Wednesday, 7 Oct 2026

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions

• Díospóireachtaí
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  • Vótálacha na Dála
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• Ceisteanna Parlaiminte
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International Protection

Ceisteanna (6)

Peadar Tóibín

Ceist:

6. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if his Department maintains records of security expenditure on a centre-by-centre basis in respect of all International Protection Accommodation Service, IPAS, accommodation centres; and, if so, the name and location of each centre, the security provider engaged, and the total amount spent on security services at each centre for each of the past five years and to date in 2026, in tabular form. [70296/26]

Freagraí ó Béal (8 píosaí cainte)

Deputy Peadar Tóibín

Last week, we learned that the Minister of State's Department paid out about €100 million on IPAS contracts that were never used. I put in a parliamentary question recently, the reply to which showed that the Department had paid about €2.6 million for security for unoccupied State-owned IPAS centres. This money was spent on empty IPAS centres. At the time, I also asked how much we were spending on other IPAS centres and the reply said that the Department did not have that information. When will the Government stop incinerating tax payers' money?

Deputy Colm Brophy

I thank the Deputy. The State is currently providing accommodation at 297 IPAS accommodation centres around the country, located in every county, in a combination of commercially contracted and State-owned accommodation centres. I clarify for the Deputy that in all IPAS operating accommodation centres, whether they are commercially provided or State owned, the centre management and providers are responsible for day-to-day operational arrangements on the site, including staffing, catering, health and safety, utilities and security arrangements.

Security costs and service provision for commercially contracted centres are included in the overall contracted rate with the service provider, and all contracts negotiated now provide for an all-inclusive rate that covers all services on the site, including security. Security for operating State-owned IPAS centres is also provided as part of each site's facilities management contract. As such, my Department does not hold details of individual security contracts and service providers and does not procure or pay for these services directly.

When my Department agrees a contract for accommodation management services at a property, there are specific requirements across a range of dimensions that must be met by the provider. In terms of security, these include security to be provided on a 24-hour basis, the provision of CCTV and compliance with the licensing requirements of the Private Security Authority, PSA.

All IPAS accommodation centres are subject to oversight arrangements through the Department's centre management and compliance team and inspected by HIQA, departmental officials or external inspectors commissioned by the Department. The inspections and oversight arrangements examine the quality of the accommodation services and also whether centres are fulfilling their contractual obligations.

Security is also provided at two State-owned sites that were used as IPAS accommodation. This security was provided because of criminal damage caused at those locations on previous occasions. I know that this data has been supplied to the Deputy.

Deputy Peadar Tóibín

I do not believe that that answer is good enough, given the current environment and the name the Government has for wasting money. While security is lumped in with the overall contracts for these individual IPAS centres, it is important that the Chamber hear what level of funding is going towards the specific objective of security. What is even the average component cost for security in these contracts? If the Government cannot measure how much this is costing, how can it manage this? No private business across the country would shrug its shoulders and say it did not know if asked how much does this component or element of the process cost. It is really important that the Department find out the security component of each contract so as to be able to work it out for all of the IPAS centres and give a total figure, as well as working out an average figure. It is not good enough to say we do not know how much it is costing.

Deputy Colm Brophy

I will repeat to the Deputy that we enter into a contract, and we have been going through a process of renewing all of these contracts and delivering really substantive savings to the taxpayer by ensuring that the rate card for IPAS centres and the cost to the State of providing them have been substantially reduced. As part of that, we sign a contract with service providers to provide an inclusive service to the State for IPAS centres. The service centre must be provided for within the obligations that the provider signed up to in the contract, including a comprehensive, wraparound package of services involving everything from welfare needs, food needs, requirement needs and accommodation needs to security needs. It is a single package that is provided to the State. I am very pleased to say it is provided at an increasingly lower rate because of the excellent work that the Minister, Deputy Jim O'Callaghan, and I have ensured is taking place to reduce the overall cost of providing IPAS accommodation to the taxpayer.

Deputy Peadar Tóibín

How does the Minister of State know it is a lower rate? He cannot even compare and contrast it with security costs in the private sector. He does not have a specific number for security. He does not have an estimated number for security. He does not have an average across all of these. Basically, the Minister of State is saying he is getting a better figure on the basis of saying he does not know how much this costs. This country is sick to death of TDs asking questions about costs and the Government saying it does not know. It is not good enough.

Last week, I found out that there were 240 bathrooms in the national children's hospital that needed to be redone because they were not done to the right level. We found out that €100 million had been paid for contracts that were never exercised. There was €2.6 million for security for IPAS centres that are empty at the moment. Hundreds of millions of euro are being wasted in this country that could be spent on increasing the income of individuals, increasing public services to individuals or increasing the infrastructure in this country.

The level of waste is not tolerable. I have put this question in twice and the answer today from the Government that it does not know how much this costs is wrong.

Deputy Colm Brophy

I am sorry, because I genuinely believe that, underneath it all, the Deputy is able to comprehend things and work them out. It is fairly straightforward. If something is costing the State less to provide at the moment than it did in the past, we are having a saving. Not even in the Deputy's world of make up can he turn that on its head and say it is costing us more.

Deputy Peadar Tóibín

The Minister of State does not-----

Deputy Colm Brophy

Sorry, but I did not interrupt the Deputy. The situation is straightforward. We have a wraparound contract. We have a rate card with service providers. They provide a range of services to us. Included in that is security. What has been taking place from the Department's point of view, led by the Minister and me, is meant to ensure that we are saving the taxpayer money year on year on this, and the figures clearly show that that is the case. We are now paying less for IPAS. We are paying less on each of the contracts. We have negotiated successfully a reduction in those figures. That means, right across the board, we are saving the taxpayers money so that we can use it in a way that we believe is for the best purposes. That was what the Government was doing yesterday in its budget.

An Garda Síochána

Ceisteanna (7)

Naoise Ó Cearúil

Ceist:

7. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the assessments undertaken by his Department and An Garda Síochána regarding the need for increased Garda resources and Garda visibility in rapidly growing constituencies, such as Kildare North. [70464/26]

Freagraí ó Béal (6 píosaí cainte)

Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil

It was welcome news yesterday that the Minister was able to secure an additional 1,000 gardaí as part of budget 2027. What I raise specifically today is Kildare North, which has the lowest Garda numbers per capita nationally. What assessments will be undertaken by the Department and, indeed, the Garda in deploying more gardaí to the likes of Kildare North?

