[ { "date": "2026-06-23", "question_number": 557, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "EU Data", "asked_by": "Matt Carthy", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "557. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of instances in each year since the ratification of the Treaty of Lisbon in which the Irish Government opted in to directives or regulations under article 3 of protocol 21, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47814/26]", "answer": "Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration I propose to take Questions Nos. 557, 558, 559, 560 and 561 together. Protocol 21 provides that \u201cIreland shall not take part in the adoption by the Council of proposed measures pursuant to Title V of Part Three of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union.\u201d As such, Ireland does not, as a rule, participate in the majority of Justice and Home Affairs related measures, unless we notify of our wish to opt-in. At the time of the negotiation of Protocol 21, Ireland made a Declaration (Declaration No. 56) which stated that we would participate to the maximum possible extent in JHA measures, and particularly in the field of police cooperation. In line with this commitment, our participation in measures which are subject to Protocol 21 is kept under constant review, in particular where an opt in under Article 3 was not previously utilised. The list of measures Ireland has opted-in pursuant to Protocol 21, as well as the list of measures that automatically apply to Ireland by virtue of our participation in certain elements of the Schengen acquis (i.e. in accordance with Council Decision 2002/192/EC), and which are the responsibility of my Department is available at the following link - www.gov.ie/en/department-of-justice-home-affairs-and-migration/policy-information/european-affairs/. In May 2025 I published the findings of a Review of the operation of Protocol 21, which is available at the following link - www.gov.ie/en/department-of-justice-home-affairs-and-migration/publications/review-of-irelands-protocol-on-the-area-of-freedom-security-and-justice-2024/. The review was undertaken by my Department and informed by detailed statistical analysis of relevant legislation, internal and external consultations, and by a targeted consultation process with a range of key stakeholders. Appendix D of the review contained a list of significant JHA measures that Ireland had not yet opted in to. That list incorporates major EU legal instruments (Regulations and Directives) and International Agreements, but does not include Decisions and Implementing Regulations. I can advise the Deputy that among the measures Ireland has opted into since Appendix D to the Protocol 21 Review was drafted include: \u2022 Regulation (EU) 2024/1348 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 May 2024 establishing a common procedure for international protection in the Union and repealing Directive 2013/32/EU \u2022 Regulation (EU) 2024/1351 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 May 2024 on asylum and migration management, amending Regulations (EU) 2021/1147 and (EU) 2021/1060 and repealing Regulation (EU) No 604/2013 \u2022 Regulation (EU) 2024/1350 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 May 2024 establishing a Union Resettlement and Humanitarian Admission Framework, and amending Regulation (EU) 2021/1147 \u2022 Directive (EU) 2024/1346 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 May 2024 laying down standards for the reception of applicants for international protection \u2022 Regulation (EU) 2024/1347 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 May 2024 on standards for the qualification of third-country nationals or stateless persons as beneficiaries of international protection, for a uniform status for refugees or for persons eligible for subsidiary protection and for the content of the protection granted, amending Council Directive 2003/109/EC and repealing Directive 2011/95/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council \u2022 Regulation (EU) 2024/1359 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 May 2024 addressing situations of crisis and force majeure in the field of migration and asylum and amending Regulation (EU) 2021/1147 \u2022 Regulation (EU) 2024/1358 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 May 2024 on the establishment of \u2018Eurodac\u2019 for the comparison of biometric data in order to effectively apply Regulations (EU) 2024/1351 and (EU) 2024/1350 of the European Parliament and of the Council and Council Directive 2001/55/EC and to identify illegally staying third-country nationals and stateless persons and on requests for the comparison with Eurodac data by Member States\u2019 law enforcement authorities and Europol for law enforcement purposes, amending Regulations (EU) 2018/1240 and (EU) 2019/818 of the European Parliament and of the Council and repealing Regulation (EU) No 603/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council The following are measures published since June 2024 for which Ireland did not exercise an opt in under Article 3 of Protocol 21: \u2022 Proposal for a Council Regulation (EU) 2024/671 on the issuance of and technical standards for digital travel credentials based on identity cards \u2022 Proposal for a Council Decision (EU) 2025/2307 on the signing, on behalf of the European Union, of the United Nations Convention against Cybercrime; Strengthening International Cooperation for Combating Certain Crimes Committed by Means of Information and Communications Technology Systems and for the Sharing of Evidence in Electronic Form of Serious Crimes (EU) 2025/2307 \u2022 Proposal for a Regulation (EU) 2025/0059 of the Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing a common system for the return of third-country nationals staying illegally in the Union, and repealing Directive 2008/115/EC of the European Parliament and the Council, Council Directive 2001/40/EC and Council Decision 2004/191/EC \u2022 Proposal for a Regulation (EU) 2025/2082 of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulation (EU) 2018/1727 as regards the extension of the timeframe for the establishment of the Eurojust case amending Regulation (EU) 2018/1727 as regards the extension of the timeframe for the establishment of the Eurojust case management system \u2022 Recommendation for a Council Decision (EU) 2026/0152 on the conclusion, on behalf of the European Union, of the Protocol amending the Council of Europe Convention on the prevention of terrorism \u2022 Recommendation for a Council Decision (EU) 2026/1132 on the signing, on behalf of the European Union, of the Protocol amending the Council of Europe Convention on the prevention of terrorism Information in relation to the number of Article 3 and Article 4 opt-ins by year since the Treaty of Lisbon can be found in the table below. Year Number of Article 3 Opt-Ins Number of Article 4 Opt-Ins 2009 1 0 2010 10 0 2011 7 2 2012 7 3 2013 6 11 2014 1 1 2015 1 2 2016 1 1 2017 2 1 2018 6 1 2019 0 2 2020 0 1 2021 2 1 2022 9 4 2023 8 2 2024 9 9 2025 8 0 2026 to date 3 0", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2026-06-23/pq_557", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2026-06-23/557/" }, { "date": "2026-06-23", "question_number": 558, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "EU Data", "asked_by": "Matt Carthy", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "558. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of instances in each year since the ratification of the Treaty of Lisbon in which the Irish Government opted in to directives or regulations under article 4 of protocol 21, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47815/26]", "answer": "Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration I propose to take Questions Nos. 557, 558, 559, 560 and 561 together. Protocol 21 provides that \u201cIreland shall not take part in the adoption by the Council of proposed measures pursuant to Title V of Part Three of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union.\u201d As such, Ireland does not, as a rule, participate in the majority of Justice and Home Affairs related measures, unless we notify of our wish to opt-in. At the time of the negotiation of Protocol 21, Ireland made a Declaration (Declaration No. 56) which stated that we would participate to the maximum possible extent in JHA measures, and particularly in the field of police cooperation. In line with this commitment, our participation in measures which are subject to Protocol 21 is kept under constant review, in particular where an opt in under Article 3 was not previously utilised. The list of measures Ireland has opted-in pursuant to Protocol 21, as well as the list of measures that automatically apply to Ireland by virtue of our participation in certain elements of the Schengen acquis (i.e. in accordance with Council Decision 2002/192/EC), and which are the responsibility of my Department is available at the following link - www.gov.ie/en/department-of-justice-home-affairs-and-migration/policy-information/european-affairs/. In May 2025 I published the findings of a Review of the operation of Protocol 21, which is available at the following link - www.gov.ie/en/department-of-justice-home-affairs-and-migration/publications/review-of-irelands-protocol-on-the-area-of-freedom-security-and-justice-2024/. The review was undertaken by my Department and informed by detailed statistical analysis of relevant legislation, internal and external consultations, and by a targeted consultation process with a range of key stakeholders. Appendix D of the review contained a list of significant JHA measures that Ireland had not yet opted in to. That list incorporates major EU legal instruments (Regulations and Directives) and International Agreements, but does not include Decisions and Implementing Regulations. I can advise the Deputy that among the measures Ireland has opted into since Appendix D to the Protocol 21 Review was drafted include: \u2022 Regulation (EU) 2024/1348 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 May 2024 establishing a common procedure for international protection in the Union and repealing Directive 2013/32/EU \u2022 Regulation (EU) 2024/1351 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 May 2024 on asylum and migration management, amending Regulations (EU) 2021/1147 and (EU) 2021/1060 and repealing Regulation (EU) No 604/2013 \u2022 Regulation (EU) 2024/1350 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 May 2024 establishing a Union Resettlement and Humanitarian Admission Framework, and amending Regulation (EU) 2021/1147 \u2022 Directive (EU) 2024/1346 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 May 2024 laying down standards for the reception of applicants for international protection \u2022 Regulation (EU) 2024/1347 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 May 