Written Answers Nos. 255-274
255. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the budget that has been allocated by his Department to the Planning and Environmental Court for 2025; the projected budget for 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [70450/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Planning and Environment Court was established by Practice Direction as a special division of the High Court and is funded and resourced through the Courts Service. The Courts Service operates under its own vote. Management of the courts, operational matters and logistical functions are the responsibility of the Courts Service, which is independent in exercising its functions under the Courts Service Act 1998 and given the separation of powers in the Constitution.
As Minister, I have no role in relation to the logistical or operational matters of the courts. To be of assistance, I have referred the Deputy's question to the Courts Service for direct reply.
256. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the position regarding any engagement he has had with the English language education sector in relation to proposed changes in visa regulations for those seeking to temporarily reside in Ireland under related visas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [70500/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra257. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if his attention has been drawn to the concerns in the English language education sector in relation to proposed changes in visa regulations for those seeking to temporarily reside in Ireland under related visas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [70501/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 256 and 257 together.
The Programme for Government 2025 contains a commitment to publish a National Migration and Integration Strategy detailing how we intend to meet the demands and the opportunities facing Ireland’s society and economy over the next decade. My Department is working with other Government departments to develop this strategy with the aim to publish Ireland’s first overarching whole-of-government National Migration and Integration Strategy in 2026.
As part of this strategic approach, I am reviewing the area of student permissions, with a particular focus on English Language students. This work is aimed at ensuring that the system remains robust and rules-based, supports high-quality education providers, and continues to offer a positive experience for genuine students coming to Ireland.
Ireland welcomes international students who wish to travel here in order to pursue a course of study, thereby providing economic and other benefits to Ireland, as well of course as to the students themselves.
At Government level, the administration and management of international student programmes is within the remit of the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (DFHERIS), with my Department having responsibility for visa and related residency policies.
I have met recently with the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (DFHERIS), James Lawless, to discuss this work and explore how our departments can continue to collaborate effectively on this work.
I hope to bring forward proposals in this area in the coming months.
258. Deputy Ryan O'Meara asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of citizenship applications received; the number of citizenship applications processed; the number of citizenship applications still processing; the average processing time for citizenship applications, broken down by year; from 2018 to date, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [70502/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI 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 increase the numbers of decisions being made. These included introducing an online digital application, online payments, and the introduction of eVetting.
This digitisation has facilitated a record number of citizenship decisions made last year. In just over two years, my Department has gone from processing around 12,000 applications a year, to processing over 20,000 applications in 2023, more than 31,000 decisions in 2024.
It is important to note, however, that no two naturalisation applications are the same and some take longer than others to process. Given the importance of citizenship, robust and comprehensive checks must take place on each application. Unfortunately some of these, such as international checks, can take a considerable amount of time and this is largely outside of the control of my Department.
The information requested by the Deputy on the number of citizenship applications received, the number still in progress, and the median processing time is outlined in the below table.
|
Year |
Total Applications Received |
Of which are in progress |
Median Processing time in months |
|
2018 |
12,867 |
160 |
8 |
|
2019 |
12,308 |
213 |
10 |
|
2020 |
10,807 |
290 |
12 |
|
2021 |
11,975 |
529 |
24 |
|
2022 |
17,204 |
2,220 |
18 |
|
2023 |
22,690 |
2,874 |
15 |
|
2024 |
27,032 |
7,415 |
8 |
|
2025 up to end of November |
38,546 |
35,686 |
**Not available |
*Please note, figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing
**The median processing time refers to cases in which decisions have been made and is calculated at the end of each year, therefore, the 2025 figure is not currently available.
There is a range of reasons why naturalisation applications may be “in progress” for lengthy periods.
I understand that many of the oldest files in the system have been put on hold at the request of the applicant. Periodic contact is maintained with the applicant and every effort is made to facilitate the applicant in the context of changing and sometimes challenging personal circumstances. While the onus remains with the applicant to complete the process, my Department maintains ongoing contact with the applicants.
It is important to note that increased processing times in 2021, 2022 and 2023 were largely due to the legacy of restrictions imposed on staff attendance in the office during the pandemic along with an increase in applications.
259. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the main policy achievements of his Department since 22 January 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [70528/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am proud of the considerable progress by my Department on a broad range of policy, operational and legislative initiatives since my appointment as Minister in January 2025. I look forward to continuing this work on my priorities, in line with the commitments set out in the Programme for Government.
I was pleased to recently publish the new Statement of Strategy for my Department for 2025–2028. The Strategy aligns with the Programme for Government, sets out my Department’s strategic direction to 2028 and will further the work towards our shared vision of a safe, fair and inclusive Ireland.
Some of the achievements of my Department since 23 January 2025 are set out below.
Garda Recruitment and Operations
My first priority as Minister for Justice is to get more Gardaí out onto our streets preventing the commission of crime through high visibility patrols. Increased recruitment and appropriate civilianisation where possible are vital to achieving this as is modern technology and equipment and active management of Garda resources. The Programme for Government commits to recruiting at least 5,000 Gardaí in the coming five years. As we strengthen An Garda Síochána, we will see more Gardaí visible in our communities tackling and preventing crime.