Deputy Jim O'Callaghan

I thank Deputy Ó Cearúil for his question. The issue of Garda policing and Garda resources in Kildare North is an issue which the Deputy consistently raises with me.

At the outset, I, too, welcome the fact that resources were put in place in yesterday's budget for the recruitment of 1,000 new gardaí in 2027. I am pleased to say that we will get close to, if not reach, 1,000 gardaí recruited in 2026 because we have two more attestations. I will not have the final figure until later in the year.

As of the end of August 2026, there were 14,683 gardaí allocated to communities nationwide. They are the most important resource. There are 534 of these gardaí assigned to the Kildare-Carlow division, which includes Kildare North.

Deputy Ó Cearúil asked what factors were taken into consideration when the Commissioner was deciding where his resources should go. I will give the Deputy them presently, but it is important that I let the Commissioner do that work. That is the Commissioner's function. He is the expert when it comes to policing. The Commissioner has the data when it comes to policing. It is not a good idea for me, looking over the Commissioner's shoulder, to try to say I would like some more put into constituencies for political reasons. The Commissioner will consider a range of factors when allocating the resources. These include commitments and undertakings outlined in the annual policing plan, crime trends and workloads, operational strategies, population and demographic trends, geographical factors and personnel matters across all Garda divisions and specialist units.

Within Kildare, there are 147 gardaí assigned to Kildare town, 112 gardaí assigned to Leixlip and 171 gardaí assigned to Naas. I also note that 30 probationer gardaí were assigned to the division in 2025 and a further 41 new gardaí have been assigned so far in 2026. Those numbers are reflecting the Deputy's concern and, I hope, dealing with it.

Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil

I would not suggest that Deputy O'Callaghan would, as Minister, interfere with the Commissioner's role and I appreciate the separation there. However, it is incumbent on me to raise these issues, particularly in light of, as the Minister mentioned, the additional numbers for Kildare.

Twelve of those probationary gardaí this year were assigned to the Leixlip district, and it is welcome news. However, I am fortunate to have a great relationship with gardaí on the ground in my constituency and ten gardaí are leaving Kildare. They are being transferred. Therefore, we have only two net additional gardaí in the district. This is having a huge impact on local policing. The gardaí want more resources and want more colleagues on the ground.

Kilcock, Celbridge and Maynooth, for example, are huge towns, all with part-time stations. It is a hub-and-spoke approach with Leixlip. It would not be tolerated down the country in other counties for towns the size of Maynooth, Kilcock or Celbridge not to have full-time stations. We need a review of how the hub-and-spoke and, indeed, how individual stations operate.

Deputy Jim O'Callaghan

I can appreciate and understand the Deputy's concern and wanting to have more gardaí in Kildare. Obviously, every Deputy in the House is saying that to me. I am dependent upon getting in more members of An Garda Síochána. The good news for the Deputy and, indeed, other Deputies is that recruitment is going extremely well this year. We have had three intakes so far in 2026. We had 215 trainees enter in the first intake, followed by 201 on 4 May and 201 on 27 July, and there is a further intake scheduled for 19 October. The numbers are increasing. The more we can get numbers into An Garda Síochána, the more I see more people passing out and the more opportunity the Commissioner will have to allocate Garda resources to Kildare North.

I assure the Deputy that I am aware of the issues he has highlighted. No doubt the Commissioner is aware of those issues as well. Taking into account the factors that I have highlighted, particularly the demographics, I can see the need for extra gardaí in Kildare.

Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil

As I said at the beginning, I acknowledge the work that the Minister has done in increasing Garda numbers throughout the country. It is extremely welcome. We need to be open with people around the significant increase in Garda numbers.

I also appreciate that every TD in here would love to have more gardaí in their constituencies. That is a fact of life. However, in looking at the allocations, we need to look particularly at part-time stations in commuter belts in counties such as Wicklow, Meath and Kildare, where there has been significant population growth. In Maynooth, for example, when I was first elected to the local authority, its population was approximately 12,000. It has now gone beyond 20,000. Celbridge is at over 24,000. Kilcock had a population of 8,000; it is now up between 14,000 and 16,000. These are significant towns that need significant resources. I would ask, in dealing with the Commissioner, that there be an assessment of towns that are growing significantly and what to do with these part-time stations and the resources in the future.

Deputy Jim O'Callaghan

There has been a lot of success by the Garda in Kildare North recently as well. In May, gardaí from Kildare North community engagement and Kildare North crime seized two semi-automatic pistols, 39 rounds of ammunition and a scrambler bike during an operation in Maynooth. If you look at Operation Thor, which began some ten years ago, there is a positive trend in Kildare. In the Kildare-Carlow Garda division, burglary and relational offences fell from 279 instances in the first half of 2025 by approximately 21%.

The gardaí are doing a good job and that is why the Deputy wants them there. The Deputy recognises that they are doing an excellent job. It is all dependent upon getting the numbers up. I am pleased to be able to say that, by the end of the year, we will have the biggest force ever. I believe that we will either get to or close to 15,000 sworn members of An Garda Síochána by the end of the year. Of course, there are 3,500 staff members doing work in the station that leave gardaí the ability to go out. I hear what the Deputy says, but recruitment is going well.

Question No. 8 taken with Written Answers.

Sentencing Policy

Ceisteanna (9)

Paul McAuliffe

Ceist:

9. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the way in which he plans to address the concerns of a campaign (details supplied) which has advocated for sentencing reform and victims’ rights in Ireland. [70447/26]

Freagraí ó Béal (6 píosaí cainte)

Deputy Paul McAuliffe

I wonder if the Minister could address the concerns of the Justice for Martin Lynn campaign, which has advocated for sentencing reform and the rights of victims in Ireland.

Deputy Jim O'Callaghan

With the Deputy, I had the privilege of meeting Sharon Lynn and Bryan Gallagher on 25 June of this year in respect of the Martin Lynn sentencing framework.

This issue arises from what are referred to as one-punch deaths, which are very tragic situations that develop when a punch is thrown and a person dies. The person who has been punched falls on the ground, hits their head and dies as a result of it.

