Written Answers Nos. 635-654
635. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration further to Parliamentary Question No 1990 of 14 April 2026, if he has sought a timeline for a return to full operation of the visiting space; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28598/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe temporary closure of the standalone Visitors Centre at Mountjoy Prison represents a short-term, interim change in service delivery and provides an opportunity to reconfigure and modernise visiting facilities for Mountjoy Prison.
This is in line with the objectives set out in Young Ireland: The National Policy Framework for Children and Young People 2023–2028, including the specific commitment to ensure that prison visiting arrangements are child-centred, inclusive, and responsive to the needs of children and families impacted by imprisonment.
At present, a temporary visitors reception area is in operation at the main gate on the North Circular Road at Mountjoy Prison and includes lockers, toilet facilities and baby-changing amenities.
This arrangement was necessitated on health and safety grounds to facilitate essential construction works associated with the provision of additional female prisoner accommodation. This development is a critical measure to address overcrowding pressures within the Dóchas Centre.
I am advised by the Irish Prison Service that a permanent visitors’ waiting facility will be reinstated as soon as possible, upon completion of the construction project.
636. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if he is aware of the delays in Garda vetting; if he will examine ways in which the backlog can be reduced, and review the delays in the system and work with AGS to introduce a faster process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28603/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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.
The Garda National Vetting Bureau received 633,563 applications for vetting disclosures in 2025 and completed 596,975 applications during the same period.
In respect of current processing timeframes I am advised by the Garda National Vetting Bureau that the current processing time for 85% of vetting applications is 8/9 working days.
It should be noted that 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.
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 sporting and voluntary sectors.
In this regard, I am conscious that aspects of the current vetting system result in a highly-segmented process. 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 necessary high standards for this process.
I have therefore directed that steps be taken to implement a number of key changes, specifically in relation to re-vetting and the portability of vetting. 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, that individual 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, to make the process more efficient for volunteers and organisations, without compromising the essential safeguards that protect those in our care.
My Department continues to engage with the Garda National Vetting Bureau on the detailed work of developing the necessary legislative and technical steps to meet these goals in a way that is workable in practice. It is my objective to ensure that the vetting system is fit for purpose and, to the greatest extent possible, efficient and future-proofed to continue to protect our children and vulnerable adults.
637. Deputy Seamus Healy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if he will expedite a residency permit renewal for a person (details supplied). [28604/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person referred to by the Deputy applied to renew their immigration permission on 28 January 2026 and this application is currently in the queue for consideration.
I understand that the extended wait times can be frustrating for applicants and I can assure the Deputy that my Department is exploring every avenue available to facilitate as many customers as possible and to increase processing capacity.
The Registration Office within Immigration Service Delivery of my Department is already open seven days a week to facilitate customers, with further measures to reduce processing times currently being implemented. Additional staff have been assigned to this work and further assignments are being examined. I expect that this will begin to address the delays currently being experienced.
The Registration Office provide a live processing date, which is updated every Monday, and is available at the following link: [www.irishimmigration.ie/registering-your-immigration-permission/how-to-renew-your-current-permission/renewing-your-registration-permission-if-you-live-in-the-republic-of-ireland/#processing].
Customers may submit their renewal application up to 12 weeks prior to expiry of their permission to allow sufficient time for an application to be reached, and processed, prior to their current permission expiring.
If an application is approved, it may take up to a further 15 business days to receive the new Irish Residence Permit (IRP) card by post.
The person concerned can now directly check the status of their immigration application on the Immigration Service’s new Customer Service Portal. They can register for, or log in to their existing account, at www.p[ortal.irishimmigration.ie/en/]
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.
638. Deputy Naoise Ó Muirí asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the preparatory work underway to transpose the EU Directive on Combating Violence against Women and Domestic Violence, particularly provisions relating to technology-facilitated violence. [28609/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe EU Directive on combatting violence against women and domestic violence was adopted in May 2024 and will enter into force in June 2027. The purpose of the Violence Against Women Directive is to provide a comprehensive framework to effectively prevent and combat violence against women and domestic violence throughout the European Union.
