Written Answers Nos. 540-559
540. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of solicitors who have formally resigned or withdrawn from the criminal legal aid panel since 1 July 2026, broken down by county; the number of solicitors currently on the panel in each county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53076/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraSolicitors may apply to be placed on the Criminal Legal Aid panel for any county using a single application form, which is processed by a centralised courts office in Castlebar, Co. Mayo. This system, introduced in 2021, replaced the previous requirement to apply separately to individual local court offices.
My Department significantly simplified the procedures for Criminal Legal Aid panel membership both for solicitors and counsel last year by waiving the requirement to apply yearly to be retained on panels, with the commencement on 26 November 2025 of S.I. 539 of 2025.
While there is only one national Criminal Legal Aid Panel, solicitors may indicate specific counties where they are willing to provide representation but this does not preclude the solicitor from providing representation in other counties. As the panel is considered national, information is not recorded in a manner that provides for a ‘by county’ breakdown.
I can inform the Deputy that the total number of solicitors on the Criminal Legal Aid panel as of close of business on 9 July 2026 was 776, that the total number of resignations received by close of business on 9 July 2026 was 76, and that the number of new applications received to be added to the panel by close of business on 9 July was 4.
541. Deputy Ciarán Ahern asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if a site (details supplied) is currently in use by the State; if so, the purposes of which and the details of the agreement with the landowner; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53080/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can confirm that the site mentioned is not currently in use by my Department.
542. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the current status of the Garda vetting review recommendations; when reforms will be implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53099/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána under Section 33 of the Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024. The Garda National Vetting Bureau is responsible for the vetting system under the National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Act 2012 (as amended).
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.
I am aware that concerns have been raised regarding certain aspects of the Garda vetting process and I have listened carefully to the views of affected sectors. Further to the work of an Interdepartmental Vetting Review Group, I have directed that steps be taken to implement a number of key changes, specifically in relation to re-vetting and the portability of vetting.
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 vulnerable individuals.
My Department is actively engaging 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. This includes an assessment of appropriate models for an expansion of digital service delivery, which is a very significant project that will necessarily take time to fully scope and implement.
543. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of gardaí who have been reassigned from a Garda station to other responsibilities as part of the operation to police Ireland's Presidency of the EU Council, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53106/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána under Section 33 of the Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024 which includes the distribution and stationing of Garda personnel throughout the State.
Since January 2024, An Garda Síochána has been actively preparing to meet the policing and security requirements associated with the Presidency of the EU. I am informed that a comprehensive command, control and coordination framework is in place to support the delivery of Presidency-related policing operations, together with all other major and significant policing operations and events, while ensuring the continued provision of effective day-to-day policing services.
I am advised by An Garda Síochána that specific operational arrangements and the deployment of Garda resources associated with Operation Brehon remain confidential for operational and security reasons.
I understand that a small number of Gardaí have been temporarily transferred to Dublin Castle to effectively support and implement a robust policing and security operation for the duration of the EU Presidency, however the attestation of 979 Gardaí since March 2025 will ensure that An Garda Síochána have the necessary resources to maintain policing services in divisions nationwide while also providing for the security needs of the Presidency.
While certain events may necessitate the deployment of a greater number of Garda personnel than others, I am assured that sufficient Garda resources will remain available to ensure the continued delivery of effective and consistent Garda services throughout the Presidency period. Continuity of core policing services across all functional areas remains a key organisational priority.
Resource requirements for Presidency events are subject to continuous assessment through established governance, planning and coordination processes. Every effort is made to ensure that the delivery of normal policing services is maintained in parallel with the operational demands associated with the Presidency programme. The protection of frontline policing services, community engagement, crime prevention activity and emergency response capability remains a core consideration in all operational planning associated with the Presidency.
544. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if the community-based CCTV grant aid scheme is still open for applications; if sports clubs can apply for support through this scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53120/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraCommunity safety is a top priority for my Department and everyone has the right to be safe and to feel safe in their communities.
Since 2017, my Department has administered a grant-aid scheme supporting groups wishing to establish a community-based CCTV system in their area, which provides grants of up to €40,000 for capital expenditure and up to €5,000 for maintenance.