The issues that are being highlighted by the Martin Lynn campaign are in respect of the sentencing of individuals who are subsequently convicted of manslaughter for that type of criminal act. The campaign wants to see greater transparency and the experience of victims and families within the criminal justice system recognised.

Obviously, the courts are independent, but we are also able to transpose laws from the EU and create our own laws, which the courts then have to take into account. One of the big issues is the Criminal Justice (Victims of Crime) Act 2017, which transposed the EU victims’ rights directive into our law. Section 8 of the Act provides for victims to receive information in relation to their cases and also distinguishes between general information, supports and additional case-specific information. In January of this year, I secured Government approval for the drafting of the judicial council (amendment) Bill. The general scheme will empower me as Minister to request the Judicial Council to develop sentencing guidelines for particular areas of crime within a specified timeframe. This will put in place a statutory procedure whereby we can seek sentencing guidelines in respect of certain types of crime.

It is important to acknowledge that, in January of this year, a 31-year-old man was sentenced to six years in prison for killing Martin Lynn in an unprovoked one-punch attack near his home in Whitehall, which is why the Deputy is raising this issue here today.

Deputy Paul McAuliffe

This is the first opportunity I have had to congratulate my colleague, the Minister of State, Deputy Ardagh. I know she is going to do a lot of work on youth justice and I look forward to welcoming her out to Finglas, Ballymun and Kilmore where we would be delighted to get additional resources, which I am sure she will be able to deliver.

The meeting we had with Martin Lynn's sister and Cian Gallagher's brother was heartbreaking. It showed the futility of an assault of that nature, that a one-punch attack could lead to the death of someone. I commend the bravery of the two families, who have stepped forward to try to turn their own personal tragedy into reform.

I note the Minister's comments on the general scheme of the judicial council Bill. The campaign is hoping that when that legislation is in place, the Minister will seek advice and guidelines from the council with regard to assault to avoid some of the variation in sentencing. The Martin Lynn sentencing framework puts real certainty around the issue of assault.

Deputy Jim O'Callaghan

My recollection of that meeting with Bryan and Sharon was that the inconsistency in the treatment of particular cases caused them concern. I understand the concern in that respect. Every case is going to be different. If somebody is charged with manslaughter, it is not like a murder charge where the person is convicted and there is a mandatory life sentence. A judge has to take into account a whole series of factors when it comes to imposing a sentence on an individual convicted of manslaughter in circumstances such as those outlined. Obviously, there may be different factors in many different occasions or instances that happen. We are always going to have variation between sentences for manslaughter because it depends on a whole variety of factors. However, it is the case that judges provide very detailed sentencing judgments as to why a particular sentence is being imposed, but that does not take away from understanding Sharon and Bryan's desire to see greater consistency.

Deputy Paul McAuliffe

Bryan and Sharon have not only called for greater transparency around sentencing, but they have also launched a walk away campaign to try to reduce the level of violence in society, particularly male-on-male violence. I commend them for that.

The Minister has made a number of reforms, which give hope to people like Sharon and Bryan who want to see further reform. In March, the Judicial Council adopted sentencing guidelines for offences under section 40 of the Domestic Violence Act. There is still work to be done, and I ask the Minister to continue considering the very detailed proposals put forward by Sharon. As the Minister said, broader action on male-on-male violence, a more victim-centred criminal justice system, the framework Sharon has put forward, and clearer sentencing guidelines will benefit everybody in society. I ask him to continue his work on that.

Deputy Jim O'Callaghan

I will certainly continue considering how this matter can progress. As the Deputy identified, it is not just the criminal justice system that needs to be invoked in order to try to confront this problem. It is often the case that when a punch is thrown, the person does not realise that the punch is going to result in the death of the other person. To a large extent, it is the action or the consequence of a person getting stunned and their head hitting the ground that causes their death. It has devastating consequences for the deceased and deceased family. It also has devastating consequences for the person who probably did not intend to kill the person. If they did intend to do so, they would have been charged and convicted of murder.

There is a warning and education campaign that has to be put in place. Regrettably, it is young men between the ages of 16 and 28 or 29 who find themselves in this situation. Sometimes, they can be older. They need to be warned of the consequences of throwing punches. It can have fatal consequences and people need to be aware of them.

Prison Service

Ceisteanna (10)

George Lawlor

Ceist:

10. Deputy George Lawlor asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of Irish citizens and non-Irish citizens who are currently prisoners within the Irish prison system; and a breakdown of all prisoners' nationalities. [69742/26]

Freagraí ó Béal (8 píosaí cainte)

Deputy George Lawlor

This question is in the context of the continuing pressure we face on prison accommodation.

Deputy Jim O'Callaghan

I thank Deputy Lawlor for his question. Earlier, I told Deputy Gould that, at present, Irish prison capacity was at 114%. The number I gave a few months ago was 5,444 or around that, so there is overcrowding in the Irish prison system. It is also the case that I have put in place measures to remove from Ireland persons from other jurisdictions who can, near the end of their prison sentences, be deported back to the countries from which they came.

As regards the Deputy's question on nationality, the Irish Prison Service has advised me that while it records the nationality of people in custody, this information is self-reported and the service does not routinely record citizenship. Accordingly, the requested information in respect of Irish and non-Irish citizens is not available, but I can confirm that, on 30 September, there were 5,480 prisoners in custody. Of those, a total of 4,477 self-reported as Irish nationals. This means about 82% of the total number in custody self-reported as Irish nationals and approximately 18% as nationals of other countries.

The approximate figure of 18% of the total population who self-identified as non-Irish nationals is in line with the previously reported figure of approximately 18% from November 2025. This reported proportion of non-Irish nationals in prison has increased by approximately three percentage points since November 2019. It is important to put this in the context of the Central Statistics Office, CSO, estimates. The number of non-Irish nationals as a percentage of the overall population rose by nearly four percentage points and is now around 16.3% as of August 2026. There is a correlation between them, and obviously the age cohorts may explain why there is a slight difference. However, I will come back in the supplementary with what I am going to do with a unique identifier, which will give us more specific information.