2024 on standards for the qualification of third-country nationals or stateless persons as beneficiaries of international protection, for a uniform status for refugees or for persons eligible for subsidiary protection and for the content of the protection granted, amending Council Directive 2003/109/EC and repealing Directive 2011/95/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council \u2022 Regulation (EU) 2024/1359 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 May 2024 addressing situations of crisis and force majeure in the field of migration and asylum and amending Regulation (EU) 2021/1147 \u2022 Regulation (EU) 2024/1358 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 May 2024 on the establishment of \u2018Eurodac\u2019 for the comparison of biometric data in order to effectively apply Regulations (EU) 2024/1351 and (EU) 2024/1350 of the European Parliament and of the Council and Council Directive 2001/55/EC and to identify illegally staying third-country nationals and stateless persons and on requests for the comparison with Eurodac data by Member States\u2019 law enforcement authorities and Europol for law enforcement purposes, amending Regulations (EU) 2018/1240 and (EU) 2019/818 of the European Parliament and of the Council and repealing Regulation (EU) No 603/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council The following are measures published since June 2024 for which Ireland did not exercise an opt in under Article 3 of Protocol 21: \u2022 Proposal for a Council Regulation (EU) 2024/671 on the issuance of and technical standards for digital travel credentials based on identity cards \u2022 Proposal for a Council Decision (EU) 2025/2307 on the signing, on behalf of the European Union, of the United Nations Convention against Cybercrime; Strengthening International Cooperation for Combating Certain Crimes Committed by Means of Information and Communications Technology Systems and for the Sharing of Evidence in Electronic Form of Serious Crimes (EU) 2025/2307 \u2022 Proposal for a Regulation (EU) 2025/0059 of the Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing a common system for the return of third-country nationals staying illegally in the Union, and repealing Directive 2008/115/EC of the European Parliament and the Council, Council Directive 2001/40/EC and Council Decision 2004/191/EC \u2022 Proposal for a Regulation (EU) 2025/2082 of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulation (EU) 2018/1727 as regards the extension of the timeframe for the establishment of the Eurojust case amending Regulation (EU) 2018/1727 as regards the extension of the timeframe for the establishment of the Eurojust case management system \u2022 Recommendation for a Council Decision (EU) 2026/0152 on the conclusion, on behalf of the European Union, of the Protocol amending the Council of Europe Convention on the prevention of terrorism \u2022 Recommendation for a Council Decision (EU) 2026/1132 on the signing, on behalf of the European Union, of the Protocol amending the Council of Europe Convention on the prevention of terrorism Information in relation to the number of Article 3 and Article 4 opt-ins by year since the Treaty of Lisbon can be found in the table below. Year Number of Article 3 Opt-Ins Number of Article 4 Opt-Ins 2009 1 0 2010 10 0 2011 7 2 2012 7 3 2013 6 11 2014 1 1 2015 1 2 2016 1 1 2017 2 1 2018 6 1 2019 0 2 2020 0 1 2021 2 1 2022 9 4 2023 8 2 2024 9 9 2025 8 0 2026 to date 3 0", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2026-06-23/pq_558", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2026-06-23/558/" }, { "date": "2026-06-23", "question_number": 559, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "EU Data", "asked_by": "Matt Carthy", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "559. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the titles of each EU directive and regulation for each year since the ratification of the Treaty of Lisbon in which the Irish Government opted-in under article 3 of protocol 21, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47816/26]", "answer": "Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration I propose to take Questions Nos. 557, 558, 559, 560 and 561 together. Protocol 21 provides that \u201cIreland shall not take part in the adoption by the Council of proposed measures pursuant to Title V of Part Three of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union.\u201d As such, Ireland does not, as a rule, participate in the majority of Justice and Home Affairs related measures, unless we notify of our wish to opt-in. At the time of the negotiation of Protocol 21, Ireland made a Declaration (Declaration No. 56) which stated that we would participate to the maximum possible extent in JHA measures, and particularly in the field of police cooperation. In line with this commitment, our participation in measures which are subject to Protocol 21 is kept under constant review, in particular where an opt in under Article 3 was not previously utilised. The list of measures Ireland has opted-in pursuant to Protocol 21, as well as the list of measures that automatically apply to Ireland by virtue of our participation in certain elements of the Schengen acquis (i.e. in accordance with Council Decision 2002/192/EC), and which are the responsibility of my Department is available at the following link - www.gov.ie/en/department-of-justice-home-affairs-and-migration/policy-information/european-affairs/. In May 2025 I published the findings of a Review of the operation of Protocol 21, which is available at the following link - www.gov.ie/en/department-of-justice-home-affairs-and-migration/publications/review-of-irelands-protocol-on-the-area-of-freedom-security-and-justice-2024/. The review was undertaken by my Department and informed by detailed statistical analysis of relevant legislation, internal and external consultations, and by a targeted consultation process with a range of key stakeholders. Appendix D of the review contained a list of significant JHA measures that Ireland had not yet opted in to. That list incorporates major EU legal instruments (Regulations and Directives) and International Agreements, but does not include Decisions and Implementing Regulations. I can advise the Deputy that among the measures Ireland has opted into since Appendix D to the Protocol 21 Review was drafted include: \u2022 Regulation (EU) 2024/1348 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 May 2024 establishing a common procedure for international protection in the Union and repealing Directive 2013/32/EU \u2022 Regulation (EU) 2024/1351 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 May 2024 on asylum and migration management, amending Regulations (EU) 2021/1147 and (EU) 2021/1060 and repealing Regulation (EU) No 604/2013 \u2022 Regulation (EU) 2024/1350 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 May 2024 establishing a Union Resettlement and Humanitarian Admission Framework, and amending Regulation (EU) 2021/1147 \u2022 Directive (EU) 2024/1346 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 May 2024 laying down standards for the reception of applicants for international protection \u2022 Regulation (EU) 2024/1347 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 May 2024 on standards for the qualification of third-country nationals or stateless persons as beneficiaries of international protection, for a uniform status for refugees or for persons eligible for subsidiary protection and for the content of the protection granted, amending Council Directive 2003/109/EC and repealing Directive 2011/95/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council \u2022 Regulation (EU) 2024/1359 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 May 2024 addressing situations of crisis and force majeure in the field of migration and asylum and amending Regulation (EU) 2021/1147 \u2022 Regulation (EU) 2024/1358 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 May 2024 on the establishment of \u2018Eurodac\u2019 for the comparison of biometric data in order to effectively apply Regulations (EU) 2024/1351 and (EU) 2024/1350 of the European Parliament and of the Council and Council Directive 2001/55/EC and to identify illegally staying third-country nationals and stateless persons and on requests for the comparison with Eurodac data by Member States\u2019 law enforcement authorities and Europol for law enforcement purposes, amending Regulations (EU) 2018/1240 and (EU) 2019/818 of the European Parliament and of the Council and repealing Regulation (EU) No 603/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council The following are measures published since June 2024 for which Ireland did not exercise an opt in under Article 3 of Protocol 21: \u2022 Proposal for a Council Regulation (EU) 2024/671 on the issuance of and technical standards for digital travel credentials based on identity cards \u2022 Proposal for a Council Decision (EU) 2025/2307 on the signing, on behalf of the European Union, of the United Nations Convention against Cybercrime; Strengthening International Cooperation for Combating Certain Crimes Committed by Means of Information and Communications Technology Systems and for the Sharing of Evidence in Electronic Form of Serious Crimes (EU) 2025/2307 \u2022 Proposal for a Regulation (EU) 2025/0059 of the Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing a common system for the return of third-country nationals staying illegally in the Union, and repealing Directive 2008/115/EC of the European Parliament and the Council, Council Directive 2001/40/EC and Council Decision 2004/191/EC \u2022 Proposal for a Regulation (EU) 2025/2082 of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulation (EU) 2018/1727 as regards the extension of the timeframe for the establishment of the Eurojust case amending Regulation (EU) 2018/1727 as regards the extension of the timeframe for the establishment of the Eurojust case management system \u2022 Recommendation for a Council Decision (EU) 2026/0152 on the conclusion, on behalf of the European Union, of the Protocol amending the Council of Europe Convention on the prevention of terrorism \u2022 Recommendation for a Council Decision (EU) 2026/1132 on the signing, on behalf of the European Union, of the Protocol amending the Council of Europe Convention on the prevention of terrorism Information in relation to the number of Article 3 and Article 4 opt-ins by year since the Treaty of Lisbon can be found in the table below. Year Number of Article 3 Opt-Ins Number of Article 4 Opt-Ins 2009 1 0 2010 10 0 2011 7 2 2012 7 3 2013 6 11 2014 1 1 2015 1 2 2016 1 1 2017 2 1 2018 6 1 2019 0 2 2020 0 1 2021 2 1 2022 9 4 2023 8 2 2024 9 9 2025 8 0 2026 to date 3 0", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2026-06-23/pq_559", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2026-06-23/559/" }, { "date": "2026-06-23", "question_number": 560, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "EU Data", "asked_by": "Matt Carthy", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "560. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the titles of each EU directive and regulation for each year since the ratification of the Treaty of Lisbon in which the Irish Government opted-in under article 4 of protocol 21, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47817/26]", "answer": "Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration I propose to take Questions Nos. 557, 558, 559, 560 and 561 together. Protocol 21 provides that \u201cIreland shall not take part in the adoption by the Council of proposed measures pursuant to Title V of Part Three of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union.\u201d As such, Ireland does not, as a rule, participate in the majority of Justice and Home Affairs related measures, unless we notify of our wish to opt-in. At the time of the negotiation of Protocol 21, Ireland made a Declaration (Declaration No. 56) which stated that we would participate to the maximum possible extent in JHA measures, and particularly in the field of police cooperation. In line with this commitment, our participation in measures which are subject to Protocol 21 is kept under constant review, in particular where an opt in under Article 3 was not previously utilised. The list of measures Ireland has opted-in pursuant to Protocol 21, as well as the list of measures that automatically apply to Ireland by virtue of our participation in certain elements of the Schengen acquis (i.e. in accordance with Council Decision 2002/192/EC), and which are the responsibility of my Department is available at the following link - www.gov.ie/en/department-of-justice-home-affairs-and-migration/policy-information/european-affairs/. In May 2025 I published the findings of a Review of the operation of Protocol 21, which is available at the following link - www.gov.ie/en/department-of-justice-home-affairs-and-migration/publications/review-of-irelands-protocol-on-the-area-of-freedom-security-and-justice-2024/. The review was undertaken by my Department and informed by detailed statistical analysis of relevant legislation, internal and external consultations, and by a targeted consultation process with a range of key stakeholders. Appendix D of the review contained a list of significant JHA measures that Ireland had not yet opted in to. That list incorporates major EU legal instruments (Regulations and Directives) and International Agreements, but does not include Decisions and Implementing Regulations. I can advise the Deputy that among the measures Ireland has opted into since Appendix D to the Protocol 21 Review was drafted include: \u2022 Regulation (EU) 2024/1348 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 May 2024 establishing a common procedure for international protection in the Union and repealing Directive 2013/32/EU \u2022 Regulation (EU) 2024/1351 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 May 2024 on asylum and migration management, amending Regulations (EU) 2021/1147 and (EU) 2021/1060 and repealing Regulation (EU) No 604/2013 \u2022 Regulation (EU) 2024/1350 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 May 2024 establishing a Union Resettlement and Humanitarian Admission Framework, and amending Regulation (EU) 2021/1147 \u2022 Directive (EU) 2024/1346 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 May 2024 laying down standards for the reception of applicants for international protection \u2022 Regulation (EU) 2024/1347 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 May 2024 on standards for the qualification of third-country nationals or stateless persons as beneficiaries of international protection, for a uniform status for refugees or for persons eligible for subsidiary protection and for the content of the protection granted, amending Council Directive 2003/109/EC and repealing Directive 2011/95/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council \u2022 Regulation (EU) 2024/1359 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 May 2024 addressing situations of crisis and force majeure in the field of migration and asylum and amending Regulation (EU) 2021/1147 \u2022 Regulation (EU) 2024/1358 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 May 2024 on the establishment of \u2018Eurodac\u2019 for the comparison of biometric data in order to effectively apply Regulations (EU) 2024/1351 and (EU) 2024/1350 of the European Parliament and of the Council and Council Directive 2001/55/EC and to identify illegally staying third-country nationals and stateless persons and on requests for the comparison with Eurodac data by Member States\u2019 law enforcement authorities and Europol for law enforcement purposes, amending Regulations (EU) 2018/1240 and (EU) 2019/818 of the European Parliament and of the Council and repealing Regulation (EU) No 603/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council The following are measures published since June 2024 for which Ireland did not exercise an opt in under Article 3 of Protocol 21: \u2022 Proposal for a Council Regulation (EU) 2024/671 on the issuance of and technical standards for digital travel credentials based on identity cards \u2022 Proposal for a Council Decision (EU) 2025/2307 on the signing, on behalf of the European Union, of the United Nations Convention against Cybercrime; Strengthening International Cooperation for Combating Certain Crimes Committed by Means of Information and Communications Technology Systems and for the Sharing of Evidence in Electronic Form of Serious Crimes (EU) 2025/2307 \u2022 Proposal for a Regulation (EU) 2025/0059 of the Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing a common system for the return of third-country nationals staying illegally in the Union, and repealing Directive 2008/115/EC of the European Parliament and the Council, Council Directive 2001/40/EC and Council Decision 2004/191/EC \u2022 Proposal for a Regulation (EU) 2025/2082 of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulation (EU) 2018/1727 as regards the extension of the timeframe for the establishment of the Eurojust case amending Regulation (EU) 2018/1727 as regards the extension of the timeframe for the establishment of the Eurojust case management system \u2022 Recommendation for a Council Decision (EU) 2026/0152 on the conclusion, on behalf of the European Union, of the Protocol amending the Council of Europe Convention on the prevention of terrorism \u2022 Recommendation for a Council Decision (EU) 2026/1132 on the signing, on behalf of the European Union, of the Protocol amending the Council of Europe Convention on the prevention of terrorism Information in relation to the number of Article 3 and Article 4 opt-ins by year since the Treaty of Lisbon can be found in the table below. Year Number of Article 3 Opt-Ins Number of Article 4 Opt-Ins 2009 1 0 2010 10 0 2011 7 2 2012 7 3 2013 6 11 2014 1 1 2015 1 2 2016 1 1 2017 2 1 2018 6 1 2019 0 2 2020 0 1 2021 2 1 2022 9 4 2023 8 2 2024 9 9 2025 8 0 2026 to date 3 0", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2026-06-23/pq_560", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2026-06-23/560/" }, { "date": "2026-06-23", "question_number": 561, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "EU Data", "asked_by": "Matt Carthy", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "561. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the titles of each EU directive and regulation for each year since the ratification of the Treaty of Lisbon in which the Irish Government did not opt in to directives or regulations under Protocol 21, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47818/26]", "answer": "Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration I propose to take Questions Nos. 557, 558, 559, 560 and 561 together. Protocol 21 provides that \u201cIreland shall not take part in the adoption by the Council of proposed measures pursuant to Title V of Part Three of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union.\u201d As such, Ireland does not, as a rule, participate in the majority of Justice and Home Affairs related measures, unless we notify of our wish to opt-in. At the time of the negotiation of Protocol 21, Ireland made a Declaration (Declaration No. 56) which stated that we would participate to the maximum possible extent in JHA measures, and particularly in the field of police cooperation. In line with this commitment, our participation in measures which are subject to Protocol 21 is kept under constant review, in particular where an opt in under Article 3 was not previously utilised. The list of measures Ireland has opted-in pursuant to Protocol 21, as well as the list of measures that automatically apply to Ireland by virtue of our participation in certain elements of the Schengen acquis (i.e. in accordance with Council Decision 2002/192/EC), and which are the responsibility of my Department is available at the following link - www.gov.ie/en/department-of-justice-home-affairs-and-migration/policy-information/european-affairs/. In May 2025 I published the findings of a Review of the operation of Protocol 21, which is available at the following link - www.gov.ie/en/department-of-justice-home-affairs-and-migration/publications/review-of-irelands-protocol-on-the-area-of-freedom-security-and-justice-2024/. The review was undertaken by my Department and informed by detailed statistical analysis of relevant legislation, internal and external consultations, and by a targeted consultation process with a range of key stakeholders. Appendix D of the review contained a list of significant JHA measures that Ireland had not yet opted in to. That list incorporates major EU legal instruments (Regulations and Directives) and International Agreements, but does not include Decisions and Implementing Regulations. I can advise the Deputy that among the measures Ireland has opted into since Appendix D to the Protocol 21 Review was drafted include: \u2022 Regulation (EU) 2024/1348 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 May 2024 establishing a common procedure for international protection in the Union and repealing Directive 2013/32/EU \u2022 Regulation (EU) 2024/1351 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 May 2024 on asylum and migration management, amending Regulations (EU) 2021/1147 and (EU) 2021/1060 and repealing Regulation (EU) No 604/2013 \u2022 Regulation (EU) 2024/1350 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 May 2024 establishing a Union Resettlement and Humanitarian Admission Framework, and amending Regulation (EU) 2021/1147 \u2022 Directive (EU) 2024/1346 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 May 2024 laying down standards for the reception of applicants for international protection \u2022 Regulation (EU) 2024/1347 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 May 2024 on standards