The measures under the Directive are designed to address the specific needs of women and girls, given that, as confirmed by data and studies, they are disproportionately affected by the forms of violence covered by this Directive.
Last year, Government approved the drafting of the Sexual Offences, Domestic Violence and International Instruments Bill 2025. Among other things, the provisions in this Bill will remove dual criminality in respect of certain offences, including female genital mutilation (FGM) and forced marriage, which is a requirement under the Directive. The General Scheme of this Bill underwent pre-legislative scrutiny by the Joint Committee on Justice, Home Affairs and Migration on 20 January 2026. The recommendations of the Committee will be carefully considered once received, with drafting of the Bill prioritised.
Many of the provisions contained in the Directive are already provided for under existing Irish legislation or in the aforementioned Bill. In relation to the technology facilitated violence provisions, several of these provisions are already transposed by the Harassment, Harmful Communications and Related Offences Act 2020 (Coco’s Law) and the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act 1997.
However, my Department is consulting with the Attorney General’s Office to identify any additional legislative amendments which may be required in order to ensure that Ireland is fully compliant with the Directive. Combatting all forms of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence (DSGBV) is an absolute priority for this government.
639. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of active Gardaí deployed in roads policing in March and April 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28631/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn Garda Síochána play a vital role in enforcing road traffic law and in making our roads safer for all road users, including vulnerable road users. Road traffic laws are enforced by Gardaí assigned to Roads Policing and as part of the day-to-day duties of uniformed Gardaí nationwide. This includes a programme of high-visibility road safety and enforcement operations carried out in partnership with other state agencies.
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 and Garda policies.
An Garda Síochána publishes figures in relation to the allocation of Gardaí nationally. This includes a breakdown of Gardaí assigned to Roads Policing by Garda Division from 2014 to the end of February 2026, the latest date for which figures are available. This can be found at the following links:
2014-2025
2026
The Deputy should select the most recent date and then select the file titled ‘Roads Policing by division 2014 to the most recent date" to access a breakdown of Gardaí assigned by Division.
640. Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the progress made on each of the individual Programme for Government commitments assigned to his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28662/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraDelivering on the commitments laid out in the Programme for Government is a priority for me as Minister, my Department and my colleagues, Ministers of State Colm Brophy and Niall Collins. Working with them, I want to ensure that our justice system is modern, efficient, and responsive to the needs of all of our people. I want a justice system that serves the fundamental need of all people to feel safe and secure in their homes and in their communities.
Last November, I was pleased to publish the 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 my Department's achievements regarding commitments set out in the Programme for Government (PfG) since the formation of the Government are set out below:
Garda Recruitment and Operations / Criminal Assets Bureau / PSCS Act 2024
• My first priority as Minister for Justice is to get more Gardaí on our streets. High visibility policing is now in operation in Dublin, Cork and Limerick with more Gardaí assigned throughout the country in both rural and urban areas. This has been made possible through increased Garda recruitment. In 2025, 794 new recruits were 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. This positive trend has continued, with 215 recruits commencing their training in February 2026, the first of four intakes planned for this year.
• The introduction of the Garda Síochána (Powers) Bill and the Garda Síochána (Recording Devices) (Amendment) Bill, which will provide additional powers to An Garda Síochána in relation to search warrants and use of facial recognition technology in certain circumstances. Both Bills are progressing through the Houses of the Oireachtas.
• Expanding the powers of the Criminal Asset Bureau (CAB). The Proceeds of Crime and Related Matters Bill 2025, approved by Cabinet last 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 passed report and final stages in Dáil Éireann in December 2025 and is currently progressing through the Seanad.
• In April 2025, I was pleased to commence the landmark Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024, in line with the PfG. This established five new bodies (The new Garda Board, the Policing and Community Safety Authority (replacing the Policing Authority and Garda Síochána Inspectorate), Fiosrú – the Office of the Police Ombudsman, the Office of the Independent Examiner of Security Legislation and the National Office for Community Safety) and strengthens and consolidates independent, external oversight of An Garda Síochána and makes community safety a whole of government and multi-agency responsibility.