Deputy George Lawlor

I thank the Minister. It is a bit strange that the Government, the Department or the Irish Prison Service does not know the nationality of the prisoners within the curtilage of the prisons. This is not about deporting all foreign prisoners, but where appropriate and lawful, serving a sentence in a prisoner's home country would reduce the pressure on Irish prison places and would certainly improve our situation. Prisoners may also have better access to support services in their home countries. The benefits to the Irish situation would be clear.

How many prisoners have been transferred out of the Irish prison system under international prisoner transfer agreements in each of the past five years, if the Minister has indicative figures on that? Are there barriers preventing a greater number of prison transfers, including prisoner consent, foreign state co-operation, legal challenges or administrative delays? These are important questions in the context of the crisis we face in our prison system, in that we could essentially have prisoners serve their sentences, where possible, in their home countries.

Deputy Jim O'Callaghan

I am just looking for the actual figure, which I may not have in front of me, but already this year, I have deported a significant number of prisoners who are non-nationals and can be sent back to their countries of origin.

I do not have the statistics and so I am hesitant about giving them to the Deputy but it is certainly over 100 or 150 or so. If people who have been convicted of offences, which are obviously serious offences because they are in prison, are coming near the end of their sentence, I will avail of the opportunity to move them out of Ireland and serve them with an exclusion order. I do not have the exact statistics for the Deputy but I can come back to him in respect of that. The data is fairly accurate because it is self-reported data. While the Prison Service records the nationality of people in custody, this information is self-reported. I would have thought it was relatively accurate. The criminal justice system will benefit from more data. That is why I am moving through with the introduction of a unique identifier that will get us lots of data across the criminal justice network.

Deputy George Lawlor

The Prison Service would certainly benefit from more data. Has the Minister personally conducted an assessment on how many prison places could potentially be freed up through a more active use of prisoner transfer or repatriation agreements? There are obviously benefits to a system that is at 114% capacity. There is serious pressure on our prison system that brings so many difficulties and problems for the prisoners who are serving their sentences. There is also the cost to the State. One of the latest figures was €103,000 to house a prisoner in the Irish prison system. A transfer programme could financially benefit the prison system and provide a better service for the State and the people who are incarcerated. I believe we need to look at it more seriously. It would benefit the prison system, the prisoners and indeed the prisoners who would be repatriated.

Deputy Jim O'Callaghan

I assure the Deputy that it is happening. I have given instructions to the Prison Service and An Garda Síochána, which effects the deportations, when people are coming towards the end of their sentence, although it will not apply or be appropriate in every situation for capacity to be created where appropriate through removing people from the prison system. The law was amended earlier this year in the miscellaneous provisions Bill to give an opportunity to extend that to a greater time towards the end of their sentence. There is also the other provision, of which the Deputy is aware, where prisoners can apply to have their sentence served in another jurisdiction, generally in their home jurisdiction. In most instances, I would permit and facilitate that but not always because sometimes it is appropriate and important, notwithstanding the nationality of prisoners, particularly somebody convicted of murder and who has a life sentence imposed on them, that they serve their sentence here and are under supervision of the Irish Probation Service and Prison Service.

Deputy George Lawlor

The Minister is absolutely correct.

An Cathaoirleach Gníomhach (Deputy Darren O'Rourke)

Táimid críochnaithe.

Legal Aid

Ceisteanna (11)

Gary Gannon

Ceist:

11. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if any amendments to SI 303 of 2026 have been made to bring his recently announced changes to the legal aid scheme into force. [70647/26]

Freagraí ó Béal (20 píosaí cainte)

Deputy Gary Gannon

Have any amendments been made to the payment structure of SI 303 of 2026? If they have been made to bring these recently announced changes into line, this obviously pertains to the changes to the legal aid scheme.

Deputy Jim O'Callaghan

Deputy Gannon's question arises in respect of the concession on foot of the request from the Law Society that I change the payment structure so that the payment would be split up. I proposed and have implemented a new payment structure that will see an initial payment upon request of €320 with a final €200 payable on receipt of the final order or 12 months after the initial assignment. My Department has put in place administrative arrangements to give effect to that split fee arrangement. I confirm to the Deputy that both initial payment requests for €320 and final payment requests for the €520 have been processed and paid to a number of solicitors. I do not see it as necessary to change the statutory instrument but regarding the practical issue, it is happening at present. Administratively, people are being paid the €320 for the first hearing and the €200 will come at the end of the case or after 12 months, whichever is the first.

While the Deputy has raised the issue of the new scheme, I should point out that since the commencement of the new system, as of 2 October, 2,400 new certificates, which are invoices for payment for legal aid, have been issued in respect of the District Court. That is with an approximate value of €1.25 million. Of the cases concluded under the new system since 1 July, approximately 75% concluded with one appearance only in court and 99% concluded cases were finalised within five appearances. Previously where a case concluded in one appearance, the solicitor would only be paid €240. Now they are paid a fee of €520 for that one appearance. That is why I think it is an appropriate and good system from the point of view of solicitors. The most important thing is from the point of view of court users. It will make the system more efficient.

Deputy Gary Gannon

To be clear, the Minister has not actually changed the statutory instrument to reflect the concessions. That has not happened yet.

Deputy Jim O'Callaghan

No.

Deputy Gary Gannon

That is interesting but I want to focus on the other point that the Minister made. He has made this point before about legal aid certificates being given out. I think he said 2,000 there.

Deputy Jim O'Callaghan

Some 2,400.

Deputy Gary Gannon

Some 2,400. The Minister also knows that a legal aid certificate can be issued without a solicitor being present. He knows that certificates are often issued without a solicitor being present and that judges were granting legal aid to some unrepresented defendants, despite there being no solicitor named on the certificate. That means that the certificate may have been given. How many of those 2,400 certificates have solicitors actually named on the ticket? There has obviously been a variance between what has been said by the Minister and his Department and what the solicitors themselves believe is the reality. The Minister is using that figure but I do not think it is reflective of what he is hoping to present it as being.

Deputy Jim O'Callaghan

The figures the Law Society referred to with regard to the drop related to what was happening in July. Being frank, in July there was widespread disruption in respect of the legal aid scheme in the District Court. That has now changed. Approximately 36 solicitors who resigned from the scheme have been reinstated. Last week, 11 solicitors were reinstated. In terms of the 2,400 new certificates that have been issued, my understanding - I have looked at the schedule and I get the Excel spreadsheet - is that every single one of them, to my recollection, has a solicitor attached to it. One can go down through it and see the solicitors who are assigned to it. There are more solicitors coming back into the scheme. It is an efficient system. It is working. I do not want to have a row with solicitors. They play a really important part in the administration of justice but the new scheme is working. It will work for solicitors but, most importantly of all, it will work for the public and court users.

