Written Answers Nos. 622-641
622. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Social Protection if he has an any way to identify which Parliamentary Questions are AI generated; and the amount it costs, on average, to answer a Parliamentary Question. [45378/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraIt is not possible for the department to provide any information on whether or how many PQs received in the department are AI generated. PQs are submitted to the Questions office who update them to the shared service PO system, from which there are send to departments for answer. My department does not use AI to answer PQs.
The time taken to answer a PQ can vary considerably, depending on whether it is a priority, oral or written PQ, the complexity of the question, and the extent of coordination required within the Department and across the Department’s aegis bodies. The cost associated with this would then vary further depending on the grade mix involved in answering the PQ in different policy and scheme areas. Therefore, It is not possible to provide an average cost of answering PQs in the department.
623. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Social Protection to provide an update on a domiciliary care allowance application (details supplied). [45391/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraDomiciliary Care Allowance (DCA) is a monthly allowance payable to a parent / guardian in respect of a child aged under 16 who has a severe disability requiring continual or continuous care and attention substantially in excess of the care and attention normally required by a child of the same age and where the level that disability is such that the child is likely to require this level of care and attention for at least 12 consecutive months. This level of care and attention must be required to allow the child to deal with activities of daily living in areas such as mobility, personal care, feeding/diet, communication, speech/language, sleeping, behaviour, safety, sensory issues, including any other additional needs.
Eligibility for DCA is not based entirely on the type of disability or diagnosis but primarily on the impact of the child's disability, in terms of the associated overall level of care and attention required by the child compared to a child of a similar age who does not have such a disability. The decision process that applies in the consideration of whether a child meets the conditions for DCA includes the examination of all relevant factors identified as impacting on the child's additional care needs.
The person concerned submitted two separate applications in respect of two children. These were disallowed by a Deciding Officer as per decisions dated 9 April 2026 and 14 April 2026. Based on the information provided, the children were not considered to satisfy the conditions for DCA. This determination considered the supporting medical evidence that was provided by the applicant in their applications and the Deciding Officer had regard to the professional opinions of Departmental Medical Assessors in making their decisions and a copy of these opinions were issued to the applicant for information along with the decision notifications.
On foot of a request for reviews of eligibility for DCA in both cases, a review of the applications in respect of the children concerned has been completed by a Deciding Officer and they have decided to award the applications as per review decisions dated 11 June 2026. Full details of the review decisions have been sent via MyWelfare to the person concerned.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
624. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Social Protection the total number of persons who have been in receipt of the disability allowance continuously since May 2021; the breakdown by gender; and by nationality indicating the number of Irish citizens, UK nationals, EU/EEA nationals, and the rest of the world. [45513/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere are currently 109,301 persons in receipt of Disability Allowance whose claims commenced during or prior to May 2021. Of these, 60,055 are male and 49,246 are female.
A breakdown by nationality group is provided in the table below.
|
Nationality Group |
Number of Recipients |
|
Ireland |
96,898 |
|
EU/EEA |
5,364 |
|
UK |
4,433 |
|
Other |
2,606 |
625. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons in receipt of jobseeker's allowance or jobseeker's benefit; and the breakdown by nationality indicating the number of Irish citizens, UK nationals, EU/EEA nationals, and the rest of the world. [45515/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department regularly publishes data on recipients of Jobseekers Allowance, Jobseekers Benefit, and Jobseekers Pay Related Benefit including breakdowns by nationality. This data by nationality is available in open-data format, accessible through gov.ie/dsp/statistics and through the CSO's data portal (table DPS03).
The statistics requested by the Deputy are provided in the table below. Figures refer to the total number of individuals who received at least one payment in the first quarter of 2026.
|
Nationality |
Jobseekers Allowance |
Jobseekers Benefit |
Jobseekers Pay Related Benefit |
|
Irish Nationals |
101,619 |
23,644 |
39,399 |
|
UK |
4,857 |
889 |
1,413 |
|
EU14 excl Ireland (countries in the EU pre 2004 excluding UK & Ireland) |
2,689 |
584 |
2,156 |
|
EU15 to EU27 (accession countries joined post 2004) |
13,806 |
2,233 |
5,976 |
|
Other nationalities |
28,526 |
906 |
4,080 |
|
Total |
151,497 |
28,256 |
53,024 |
626. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Social Protection the specific projects or programmes undertaken to reduce the number of people under the age of 30 who are unemployed; and the total estimated cost of such projects or programmes. [45521/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland’s efforts to support young people into employment are collected in Pathways to Work 2021-2025, the Government’s national employment services strategy and overall framework for activation and employment supports.
