Written Answers Nos. 853-872
853. Deputy Naoise Ó Muirí asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration for an update on the effectiveness of Operation Saul in improving safety on public transport services in the Dublin Metropolitan Region; the number of arrests and charges made under the operation to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [64662/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraOperation Saul was launched in January 2022 for the purpose of coordinating operational activity across the Dublin Metropolitan Region (DMR) to provide a safe environment for commuters utilising all public transport services across the city. Operation Saul involves the effective management and planned deployment of resources in the DMR to ensure the delivery of both an overt and covert policing response on board Bus, Luas, Dart and Train services to effectively tackle anti-social behaviour, public order and criminal activity.
All frontline Garda members carry out activities under the auspices of Operation Saul on a daily basis and as required. As part of Operation Saul, each Chief Superintendent within DMR ensures continued collaboration with key transport stakeholders and providers along with Local Authorities to ensure an integrated approach at key high risk periods. Personnel are deployed to perform overt and covert patrols on board all public transport services (Public Buses, Dart & Luas services), on a daily basis throughout Dublin. Members performing patrols on public transport services take effective action where offences are detected, and initiate charges where appropriate.
I am informed by Garda Authorities that the table below records operational activity for Operation Saul, showing the volume of different types of interactions and enforcement actions across 2023, 2024, 2025, and to date in 2026.
|
Type of Interaction Operation Saul |
2023 |
2024 |
2025 |
2026 |
|
Adult Caution |
43 |
67 |
53 |
31 |
|
Prisoner Logs |
833 |
805 |
889 |
535 |
|
Charges Preferred |
1,432 |
1,381 |
1,656 |
960 |
|
JLO Referral |
148 |
159 |
107 |
81 |
|
Summons Issued |
361 |
368 |
350 |
97 |
|
Searches |
376 |
113 |
358 |
545 |
|
Proactive Patrols |
5,765 |
4,335 |
6,374 |
4,648 |
The Garda authorities advise that incident data is based upon operational data from the PULSE system as was available on 9 September 2026 and is liable to change.
An Garda Síochána is committed to continuing its efforts in dealing with anti-social behaviour on public transport and bringing those responsible for such criminal acts before the Courts. Members in the DMR will continue to proactively police public transport under Operation Saul as part of our overall response to preventing such antisocial behaviour.
854. Deputy Naoise Ó Muirí asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration for an update on the effectiveness of Operation Irene; the number of arrests and charges made under the operation to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [64660/26]
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.
855. Deputy Naoise Ó Muirí asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration for an update on the effectiveness of Operation Citizen in improving public safety in Dublin city centre; the number of arrests and charges made under the operation to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [64659/26]
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 all operational policing matters.
I am advised by Garda authorities that Operation Citizen commenced in Dublin City Centre on the 22 October 2021. The purpose of this Operation was to reassure the public, residents, tourists, businesses and workers that Dublin City Centre is a positive, safe environment. Particular focus was placed on anti-social behaviour, public order and quality of life issues, assaults and high-volume crimes.
Operation Citizen was discontinued in February 2025 when a new High Visibility Policing Plan was introduced in Dublin City. Due to the success of the Plan in Dublin City Centre, it was expanded to other areas of the Dublin Metropolitan Region (DMR) as well as Cork, Limerick and Galway in early 2026.
The Garda authorities have provided the tables below in respect of the DMR. They show a marked increase in Proactive Policing Detections:
|
Crime Type |
% Change |
|
Public Order Offences |
+3% |
|
Possession of Drugs for Sale/Supply |
+24% |
|
Possession of Drugs for Personal Use |
+1% |
|
Obstruction under Drugs Act |
+33% |
|
Handling Possession of Stolen Property |
+3% |
|
Possession of an Article (Intent to Burgle) |
+8% |
|
Search under Drugs Act 1977/84 |
+4% |
|
Vehicle Detained (Sc. 41 RTA) |
+5% |
|
Possession of Offensive Weapon |
+4% |
The Garda authorities have also provided the table below which shows the number of incidents and policing activities recorded on the PULSE system in the DMR North Central and DMR South Central Divisions since the commencement of the High Visibility Policing Plan on 22 March 2025 to 10 September 2026.
