Written Answers Nos. 269-288
269. Deputy John Clendennen asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of households in County Offaly that have become eligible for fuel allowance in 2026 as a result of the extension of eligibility to recipients of the working family payment; the total value of these fuel allowance payments made to date in 2026; and the projected full-year value of these payments in County Offaly, in tabular form. [66282/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra270. Deputy John Clendennen asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of fuel allowance recipients in County Offaly in each of the years 2021 to 2025 and to date in 2026, by the primary qualifying payment or scheme through which eligibility was established, in tabular form. [66280/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra271. Deputy John Clendennen asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of households in County Offaly that received fuel allowance under the national fuel scheme in each of the years 2021 to 2025 and to date in 2026; and the total value of payments made to recipients in County Offaly, by year, in tabular form. [66278/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 269 to 271, inclusive, together.
Fuel Allowance is a payment to help with the cost of heating your home during the winter months. It is paid to only one person in a household. The 2026/27 Fuel Allowance season commences on the week beginning Monday, 28th September 2026.
At the end of August 2026, there were 869 people in Offaly awarded Fuel Allowance where their primary payment was Working Family Payment.
The total number of recipients of Fuel Allowance in Offaly at the end of each year from 2021 to 2025, and a breakdown by primary scheme, including the national fuel scheme, is provided in table 1 below.
It is not possible to breakdown expenditure down by individual level characteristics, such as county. The overall expenditure on Fuel allowance in each of the years 2021 to 2025 is provided in Table 2 below.
Table 1: Fuel Allowance recipients in Offaly, by year and primary scheme
|
Scheme |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
2025 |
|
Back To Work Scheme |
13 |
13 |
13 |
10 |
8 |
|
Bereaved Partner’s (Contributory) Pension |
875 |
889 |
947 |
922 |
923 |
|
Bereaved Partner’s (Non-Contributory) Pension |
11 |
12 |
10 |
10 |
9 |
|
Blind Persons Pension |
15 |
14 |
14 |
14 |
14 |
|
Carers Allowance |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
114 |
|
Community Employment |
164 |
160 |
146 |
152 |
156 |
|
Deserted Wives Benefit |
31 |
30 |
30 |
29 |
30 |
|
Disability Allowance |
1,594 |
1,618 |
1,644 |
1,661 |
1,610 |
|
Guardians Payment (Contributory) |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
|
Incapacity Supplement |
2 |
2 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
|
Invalidity Pension |
382 |
374 |
372 |
351 |
324 |
|
Jobseekers Allowance |
777 |
784 |
690 |
635 |
575 |
|
National Fuel Scheme |
13 |
12 |
50 |
59 |
66 |
|
Occupational Injuries Pension |
10 |
10 |
10 |
8 |
9 |
|
One Parent Family Payment |
590 |
612 |
601 |
596 |
576 |
|
Rural Social Scheme |
21 |
19 |
19 |
19 |
22 |
|
State Pension Contributory |
1,599 |
1,871 |
2,320 |
2,425 |
2,608 |
|
State Pension Non Contributory |
823 |
846 |
857 |
846 |
897 |
|
Supplementary Welfare Allowance |
11 |
13 |
27 |
17 |
8 |
|
Tús |
50 |
43 |
32 |
32 |
28 |
|
Total |
6,981 |
7,322 |
7,784 |
7,788 |
7,979 |
Table 2: Fuel allowance expenditure by year
|
Year |
Expenditure (€ million) |
|
2021 |
315.66 |
|
2022 |
576.40 |
|
2023 |
501.66 |
|
2024 |
510.23 |
|
2025 |
410.36 |
272. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the remit of Operation Tombola; if it will be in operation this year; the start date; if an earlier start date will be considered; and the efficacy of this operation since 2020. [66009/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn Garda Síochána’s Operation Tombola combats the illegal importation, sale and use of fireworks through a nationwide policing plan focused on the prevention and detection of the sale of fireworks and associated public order and anti-social behaviour issues during the Halloween period. The operation encompasses all aspects of policing the Halloween period each year. It combats the importation, sale and distribution of illegal fireworks through intelligence-led operations, searches and seizures, as well as focusing on preventing associated public disorder and anti-social behaviour.
The penalties for importing, selling or using unlicensed fireworks are significant and Part 6 of the Criminal Justice Act 2006 gives Gardaí power to arrest people found with unlicensed fireworks and sets out significant penalties on conviction, including fines up to €10,000 or up to five years imprisonment for possession with intent to sell or supply. These penalties, which can also apply to those convicted of throwing an ignited firework at a person or property, demonstrate the seriousness attached to breaches of the legislation governing the importation and use of fireworks.
