Written Answers Nos. 791-810
791. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if he will provide an update regarding a delayed stamp 4 renewal application (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63547/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can inform the Deputy that the error cited has been rectified and that the person concerned can expect to receive their new Irish Residence Permit (IRP) card within the following 10-15 working days.
As an Oireachtas member, you 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.
792. Deputy Naoise Ó Muirí asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if he will provide an update on the progress of the Life Sentences Bill 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63553/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe proposed Life Sentences Bill 2024 will give sentencing judges a formal role in informing decisions on the release of life-sentenced prisoners on parole.
When sentencing, judges will make a recommendation on what minimum term should be served in prison before parole is granted, and the Parole Board will be required to take that recommendation into account in making their decisions. It will be non-binding, and the Parole Board will continue to be responsible for deciding when a person will be released. A prisoner will not be automatically released after the judicially recommended minimum has been served.
The recommendation will not affect eligibility for parole under the Parole Act 2019. The Parole Board will continue to consider the person for parole after 12 years have been served. This reflects the importance of the Parole Board process in driving prisoner engagement in rehabilitation, even when the possibility of immediate release is remote.
The General Scheme of the Life Sentences Bill was approved by Government in July 2024. The Bill is included on the Priority List for drafting in the Government Legislative Programme. However, it is not possible to predict when the Bill will be published at this point, given the number of priority Bills currently being drafted.
793. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of e-scooter related road traffic offences recorded by An Garda Síochána in Dublin since the introduction of e-scooter legislation in May 2024, by policing district, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63564/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra794. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of e-scooter related road traffic offences recorded by An Garda Síochána nationwide since the introduction of e-scooter legislation in May 2024, by policing district, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63565/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra795. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of e-scooters confiscated by An Garda Síochána nationwide since the introduction of e-scooter legislation in May 2024, by policing district, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63566/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 793, 794 and 795 together.
The Road Traffic Act 1994 (Detention of Powered Personal Transporters) Regulations 2024 came into operation on 20 May 2024. These regulations give An Garda Síochána the power to detain, remove, and store powered personal transporters (PPTs), such as e-scooters, that are in contravention of road traffic laws.
Since the introduction of these regulations there have been 1,002 Fixed Charge Notices issued for e-scooter related offences. These are broken down by region in the below table:
|
Region |
FCNs issued |
|
Dublin Region |
497 |
|
Eastern Region |
244 |
|
North Western Region |
131 |
|
Southern Region |
130 |
|
Total |
1,002 |
A regional breakdown is provided as there were redactions necessary at a divisional level.
Figures are based on incidents which occurred from 20 May 2024 to 13 November 2025, inclusive. All information provided is based upon operational data from the Fixed Charge Processing System as was available on 14 November 2025 and is subject to change.
The table below provides a yearly breakdown by Garda Region of the number of incidents in which an e-scooter was detained by Gardaí since the act came into operation. "Vehicles detained incidents" include, but are not limited to, those detained under section 41 of the Road Traffic Act.
|
Region |
Vehicles Detained |
|
Dublin Region |
445 |
|
Eastern Region |
104 |
|
North Western Region |
39 |
|
Southern Region |
70 |
|
Total |
658 |
Figures provided are based on incidents occurring from 20 May 2024 to 6 November 2025, inclusive. All information provided is based upon operational data from the Pulse system as was available on 7 November 2025 and is subject to change.
The Deputy should note that An Garda Síochána also seized a further 412 e-scooters nationwide since May 2024. "Vehicles seized incidents" refers to instances where Gardaí seize property and can include items that are the proceeds of crime, items of evidence in the investigation of a crime, or vehicles for technical examination.
796. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if his Department has undertaken any study or analysis of the child mortality rate in direct provision centres; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61895/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAny death of a resident in IPAS accommodation is a tragic event for their family, friends and neighbours, and also for the accommodation centre staff who know them.
While the Department has not commissioned specific research as outlined in the question, we do publish information on deaths of people resident in International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) centres on a biannual basis.
The most recent publication was in February 2025, reporting on the period to end December 2024. Information is provided, where available, by gender, age-range, nationality and cause of death.
This information is available on the gov.ie website at the following link:
gov - Statistics on Deaths of International Protection Accommodation Service Residents (www.gov.ie)
The regular publication of data is part of the IPAS policy on the recording and reporting of deaths of residents in accommodation centres.
This policy is intended to balance the need for openness and transparency in all State organisations in the provision of information to the public, with the expectation of privacy and consideration of the sensitive nature surrounding the death of any individual for their family and friends.