Deputy Gary Gannon

There is absolutely no way one can look at our court system at the moment and think it is working effectively. I am not even going to go into the ins and outs of where I think the Minister is right or wrong. We are at a point where there are industrial relations disputes across the country. Every time a Minister or a union takes to a platform, they encourage the other side to get around the table and negotiate. I cannot for the life of me understand why four months into this dispute, the Minister is saying he is unwilling to negotiate. It makes his own Department an outlier with regard to every other industrial relations dispute in this country. I do not think there is exceptionalism as much as the Minister may feel there is. To my mind, it is not just about the Law Society. There are solicitors the length and breadth of the country. There are two outstanding issues. One is that they do not want to have multiple cases tried on the same certificate. Often, they are going to be tried in different courts. That is very much the case. If the Minister does not believe me, he should have a look at that.

The second is when it comes to complex issues in relation to children, mental health, and potentially addiction. The Minister said he is willing to be open to that. At four months in, can we not just get around the table and talk? What is happening around the country, whether in Dublin, Cork, or Mayo, is a shambles, and the Minister can fix it. People should not be asked to work for free.

Deputy Jim O'Callaghan

Nobody is asking solicitors to work for free.

Deputy Gary Gannon

On the six occasions, solicitors in the court are the only ones not being paid.

Deputy Jim O'Callaghan

In the budget yesterday, I procured €123 million for the legal profession in respect of the criminal legal aid scheme. They are not working for free. The Deputy can see the statistics about their earnings. I have no issue with that but my priority is to make it efficient for the public. On the negotiations, I have negotiated with the Law Society. Today, I sent a letter back to it. I got a letter from its president, Rosemarie Loftus, last week. I replied to it today. I sat down with the Law Society before the new scheme came in on 1 July. My officials have sat down with them on many occasions.

Since the new scheme, I sat down and negotiated and discussed it with them. Deputy Gannon's question was about the change I introduced. That change was introduced as a result of The Law Society and me sitting around the table.

Deputy Gary Gannon

It has not been changed.

Deputy Jim O'Callaghan

The change now is that, administratively, people can be paid in split blocks. That is now happening as a result of what the Law Society said in respect of me.

Deputy Gary Gannon

You did not change it.

Deputy Jim O'Callaghan

In terms of the multiple certificates, it is the case that the system was being abused. People were getting 50 or 60 certificates for one accused before the court.

Deputy Gary Gannon

There were three.

Deputy Jim O'Callaghan

It was never intended to be like that.

Deputy Gary Gannon

There were three instances.

Deputy Jim O'Callaghan

I can assure Deputy Gannon there were much more than three instances.

Question No. 12 taken with Written Answers.

Legal Aid

Ceisteanna (13)

Peadar Tóibín

Ceist:

13. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the total expenditure incurred by the State on criminal legal aid in respect of persons aged under 18 years in each of the years 2023, 2024, 2025 and to date in 2026; and the estimated amount of that expenditure attributable to juveniles who had previously been convicted of one or more criminal offences. [70303/26]

Freagraí ó Béal (10 píosaí cainte)

Deputy Peadar Tóibín

The right to defence is a key legal right in any liberal democracy to make sure individuals can challenge a prosecutor in relation to a particular case. However, how it is delivered is a key issue, and is a key issue at the moment. We have the ongoing battle between the Minister and both solicitors and barristers over this particular issue but we also have a high level of recidivism among young criminals. Does the Minister know how much money we are spending on this at the moment?

Minister of State at the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration (Deputy Catherine Ardagh)

Under the Courts Service Act 1998, the management and administration of the courts is a matter for the Courts Service, while the allocation of court business, the scheduling of cases and the management of court lists are matters for the Judiciary, in particular the Presidents of the various courts. It should also be noted that under the Criminal Justice (Legal Aid) Act 1962, it is the courts, through the Judiciary, which are responsible for the granting of legal aid. The Department has no involvement in the granting of free legal aid or the assignment of solicitors. As was outlined, that is done by the judges. These matters are handled entirely by the courts.

I am advised the expenditure of criminal legal aid is not held in such a way as to identify defendants under 18 years or those with previous convictions of one or more criminal offences. As the Minister pointed out, unique identifier codes may help in the future. Therefore, it is not possible to provide the information sought by the Deputy regarding the estimated amount of expenditure attributable to juveniles who had previously been convicted of one or more criminal offences.

It is important to stress in this context that the Government’s approach to tackling youth offending is primarily through youth diversion and early intervention. Yesterday, the Government announced another €11.5 million towards our youth diversion strategy. The youth diversion strategy 2021-2027 emphasises early intervention, prevention, family support and community engagement. That will be continued in the new youth diversion strategy. It targets behavioural change so the cycle of offending by young people is broken, and it operates a graduated response, ranging from diversion to, as a last resort, detention. As offending increases in severity, so too does the criminal justice response to address youth crime. The Government has fulfilled its commitment in the youth justice strategy, and we are now working towards the next youth justice strategy in 2027.

Deputy Peadar Tóibín

This is the "I do not know coalition Government". I asked a question earlier about security in IPAS centres and the Minister of State said, "I do not know."

Deputy Colm Brophy

I did not say I do not know.

Deputy Peadar Tóibín

Deputy Lawlor asked the Minister about the nationality of people in prisons and the Minister said, "I do not know." I just asked how much the State is spending in relation to young people receiving free legal aid, and the Minister of State said, "I do not know." How in the name of God is the Government meant to manage the taxpayers' money if Ministers' instinct is to be oblivious to the way they are spending it? For well-paid individuals, to not even be curious as to the answers to any of those questions is absolutely bonkers, and it is at the heart of the reason of the dysfunction of this Government and the waste of taxpayers' money.

There are a lot of issues in relation to this. How does the Government track the recidivism among young people and the amount being spent in terms of free legal aid for young people? How does the Government even manage trying to help those young people stop in their recidivism if the Minister does not even know how much the Government is spending on that? The fact that the Minister is in a battle with the legal profession on this particular issue and the response of the Government is "I do not know" is shocking.

