Written Answers Nos. 469-487
469. Deputy Conor Sheehan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 494 and 493 of 11 December 2025, when he intends to publish and enact legislation to reform this process (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5216/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn independent research report was published in May 2025, on the operation of the in-camera rule in family law proceedings. The report contains 21 recommendations. These include the need to retitle the rule to ensure its purpose is understood by all family court users; that it is clearly and consistently defined; and that its operation does not impede parties accessing support outside Court. A number of the recommendations also related to the promotion of greater transparency, while ensuring that the privacy of those seeking the court’s help, as well as any children about whom proceedings relate, is protected.
Officials from my Department are examining the findings and recommendations of the report in the context of developing policy proposals for reform. This includes the consideration of any legislative change possibly required. Any policy proposals developed will need to ensure the privacy of parties involved continues. At the same time, such proposals will also consider how clarity can be provided regarding the scope of the rule and its impact for those involved in proceedings and enhance understanding of family law proceedings across society.
My Department has also recently awarded the tender for the Private Family Law Reporting Project to the Child Law Project. The overall aim of the Project, which will be delivered over three years, is to provide transparency for the public, while ensuring that children’s and parents’ rights to privacy are upheld. It will also increase awareness and understanding of family law proceedings, while building confidence and trust in the judicial determination of such disputes.
470. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the reason for the delay in short stay visa applications (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5217/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI 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.
I can advise the Deputy the majority of visas received by the South Africa Desk are being processed within the target processing times. In the first eight months of 2025 the average processing time for a short term visit visas was 11 weeks, for short term business visas it was 6 weeks, and for long term employment visas it was 9 weeks.
There are several categories of visas being processed by the South Africa Desk, each with an individual processing target.
Table 1 below details the current target processing times for visa applications submitted to the South Africa Visa Desk.
Table 1. Target processing times by visa category at the South Africa Desk.
|
Visa Category |
Target Processing Time (From date of receipt by the South Africa Visa Desk) |
|
Visit Family/Friend |
6 – 8 Weeks |
|
Tourist |
Approx. 12 Weeks |
|
Business / Conference / Event |
6 – 8 Weeks |
|
Employment |
6 – 8 Weeks |
|
Study |
Approx. 12 Weeks |
|
Other Short Stay Categories e.g. Exam, Training |
6 – 8 Weeks |
|
Join Family (Sponsor is an Irish citizen or is in Category A) |
Approx. 6 Months |
|
Join Family (Sponsor is in Category B) |
Approx. 12 Months |
If an application has significantly exceeded the above times, it is possible that, on initial assessment, the application has not met the criteria to be issued a visa, and further assessment/verification is required. In such instances, processing times will be longer than those stated above.
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/.
People are advised that unforeseen delays can arise, which are outside the control of the Visa Desk. Processing times for all applications are influenced by a number of factors. The time it can take varies depending on the type and complexity of application; individual circumstances; peak application periods, such as holidays or the start of the school year; and, crucially, the quality and completeness of the application lodged.
In 2025, approximately 206,000 visa applications, of all types, were received by the Visa Division of my Department. This reflects an increase of 2% compared to 2024, with over 3,900 additional applications received. This follows a 21% increase in applications in 2024 compared to 2023. My officials are working to meet the increased level of demand, and over 8,700 additional visa decisions have issued in 2025, compared to 2024.
I understand that extended wait times can be frustrating for applicants, and I want to assure anyone who has made an application for a visa that my Department is doing everything possible to progress these applications as quickly as possible.
Any applicant can now directly check the status of their visa application on the Immigration Service’s new Customer Service portal. They can register for, or log in to their existing account, portal.irishimmigration.ie/en/.
473. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration further to Parliamentary Question No. 267 of 10 December 2026, if he has approved the draft Circuit Court Rules (Donor Assisted Human Reproduction) 2025 and the equivalent District Court Rules, which would allow for the commencement of section 232 of the Health (Assisted Human Reproduction) Act 2024; if not, the timeline he is working towards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5229/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, 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.
Officials of 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. Preparatory work in advance of concurrence has been completed, and my officials are liaising with the Department of Health to coordinate the date of adoption of the Rules of Court with the Commencement Orders for the relevant sections of the Act.
474. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of complaints made by residents of a hotel (details supplied) to his Department in relation to their treatment at the accommodation centre in 2024 and 2025 respectively; if he will provide information on the broad nature of the complaints made; the number of complaints where investigations were undertaken, found in favour of the complainant/resident; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5305/26]
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.
475. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if his Department's contract with a hotel (details supplied) for accommodation services which was commenced in February 2024, will not be renewed on expiry in February 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5306/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department has had a contract in place with a provider to provide international protection accommodation at this location since early 2024.
