Louise O'Reilly
Ceist:420. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Social Protection the first year and full year cost of a €100 lump sum to all recipients of the working family payment. [16167/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraSocial Welfare Payments
Ceisteanna (420)
Freagraí scríofa
The estimated cost of providing a one off payment of €100 to all recipients of the Working Family Payment is €5.2 million.
Please note this is a high-level estimate as the profiling for the Revised Estimates Volume 2026 has not yet been completed.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Employment Support Services
Ceisteanna (421)
David Cullinane
Ceist:421. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Social Protection the supports being put in place for those who may lose their jobs at a company (details supplied) following the announcement of significant job losses [16821/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I note the recent announcement of redundancies at the company referred to, which I know means significant uncertainty for the employees concerned and their families. My priority now is to ensure that any affected employees will receive access to all necessary supports. My Department provides a comprehensive system of income supports and employment services to assist at this time.
Notification of collective redundancy from the company concerned was received by my Department on 17 February. An official from my Department's Employer Relations team made contact with the company on the next working day, so as to provide the affected staff with information on income, redundancy entitlements and employment supports. A meeting is taking place this week with the company to discuss how best to engage with those impacted.
A team from my Department stands ready to meet with the workforce, virtually or in person, to ensure speedy access to income supports and to support them into alternative employment, or to access appropriate education, training and development options.
Jobseeker's Pay-Related Benefit, which I introduced in 2025, is available to those who lose their job and meet the eligibility conditions. This scheme provides a maximum weekly payment of €450 which will help people during this period of uncertainty while they seek new employment.
When a person moves onto a jobseeker payment, the Intreo Employment Services team works with the individual, offering one to one support, focusing on what they need to assist them re-enter the workforce.
Workers affected should note that the easiest and quickest way to apply for a jobseeker's payment is online at MyWelfare.ie. which provides safe, convenient online access to social welfare services.
Work Permits
Ceisteanna (422)
Ruth Coppinger
Ceist:422. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to review the case of a person's right to work (details supplied).; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15734/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The person referred to by the Deputy has submitted an application for an Extension of Student Conditions (ESTC), and this application continues to be processed by my Department.
A temporary permission to work is not available whilst this ESTC application is being examined.
To be fair to all applicants, applications are dealt with in chronological order by date received. My Department endeavours to process applications as quickly as possible. However, processing times may vary due to a number of factors, such as the number of applications on hand, individual circumstances, the complexity of applications, whether further information is required, and the resources available.
There has been a significant increase in recent months in ESTC applications. These are being dealt with as expeditiously as possible but it is only in exceptional circumstances that such an application will be considered.
In the meantime, the person concerned should continue to seek meaningful graduate level employment, which would allow them to change their immigration status and remain in the State.
Applicants can now directly check the status of their immigration application on the Immigration Service’s Customer Service Portal. They can register for, or log in to their existing account, at: portal.irishimmigration.ie/en/
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to my Department by email using the Oireachtas mail facility (inisoireachtasmail@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 questions process. The Deputy may consider using the email service except in cases where the response is, in the Deputy’s view, inadequate or too long awaited.
International Protection
Ceisteanna (423)
Carol Nolan
Ceist:423. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the full extent of non-compliant procurement in international protection accommodation from 1 January 2022 to date in 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15778/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I can assure the Deputy that my Department ensures that there is ongoing focus on good procurement practice in the award of all contracts and that procedures are in place to ensure compliance with all relevant guidelines.
Given the unprecedented increase of applicants for international protection in 2022-2024 of approximately 400%, there was a requirement to procure accommodation for applicants at an accelerated rate.
As a result, during these years, there was a need for the State to act at pace to meet urgent need for accommodation, and a small proportion of the overall spend in these years related to non-compliant procurement. Competitive but non-compliant procurement processes and these were followed where possible within the extremely constrained and pressured circumstances presenting.
All expenditure on international protection accommodation is subject to review by the Comptroller and Auditor General. During 2024 and 2025, the Department worked closely with the office of the Comptroller and Auditor General (C&AG) in carrying out an extensive review of costs and processes within the international protection accommodation system. All recommendations in the report have been accepted and implemented by the Department, with implementation of one recommendation being further developed in the current year.