This year 794 new recruits have been welcomed into the Garda College in Templemore. This is the highest number recruited since 2018. This includes an intake of 223 trainees in November, the largest single intake in over a decade. Recruitment into An Garda Síochána is now gathering real momentum. New Garda recruits are already making an impact in their communities and the ongoing recruitment of new Gardaí will see further progress in increasing Garda numbers across the State.
Domestic, Sexual, and Gender-Based Violence Strategy
Combatting all forms of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence (DSGBV) has been a central priority for me since taking office.
An allocation of almost €80 million was secured through Budget 2026 to fund initiatives aimed at tackling DSGBV, an increase of 18% (€12.2 million) from 2025.
In June, I published the final implementation plan of the five-year ‘Zero Tolerance’ National DSGBV Strategy setting out the delivery targets and collective action to end 2026. The plan contains 95 specific actions across the four pillars of the Istanbul Convention. There is a strong emphasis on delivery, collective responsibility, and meaningful outcomes.
Amongst the key deliverables are actions already underway in respect of significant legislative reform including::
• Prioritising the drafting of the Guardianship of Infants (Amendment) Bill that will, in certain situations, allow for the removal of guardianship rights from individuals convicted of killing the other parent or guardian of their child;
• Limiting the disclosure of counselling records in rape and sexual assault cases;
• Banning sex for rent under the Criminal Law and Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2025;
• Introducing the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences, Domestic Violence, and International Instruments) Bill 2025 which will introduce the Domestic Violence Register of Judgments - known as ‘Jennie’s Law’ - bringing greater transparency and accountability for serious offenders;
• Establishing the necessary legislative basis to provide for Operation Encompass, which will enable An Garda Síochána to share information with schools when a child has been exposed to domestic violence.
As part of the Zero Tolerance Strategy, Government committed to doubling domestic violence accommodation capacity in Ireland by the end of 2026 from 141 to 282 family units.
The following safe accommodation target was set earlier this year
• 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
Therefore, by the end of 2026 it is envisaged to have 94 safe homes and 193 refuge units completed, bringing total safe accommodation to 287, with 50 further refuge units under construction. I am continuing to work with Cuan, my Department and the Department of Housing to ensure we are exhausting all measures to increase the pace of delivery for this much needed additional capacity.
Immigration
It is also a central priority for me to ensure that our immigration system is robust and enforced.
My Department has taken action to significantly improve immigration enforcement measures and increase removals. This includes the renewed use of chartered deportation flights. To date this year 4,454 deportation orders have been signed and 1,952 people have departed the State under various mechanisms.
We have seen the number of people seeking international protection in Ireland is down by around a third in 2025 compared to the same period last year.
In keeping with the Government commitment to significantly enhance the delivery of public services digitally, phase one of my Department's Immigration Customer Service Portal, which enables applicants to check their immigration application status, book first-time registration appointments, and submit queries, has been operational since last October. To the end of Q3 2025, more than 195,000 customers have registered, with over 150,000 queries resolved and in excess of 88,000 registration appointments made.
In April I secured Government approval to draft the International Protection Bill, the most significant reform of Irish asylum laws in the history of the State in line with the EU Migration and Asylum Pact. The Pact is a new EU framework to manage migration and asylum for the long-term. The overall objective of the Pact is to provide a fair, sustainable and efficient asylum procedure. These important changes include streamlining the decisions process, streamlining the returns process, a new ‘Border procedure’ with a three-month time limit for decisions, and new institutional arrangements for international protection decisions and appeals.
Commencement of Policing, Security, and Community Safety Act
On 2 April 2025, I was pleased to commence the landmark Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024.
As a result, the following bodies were established:
• The new Garda Board
• The Policing and Community Safety Authority (replacing the existing Policing Authority and Garda Síochána Inspectorate)
• Fiosrú – the Office of the Police Ombudsman
• The Office of the Independent Examiner of Security Legislation
• The National Office for Community Safety
The Act strengthens and consolidates independent, external oversight of An Garda Síochána; makes community safety a whole of government and multi-agency responsibility and enhances the internal governance of An Garda Síochána by establishing a new non-executive board which is a corporate governance standard across the public and private sectors.
Community Safety
The National Office for Community Safety established in April 2025 is a central coordinating body to the new whole of government, collaborative, problem-solving approach to community safety as envisaged in Commission for the Future of Policing in Ireland (CoFPI).
In June, I signed regulations to allow for Local Community Safety Partnerships to begin their work across the country. These regulations allow for a total of 36 Local Community Safety Partnerships to be established across every Local Authority. At a local level, community safety partnerships will play a major role in enhancing community safety nationwide in collaboration with An Garda Síochána, local residents, businesses and state agencies.
Having launched a call in April last for applications under the Community Safety Fund 2025, I was pleased to announce in October grants totalling €4.4 million from the proceeds of crime, seized by the Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB) and An Garda Síochána, into 42 local projects focused on enhancing community safety.