|
Type of Interaction |
Total |
|
Adult Caution |
1,035 |
|
Prisoner Logs |
11,938 |
|
Charges Preferred |
25,063 |
|
JLO Referral |
1,183 |
|
Summons Issued |
12,188 |
|
Searches |
9,229 |
|
Proactive Patrols |
13,395 |
An Garda Síochána, as a community based police service, is committed to ensuring and maintaining a high visibility presence in our communities. The benefits of high visibility policing are evident within Dublin City Centre with the reduction in a number of offences combined with an increase in proactive detections.
Dublin, like any major European capital has a wide range of complex social and professional dynamics. An Garda Síochána is committed to working with all sectors of political, economic and civic society to reassure the public, residents, visitors, businesses and workers that Dublin is, in the main, a safe place to live, visit, socialise, conduct business and enjoy.
856. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of criminal legal aid certificates granted in the District Court, by county, for the months of July and August 2025, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [64714/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra857. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of criminal legal aid certificate granted in the District Court, by county for the months of July and August 2026, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter [64713/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra858. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of criminal legal aid certificates granted in the District Court to date in 2026, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [64712/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra859. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of criminal legal aid certificates granted in the District Court in August 2025 and August 2026, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [64711/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra860. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of criminal legal aid certificates granted in the District Court in July 2025 and July 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [64710/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra900. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the total number of resignations received from the Criminal Legal Aid panel since 1 July 2026. [65074/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra904. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of criminal legal aid certificates issued in each month of 2025 and in each month to date in 2026, in tabular form. [65054/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra915. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the methodology and underlying calculation used by his Department to produce the 'weighted average number of appearances’ (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [65138/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra926. Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration whether he will engage in dialogue with legal practitioners to bring the current legal aid scheme dispute to an end. [65333/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 856 to 860, inclusive, 900, 904, 915 and 926 together.
The Review and Reform Proposal of the Criminal Legal Aid fee structure for the District Court, published on 2 July 2026, provides detail on the analysis conducted on more than 350,000 District Court cases which took place during 2022 and 2023. Review and Reform Proposal of the Criminal Legal Aid Fee Structure for the District Court: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-justice-home-affairs-and-migration/publications/review-and-reform-proposal-of-the-criminal-legal-aid-fee-structure-for-the-district-court/
There has been ongoing engagement between officials in my Department and the Law Society and Bar Council in relation to changes to the criminal legal aid fee structure since October 2025. I met with the Law Society of Ireland in July and listened to the issues raised by criminal practitioners regarding the Criminal Legal Aid Scheme which commenced on 1 July 2026 and corresponded with them on a number of occasions, most recently yesterday.
On foot of that engagement and at the request of the Law Society, I agreed to pay two thirds of the new €520 fee at the commencement of a case, with the remaining third to be paid at the conclusion of the case or after 12 months, whichever is earlier. The fee of €520, up from €455, is equivalent to the payment for 5 appearances in a case under the old system, adjusted to reverse the outstanding 8% cut under FEMPI. In addition, I agreed to increase the proposed fee for District Court cases going to the Circuit or higher courts from €100 to €520 and also introduced a separate fee of €80 for certificates issued following the execution of bench warrants.
I received a letter from the Law Society on 8 September requesting the appointment of an independent mediator and have responded.
While it is regrettable that some criminal practitioners withdrew their services while discussions between my Department of Justice and the Law Society were ongoing and in advance of the final proposals being made, the Department is aware that there are currently over 600 solicitors on the Criminal Legal Aid Panel, with 24 having reapplied to join. The Department is also aware that some solicitors who resigned from the panel have been assigned certificates in the last few weeks, and my officials are in the process of contacting these solicitors to make sure they are reinstated. Since the commencement of the new system and up to 10 September 2026, over 1,400 new certificates for legal aid have issued.
