis (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56976/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Between 2021 and 2024, Ireland supported more than 700 people to move to Ireland from Afghanistan through the Irish Refugee Protection Programme.
This work continues through the Humanitarian Admissions Programme, prioritising at-risk individuals such as human rights defenders, women’s rights activists, LGBTQ+ individuals, judiciary and journalists.
For 2025, The Open Community has been appointed to administer the programme, supporting the admission of 50 individuals through a community sponsorship (CS) framework.
The 2025 Humanitarian Admissions Programme was divided into two phases and the table below sets out the position in relation to the applications received by my Department under Phase 1 of the Programme.
Applications received under Phase 2 of the Programme are currently under consideration. It is planned to complete the balance of the 50 pledged arrivals under this Programme before the end of 2025.
Humanitarian Admission Programme 2025 as at 17th October 2025
|
|
Humanitarian Admission Programme 2025 |
|
No of applications received Phase 1 |
77 |
|
No of applications approved Phase 1 |
6 |
|
No of applications refused Phase 1 |
71 |
At this time, there are no plans in place to increase the number of spaces available under this Programme.
Deportation Orders
Ceisteanna (598, 599)
Catherine Connolly
Ceist:598. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of deportation orders issued to Afghan citizens in each of the years since 2021 and to date in 2025, by gender and whether the orders were issued to an adult or a child, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56977/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraCatherine Connolly
Ceist:599. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of persons deported to Afghanistan in each of the years since 2021 and to date in 2025, by gender, and whether the person was an adult or a child; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56978/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 598 and 599 together.
It is a central priority for me that Ireland’s immigration system is robust and rules based. The enforcement aspects of our laws, including deportation orders, are an essential requirement for the system to work effectively and to ensure that there is confidence in the application of our legislation in this area.
Deportations are costly and complex to enforce. 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. A person can only avail of voluntary return before a deportation order is issued and I have increased resources into this programme to enable people who wish to return before a deportation order is issued to them.
If a person does not remove themselves from the State following the issuance of a deportation order, they will be removed, and my Department has taken action to significantly improve immigration enforcement measures and increase removals.
The number of deportation orders signed in 2024 (2,403) increased by 180% compared to 2023 (857). This year, 3,583 deportation orders have been signed up to 17 October 2025.
Last year, 1,122 people departed from the State under various mechanisms (i.e. enforced deportation, voluntary return etc.), an increase of 252% compared to 2023 (317). This year, 1,652 people have had their departure confirmed through these pathways up to 17 October 2025.
It is important to note that in most cases where a deportation order has been signed in respect of Afghan nationals, these are cases where the person has not co-operated with the International Protection process, such as when a person does not attend interviews or make representations that they and their family should be granted permission to remain in Ireland, therefore leaving no option but to sign a deportation order. Section 51 of the International Protection Act 2015 provides that the Minister 'shall make' a Deportation Order in such circumstances.
I can inform the Deputy that 201 deportation orders have been signed in respect of Afghan nationals between 2021, and up to 17 October 2025. Of these, 123 deportation orders have been signed so far in 2025, with 60 signed in 2024. From 2021 to 2023 inclusive, a total of 18 deportation orders were signed in respect of Afghan nationals. It is the policy of my Department not to release numbers where there are less than 5 in respect of any nationality, as there is a possibility that a person may be identifiable by releasing such information.
The table below provides a breakdown of the 201 deportation orders signed by gender and whether the orders were signed to an adult or a child.
|
|
Male |
Female |
Total |
|
Adult |
129 |
35 |
164 |
|
Minor* |
18* |
19* |
37 |
|
Total |
147 |
54 |
201 |
*At the point of the order being signed.
**Please note, figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing.
Question No. 599 answered with Question No. 598.
Departmental Data
Ceisteanna (600)
Mattie McGrath
Ceist:600. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of people who have been prosecuted for racing sulkies on a public road in a manner that is a danger to other road users; the measures Gardaí can take when video evidence of such races emerge; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56990/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Sulky racing and related issues are primarily animal welfare-related. Matters relating to legislation concerning animal welfare and its implementation fall within the remit of the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
With regard to any criminality related to sulky racing, including road traffic and safety violations, the Garda Commissioner is responsible by law for the direction and control of An Garda Síochána, including all operational policing matters, which incorporates road traffic enforcement. As Minister I have no role in this process and cannot seek to direct the Commissioner in relation to such matters.