Commitments listed in section 4 of Pathways to Work, “Working for All - Leaving No one Behind”, contribute to meeting Ireland’s obligations under the Reinforced Youth Guarantee-a pledge by the Member States of the European Union to provide a good quality offer of employment, education, or training to those under the age of 30 within 4 months of becoming unemployed.
My Department, through its Intreo network provides a number of supports to address youth unemployment. Young people under 30 who are profiled as being at risk of long-term unemployment are targeted for intensive engagement by Intreo public employment services. Additionally, my Department promotes the Employment and Youth Engagement Charter, a call-to-action to employers to commit to using Government employer incentives and supports and to recruit young jobseekers and other priority cohorts.
Jobseekers under 30 also benefit from reduced eligibility criteria on certain employment programmes, with access to the JobsPlus employer recruitment incentive and Work Placement Experience Programme both having a reduced requirement of 4 months in receipt of a qualifying payment.
Supports are provided to young people, and other cohorts, through the following schemes. Cost estimates provided per the 2026 Revised Estimates.
|
Scheme Name |
Scheme Description |
2026 REV Estimate (€'000) |
|
Community Employment
|
CE is designed to help people who are long-term unemployed (or otherwise disadvantaged) to get back to work by offering part-time and temporary placements in jobs based within local communities. Training is provided under CE. |
415,027 |
|
Tús |
Tús is a community work placement scheme providing short-term working opportunities for unemployed people provided by community and voluntary organisations in both urban and rural areas. |
94,544 |
|
JobsPlus |
JobsPlus is an employer incentive which encourages and rewards employers who offer employment opportunities to individuals who are unemployed. |
2,522 |
|
Work Placement Experience Programme |
The WPEP is a 30 hour per week voluntary work experience programme |
5,380 |
|
Wage Subsidy Scheme |
The WSS gives financial incentives to private sector employers to employ people with a disability |
25,723 |
|
Back to Work Education Allowance |
BTWEA is a scheme that supports people getting certain social welfare payments to become self-employed. |
30,944 |
My Department has commenced work on a successor Pathways to Work strategy, informed by a public consultation process, engagement with the community and voluntary sectors, regional workshops, and an analysis of labour market research, trends, and international best practice.
This successor strategy will continue the work of the previous strategy by setting relevant, ambitious targets, with a strong evidence base, to provide further education, training, and employment opportunities for all, including to those facing additional challenges to accessing the labour market, including young people.
627. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Social Protection if consideration will be given to extending the domiciliary care allowance to the age of 18 as the vast majority of young people remain in full-time education beyond the current cut off of 16 years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45586/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraDomiciliary Care Allowance is a non means tested payment to a parent or guardian in respect of a child under 16 who has a severe disability and requires continual or continuous care and attention, substantially more than what is typically required by a child of the same age.
More than 64,460 families are currently receiving Domiciliary Care Allowance in respect of approximately 73,580 children. The estimated expenditure on the scheme in 2026 is almost €359 million.
Domiciliary Care Allowance stops being paid when a child turns 16 years of age. If the young person continues to suffer from a disability that significantly impacts their daily living activities, they can then apply for a Disability Allowance payment in their own name of €254 per week. To avoid any gap in support, families can apply for Disability Allowance up to 3 months before the child’s 16th birthday.
Where the child's carer is also receiving Carer's Allowance or Carer's Benefit in addition to the Domiciliary Care Allowance payment, that payment will continue for as long as the qualifying conditions are met, even after Domiciliary Care Allowance stops. In addition, as long as the carer is continuing to provide full-time care and attention, they will continue to be eligible for the annual Carer's Support Grant. This year’s grant was paid to over 147,000 carers on 4th June, and now stands at €2,000.
Any future reform of Domiciliary Care Allowance will be considered in the context of commitments set out in the Programme for Government and the overall budgetary context.
628. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection if the decision on an application for jobseeker’s allowance by a person will be reviewed (details supplied) [45610/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person concerned was in receipt of Jobseekers Allowance. His entitlement was reviewed and his means were found to be in excess of the statutory limit with effect from the 30/4/2026.
This decision was reviewed today the 15/06/2026 and the decision remains unchanged.
