Written Answers Nos. 432-453
434. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the reason siblings under the age of 18 are not allowed visit a sibling in a prison (details supplied); if this is the case in all prisons; if so, the reason; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [67945/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Irish Prison Service is committed to making visiting a prison as easy and as safe as possible for visitors. The Irish Prison Service understands the importance of helping prisoners maintain and develop relationships with family and friends and is committed to enhancing where possible, and subject to appropriate security considerations, the visiting facilities and regimes for prisoners.
Under the Children’s First Act 2015, all organisations and agencies who are the provider of a service to children (persons under 18 years of age) must ensure as far as is practicable that each child availing of the service is safe from harm.
From the 3rd November 2025 the Irish Prison Service has introduced a new policy whereby all child visitors (persons under 18 years of age) visiting closed prisons are now required to produce a form of identification to enter a prison, similar to the way adult visitors currently enter our prisons. As per existing rules, all children must be accompanied by an adult. Addressing this issue represents an important component of the overall security strategy, ensuring that appropriate measures are in place to prevent any potential misuse of child visitation as a means to compromise the safety and integrity of our prisons.
Child visitors permitted to visit will be limited to the following:
- Son/Daughter
- Step-Son/Step-Daughter
- Grandchildren
Prisoners can make applications to their Governor for permission for other child visitors, including siblings, to be admitted outside of the cohort listed above. Each case is considered on its individual merit, where the Governor has satisfied themselves that there are familial links and all known risk and protective factors are taken into account.
The following form of ID for Child Visitors will be accepted:
Birth Cert
Passport
Driver’s License
Garda ID Card
National ID Card
Public Service Card
UK National Insurance Card
Garda National Immigration Card
The Irish Prison Service implemented a full public information campaign in advance of this new policy. This information is available on the Irish Prison Service website (www.irishprisons.ie). This information is located in the ‘Visit a Prison’ section – under Prison Visit Information.
435. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if the case of a person (details supplied) will be reviewed. [67962/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can confirm that the online renewal application from the person referred to by the Deputy has been approved. The person concerned can expect to receive their new Irish Residence Permit (IRP) card within the next 10-15 working days.
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.
436. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if his attention has been drawn to an issue (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [67963/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe application from the person referred to by the Deputy was refused on 28 November 2025.
A decision letter issued to the person concerned via the Immigration Service Delivery (ISD) Online Forms platform outlining the reasons for refusal and the next steps they should now take.
The person concerned can now directly raise queries, and check the status of their applications, on the Immigration Service’s Customer Service Portal. They can register for, or log in to their existing account, at: www.portal.irishimmigration.ie/en/ .
As an Oireachtas member, the Deputy can also request the status of individual immigration cases by email, 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.
437. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of English-language students in Ireland, distinct from the overall number of persons with a stamp 2 permission; if his Department maintains a breakdown of persons in English-language programmes by school or organisation; the importance of maintaining accurate data on stamp 2 visa holders, higher education students and English-language students; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [67989/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Programme for Government contains a commitment to publish a National Migration and Integration Strategy detailing how the Government intends to meet the demands and opportunities facing Ireland’s society and economy over the next decade. My Department is currently working with other Government Departments to develop this strategy with the aim to publish it in 2026. The strategy will consider the international student sector.
International students from outside the EU/EEA are granted a permission on Stamp 2 conditions where they have enrolled on, and commenced a course listed on the Interim List of Eligible Programmes (ILEP), or eligible programmes offered by providers with authorisation to use the new TrustEd Education mark awarded by the Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI).
Currently, information regarding the educational institution a person is attending is recorded on each individual person’s file and is not available in a manner which allows detailed data to be extracted in the manner sought by the Deputy.
The table below details the number of people granted a student immigration permission from 2020 to 2024. Figures for 2025 are not yet available.
|
Year |
Number of Stamp 2 Registrations |
|
2020 |
30,980 |
|
2021 |
28,717 |
|
2022 |
52,845 |
|
2023 |
60,882 |
|
2024 |
60,901 |
* Figures are correct at time of issue however all statistics may be subject to data cleansing
** Numbers reflect those required to register/renew in a calendar year. Most renewals are annual. However, there may be students that were required to register/renew multiple times in the same calendar year. These numbers per year should not be summed to an overall total but rather reflect the number required to register/renew in that calendar year.