Youth Justice
The Government’s focus on youth diversion and interventions is a keystone in the Youth Justice Strategy, which is a forward-thinking plan designed to address the unique challenges faced by young people in Ireland. At its core, the Strategy emphasises early intervention, prevention, family support, and community engagement. It includes key objectives aimed at promoting positive behavioural change, and it is only by targeting this behaviour that we can break the cycle of offending by young people. YDPs work with young people at risk of crime and anti-social behaviour to divert them away from criminal behaviour and towards better life outcomes.
In November, I was pleased to announce with Minister of State Collins that the State’s network of Youth Diversion Projects (YDPs) has been successfully rolled out nationwide, making these critical interventions available to young people at risk of engaging in criminal activity no matter where they live in Ireland.
Criminal Assets Bureau
The Proceeds of Crime and Related Matters Bill 2025, approved by Cabinet on 8 July, represents the most significant update to Ireland’s civil asset forfeiture laws since their introduction in 1996. The Bill strengthens the State’s ability to identify, freeze and confiscate assets linked to serious and organised crime.
The Bill strengthens CAB’s investigative powers, with new provisions to freeze bank accounts when there is a reasonable suspicion that it is being used to hold proceeds of crime. To address the risk of funds being moved quickly or hidden, a direction can be given to a financial institution to freeze an account for up to seven days.
Transfers of responsibilities
Responsibility for integration, International Protection Accommodation Services (IPAS), and the Ukraine Division transferred to my Department from the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, and Equality on 1 May 2025. This transfer includes the transfer of all staff, approximately 340 people, alongside a substantial budget transfer of approximately €2.1 billion. As my Department had existing responsibility for immigration and migration and the processing of applications for international protection, this transfer underpins a more cohesive and strategic approach to migration and integration. The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) also transferred to my Department from the Department of the Environment, Communications and Climate on 2 June 2025. The NCSC is the lead government agency on cyber security.
Responsibility for the Irish Film Classification Office (IFCO) transferred from my Department on 1 August to the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport. This transfer was carried out in line with the Programme for Government and aligns the work of IFCO with the Department responsible for culture. Ahead of the transfer, my Department completed a Periodic Critical Review of IFCO which had a focus on the ongoing business case for the entity, its performance, efficiency, effectiveness, and governance arrangements. The report from the review was published ahead of the transfer. Responsibility for the Property Services Regulatory Authority (PSRA), as well as the Property Services Appeal Board, also transferred from my Department on 1 August to the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.
Integration
The Minister of State for Migration, Colm Brophy TD, recently announced the 37 projects set to receive over €1.5m in funding under the Ireland Against Racism Fund 2025.
This Fund enables non-government and community organisations to provide national and regional projects and local initiatives that combat racism and promote racial equality. The Fund is a key part of the National Action Plan Against Racism (NAPAR) which was informed by the experiences of people who have been directly affected by racism.
This is in addition to the Integration Fund which combines two previously run funds – the International Protection Integration Fund (IPIF) and the Communities Integration Fund (CIF). Since their inception, these funds have provided close to €10m in funding to more than 1,000 projects across the country. This fund is for projects supporting migrant integration in areas such as sport, education, employment, and culture. Results of the 2025 Integration Fund were announced in November. 117 projects were awarded a total of €3.6m.
Establishment of the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland
On 5 March, I established the independent Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland. The GRAI is responsible for a new streamlined, simplified, and coherent licensing framework which reflects the nature of modern gambling in the State and for a robust regulatory regime to regulate gambling in-person and online that will replace the existing, fragmented systems which date back to 1929.
The regulatory powers of the GRAI take into account the harms associated with problem gambling and provide safeguards to protect people from those harms, including children, those vulnerable to problem gambling, and those affected by problem gambling. The GRAI will establish and maintain a National Gambling Exclusion Register, funded through licence fees, and establish a Social Impact Fund, financed by a levy on the industry, to support services to treat gambling addiction and fund public education and awareness raising programmes.
The GRAI is planning to commence licensing operations in early 2026 as part of a phased stand-up of their functions under the Gambling Regulation Act 2024.
Data Protection Commission
On 17 September 2025, the Government appointed a third Commissioner for Data Protection, with the appointment taking effect from 13 October 2025, for a five-year term. This follows the appointment of two new Commissioners for Data Protection in February 2024. In 2022 the Government approved commencement of a process to increase the number of commissioners. A review was undertaken by the Department of Justice which took account of the evolving organisational structure, governance and business needs of the Data Protection Commission. The appointment completes the process to expand the number of commissioners to three. As the responsibilities and scope of the DPC continue to grow, the three commissioners will now lead and manage this key regulatory body.
Improvements to international judicial cooperation
Bilateral agreements between Ireland and the UAE on extradition and mutual legal assistance (MLA) in criminal matters entered into force on 18 May 2025. The bilateral MLA and extradition treaties will ensure that criminals cannot evade the law. They will also serve to mitigate the harm caused by any perception that criminals can evade the law and benefit from the ill-gotten gains of criminal activity abroad, which itself diminishes the trust and confidence of citizens in the rule of law.
