Written Answers Nos. 891-910
891. Deputy Keira Keogh asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of incorrect stamps have been issued at border control in the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11744/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra892. Deputy Keira Keogh asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the measures his Department is taking to streamline the Border management unit with the immigration service, in an effort to prevent mistakes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11745/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 891 and 892 together.
The Border Management Unit (BMU) is part of the Immigration Service Delivery of my Department, and is responsible for front-line Immigration at Dublin Airport only. Other airports and other ports of entry are the responsibility of the Garda National Immigration Bureau.
Entry decisions, including the endorsement of passports and the granting of permission to land under a particular immigration stamp, are made by Immigration Officers on the basis of the information available to them at the time of arrival and in accordance with current immigration legislation.
Neither the BMU nor the Registration Office tracks subsequent amendments or clarifications to permissions. Consequently, the specific number of incorrect stamps issued at border control in the past five years is not available.
Where an issue with an endorsement is identified, arrangements are made to regularise the person’s immigration permission as quickly and efficiently as possible. This may include contacting BMU to obtain the correct permission. Each case is considered on its individual circumstances. The BMU aims to ensure consistency, fairness and transparency in its response to customer service feedback and will facilitate improvements in the provision of service where this is deemed to be necessary. Further information regarding the Border Management Unit’s customer feedback procedure can be found on the Immigration Service Delivery website at: [www.irishimmigration.ie/at-the-border/bmu-customer-service-feedback/]
The Department continuously reviews procedures to minimise errors and ensure consistency of decision-making. Measures in place include ongoing training and refresher guidance for Immigration Officers, and continued communication between BMU and the wider Immigration Service Delivery. These steps are intended to streamline border management operations and reduce the likelihood of incorrect endorsements occurring.
893. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if he is aware of reports that Garda callouts to schools over knives and weapons have doubled in the past year (details supplied); the steps his Department is taking to address this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11748/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government does not tolerate the unlawful carrying and use of knifes or other weapons in our communities. Those who believe that carrying any form of weapon is justified should stop and think of the lasting damage and consequences that those decisions can have.
The carrying of knives and other weapons in our schools is extremely rare. Gardaí respond to any such incidents swiftly, initiate any investigations on a case-by-case basis and will continue with their proactive measures to tackle the carrying of knives and other weapons.
I am committed to ensuring that communities are safe and tackling knife crime is an important element of that. Long term, evidence-based strategies are needed that address knife crime as part of a wider strategic response to anti-social behaviour, street violence and youth offending.
My Department is progressing targeted interventions through youth diversion projects that work directly with young offenders across the country, and, at a wider community level, through the roll out of Local Community Safety Partnerships in all Local Authority areas.
I am also assured that Gardaí will continue with their proactive measures to tackle this issue, including their assault reduction strategy, which is targeted at tackling all types of assaults in public, including use of knives and other weapons. This strategy is informed by a pro-arrest, early investigation, and proactive high-visibility approach.
There is a comprehensive and robust legal framework in place in Ireland with respect to knife crime. In terms of youth offending, the Children Act 2001 provides the legislative framework for youth justice in Ireland. The Act requires that child offenders be considered for diversion, with prosecution only for serious offences or prolific reoffending. Serious offences are subject to a formal criminal investigation and are referred to the Director of Public Prosecutions.
894. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the position regarding the total level of Exchequer funding spent by his Department on funding NGOs, by organisation, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11802/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra895. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the position regarding the total level of Exchequer funding spent on funding NGOs by his Department, in each of the years since 2022, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11820/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra896. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the position regarding the assessments that are carried out to determine the level of Exchequer funding that any NGO receives from his Department on an annual basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11838/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra897. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the position regarding any direct lobbying he has received from any NGO in relation to his annual funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11863/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 894, 895, 896 and 897 together.
My Department provides funding to a range of organisations including community and voluntary sector organisations. These organisations provide important services in many areas across the justice sector including youth justice services, crime prevention, supporting victims of crime, migrant integration and community safety.
Each grant funded entity is required to sign a Grant Agreement and submit interim and final reports comprehensively detailing the projects outcomes and outputs and that they meet all the requirements and obligations of funding, in line with best practice and the most efficient and effective use of resources.
The information sought by the Deputy in relation to lobbing received is publicly available on the Register of Lobbying website [https://www.lobbying.ie/]. This register is maintained by the Standards in Public Office Commission.
A list of organisations funded by my Department and the amounts allocated to them from 2022 to 2025 is provided in the attached appendix. It is important to note that an individual organisation may receive funding from more than one category.