Management of the courts, are the responsibility of the judiciary and Courts Service, which are independent in exercising their functions under the Courts Service Act 1998. 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 undertook to contact the Courts Service on your behalf and they advised that there is no specific offence on the statute book for racing sulkies on a public road in a manner that is a danger to other road users. As a result there is no data available.
Prosecutions are a matter for the Director of Public Prosecutions who is independent in the performance of her functions. As such the DPP are not a body under my remit and I have no role in the operations, functions, oversight or governance of the Office of the Director.
In respect of reporting concerns, members of the public can attend a Garda Station to make a complaint about criminality related to sulky racing and provide video footage in support of their complaint. They will be required to make a statement, prove authenticity of the video footage and undertake to attend Court as a witness in the event of Court proceedings.
In future, it is planned to provide a technical online platform to enable members of the public to submit video evidence. This will require the development of a Digital Evidence Management System (DEMS) by An Garda Síochána to store, manage and process any footage received.
This system will support the use of an online portal to facilitate the uploading and submission of video footage to An Garda Síochána by the public. Garda authorities envisage that the portal will be developed across the remainder of 2025, and 2026.
Citizenship Applications
Ceisteanna (601)
Colm Burke
Ceist:601. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if he will consider reopening citizenship applications (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56994/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I understand that the Deputy has been in contact with my Department's Immigration Oireachtas service regarding the applications cited and that the matters in each case have been addressed.
The persons concerned can now directly check the status of their immigration application on the Immigration Service’s Customer Service Portal. They can register for, or log in to their existing account, at: https://portal.irishimmigration.ie/en/
Departmental Inquiries
Ceisteanna (602)
Naoise Ó Muirí
Ceist:602. Deputy Naoise Ó Muirí asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if he will provide an update on the evacuation of a person and their family (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57009/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I can assure the Deputy that I am acutely aware of the grave humanitarian crisis in Gaza and my Department is working closely with colleagues in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade to ensure a coordinated national response to this volatile and evolving situation.
My Department cannot assist with obtaining new or replacement Palestinian national passports. While I appreciate there may be difficulties in obtaining a new passport, this is a matter for the Palestinian authorities and the individuals seeking the passport.
While my Department can grant visas for eligible family members to travel to Ireland, it is not in a position to provide practical assistance to family members who are seeking evacuation directly from Gaza. However, I can inform the Deputy that the Irish Red Cross has offered to assist families here in Ireland to apply for entry visas for their family members still in Gaza and applications from eligible family members will be processed swiftly.
Citizenship Applications
Ceisteanna (603)
Ciarán Ahern
Ceist:603. Deputy Ciarán Ahern asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the reasons a citizenship application was refused for a person (details supplied) despite the applicant providing evidence that she was resident in Ireland for five of the previous seven years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57015/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I understand that the Deputy has been in contact with my Department's Immigration Oireachtas service regarding the person cited and that the matter has been resolved.
Departmental Inquiries
Ceisteanna (604)
Claire Kerrane
Ceist:604. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to provide an update on a commitment he made to this Deputy during Questions on Promised Legislation on 1 October 2025 regarding difficulties being experienced by an organisation (details supplied) securing a site for a Refuge for County Roscommon; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57031/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Combatting all forms of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence and ensuring that victims and survivors receive the support and care they need is an absolute priority for me.
Since its establishment last year, Cuan has been working to accelerate the delivery of refuge spaces across the country. Following a request from me, Cuan worked with services and partners to assess and review progress and identify a series of actions to accelerate delivery and to bring safe accommodation on stream as quickly as possible to meet the needs of those fleeing violence.
On foot of this review, which was completed in spring 2025, and following agreement with me, the following will be delivered:
• 52 new family refuge units by the end of 2026
• 45 new safe homes by the end of 2026
• 50 new units under construction by the end of 2026.
At the outset of the zero-tolerance strategy there were 49 safe homes in place. Therefore, by the end of 2026, we expect to have 94 safe homes and 193 refuge units completed, bringing total safe accommodation to 287, with 50 further refuge units under construction.