My Department continues to keep the operation of the new criminal legal aid arrangements in the District Court under review following their introduction. As part of this review process, I have already indicated the possibility of considering modifications to reflect the distinct nature of cases that may require a large number of hearings, such as cases before the Children’s Court and remand hearings.
Management of the courts, operational matters such as the allocation of court business, the scheduling of cases 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 given the separation of powers in the Constitution.
Under the Criminal Justice (Legal Aid) Act 1962, it is the Courts, through the judiciary, that are responsible for the granting of legal aid. The Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration has no involvement in the granting of free legal aid or the assignment of solicitors. These matters are handled entirely by the courts.
Information requested in relation to the issuance of criminal legal aid certificates by the Courts should be directed to the Courts Service. The Courts Service has a dedicated email address for the provision of information to members of the Houses of the Oireachtas, at oireachtasenquiries@courts.ie.
861. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if he will provide an update on the appeal of student visa application (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [64771/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can advise the Deputy that the visa application referred to has been refused. The reasons for this decision were set out in the refusal letter sent to the applicant at that time. An appeal of this decision was launched on 07 September 2026.
All visa applicants are advised that the responsibility is on them to provide as much information in support of their application as they feel is necessary. Guidelines in this regard are posted on our website. People that carefully follow these guidelines have an improved prospect of receiving a positive decision.
A decision will be issued to the applicant as soon as full consideration has been given by a Visa Appeals Officer.
The person concerned can now directly check the status of their visa appeal on the Immigration Service’s Customer Service Portal. They can register for, or log in to their existing account, at:
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.
862. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of immigration checks carried out by An Garda Síochána in each of the Border counties of Louth, Monaghan, Cavan, Leitrim and Donegal in each of the past 12-months, by county and type of operation; and the number of persons detected during those checks who did not have lawful permission to enter or remain in the State. [64777/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra936. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if any written policy, protocol or operational guidance governs the actions of the Garda National Immigration Bureau when a person intercepted during an immigration check on a cross-Border road or public transport service is subsequently returned to Northern Ireland; whether such guidance provides for a formal handover to a UK authority; if so, which authority; and whether the guidance will be made publicly available. [65452/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra937. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration in relation to persons intercepted by An Garda Síochána or the Garda National Immigration Bureau during immigration checks on cross-Border roads and public transport services, the number subsequently detained; the locations in which they were detained; the number returned or escorted to Northern Ireland or Great Britain; in each case, the mode of return; and whether the return involved a formal handover to a UK authority, in each of the years from 2023 to date in 2026. [65453/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 862, 936 and 937 together.
Ireland and the United Kingdom (UK) share a long history and common interest in the effective operation of the Common Travel Area (CTA) and work together to prevent any abuses of the CTA.
The Programme for Government commits to ‘Continue to work with the UK Government to introduce further measures to tackle abuses within the Common Travel Area (CTA) and strengthen the external border of the Common Travel Area, including greater exchange of information’.
My Department chairs a Common Travel Area Forum (CTAF) with the UK Home Office which acts as a steering committee for the ongoing work of protecting the CTA in relation to free movement of its citizens between both countries while at the same time ensuring that the CTA is not abused by those not entitled to avail of it. The Forum comprises officials of both my Department and the UK Home Office, together with relevant operational colleagues. It is jointly chaired by the respective Heads of Immigration functions on both sides.
More broadly, 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.
An Garda Síochána conducts ‘Operation Sonnet’ which targets abuses of the CTA. It targets people attempting to abuse the CTA by illegally crossing the Irish border from Northern Ireland. During Operation Sonnet, GNIB Officers operate checkpoints and vehicle stops in order to conduct immigration checks on passengers travelling by means of both public and private transport from Northern Ireland to the Republic of Ireland. ‘Operation Gull’ is the UK equivalent.
During these operations, people entering Ireland illegally were refused leave to land and returned to the UK by ferry from Dublin Port to Holyhead. Where it was confirmed that they were resident in Northern Ireland, they were returned to Belfast.
A human rights-based approach is adopted in relation to every individual stopped. Immigration officers will clearly identify themselves. All Garda members have completed training in the Garda Code of Ethics and the Garda Decision Making Model. All checks carried out are lawful, objective and respectful.