Omagh Inquiry
In April 2025, I signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Chairman of the Omagh Bombing Inquiry on matters relating to the disclosure of materials to the Inquiry. This is a truly important step to delivering on the commitment in the Programme for Government, to “play our full part in legacy processes…including facilitating and supporting the Omagh Inquiry”. That is in the best interests of the victims’ families and survivors. In November, I implemented measures to further support the operation of the Memorandum of Understanding including signing Regulations under section 2B of the Data Protection Act 1988 to support the disclosure of personal data to the Inquiry by my Department.
Independent Expert
In September, following extensive work at official and political levels, the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and I announced the appointment of Fleur Ravensbergen as the Independent Expert to conduct a scoping and engagement exercise on whether there is a basis for a formal process of paramilitary group transition to disbandment in Northern Ireland. This appointment was made in line with recommendations by the Independent Reporting Commission. I look forward to receiving the report on the outcome of this exercise in the Autumn next year.
Family Justice
The ongoing reform of the Family Justice system, for the benefit of families and children, is another of my key priorities.
On 28 April, I hosted my first meeting of the Family Justice Development Forum and I look forward to the next one planned for 19 January.
This was followed in May by the publication of the Review of the Operation of the In Camera Rule in Family Law Proceedings. The review, a key action in the Family Justice Strategy, was conducted by a team from University College Cork and Trinity College Dublin and is an important piece of research which details the perspectives of many stakeholders regarding the current understanding and operation of the in camera rule in family law proceedings. Importantly, it includes the views of those who have been parties in such proceedings.
Officials from my Department are currently engaging with a variety of stakeholders and working on a policy paper regarding how some of the recommendations made in the report could be implemented.
In August of this year I published two tenders for the provision of new family law services aimed at making our system more transparent and better for children. The first is for a Private Family Law Reporting Project to provide transparency for the public and increase awareness and understanding of family law proceedings while ensuring that children’s and parents’ right to privacy is upheld. I am pleased to say that the Child Law Project has been contracted to deliver the three year project and work on it has commenced. The second is for a service to provide a new and innovative way to hear children’s voices in private family law proceedings. The Children’s Court Advocate Pilot Project will initially be established in Waterford and Clonmel, ensuring that all children to whom guardianship, custody or access applications relate can have the opportunity to be informed about the proceedings relating to them and have their voice heard without any cost to families.
In October this year I launched a social media campaign to promote a culture of paying child maintenance. This was a recommendation in the Review of the Enforcement of Child Maintenance Orders. Work on implementing the other recommendations in the review is ongoing with child maintenance guidelines and an accompanying calculator due to be launched in January.
In November I hosted a stakeholder event where the OECD and the World Justice Project released the preliminary findings of my Department’s first Legal Needs Survey. The survey forms part of a project Ireland is participating in to develop people-centred justice services to enhance access to justice, including in family justice. I look forward to the full findings being published in 2026.
Civil Reform
I obtained Government approval to prepare a General Scheme of a Civil Reform Bill. The Civil Reform Bill is a key implementation measure of the Kelly Report of the Review of the Administration of Civil Justice. As part of the Bill, it is my intention to introduce provisions which will codify the existing law on judicial review by placing it on a statutory basis. The measures should achieve greater transparency in the law and lead to a more streamlined review process. Key reforms should ensure that the system cannot be misused on purely technical grounds, that the public interest is placed at the heart of judicial review, costs are reduced where possible and litigants have sufficient standing to properly challenge decisions. Given the significant challenges currently facing our State in terms of housing shortages, energy deficits, inadequate water supplies and climate change, all of which are exacerbated by the demands of a rising population, we can no longer delay on reform of the judicial review system. I am confident that the Bill will remove weaknesses in the current law, eliminate impediments to progress and deliver reform for the public benefit. I am also confident that measures in the Bill preserve the right of the citizen to ensure that public bodies act lawfully and are accountable for their decisions.
General Scheme of the Criminal Law and Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2025
In May, I secured Government approval to progress the General Scheme of the Criminal Law and Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2025, which inter alia significantly expands the courts' powers to conduct criminal proceedings remotely, provides for the digitalisation of court documents in such proceedings, criminalises the exploitative practice of seeking sex in lieu of rent, amends the law on disclosure of counselling records in sexual offence trials, and empowers the Gardaí to direct the removal of face coverings in certain public order situations.
The Bill also incorporates legislative amendments to the Criminal Justice (Community Service) Act 1983 and the Criminal Justice (Community Service) (Amendment) Act 2011 to provide that the limit of community service hours be increased from 240 up to 480 hours. This action also includes the requirement for the judiciary to consider community service be mandatory where considering a custodial sentence of up to 2 years or less. It is anticipated that the Bill will be published this year.
Prisons and penal reform
A multi-year building programme is progressing at several key sites across the prison estate. To accelerate delivery, agreement has been secured for six major projects to bypass the first approval gate of the Infrastructure Guidelines. This decision is expected to bring forward delivery timelines on those six projects by 12 to 18 months, while freeing up internal capacity within IPS to advance the wider programme. This acceleration reflects the priority placed by Government on strengthening the prison system’s resilience and providing safe, secure and humane accommodation.