The total non-compliant spend for years 2022-2024, as published in the relevant Appropriation Accounts for each year, is outlined below.
|
Year |
Value (€) |
|
2023 |
84,813,854 |
|
2024 |
52,806,989 |
|
Total |
137,620,843 |
The non-compliant procurement report for 2025 is in progress and not currently available, and information for 2026 is not yet available.
International protection applications reduced in 2025 after several years of growth, allowing greater controls to be put in place across the IPAS accommodation portfolio along with improved processes for appraisal, validation, contracting, and payments. This is evidenced by the non-compliant spend reducing by more than 50% from 2022 to 2024.
The introduction of a new rate card model is driving costs down for new and renewed contracts, and I am pleased to note this has already saved approximately €83 million in 2025. This reform within the accommodation system has laid the basis for continued process improvement and costs savings in 2026.
International Protection
Ceisteanna (424)
Carol Nolan
Ceist:424. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the details of due diligence processes for international protection accommodation providers; the checks that are mandatory to prevent taxpayer funds from being inappropriately allocated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15779/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Department is taking action across all aspects of the international protection accommodation system to improve value for money, strengthen governance and compliance, and renegotiate contracts with providers.
These actions have been escalated since 2025, when the steep increase in applications seen since 2022 began to reduce. While application numbers remain well above pre-2022 norms, the Department has taken action across all these dimensions to regain greater control of the IPAS accommodation system.
This is happening in parallel to the increase in State-owned beds in the system, which over time will allow the Department to continue to reduce reliance on commercial provision.
The Department receives offers of international protection accommodation on an ongoing basis from external commercial providers. All offers are reviewed by the Department under a standardised appraisal procedure.
A dedicated team appraises each offer to accommodate people seeking international protection, and the Department carries out due diligence on the provider who is offering the accommodation service.
This includes checks on the provider offering the service to the Department via the Companies Registration Office (CRO) to ensure compliance with CRO requirements.
Providers must be registered in Ireland. Providers may be part of wider commercial groups and may also be operating in other EU member states, in line with EU principles of free movement of goods, services, and works. The Department carries out its appraisals on the providers making the submission, and does not appraise wider commercial entities which may be associated with providers.
Since 2024, each new or renewing provider of accommodation services must provide a declaration of their personal circumstances. This declaration, which must be notarised, confirms that they are tax compliant, free of any convictions for corruption, fraud or being a member of a criminal organisation. It also confirms that they are solvent and have no history of failing to meet terms of public service contracts, among other requirements.
All contractual offers considered are in line with the Public Spending Code, which treats public funds with due care and ensures that the best possible value-for-money is sought when considering contracts.
The introduction of the new rate card model in May 2025, is driving costs down for new and renewed contracts, to date 148 rates have been agreed with contractors, with projected savings in annual contract values of over €83 million. It is being applied to each contract as it comes up for renewal.
All provider payments are published on a quarterly basis by the Department, and a provider's tax compliance is verified at each payment by way of a Tax Clearance Certificate.
In relation to contracts ending, IPAS regularly engages with centres to ensure compliance with contracts and standards, with a dual eye on safety and welfare of residents, while also ensuring value for money and compliance by providers.
Developing more State-owned options will allow us to move away from the current degree of reliance on commercial provision. The purchase of the Citywest Hotel and Convention Centre in 2025 was an important milestone in this strategy, and increased State-owned beds to 4,000 in 2025, compared to 700 in early 2024.
While commissioning emergency commercial accommodation will continue to be necessary in the short to medium term, it is being contracted on a short-term basis, which will enable the State to decommission this capacity with agility as State-owned beds increase, contracts expire, or demand fluctuates.
Ukraine War
Ceisteanna (425)
Carol Nolan
Ceist:425. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the reasons for the accommodation recognition payment scheme's tax-free status and lack of means-testing for Ukrainian hosts; the reforms proposed to align it with taxpayer-funded supports, such as HAP, to cut costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15780/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Accommodation Recognition Payment (ARP) scheme is intended to recognise the valued contribution of private individuals who have opened their homes, whether in its entirety or a room, at their own expense to provide accommodation to those seeking refuge from Ukraine. The payment is made to the host in recognition of their generosity, not to the temporary protection beneficiary.