The policy is available here:
gov - IPAS policy on recording and reporting of deaths of residents
797. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration when the next citizenship ceremony will take place; and when invitations will issue to recipients. [63572/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am pleased to inform the Deputy that the next Citizenship ceremonies are taking place on 1 and 2 December 2025 at the INEC Killarney, and invitations to successful applicants are in the process of being issued.
798. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the process for naturalisation for a person (detail supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63602/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI understand that the Deputy has been in contact with my Department's Immigration Oireachtas service regarding the applicants cited and a status update was recently provided. These applications continue to be processed by my Department.
Given the importance of citizenship, robust and comprehensive checks must take place on each application. Unfortunately, some international checks can take a considerable amount of time and these are largely outside of the control of my Department.
I am aware that extended wait times can be frustrating for applicants. I want to assure anyone who has an application for naturalisation submitted, that my Department is doing everything possible to progress applications as quickly as possible.
My Department has taken a significant number of steps to speed the process for applicants. These included introducing an online digital application, online payments, and the introduction of eVetting. I am pleased to inform the Deputy that these changes are reducing processing times.
The length of time taken to process an application has dropped from 15 months in 2023, to 8 months in 2024.
I expect that going forward, the majority of applicants will continue to receive a decision within one year, however, it is important to note that no two naturalisation applications are the same and some take longer than others to process.
Applicants 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: portal.irishimmigration.ie/en/.
As an Oireachtas member, you 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.
799. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the total legal costs in defending judicial reviews of planning decisions involving his Department and/or agencies within the aegis of his Department for each of the years 2020 to 2024 and to date in 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63625/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraIt 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.
800. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of Gardaí assigned to Garda stations (details supplied). [63661/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn the interest of transparency, information in relation to the allocation of Gardaí by Division, Station and rank, including for Castlerea, Ballaghaderreen, and Boyle Garda Stations, County Roscommon and Ballinasloe Garda Station, County Galway, is publicly available and 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 the current month and access the file titled “Garda Members by Division District Station 2009 to the most recent date” for a breakdown of total Garda numbers by Garda station going back to 2009.
The Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution and stationing of Garda personnel throughout the State under Section 33 of the Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024.
802. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of visas issued to nationals of South Africa since the introduction of visa requirements in July 2024, by visa category; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63688/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra803. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of visa applications from nationals of South Africa that have been received, granted and refused since July 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63689/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 802 and 803 together.
I can advise the Deputy that on 10 July 2024 visa requirements were introduced for nationals of South Africa, bringing our arrangements into alignment with the visa requirements of Schengen members states, and with those of the UK.
The Dublin Visa Office have established a dedicated “South Africa Desk” to process applications from residents of South Africa. My Department also established Visa Application Centres, located throughout South Africa, with visa service provider VFS Global. This is to ensure the facilitation of legitimate travel with processes that are robust, effective, and fair.
Since July 2024 to date, over 18,800 applications of all types have been received by the South African Desk and over 17,500 decisions have issued with a grant rate of over 93% in respect of applications where a decision has been made.
Table 1 below details the total number of visa applications from nationals of South Africa that have been received, granted and refused from 10 July 2024, up to 10 November 2025.
Table 1
|
Status |
2024 |
2025 (up to 10 November) |
Total |
|
Received |
6,948 |
11,946 |
18,894 |
|
Granted |
5,850 |
10,597 |
16,447 |
|
Refused |
401 |
731 |
1,132 |
* Please note, figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing.
** A decision made in a particular year may relate to an application received in a previous month.
Table 2 below details the number of visas granted to nationals of South Africa by visa category from 10 July 2024 up to 10 November 2025.
Table 2
|
Visa Category |
Total granted |
|
Visit |
11,851 |
|
Business/conference |
1,963 |
|
Employment |
1,031 |
|
Performance/tournament |
728 |
|
Join Family |
454 |
|
Study |
105 |
|
Other |
315 |
* Please note, figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing.
The South Africa Desk publishes guidance for applicants, target processing times and weekly decision reports, at the following webpage:
www.irishimmigration.ie/south-africa-visa-desk/
Any applicant can now directly check the status of their visa 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/
804. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if he is aware of the case of a person (details supplied) deported from Ireland and subsequently killed; and the steps he will take to reverse the deportation of another individual deported to the same location under similar conditions. [63712/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraIt 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
A deportation order is enforced following a full assessment of the person’s individual circumstances by the International Protection Office, the International Protection Appeals Tribunal and/or the Department's Repatriation Division.
Where a person makes representations seeking that the Minister revoke a deportation under Section 3(11) of the Immigration Act 1999, as amended, consideration is given to whether there is compelling new information or material changes in circumstances which were not previously put forward, nor capable of being put forward, when the original decision was made. It should be noted that such a request does not suspend the enforcement of a deportation order.