Community Safety / Anti-social Behaviour / Youth Diversion
• I have secured an additional €2.5 million in Budget 2026 to support the establishment of a nationwide network of 36 Local Community Safety Partnerships, as well as increasing the size of the Community Safety Fund to €4.75 million. The CSF is aimed at reinvesting proceeds of crime into communities to improve community safety.
• In respect of anti-social behaviour, legislation is being progressed through the Criminal Law and Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2025 that will reduce the minimum rank from Superintendent to Inspector for a Garda to apply for anti-social behaviour orders for children and adults respectively.
• The Government’s focus on youth diversion and interventions is a keystone in the Youth Justice Strategy. At its core, the Strategy emphasises early intervention, prevention, family support, and community engagement. It includes key objectives aligned with PfG commitments, 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.
Prisons and Penal Policy / Electronic Monitoring
• A multi-year building programme is progressing at several key sites across the prison estate. To accelerate delivery, I sought and secured an exemption from the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation for six major projects (960 prison spaces) to move straight to Approval Gate 2 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 the Irish Prison Service to advance the wider programme.
• My Department is leading a cross-agency project to introduce electronic monitoring for specific categories of individuals, as committed to in the PfG, and in line with existing legal provisions. 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.
A Modern Courts and Legal System
• In January 2026, I published the General Scheme of the Civil Reform Bill. The Civil Reform Bill is a key measure that will see the implementation of the Review of the Administration of Civil Justice, also known as the Kelly Report, which was published in October 2020. 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.
• In December 2025, I secured Government approval to publish the Criminal Law and Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2026 which was subsequently presented to Dáil Éireann on 9 January 2026. The Dáil Second Stage debate took place on 22 January. The Bill responds to a range of pressing challenges for the justice system. Among other provisions, the Bill includes measures to:
• criminalise the highly exploitative behaviour commonly known as ‘sex for rent’;
• amend legislation relating to disclosure of counselling records in sexual assault trials;
• encourage greater use of community service orders as an alternative to imprisonment in suitable cases;
• remove the legal prohibition on the possession and use of incapacitant spray by prison officers;
• allow the use of more advanced DNA analysis in missing persons cases;
• further facilitate video link hearings in the criminal courts by enabling bail bonds and suspended sentence bonds to be taken by Gardai and prison officers respectively;
• establish a permanent regulatory basis under which licenced premises may provide outdoor seating on public land;
• provide for the refusal of bail for persons charged with offences relating to forced marriage or coercive control;
• empower the Chief Justice to delegate certain non-judicial functions to other members of the judiciary;
• the establishment of an application-based legislative scheme for the disregard of certain historical convictions relating to consensual sexual activity between men;
• an amendment of the Prisons Act 2015 to provide that, where two years or less of the applicable prison term remains to be served, a person may be taken from prison for the purpose of effecting a deportation or removal order;
• a further amendment to the Bail Act 1997 to provide for refusal of bail for persons charged with offences relating to witness intimidation or failure to comply with requirements under the Sex Offenders Act 2001.
• The ongoing reform of the Family Justice system, for the benefit of families and children, is another of my key priorities. Work has commenced on the implementation of the Family Courts Act 2024. The Act introduces changes to the current delivery of family justice, including the introduction of specialist family law judges assigned and operating within new family court divisions. I intend to shortly bring an implementation plan to Government, with publication expected shortly afterwards.
• Last May, I published 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.
• Last August, I published two tenders for the provision of new family law services aimed at making our system more transparent and better for children.
• In February 2026, I launched a new online child maintenance calculator to help parents in coming to arrangements on child maintenance payments. The launch of the calculator follows on from the publication of Ireland’s first set of Child Maintenance Guidelines earlier this year. The development of the guidelines was a key recommendation of the 2024 Review of the Enforcement of Child Maintenance Orders
Domestic, Sexual and Gender Based Violence
• Combatting all forms of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence (DSGBV) has been of central priority for me since taking office. In June 2025, 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 builds on the DSGBV commitments set out in the PfG and contains 95 specific actions across the four pillars of the Istanbul Convention. There is a strong emphasis on delivery, collective responsibility, and meaningful outcomes.
• 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.