In April, I approved the publication of the 'Community Service - New Directions Implementation Plan 2025-2027 by the Probation Service. This plan sets out commitments to drive the delivery and support the increased use of Community Service as a robust and meaningful alternative to imprisonment. Engagement with the Judiciary, imbedding the principles of desistence, restorative justice and social justice, and increasing the visibility and accessibility of Community Service are part of this plan.
The CAST pilot project is a partnership pilot between An Garda Síochána and the Mental Health Services, HSE and Mid-West Community Healthcare which is currently being trialled in the Limerick Garda Division.
This has resulted in multiple diversions from arrest and subsequent detentions under Section 12 of the Mental Health Act 2001 to the benefit of individual patients and increased public safety.
Electronic Monitoring
My Department is leading a cross-agency project to introduce electronic monitoring for specific categories of individuals, as committed to in the Programme for Government, and in line with existing legal provisions.
Existing legislation, including the Bail Act 1997, as amended, the Criminal Justice Act 2006, as amended and the Sex Offender Act 2001, as amended, provide for electronic monitoring, in certain circumstances.
I had committed to the publication of a Request for Tender (RFT) for the provision of an electronic monitoring service provider by the end of 2025. This Request for Tender has now been published with a closing date of the 16 January 2026 at 5pm.
My Department is tendering for an EM service provider for a 12-month pilot phase, which will focus on individuals on temporary release nationally and those admitted to bail in a pilot area. It is proposed to utilise 30 to 50 electronic tags during this phase. This is expected to provided capacity to electronic monitor between 90 and 150 people in a year, but exact numbers monitored will depend on a range of factors including individuals’ lengths of time on bail or on TR, and individuals’ personal circumstances, including ongoing suitability and compliance with conditions.
The pilot approach will allow for processes and procedures to be tested before a wider scale national rollout, while also supporting the agencies involved to build capability and knowledge of the EM system. Insights from the pilot will inform any future national rollout and procurement.
The pilot is expected to be operational in 2026, I have secured funding of €2.1m in Budget 2026 for the project to allow for staffing, procurement, and other set up costs.
Sectoral Investment Plan for Justice
I have secured Cabinet approval for the Sectoral Investment Plan for Justice under the recent National Development Plan (NDP) Review. The National Development Plan Review is the largest ever capital investment plan in the history of the State. The funding allocation of €2.18 billion will support major capital projects in the Justice sector from 2026-2030, an increase of over €800 million on the previous NDP in 2021.
The Sectoral Investment Plan for Justice was published on 4 December 2025. The plan sets out the strategic investment priorities over the next five years and outlines key capital projects that will be delivered to keep our people and communities safe. This record funding boost for capital development is essential and will deliver a wide range of vital major projects across the justice sector.
260. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the current processing times for applications for naturalisation based on section 16; the reason applications of this nature can take significantly longer to process than applications based on Irish residency; the number of applications currently in processing for one year, two years, and over three years, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [70572/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAll applications for a certificate of naturalisation are assessed individually in accordance with the provisions of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended.
Section 15 of the Act sets out the statutory conditions that must be fulfilled for a certificate of naturalisation to be granted. Section 16 of the Act gives discretion to waive the statutory conditions in certain circumstances, including where the applicant is of Irish descent or Irish associations (related through blood, affinity or adoption to a person who is or is entitled to be an Irish citizen).
Earlier this year my Department published guidelines for applications on the basis of Irish Associations under Section 16(1)(a) of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956. The guidelines provide clarity to both applicants and decision-makers. They set out the factors that may be considered when deciding whether to waive the statutory conditions in certain circumstances, including where the applicant is of Irish descent or Irish associations.
The guidelines have been developed in the interests of fair and transparent procedures and comprehensive decision making. Details of the guidelines are available on my Department’s website at the following link: www.irishimmigration.ie/how-to-become-a-citizen/.
Following the publication of the new guidelines, my Department then wrote to over 1,500 people with ongoing Section 16 applications advising them of the recently published guidelines and afforded them an opportunity to them to provide additional documentation, should they wish.
I can advise the Deputy that a significant number of submissions relating to Section 16 'Irish Association' applications have been received, and that decisions on these applications have begun to issue. Applications had been on hold pending the publication of the guidelines.
I can inform the Deputy that it is not currently feasible to provide statistics on the current processing times and decisions based on Section 16 'Irish Association'. This would require the manual examination of a large number of files.
Following the introduction of the new Section 16 guidelines, arrangements to separately record such applications have now been put in place and will allow for the provision of better statistical data in the near future. My expectation is that once an appreciable number of decisions have been reached, my Department will be in a better position to provided indicative timeframes for processing.
A breakdown of Section 16 applications on hand is outlined in the below table.
|
Duration |
Number of applications |
|
Less than 12 months |
116 |
|
12 to less than 24 months |
383 |
|
24 to less than 36 months |
315 |
|
36 months + |
710 |
261. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if an assessment will be carried out to understand how discouraging welfare access for refugees and migrants by linking it to eligibility for naturalisation will affect the labour market, education participation, integration outcomes and poverty rates. [70601/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra262. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if he has given consideration to the human rights impact of penalising migrants and refugees who rely on essential social welfare supports such as disability allowance, carer's allowance or working family payment in terms of eligibility for naturalisation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [70602/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra263. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if a comprehensive impact analysis will be conducted in respect of the new proposals to discourage welfare access for refugees and migrants by penalising them in terms of eligibility for naturalisation; if he will commit not to further the development of these policies until such an analysis is conducted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [70603/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra264. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if he will consult with relevant stakeholders (details supplied) before developing further or implementing proposals to link eligibility for naturalisation to welfare access; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [70604/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 261, 262, 263 and 264 together.