The person's means is capital derived the sale of a property, in October 2025. Where a person sells their home, a disregard of €337,500 is applied to the proceeds and any balance is assessable as capital. In this case when the balance of proceeds is assessed, the person's weekly means are calculated at €1026, which is in excess of the personal rate of €244 for 2025 and €254 for 2026.
A review letter together with an up to date means assessment has been issued to the person concerned.
If the person concerned is not satisfied with the decision the option to appeal directly to the Social Welfare Appeals Office is open to them.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
629. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated cost of providing the school meals programme to all post-primary schools in the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45673/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn Budget 2025, it was announced that the Hot School Meals Programme would be extended to all remaining primary schools in 2025, meaning that approximately 3,700 schools and 682,000 children are now eligible for school meals. This equates to the distribution of up to 3.4 million school meals per week.
The budget for the School Meals Scheme for 2026 is €286 million.
My immediate priority is an in-depth review of school meal supplier menus and their compliance with the nutritional standards. My Department seconded a CORU-registered dietician for the School Meals Scheme who is under the clinical supervision of the Department of Health to carry out this review. The review is underway with the final report due the end of June 2026.
As part of the Programme for Government, I plan to commence the rollout of Hot School Meals to secondary schools over the lifetime of this Government. Following the completion of the nutritional review, we need to examine how best to commence the roll out of the Hot School Meals to secondary schools. We have not yet determined the approach we will take; therefore, it is not possible to provide a cost estimate at this time.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
630. Deputy Micheál Carrigy asked the Minister for Social Protection if discretion or an exceptional administrative sanction can be applied to the medical care scheme under the occupational injuries scheme to reimburse private medical expenses for an injured worker; if he is aware of a case (details supplied) where a worker has been waiting three years for a public appointment, forcing them to fund private consultant visits out-of-pocket due to a lack of public system availability; if the scheme will adapt to cover private treatment costs when the HSE fails to provide the equivalent public treatment within a reasonable timeframe; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45786/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Medical Care Scheme is one of the benefits available under the Occupational Injuries Scheme. Under the Scheme, payment is made in respect of certain medical expenses which are considered to be reasonably and necessarily incurred as a result of an occupational accident or development of a prescribed occupational disease. Expenses are covered to extent that the associated treatments are not covered under the Health Service Executive or under my Department's Treatment Benefit Scheme.
The Medical Care Scheme does not cover the cost of specialist services, as insured people are already entitled to these under the Health Acts and can avail of these treatments as an in-patient or out-patient in a public hospital. Treatments which are available under the Health Acts in a public hospital, for example Physiotherapy, X-ray, MRI Scan, and Specialist Consultations are excluded from the Medical Care Scheme.
With specific reference to public health system waiting times, this is a matter for the Minister for Health and the Health Service Executive.
Any changes to the current system would need to be considered in an overall policy and budgetary context.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
631. Deputy Ryan O'Meara asked the Minister for Social Protection if his Department is currently considering applications through the disablement benefit from former coal miners based in County Tipperary who did not apply for the scheme when details of the scheme were agreed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45797/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraDisablement Benefit is a compensatory scheme for persons who have suffered a loss of faculty due to injury arising out of and in their insurable employment. All qualifying criteria for Disablement Benefit must be satisfied for receipt of the scheme.
In 2010, an agreement was reached by my Department with the National Coal Miners Group Committee that a mechanism would be put in place to deal with current or potential entitlements for former miners who suffer from pneumoconiosis, in accordance with the existing terms of the occupational injuries benefit scheme.
This agreement is still in place and therefore, the Department continues to consider applications accordingly.
All claims must meet the criteria for disablement benefit before they can be referred to the Chief Medical Officer of my Department. These include:
- The insurability of employment must be established (the person must have been employed as a miner on or after 1 May 1967).
- The disease must have developed on or after 1 May 1967.
The Chief Medical Officer must then be satisfied that there is evidence of pneumoconiosis.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
632. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Social Protection when a person (details supplied) will receive a decision on their application for the carers’ allowance; if their payment will be backdated to the date of application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45803/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraCarer's Allowance (CA) is a means-tested social assistance payment made to a person who is habitually resident in the State and who is providing full-time care and attention to a child or an adult who has such a disability that as a result they require that level of care.
I can confirm that an application for CA was received from the person concerned on 09 June 2026.
It is a condition for receipt of CA that every claimant shall furnish such certificates, documents, information, and evidence as may be required for the purposes of deciding their claim. A request for further information issued to the person concerned on 11 June 2026.