• By the end of 2026, it is envisaged that 94 safe homes and 193 refuge units will be 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 / International Protection / Integration
• I have taken action to significantly improve immigration enforcement measures and increase removals, in line with commitments set out in the PfG. This includes the renewed use of chartered deportation and removal flights. In 2025, 4,700 deportation orders were signed, an increase of 96% compared to 2024, while 2,111 people had their departure confirmed under various mechanisms (i.e. enforced deportation, voluntary return etc.), an increase of 88% compared to 2024.
• In keeping with the PfG 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 October 2024. Since the launch of the Portal more than 285,000 customers have registered, with over 243,000 queries resolved and in excess of 147,000 registration appointments made.
• 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.
• In January 2026, the International Protection Bill 2026 was published, which will replace the International Protection Act 2015 and will implement the EU Migration and Asylum Pact. Earlier this month, the Bill was passed by both Houses of the Oireachtas. 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.
• Work on the publication of a new national Migration and Integration Strategy is ongoing as referenced in the PfG. In 2025, the Integration Fund was announced and awarded for the first time. The Integration 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 of 2025, when 117 projects were awarded a total of €3.6m. Information the projects funded is available here: [www.gov.ie/en/department-of-justice-home-affairs-and-migration/news/117-projects-to-be-funded-under-the-2025-integration-fund/] Plans for funding calls in 2026 are being drafted and will be announced publicly when they are finalised.
Omagh Inquiry
• Last April, 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 PfG, to “play our full part in legacy processes…including facilitating and supporting the Omagh Inquiry. On 13 March 2026, I published the International Co-operation (Omagh Bombing Inquiry) Bill. The Bill is designed to enable the taking of oral testimony before the Irish courts for the purposes of the Omagh Bombing Inquiry.
Transfers of Responsibilities
• In line with PfG commitments, 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. 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.
641. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the rationale for categorising children trafficked for the purpose of criminal exploitation primarily as victims of grooming rather than as victims of human trafficking; if the new national referral mechanism will contain specific guidelines to ensure that children exploited by criminal gangs are legally recognised as trafficking victims; if he has considered the impact this classification has on the sentencing of offenders or the labelling of child-victims; if he is satisfied that current sentencing for grooming reflects the severity of trafficking offences; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28680/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra642. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the plans in place to transpose the three new categories of human trafficking into domestic law to ensure compliance with the July 2026 deadline; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28681/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 641 and 642 together.
Ireland has in place a comprehensive legislative framework to address the exploitation of children, including trafficking, grooming and criminal exploitation. This operates alongside the child protection system to ensure that children who are victims of exploitation are identified and supported appropriately.
The classification of any presumed victim of human trafficking is determined by the specific facts and the available evidence, including whether the legal criteria for trafficking, such as recruitment, control and exploitation for criminal activity, can be established to the required standard. Where those criteria are met, the case may be identified as trafficking. Where they are not, other offences or child protection responses may apply.
Under Irish law, a child who is recruited or controlled for the purpose of criminal exploitation may meet the definition of a victim of human trafficking. Conduct often described as grooming may form part of that process. However, whether trafficking is established depends on the evidence in each individual case. Child exploitation, including child trafficking, is addressed within a broad safeguarding framework in Ireland, with a range of legislative and child protection mechanisms supporting the identification and response to the exploitation of children.
Taken together, these frameworks provide multiple routes through which concerns relating to the exploitation of children can be identified, assessed and responded to by the relevant authorities. The existence of these overlapping frameworks does not preclude the identification of a child as a victim of trafficking where the legal threshold is met.
Work is ongoing on a revised National Referral Mechanism for victims of human trafficking, with a view to strengthening the identification and support of victims. As part of this process, consideration is being given to ensuring clarity in the identification of all forms of exploitation, including the criminal exploitation of children by organised groups. The intention is to support consistent identification across agencies so that individuals who meet the legal criteria for trafficking are appropriately recognised and referred for support.
Under existing law, a child who is exploited for criminal activity may already meet the definition of a victim of human trafficking, depending on the circumstances of the case. The proposed revision of the National Referral Mechanism is therefore intended to strengthen operational guidance and consistency in this regard, rather than to alter the underlying legal definition.