As the Deputy's question relates to an update on work being carried under the remit of Cuan, I have referred it to the agency for direct response.
An Garda Síochána
Ceisteanna (605)
Aindrias Moynihan
Ceist:605. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aindrias Moynihan den Aire Dlí agus Cirt, Gnóthaí Baile agus Imirce cad iad na hiarrachtaí faoi leith a rinneadh chun breis Gaeilgeoirí a mhealladh isteach sna Gardaí le linn an fheachtais le deanaí (18 Meán Fómhair – 9 Deireadh Fómhair 2025), an raibh aon iarracht bhreise ann seachas mar a bhí le haon fheachtas eile agus, má bhí, conas a d’éirigh leo; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [57094/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Tá an fhaisnéis a lorg an Teachta iarrtha agam ar údaráis an Gharda Síochána. Ar an drochuair, ní raibh sé indéanta an fhaisnéis a chur i dtoll a chéile in am agus scríobhfaidh mé chuig an Teachta a luaithe a bheidh an fhaisnéis ar fáil.
Deportation Orders
Ceisteanna (606)
Eoin Hayes
Ceist:606. Deputy Eoin Hayes asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of deportation flights chartered and otherwise that have occurred every year from Ireland since 2021; the associated costs to the State for each of those flights; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57097/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
It is a central priority for me that Ireland’s immigration system is robust and rules based. The enforcement aspects of our laws, including deportation orders, are an essential requirement for the system to work effectively and to ensure that there is confidence in the application of our legislation in this area.
Deportations are costly and complex to enforce. 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. A person can only avail of voluntary return before a deportation order is issued and I have increased resources into this programme to enable persons who wish to return before a deportation order is issued to them.
If a person does not remove themselves from the State following the issuance of a deportation order, they will be removed, and my Department has taken action to significantly improve immigration enforcement measures and increase removals.
The number of deportation orders signed in 2024 (2,403) increased by 180% compared to 2023 (857). This year 3,583 deportation orders have been signed up to 17 October 2025.
Last year, 1,122 people departed from the State under various mechanisms (i.e. enforced deportation, voluntary return etc.), an increase of 252% compared to 2023 (317). This year, 1,652 people have had their departure confirmed through these pathways up to 17 October 2025.
So far in 2025, five charter flight operations have removed 153 people from the State.
Of these, four operations to non-EU destinations removed 130 people who were subject to deportation orders and one operation removed 23 EU citizens on grounds of criminality. Further removals will be conducted as the year progresses.
The costs for the provision of the aircraft for these operations has been as follows:
• €102,476 for a one-way flight to Georgia in February.
• €103,751 for a one-way flight to Georgia in May.
• €324,714 for a return flight to Nigeria in June.
• €473,000 for a return flight to Pakistan in September.
• €69,475 for one way flight to Romania*
*The cost for provision of the aircraft for the fifth charter operation is approximately €69,475 for a one-way flight to Romania. The total costs for this operation are not yet available as the invoicing process has not yet been completed.
Costs for the provision of supporting charter flight services such as ground handling services, on-board paramedics and a flight manager have been €73,255 so far in 2025.
Table 1 below shows the costs incurred of charter and commercial flights from 2021 up to 17 October 2025. The figure for commercial flights includes both the flight costs (often through hubs and long-distance) for removal operations completed and also the costs of returning accompanying escorts to Ireland when a one-way charter flight is used.
Table 1: Costs for Charter and Commercial flights in 2021, 2022, 2023 2024 and 2025 (up to 17/10/2025)
|
|
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
2025 |
|
Charter Flight costs |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
€1,003,942 |
|
Commercial Flight costs (enforced returns) |
€428,131 |
€467,289 |
€494,829 |
€1,202,750 |
€1,521,424* |
*includes the return of escorts for one way charter operations.
Since 2016 to the end of 2023, my Department was able to reclaim some costs of commercial flights under the European Union’s Asylum Migration and Integration Fund. A new fund opened in 2024 and my Department continues to reclaim funding for commercial flight costs under this EU Fund (for deportation costs only) and will begin to claim for charter costs shortly.
A number of factors impact the costs associated with deportation operations. In particular, the costs for any particular deportation reflect the numbers travelling in each instance, the destination country, and if direct flights are not available the escorts and deportee transit through a hub airport.