Migrants play an essential and positive role in contributing to Irish society and are vital to addressing labour shortages in many sectors of the economy. For those migrants who establish themselves here, naturalisation provides a very effective means to enhance their integration and participation in Irish society.The granting of Irish citizenship through naturalisation is governed by the provisions of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended. All applications for a certificate of naturalisation are processed and assessed individually in accordance with the provisions of the Act. I intend to propose a number of new statutory naturalisation conditions including the requirement to be self-sufficient. Being self-sufficient will mean that the applicant should not be indebted to the State or be in receipt of certain social protection payments in a defined time period prior to submitting an application.It is not the intention to bar anybody who has ever received a welfare payment from applying for citizenship. That said, it is reasonable to expect that a person seeking to become an Irish citizen has contributed to the country and has been in employment.The exact types of social welfare payment to be taken into account will be examined by my Department in consultation with the Department of Social Protection.The outlined conditions of being 'self-sufficient' will require legislative change to the 1956 Act and full scrutiny of the proposed changes will take place through the regular parliamentary process.
265. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the measures being taken to address ongoing delays in the processing of immigration and residency applications; and the current processing times. [70611/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI understand the Deputy has clarified that her question relates applications for citizenship, first time registrations and renewal applications. I want to assure anyone who has an application submitted that my Department is doing everything possible to progress applications as quickly as possible.
In relation to citizenship, despite the substantial increase in applications being received in recent years, processing times have significantly reduced.
My Department has taken a significant number of steps to speed up the process for applicants. These included introducing an online digital application, online payments, and the introduction of eVetting.
This digitisation has facilitated a record number of citizenship decisions made last year. In just over two years, my Department has gone from processing around 12,000 applications a year, to processing over 20,000 applications in 2023, more than 31,000 decisions in 2024. The median processing time for citizenship applications in 2024 was 8 months. Statistics in relation to processing times 2025 will be available early in the new year.
It is important to note, however, that no two naturalisation applications are the same and some take longer than others to process. Given the importance of citizenship, robust and comprehensive checks must take place on each application. Unfortunately some of these, such as international checks, can take a considerable amount of time and this is largely outside of the control of my Department.
In relation to first-time registrations and renewals of permissions, the Registration Office of my Department is currently experiencing an exceptionally high demand for first time registration appointments and are aware that appointment availability is severely limited.
I understand that the extended wait times to secure an appointment can be frustrating for applicants. I can assure the Deputy that my Department is doing everything possible to facilitate as many customers as possible.
New appointment slots are being released on a rolling 90-day basis, with additional slots being made available where capacity is identified and as any cancellations/reschedules are made. The Registration Office has also extended opening hours and are now open seven days a week to meet this demand. I expect that further measures to increase the availability of appointments will be put in place in the coming weeks.
Applicants are advised to monitor the dedicated booking appointment system via the Customer Service Portal at https://portal.irishimmigration.ie/en/, for any available appointments that may come up due to cancellations.
If customers have successfully booked an appointment, but wish to amend the date, they can do so via the reschedule option to any other available date. Please be aware that given the current exceptional demand it is not possible to accommodate requests for an earlier appointment.
I can also advise the Deputy that my Department has put in place an interim solution for people awaiting a renewal of their immigration permission who wish to travel over the Christmas period. More information is available at www.irishimmigration.ie/isd-announces-initiative-to-facilitate-customers-travelling-at-christmas-2/
266. Deputy Conor Sheehan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of firearm licenses issued for handguns, broken down by county, between 2020 and 2025, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [70653/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraWhile my Department is the competent authority for the import and export of firearms, An Garda Síochána has a range of functions with regard to the operation of firearms legislation, including the issuing of firearms certificates and authorisations and is the competent authority for the licensing of firearms within the State. The Firearms (Firearm Certificates for Non-Residents) Act 2000 gives the authority for granting licences to Superintendents of An Garda Síochána. Superintendents, when considering firearms licence applications, are considered 'persona designata' and cannot have their decision-making process fettered in any way. Neither I, as Minister for State, nor my Department, have any role in the issuing or otherwise of firearms certificates.An Garda Síochána have provided the attached table, outlining figures for the number of firearms applications with the status of ‘certificate printed’, for the period 2020-2025 to date, where the firearm type was either ‘pistol’ or ‘revolver’.