Once the information requested is received, a decision will be made, and the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome. Finally, backdating is permitted under the relevant legislation.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
633. Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Social Protection the average processing time for applications for disability allowance, carer’s allowance and invalidity pension in County Cork for each month in 2025 and to date in 2026; the number of applications currently awaiting decision; the steps being taken to reduce waiting times and improve decision turnaround; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45864/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department does not hold statistics on the average processing times for claims on a county-by-county basis. Processing statistics are provided on a state level.
The table below sets out the average time to award for each month of 2025 and to date in 2026 for Disability Allowance (DA), Carer’s Allowance (CA), and Invalidity Pension (IP).
|
|
Disability Allowance |
Carer's Allowance |
Invalidity Pension |
|
Jan-25 |
7 |
9 |
6 |
|
Feb-25 |
6 |
8 |
4 |
|
Mar-25 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
|
Apr-25 |
6 |
6 |
6 |
|
May-25 |
6 |
6 |
6 |
|
Jun-25 |
6 |
5 |
5 |
|
Jul-25 |
6 |
6 |
5 |
|
Aug-25 |
6 |
7 |
6 |
|
Sep-25 |
6 |
6 |
7 |
|
Oct-25 |
6 |
5 |
9 |
|
Nov-25 |
6 |
5 |
9 |
|
Dec-25 |
6 |
6 |
7 |
|
Jan-26 |
6 |
8 |
9 |
|
Feb-26 |
6 |
7 |
5 |
|
Mar-26 |
5 |
6 |
4 |
|
Apr-26 |
6 |
6 |
5 |
|
May-26 |
6 |
6 |
7 |
The Department of Social Protection is committed to providing a quality service to all its customers. This includes ensuring that all applications are processed as quickly as possible. Processing times for new applications vary across schemes, depending on the differing qualification criteria. Schemes that require a high level of documentary evidence from the customer, particularly in the case of illness-related schemes, can take longer to process. My Department understands the many pressures faced by people and always seeks to ensure that claims are processed quickly and efficiently.
The processing target for the DA scheme is to award 80% of applications within 10 weeks. This was increased from 70%. The number of first-time DA applications awaiting a decision at the end of May 2026 was 3,617. The average number of weeks to award a DA claim at the end of May 2026 was 6 weeks.
The processing target for the CA scheme is to award 80% of applications within 10 weeks. The number of first-time CA applications awaiting a decision at the end of May 2026 was 2,629. The average number of weeks to award an CA claim at week ending 29 May 2026 is 6 weeks.
The processing target for the Invalidity Pension scheme is to award 90% of applications within 10 weeks. The number of first-time IP applications awaiting a decision at the end of May 2026 was 1,942. The average number of weeks to award an IP claim at week ending 29 May 2026 is 7 weeks.
CA and IP can now be applied for online and DA is expected to be online by quarter 3 this year, thus improving customer access to the Schemes.
Operational processes, procedures, and the organisation of work are continually reviewed to ensure that processing capability is maximised. In addition, the staffing needs of the area are regularly reviewed, having regard to workloads and the competing demands arising, to ensure that the best use is made of all available resources.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
634. Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of people in Cork per Intreo area currently in receipt of the living alone increase; the measures being taken to increase awareness of the payment among eligible persons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45865/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Living Alone Allowance is an extra payment for people in receipt of certain social welfare payments who are living alone. The majority of the recipients of the Living Alone Increase are those over 66 and receiving a pension from my Department. The Living Alone Increase is also available to those under 66 who live alone and are in receipt of Disability Allowance, Invalidity Pension, Incapacity Supplement or Blind Pension.
The allowance is paid as a top up on various schemes which are centrally administered and are not associated with an Intreo office; hence figures are provided at the county level. There were 29,537 people in receipt of a Living Alone Allowance in County Cork as of the end of May 2026.
At application stage for each of these payments, the applicant is asked if they wish to make a claim for the Living Alone Increase. Those in receipt of a payment are asked to contact the Department if the composition of their household changes. Information of the Living Alone Increase is available from the Department’s website, on MyWelfare.ie and on the Citizen Information website. I am satisfied that all those who may be eligible for the receipt of the payment are aware of it, and the application process required to receive it.
635. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the amount paid out under the accommodation recognition payment in each year since its establishment, in tabular form. [45765/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Accommodation Recognition Payment (ARP) is a monthly payment of €600 available to those providing accommodation to a person or people who arrived in Ireland under the EU Temporary Protection Directive.