I am advised by the Garda Commissioner that the following information is available in relation to days of operational activity and detections arising from these operations:
Table 1. Operation Sonnet days of action and detections.
|
Op Sonnet |
Detections |
Days of Action |
|
2023Q4 |
56 |
11 |
|
2024Q1 |
28 |
6 |
|
2024Q2 |
116 |
16 |
|
2024Q3 |
62 |
11 |
|
2024Q4 |
29 |
4 |
|
2025Q1 |
61 |
14 |
|
2025Q2 |
42 |
6 |
|
2025Q3 |
61 |
4 |
|
2025Q4 |
20 |
6 |
|
2026Q1 |
17 |
7 |
In relation to the Deputy's questions regarding any written policy, protocol or operational guidance governing the actions of the Garda National Immigration Bureau when a person intercepted during an immigration check is subsequently returned to Northern Ireland, including any arrangements for formal handover to UK authorities, I have sought information from the Garda Commissioner. If the requested information is available, I will provide it to the Deputy by way of supplementary reply.
863. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of persons detected entering or attempting to enter the State without a passport or other valid identity or travel documentation in each of the past 12 months, broken down by location, nationality and stated route of entry; and he will make a statement on the matter. [64776/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra869. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the standard procedure followed when a person enters or is found in the State without verifiable identity or travel documentation; the measures used to establish their identity, nationality and travel route; the use of fingerprints, photographs and national or international databases; the circumstances in which detention may be considered; and the consequences where a person is suspected of deliberately destroying, concealing or disposing of documents [64780/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra870. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of undocumented persons detected entering or attempting to enter the State in each of the past 12-months who were refused leave to land, returned to their point of departure, issued with a deportation order, or removed from the State, broken down by month, nationality and category of action taken. [64779/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra871. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration of those detected entering or attempting to enter the State unlawfully in each of the past 12-months, the number who subsequently applied for international protection, broken down by month, nationality and location of detection; and the number transferred into the international protection process. [64778/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 863 and 869 to 871, inclusive, together.
Implementing effective border security arrangements is a priority for me as Minister.
Establishing a person's identity and nationality is an important feature of our immigration process. At ports of entry, Immigration Officials conduct passport checks and undertake operations, as required, to ensure that passengers arriving in the State are properly documented in accordance with Section 11 of the Immigration Act 2004.
Where a non-EEA national presents at a port of entry without documentation, or is identified as having false or fraudulently obtained documents, they may be refused entry to the State.
Section 4(3) of the Immigration Act 2004 sets out the full range of grounds on which a person may be refused leave to land. When a person is refused leave to land, an Immigration Officer will arrange for their removal from the State in accordance with the relevant legislation. The priority is to return the person on the next available flight to their last point of embarkation.
Any person refused leave to land at the border and returned to their point of embarkation would not generally become subject to the deportation process. Deportation orders are a separate immigration enforcement measure that applies to persons who are present in the State and are required to leave in accordance with the law.
If a person indicates, or is identified as being, in need of international protection, they are admitted to the international protection process. I can advise the Deputy that the EU Migration and Asylum Pact introduces mandatory processing timeframes for international protection applications. Ireland, along with other Member States, is required to process certain applications within three months under an accelerated procedure. This will apply, amongst others, to people who have misled the authorities, for example by destroying identity documents.
The International Protection Act 2026 gives effect to the EU Migration and Asylum Pact and came into operation on 12 June 2026, the same day as the Pact measures came into effect. Under the International Protection Act 2026, any person who arrives at a port, airport or international protection application office and applies for international protection is required to attend a designated screening centre and will be registered on the Eurodac system.
The new Eurodac Regulation (Regulation (EU) 2024/1358) expands the data collection requirement to individuals aged six years and older. It broadens data collection beyond fingerprints to include facial images and travel documents.