Offences under the Criminal Law (Human Trafficking) Acts and offences such as grooming are distinct in law and carry different penalties, reflecting the differing nature and gravity of those offences as determined by the Oireachtas. Trafficking offences, in particular, attract significant penalties, recognising the seriousness of the exploitation involved.
With regard to sentencing, decisions on how cases are investigated and prosecuted fall to An Garda Síochána and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, which are independent in the performance of their functions. Both adhere to established guidelines in determining the appropriate charges in each case, based on the available evidence.
The non-punishment principle is recognised in practice. This principle provides that victims of trafficking, including children, should not be prosecuted for unlawful activities they have been compelled to commit as part of their exploitation. This approach is reflected in prosecutorial guidance and supports the appropriate treatment of trafficked children as victims.
Directive 2024/1712/EU amends Directive 2011/36/EU on preventing and combating trafficking in human beings. The General Scheme of the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences, Domestic Violence and international Instruments) Bill 2025 contains legislative amendments to broaden the definition of exploitation in the context of human trafficking to explicitly include the exploitation of surrogacy, of forced marriage, or of illegal adoption, as required by the Directive. Work on the Bill is being progressed in conjunction with the Office of Parliamentary Counsel.
I will continue to keep these matters under review, including in the context of ongoing work to strengthen the identification and protection of victims of trafficking.
644. Deputy Micheál Carrigy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of the agri-climate rural environment scheme (ACRES) payments for a farm partnership (details supplied); the reason for the continued delay in issuing the full 2024 scheme year payment and the 2025 payment to date; if he will address the technical issue where the ACRES application is not visible on the partnership's Agfood portal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28010/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is actively working to resolve an issue which prevented the applicants’ herd from progressing through the validation checks for payment in respect of scheme year 2024. I can confirm that the 2024 payment and the full 2025 payment will issue in the coming weeks.
In relation to the visibility of the new registered farm partnership number on the Agfood portal, I can confirm that this issue is not related to progressing the payment but is also being investigated.
645. Deputy Ann Graves asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will support the introduction of salary bands for veterinary nurses (details supplied); and if he will support Government funding to support practices employing registered veterinary nurses enabling fair pay without passing the entire cost onto pet owners and farmers. [28022/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraGovernment Departments have no role in setting, prescribing or regulating salary scales for employees of private sector organisations, including those working in privately-operated veterinary practices.
Pay and conditions in the veterinary sector are matters for individual employers and employees, or their representative bodies, and are determined through normal contractual arrangements and labour-market negotiations.
The Veterinary Council of Ireland which regulates the practice of veterinary medicine and veterinary nursing has no statutory function in relation to remuneration and neither does my Department. Accordingly, any salary structures or pay scale considerations for Registered Veterinary Nurses or other staff within private veterinary practices remain entirely outside the remit of Government pay policy.
646. Deputy Conor Sheehan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding any product or service purchased from the United Arab Emirates by his Department in 2025, by description and amount paid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28265/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFollowing a search of the Departments contract register, no records were found of any suppliers based in the United Arab Emirates.
647. Deputy Pat the Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his attention has been drawn to a matter (details supplied); and if he has had discussions with this office regarding same. [28300/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can advise the Deputy that there has been no contact with my Department regarding this matter. I would expect that my Department would be formally consulted if such a matter were to be under active consideration.
648. Deputy Seamus Healy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of WTE staff, by job title employed by his Department that are based at each regional veterinary office as of 13 April 2026, in tabular form. [28429/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe work of my Department is supported through the staffing of a network of offices nationwide including at my Department's Regional Veterinary Offices which, in the main, support the delivery of business objectives across the One Health One Welfare remit, providing for the delivery of a sustained, multidisciplinary approach to human, animal and environmental health.