This scheme was extended in 2019 to cover not only new CCTV systems, but to also provide funding for the extension or upgrade of existing CCTV systems which are incomplete or obsolete. Grants of over €968,000 have been approved to date for 36 Community CCTV schemes.
The Garda Síochána (Recording Devices) Act 2023 provides for a new regime for the authorisation and operation of CCTV schemes, allowing for a member of Garda personnel or a Local Authority to apply in writing to the Commissioner of An Garda Síochána for an authorisation of CCTV. Pending the commencement of part 5 of the Act and the introduction of new arrangements, no new applications are being accepted.
The Deputy may wish to note that there is a requirement under that Act for the Garda Commissioner to develop a Code of Practice for CCTV which will set out the procedures to be followed. As part of developing this new Code of Practice, An Garda Síochána consulted with the bodies listed in Part 8 of the Act and conducted a public consultation for any views or observations on the draft Code of Practice.
Prior to commencement, an amendment is also required to the transitional arrangements in section 7 of the 2023 Act, for existing CCTV applications. That amendment has been included in the Garda Síochána (Recording Devices) (Amendment) Bill which has recently passed both Houses of the Oireachtas and is awaiting Presidential signature. I expect that the new CCTV provisions set out in Part 5 will be commenced this summer.
545. Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if he will provide a schedule of the number of PSA licences refused, revoked or not renewed by the Private Security Authority since the authority came into existence; and if he will clarify whether applicants for licences must provide tax compliance certificates as part of an application for a licence to operate, in tabular form. [53212/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraDetails on the numbers of contractor licences that are refused or revoked by the Private Security Authority, as well as the rates of renewal of contractor licences, are published in the Annual Reports of the Private Security Authority which are available at www.psa-gov.ie/annual-reports/.
To be of assistance to the Deputy, the figures for the last three years are:
|
Contractor Licences |
2023 |
2024 |
2025 |
|
Refused |
11 |
10 |
15 |
|
Revoked |
10 |
7 |
6 |
|
Renewal Rate |
91% |
92% |
98% |
Section 24 of the Private Security Services Act 2004 sets out the legislative requirements concerning tax clearance certificates when a person is applying for a licence or to renew a licence. Under section 24(2) a person is generally required to have a tax clearance certificate that is in force. The limited exceptions, where a person has applied for a tax clearance certificate and either that application has not been determined or the certificate has been refused and an appeal has been made against that refusal, are set out in Section 24.
546. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if the Department has conducted a formal cost-benefit analysis of Ireland opting into EU return hub arrangements; if such an analysis exists; if so, if it will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53219/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra547. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the legal basis under which return hub arrangements would operate for Irish cases; which third countries have been assessed for compliance with international human rights obligations; if a risk register or equivalent assessment exists for this policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53220/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra548. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to clarify the discrepancy between his Department's stated position on opting into EU return hub rules and the Taoiseach's comments in Strasbourg on 7 July 2026 that there are no immediate plans to do so; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53221/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra549. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if a formal Government position on EU return hub opt-in has been agreed at Cabinet; if not, the timeline for such a decision. [53222/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 546 to 549, inclusive, together.
The Returns Regulation will establish a Common European system for returns, with simpler, swifter and more effective returns procedures across the EU, and contains provisions relating to the establishment of return hubs.
Article 17 of the Regulation provides for the legal possibility to establish return hubs in third countries. Under this provision, people who have received deportation orders and have no legal right to remain within the Member State may be returned to a third country with which there is a bilateral agreement or arrangement, provided certain conditions are met, including in particular the respect of international human rights standards and principles in accordance with international law.
It should be noted that the establishment of return hubs under the regulation is not mandatory and that it will be up to individual Member States to determine whether they will seek to establish such an arrangement with a third country.
Ireland has shown its commitment to a common EU-wide solution to migration through opting in to the Pact. Harmonisation in the area of returns is equally important and it is the Government’s preference that Ireland would participate in the Returns Regulation. Ireland considers that any proposed use of returns hubs must be sustainable, cost-effective and carried out in accordance with fundamental rights.
A decision was taken to change the legal basis of the Regulation, meaning that it now forms part of the Schengen Acquis. Consideration of Ireland’s participation in the measure by way of an opt-in under Protocol 19 is ongoing and any such opt-in will be subject to approval by the Houses of the Oireachtas.
550. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration whether the Department has had any engagement with an organisation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53239/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can confirm for the Deputy that my Department has had no engagement with the organisation mentioned.
551. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of enforcement actions taken in relation to e-scooters in each of the years 2024 and 2025 and to date in 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53246/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraOur road safety strategy takes a whole of government approach and is a shared responsibility. Development and implementation of road traffic legislation and policy falls within the remit of my colleague, the Minister for Transport, and the vital role of enforcing road traffic laws is carried out by An Garda Síochána.
Gardaí have significant legislative powers to combat the antisocial and dangerous misuse of e-scooters and other such vehicles and I am assured that An Garda Síochána continues to adopt a proactive approach in addressing this issue.
Road traffic legislation is enforced as part of the day-to-day duties of members of An Garda Síochána, as well as through a programme of high-visibility road safety and enforcement operations carried out in partnership with other state agencies, in order to make our roads safer for all.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that based on reported PULSE incidents of ‘Vehicle Detained’ and ‘Property Seized’ the following table describes the number of incidents in which e-scooters were seized or detained nationally in 2024, 2025 and up to 31 March 2026, the latest date for which figures are available:
|
- |
2024 |
2025 |
2026 to 31 March 2026 |
|
Incidents where e-scooters were seized or detained |
310 |
931 |
754 |
Figures for ‘seized or detained’ above are for those vehicles seized or detained under the incident types of ‘Vehicle Detained’, ‘Vehicle Detained Under Sec 41’ and ‘Property Seized'.
The information includes incidents where more than one vehicle was detained or seized. All information above is based upon operational data from the Fixed Charge Processing System and PUSLE system and is liable to change.
552. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration for an update on a visa application (details supplied); the current status of the application; the reason for the delay in processing the application beyond the anticipated timeframe; whether all required documentation has been received; when a decision is expected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53258/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can advise the Deputy that the Join Family visa application referred to was created on 23 February 2026. Supporting documentation was received in the Dublin Visa Office on 17 March 2026 where it awaits examination and processing.
My Departments business target for join family visa applications is 12 months. It must be made clear that these are business targets for the immigration service and some applications can take longer than others. The business target reflects the detailed and often complex assessment that is required to be carried out in relation to applications for family reunification.
While I acknowledge the personal difficulties an applicant might be experiencing; it is not possible to give a definitive date as to when this application will be finalised. All applications are processed in chronological order, based on date order of receipt.
While every effort is made to process applications as soon as possible, processing times will vary having regard to the volume and complexity of applications, the possible need for the Immigration Service Delivery function of my Department to investigate, inquire into, or seek further information, and the resources available.
The current processing times for Dublin visa decisions is available here: www.irishimmigration.ie/visa-decisions/.The date published on the website is the oldest date of application currently being processed under a given category. However, it should be noted that the Visa team continue to process and make decisions on applications received after the published processing date. If a particular application takes longer to consider this may result in the published processing date remaining unchanged. I can assure you that this does not indicate the processing of these applications has halted overall.
I am acutely aware that join family applications are very important for the people impacted. I understand that people are eager to have their families join them in Ireland, and I am committed to improving the service my Department provides.
The person concerned can now directly check the status of their visa application on the Immigration Service’s Customer Service Portal. They can register for, or log in to their existing account, at: www.portal.irishimmigration.ie/
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.
553. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of applicants from the trainee Garda intake of 2024 still in the Garda vetting process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53276/26]
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.
554. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of summonses issued for driving without insurance, driving without a driving licence and driving an untaxed vehicle in each of the past five years; the number of persons in each category who were male and female; the age profile of such persons in five-year age cohorts (details supplied); and the county in which each offence was detected, in tabular form. [53284/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra558. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of persons detected driving without insurance on more than one occasion in each of the past five years; the number, by gender; their age profile in five-year age cohorts; and the county in which each offence was detected, in tabular form. [53288/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 554 and 558 together.
It has not been possible to collate the information requested by the Deputy in the time available. I will write to the Deputy directly once the information is to hand.
555. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of convictions recorded for driving without insurance, driving without a driving licence and driving an untaxed vehicle in each of the last five years; the number of persons in each category who were male and female; the age profile of such persons in five-year age cohorts (details supplied); the county in which each offence was detected, in tabular form. [53285/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe management of the courts, operational matters and logistical functions are the responsibility of the judiciary and Courts Service, which are independent in exercising their functions under the Courts Service Act 1998 and the Constitution. As Minister, I have no role in these matters.
It should be noted that the Department does not record data relating to convictions, as this is a function of the courts.
To be of assistance I have referred this question to the Courts Service for their direct reply to the Deputy.
The Deputy may also wish to note that the Courts Service has a dedicated email address for the provision of information to members of the Houses of the Oireachtas: oireachtasenquiries@courts.ie
556. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of drivers identified as operating a vehicle without valid motor insurance through the Garda electronic motor insurance checking system in each year since its introduction; the number of such drivers who were male and female; the age profile of such drivers in five-year age cohorts (details supplied); the county in which each detection occurred; the number subsequently prosecuted; and the number convicted, in tabular form. [53286/26]
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.
557. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of vehicles identified as having no current motor tax through electronic checks, including automatic number plate recognition and linked databases, in each year since such systems were introduced; the number of vehicle users identified who were male and female; the age profile of such persons in five-year age cohorts (details supplied); the county in which each detection occurred; the number subsequently prosecuted; and the number convicted, in tabular form. [53287/26]
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.
559. Deputy Daniel Ennis asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the measures his Department is taking to address a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53297/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraTackling the scourge of drug dealing and targeting organised crime groups, who inflict intimidation, violence and misery on families and communities across Ireland is a top priority for the government and An Garda Síochána.
An Garda Síochána have a number of national and local operations that target the illicit drug trade.
Operation Tara aims to disrupt, dismantle and prosecute drug trafficking networks, at all levels – international, national and local – involved in the sale and supply of illegal drugs. Under Operation Tara, individuals and groups involved in the drug trade are the target of enforcement activity based on intelligence and the latest crime trends.
I am informed that An Garda Síochána is aware of concerns regarding alleged drug dealing in the area and I am advised that the area continues to be subject to ongoing operational attention through a combination of proactive policing initiatives, including both high-visibility uniform patrols and targeted plain clothes operations. These patrols are informed by intelligence, community engagement and operational policing requirements.
In addition operation Meacán is a dedicated Garda operation that targets the use of scramblers, quads, e-bikes and e-scooters engaged in criminal activity within the DMR, such as drug related intimidation and drug dealing. The Gardaí have conducted a number of days of action in Finglas, Cabra and Blanchardstown, notably in February and March which resulted in the seizure of controlled drugs including cannabis, ketamine, alprazolam tablets and crack cocaine and the seizure of a significant number of scramblers, e-bikes and e-scooters.
An Garda Síochána introduced a High Visibility Policing Plan in Dublin City Centre in March 2025. This initiative has since been rolled out to Cork and Limerick City Centres, as well as areas of South and East Dublin, including Tallaght and Dún Laoghaire. The Garda Commissioner is committed to continuing the rollout of high-visibility policing plans to other areas of the Dublin Metropolitan Region, and ongoing Garda recruitment is supporting this commitment.
The Deputy may also be aware that the Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024, which I commenced in April 2025, provides for the establishment of 36 Local Community Safety Partnerships (Safety Partnerships) within each local authority area. Under section 116 of the Act, Safety Partnerships once established, are independent, community-led bodies mandated to design tailored safety plans based on local priorities.
There are five Safety Partnerships in the Dublin City Council administrative area (Central, North Central, North West, South Central, South East), and two in the Fingal local authority area (Fingal North and Fingal West).
Each Safety Partnership is mandated to consult with their community in the development of a local community safety plan to improve community safety in the relevant area. These plans will prioritise issues of importance to the community and develop collaborative responses to these issues. Your constituents may wish to bring this matter, and any Garda resourcing concerns in general, to the attention of their Safety Partnership. Contact details for Safety Partnerships are available here: www.justicegovie.maps.arcgis.com/apps/dashboards/45c092b0ff534dd48bce257bbe7a7dc0.
I can assure the Deputy that I will continue to engage with the Commissioner to ensure that he has the resources that he needs to tackle crime in all of our communities.