The following table counts firearms applications with status ‘certificate printed’ by application year where the firearm type was either ‘pistol’ or ‘revolver’.
|
Division |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
*2025 |
|
Clare/Tipperary |
42 |
30 |
45 |
45 |
44 |
49 |
|
Cork City |
17 |
19 |
50 |
31 |
31 |
39 |
|
Cork County |
28 |
37 |
56 |
38 |
55 |
51 |
|
D.M.R. Eastern |
29 |
38 |
40 |
31 |
46 |
57 |
|
D.M.R. North Central |
< |
< |
< |
< |
< |
< |
|
D.M.R. Northern |
62 |
78 |
119 |
82 |
126 |
111 |
|
D.M.R. South Central |
10 |
13 |
< |
< |
14 |
< |
|
D.M.R. Southern |
41 |
53 |
39 |
57 |
76 |
39 |
|
D.M.R. Western |
30 |
53 |
83 |
66 |
77 |
67 |
|
Donegal |
37 |
55 |
39 |
36 |
70 |
46 |
|
Galway Div |
22 |
27 |
25 |
26 |
29 |
23 |
|
Kerry |
23 |
38 |
32 |
28 |
45 |
29 |
|
Kildare/Carlow |
72 |
98 |
140 |
126 |
141 |
154 |
|
Laois/Offaly |
29 |
37 |
46 |
49 |
53 |
55 |
|
Limerick |
28 |
21 |
52 |
38 |
36 |
55 |
|
Louth/Cavan/Monaghan |
38 |
79 |
65 |
49 |
94 |
85 |
|
Mayo/Roscommon/Longford |
12 |
22 |
21 |
24 |
32 |
20 |
|
Meath/Westmeath |
54 |
44 |
69 |
80 |
69 |
67 |
|
Sligo/Leitrim |
12 |
11 |
16 |
14 |
15 |
15 |
|
Waterford/Kilkenny |
18 |
31 |
24 |
31 |
48 |
34 |
|
Wexford/Wicklow |
74 |
112 |
119 |
96 |
134 |
136 |
|
< fewer than 10 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
* to 7th December 2025
267. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration following approval of the Rules of Court for the District and Circuit Court by the relevant Committees, if he has approved the updated rules (details supplied); if not, the timeline for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [70719/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Rules of Court set out how court cases must be processed in a way that is consistent, efficient and fair to ensure justice is done properly and without undue delays. The rule making authority for the District Court is the District Court Rules Committee established under section 71 of the Courts of Justice Act, 1936. The rule-making authority for the Circuit Court is the Circuit Court Rules Committee, established under section 69 of the Courts of Justice Act 1936.
All the Rules Committees are independent in their functions. The Committees may annul or alter rules and make new rules with the concurrence of the Minister. The Court Service provides secretarial, clerical and administrative support to the Rules Committees. However, it is the Court Rules Committees and not the Courts Service that has responsibility for the initiation or alteration of Rules of Court, as these Rules relate to matters within the responsibility of the courts and the judiciary, who are subject only to the Constitution and the law, and are independent in the exercise of their judicial functions.
I am informed by my officials that my Department and the Department of Health have been engaging with the Court Service regarding any required amendments to Rules of Court in advance of the commencement of s 232 of the Health (Assisted Human Reproduction) Act 2024. Such amendments are matters for the Court Rules Committees, which then submit draft rules to me as Minister for my concurrence.
On December 8th and 9th last, I received draft Circuit Court Rules (Donor Assisted Human Reproduction) 2025 and the equivalent District Court Rules. These are currently being considered, with a view to being in a position to concur shortly.
268. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if he has provided full and comprehensive details in relation to all aspects of the remuneration package of a former Garda Commissioner (details supplied) and all costs to the Exchequer associated with providing accommodation for the former Garda Commissioner during their tenure.; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [70726/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can assure the Deputy that I have provided him with all the information available to me in relation to the former Commissioner's remuneration and benefits. In particular, I would refer the Deputy to my reply to oral parliamentary question 74 on this matter on 4 December that addressed the cost of accommodation that was provided to the former Commissioner and replies to parliamentary questions 707, 708, 712 and 713 on 9 December that addressed questions in relation to the pension contribution that was waived by the former Commissioner, and costs associated with the provision of security. However, in order to be of assistance to the Deputy, I have again set out the replies to these parliamentary questions in this reply.The former Commissioner was recruited on an annual salary of €250,000. In line with public service pay increases this salary increased to €317,657 during the Commissioners tenure. The former Commissioner had the option of joining the Single Public Service Pension Scheme or having a pension contribution equivalent to 18.4% of salary made to a pension scheme nominated by him. The former Commissioner chose not to avail of either option and waived his right to the pension entitlements available to him. The former Commissioner received no retirement gratuity on his retirement and is not in receipt of any pension in respect of his service as Commissioner. It may be noted that had the former Commissioner exercised the second option referred to above, the cost to the Exchequer over the seven years of his service is estimated at over €350,000.The former Commissioner was provided with a house in the Phoenix Park by the Office of Public Works, the rent for which was paid by An Garda Síochána in the sum of €1,800 per month. While personal tax details are confidential, I can confirm that the former Commissioner paid benefit-in-kind in respect of the accommodation provided. The published Appropriation Accounts for An Garda Síochána since 2022, when reporting requirements changed, show that the former Commissioner's remuneration and benefits included benefit-in-kind of approximately €22,000 each year, ie, the cost of the accommodation provided. The Appropriation Accounts note that the calculated value for the purpose of deducting tax was in accordance with Revenue requirements. The former Commissioner also received a Uniform Allowance of €890 per annum which is reflected in the Appropriations Accounts. Uniform allowances are payable to all members of An Garda Síochána. As I also outlined last week, the position of Garda Commissioner requires enhanced security for the officeholder due to the nature of his or her role as head of the State’s police and security service. Further to a security assessment, expenditure of €212,000 was incurred by An Garda Síochána in relation to the property occupied by the former Commissioner. As is standard, the detail of such security arrangements is not made public. An annual monitoring fee of €2,500 was also paid from the Garda budget in respect of these security arrangements. As the Deputy will be aware, the Office of Public Works is under the aegis of the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation and any questions in relation to expenditure by the OPW should be directed to him.
269. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to review the case of a person (details supplied), acknowledge the mistakes in handling their case by the Immigration Service Delivery Team; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [70767/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am pleased to inform the Deputy that the matter raised has been solved and a new IRP card will issue within the next 10 to 15 days to the person concerned. 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.
270. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of refuge and safe home accommodation spaces in Kildare; the plans to expand that number and services provided by an organisation (details supplied) in the near future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [70831/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraCombatting 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. Cuan has been working to accelerate the delivery of refuge spaces across the country, since its establishment last year. By the end of 2024, 14 of 18 priority locations had identified a site, one new refuge had opened and another had started construction. Estimated delivery timelines were worked through for all priority locations. Following a request from me, Cuan undertook a progress review and set out actions to further speed up delivery. On foot of this review, completed in Spring of this year, the following will be delivered by the end of 2026:
• 52 new family refuge units;
• 45 new safe homes; and
• 50 new units under construction. At the outset of the zero-tolerance strategy there were 49 safe homes in place. By the end of 2026, it is expected that 94 safe homes and 193 refuge units will be completed, bringing total safe accommodation to 287, with 50 further refuge units under construction. Teach Tearmainn currently leads the provision of refuge and Safe Home accommodation, as well as children’s supports, outreach, and court accompaniment in County Kildare. It currently operates four refuge units. There are also two safe home accommodation units in the county. Cuan provided Teach Tearmainn with €915,000 in 2024 and has allocated provisional funding of €930,000 for 2025. Cuan will continue to work with Teach Tearmainn to develop service provision.
271. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration for an update on the 95 actions across the four pillars of prevention, protection, prosecution, and policy coordination set out as part of the Cuan strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [70833/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraCombatting all forms of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence (DSGBV) and ensuring that victims and survivors receive the support and care they need is an absolute priority for me. Cuan, the statutory domestic, sexual and gender-based violence (DSGBV) agency, is committed to providing safe and accessible accommodation and support services for victims and survivors of DSGBV.
As a core function, Cuan coordinates the Government actions set out in the Third National Strategy, and reports on their delivery; therefore, I have referred the Deputy's question to the Agency for direct response.
272. Deputy Paula Butterly asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of charges or penalties issued for non-compliance with registration, tax, or insurance requirements, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [71509/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have requested the information sought by the Deputy from the Garda authorities. Regrettably, this was not available in time and I will write to the Deputy once the information is to hand.
273. Deputy Cathy Bennett asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to provide a breakdown of all consultants engaged with his Department; the costs associated with their services, by year, and name of consultant, in each of the years 2012 to 2025, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [70430/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested by the Deputy is being collated by my Department and a response will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as it is available.
274. Deputy Paula Butterly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department has programmes in place to ensure effective communications and English language skills are taught to non-Irish fishermen in safety training; if his Department will consider implementing such a programme; the measures in place to ensure that safety protocols and training are understood by non-Irish workers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [70493/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe safety of those working on-board fishing vessels is of paramount importance. My Department has implemented a range of measures, administered by Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM), to support safety training specifically, and fleet safety more generally.
Fishing Vessel (Basic Safety Training) Regulations, 2001 (S.I. 587 of 2001) require all fishing vessel crew members to undergo Basic Safety Training. As part of this training, participants must complete both written and practical examinations. All non-native English speakers who wish to undertake the Fishing (Deck or Engine) Certificate of Competency must undertake the ‘Marlins’ English language test before commencing the course.
BIM delivers safety training courses at its National Fisheries Colleges. In 2020 the ISO 9001:2015 Certification was awarded to BIM’s National Fisheries College of Ireland for the delivery of Maritime Training and Education. Attaining this internationally recognised standard for quality management systems, ensures that prospective students can be certain any training they receive across all of BIM’s training sites will be of a consistently high standard.
BIM also administers the Seafood Training Scheme, which provides funding supports to those undertaking relevant training with other training providers. Full details of this scheme, along with comprehensive information in relation to safety training courses and related online resources are available on BIM's website at the following link: https://bim.ie/fisheries/training/
Aside from safety training, BIM administers the Fleet Safety Scheme. This scheme supports the maintenance and improvement of overall safety standards onboard Irish fishing vessels, through the provision of grant aid for investment in safety measures on-board.