I can advise that a request from the person referred to by the Deputy to have their deportation order revoked is currently under consideration by my Department. This request will be considered as soon as it is possible to do so. Following consideration of this request, the existing deportation order will be either ‘affirmed’ or ‘revoked’. Once such a decision has been made, the person concerned will be notified in writing.
It is also open to the person concerned to direct any further queries to the Repatriation Division of my Department's Immigration Service by email to: repatadmin@justice.ie
As an Oireachtas member, you 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.
805. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the steps being taken to ensure an adequate complement of healthcare staff at Cork Prison following the recent Annual Report of the office of the Inspector of Prisons which stated there is a need to increase the GP hours on site; if there are plans to recruit additional nursing staff; if there are plans to strengthen psychology and addiction services for prisoners; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63734/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI would like to assure the Deputy that the Irish Prison Service Action Plan in respect of Cork Prison outlines the plans for implementation of accepted recommendations from the 2023 General Inspection of Cork Prison, and is currently being finalised. Additionally, the GP at Cork Prison is no longer attending Castlerea Prison, as recommended by the OIP.
Healthcare staffing within a prison setting remains challenging with current capacity levels. I would like to assure the Deputy that continuous reviews of staffing levels are conducted by the Irish Prison Service in conjunction with appropriate stakeholders.
The provision of healthcare services is a statutory obligation of the IPS as defined in the Prison Rules 2007.
To support rehabilitation, reduce reoffending and assist with reintegration into society, people in custody have access to a growing range of medical and rehabilitative services. These include methadone substitution treatment, counselling, psychological intervention, peer to peer support programmes, psycho-education and the Treatment and Rehabilitation Programme provided by Merchants Quay Ireland, available in the Medical Unit in Mountjoy Prison.
Treatment provided to people in prison who may be struggling with addiction is in line with the provisions of the following: National Drug Strategy; the IPS Drugs Strategy 2023-2026; the IPS Health Needs Assessment and the High Level Task Force (HLTF) on the mental health and addiction challenges of persons interacting with the criminal justice system.
The IPS also works closely with Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous who provide support to people in custody across the prison estate. Interventions that support prisoners to address addiction and rehabilitation require engagement and action, including follow up access to services on release, which is supported by cross-departmental and cross-agency strategies.
My Department is committed to implementing a range of policies to achieve this. The Programme for Government 2025 commits to establishing a high-dependency unit in the prison estate to address severe mental health and addiction challenges and to hiring more therapeutic and medical staff, including psychiatric nurses.
Additionally, the IPS Health Needs Assessment makes recommendations around strengthening and improving healthcare services within prisons.
806. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the way in which he plans to progress the recommendations of the annual report of the Office of the Inspector of Prisons particularly in relation to Cork prison; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63735/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI welcome the publication of the Office of the Inspector of Prisons 2024 Annual Report and acknowledge the important work undertaken by the Inspector and his team in 2024. Oversight and evaluation are vital elements in developing and improving our penal system.
I acknowledge the Deputy has requested my Department's response to recommendations with a particular focus on Cork prison. However, as the recommendations relate to resource concerns about prison resources nationally, my response will focus on plans to address these issues across Irish prisons.
Budget 2026 saw a record capital investment of €67.9 million as part of a total investment of €527 million from 2026 to 2030. €495 million will be invested in building projects to deliver on a plan to build 1595 prison spaces by 2031. This will include 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, Cloverhill, Portlaoise, Limerick and Dóchas. It will also fund planning and commencement of construction of a new prison at Thornton in North County Dublin.
I would like to assure the Deputy that the Government remains committed to reducing violence and assaults in prisons through increased recruitment, aiming to recruit 300 prison officers this year. An additional investment of €15.7 million will allow for the recruitment of up to 100 additional Prison Officers and up to 50 additional staff on a phased basis.
The IPS has a robust, internal review mechanism which assesses the circumstances of each prisoner death and actions taken in relation to it, and outlines lessons learned.
The Irish Prison Service has committed to continuing to invest in new technologies and measures to support efforts to keep contraband out of prisons. Operation Sagittarius and Operation Throwover are two joint operations being co-ordinated by An Garda Síochána and IPS to combat contraband entering prisons.
Healthcare staffing provision within prison settings remains challenging. The Programme for Government commits to establishing a high-dependency unit in the prison estate to address severe mental health and addiction challenges and to hiring more therapeutic and medical staff, including psychiatric nurses.