The table below outlines the WTE staff by job title posts that are currently based at the Regional Veterinary Offices as of 13/04/2026.
|
Regional Veterinary Office |
Grade Description |
WTE |
|
Cavan Regional Office - Cavan |
50 |
|
|
Area Superintendent |
1 |
|
|
Assistant Principal Officer |
1 |
|
|
Clerical Officer |
19 |
|
|
District Superintendent |
1 |
|
|
Executive Officer |
5 |
|
|
Higher Executive Officer |
1 |
|
|
Supervisory Agricultural Officer |
2 |
|
|
Technical Agricultural Officer |
7 |
|
|
Veterinary Inspector |
13 |
|
|
Clonakilty Regional Office |
16 |
|
|
Clerical Officer |
2 |
|
|
District Superintendent |
1 |
|
|
Senior Superintending Veterinary Inspector |
1 |
|
|
Superintending Veterinary Inspector |
1 |
|
|
Supervisory Agricultural Officer |
2 |
|
|
Technical Agricultural Officer |
3 |
|
|
Veterinary Inspector |
6 |
|
|
Cork Regional Office |
60 |
|
|
Area Superintendent |
1 |
|
|
Clerical Officer |
19 |
|
|
Clerical Officer (Temporary) |
1 |
|
|
District Superintendent |
2 |
|
|
Executive Officer |
5 |
|
|
Higher Executive Officer |
2 |
|
|
Senior Research Officer |
1 |
|
|
Senior Superintending Veterinary Inspector |
1 |
|
|
Superintending Veterinary Inspector |
3 |
|
|
Supervisory Agricultural Officer |
3 |
|
|
Technical Agricultural Officer |
9 |
|
|
Veterinary Inspector |
13 |
|
|
Donegal Regional Off. Raphoe |
36 |
|
|
Clerical Officer |
13 |
|
|
District Superintendent |
1 |
|
|
Executive Officer |
3 |
|
|
Higher Executive Officer |
1 |
|
|
Superintending Veterinary Inspector |
1 |
|
|
Supervisory Agricultural Officer |
1 |
|
|
Technical Agricultural Officer |
7 |
|
|
Veterinary Inspector |
9 |
|
|
Drumshambo Reg Off |
43 |
|
|
Administrative Officer |
1 |
|
|
Clerical Officer |
14 |
|
|
District Superintendent |
1 |
|
|
Executive Officer |
3 |
|
|
Senior Superintending Veterinary Inspector |
2 |
|
|
Superintending Veterinary Inspector |
1 |
|
|
Supervisory Agricultural Officer |
3 |
|
|
Technical Agricultural Officer |
8 |
|
|
Veterinary Inspector |
10 |
|
|
Galway Reg Off |
23 |
|
|
Clerical Officer |
3 |
|
|
District Superintendent |
1 |
|
|
Executive Officer |
1 |
|
|
Superintending Veterinary Inspector |
1 |
|
|
Supervisory Agricultural Officer |
1 |
|
|
Technical Agricultural Officer |
6 |
|
|
Veterinary Inspector |
10 |
|
|
Kerry Regional Office |
19 |
|
|
Clerical Officer |
3 |
|
|
District Superintendent |
1 |
|
|
Superintending Veterinary Inspector |
1 |
|
|
Supervisory Agricultural Officer |
2 |
|
|
Technical Agricultural Officer |
5 |
|
|
Veterinary Inspector |
7 |
|
|
Limerick Reg Off - Limerick C |
33 |
|
|
Clerical Officer |
3 |
|
|
District Superintendent |
3 |
|
|
Superintending Veterinary Inspector |
2 |
|
|
Supervisory Agricultural Officer |
1 |
|
|
Technical Agricultural Officer |
11 |
|
|
Veterinary Inspector |
13 |
|
|
Mayo Regional Off |
33 |
|
|
Clerical Officer |
16 |
|
|
District Superintendent |
1 |
|
|
Executive Officer |
4 |
|
|
Higher Executive Officer |
1 |
|
|
Superintending Veterinary Inspector |
2 |
|
|
Technical Agricultural Officer |
4 |
|
|
Veterinary Inspector |
5 |
|
|
Meath Regional Office |
46 |
|
|
Clerical Officer |
13 |
|
|
District Superintendent |
3 |
|
|
Executive Officer |
2 |
|
|
Higher Executive Officer |
1 |
|
|
Superintending Veterinary Inspector |
2 |
|
|
Supervisory Agricultural Officer |
2 |
|
|
Technical Agricultural Officer |
10 |
|
|
Veterinary Inspector |
13 |
|
|
NaasRegnlOff. |
42 |
|
|
Clerical Officer |
16 |
|
|
District Superintendent |
1 |
|
|
Executive Officer |
4 |
|
|
Higher Executive Officer |
1 |
|
|
Superintending Veterinary Inspector |
1 |
|
|
Supervisory Agricultural Officer |
1 |
|
|
Technical Agricultural Officer |
9 |
|
|
Veterinary Inspector |
9 |
|
|
Offaly Regl Off |
21 |
|
|
Area Superintendent |
1 |
|
|
Clerical Officer |
1 |
|
|
District Superintendent |
1 |
|
|
Executive Officer |
1 |
|
|