I am advised that a key component of Operation Tombola in both this and previous years operations is active engagement with local authorities and partner agencies in each Garda Division. Gardaí collaborate closely with community stakeholders. Typically Operation Tombola is actively implemented in the lead-up to and during the Halloween period, with each Chief Superintendent overseeing measures to address the sale, supply, and possession of fireworks, as well as anti-social behaviour.
These measures include increased overt and covert patrols in key areas, including usual gathering locations for young people and areas likely to stockpile bonfire materials, as well as regular patrols on Dublin Bus, LUAS, and DART services in the days leading up to Halloween, ensuring a visible presence to deter anti-social behaviour continues. An Garda Síochána also conduct talks and sessions in schools and youth services throughout the region, specifically targeting young individuals who may be involved in the sale, supply, or use of firework continues, and there is active monitoring of open-source media to identify potential locations where individuals were engaging in the illegal sale and supply of fireworks continues.
An Garda Síochána co-ordinates with local authorities to remove any stockpiled bonfire materials before Halloween will take place. A key component of Operation Tombola involves active engagement with local authorities and partner agencies in each division. Gardaí have collaborated closely with these stakeholders to ensure a unified approach to preventing anti-social behaviour during the Halloween period.
I am advised that since 2016 Gardaí have sized 1,883 fireworks, with an estimated value of €347,516. These seizures have undoubtedly contributed to reducing harm associated with the illegal use of fireworks and take place throughout the year. An Garda Síochána have provided the table at the link below which outlines the number of fireworks offences reported, the number of those sanctioned (charge/summons/caution), the number of objects seized and the estimated value thereof, for the period 2016 to 26 August 2026.
273. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if his Department maintains a risk register; if so, if copies of the register since 2022 will be provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [66070/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has a Risk Committee that maintains the Departmental Corporate Risk Register.
The register is a live document and is not suitable for publication for operational and security reasons.
The risk register is used to identify, evaluate and mitigate significant risk to the Department’s operations and business plan and is reviewed on an ongoing basis by the Management Board.
274. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if any analysis has been undertaken by his Department, the immigration service or any agency under his remit regarding the long-term residency, emigration or retention rates of naturalised Irish citizens; and if he will provide details of any such analysis. [66029/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra275. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if his Department collects or maintains data on the number or proportion of persons who acquire Irish citizenship through naturalisation and who remain resident in the State for five years, ten years and 15 years after naturalisation. [66028/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra280. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of declarations of intention to retain Irish citizenship received from naturalised Irish citizens residing outside the State in each year since 2015, in tabular form. [66030/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 274, 275 and 280 together.
As the Deputy is aware, any person granted Irish citizenship through naturalisation must intend in good faith to continue to reside in the State after their naturalisation.
Since 2011, approximately 236,000 people have been granted Irish citizenship through naturalisation. My Department does not collect or maintain data on the residence status of persons after they have attended a citizenship ceremony and received a certificate of naturalisation. Accordingly, my Department does not hold data on the number or proportion of naturalised citizens who remain resident in the State for five, ten or fifteen years following naturalisation. Similarly, my Department does not maintain datasets relating to the long-term residence, emigration or retention rates of naturalised Irish citizens.
Where a naturalised citizen resides outside the State, for whatever reason, the person concerned should complete a “Declaration of Intention to Retain Irish Citizenship” (Form 5). This form should be submitted annually for so long as the person remains ordinarily resident outside Ireland.
Further information is available on my Department’s website at the following link: www.irishimmigration.ie/how-to-become-a-citizen/intention-to-retain-irish-citizenship/
It has not been possible to compile the figures of Form 5 declarations received from 2015 as the Deputy has requested. I will write to the Deputy directly once this information is to hand.
The below table outlines the number of Form 5 declarations received by my Department in each year since 2021.
|
Year |
Form 5 |
|
2021 |
632 |
|
2022 |
688 |
|
2023 |
753 |
|
2024 |
768 |
|
2025 |
785 |
*Please note, figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing.
276. Deputy Conor Sheehan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if he agrees that an Irish child should have the same rights for a parent to be resident in Ireland as a child who is citizen of another EU member state under the Zambrero judgment; the administrative mechanism that exists in Ireland through which that asserted EU-law right is determined; and where in the completed refusal or review process for the case of a person (details supplied) was that Article 20 claim substantively determined. [66025/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can advise the Deputy that, as the parent of an Irish citizen child, a person may apply for permission to reside in the State under the Irish Citizen Child scheme, which gives effect to the principles arising from the Zambrano judgment.