for the qualification of third-country nationals or stateless persons as beneficiaries of international protection, for a uniform status for refugees or for persons eligible for subsidiary protection and for the content of the protection granted, amending Council Directive 2003/109/EC and repealing Directive 2011/95/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council \u2022 Regulation (EU) 2024/1359 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 May 2024 addressing situations of crisis and force majeure in the field of migration and asylum and amending Regulation (EU) 2021/1147 \u2022 Regulation (EU) 2024/1358 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 May 2024 on the establishment of \u2018Eurodac\u2019 for the comparison of biometric data in order to effectively apply Regulations (EU) 2024/1351 and (EU) 2024/1350 of the European Parliament and of the Council and Council Directive 2001/55/EC and to identify illegally staying third-country nationals and stateless persons and on requests for the comparison with Eurodac data by Member States\u2019 law enforcement authorities and Europol for law enforcement purposes, amending Regulations (EU) 2018/1240 and (EU) 2019/818 of the European Parliament and of the Council and repealing Regulation (EU) No 603/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council The following are measures published since June 2024 for which Ireland did not exercise an opt in under Article 3 of Protocol 21: \u2022 Proposal for a Council Regulation (EU) 2024/671 on the issuance of and technical standards for digital travel credentials based on identity cards \u2022 Proposal for a Council Decision (EU) 2025/2307 on the signing, on behalf of the European Union, of the United Nations Convention against Cybercrime; Strengthening International Cooperation for Combating Certain Crimes Committed by Means of Information and Communications Technology Systems and for the Sharing of Evidence in Electronic Form of Serious Crimes (EU) 2025/2307 \u2022 Proposal for a Regulation (EU) 2025/0059 of the Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing a common system for the return of third-country nationals staying illegally in the Union, and repealing Directive 2008/115/EC of the European Parliament and the Council, Council Directive 2001/40/EC and Council Decision 2004/191/EC \u2022 Proposal for a Regulation (EU) 2025/2082 of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulation (EU) 2018/1727 as regards the extension of the timeframe for the establishment of the Eurojust case amending Regulation (EU) 2018/1727 as regards the extension of the timeframe for the establishment of the Eurojust case management system \u2022 Recommendation for a Council Decision (EU) 2026/0152 on the conclusion, on behalf of the European Union, of the Protocol amending the Council of Europe Convention on the prevention of terrorism \u2022 Recommendation for a Council Decision (EU) 2026/1132 on the signing, on behalf of the European Union, of the Protocol amending the Council of Europe Convention on the prevention of terrorism Information in relation to the number of Article 3 and Article 4 opt-ins by year since the Treaty of Lisbon can be found in the table below. Year Number of Article 3 Opt-Ins Number of Article 4 Opt-Ins 2009 1 0 2010 10 0 2011 7 2 2012 7 3 2013 6 11 2014 1 1 2015 1 2 2016 1 1 2017 2 1 2018 6 1 2019 0 2 2020 0 1 2021 2 1 2022 9 4 2023 8 2 2024 9 9 2025 8 0 2026 to date 3 0", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2026-06-23/pq_561", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2026-06-23/561/" }, { "date": "2026-06-23", "question_number": 515, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "International Protection", "asked_by": "Carol Nolan", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "515. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of asylum applications which were granted in each of the years from 2011 to 2025 and to date in 2026. [47216/26]", "answer": "Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration I propose to take Questions Nos. 515 and 516 together. I am fully committed to ensuring that Ireland\u2019s International Protection system is robust, and rules based, and that our borders are protected. The number of International Protection applications have been rising over the past number of years, reaching 18,500 in 2024. In 2025, application numbers reduced by approximately a third. There has been a significantly increased investment into the international protection system to improve efficiencies and throughput as well as enhancing the application, interview and decision-making process for applicants. The International Protection Act 2026 gives effect to the EU Migration and Asylum Pact and came into effect on 12 June 2026. The Pact provides a fair, sustainable and efficient asylum procedure. This will be achieved through convergence in asylum practices across the EU including standardised processing times for decisions: six months for a standard procedure, three months for accelerated and border procedures and two months for processing applicants who have applied for protection elsewhere in Europe. The below table shows the number of applications for international protection made from 2011 to 31 May 2026. IP Applications 2011 to 2026* 2011 1,290 2012 956 2013 947 2014 1,448 2015 3,276 2016 2,244 2017 2,920 2018 3,674 2019 4,783 2020 1,565 2021 2,647 2022 13,642 2023 13,271 2024 18,553 2025 13,162 2026 5,135 *to 31 May The table below shows the number of international protection first instance decisions made from 2011 to 31 May 2026. Statistics pre-2017 are not readily available as data would have to be extracted from a number of legacy systems. First instance decisions 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026* Granted (RS, SP, PTR) 816 1,080 1,115 725 1,521 3,537 3,235 3,906 3,743 1,226 Percentage 45.87% 36.36% 32.52% 32.17% 61.78% 71.86% 36.79% 28.07% 18.55% 16.06% Refused / withdrew / inadmissible/ Dormant 963 1,890 2,314 1,529 941 1,385 5,558 10,010 16,434 6,406 Percentage 54.13% 63.64% 67.48% 67.83% 38.22 28.14% 63.21% 71.93% 81.45% 83.94% *To 31 May Please note, figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing.", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2026-06-23/pq_515", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2026-06-23/515/" }, { "date": "2026-06-23", "question_number": 516, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "International Protection", "asked_by": "Carol Nolan", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "516. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the total number of asylum applications in each of the years from 2011 to 2025 and to date in 2026. [47217/26]", "answer": "Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration I propose to take Questions Nos. 515 and 516 together. I am fully committed to ensuring that Ireland\u2019s International Protection system is robust, and rules based, and that our borders are protected. The number of International Protection applications have been rising over the past number of years, reaching 18,500 in 2024. In 2025, application numbers reduced by approximately a third. There has been a significantly increased investment into the international protection system to improve efficiencies and throughput as well as enhancing the application, interview and decision-making process for applicants. The International Protection Act 2026 gives effect to the EU Migration and Asylum Pact and came into effect on 12 June 2026. The Pact provides a fair, sustainable and efficient asylum procedure. This will be achieved through convergence in asylum practices across the EU including standardised processing times for decisions: six months for a standard procedure, three months for accelerated and border procedures and two months for processing applicants who have applied for protection elsewhere in Europe. The below table shows the number of applications for international protection made from 2011 to 31 May 2026. IP Applications 2011 to 2026* 2011 1,290 2012 956 2013 947 2014 1,448 2015 3,276 2016 2,244 2017 2,920 2018 3,674 2019 4,783 2020 1,565 2021 2,647 2022 13,642 2023 13,271 2024 18,553 2025 13,162 2026 5,135 *to 31 May The table below shows the number of international protection first instance decisions made from 2011 to 31 May 2026. Statistics pre-2017 are not readily available as data would have to be extracted from a number of legacy systems. First instance decisions 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026* Granted (RS, SP, PTR) 816 1,080 1,115 725 1,521 3,537 3,235 3,906 3,743 1,226 Percentage 45.87% 36.36% 32.52% 32.17% 61.78% 71.86% 36.79% 28.07% 18.55% 16.06% Refused / withdrew / inadmissible/ Dormant 963 1,890 2,314 1,529 941 1,385 5,558 10,010 16,434 6,406 Percentage 54.13% 63.64% 67.48% 67.83% 38.22 28.14% 63.21% 71.93% 81.45% 83.94% *To 31 May Please note, figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing.", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2026-06-23/pq_516", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2026-06-23/516/" }, { "date": "2026-06-23", "question_number": 517, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "Immigration Policy", "asked_by": "Carol Nolan", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "517. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of persons whose deportation from the State has been confirmed and carried out in each of the years from 2011 to 2025 and to date in 2026. [47218/26]", "answer": "Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration It is a central priority for me that Ireland\u2019s immigration system is robust and rules based. The enforcement aspects of our laws, including deportation orders, are an essential requirement for the system to work effectively and to ensure that there is confidence in the application of our legislation in this area. Deportations are costly and complex to enforce. It is the preferred option to return people voluntarily and my Department has a voluntary return programme to assist people to return prior to the issuance of a deportation order. A person can only avail of voluntary return before a deportation order is issued and I have increased resources into this programme to enable individuals who wish to return before a deportation order is issued to them. If a person does not remove themselves from the State following the issuance of a deportation order, they will be removed, and my Department has taken action to significantly improve immigration enforcement measures and increase removals. The number of deportation orders signed in 2024 (2,403) increased by 180% compared to 2023 (857). In 2025, 4,700 deportation orders were signed, an increase of 96% compared to 2024. 