ILEP is being superseded by TrustEd Ireland, the international education mark launched in September 2024 by Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) and the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science. TrustEd Ireland is a new statutory quality mark and part of a suite of legislative measures designed to further protect international learners.
Once the ILEP is discontinued, only education providers granted authorisation to use the TrustEd Ireland mark will be eligible to recruit students from outside the EEA to English language programmes, foundation programmes and higher education programmes leading to awards within the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ).
The new mark will be awarded to higher education and English language education providers who have demonstrated that they meet national standards to ensure a quality experience for international learners from pre-enrolment through to the completion of their programme of education and training. Applications are currently being reviewed for the first application cycle, which closed in March 2025. Decisions are scheduled to issue in January 2026.
438. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of people living in IPAS accommodation with status, broken down by county, and household size, including number of adults and children per household; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [68026/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra439. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of households with status, including the number of children who have been transferred to alternative IPAS accommodation, since 4 July 2025; if his Department or the International Protection Accommodation Service has engaged with local authorities on the issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [68027/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 438 and 439 together.
The State is currently accommodating almost 33,000 people in nearly 320 International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) centres around the country, over 9,500 of whom are children.
At the moment, almost 5,000 people in IPAS accommodation have a legal status allowing them to remain in Ireland. This is not a static number of people; approximately 11,000 people with status have moved out of IPAS accommodation since 2022, and approximately 3,500 this year to date.
The table below sets out the number of people with legal status, broken down by local authority as of October 2025. The breakdown of data requested with respect to household size is not readily available.
|
Local Authority |
Total with Status |
|
Carlow County Council |
65 |
|
Cavan County Council |
16 |
|
Clare County Council |
215 |
|
Cork City Council |
112 |
|
Cork County Council |
259 |
|
Donegal County Council |
362 |
|
Dublin City |
436 |
|
Dún Laoghaire/ Rathdown County Council |
105 |
|
Fingal County Council |
336 |
|
Galway City Council |
264 |
|
Galway County Council |
91 |
|
Kerry County Council |
113 |
|
Kildare County Council |
85 |
|
Kilkenny County Council |
18 |
|
Laois County Council |
72 |
|
Leitrim County Council |
44 |
|
Limerick City and County Council |
60 |
|
Longford County Council |
23 |
|
Louth County Council |
154 |
|
Mayo County |
404 |
|
Meath County |
147 |
|
Monaghan County Council |
94 |
|
Offaly County Council |
73 |
|
Roscommon County Council |
24 |
|
Sligo County Council |
96 |
|
South Dublin County Council |
504 |
|
Tipperary County Council |
217 |
|
Waterford City and County Council |
123 |
|
Westmeath County Council |
131 |
|
Wexford County Council |
65 |
|
Wicklow County Council |
193 |
|
Total |
4,901 |
In March 2025, 600 families with status over one year were written to, and offered transfer to alternative emergency IPAS accommodation from 4 July 2025. Below is the information requested on these offers and their progress in 2025 to date.
|
- |
Offers sent |
Left IPAS |
Transferred to alternative emergency IPAS centre |
In progress |
|
Families |
600 |
362 |
109 |
129 |
When a person completes their international protection application and receives a positive decision, they have a legal status that allows them to remain in Ireland. This also means they gain access to the full range of housing supports available to all Irish residents, which are not available to people going through the application process.
To help people move from IPAS accommodation to find housing options in the community, IPAS has a team that works in collaboration with DePaul Ireland, the Peter McVerry Trust, the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, and Local Authorities.
There is a need for people with status to transition living independently in our communities, improving their integration into our society while also creating space within IPAS accommodation for newer arrivals.
It is essential that IPAS maintains enough accommodation to meet the needs of new applicants, who have a legal entitlement to IPAS accommodation, do not have immediate access to the labour market, and do not have access to standard housing benefits or standard social welfare entitlements.
440. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if funding for the refurbishment of the former Wicklow district courthouse in Wicklow town is provided for in the revised Department sectoral plan which was compiled following the review of the National Development Plan; if he can provide a cost of refurbishing the building; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [68101/25]
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.
442. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the steps he is taking to implement the Private Security Authority Strategic Plan 2026-2028, including ensuring sufficient resources, expanding licensing, enforcing compliance against unlicensed providers, and raising public awareness; and if his Department will commit to publishing regular updates so the public can track progress; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [68154/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra443. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration whether the Private Security Authority has sufficient staffing, financial, and technological resources to meet the objectives of its Private Security Authority Strategic Plan 2026-2028; if additional resources will be allocated; and the way in which his Department plans to support the PSA in modernising and streamlining regulatory functions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [68155/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra444. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the specific strategies being developed to raise public awareness of the risks posed by unlicensed private security providers; how the Private Security Authority will measure the effectiveness of its communications strategy; the enforcement actions planned to ensure compliance with licensing requirements over the next three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [68156/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra445. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the way in which the Private Security Authority plans to engage with private security industry stakeholders to strengthen professional standards; the mechanisms that will be in place to ensure industry cooperation in compliance initiatives; the way in which this collaboration will contribute to improved public safety outcomes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [68157/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra446. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration whether the Department or the PSA will publish periodic reports on the implementation of the Strategic Plan; the key performance indicators will be used to assess success; and how members of the public will be kept informed of progress in licensing, compliance, and regulatory improvements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [68158/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 442 to 446, inclusive, together.
The Private Security Authority (PSA) is the statutory body with responsibility for licensing and regulating the private security industry in Ireland. Last month, I launched the 2026–2028 Strategic Plan of the Private Security Authority, which sets out the PSA’s goals for the next three years.
Annual funding for the PSA is determined as part of the Estimates process for the Justice sector. As part of the overall governance arrangements between the PSA and my Department, annual performance delivery targets are agreed, monitored and appraised between the parties. I am advised by the PSA that its Board will review and monitor progress on the Strategic Plan 2026-2028 at Board meetings, and the PSA will, in its Annual Reports, publish progress each year against the goals set out in the Strategic Plan.
Over the term of the Plan, I am further advised the PSA will promote professional standards and practice improvement by working in partnership with the industry to continuously enhance professional competence, standards, and compliance. This will include identifying the scope for enhancement in both assessing licence holder suitability and undertaking probity checks and in the auditing assessment and certification process. The PSA will work to update standards where updates are needed and will review standard development processes to make them more efficient.
The PSA also aims to raise public awareness by developing a new communications strategy, and through initiatives such as increasing participation in multi-agency inspections. The success of these strategies will be measured by the implementation of annual business plans with performance targets. The PSA will continue to utilise social media platforms, regular newsletters, and the PSA website to communicate relevant updates and information to the public and to provide a point of contact for enquiries.
Over the timeframe of this plan, officials in my Department will work closely with the PSA in the introduction of new ICT systems to transform the way the PSA licences, regulates, and produces and uses management information. In tandem with the introduction of the new technology, the PSA plans to systematically identify and deploy solutions to enhance its administrative efficiency through process redesign, ICT enablement and effective system integration. Under the Strategic Plan 2026-2028, the PSA has also committed to examine ICT and AI solutions to better target inspections, streamline inspection processes, and to improve both inspection capacity and reporting.
447. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will outline all grants and funding supports available to farmers for the repair or restoration of farm buildings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [67269/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Targeted Agriculture Modernisation Scheme (TAMS 3) currently provides grant aid for investment in new structures rather than repair of existing structures. Where buildings have been significantly damaged it may be more economic to replace the entire structure, rather than attempting to repair the damaged building. In such cases, it is open to farmers to apply for support for the construction of new buildings under TAMS.
However, in order to ensure that farms are more resilient in advance of future weather events, I have introduced grant aid support under TAMS for replacement of roofs. This grant aid support for the replacement of roofs will be open for applications in the next tranche of TAMS 3, which opens shortly, under the Farm Safety measure.