The scheme was introduced at a time of significant crisis in Europe arising from the invasion of Ukraine, which has seen some 125,000 people seek temporary protection in Ireland. Sole reliance on accommodation procured from the hospitality sector was not sustainable to respond to the needs of those seeking accommodation supports. The Government moved to introduce the ARP scheme, which was established in July 2022 under the Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2022.
The ARP is not a rent subsidy, and it is not payable where there is a rental agreement in place between the host and the temporary protection beneficiary residing in the property. The payment does not create any obligation for the beneficiaries in the accommodation, such as payment of rent or provision of services, however, the beneficiaries may agree to contribute towards the cost of utilities.
The Government is aware of concerns that have been raised in relation to the perceived impact of the scheme on the private rental market, and steps have been taken to address this. The monthly contribution rate was reduced from €800 to €600 from 1 June 2025. This was to taper and align the levels of support, as well as to mitigate any unintended impact of the scheme on the private rental sector. The Residential Tenancies (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2026, signed into law on 24 February 2026, also amends the scheme’s eligibility criteria to preclude properties registered with the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) with a view to safeguarding such accommodation for tenants.
The ARP is not comparable to the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) or any other housing support payments and its duration is subject to Oireachtas approval. It is my intention to seek approval to extend the scheme for a further year to 31 March 2027 to align with the timeframe for the Temporary Protection Directive and to allow for an orderly wind down of the scheme. There are no plans to amend the ARP to align with housing support payments such as HAP.
An Garda Síochána
Ceisteanna (426)
Naoise Ó Muirí
Ceist:426. Deputy Naoise Ó Muirí asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of bikes reported as stolen in Dublin in 2025; the number of prosecutions recorded; the number of bikes recovered by the Gardaí; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15794/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
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.
I would encourage anyone who has been a victim of crime, be it bicycle theft or otherwise, to report it by contacting their local Garda Station and An Garda Síochána will investigate the matter.
I note that according to the provisional crime figures released this week by An Garda Síochána, bicycle thefts are down by 4% nationally.
I am advised by the Garda authorities that the number of bicycles which were reported stolen in the Dublin region in 2025 was 2,790.
In 2025 there were 315 charges, summons, cautions or youth referrals for bicycle theft.
I am advised by the Garda authorities that in 2025 there were 1,186 objects or vehicles described as ‘bicycles’ which were either ‘Found’, ‘Recovered’ or ‘Seized’ in the Dublin region. It should be noted that this data set cannot be linked to incidents of bicycle theft alone.
The information provided is based upon operational data from the PULSE system.
Family Reunification
Ceisteanna (427)
Gary Gannon
Ceist:427. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the current processing times for family reunification applications under the International Protection Act 2015; the number of applications processing for over two, three and four years, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15795/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Family Reunification as provided for in Section 56 of the International Protection Act 2015, allows people granted international Protection status to apply for certain family members to join them in the State. Currently, an application for IP-FRU must be made by the sponsor within 12 months of them being granted an International Protection permission.
I can inform the Deputy that the median processing time for applications on which decisions were made in 2025 was approximately 20 months.
The requested statistics on the processing applications is provided in the below table.
Table 1: Breakdown of International Protection family reunification applications on hand
|
Applications |
Number of Applications |
|
Received more than 2 but less than 3 years ago. |
384 |
|
Received more than 3 but less than 4 years ago. |
80 |
|
Received more than 4 years ago. |
91 |
It should be noted that no two applications are the same and processing times can vary depending on the nature of the application, the documentation supplied, and the detailed and often complex assessment that is required to be carried out on such applications. Where applications remain open for protected periods this is predominantly due to factors outside of the Department's control; applicants frequently request that their applications are kept open as they seek more time to locate documents or the family members they wish to bring to the State.