In some cases a person may resist deportation and the Garda National Immigration Bureau risk assessment may give rise to the need for additional escorts. Flight costs also can often be impacted by the need to make arrangements to enable escorts to return on the same flight; where, for example, it is necessary for the personal safety of the escorts.
Table 2 sets out the number of removals enforced on commercial airlines from 2021, up to 17 October 2025. During the COVID- 19 Pandemic there was a moratorium on deportations. This impacted the latter part of 2020, 2021 and for the first 8 months of 2022. During the moratorium only people whose presence in Ireland would be contrary to the public interest were deported. This moratorium was lifted in July 2022. Due to the pandemic, travelling incurred additional costs. When deportation orders and other types of removal orders are enforced using commercial airlines, they are normally returning one individual to their country of nationality.
Table 2. Deportations and Removals enforced in 2021, 2022, 2023 2024 and 2025 (up to 17/10/2025)
|
|
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
2025* |
|
Deportation orders enforced on commercial flights |
5 |
24 |
51 |
134 |
140 |
|
Deportation orders enforced on charter flights |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
130 |
|
Other removals enforced on commercial flights** |
47 |
40 |
24 |
26 |
25 |
|
Other removals enforced on charter flights** |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
23 |
*(to 17 October 2025)
**Other enforced removals include Dublin III Transfer Orders of International Protection applicants to other EU State and EU Removal Orders for the return of EU Citizen under the Free Movement Regulations (these orders are made on grounds of criminality) and persons who are deemed inadmissible under the International Protection Act.
Departmental Expenditure
Ceisteanna (607)
Eoin Hayes
Ceist:607. Deputy Eoin Hayes asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the amount spent by his Department on tackling racism each year since 2000; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57098/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
My Department has been unable to provide a response to this question within the prescribed timeframe. A response will issue directly to the Deputy in the coming days.
Vacant Properties
Ceisteanna (608)
Eoin Hayes
Ceist:608. Deputy Eoin Hayes asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the details of the vacant buildings owned by his Department or by agencies under the remit of his Department in Dublin 2, 4, 6, and 6W, including, the address and size in square meters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57115/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
My Department does not own any vacant buildings in Dublin 2, 4, 6 or 6W and I am informed that the same is true of the agencies under the remit of my Department.
As the Deputy will be aware, the Office of Public Works (OPW) has responsibility for the provision and maintenance of Garda accommodation. As Minister, I have no direct role in these matters.
Departmental Communications
Ceisteanna (609)
Matt Carthy
Ceist:609. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the date on which the British Government notified his Department of plans to introduce a digital ID; the engagements he has had with British authorities regarding these plans; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57141/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The announcement by the British Government concerning the introduction of a new digital ID Scheme has been noted and I look forward to seeing details of the proposals in due course.
My colleague Minister of State Brophy met with Minister Ian Murray, UK Minister for Digital Governance and Data, at the request of the UK authorities, in the course of which Minister Murray outlined in introductory terms the recently announced plans to introduce a digital ID. Minister Brophy welcomed the engagement and highlighted the importance of continued political engagement.
In keeping with the current Programme for Government and with the 2019 Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed by both the Irish and UK Governments, the Government is fully committed to the ongoing protection of the Common Travel Area (CTA). UK and Irish officials meet regularly at senior level to this end, under the oversight of the CTA Plenary group established by the 2019 MOU, both to consider ongoing cooperation under the CTA and to address any issues arising.
My Department chairs a Common Travel Area Forum (CTAF) with the UK Home Office which acts as a steering committee for the ongoing work of protecting the CTA in relation to free movement of its citizens between both countries while at the same time ensuring that the CTA is not abused by those not entitled to avail of it. The Forum meets twice yearly but also meets in sub-group format to address particular elements of Ireland/UK co-operation, bringing together relevant subject matter expertise in areas such as asylum and border management.
More broadly, there is extensive engagement and cooperation at all levels between my Department officials and their Home Office counterparts, as well as significant operational cooperation between the Gardaí, UK Border Force, UK policing services and the Police Service of Northern Ireland. This strong practical engagement and cooperation serves the mutual interests of both Ireland and the UK.