I would urge farmers to carry out a structural assessment of their farm buildings to ensure that all structures are able to withstand future weather events. Where structures are found not to be structurally sound, I would encourage farmers to undertake the necessary work to make the buildings safe. In doing so they should ensure that all necessary measures are undertaken to ensure that the health and safety of those involved is protected at all times.
448. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the forestry grants and funding schemes that are currently open for applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [67290/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department’s Forestry Programme 2023-2027 provides unprecedented incentives to encourage the planting of trees that can provide a valuable addition to farm income and also help meet our national climate and biodiversity objectives.
The Forestry Programme also provides for measures relating to the management and conservation of existing forests, including for the development of skills that allow owners and their foresters to sustainably manage their forests. The schemes and measures under this Programme that are currently open for applications are set out in the table below:
|
Scheme |
|
Afforestation Scheme |
|
Native Tree Area Scheme (NTAS) |
|
Woodland Improvement Scheme (WIS) |
|
Native Woodland Conservation Scheme (NWCS) |
|
Reconstitution Ash Dieback Scheme 2023-2027 |
|
Climate Action Performance Payment (CAPP) |
|
Climate Resilient Reforestation Scheme (Pilot) |
|
Native Woodland Intervention for Remediation of Industrial Cutover Peatlands (Pilot) |
|
NeighbourWood Scheme |
|
Woodland Environmental Fund |
|
Forest Road Scheme |
|
Deer Tree Shelter and Deer Hare Fencing Scheme |
|
Innovative Forest Technology Scheme – Module 2: Investment Aid for the Development of the Forest Tree Nursery Sector (Tranche 4) |
|
iPLAN |
While not currently open for applications, my Department also offers a range of other support schemes, including for example our Innovative Forest Technology Scheme Module 1 - Central tyre Inflation & Module 3 - Sustainable Forest Harvesting Machinery Grant. It is envisaged that such schemes will open again in Tranches systematically throughout the Forestry Programme term.
I am hopeful that the attractive and increased rates and supports under the Forestry Programme will encourage uptake of both diverse afforestation and forest conservation measures. I am committed to working with all stakeholders to achieve lasting benefits from forestry not just for climate change, but for biodiversity, wood production, economic development and quality of life.
449. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if Greyhound Racing Ireland has commissioned any analysis of the economic and financial significance of the Irish greyhound racing industry or similar reports since a report was published in 2021 (details supplied); and if so, the cost of such analyses, and if he will make a statement. [67291/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra450. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the litigation, if any, Greyhound Racing Ireland is currently engaged in or defending; when this litigation commenced; and the subject matter of this litigation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [67292/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 449 and 450 together.
Rásaíocht Con Éireann (RCÉ) is a commercial state body established under the Greyhound Industry Act 1958 chiefly to control greyhound racing and to improve and develop the greyhound industry. RCÉ is a body corporate and a separate legal entity to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
The questions raised by the Deputy are operational matters for RCÉ and, therefore, the questions have been referred to that body for direct reply.
451. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding the planned support measures for the tillage sector as announced in Budget 2026. [67301/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis Government recognises the importance of the tillage sector and wants to grow the area under tillage crops. I fully acknowledge the pressures facing the tillage sector, not least the challenging market conditions this season.
In recognition of the sector’s importance, my Department will be supporting the tillage sector in 2026 with funding of €50m through the combination of Protein Aid Scheme, the Straw Incorporation Measure (SIM) and a new Tillage Support Scheme. Having secured additional funding in Budget 2026 to further support the sector, I intend to shortly consult with stakeholders on how this funding will be utilised.
In addition to commitments made in Budget 2026, my Department has provided significant direct supports to tillage farmers in recent years. This year, the budget for the Protein Aid Scheme is €10m, having increased from €7m last year. Earlier this year, I made the decision to pay all eligible applicants under the Straw Incorporation Measure in 2025 which is estimated at an area of approximately 62,500 hectares, comprising just over 9,000 hectares of oilseed rape and over 52,000 hectares of cereals.
In February this year, I announced €32.4 million of payments under the Tillage and Horticulture Support Scheme, which was Government’s response to the difficult position tillage and horticultural farmers found themselves in due to exceptionally poor weather and continued high input costs last Spring.