Since the scheme launched in July 2022 to 7 June 2026, approx. €481m has been paid to some 29,000 unique recipients in respect of hosting over 66,000 temporary protection beneficiaries. The scheme currently costs approximately €14m per month and has slightly declined since the start of 2026.
The table below provides the total expenditure on the ARP scheme for each year to date since the scheme’s introduction.
|
Year |
Total Expenditure* |
|
2022 |
€10.5m |
|
2023 |
€71m |
|
2024 |
€141.5m |
|
2025 |
€186.5m |
|
2026 (as of May) |
€72m |
*Figures rounded to nearest €500,000.
636. Deputy Mark Wall asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the cross-departmental work that is being undertaken to support the long-term integration of Ukrainian nationals residing in Ireland under temporary protection, particularly in relation to housing, education, employment and social inclusion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45773/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraMeasures to transition Ukraine Accommodation Supports and Temporary Protection have been approved by government, in line with the EU Council recommendation for a co-ordinated approach to transition people out of Temporary Protection across the EU. The cross-departmental work in this matter is co-ordinated by a Senior Officials Group chaired by the Department of the Taoiseach that supports the Cabinet Committee on Migration.
Ireland intends to continue to support people from Ukraine who are beneficiaries of temporary protection.
In recognition of the valuable contribution many people who have come from Ukraine since the outbreak of the war have made, Ireland will introduce an alternative permission to live and work here. This permission will be granted for a period of up to two years, renewable for periods of two years thereafter, with time on the permission counting towards naturalisation.
The changes to the accommodation model will be introduced on a phased basis, with information and support provided to residents. Ongoing supports for people with particular circumstances that would make it difficult for them to manage in independent accommodation will be provided.
Under the Local Integration Model, my Department funds teams of staff in the 31 Local Authorities to provide orientation and community integration supports to a range of humanitarian migrants, including those granted Temporary Protection.
The Model makes use of existing organisations and initiatives, supported by co-ordination and collaboration across government bodies, agencies and NGOs. The LGMA is responsible for coordinating and supporting the Local Authorities in the delivery of integration services.
LAITs provide information, advice and guidance to facilitate access to supports required to participate in Irish life and live independently. They provide connection to services, e.g. healthcare, English language supports, employment and volunteering opportunities, that can help new arrivals to live independently in their community. LAITs do not replace mainstream service provision but support persons in accessing services appropriate to their needs.
Communication and collaboration between the actors in the integration space is facilitated by a Community Integration Forum (CIF) in each Local Authority. CIFs bring together a network of Government and Non-Government Organisations, voluntary and community groups, including LAITs, to collaborate on a community-led integration approach.
CIFs are chaired at a senior level within the Local Authority and provide strategic oversight for the promotion of integration, social inclusion and civic participation of the relevant cohorts.
Furthermore, the Programme for Government contains a commitment to publish a National Migration and Integration Strategy detailing how the Government intends to meet the demands and opportunities facing Ireland’s society and economy over the next decade. My Department is working collaboratively with a wide range of other Government departments to develop the strategy with the aim to publish Ireland’s first overarching whole-of-government National Migration and Integration Strategy later this year. A Strategic Migration Policy Group was established in December 2024 to support that work which now consists of ten Government Departments meeting at senior official level.
637. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if the case of a person (details supplied) will be reviewed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45809/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Accommodation Recognition Payment is a monthly payment of €600 available to those providing accommodation to a person or people who arrived in Ireland under the EU Temporary Protection Directive. The scheme is provided for under Part 2 of the Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2022 and is administered by the Department of Social Protection on behalf of my Department.
There are a number of qualifying conditions attached to receiving this payment and these are available on gov.ie (Accommodation Recognition Payment Scheme: Your questions answered).
From 1 January 2026, late applications for the Accommodation Recognition Payment can be backdated for a maximum of six months from the date of application, provided the applicant meets the eligibility conditions for the period. The Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2022 (Section 21(2)) (Application Period) Regulations 2025 (S.I. No. 672/2025) give effect to this change.
The eligibility criteria for the scheme are set out in legislation and the Department of Social Protection does not have discretion to make a payment where an application fails to meet these criteria.
638. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the categories of information that are shared between British immigration authorities and his Department and its agencies regarding movement across the Common Travel Area. [46365/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra701. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the processes in place for the immigration authorities here to share information with immigration authorities in Northern Ireland and with the immigration authorities in Britain on individuals; if his Department will share details on criminal records with the authorities in Northern Ireland and in Britain and vice versa. [45753/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra702. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of migrants that left the State and moved to Northern Ireland in each of the past five years. [45754/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra703. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of migrants that left the State and moved to Britain for each of the past five years. [45755/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra704. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of migrants that came from Britain, through Northern Ireland to here in each of the past five years. [45756/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra705. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if a person (details supplied) applied for asylum in the State; if the person was granted asylum; if the person has a record of criminality before arriving here or during their stay in the State; if the Government were aware the person moved to Northern Ireland; and if the Government communicated this information to the authorities in Northern Ireland. [45757/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra706. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the movements of a man charged in relation to a knife attack in Belfast (details supplied) in the State, including his date of arrival; whether he had a valid visa; whether he applied for international protection; and whether Gardaí were aware of his background. [45758/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 638, 701, 702, 703, 704, 705 and 706 together.
The Government shares the deep concern and dismay of authorities and communities in Northern Ireland at the scenes of violence and unrest last week, including targeting of innocent people, businesses and families within those shared communities. As the person cited is the subject of an ongoing criminal investigation by the Police Service of Northern Ireland, I cannot comment on the details of the specific case.
Ireland and the United Kingdom have a shared responsibility and a shared interest in protecting the Common Travel Area (CTA) which provides great advantages to our people both socially and economically. The invisible border on the island of Ireland is among the most tangible gains of the peace process and is essential to the continuing normalisation of relationships.
Last week I discussed the importance of cross border cooperation in protecting the CTA for both Ireland and the UK by phone with the Northern Ireland Minister for Justice, Naomi Long and the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Hillary Benn. I also spoke yesterday with UK Home Secretary, Shabana Mahmood; we discussed recent events across Northern Ireland, the ongoing need for cross border cooperation and our shared focus on protecting the Common Travel Area.
At the UK Ireland Summit in March it was agreed that further steps would be taken to ensure that the CTA remains secure by working together to expand immigration data sharing arrangements, particularly in preventing abuse of CTA free movement by those not entitled to its benefits.
For security reasons and to protect the integrity of the immigration system, both I and my Department do not comment on specific operational channels of communication with UK immigration authorities. However, I can advise the Deputy that there is extensive engagement and cooperation at all levels between my Department officials and their Home Office counterparts, as well as significant operational cooperation between the Gardaí, UK Border Force, UK policing services and the Police Service of Northern Ireland. This strong practical engagement and cooperation serves the mutual interests of both Ireland and the UK and will continue.
My Department does not collate data on the country a non-EEA national might move to after residing in Ireland, irrespective of the destination. Similarly, my Department does not collate data on the country in which a non-EEA national may have been resident prior to relocating to Ireland.
639. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of members of An Garda Síochána with 20, 25 and 30 years, or more, of service, respectively, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44888/26]
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.
640. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the position regarding the status of an application (details supplied) given that it is 28 months since the application was submitted which is beyond the standard processing timeframe for such application types; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44903/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe naturalisation application referred to by the Deputy continues to be processed by my Department.
I understand that extended wait times can be frustrating for applicants. I want to assure anyone who has an application for naturalisation submitted that the Citizenship Division of my Department is doing everything possible to progress applications as quickly as possible.
It is important to note, however, that no two naturalisation applications are the same and some take longer than others to process. Given the importance of citizenship, robust and comprehensive checks must take place on each application. Unfortunately, some checks, such as international checks, can take a considerable amount of time and these are largely outside of the control of the Immigration Service.
For that reason, while, I expect that going forward, that most applicants will receive a decision within one year, this cannot be guaranteed in the case of applications made in any specific year.
Citizenship Division have taken a significant number of steps to improve the process for applicants. These included introducing an online digital application, online payments, and the introduction of eVetting. I am pleased to inform the Deputy that these changes are reducing processing times.
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: [https://portal.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.
641. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration when a stamp one G renewal (details supplied) will be completed, given the applicant’s employer is seeking same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44905/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe online renewal application cited by the Deputy was approved on 01 May 2026.
If the person concerned has any queries relating to their immigration permission or renewal, they can contact the registration office using my Departments Customer Service Portal. The Customer Service Portal can be accessed at the following link: [https://portal.irishimmigration.ie/en/]
Details on how to submit a query to the registration office can be found at the following link: [www.irishimmigration.ie/registering-your-immigration-permission/submitting-registration-or-renewal-queries/.]
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.