I am committed to progressing commitments in the Programme for Government related to the expanded use of community sanctions to provide alternatives to custodial sanctions. This commitment is demonstrated by Budget 2026, which increased funding for the Probation Service by just over 11%, to allow for increases in use of supervised community sanctions in the criminal courts as an alternative to custodial sentences were appropriate.
My Department is progressing the General Scheme of Criminal Law and Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2025 which incorporates legislative amendments regarding increasing the amount of community service hours that can be imposed and making it mandatory including for the judiciary to consider community service when considering a custodial sentence of up to 2 years or less. It is anticipated that the Bill will be published by Q4 2025.
The Programme for Government also commits to implement electronic tagging for appropriate categories of prisoner. Work is underway to operationalise electronic monitoring in line with existing legislative provisions. It is intended to go to tender for an electronic monitoring service provider this year.
807. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of drivers convicted in court for penalty point offences, by year and by District Court, since 2022; the number of drivers convicted, by year and by District Court, that could not be matched to the penalty point offence to apply the points to their licence/permit record on the NVDF database; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63743/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraManagement of the courts, 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 collation of data on convictions is a function of the courts.
To be of assistance, I have referred your question to the Courts Service for their direct reply. The Courts Service has a dedicated email address for the provision of information to members of the Houses of the Oireachtas: oireachtasenquiries@courts.ie.
Responsibility for the National Vehicle and Driver File (NVDF) database, which serves as the official record for driving licence, penalty point, and disqualification information, falls under the responsibility of my colleague, Minister for Transport, Darragh O’Brien TD.
The Department of Justice has no responsibility for, or information in relation to the NVDF database, and therefore cannot report on records relating to this database.
808. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the oversight mechanisms in place to ensure interpreters engaged by the Courts Service meet minimum professional standards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63745/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra809. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if disciplinary, audit or quality assurance procedures exist for interpreters who provide services in criminal trials and, if not, the reason; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63748/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra810. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if there are plans to introduce State-accredited training and certification for legal interpreters in Ireland, similar to other EU countries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63749/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra811. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if his Department intends to establish a central register of qualified legal interpreters and translators, as envisaged under Directive 2010/64/EU; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63750/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra812. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if there is any requirement at present for interpreters working in court rooms to pass language competency or legal terminology examinations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63751/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra813. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the quality assurance processes that currently exist to assess interpreters’ performance in courtrooms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63752/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra816. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the current rates of pay for court interpreters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63763/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra817. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if he has received submissions from an organisation (details supplied) regarding pay and training for court interpreters; the action he has taken in response; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63764/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra818. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the way in which Directive 2010/64/EU is currently implemented in practice to ensure the right to interpretation and translation in criminal proceedings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63766/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra819. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if he is satisfied that Ireland is compliant with its obligations under EU Directive 2010/64/EU, given the absence of a State register and formal testing for interpreters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63767/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra820. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the steps his Department is taking to ensure every defendant in Ireland can effectively exercise their right to a fair trial under Article 6 of the European Convention on Human Rights when interpretation is required; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63768/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra821. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the actions which will be taken to restore public confidence in the integrity of criminal proceedings following revelations about interpreter standards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63769/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra822. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if his Department will publish data on the number of cases in which interpretation was used in the courts since 2020, by language, jurisdiction, and interpreter accreditation, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63772/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 808, 809, 810, 811, 812, 813, 816, 817, 818, 819, 820, 821 and 822 together.
The right to fair procedures is a central tenet of our criminal justice system. Directive 2010/64/EU on the right to interpretation and translation has been transposed into Irish law via S.I. No. 565/2013 - European Communities Act 1972 (Interpretation and Translation in Criminal Proceedings) Regulations, 2013 and S.I. No. 564/2013 - European Communities Act 1972 (Interpretation and Translation for Persons in Custody in Garda Síochána Stations) Regulations, 2013.
The manner in which these instruments are implemented in practice is an operational matter for An Garda Síochána and the Courts. As the Deputy will appreciate, as Minister, I have no role in individual Court proceedings and nor can I intervene in operational Garda matters that fall under the Garda Commissioner’s remit.
Management of the courts is the responsibility of the Courts Service, which is independent in exercising its functions under the Courts Service Act 1998 and the Constitution. Operational matters regarding the management of interpreters in court, including payment and training and the introduction and provision of quality assurance processes to assess interpreter performance is a matter for the Courts Service.
In regard to question 817, I can confirm that my office has not received submissions from the association referred to by the Deputy. In relation to the data sought by the Deputy regarding question numbers 808, 812, 816, and 822, I have referred those questions to the Courts Service for direct reply.