Superintending Veterinary Inspector |
1 |
|
|
Supervisory Agricultural Officer |
1 |
|
|
Technical Agricultural Officer |
7 |
|
|
Veterinary Inspector |
8 |
|
|
Roscommon RegOff |
21 |
|
|
Clerical Officer |
2 |
|
|
District Superintendent |
2 |
|
|
Executive Officer |
1 |
|
|
Superintending Veterinary Inspector |
3 |
|
|
Supervisory Agricultural Officer |
2 |
|
|
Technical Agricultural Officer |
6 |
|
|
Veterinary Inspector |
5 |
|
|
Tipperary RegOff |
26 |
|
|
Clerical Officer |
3 |
|
|
District Superintendent |
1 |
|
|
Superintending Veterinary Inspector |
1 |
|
|
Supervisory Agricultural Officer |
2 |
|
|
Technical Agricultural Officer |
8 |
|
|
Veterinary Inspector |
11 |
|
|
Waterford Reg Off |
24 |
|
|
Area Superintendent |
1 |
|
|
Clerical Officer |
3 |
|
|
District Superintendent |
2 |
|
|
Executive Officer |
1 |
|
|
Superintending Veterinary Inspector |
1 |
|
|
Supervisory Agricultural Officer |
2 |
|
|
Technical Agricultural Officer |
6 |
|
|
Veterinary Inspector |
8 |
|
|
Wexford Reg Off - Enniscorthy |
23 |
|
|
Clerical Officer |
4 |
|
|
Superintending Veterinary Inspector |
1 |
|
|
Technical Agricultural Officer |
6 |
|
|
Veterinary Inspector |
12 |
|
|
Grand Total |
516 |
649. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of applicants declaring commonage lands in the Knockmealdown Mountains, County Waterford, under the basic income support for sustainability and preceding area-based schemes in each of the past ten years, in tabular form. [28618/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra650. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total number of applications received in respect of commonage lands in the Knockmealdown Mountains, County Waterford, under area-based schemes in each of the past ten years, in tabular form. [28619/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra651. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total value of payments issued in respect of commonage lands in the Knockmealdown Mountains, County Waterford, under BISS and all other relevant area-based schemes in each of the past ten years, broken down by scheme, in tabular form. [28620/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra652. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine both the average payment and the median payment per applicant in respect of commonage lands in the Knockmealdown Mountains, County Waterford, in each of the past ten years, in tabular form. [28621/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra653. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of registered flock numbers associated with commonage lands in the Knockmealdown Mountains, County Waterford, in each of the past ten years, in tabular form. [28622/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra654. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the prescribed or recommended stocking density levels applicable to commonage lands in the Knockmealdown Mountains, County Waterford; and how such levels are determined, in tabular form. [28623/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra655. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine whether stocking density requirements for commonage lands in the Knockmealdown Mountains, County Waterford, have changed in the past 20 years; and, if so, to provide details. [28624/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra656. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of inspections carried out on commonage lands in the Knockmealdown Mountains, County Waterford, in each of the past ten years, in tabular form. [28625/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 649, 650, 651, 652, 653, 654, 655 and 656 together.
The information required to respond to this PQ is not readily available and will take time to pull together. Once complete it will be provided to the Deputy.