2,108 deportation orders have been signed up to 19 June 2026. In 2024, 1,122 people departed from the State under various mechanisms (i.e. enforced deportation, voluntary return etc.). In 2025, 2,111 people had their departure confirmed through these pathways, an increase of 88% compared to 2024. Up to 19 June 2026, 1,126 people have departed the State through these pathways. In 2025, six charter flight operations removed 205 people from the State. Of these, five operations to non-EU destinations removed 182 people who were subject to deportation orders and one operation removed 23 EU citizens on grounds of criminality. Four charter operations to date in 2026 have seen the removal of 172 people from the State, including 67 EU citizens who were removed on grounds of criminality. The table below details the number of deportations, removals and voluntary returns from 2011 to 19 June 2026. Year Enforced deportations Otherwise Confirmed Deportations (1) Total Deportations Other Removals (2) Number of Voluntary Returns Total Removed 2011 243 35 278 41 481 800 2012 278 22 300 56 449 805 2013 169 30 199 67 427 693 2014 85 26 111 88 242 441 2015 48 202 250 90 132 472 2016 65 363 428 110 187 725 2017 81 57 138 140 183 461 2018 91 72 163 92 213 468 2019 157 139 296 99 261 656 2020 42 97 139 40 201 380 2021 5 33 38 46 132 216 2022 24 93 117 39 91 247 2023 51 28 79 24 215 318 2024 134 28 162 26 934 1122 2025 367 67 434 61 1616 2111 2026 (to 19 June) 233 39 272 96 758 1126 *Please note, figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing. 1. Otherwise confirmed deportations is where it has been confirmed a person has left the state following receipt of a deportation order without being escorted. 2. Other removals include Dublin III Transfer Orders of International Protection applicants to another EU State and EU Removal Orders for the return of EU Citizens under the Free Movement Regulations (these orders are made on grounds of criminality) and people who are deemed inadmissible under the International Protection Act. The enforcement of deportation orders is an operational matter for the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB), and my Department works closely with the GNIB to progress arrangements for the removal of people subject to deportation orders. If a person issued with a deportation order does not leave the State independently then they are required to present to the GNIB in accordance with the conditions of their deportation order. It is the case that a significant number of individuals who were subject to deportation orders have left the State without notifying the relevant authorities; As there are no routine exit checks at Irish borders, it is not possible to definitely provide the number of people who have or have not complied with an order. I am, however, informed that the GNIB has reviewed a large sample of cases of people subject to deportation orders; their inquiries suggest a very significant number of these individuals have left the State.", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2026-06-23/pq_517", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2026-06-23/517/" }, { "date": "2026-02-24", "question_number": 793, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "International Protection", "asked_by": "Peadar T\u00f3ib\u00edn", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "793. Deputy Peadar T\u00f3ib\u00edn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the amount spent on the accommodation of persons seeking international protection and refugees in each of the past fifteen years and to date in 2026. [14858/26]", "answer": "Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration Ireland has at all times endeavoured to provide accommodation and other basic supports to people seeking international protection as is required by law. From 2022 to 2024, over 45,000 people arrived and applied for international protection, almost matching the total number of applications made during the previous 16 years (44,000). This coincided with the invasion of Ukraine, and the arrival of over 120,000 people to Ireland fleeing that conflict. The sudden and sustained increase in applications during this period necessitated a period of growth in capacity and costs to the State for this service. In terms of international protection applicants, significant reform is underway to speed up the processing system, achieve improved value for money for the State and reduce the demand for accommodation. That includes moving away consistently, over time, from the degree of reliance on commercial accommodation and putting in place more facilities on State-owned sites. As a key milestone, the State has purchased Citywest Hotel and Convention Centre, which has increased State-owned bed numbers from 900 spaces in early 2024 to over 4,000 today. IPAS is reviewing commercial contracts and driving improvements in standards, governance and compliance. The introduction of a new rate card model is driving down costs for new and renewed contracts, already saving approximately \u20ac83 million since May 2025. The allocation for IPAS accommodation and supports for 2025 was \u20ac1.2 billion and this has reduced to an allocation of over \u20ac1.1 billion for accommodation and supports in 2026. Please see, in tabular format, the total spend on IPAS accommodation in commercial and State-owned accommodation since 2010. Please note the 2025 figure is provisional pending completion of the 2025 Appropriation Accounts. Year IP Accommodation Cost 2010 \u20ac79,000,000* 2011 \u20ac69,500,000* 2012 \u20ac62,330,000* 2013 \u20ac55,228,000* 2014 \u20ac53,217,000* 2015 \u20ac57,025,000* 2016 \u20ac64,137,000* 2017 \u20ac67,359,000* 2018 \u20ac77,993,000* 2019 \u20ac129.408,000 2020 \u20ac183,215,000 2021 \u20ac190,856,000 2022 \u20ac356,554,000 2023 \u20ac651,756,000 2024 \u20ac1,005,000,000 2025 \u20ac1.2 Billion * data sourced from previously published Departmental records..", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2026-02-24/pq_793", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2026-02-24/793/" }, { "date": "2026-06-16", "question_number": 707, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "International Protection", "asked_by": "Paul Lawless", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "707. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the amount paid out for IPAS accommodation in each of the past 15 years, in tabular form. [45763/26]", "answer": "Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration Providing reception conditions to people who are applying for international protection is part of EU and Irish law, and people are entitled to accommodation for the duration of their application process. The State is currently accommodating over 33,000 people seeking international protection in 305 International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) centres around the country. The allocation for IPAS accommodation and supports for 2025 was \u20ac1.27 billion and this has reduced to \u20ac1.1 billion for accommodation and supports in 2026. This is the first time in five years that the budget for international protection accommodation and supports is less than the previous year. From 2022 to the end of 2024, there was a sudden and sustained increase in numbers of people applying for international protection in Ireland. This came during the same period as the arrival of over 120,000 people fleeing the war in Ukraine. The increased arrivals from 2022 onward placed profound pressure on supply of accommodation across this sector. The table below outlines the total spend on IPAS accommodation in commercial and State-owned accommodation since 2021. Please note the 2025 figure is provisional pending completion of the 2025 Appropriation Accounts. Table 1: Total spend on IPAS accommodation in commercial and State-owned accommodation since 2010. 2010 \u20ac79,000,000* 2011 \u20ac69,500,000* 2012 \u20ac62,330,000* 2013 \u20ac55,228,000* 2014 \u20ac53,217,000* 2015 \u20ac57,025,000* 2016 \u20ac64,137,000* 2017 \u20ac67,359,000* 2018 \u20ac77,993,000* 2019 \u20ac129.408,000 2020 \u20ac183,215,000 2021 \u20ac190,856,000 2022 \u20ac356,554,000 2023 \u20ac651,756,000 2024 \u20ac1,005,000,000 2025 \u20ac1.2 Billion * data sourced from previously published Departmental records. The costs outlined above pertain to accommodation for international protection applicants, including transport, facilities management, utilities and other related costs. The new International Protection Act 2026 gives effect to the measures of the EU Migration and Asylum Pact and was passed into law last month. The new rules came into effect on 12 June. Reforming and speeding up processing of applications should also serve over time to reduce the scale of the demand for international protection accommodation. The Department is working to increase the amount of State-owned international protection accommodation and creating a more stable and sustainable accommodation system. As developing these more sustainable state-owned accommodation system options will take time, the commissioning of emergency commercial accommodation will continue to be a feature in the short to medium term.", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2026-06-16/pq_707", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2026-06-16/707/" }, { "date": "2025-06-17", "question_number": 603, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "Prison Service", "asked_by": "Carol Nolan", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "603. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the total number of people incarcerated in Irish prisons as of 31 December in each year from 1990 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32076/25]", "answer": "Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration The total number of people detained in Irish prisons as at 31 December in each year from 1990 to date is outlined in the attached table. Prisoner population statistics are published on a daily basis and are available on the Irish Prison Service website (www.irishprisons.ie). This information can be located in the Information Centre, under Statistics & Information \u2013 Daily Prisoner Population. Year 2024 5,001 Year 2023 4,691 Year 2022 4,245 Year 2021 3,704 Year 2020 3,650 Year 2019 3,950 Year 2018 3,911 Year 2017 3,646 Year 2016 3,595 Year 2015 3,647 Year 2014 3,554 Year 2013 3,975 Year 2012 4,066 Year 2011 4,099 Year 2010 4,257 Year 2009 3,911 Year 2008 3,512 Year 2007 3,184 Year 2006 3,075 (29th December) Year 2005 2,870 (30th December) Year 2004 2,924 Year 2003 2,989 Year 2002 2,946 Year 2001 2,760 (28th December) Year 2000 2,696 (29th December) Year 1999 2,462 (30th December) Year 1998 2,470 (30th December) Year 1997 2,275 Year 1996 2,122 Year 1995 1,882 (29th December) Year 1994 1,906 (30th December) Year 1993 2,012 Year 1992 1,993 Year 1991 2,054 (23rd December) Year 1990 1,973", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2025-06-17/pq_603", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2025-06-17/603/" }, { "date": "2021-09-21", "question_number": 489, "chamber": "33rd D\u00e1il", "topic": "Direct Provision System", "asked_by": "Carol Nolan", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "489. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Justice if she is advancing proposals to offer leave to remain to persons who have spent more than two years in direct provision as part of efforts to reduce the current backlog of applications; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44654/21]", "answer": "Minister of State at the Department of Justice and Equality I propose to take Questions Nos. 489 and 490 together. The statistics requested by the Deputy are set out in the attached tables. Since the commencement of the International Protection Act 2015 on 31 December 2016, a single application procedure applies where all aspects of a person's application (refugee status, subsidiary protection status and permission to remain) are examined and determined in one process. Prior to this, the three strands were examined sequentially and this could lead to long delays in obtaining a final decision. My Department is committed to implementing the key recommendations in the Expert Advisory Group Report to reduce processing times of both first instance decisions and appeals to 6 months respectively, as outlined in the White Paper to End Direct Provision and Establish a New International Protection Support Service. The White Paper proposes that the new system should be phased in and operational by 2024 and that the intervening period should provide an opportunity to progress improvements in the overall processing times for international protection. Work is under way in my Department towards identifying mechanisms which will assist with this. For example, additional ICT resources have been secured for this year, and detailed practical work, including the end-to-end review of relevant international protection processes by a multi-disciplinary team from within my Department, has now been completed. My Department's main focus now is to get its processing system functioning as effectively and efficiently as possible, while adhering to all measures in place to combat the spread of COVID-19. A number of initiatives have already been introduced, including the relocation of the Ministerial Decisions Unit to the International Protection Office (IPO) premises to improve work processes; the designation of the International Protection Appeals Tribunal as a body authorised to hold remote hearings; and the holding of virtual interviews with some applicants living outside of Dublin by the IPO, which resumed on 10 May. The IPO has also put in place a range of measures to improve efficiencies across a number of work streams, such as improved processes, implementation of non-cooperation measures, and initiatives to speed up the return of completed questionnaires from applicants. A new, shorter and more user-friendly questionnaire is being used since 28 June and the IPO has also agreed a new prioritisation schedule with UNHCR that is effective from 14 June. My Department will, by October 2022 at the latest, commence a review of progress made in reducing and improving processing times and based on the outcome of that review, decide by the end of 2022, whether additional measures are required in order to ensure that the new system can come into operation without the overhang of any significant number of legacy cases. As requested by the Deputy the table below sets out the total number of applications for asylum / international protection between the years 2001 to date. Year of Application No. of Applications for Asylum 2001 - 2016 2001 10,325 2002 11,364 2003 7,900 2004 4,766 2005 4,323 2006 4,314 2007 3,985 2008 3,866 2009 2,689 2010 1,939 2011 1,290 2012 956 2013 946 2014 1,448 2015 3,276 2016 2,244 Year of Application No. of Applications for International Protection 2017- 2021* (end August \u2013 Provisional) 2017 2,920 2018 3,674 2019 4,781 2020 1,566 2021* 1,148 The tables below set out the number of negative decisions for each of those years in which all avenues of appeal were exhausted. The breakdown sought is not readily available for the years 2001-2008. For those years my Department has been able to provide the total numbers of all asylum refusals only. The table below sets out the total number of MDU refusal decisions (decisions for all applications irrespective of whether there was an appeal). Year of Decision No. of Decisions 2001 2 2002 2335 2003 5087 2004 7342 2005 4917 2006 2076 2007 3059 Total 24818 The table below sets out the number of MDU refusal decisions after an appeal. Year of Decision No. of Decisions 2008 1353 2009 2343 2010 1607 2011 632 2012 240 2013 145 2014 71 2015 217 2016 295 2017 257 2018 375 2019 760 2020 528 2021 400 Total 9223 The figures in the tables above refer to the year in which the decision was made and not necessarily to the year in which the application was made.", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2021-09-21/pq_489", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2021-09-21/489/" }, { "date": "2021-09-21", "question_number": 490, "chamber": "33rd D\u00e1il", "topic": "Direct Provision System", "asked_by": "Carol Nolan", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "490. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Justice the number of applications made for international protection in Ireland in each of the years 2001 to 2020 and to date in 2021; the number of negative decisions for each of those years in which all avenues of appeal were exhausted in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44656/21]", "answer": "Minister of State at the Department of Justice and Equality I propose to take Questions Nos. 489 and 490 together. The statistics requested by the Deputy are set out in the attached tables. Since the commencement of the International Protection Act 2015 on 31 December 2016, a single application procedure applies where all aspects of a person's application (refugee status, subsidiary protection status and permission to remain) are examined and determined in one process. Prior to this, the three strands were examined sequentially and this could lead to long delays in obtaining a final decision. My Department is committed to implementing the key recommendations in the Expert Advisory Group Report to reduce processing times of both first instance decisions and appeals to 6 months respectively, as outlined in the White Paper to End Direct Provision and Establish a New International Protection Support Service. The White Paper proposes that the new system should be phased in and operational by 2024 and that the intervening period should provide an opportunity to progress improvements in the overall processing times for international protection. Work is under way in my Department towards identifying mechanisms which will assist with this. For example, additional ICT resources have been secured for this year, and detailed practical work, including the end-to-end review of relevant international protection processes by a multi-disciplinary team from within my Department, has now been completed. My Department's main focus now is to get its processing system functioning as effectively and efficiently as possible, while adhering to all measures in place to combat the spread of COVID-19. A number of initiatives have already been introduced, including the relocation of the Ministerial Decisions Unit to the International Protection Office (IPO) premises to improve work processes; the designation of the International Protection Appeals Tribunal as a body authorised to hold remote hearings; and the holding of virtual interviews with some applicants living outside of Dublin by the IPO, which resumed on 10 May. The IPO has also put in place a range of measures to improve efficiencies across a number of work streams, such as improved processes, implementation of non-cooperation measures, and initiatives to speed up the return of completed questionnaires from applicants. A new, shorter and more user-friendly questionnaire is being used since 28 June and the IPO has also agreed a new prioritisation schedule with UNHCR that is effective from 14 June. My Department will, by October 2022 at the latest, commence a review of progress made in reducing and improving processing times and based on the outcome of that review, decide by the end of 2022, whether additional measures are required in order to ensure that the new system can come into operation without the overhang of any significant number of legacy cases. As requested by the Deputy the table below sets out the total number of applications for asylum / international protection between the years 2001 to date. Year of Application No. of Applications for Asylum 2001 - 2016 2001 10,325 2002 11,364 2003 7,900 2004 4,766 2005 4,323 2006 4,314 2007 3,985 2008 3,866 2009 2,689 2010 1,939 2011 1,290 2012 956 2013 946 2014 1,448 2015 3,276 2016 2,244 Year of Application No. of Applications for International Protection 2017- 2021* (end August \u2013 Provisional) 2017 2,920 2018 3,674 2019 4,781 2020 1,566 2021* 1,148 The tables below set out the number of negative decisions for each of those years in which all avenues of appeal were exhausted. The breakdown sought is not readily available for the years 2001-2008. For those years my Department has been able to provide the total numbers of all asylum refusals only. The table below sets out the total number of MDU refusal decisions (decisions for all applications irrespective of whether there was an appeal). Year of Decision No. of Decisions 2001 2 2002 2335 2003 5087 2004 7342 2005 4917 2006 2076 2007 3059 Total 24818 The table below sets out the number of MDU refusal decisions after an appeal. Year of Decision No. of Decisions 2008 1353 2009 2343 2010 1607 2011 632 2012 240 2013 145 2014 71 2015 217 2016 295 2017 257 2018 375 2019 760 2020 528 2021 400 Total 9223 The figures in the tables above refer to the year in which the decision was made and not necessarily to the year in which the application was made.", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2021-09-21/pq_490", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2021-09-21/490/" }, { "date": "2023-10-03", "question_number": 450, "chamber": "33rd D\u00e1il", "topic": "Departmental Staff", "asked_by": "Patrick Costello", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "450. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Justice the number of staff working directly in the processing of visa/immigration applications, by year, from 2010 to date; and the number of applications processed in each year, in tabular form. [42666/23]", "answer": "Minister for Justice I can advise the Deputy that the Immigration Service of my Department currently operate from seven overseas Visa Offices in addition to the Visa Office in Dublin. They are located in Abuja, Beijing, London, Moscow, Ankara, Abu Dhabi and New Delhi. In addition, the Department of Foreign Affairs process certain visa applications in Irish Embassies abroad under delegated sanction from my Department. As the Deputy will be aware, the Department of Justice underwent significant organisational change in 2019, which saw the complete reorganisation of the Department\u2019s structure, therefore staffing figures for earlier years are not available in the manner sought. The below table shows the number staff assigned to Visa division from 2019 onwards. This number includes senior management, customer service staff as well as staff processing visa applications in my Dublin visa office and the 7 visa offices abroad. These totals do not include staff that process applications under delegated sanction through the Department of Foreign Affairs. Staffing figures are provided for those handling Visa applications only, as opposed to those staff processing other categories of immigration applications, registrations and permissions to remain. Year Number of Staff 2019 90 2020 75 2021 79 2022 102 As of 25/09/2023 104 The table below sets out the number of visa applications processed from 2010 onwards as requested. It is important to note that the figures in the tables below relate to all visas processed regardless of the location of the Visa Office or Embassy which carried out the actual processing. Year Approved Refused Total 2010 111,146 7,759 118,905 2011 106,347 7,655 114,002 2012 102,318 7,735 110,053 2013 102,562 8,233 110,795 2014 104,140 8,977 113,117 2015 111,793 9,029 120,822 2016 120,068 11,193 131,261 2017 131,901 13,425 145,326 2018 141,913 15,086 156,999 2019 130,561 14,932 145,493 2020 35,692 5,852 41,544 2021 41,977 3,360 45,337 2022 88,867 12,115 100,982 2023 82,591 13,328 95,919 Total 1,411,876 138,679 1,550,555", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2023-10-03/pq_450", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2023-10-03/450/" }, { "date": "2024-05-30", "question_number": 225, "chamber": "33rd D\u00e1il", "topic": "Naturalisation Applications", "asked_by": "Carol Nolan", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "225. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Justice the total amount received in fees from applicants for a certificate of naturalisation as governed by the provisions of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Regulations 2011 (S.I. No. 569 of 2011) for each year from 2011 to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24498/24]", "answer": "Minister for Justice I propose to take Questions Nos. 225 and 226 together. The fees to be paid by an applicant for a certificate of naturalisation are governed by the provisions of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Regulations 2011 (S.I. No. 569 of 2011). The application fee is \u20ac175. A certification fee of \u20ac950 is then required following a positive decision being reached on the naturalisation application. The standard certification fee is set at \u20ac950, while a reduced fee of \u20ac200 applies in the case of an application made on behalf of a minor or in certain cases where the application is made by a widow, widower or surviving civil partner of an Irish citizen. In the case of recognised refugees and stateless persons, there is no certification fee. The State has not increased the fees for naturalisation applications since 2011. All of the fees payable under the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended, are kept under ongoing review by my Department. However, there are no current plans to amend the fees. Year Application Fee \u20ac Certificate Fee \u20ac Total Fees Received \u20ac 2011 283,850 20,858,350 21,142,200 2012 3,127,775 16,912,650 20,040,425 2013 3,488,100 19,518,200 23,006,300 2014 2,914,975 14,315,450 17,230,425 2015 2,053,100 9,225,250 11,278,350 2016 2,261,525 7,696,750 9,958,275 2017 2,065,350 6,744,800 8,810,150 2018 2,051,875 6,764,900 8,816,775 2019 2,332,400 4,754,750 7,087,150 2020 1,238,650 5,596,750 6,835,400 2021 1,862,000 8,363,550 10,225,550 2022 2,954,350 10,650,900 13,605,250 2023 3,651,200 12,251,500 15,902,700 2024 to date 1,776,775 10,395,600 12,172,375 TOTALS 32,061,925 154,049,400 186,111,325", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2024-05-30/pq_225", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2024-05-30/225/" }, { "date": "2024-05-30", "question_number": 226, "chamber": "33rd D\u00e1il", "topic": "Naturalisation Applications", "asked_by": "Carol Nolan", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "226. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Justice the total amount received in certification fees following a positive decision being reached on naturalisation applications for each year from 2011 to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24499/24]", "answer": "Minister for Justice I propose to take Questions Nos. 225 and 226 together. The fees to be paid by an applicant for a certificate of naturalisation are governed by the provisions of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Regulations 2011 (S.I. No. 569 of 2011). The application fee is \u20ac175. A certification fee of \u20ac950 is then required following a positive decision being reached on the naturalisation application. The standard certification fee is set at \u20ac950, while a reduced fee of \u20ac200 applies in the case of an application made on behalf of a minor or in certain cases where the application is made by a widow, widower or surviving civil partner of an Irish citizen. In the case of recognised refugees and stateless persons, there is no certification fee. The State has not increased the fees for naturalisation applications since 2011. All of the fees payable under the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended, are kept under ongoing review by my Department. However, there are no current plans to amend the fees. Year Application Fee \u20ac Certificate Fee \u20ac Total Fees Received \u20ac 2011 283,850 20,858,350 21,142,200 2012 3,127,775 16,912,650 20,040,425 2013 3,488,100 19,518,200 23,006,300 2014 2,914,975 14,315,450 17,230,425 2015 2,053,100 9,225,250 11,278,350 2016 2,261,525 7,696,750 9,958,275 2017 2,065,350 6,744,800 8,810,150 2018 2,051,875 6,764,900 8,816,775 2019 2,332,400 4,754,750 7,087,150 2020 1,238,650 5,596,750 6,835,400 2021 1,862,000 8,363,550 10,225,550 2022 2,954,350 10,650,900 13,605,250 2023 3,651,200 12,251,500 15,902,700 2024 to date 1,776,775 10,395,600 12,172,375 TOTALS 32,061,925 154,049,400 186,111,325", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2024-05-30/pq_226", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2024-05-30/226/" }, { "date": "2025-02-11", "question_number": 429, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "Naturalisation Applications", "asked_by": "Carol Nolan", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "429. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Justice the total amount received in fees from applicants for a certificate of naturalisation as governed by the provisions of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Regulations 2011 (S.I. No. 569 of 2011) for each year from 2011 to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4078/25]", "answer": "Minister for Justice As the Deputy may be aware, to make an application for naturalisation there is a fee of \u20ac175, and following a positive decision on that application, a certification fee of \u20ac950 is then payable. The standard certification fee is set at \u20ac950, while a reduced fee of \u20ac200 applies in the case of an application made on behalf of a minor or in certain cases where the application is made by a widow, widower or surviving civil partner of an Irish citizen. In the case of recognised refugees and stateless persons, there is no certification fee. All of the fees to apply for naturalisation are kept under ongoing review by my Department, however, there are no current plans to amend the fees. The State has not increased the fees for naturalisation applications since 2011. As requested by the Deputy, the following table outlines the amount lodged to the Exchequer in respect of application and certification fees from 2011 to 2024. Year Amount rec'd from Application Fee Amount rec'd from Certificate Fee Total Fees Rec'd [Million] 2011 283,850 20,858,350 21,142,200 2012 3,127,775 16,912,650 20,040,425 2013 3,488,100 19,518,200 23,006,300 2014 2,914,975 14,315,450 17,230,425 2015 2,053,100 9,225,250 11,278,350 2016 2,261,525 7,696,750 9,958,275 2017 2,065,350 6,744,800 8,810,150 2018 2,051,875 6,764,900 8,816,775 2019 2,332,400 4,754,750 7,087,150 2020 1,238,650 5,596,750 6,835,400 2021 1,862,000 8,363,550 10,225,550 2022 2,954,350 10,650,900 13,605,250 2023 3,651,200 12,251,500 15,902,700 2024 6,371,995 24,739,662 31,111,657 * Figures are correct at time of issue however all statistics may be subject to data cleansing", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2025-02-11/pq_429", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2025-02-11/429/" }, { "date": "2025-07-29", "question_number": 2105, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "Immigration Policy", "asked_by": "Cormac Devlin", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "2105. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to provide a detailed report on the Immigrant Investor Programme; the number of applications received by the Department since the programme\u2019s inception; a list of all approved applications, with the date of approval, the relevant townland(s), and the amount invested; a list of all rejected applications, including the date and the reason for rejection; the number of applications still outstanding; the expected timeline for assessing and processing the remaining applications, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43361/25]", "answer": "Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration I propose to take Questions Nos. 2105 and 2106 together. As the Deputy will be aware, the Government agreed to close the Immigrant Investor Programme (IIP) to further applications from 15 February 2023. Since the closure of the programme, my Department has continued to process remaining applications for consideration and final decision. The IIP is fundamentally a programme for investors, not for projects or funds. The investor is the primary applicant and makes an application for an immigration permission and nominates a proposed project as part of that application. All projects which IIP applicants are investing in are examined in detail by an Independent Evaluation Committee, comprising of officials from my Department, the Department of Finance, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland. This examination process involves an assessment of the viability of the project; employment outcomes associated with the proposed investment; and the overall benefit to the Irish State. The Committee makes a determination as to whether a project is suitable for IIP investment and if deemed suitable, the project and individual application(s) associated with it will be submitted to