Deputy Catherine Ardagh

Obviously, we are moving towards a more digital age, and as part of that, across Departments, including the Department of justice, there is a move towards data collection and evidence-based approaches to all our policy in the future. That includes, as a huge part of the youth justice strategy, the unique identifier number that will be rolled out across Departments.

In terms of youth justice, we have seen an extra €11.5 million in this budget. In last year's budget we spent a record amount of €43 million. The Government's approach to tackling youth offending is primarily through youth diversion and early intervention. Our core Exchequer funding and dormant account funding shows how important that is. When we spend money on youth justice and youth diversion, it works. Since 2017, we have seen a decrease of nearly 35% in youth offending despite a correlating 20% increase in the population of that cohort. As part of the next strategy, we are going to target early intervention. We already have the nationwide rollout of youth diversion projects. We have 92 youth diversion projects. We have four targeted youth diversion projects. We have a really sustainable bail supervision project, and all this will be doubled down on in the next youth justice strategy.

Deputy Peadar Tóibín

The Minister for justice is in a battle with the legal profession at the moment. It is one on which his reputation is dependent upon. We understand the Minister for justice seeks to be the Taoiseach of this country very shortly yet one of the issues the Minister is focusing on is one that the Department does not know. The reason I asked this question is that there are potential solutions to the battle the Minister is in with the legal profession. One potential solution is a public defence office. This has been mooted by other people who say we could actually deliver our legal responsibilities around providing aid to individuals to make sure they have a defence as a defendant, and we could save money on it. As far as I know, there are tens of thousands of people on an annual basis receiving free legal aid. There are tens of millions of euro being spent on it. I will not ask the Minister of State what it is because I expect she will say "I do not know."

Deputy Jim O'Callaghan

It is €123 million.

Deputy Peadar Tóibín

Has the Minister ever looked at the cost of a public defence office? Are there any feasibility studies? Is there any research happening in the Department in relation to that possible solution?

Deputy Catherine Ardagh

I thank the Deputy for that, and I will bring that solution back to the Department. We sometimes see type offices across Europe. A lot of European offices come from a civil law basis, where the law is codified, whereas in Ireland, the UK and other commonwealth jurisdictions, we have a common law system. So, it is a little bit tricker to use continental models when we do not come from a continental background.

Regarding criminal legal aid reform and civil legal aid reform, we saw in the budget huge amounts of money going towards civil legal aid. It is a very generous system. The Minister is in negotiations with stakeholders. Stakeholders were involved in putting together the reforms in relation to the criminal legal aid. The matter is now before the courts. We are waiting for a judgment on 13 October. There are continuous negotiations with the Minister and various changes to the system have already been made. Hopefully, things will come to a solution. We saw more solicitors reinstated onto the panel last week. In rural Ireland, more of the criminal solicitors have come back. Obviously, there is still an issue in Dublin but, hopefully, we will see a resolution.

Citizenship Applications

Ceisteanna (14)

Paul Murphy

Ceist:

14. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if he will abolish the proposed extension of the residency requirement by three years for citizenship; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [70618/26]

Freagraí ó Béal (8 píosaí cainte)

Deputy Paul Murphy

I ask the Minister to draw back from his very divisive proposal in terms of the change of citizenship rules. It is an answer to a problem that simply does not exist. It will punish migrant workers in this country These are migrant workers who, among other things, are staffing our health service. We will all lose as a consequence, and it looks like a very Trumpish policy of effectively trying to clamber to the top of the Government on the backs of some of the most vulnerable people in this country. It will not improve things for anybody else in this country.

Deputy Colm Brophy

I thank Deputy Murphy. The Government, the Minister, and I, very much recognise the really incredible contribution migrants make to Irish society, to communities and the economy, no more so than in our own constituencies.

The programme for Government contains a commitment to continue to implement a firmer and more sustainable migration system which protects the integrity of the State's immigration framework. In that context, the general scheme of the Irish nationality and citizenship Bill 2026 proposes a number of reforms to the citizenship process.

Citizenship represents, I believe, the fullest expression of membership of Irish society. It is important that the legislative framework governing access to citizenship is robust, fair and sustainable. The proposed changes do not seek to restrict integration or exclude migrants from Irish society. Rather, they are intended to ensure that citizenship reflects a genuine and lasting connection to Ireland, an understanding of the State and its institutions, and an ongoing commitment to Irish society.

The Government has considered whether five years remains the most appropriate period for establishing the durable connection to the State that citizenship is intended to recognise. The residence period requirements in other EU states were considered in determining the revision to residency period requirements contained in the Bill. The current residency requirement has remained substantially unchanged since the middle of the last century, despite profound changes in migration patterns, labour mobility and international travel. While the proposals may affect the timeframe within which some individuals become eligible to apply for citizenship, they do not affect a person's entitlement to reside, work, study, establish a business or establish a life in Ireland in accordance with the terms of their immigration status which they would hold.

Deputy Paul Murphy

Since it is the Minister, Deputy O'Callaghan, who goes out and sticks the boot into migrants day in, day out, announcing one performative cruelty policy after another, I do not know why it is the poor junior Minister, Deputy Brophy, who is sent in here to defend it. It happened last week in the debate on citizenship and migration and here we are again. I do not know why the Minister, Deputy O'Callaghan, cannot be responsible and defend the policy he is out promoting on the airwaves.

Deputy Jim O'Callaghan

I was in Luxembourg last week.

Deputy Paul Murphy

Why will he not answer the questions in here today? Why is he going to make life harder for nurses who have come here and are contributing to our society? He is going to move the goalposts for them. These are people who want to integrate and to be citizens. They are paying taxes and contributing. What problem is this addressing? Why did the Minister come up with the idea that we need to change the goalposts and make it harder for people to be citizens? Why do we have to become more draconian that most European states? Why do we have to become a lot more draconian than the countries Irish people emigrate to such as Australia and Canada, where a period of three to five years is the norm?