The applicant concerned applied for permission to remain in the State pursuant to the Chen/Teixeira/Ibrahim judgments. These judgments apply in circumstances where an EU citizen child has exercised free movement rights by residing in a Member State other than that of their nationality and is accompanied by their primary carer.
As the application in question was based on a child who is an Irish citizen residing in Ireland, no exercise of EU free movement rights had occurred. Accordingly, the Chen/Teixeira/Ibrahim judgments were not applicable to the circumstances of the case.
The application was considered on that basis and was refused at first instance. Following review, the refusal decision was upheld. The decision letter issued to the applicant on 20 July 2026 set out the reasons for the refusal.
The person concerned has been advised that, as the parent of an Irish citizen child, it is open to them to apply for permission to reside in the State under the Irish Citizen Child scheme. To date, no such application has been received by my Department.
More information is available on the Immigration Service Delivery web site at:
www.irishimmigration.ie/my-situation-has-changed-since-i-arrived-in-ireland/the-parent-of-an-irish-citizen-child/
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.
277. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration further to the Government's approval of priority drafting of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship (Amendment) Bill 2026, the number of applications for naturalisation received in each of the years 2021 to 2025 and to date in 2026; the minimum, maximum and median processing time for such applications in each of those years; the breakdown of such by nationality of applicant; and the number of certificates of naturalisation revoked in each of the past five years, in tabular form. [66111/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAll applications for a certificate of naturalisation are assessed individually in accordance with the provisions of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended. A determination as to whether an applicant satisfies the statutory criteria for naturalisation can only be made after an application has been received.
Last week, Minister O'Callaghan and I secured Government approval for the priority drafting of legislation to strengthen Ireland's naturalisation framework. The proposed legislation is intended to both strengthen the integrity of the naturalisation system and align Ireland more closely with the processes in several other EU Member States.
The number and nationalities of those applying for naturalisation are provided in the document at the link below. My Department continues to register applications received in 2025, and the information provided is current up to 30 September 2025.
In the document at the link, countries of origin with fewer than 10 applicants have been grouped under "Rest of the World" to avoid the possibility of identifying any individual.
The processing times for applications are outlined in the table below. Decisions issued in any given year may relate to applications received in previous years, due to the time required to process applications. It is not possible to provide a maximum or minimum processing time.
Table 1. Citizenship application processing times
|
Year |
Median Processing time in months |
|
2021 |
24 |
|
2022 |
19 |
|
2023 |
15 |
|
2024 |
8 |
|
2025 |
8 |
*Figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing
Finally, the grounds for the revocation of citizenship are as set out in section 19 of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956 (as amended).
Changes to this process were made by the Court, Civil Law, Criminal Law and Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2024; these changes were required to address issues identified in a Supreme Court judgment that had found the then revocation process to be unconstitutional. Amendments to the process of revocation of citizenship came into effect from 7 April 2025 and the revised provisions can be found at: revisedacts.lawreform.ie/eli/1956/act/26/section/19/revised/en/html
Under the new procedure, where the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration decides to revoke citizenship, they may do so under the five grounds set out in the 1956 Act. A notification of this intention is issued to the individual, who will be provided with the opportunity to make representations, and has 28 days to so, before a decision is made to revoke their certificate of naturalisation.
Following receipt of those representations, or on expiry of the 28 days, if it is decided to proceed to revoke the certificate of naturalisation, then the individual has 14 days in which to request a Committee of Inquiry. Upon receipt of this request, the Minister will appoint a Committee of Inquiry, which will be composed of a chairperson who will be a retired Judge of the Circuit Court, the High Court, the Court of Appeal, or the Supreme Court, and two ordinary members with appropriate experience and qualifications. The Committee of Inquiry will be independent in its function of inquiry into the Minister's decision and can either affirm the decision or set it aside.
In the last 10 years, 8 people have had their citizenship revoked, this includes two revocations since 7 April 2025.
278. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of applications for naturalisation which satisfied the statutory conditions in section 15(1) of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended, but which were nonetheless refused in the exercise of the Minister's discretion, in each of the past five years; the nature and extent of any data or evidence held by his Department on deficiencies in English, Irish or Irish Sign Language proficiency among applicants for naturalisation; and whether any such data informed the proposal to introduce mandatory language testing. [66112/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAll applications for a certificate of naturalisation are assessed individually in accordance with the provisions of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended.
I can inform the Deputy that my Department does not collate statistics on the number of applications refused under Section 15.
Proficiency in either English or Irish does not form part of the current statutory criteria for naturalisation. Accordingly, my Department does not collect or record information on applicants' proficiency in either language for naturalisation purposes.