It is functioning as a dispersal centre for the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS), with families in residence for a short period of time before transfer to an alternative centre. The end date of the current contract is during the first quarter of 2026.
Details of individual contractual processes are treated as confidential and commercially sensitive while they are ongoing.
With respect to potential for contract renewals, the provision of accommodation for international protection applicants is demand-led, which remains high, and each premises is considered on a case-by-case basis to decide if the contract will be renewed as it approaches its end date.
At potential renewal stage, consideration will be given to the current and projected demand for accommodation, the provider's performance under contract, and compliance with standards and legal obligations.
Ireland has adopted and is now working to implement the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum in mid-2026. Reforming and speeding up processing of applications should also serve over time to reduce the scale of the demand for international protection accommodation.
The Department is working to increase the amount of State-owned international protection accommodation and creating a more stable and sustainable accommodation system.
As developing these more sustainable state-owned accommodation system options will take time, the commissioning of emergency commercial accommodation will continue to be a feature in the short to medium term.
476. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the total number of injuries sustained by members of An Garda Síochána in the course of their duties in each of the years 2021 to 2025, inclusive; to specify, for each year, the number of those injuries which arose from assaults on Gardaí; and the policy measures currently in place within his Department to reduce assaults on members of the force. [5316/26]
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.
477. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of convictions secured for assaulting a member of An Garda Síochána under section 19 of the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act 1994 and related offences in each of the years 2021 to 2025, inclusive; and the range of sentences imposed in those cases. [5317/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe management 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 given the separation of powers in the Constitution. As Minister I have no role in these matters.
To be of assistance I have referred this question to the Courts Service for their direct reply to the Deputy.
The Deputy may also wish to note that the Courts Service has a dedicated email address for the provision of information to members of the Houses of the Oireachtas: oireachtasenquiries@courts.ie.
478. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the way in which organisations can apply for funding under the Community Safety Fund; the names of projects in south Dublin City that received funding under the Community Safety Fund in 2024 and 2025; and the amount received per project, in tabular form. [5326/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Community Safety Fund re-directs the proceeds of crime, seized by the Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB) and An Garda Síochána, back into communities in order to fund innovative local projects aimed at building stronger, safer communities.
Initially called the Community Safety Innovation Fund and launched in 2022, it has supported 127 community safety projects to date all across Ireland.
The fund is managed by the National Office for Community Safety.
On 30 October 2025, I announced the allocation of €4.4 million from the fund to support 42 community safety projects nationwide. This represents a 33% increase on the €3 million awarded in 2024.
I expect to launch the 2026 fund in March, with a deadline for submission of completed applications in May. Details on how to apply will be made available on my Department's website.
The below table outlines the applications that received funding for projects in Dublin or with a nationwide reach in 2024 and 2025 and the amount awarded.
482. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number granted citizenship in each of the past ten, years broken down by the previous status of those granted citizenship, including whether previously granted refugee status; student visas, work visa, EU citizen and so on, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5340/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra483. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number granted citizenship in each of the past ten years, broken down by country of origin, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5341/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 482 and 483 together.
All applications for a certificate of naturalisation are assessed individually based on the provisions of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended.
Applicants are required to have 5 years reckonable residence in the State prior to making an application, except for spouses of Irish nationals where the requirement is 3 years (under section 15 of the Act). In all cases, the final 12 months must be continuous residence in the State with up to 70 days allowed to facilitate foreign travel for business family or holiday purposes.
Table 1 below shows the number of certificates of naturalisation that were issued in the last 10 years.
In the attached document, the countries of origin of those issued a certificate are outlined. Any country of origin that is less than 10 has been amalgamated into "Rest of the World", this is to avoid possibly identifying any person.
Whilst an individual application will record the residency and immigration permission being relied on, statistics are not maintained by my Department to provide for a breakdown of the type of immigration permission held prior to naturalisation. My department does however record naturalisation statistics based on application type which are outlined below in Table 2.
484. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number granted refugee status or subsidiary protection in each of the past ten years, broken down by country of origin, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5342/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am fully committed to ensuring that Ireland’s International Protection system is robust, and rules based, and that our borders are protected.
The number of International Protection applications have been rising over the past number of years, reaching 18,500 in 2024. In 2025, application numbers reduced by approximately a third.
There has been a significantly increased investment into the international protection system to improve efficiencies and throughput as well as enhancing the application, interview and decision-making process for applicants.
In 2025, the International Protection Office (IPO) delivered over 20,200 first decisions compared to approximately 14,100 in 2024 resulting in a 44% increase. While the International Protection Appeals Tribunal (IPAT) more than doubled the number of appeals closed from 3,100 in 2024 to nearly 6,300 in 2025.