This appendix includes funding provided by the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS), Integration and Ukraine Division, (Vote 40), responsibility for which transferred to my Department from the Department of Children, Disability and Equality in May 2025.
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898. Deputy Martin Daly asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration whether fully shovel-ready community and sporting infrastructure projects, where planning permission is granted, land acquired and co-funding secured, are being prioritised under the Ireland Investment Project (IIP) process; and the way in which this applies to a centre (details supplied). [11883/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAt the outset, it is important to note that, as Minister, I do not comment on individual Immigrant Investor Programme (IIP) applications.
My Department is committed to ensuring that all applications will be examined on their own merits and will endeavour to conclude all decisions in a timely manner.
If a project owner has any queries, they can contact the IIP Unit of my Department directly.
899. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the systems in place to agree performance metrics of Chief Executives of agencies within the aegis of his Department; the way in which these are measured; the person or body that carries out the assessment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11963/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn line with the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies, the relationship between my Department and the bodies and agencies under its aegis is governed by an Oversight Agreement, and, where appropriate, a Performance Delivery Agreement.
The Oversight Agreements, which are generally multi-annual, bring clarity to the respective roles and responsibilities and commitments of my Department and the body or agency, the key compliance and reporting obligations, and the arrangements for monitoring and engagement including formal governance meetings.
Performance Delivery Agreements (PDAs) are renewed annually and specify the body or agency’s key performance targets for the year, having regard to their strategic priorities, their resources (finance, staff, other) and risks to delivery. Progress against these targets is reviewed at the formal Governance meetings.
Further, as set out in the Code of Practice, the Board of each State Body is responsible for holding the Chief Executive and senior management to account for the effective performance of their responsibilities.
I am informed that the Chief Executive Officer's (CEO's) of the Courts Service and Legal Aid Board attend a performance subcommittee in their respective agency. Progress against agreed metrics is evaluated, including progress against Strategic and Business Plan actions.
The Board of the Judicial Council manages the performance of the Secretary to the Judicial Council. That involves agreeing and monitoring performance targets and monitoring the performance of functions delegated by the Board. This assessment is carried out annually by the three most senior judges on the Board.
The Policing & Community Safety Authority was established in April 2025 and are currently putting in place a formal appraisal process for the CEO, which will be directed by the Authority and Chairperson of the Board.
The Board of An Garda Síochána is working on finalising arrangements for the management and appraisal of the performance of the Garda Commissioner in accordance with the Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024.
900. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration whether funding can be increased to an organisation to expand services (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12002/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraCombatting all forms of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence (DSGBV) and ensuring that victims and survivors have access to the care and support they deserve remain absolute priorities for me and for this government.
Making sure our frontline services are properly funded is key to achieving these aims.
As of 2025 Cuan, the national DSGBV Agency, allocates funding to 78 organisations providing specialised supports to victim/survivors of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence, amounting to a total of €57m.
The Dublin Rape Crisis Centre (DRCC) received a core funding allocation of €3,897,721.83 through Cuan in 2025, including €98,187.34 to fund its national 24-hour helpline service.
DRCC’s 2026 provisional core allocation is €3,940,969.01.
While DRCC’s freephone, 1800 helpline is not accessible internationally, the organisation can be contacted through alternative means, including via a standard telephone number and via email, as outlined on its official contact page: [www.drcc.ie/about/contact/]
Where an individual is the victim of a crime abroad, the primary point of contact should be the local police or relevant authorities in the jurisdiction where the incident occurred. An Garda Síochána’s website also provides guidance on reporting crimes that occurred outside the State, including how such matters may be recorded or supported upon return to Ireland.
My Department remains committed to ensuring that victims of crime have access to appropriate supports and will continue, through Cuan, to engage with DRCC and other organisations to support the delivery of effective and accessible victim services.
901. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the date for publication of the death in custody report from the Office of the Inspector of Prisons, sent to his Department in July 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12050/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI would firstly like to express my sympathies to the family of the deceased individual in question.
The Office of the Inspector of Prisons Death in Custody Report in the case the Deputy is referring to was received by my Department in July 2025 and relevant legal advice was being sought at that time.
Legal advice from the Attorney General has been received and the Department is now taking appropriate steps to apply that advice, with a view to publication of the report as soon as is possible.
902. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of unmarked Garda cars and unmarked vans attached to Garda National Immigration Bureau as of 10 February 2026, in tabular form. [12064/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána under Section 33 of the Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024. This includes all operational policing matters, such as the allocation and deployment of Garda resources, and determining the manner in which Garda resources are to be distributed and stationed throughout the State. As Minister, I have no role in these independent functions.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that, as of 31 January 2026, there were 3,650 vehicles attached to the Garda fleet.
Garda authorities have provided the below table which shows the number of cars and vans attached to the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) as at 31 January 2026. All vehicles attached to GNIB are unmarked.
|
- |
Cars |
Vans |
|
Garda National Immigration Bureau |
31 |
3
|
The purchase and allocation of vehicles by An Garda Síochána is made on the basis of identified operational demands, the availability of resources and is reviewed on a continual basis.
903. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of domestic abuse incidents reported in Cork east in 2025, 2024, 2023 and 2022. [12084/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have sought the information requested by the Deputy from An Garda Síochána.
I will contact the Deputy once the information is to hand.
904. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of Gardaí in each county, at year end for each year 2016-2025, inclusive, in tabular form. [12094/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra905. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of Gardaí in Waterford city and county at year end for each year 2016-2025, in tabular form. [12095/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra906. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of Gardaí, by station, in Waterford city and county at year end for each year 2016-2025, in tabular form. [12096/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 904, 905 and 906 together.
The Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána under Section 33 of the Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024, which includes the distribution and stationing of Garda personnel throughout the State.
An Garda Síochána publishes information in relation to the allocation of Gardaí nationally. This includes a breakdown of Gardaí assigned to the Kilkenny/Waterford Division. This can be found at the following link:
The Deputy should select the most recently available date and then select the file titled ‘Garda members by Division District Station to the most recent date" to access a breakdown of Garda members assigned by Division. It should be noted that An Garda Síochána is not aligned operationally to county boundaries and, as a result, figures by county are not available.
907. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the next procedure for new Irish association citizenship applicants who satisfy all vetting requirements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12103/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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.
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).
All applicants are required to satisfy the good character criterion under Section 15 of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956 as amended.
Once all necessary enquiries, including vetting, have been completed, the application is considered in full, having regard to all relevant factors, and a decision is made by the Minister.
Naturalisation applications will progress through different stages of processing. These are “Application received”, “Application accepted”, “Application in progress”, “Application Decision”, “Application Complete”. The matter of receiving the eVetting report falls under the processing stage of “Application in progress”.
Applications based on Section 16 'Irish Association' can take typically longer to process than applications based upon residency in the State, due to the discretionary nature of the assessment and the complexity of the issues involved.
Last year my Department published new guidelines for applications on the basis of Irish Associations under Section 16(1)(a) of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956. 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. Details of the guidelines are available on my Department’s website at the following link: [www.irishimmigration.ie/how-to-become-a-citizen/].
908. Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration further to Parliamentary Question No. 673 of 16 December 2025, if the relevant information has been provided to him in order for this PQ to be answered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12239/26]
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.
909. Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the amount that An Garda Síochána spent on purchasing gas masks for specialist Garda units in 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12240/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have contacted An Garda Síochána for the information requested by the Deputy, regrettably this information was not available in time. I will write to the Deputy once the information is to hand.
910. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if he will address the difficulties raised in correspondence regarding a de facto partner visa (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12352/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can advise the Deputy that people who are undertaking a Working Holiday Authorisation (WHA) must leave the State on or before the expiry of their WHA and may not apply to change to a different type of immigration permission; this is clearly set out as part of the application process for a WHA..
I can further advise that my Department does not accept applications for a de-facto partner immigration permission from those who are currently resident in the State on a WHA.
If a non-EEA national is outside the State, and wishes to move to Ireland as a de facto partner, they must apply for preclearance or a ‘Join Family’ D visa, and can do so here: [www.visas.inis.gov.ie/AVATS/OnlineHome.aspx]
Further information on the requirements and application process is available at the following link: [www.irishimmigration.ie/my-situation-has-changed-since-i-arrived-in-ireland/de-facto-partner-of-an-irish-or-non-eea-national/#who].
Should an individual who has left the State upon the expiry of their WHA and who wishes to re-enter for any other immigration purpose, then they will need to follow one of the legal pathways available to migrate to Ireland. Further information is available on my Departments Immigration Service website: [www.irishimmigration.ie/]
As an Oireachtas member, the Deputy can also request the status of individual immigration cases by e-mail, using the Oireachtas Mail facility at: IMoireachtasmail@justice.ie, which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Question process.