My Department and the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) are also working closely with airlines on a range of measures to ensure that passengers have the necessary documentation when boarding. This includes delivering in-person training to relevant airline ground-handling staff on immigration requirements and the detection of false travel documentation. Following the delivery of this training, the BMU continues to provide support to ensure compliance with immigration requirements and to strengthen capability in detecting false documents and other indicators of irregular migration.
The BMU and GNIB have an ongoing intelligence-led programme of operations on aircraft to detect passengers who have destroyed documents in flight and to identify the point of embarkation of undocumented passengers. Up to the end of August 2026, the BMU had carried out 4,090 doorstop operations at Dublin Airport.
The BMU is responsible for frontline immigration operations at Dublin Airport only. Accordingly, the figures set out below reflect the position at Dublin Airport. Other airports and ports of entry are the responsibility of An Garda Síochána.
In recent years, the number of people arriving at Dublin Airport without documentation has reduced. Both 2025 and 2024 saw a reduction of more than 50% in the number of people arriving at Dublin Airport without documentation compared with 2022. 2022 was a peak year with almost 5,000 people refused entry on this basis.
The table below outlines the number of people who were refused entry at Dublin Airport, the number who presented without documentation or with false documents, and, separately, the number who indicated that the wished to apply for international protection. A breakdown by nationality is not available at this time.
Arising from the enactment of the International Protection Act 2026, the BMU no longer provides statistics on persons indicating that they wish to apply for international protection at the point of entry.
Table 1:
|
2026 |
Total Arriving Passengers |
Total Refusals |
Without Documentation |
False Documents + Imposters |
Indicated they wished to apply for International Protection |
|
Sep-25 |
1,688,005 |
453 |
212 |
99 |
395 |
|
Oct-25 |
1,610,987 |
547 |
232 |
119 |
472 |
|
Nov-25 |
1,327,685 |
453 |
170 |
120 |
380 |
|
Dec-25 |
1,309,672 |
437 |
190 |
104 |
375 |
|
Jan-26 |
1,254,008 |
349 |
136 |
80 |
280 |
|
Feb-26 |
1,189,231 |
354 |
124 |
69 |
262 |
|
Mar-26 |
1,444,038 |
377 |
162 |
93 |
307 |
|
Apr-26 |
1,578,903 |
339 |
137 |
70 |
256 |
|
May-26 |
1,710,362 |
373 |
155 |
87 |
285 |
|
Jun-26 |
1,769,122 |
338 |
180 |
66 |
IP Act 2026 |
|
Jul-26 |
1,925,783 |
301 |
132 |
65 |
IP Act 2026 |
|
Aug-26 |
1,955,643 |
317 |
141 |
78 |
IP Act 2026 |
* Please note, figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing
865. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the immediate civil and criminal protections currently available to a victim of domestic violence; the average waiting times for protection, safety, interim barring and emergency barring order applications; the number of applications granted, refused or withdrawn in 2024 and 2025; and whether any gaps or delays in obtaining urgent protection have been identified. [64727/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraSupport services from State agencies and the voluntary sector are available to victims of domestic violence. Anyone in any immediate danger should contact An Garda Síochána on 999/112. AlwaysHere.ie is a website that is run by Cuan, and lists all the DSGBV support services that are available both locally and nationally.
Along with many in-person services, there are a number of helplines that offer support to victim-survivors 24 hours a day and at weekends. The Women’s Aid 24-hour National Freephone Helpline - 1800 341 900 is a free, non-judgmental, and confidential service that offers support to women subjected to domestic abuse including coercive control. This includes emotional, physical, sexual, or economic abuse by a current or former partner.
The National Freephone Helpline provides support in 240 languages. If English is not someone's first language, they can be helped in their own language through the free and confidential telephone interpretation service. The 24-hour National Freephone Helpline is a gateway to local independent refuges and support services across the country.
The Domestic Violence Act 2018 provides a suite of civil court orders designed to protect applicants and any dependent persons, including safety orders (section 6), barring orders (section 7); and short term/interim protection measures including protection orders (section 10), interim barring orders (section 8) and emergency barring orders (section 9).