International Protection
Ceisteanna (428, 429, 430, 431)
Gary Gannon
Ceist:428. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the first instance and appeal recognition rates for international protection applications from Georgia, Brazil, and India for each month in 2025, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15796/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraGary Gannon
Ceist:429. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the first instance and appeal recognition rates for all international protection applications from designated safe country applicants for each month in 2025, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15797/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraGary Gannon
Ceist:430. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the first instance recognition rates for all international protection applications in 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15798/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraGary Gannon
Ceist:431. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the appeal recognition rates for all international protection applications in 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15799/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 428, 429, 430 and 431 together.
There has been a significant increase in investment into the international protection system which, combined with digitisation and process re-engineering, has facilitated a major increase in processing capacity.
In 2025, the International Protection Office (IPO) delivered over 20,200 first decisions compared to approximately 14,100 in 2024: a 44% increase. 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.
All applications for international protection are considered on an individual basis. As a result, refusal and grant rates can increase and decrease without a clear trend, depending on the applications that are under consideration at any particular time.
The table below shows all international protection first instance decisions made in 2025 broken down by those granted either Refugee Status (RS), Subsidiary Protection (SP) or Permission to Remain (PTR) and those refused.
|
First instance decisions: all applicants |
2025 |
|
|
|
|
Granted (RS, SP, PTR) |
3,737 18.61% |
|
Refused / withdrew / inadmissible/ Dormant |
16,504 81.39% |
I can inform the Deputy that under section 72 of the International Protection Act, I, as Minister may make an order designating a country as a safe country of origin.
This designation means it can be shown that there is generally no persecution, torture or inhuman or degrading treatment, or threat of violence from an armed conflict in that country. This assessment is based on a range of sources of information, including from other EU Member States, the European Union Agency for Asylum (EUAA), the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, the Council of Europe, and other international organisations as appropriate.
Ireland currently has fifteen countries designated as safe countries of origin: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia, Georgia, Montenegro, Kosovo, Serbia, South Africa, Botswana, Algeria, Brazil, Egypt, India, Malawi and Morocco.
The table below shows first instance recognition rates for all international protection applications from designated safe country applicants for 2025.
|
First instance decisions: safe country applicants |
2025 |
|
Granted (RS, SP, PTR) |
208 8.18% |
|
Refused / withdrew / inadmissible/ Dormant |
2,333 91.81% |
All applicants refused international protection have a right to appeal to the International Protection Appeals Tribunal who must then consider if the earlier International Protection Office determinations on refugee status and subsidiary protection should be affirmed or set aside.
The table below shows the decisions made by the International Protection Appeals Tribunal in 2025.
|
Year |
Decision |
|
Total |
Decision % |
|
|
|
Granted/Set Aside |
Refused/Affirmed |
|
Granted/Set Aside |
Refused/Affirmed |
|
2025 |
1,488 |
4,016 |
5,504 |
27.00% |
73.00% |
The table below shows the decisions issued for Safe Countries by the International Protection Appeals Tribunal in 2025.
|
# |
Decision |
|
Grand Total |
Decision% |
|
Grand Total |
|
|
Granted/Set Aside |
Refused/Affirmed |
|
Granted/Set Aside |
Refused/Affirmed |
|
|
Grand Total |
671 |
2,737 |
3,408 |
20% |
80% |
100% |
Please note, figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing.
Data in relation to international protection decisions based on nationality is not provided by my Department.
My Department 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 will give 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.
Question No. 429 answered with Question No. 428.
Question No. 430 answered with Question No. 428.
Question No. 431 answered with Question No. 428.
Legislative Programme
Ceisteanna (432)
Matt Carthy
Ceist:432. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration whether he proposes to introduce any amendment to the Legal Services Regulation Act 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15820/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Legal Services Regulatory Authority (LSRA) is an independent body responsible for the regulation of the legal professions under the provisions of the Legal Services Regulation Act 2015. Subject to the 2015 Act, the Authority is independent in the performance of its functions.
Under Section 6 of the 2015 Act, the LSRA is required to periodically carry out a review of the Act and, following a consultation process, make a report to each House of the Oireachtas of its findings and conclusions, including such recommendations (if any) to me, as Minister, resulting from that review as it considers appropriate.
The first such review carried out by the LSRA was reported on and published in March 2019, and the LSRA formally submitted its second such report to me on the 11th of September 2025. Pursuant to section 6(1)(b) of the 2015 Act, the report was, on the same date, also submitted by the Authority to both Houses of the Oireachtas.