Government recently approved the priority drafting of legislation to amend aspects of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956. The General Scheme of the Bill, which will be published shortly, includes proposals to create a power to introduce language tests in either English, Irish or Irish Sign Language, together with an Irish civics, society and politics test.
The policy objective underpinning these reforms is to strengthen the integrity, durability and public confidence in the naturalisation system and to support the integration of those who seek to become Irish citizens.
279. Deputy Naoise Ó Muirí asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if there is any flexibility to the moving date for families (details supplied). [66031/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn 26 May 2026, the Government agreed to commence a phased withdrawal of state-contracted commercial accommodation for people fleeing the war in Ukraine with Temporary Protection who arrived in Ireland prior to 14 March 2024. This forms part of a wider transition programme to support people towards greater independence, while ensuring continued support for those who remain in need of state accommodation.
The phased withdrawal of some commercial accommodation is being implemented on a region-by-region basis. All affected residents have received advance notice of the changes, as well as information and support from my department, the Irish Red Cross and the International Organisation for Migration regarding available accommodation and transition options.
Ongoing supports are being provided for people with particular circumstances that would make it difficult for them to manage in independent accommodation. People in those circumstances were asked to self-declare their need for continued accommodation and provide evidence to support their application. The application form for continued state-supported commercial accommodation was available online from 04 August to 11 September 2026.
Applicants who have been approved will be accommodated in a Designated Accommodation Centre in various locations around the country. There is no guarantee continued accommodation will be in the same area in which a person currently lives. Every effort will be made to continue to accommodate those with established HSE care plans to remain in the relevant Community Health Organisation area for continuity of care.
Families with children attending school who move area can contact their local Regional Education and Language Team (REALT) if they need help finding a school place. Relevant information is provided by the Department of Education at: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-education/publications/information-for-schools-ukraine/
Schools are required to admit all applicants unless the school is full or in very limited, defined circumstances. Families are encouraged to enrol their children as soon as they know the location of their new accommodation.
Residents who have not submitted an application for ongoing accommodation within the application period will not receive a further offer of state-contracted commercial accommodation as part of this process. They will be required to vacate the premises by the date specified in the notification they have received, which for residents of the property referred to is 31 October 2026. It is not possible to remain at the accommodation after this date.
Persons availing of temporary protection are also free to make their own private arrangements for accommodation through their own means, or by using supports provided by the Department of Social Protection.
281. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to advise if there are protocols for prisoners during their time in prison for a crime (details supplied) regarding access to the public, being in public-facing environments and being in less secure areas with prison officers, such as staff canteens. [66065/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by the Irish Prison Service (IPS) that, as part of the initial committal process, every person committed to custody is referred to the Chief Officer responsible for Work and Training for an assessment of their suitability to engage in work, training and other constructive activities within the prison. This assessment takes account of all known risk and suitability information. Decisions are supported by the Governors Committal Interview, Incentivised Regimes Policy, the Approved Working Gratuity policy and Integrated Sentence Management Policy.
As people in custody progress through their sentences, their suitability to undertake roles involving greater responsibility is kept under review as part of their sentence management and preparation for reintegration into the community.
People in custody work in internal staff canteens in most closed prisons as part of their work and training. They may also work in selected staff areas, subject to security and risk assessment and appropriate sentence management. In these circumstances, the Governor must be satisfied that appropriate security, risk assessment and supervision arrangements are in place.
I am advised that where a work, training or rehabilitative activity requires a person to work outside the prison grounds, the Governor may recommend that the person be granted temporary release, subject to specific conditions. Each application is considered on its individual merits and must be approved by the Operations Directorate.
I am further advised that within the open-centre estate, members of the public may enter an open centre to avail of a service, such as the car-wash service and coffee shop at Loughan House. In these circumstances, the Governor must be satisfied that appropriate security, risk assessment and supervision arrangements are in place. People accommodated in open centres may also be approved for temporary release to avail of work and training opportunities in the community as part of their sentence-management plans.
Before a final determination is made, a number of factors are considered, including:
• the nature and gravity of the offence to which the sentence being served by the person relates
• the sentence concerned and any recommendation made by the Court in relation to the sentence imposed
• the person’s previous criminal record
• the potential threat to the safety and security of the public should the person be released
• the risk that the person might commit an offence during any period of temporary release
• the risk of the person failing to comply with any of the conditions of temporary release
• any report or recommendation made by the Governor, the Garda Síochána or the Probation Service.
The legislative basis for temporary release is set out in the Criminal Justice Act 1960, as amended by the Criminal Justice (Temporary Release of Prisoners) Act 2003. All applications for temporary release are assessed on a case-by-case basis, having regard to all relevant information available and public safety is paramount when these decisions are made.
282. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration whether his Department has conducted any workforce planning exercise, manpower assessment, service-capacity review or similar exercise relating to the future provision of criminal legal aid services since 1 January 2020; the dates on which such reviews were completed; if he will provide details of the principal findings; if his Department has undertaken any assessment of recruitment and retention trends among solicitors undertaking criminal legal aid work for the same period; and if he will provide details of any such assessment. [66123/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra283. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration whether statistics are maintained regarding criminal proceedings adjourned due to difficulties in securing legal representation under the criminal legal aid scheme; and, if so, the number of such adjournments recorded in each of the last five years, in tabular form. [66124/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra284. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration whether risks relating to the availability, recruitment or retention of solicitors undertaking criminal legal aid work have been identified in any departmental risk assessment, risk register or business planning document since 1 January 2021. [66125/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra285. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration whether his Department has undertaken any assessment of recruitment and retention trends among solicitors undertaking criminal legal aid work since 1 January 2022; and if he will provide details of any such assessment. [66126/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 282 to 285, inclusive, together.
I fully recognise the crucial role played by the legal professions in the effective administration of criminal justice, and equally that the Criminal Legal Aid scheme is fundamental to upholding the constitutional and human right to a legal defence. I am committed to improving efficiencies for court users, legal practitioners and the Irish taxpayer. The new District Court Criminal Legal Aid Scheme will allow for those efficiencies.
I published the Review and Reform Proposal of the Criminal Legal Aid fee structure for the District Court on 2 July 2026, which provides detail on the analysis conducted on these reforms.
My department has no involvement in the granting of free legal aid or the assignment of solicitors. These matters are handled entirely by the courts. 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.
More than 600 solicitors remain on the Criminal Legal Aid panel as criminal cases continue to be dealt with in the courts. 24 have recently reapplied to join the panel. Since the commencement of the new system over 1,430 new certificates for legal aid have issued. Of the cases concluded under the new system since 1st July 2026, 75% concluded with one court appearance only and 99% of concluded cases were finalised within five appearances.
Since October 2025, there has been ongoing engagement between myself and my officials with the Law Society and Bar Council in relation to the changes to the criminal legal aid fee structure. My department continues to keep the operation of the new criminal legal aid arrangements in the District Court under review.
286. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the timeline for the processing of a peace commissioner application for a person (details supplied). [66196/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraPeace Commissioners are appointed by the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration in accordance with section 88 of the Courts of Justice Act 1924. The appointment of a Peace Commissioner is entirely at the discretion of the Minister. The fact that an applicant or nominee may be suitable for appointment does not, in itself, provide any entitlement to appointment as a Peace Commissioner and other factors, such as the need for appointments in particular areas at a specific point in time, may be taken into account.
I can confirm to the Deputy that the matter raised is currently under consideration and the person concerned will be contacted in the coming weeks.
287. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if he will provide details of the costs incurred to date, together with the total estimated expenditure for phases 1 and 2, of the development at Castlerea Prison, including the provision of four modular six-bedroom houses, an additional ancillary services building and the construction of 21 lower-security units at The Grove, including all associated planning, construction and related project expenses, in tabular form. [66291/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by the Irish Prison Service that Phase 1 of the development at The Grove, Castlerea Prison has been completed and is fully operational. Phase 1 provided a single terrace of four modular houses, each with six bedrooms (24 spaces in total), together with a new support and ancillary services building, expanding the footprint of The Grove. The total final cost, including all associated planning, construction and consultancy, will be confirmed once the final account process is completed, which is expected by the end of October 2026.
I am further advised that Phase 2 will see the construction of 21 modular houses, each with 6 bedrooms within The Grove area of Castlerea Prison, creating an additional 126 prison spaces. Four of the units will provide access for a wheelchair user resident at ground floor level. As this phase of the project remains in progress, in line with public procurement and contract management procedures, cost information cannot be provided at this point as the final account has not yet been settled and remains commercially sensitive. Phase 2 is due to be completed and operational by the end Q2 2028.
288. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the budgeted cost of demolishing the old Cork Prison buildings, including all associated preparatory and clearance works. [66288/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised that the Irish Prison Service (IPS) has recently conducted a Part 9 planning process for certain demolitions on the old Cork Prison site in line with the Planning and Development Regulations 2001 (as amended, which corresponds to provisions under Section 181 of the Planning and Development Act).
The IPS has engaged the services of consultants and contractors to carry out various investigative works/surveys in the old Cork Prison, the outcome of which will inform the potential tender process for demolition. As the tendering process is commercially sensitive it is not proposed to outline potential costs at this juncture.