Deputy Colm Brophy

Regardless of what the Deputy might like to think, imply or say, the Minister, Deputy O'Callaghan and myself are absolutely at one on this. This is a policy which both of us are bringing forward. It is a policy which at its heart is about introducing a modern, progressive system in relation to citizenship, that is fair for our country and for people going through the process. The combination of measures we are looking at includes a civics element whereby people will have an understanding of the country in which they are living; an element around language whereby people have an ability and competency in English, Irish or Irish Sign Language; and we intend to look at the residency period. The Deputy is correct that the residency period is quite different across different countries. I do not disagree with him. I happen to think that we are strengthening that connection through citizenship by increasing the period of time for which somebody would be in the country before citizenship is granted. Citizenship is a privilege for anybody in any country to acquire. It is not a right. It is not something that is just bartered away because somebody spends a certain number of years in a country. Citizenship is far more important than that.

Deputy Paul Murphy

If the Minister of State is at one with the Minister, Deputy O'Callaghan, then shame on him, too. Shame on him also, stepping on the backs of the migrant workers who hold up our health system. He says this is about introducing a moderate, progressive system. What is not moderate and progressive about the system that we currently have? Again, I ask the question. What is the actual problem? Why has the Minister decided to do this? This is not a general topic of discussion in society. There is no one clamouring for this change. It seems to me it is purely a political, Trumpish, divisive measure designed to distract from all the problems the Government is responsible for. Ireland will be the only country to have this level of restrictions in terms of salary, social protection and the number of years being here. It will be the only country in the EU to have that.

Why this wealth test for citizens? What is wrong with low-paid workers? Why should low-paid workers, who give so much to this country, and who also pay tax, have less of a right to citizenship just because they are on low pay? Do the Ministers think that kind of discrimination is okay?

Deputy Colm Brophy

I refer the Deputy to what I was saying to him earlier. A Government has an entitlement to look from time to time at the laws and regulations that govern the society in which we live. We have not made changes to our citizenship process in this type of area for decades upon decades. There is an absolute right for Irish people, through their elected representatives, to look at it. We are introducing legislation. We have proposals in that legislation. There will be a full process of engagement through the Houses of the Oireachtas, which will look at all aspects of it. What the Government believes it is doing is not actually looking to make it more difficult for someone to become an Irish citizen but to make sure that it is a deeper and stronger engagement when it happens. I do not think it is in any way wrong to ask people to have proficiency in a language in a country in which they live, to be able to contribute to it, to have knowledge of its civic society and how it works, and to be resident in the country for a significant period before they get citizenship. I do not see what is so ridiculous, unfair or wrong about those simple requirements.

An Garda Síochána

Ceisteanna (15)

Peter Roche

Ceist:

15. Deputy Peter Roche asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if his Department has assessed the impact of significant population growth in rural areas, including in County Galway, on policing requirements; and whether consideration has been given to the adequacy of current Garda numbers assigned to these areas in light of increased population levels and service demands. [70638/26]

Freagraí ó Béal (6 píosaí cainte)

Deputy Peter Roche

I thank the Ministers for being here. My question is around Garda numbers in east Galway and Galway in general. Over the last three attestation ceremonies of 700 recruits, Galway only secured four gardaí. I refer to the contexts of population growth, geographic spread, and the numbers of gardaí we received.

Deputy Jim O'Callaghan

I thank Deputy Roche for his question. His concern is to try to ensure that he gets as many Garda resources as possible into Galway and particularly Galway East. I can understand that. It is a desire shared by virtually all Members of this House. In order for that to happen, we are dependent on getting numbers into An Garda Síochána. I am pleased to say that at the end of August, there were 14,683 sworn members across the State. I think by the end of this year we are going to get to, or be very close to 15,000 sworn members. That will be a significant achievement for us.

In terms of how the Garda Commissioner determines where the resources should go after passing out ceremonies, he decides that based on a whole variety of factors. He takes into account the national policing plan, local and national crime trends and workloads, policing arrangements and operational strategies. Of course, local population trends are taken into account. In Galway, the high visibility policing strategy has been rolled out. My understanding is that it has been going very well since it was introduced. The enhanced Garda presence in Galway city centre and Salthill will support a proactive and robust policing approach to public order offences, antisocial behaviour, drug dealing, aggressive begging and shoplifting.

The Deputy is concerned about the number of allocations made after passing out ceremonies recently. It is important to point out that there are gardaí arriving in Galway as a result of transfers. I am informed by Garda authorities that 25 gardaí have been transferred to the Galway division since the end of 2025. That is an interesting statistic. It shows that many gardaí want to go back to Galway or just go and live in Galway. When the Commissioner is taking the allocation into account, he is obviously going to have to take into account that a number of transfers have gone back there.

Deputy Peter Roche

I thank the Minister. We in Galway cannot help that people are attracted to our county. The most local stations to me are Tuam and particularly Bearna Dhearg, which is only two miles down the road from where I live. The support we get from both those Garda stations is compelling. Our local garda is a man of the community and a man of the people. He is always there to provide support. I commend An Garda Síochána for the outstanding support my community gets when the need arises.

Sometimes people are quick to judge and say they are enough gardaí on the streets or that they are not getting the best service. I can attest to the fact that I have never found the gardaí wanting in that regard. I commend them. They deserve every bit of support they get from Ministers and the Commissioner.

Deputy Jim O'Callaghan

It is good to hear that somebody such as the Deputy who is aware of what is happening in local communities is prepared to be here and commend the work of An Garda Síochána. It does not surprise me. That is the response I get from virtually every Member of Dáil Éireann. They are extremely pleased with the service provided on a local basis by An Garda Síochána. The biggest demand I get in the House is to get more gardaí into the constituencies represented by the people here. That is a very positive message. In some parts of the world people do not want police forces in their communities and regard them as an antagonistic law enforcement entity. Fortunately, that is not the case in Ireland.

As of the end of August of this year, there were 641 gardaí assigned to the Galway division. As of the same date, there were 131 Garda staff assigned to the division. There were 25 community gardaí and 40 roads policing gardaí assigned to the Galway division. I am conscious of the desire of the Deputy to get more gardaí into Galway. We want to ensure there are more gardaí there and I will take that into account.