This report is available on the LSRA website at the following link: [Reports and Laws - Legal Services Regulatory Authority]
Officials in my Department are currently considering this comprehensive and extensive report, which contains numerous recommendations.
Furthermore, the Programme for Government contains a commitment to complete a review of the LSRA and to consider legislative amendments to ensure the Legal System is digital, modern, cost-effective, and focused on the needs of victims. The Terms of Reference are currently being drafted and will include consideration of the above-mentioned report on the statutory review of the 2015 Act. Once finalised, a review will be carried out. The outputs of both these timely pieces of work will help ensure the continued effective operation of the LSRA and regulation of the legal professions.
Departmental Communications
Ceisteanna (433)
Ken O'Flynn
Ceist:433. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the date on which the working Group established to advise on the appropriate indexation rate for Periodic Payment Orders submitted its final report to his Department; the date on which he approved, in principle or otherwise, the recommendations of that Working Group; the date on which formal drafting instructions were issued to the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel in respect of the regulations required to give effect to section 51I of the Civil Liability Act 1961, as amended, relating to the indexation of Periodic Payment Orders; whether the drafting of those regulations has been completed; whether the draft regulations have been circulated to the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform, the State Claims Agency, or any other public body for consultation or financial assessment, and if so, the dates of such circulation; the specific reasons the anticipated Q4 2025 timeline for signature and commencement of the regulations was not achieved; the revised and specific timeline by which he now intends to sign and commence the regulations required to make the Periodic Payment Order framework fully operational; whether any fiscal, actuarial or public expenditure considerations have contributed to the delay in finalising or commencing the regulations. [15917/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Periodic Payment Orders (PPOs) are an alternative to lump sum awards as a method of paying compensation to catastrophically injured people. Instead of receiving compensation in one tranche, a payment is made annually on an agreed date. The annual payment amount is calculated to meet the cost of permanent and long-term care and treatment. An indexation rate is applied to the annual payment amount to ensure that the amount keeps pace with inflation.
A Working Group on the Indexation rate for Periodic Payment Orders, to advise on an appropriate index, was established following a High Court determination that the index used in primary legislation was unworkable. As part of a two-stage process, the primary legislation governing PPOs has been amended to allow for the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to set the rate by way of secondary legislation.
The Periodic Payment Orders Indexation Rate - Report of the Inter Departmental Working Group was submitted to the Minister on 26 April 2024. The Minister approved the recommendations on 21 May 2024. Drafting instructions were issued to the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel on 13 August 2024.
There has been ongoing engagement with the State Claims Agency on the regulations.
Drafting of the necessary regulations is continuing with a number of legal matters being considered. The Minister intends to sign and commence the regulations as soon as these matters have been resolved.
An Garda Síochána
Ceisteanna (434, 435, 443, 444)
Peter 'Chap' Cleere
Ceist:434. Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of newly qualified Gardaí allocated to County Kilkenny in each of the past five years, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15958/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraPeter 'Chap' Cleere
Ceist:435. Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of newly qualified Gardaí allocated to County Carlow in each of the past five years, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15959/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra
Sorca Clarke
Ceist:443. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of new Gardaí have been assigned per Garda stations in County Longford in each of the past five years, in tabular form. [16090/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraSorca Clarke
Ceist:444. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of new Gardaí have been assigned per Garda stations in County Westmeath in each of the past five years, in tabular form. [16091/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 434, 435, 443 and 444 together.
An Garda Síochána publishes information in relation to the allocation of Gardaí nationally. This includes a breakdown of Probationer Gardaí assigned by Garda Stations from 2015 to the end of December 2025, the latest date for which figures are available. This can be found at the following link:
www.garda.ie/en/about-us/our-departments/human-resources-and-people-development/garda-hr-directorate/garda-strength-breakdown-2025/
The Deputy should select the most recently available date and then select the file titled ‘Allocation of Probationer Gardaí by Division and Station 2015 to the most recent date" to access a breakdown of Gardaí assigned by station.
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 Gardaí throughout the State. It should be noted that An Garda Síochána is not structured according to county boundaries.