My Department also continues to focus on preparing for the EU Migration and Asylum Pact in advance of June 2026. The Pact will provide a fair, sustainable and efficient asylum procedure. This will be achieved through convergence in asylum practices across the EU including standardised processing times for decisions: six months for a standard procedure, three months for accelerated and border procedures and two months for processing applicants who have applied for protection elsewhere in Europe.
The new International Protection Bill 2026 gives effect to the measures of the EU Migration and Asylum Pact. Enactment of the Bill and commencement of the Act is required by 12 June 2026.
The attached table details the number of International Protection applications made from 2015 up to 19 January 2026, by year and country of origin.
Additionally, the table below details the number of applications granted refugee status or subsidiary protection in each of the past ten years.
|
Refugee Status and Subsidiary Protection Grants 2015 - 2026* |
|
|
|
Year |
RS Grants |
SP Grants |
|
2015 |
324 |
226 |
|
2016 |
590 |
137 |
|
2017 |
685 |
101 |
|
2018 |
826 |
208 |
|
2019 |
951 |
163 |
|
2020 |
1032 |
153 |
|
2021 |
1105 |
95 |
|
2022 |
1926 |
93 |
|
2023 |
2864 |
212 |
|
2024 |
3918 |
319 |
|
2025 |
4288 |
405 |
|
2026 |
168 |
77 |
|
Total |
18677 |
2189 |
*to cob 19 January.
**The data is based on applicant latest final decision. Changes may occur due to data cleansing, permission revoked and if the applicant receives a further decision on foot of an appeal outcome.
My Department does not provide detailed statistics on international protection grant and refusal rates by nationality.
International Protection Applications by Nationality 2015-2026
485. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of people waiting decisions in the international protection system in employment, broken down by category of employment, in each of the past five years, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5343/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra486. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the breakdown of those waiting for decisions in the international protection system who are in employment, the number who are in employment which pays the minimum wage; the number in employment that pays between the minimum wage and the average industrial wage; the number that are in employment that pays above the average industrial wage in each of the past five years, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5344/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 485 and 486 together.
It is a central priority for me that Ireland’s immigration system is robust and rules based.
Labour market access permission for international protection applicants gives eligible applicants the opportunity to work and helps them to integrate into Irish society while providing for themselves and their families outside of the State’s directly provided services and supports. It also helps people to plan and prepare for their future in Ireland if they receive a positive decision on their application for international protection.
Under the European Communities (Reception Conditions) Regulations 2018 (S.I. No. 230 of 2018), people are eligible to apply for labour market access permission if:
* They are an international protection applicant; and
* They have waited at least 5 months from their “Application Received” date for their first instance recommendation; and
* They are cooperating with the international protection process – delays in receiving a recommendation must not be attributable to the applicant.
Following that, a person will be issued a permission for labour market access if, at 6 months, they have not yet received a first instance recommendation. This permission is valid for 12 months and may be renewed until a final decision is made on the person's international protection application.
Statistics on the number of international protection applicants that have achieved employment are not available.
The table below shows the number of labour market access permission applications made from 2021 to date. The granting of a labour market access permission does not necessarily confirm that the applicant has found employment.
|
- |
Applications made |
|
2021 |
4,525 |
|
2022 |
8,807 |
|
2023 |
13,322 |
|
2024 |
17,078 |
|
2025 |
22,416 |
|
2026* |
593 |
*As of COB 20/01/2026.
Please note figures are correct at time of issue and may be subject to data cleansing.
I can advise the Deputy, the Central Statistics Office on 14 August 2025 released a publication concerning the economic activity of Applicants of International Protection. The analysis prepared by the Central Statistics Office is available here: www.cso.ie/en/releasesandpublications/fp/fp-iaip/insightsonapplicantsofinternationalprotectionusingadministrativedata2024/economicactivity/.
487. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to provide an update on the timeline for publishing the heads of bill for the fisheries (amendment) Bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5122/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn November 2023, the then Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine made a policy decision to phase out the operation of Section 19A(4) of the Fisheries (Amendment) Act 1997 by the end of 2024, at the earliest.
Section 19A(4) of the Fisheries (Amendment) Act 1997, as amended, essentially permits operators who hold an aquaculture licence to continue operation under the existing terms and conditions of that licence pending a Ministerial determination on their renewal application. The decision to repeal Section 19A(4) from the statute books was taken as part of the closure of the EU Commission's infringement case against Ireland, referred to as the 'Birds Case'.
Finfish operators relying on Section 19A(4) were informed in writing of this decision and requested to provide all outstanding information to my Department by 9th February 2024. This was to allow time to determine those applications before Section 19A(4) is removed from the statute books.
My Department is considering the necessary legislative amendments required to give effect to the 2023 Ministerial decision and has drafted a Heads of Bill, with work ongoing on this at present. It is anticipated that a Memorandum for Government, seeking a decision to approve drafting of the Bill, will be submitted during Q1 of 2026.