Deputy Peter Roche

It is fair to say that my ask in the question around resources is a result of communities asking me those very questions. As I said, we all depend on the gardaí at some time or another and we are very quick to ring them when we are in trouble. We contact them and get support around a community or family funeral, traffic management around parades and other community celebrations. There are times when it is a little unfair or a burden on gardaí when they are criticised for doing roads policing. It is a very difficult balance. When they are present in the community, as the Minister referenced, at times there is an almost begrudging community spirit. In the context of community support, most of them lead by example, and long may that continue.

Deputy Jim O'Callaghan

It is a very demanding and challenging job. People want gardaí everywhere. There are now many more units in the force than we had before. Traditionally, we did not have cyber units or the other specialist units we now have in An Garda Síochána and which are absolutely necessary. The most important unit is the garda on the beat or the community garda because people want to see gardaí in their community.

At the end of August, there were 310 gardaí in Galway city, 53 of whom were assigned to Salthill and 58 of whom were assigned to the Deputy's local station in Tuam. There were 75 assigned to Loughrea and 52 assigned to Ballinasloe. I am pleased to hear that gardaí are doing a very positive and good job in Galway. That does not surprise me. They depend on community support because a police force cannot be successful or effective unless it has the support of the community it polices. That is the secret of the success of An Garda Síochána, namely that the community wants to work with the force and see it succeed.

Closed-Circuit Television Systems

Ceisteanna (16)

Barry Heneghan

Ceist:

16. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if he will provide an update on the operation and expansion of community CCTV schemes; the supports available to local communities and local authorities seeking to establish or expand CCTV in areas experiencing persistent antisocial behaviour and crime; and if barriers to the approval or implementation of such schemes are being addressed. [70693/26]

Freagraí ó Béal (7 píosaí cainte)

Deputy Barry Heneghan

Deputy Roche called for more gardaí in constituencies. I would love to have more gardaí in Dublin Bay North. I welcome that the Minister was present earlier in the week at the safety day regarding warnings about fireworks. With Halloween coming and fires across north Dublin, I ask for an update on community CCTV in areas experiencing persistent antisocial behaviour and crime. Is consideration being given to the installation of CCTV cameras, such as solar CCTV, that cannot be easily damaged by fires being lit underneath them?

Deputy Jim O'Callaghan

I thank the Deputy for his question and for being present at the event to launch the fireworks awareness campaign earlier this week. People need to be aware of the danger and devastating injuries can be caused by fireworks. We saw an example of it at the Dublin Fire Brigade training centre on Monday. We need to warn young people that if fireworks inflict injuries on them those injuries can and will be long term and devastating.

The Deputy wants to ensure that there is more use of CCTV material in his constituency. I share that view and want CCTV used throughout the country. It is a very effective mechanism to detect and deter crime. Its installation and operation must be carefully planned and competently managed, ensuring compliance with data protection law and regulations. Part 5 of The Garda Síochána (Recording Devices) Act 2023 relates to public CCTV. I am in the process of commencing that.

Before I came to the House to deal with these questions, I signed statutory instruments in respect of the recording devices (amendment) commencement order for Part 5 and sections 6 and 7 and the ministerial order that sets out a code of practice for Part 5. I signed that ministerial order on 5 October. All of those orders will come into force on 14 October. I believe they will significantly improve the manner in which gardaí can use CCTV footage for the purposes of investigating the law and also act as a deterrent. I heard what the Deputy said about ensuring that the cameras are properly protected and cannot be vandalised.

Deputy Barry Heneghan

Aontaím go hiomlán leis sin. Táim an-bhuíoch as ach níl sé maith go leor. Across north Dublin, we have had fires in playgrounds, public toilets and astro pitches. Taxpayers are paying local property taxes and tax and the amenities need to be protected. We are watching taxpayers' money go up in flames.

Almost every year, a fire is lit on the green in Greencastle Crescent, Coolock. I have spoken to residents who do not want a fire. Why can we not install a community garden or something made of concrete in the area where the fire is lit every year so that it cannot be attacked? I will engage with the office of the Minister on this. The residents should be protected. They want to be able to enjoy Halloween without having to put cardboard and wood on their windows to protect them from the blazing fire. I fought hard for CCTV and have confirmation from Dublin City Council that there is no issue with it, but the difficulty is the roll-out. One can buy a solar CCTV camera online for €50 and provide automatic replies to a local community safety network.

Deputy Jim O'Callaghan

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Teachta. Aontaím leis ar an gceist sin. We spent huge amounts putting amenities in our communities, including playgrounds for children. Unfortunately, we have seen examples where they have been vandalised. That type of behaviour is unacceptable and the people doing it need be aware of two things: first, that they are destroying their local community and it is damaging their self-interest; and, second, that they will be thoroughly investigated by An Garda Síochána.

It is important that we have CCTV cameras in place. It is also important that we as an Oireachtas send out a very strong message that attacking and vandalising local amenities is not acceptable. Until we put pressure on younger people who are involved in that activity to realise that it is socially abhorrent to do so, we will find ourselves facing these issues. We need stronger deterrents and investigation from An Garda Síochána. I committed to using CCTV and I believe it will assist us. The regulations I have signed are part of that.

Deputy Barry Heneghan

When the Minister was a young lad, he might have heard messages on building sites that warned people that they were on private property and were under CCTV control. North Dublin has experienced high population growth, alongside recent persistent problems with antisocial behaviour. I ask the Minister's officials to chase this up with the local authorities across the constituency I represent. It is not acceptable for a playground or toilet to be installed and burned down days later.

I welcome the youth diversion programme progressions. Other countries have youth diversion programmes and work in school programmes. Getting to people at their early years of development is key. The people of north Dublin deserve these amenities. It is not acceptable that they are burned down. I again refer to Greencastle Crescent, Coolock. We know Halloween is coming and people are collecting wood. If the area could be monitored to prevent a bonfire, my constituents would not have to put wood and cardboard on their windows.

Deputy Jim O'Callaghan

I hear what the Deputy is saying and I am happy to engage with him in respect of it. It is important to point out that, yesterday, an additional €11.5 million in funding was allocated for youth diversion projects. Those projects are available throughout the whole country, including in the Deputy’s constituency. I am sure they will be availed of for the purpose of trying to deter those young people who decide to go down the pathway of criminality. It is our job to try to deter them. If we do not deter them and they persist, we need more serious sanctions for them.

Deputy Kevin Boxer Moran

The Minister is still only a young fella.

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