Question No. 435 answered with Question No. 434.
Early Childhood Care and Education
Ceisteanna (436, 438, 439)
Ken O'Flynn
Ceist:436. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration whether he has issued any policy direction, guidance, or formal interdepartmental coordination framework since 1 January 2025 concerning safeguarding disclosure or re-vetting arrangements in the early years sector; whether such coordination has been formalised through memorandum, circular, or agreed protocol at Government level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15964/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra
Malcolm Byrne
Ceist:438. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration further to Parliamentary Question No. 833 of 4 February 2026, if he will publish the report of the Garda Vetting Review Group. [16078/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraMalcolm Byrne
Ceist:439. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the timetable for the introduction of proposed changes to the Garda vetting process; the nature of those changes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16079/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 436, 438 and 439 together.
The primary purpose of vetting carried out by the Garda National Vetting Bureau (GNVB) is to ensure the safety of children and vulnerable adults. This requires a robust Garda vetting process that reassures the public, and in particular parents, that appropriate checks are conducted on people taking on positions of trust.
However, the Government is aware that concerns have been raised regarding certain aspects of the vetting process and I have listened carefully to the views of the sectors affected.
In this regard I'm conscious that aspects of the current vetting system result in a highly-segmented process. Furthermore, I believe that the vetting system should be updated to ensure that the burden of seeking vetting disclosures, particularly on volunteers and organisations working in their communities, is minimised to the greatest extent possible, while maintaining the present high standards.
Further to the work carried out by the Garda Vetting Review Group, steps are now being taken to implement a number of key changes to the vetting process that will ensure it remains robust and effective while improving the service to customers. It is my objective to ensure the vetting system is fit for purpose and, to the greatest extent possible, efficient and future-proofed to continue to protect our children.
In practice, and subject to a general requirement that vetting be renewed every three years, it is envisaged that this will mean that when a person is vetted for the work they will be or are likely to be involved in as part of their employment or volunteering within identified risk categories, the person would not be required to repeat the process if they were to move to another role within the same risk category.
These changes will require amending legislation and updated technical systems to support the revised approach and will make the process more efficient for volunteers and organisations, without compromising the essential safeguards that protect those in our care.
The Garda National Vetting Bureau received 633,563 applications for vetting disclosures in 2025. The current processing time for 85% of vetting applications is 8/9 working days.
In a number of instances, it is necessary to conduct enquiries with Garda stations and external agencies such as the Courts Service, Probation Service, and Tusla (the Child and Family Agency), etc. These enquiries are conducted for a multiplicity of reasons such as verification of identity; updating of incomplete records; and establishing outcomes of investigations. In such instances, processing times are significantly longer than the general average. Vetting can also take longer where a person has spent time living abroad.
Regarding the early years sector, while there were representatives from the Department of Children, Disability and Equality on the Garda Vetting Review Group, no formal meeting has taken place between the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration and the Department of Children, Disability and Equality regarding the safeguarding disclosure and re-vetting arrangements in the early years sector since 1 January 2025. While the Garda Vetting Review Group carried out a detailed review of the vetting system and considered a range of issues arising within the process, it did not agree a report.
Legislative Measures
Ceisteanna (437)
Darren O'Rourke
Ceist:437. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if he has considered delegated powers for enforcement in environmental, public order and other offences (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16069/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As the Deputy will be aware, my number one priority since my appointment has been to increase the number of Gardaí on our streets. Visible policing is central to the prevention and detection of crime, to keeping people safe and ensuring that they feel safe. Significant progress is being now being made with 223 new recruits commencing training in the Garda Training College in Templemore in November last and a further 215 joining In February.
While the allocation of Gardaí is a matter for the Garda Commissioner, I am pleased to say that as of January 2026, 554 Garda members were assigned to the Meath/Westmeath Division, with 77 Garda staff (civilians) also assigned to the Division. 24 probationer Gardaí were assigned to the Division in 2025. As the overall strength of An Garda Síochána increases over the coming years, I expect that these numbers, all things being equal, will also increase.
Insofar as the issues you raise concern littering, these fall under the remit of my colleague Darragh O'Brien, the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment.
Question No. 438 answered with Question No. 436.