The Farming for Water EIP has a budget of €60m to support targeted on-farm additional measures to improve water quality, including establishment of cover crops. The tillage sector is also being supported under other schemes, including the Tillage Capital Investment Scheme, ACRES and the Organic Farming Scheme.
I will continue to work with the tillage sector and provide targeted support where possible given the strategic importance of the sector within the wider agricultural industry.
452. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the supports in place for the development of vertical farming; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [67391/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Scheme of Investment Aid for the Development of the Commercial Horticulture Sector is a support measure that assists in the development of the horticulture sector by grant aiding capital investments in specialised plant and equipment including renewable energy, as well as technology adoption specific to commercial horticulture production.
Capital investments including in respect of vertical farming projects are eligible under the scheme.
The 2026 Scheme is currently open for applications and the deadline for receipt of completed applications is 5pm on Friday 12th December 2025. Further information can be found on [2026 Scheme of Investment Aid for the Development of the Commercial Horticulture Sector (www.gov.ie/en/department-of-agriculture-food-and-the-marine/services/2026-scheme-of-investment-aid-for-the-development-of-the-commercial-horticulture-sector/)] or by emailing: Horticulturegrants@agriculture.gov.ie.
My Department also operates the 2026 Scheme for Innovation and Diversification in Horticulture (Capital Investments). This Scheme aims to increase innovation and diversification in horticulture by grant aiding capital investments in specialised plant and equipment. In addition, the 2026 Scheme of Investment Aid for Innovation and Diversification in Horticulture (Feasibility/Desk Studies) is aimed at small and medium sized enterprises engaging in primary horticulture production that would like to innovate and diversify in the horticulture industry but need to carry out specific studies (feasibility/desk-based) before doing so. These Schemes are currently open for applications with a closing date of Friday 23 January 2025. Further information can be found on [2026 Horticulture Innovation and Diversification Schemes] (www.gov.ie/en/department-of-agriculture-food-and-the-marine/publications/2026-horticulture-innovation-and-diversification-schemes/) or by emailing: HorticultureInnovation@agriculture.gov.ie.
453. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of sheep farmers in the State; the number of organic sheep farmers; the supports that will be available to organic and non-organic sheep farmers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [67431/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn Budget 2026, I secured an allocation of €131m for the livestock sector, which will ensure the continuation of existing dedicated supports, including those worth €42m to the sheep sector in 2026.
Those supports consist of €20m for the multi-annual CSP Sheep Improvement Scheme (SIS) and €22m for the annual National Sheep Welfare Scheme (NSWS).
The 2025 NSWS budget was an increase of €7m, or 47%, on the preceding year of 2024. Payments amounting to €16.44m have already issued to more than 13,000 farmers in respect of their participation in the 2025 scheme.
The SIS operates under the CAP Strategic Plan 2023-2027, and provides financial support to farmers undertaking measures exceeding mandatory standards to improve flock welfare. Advance payments amounting to €16.91m recently issued to over 15,500 beneficiaries in respect of their participation in year three of the scheme.
In addition, there are many other multi-annual schemes available under the current CSP, which is worth €9.8 billion to farmers and rural communities between 2023 and 2027. These include basic income payments as well as agri-environment, investment and organic farming schemes, which are particularly significant for sheep farmer incomes. There are 2,906 organic sheep farmers in Organic Farming Scheme (OFS).
Organic farmers are also supported by the Organic Capital Investment Scheme (OCIS) which is part of the Targeted Agriculture Modernisation Scheme (TAMS). This scheme facilitates the development of the organic sector to ensure a regular supply of high-quality organic produce to the market. It also incentivises organic farmers currently participating in the OFS to upgrade their agricultural buildings and equipment. OFS participants are paid a higher rate of 60% up to a maximum of €90,000 per holding.
According to the latest census report published by my department, a total of 3.6 million sheep were kept across 33,805 registered flocks in the country at the end of December 2024.
The array of supports provided to sheep farmers demonstrates my commitment to promoting a viable, resilient and sustainable sheep sector.