A barring order directs the respondent to leave and/or prohibits entry to the place where the applicant (and/or dependent persons) resides, and may include additional prohibitions such as using or threatening violence, molesting, putting in fear, attending in the vicinity, following or communicating with the applicant or dependent persons. Emergency barring orders can be made for a period not exceeding 8 days. An interim barring order made ex parte can be made for an initial period not exceeding 8 days, and if made on notice to the respondent, it will ceases to have effect on the determination of the hearing for the substantive barring order.
Where a substantive barring order is made for a specified period, the 2018 Act provides that the applicant may apply to the court before the expiration of the order for a further barring order to take effect from the date on which the order expires. Applicants who anticipate ongoing risk should engage with the relevant court office as early as possible in advance of the expiry date to ensure that any further application can be processed and listed in good time, and to avoid any gap in protection.
To avoid any gaps in protection, the Act also provides for immediate, short-term protections where urgency arises. In particular, a protection order (section 10) may be sought in conjunction with an application for a safety order and/or barring order, pending the full hearing. In higher-risk circumstances, an interim barring order (section 8) or emergency barring order (section 9) may be sought.
In addition, section 24 of the 2018 Act allows for a special sitting of the District Court to be arranged in certain circumstances on request by a member of An Garda Síochána (not below the rank of sergeant), to facilitate urgent applications where no sitting is available in the appropriate District Court district at the time. An order under section 9 may not exceed eight working days and further emergency barring orders may be made against a respondent within a month of the expiry of a previous barring order where exceptional circumstances justify this.
The number of domestic violence applications and number of applications granted are published in the Courts Service Annual Reports 2024 and 2025, which are available on Courts.ie.
866. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of people who accessed Cuan-funded services in 2024, 2025 and to date in 2026; and the number unable to access accommodation or specialist assistance when requested. [64724/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis Government has taken unprecedented actions to tackle all forms of domestic, sexual, and gender-based violence (DSGBV). This includes increasing funding to almost €80 million under Budget 2026, to support Cuan and services working to tackle DSGBV and the implementation of the Zero Tolerance Strategy.
In July of this year, I published the 2025 Annual Report of Cuan, which details the comprehensive steps taken during the agency's first full year operating under its 2025–2027 Corporate Plan, and marked the accomplishment of several high-impact, measurable initiatives. The milestones documented within the review reflect the scope and depth of progress made in combating domestic, sexual and gender-based violence and supporting victims and survivors.[ ]The report highlights progress achieved through the four pillars of prevention, protection, prosecution, and policy coordination, supporting Ireland’s commitment under the Istanbul Convention and advancing implementation of the Zero Tolerance Strategy through coordinated national action.
I am advised that Cuan invested €58.4 million in 78 specialist services nationwide, ensuring that victims and survivors continued to have access to high quality, accessible and specialist supports. Cuan is still in the early stages of developing data sets for more robust figures on how many users each service has assisted. In total, 23,239 individuals were supported across Cuan-funded domestic violence services last year, of these:
• 19,706 individuals received community-based supports outside accommodation settings.
• 1,655 households were accommodated in domestic violence refuge and Safe Homes with an average stay of 6 weeks. There were 1,693 households accommodated in 2024 with an average stay of 7 weeks.
• 3,284 children were supported by DV services, 3,015 were supported in DV accommodation.
In 2025, Cuan allocated €3.2 million to facilitate a targeted funding call to support the expansion of services and innovation across a range of domestic and sexual violence services and perpetrator programmes. The funding call targeted key areas, including: expansion of counselling services for adolescent victim-survivors, improved access to domestic and sexual violence services for marginalised groups, increased capacity to address increasing service volumes across national helplines, training for staff and board members working in DSGBV organisations on a range of topics from governance to trauma-informed complex care, and increased access to perpetrator programmes.
I am further advised that the funding provided by Cuan is expected to provide additional and improved training for more than 1,100 frontline professionals in 67 DSGBV services. An additional 5,484 victim-survivors will benefit from increased availability of services and appointments, and an additional 167 individuals will engage with perpetrator programmes.
While Cuan provides funding to frontline organisations supporting victims of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence (DSGBV), responsibility for the day-to-day management, governance and operational oversight of these organisations’ rests solely with the organisations themselves.
868. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of domestic violence refuge units and safe-home units available when Cuan commenced and at present, by county; the number under development in each county; the expected opening date of each project; and the current and planned provision for County Louth. [64722/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis Government has taken unprecedented actions to tackle all forms of domestic, sexual, and gender-based violence (DSGBV). This includes increasing funding to almost €80 million under Budget 2026, to support Cuan and services working to tackle DSGBV and the implementation of the Zero Tolerance Strategy. The increased funding for Cuan and community organisations that support victims and survivors will accelerate the delivery of safe accommodation, while also providing stronger supports for victims.
Refuge units and safe homes provide a vital place of safety for families in crisis. The Government is determined to continue to establish units across the country to ensure that those supports are available when they are most needed.
At the start of the zero-tolerance strategy, there were 49 safe homes and 141 DV refuge units in place. By the end of 2026, the target is to increase this to 94 safe homes,193 refuge units, with an additional 50 units under construction. All refuges scheduled to open in 2026 are on track, including 12 units in Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown expected to be operational in Q4 2026.
I am advised that Cuan is collaborating with various stakeholders, including domestic violence services, Approved Housing Bodies, the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, the Housing Agency and Local Authorities to facilitate local action and support service development and delivery of safe accommodation and ancillary services. Furthermore, Cuan continues to explore additional opportunities for developing domestic violence accommodation, especially in areas where such facilities are currently lacking, while also considering interim refuges and alternative accommodation for those fleeing domestic violence.
Cuan has advised that the table below outlines safe accommodation units by county, as of Q3 2026, which outlines 17 domestic violence refuge units in Louth. In addition to these units, the construction of a 12-unit refuge is currently underway. This project received Capital Assistance Scheme (CAS ) Stage 4 approval on 9 January. This development, which was identified as a priority under the Third National Strategy on Domestic, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (DSGBV), is being led by Women’s Aid Dundalk.
I am further advised that when complete, the facility will provide 12 residential units along with therapeutic spaces, a family access unit, a dedicated youth and child support unit, overnight staff accommodation, outdoor play areas and open green space. The centre will enable Women’s Aid Dundalk to deliver a comprehensive range of wraparound services, including counselling and ongoing support for women and families.
Cuan overview of DV Accommodation by County (Q3 2026)
|
DV Accommodation by County |
DV Refuge Units |
Safe Home Units |
Total DV Accommodation |
|
Dublin - City |
17 |
16 |
33 |
|
Dublin - Dun Laoghaire |
0 |
5 |
5 |
|
Dublin – Fingal |
10 |
0 |
10 |
|
Dublin - South Dublin |
20 |
3 |
23 |
|
Carlow |
0 |
2 |
2 |
|
Cavan |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Clare |
6 |
2 |
8 |
|
Cork |
11 |
3 |
14 |
|
Donegal |
4 |
10 |
14 |
|
Galway |
10 |
0 |
10 |
|
Kerry |
6 |
0 |
6 |
|
Kildare |
4 |
2 |
6 |
|
Kilkenny |
7 |
3 |
10 |
|
Laois |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Leitrim |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Limerick |
16 |
0 |
16 |
|
Longford |
0 |
1 |
1 |
|
Louth |
17 |
0 |
17 |
|
Mayo |
5 |
0 |
5 |
|
Meath |
8 |
0 |
8 |
|
Monaghan |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Offaly |
0 |
3 |
3 |
|
Roscommon |
0 |
2 |
2 |
|
Sligo |
0 |
2 |
2 |
|
Tipperary |
4 |
2 |
6 |
|
Waterford |
12 |
4 |
16 |
|
Westmeath |
5 |
0 |
5 |
|
Wexford |
12 |
0 |
12 |
|
Wicklow |
7 |
0 |
7 |
|
Total |
181 |
60 |
241 |
872. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to provide an update on the status of an application (details supplied) in view of its being 40 months since the application was submitted, which is beyond the standard processing timeframe for such application types. [64799/26]
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: 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.