me, as Minister, for final approval. My Department does not publish the details of individual IIP applications, and a geographical breakdown of project locations is not available. There are a range of factors that can result in the withdrawal or rejection of an application, such as incomplete documentation, change in circumstances and failure to make investment within the requisite period. My Department does not collate data in the manner requested by the Deputy in relation to individual reasons for withdrawn or rejected applications. The criteria applied when assessing applications under the IIP is set out in the guidance published on my Department's immigration website at: www.irishimmigration.ie/coming-to-live-in-ireland/i-want-to-invest-in-ireland/ At present, there are approximately 90 IIP project proposals and 1600 investor applications undergoing, or awaiting, consideration. The IIP Unit is committed to ensuring that all applications will be examined on their merits and will endeavour to conclude all decisions in a timely manner. Given the volume of applications on hand, it is expected to take a number of years to process all remaining categories of application to final decision. Table 1 below provides a breakdown of IIP applications received, approved and the value of investments since the inception of the programme to the end of Q2 2025. Table 2 shows the total value of investment based on the investment type and the number of associated approved IIP applications from 2012 to the end of Q2 2025. Table 3 details the number of staff assigned to the IIP and STEP (Start-up Entrepreneur Programme) Unit of my Department from 2018 to the end of Q2 2025. Table 1: IIP Applications received and approved 2012- 2025 (30/6/25) Year Applications received Approved applications Value of Approved Investment 2012 5 2 1,500,000 2013 18 16 12,200,000 2014 30 5 2,950,000 2015 75 67 36,800,000 2016 334 33 18,750,000 2017 324 360 244,200,000 2018 423 145 128,750,000 2019 443 222 194,200,000 2020 339 267 186,200,000 2021 258 264 185,700,000 2022 1316 307 206,900,000 2023 1954 259 189,500,000 2024 315 535 314,300,000 2025 (Q2) 63 208 146,300,000 Total 5897 2690 1,868,250,000 *Approvals issued in any year may relate to applications which were received in previous years due to the time taken to process applications. **Please note, figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing Table 2: IIP Approved Investments 2012 - 2025 (30/6/25) Investment Type Total Applications Approved Total Value of Investment Enterprise 1037 900,000,000 Investment Fund 466 449,500,000 REIT 6 12,000,000 Endowment 1125 452,800,000 Bond & Mixed Investment 56 53,950,000 TOTAL 2690 1,868,250,000 *Please note, figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing. Table 3: Breakdown of staff assigned to the IIP/STEP unit from 2018 - 2025 (30/6/25) - 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 AP 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 HEO 2 3 3 3 2 2 2 2 AO 1 1 1 1 1 EO 2 3 4 4 3 3 1 1 CO 4 7 7 6 6 5 5 4", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2025-07-29/pq_2105", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2025-07-29/2105/" }, { "date": "2025-07-29", "question_number": 2106, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "Immigration Policy", "asked_by": "Cormac Devlin", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "2106. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to detail the number of staff assigned to the section of the Department responsible for processing applications under the Immigrant Investor Programme, in each year from 2018 to date in 2025, including a breakdown by grade; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43362/25]", "answer": "Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration I propose to take Questions Nos. 2105 and 2106 together. As the Deputy will be aware, the Government agreed to close the Immigrant Investor Programme (IIP) to further applications from 15 February 2023. Since the closure of the programme, my Department has continued to process remaining applications for consideration and final decision. The IIP is fundamentally a programme for investors, not for projects or funds. The investor is the primary applicant and makes an application for an immigration permission and nominates a proposed project as part of that application. All projects which IIP applicants are investing in are examined in detail by an Independent Evaluation Committee, comprising of officials from my Department, the Department of Finance, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland. This examination process involves an assessment of the viability of the project; employment outcomes associated with the proposed investment; and the overall benefit to the Irish State. The Committee makes a determination as to whether a project is suitable for IIP investment and if deemed suitable, the project and individual application(s) associated with it will be submitted to me, as Minister, for final approval. My Department does not publish the details of individual IIP applications, and a geographical breakdown of project locations is not available. There are a range of factors that can result in the withdrawal or rejection of an application, such as incomplete documentation, change in circumstances and failure to make investment within the requisite period. My Department does not collate data in the manner requested by the Deputy in relation to individual reasons for withdrawn or rejected applications. The criteria applied when assessing applications under the IIP is set out in the guidance published on my Department's immigration website at: www.irishimmigration.ie/coming-to-live-in-ireland/i-want-to-invest-in-ireland/ At present, there are approximately 90 IIP project proposals and 1600 investor applications undergoing, or awaiting, consideration. The IIP Unit is committed to ensuring that all applications will be examined on their merits and will endeavour to conclude all decisions in a timely manner. Given the volume of applications on hand, it is expected to take a number of years to process all remaining categories of application to final decision. Table 1 below provides a breakdown of IIP applications received, approved and the value of investments since the inception of the programme to the end of Q2 2025. Table 2 shows the total value of investment based on the investment type and the number of associated approved IIP applications from 2012 to the end of Q2 2025. Table 3 details the number of staff assigned to the IIP and STEP (Start-up Entrepreneur Programme) Unit of my Department from 2018 to the end of Q2 2025. Table 1: IIP Applications received and approved 2012- 2025 (30/6/25) Year Applications received Approved applications Value of Approved Investment 2012 5 2 1,500,000 2013 18 16 12,200,000 2014 30 5 2,950,000 2015 75 67 36,800,000 2016 334 33 18,750,000 2017 324 360 244,200,000 2018 423 145 128,750,000 2019 443 222 194,200,000 2020 339 267 186,200,000 2021 258 264 185,700,000 2022 1316 307 206,900,000 2023 1954 259 189,500,000 2024 315 535 314,300,000 2025 (Q2) 63 208 146,300,000 Total 5897 2690 1,868,250,000 *Approvals issued in any year may relate to applications which were received in previous years due to the time taken to process applications. **Please note, figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing Table 2: IIP Approved Investments 2012 - 2025 (30/6/25) Investment Type Total Applications Approved Total Value of Investment Enterprise 1037 900,000,000 Investment Fund 466 449,500,000 REIT 6 12,000,000 Endowment 1125 452,800,000 Bond & Mixed Investment 56 53,950,000 TOTAL 2690 1,868,250,000 *Please note, figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing. Table 3: Breakdown of staff assigned to the IIP/STEP unit from 2018 - 2025 (30/6/25) - 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 AP 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 HEO 2 3 3 3 2 2 2 2 AO 1 1 1 1 1 EO 2 3 4 4 3 3 1 1 CO 4 7 7 6 6 5 5 4", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2025-07-29/pq_2106", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2025-07-29/2106/" }, { "date": "2026-03-18", "question_number": 1285, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "Departmental Data", "asked_by": "Alan Kelly", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "1285. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of applications received, granted, refused, still pending a decision and in dispute for the immigrant investor programme; the value in euro of each application; the number of persons who have received a status or permission to reside in Ireland arising from the IIP for each year since its inception and to date in 2026, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18929/26]", "answer": "Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration As the Deputy will be aware, the Government agreed to close the Immigrant Investor Programme (IIP) to further applications from 15 February 2023. In line with that Government decision, which provided inter alia for the orderly wind-down of the programme, my Department has continued to process applications for immigration permissions in respect of approved investments i.e. investments applied for prior to the closure of the programme and which have been approved by the IIP Evaluation Committee. At present, there are 1192 investor applications undergoing, or awaiting, consideration. The IIP Unit is committed to ensuring that all applications will be examined on their merits and will endeavour to conclude all decisions in a timely manner. The criteria applied when assessing applications under the IIP is set out in the guidance published on my Department's immigration website at: www.irishimmigration.ie/coming-to-live-in-ireland/i-want-to-invest-in-ireland/ Since the start of the programme in 2012 to end of 2025, 230 investor applications have been refused. Applications may be refused for a variety of reasons such as incomplete documentation, the application not meeting the eligibility criteria, the associated project not being in line with the IIP programme etc. The IIP offers four investment options for potential investors. \u2022 Enterprise Investment: A minimum of \u20ac1 million invested in an Irish enterprise for a period of at least three years; \u2022 Investment Fund: A minimum of \u20ac1 million invested in an approved investment fund for a period of at least three years. Such funds must be approved and regulated by the Central Bank; \u2022 Real Estate Investment Trusts: A minimum investment of \u20ac2 million in any Irish REIT that is listed on the Irish Stock Exchange, for a period of at least three years; and \u2022 Endowment: A minimum \u20ac500,000 (or \u20ac400,000 where five or more applications are received) philanthropic donation to a project which is of public benefit to the arts, sports, health, culture or education in Ireland. Statistics are not maintained in such a way as to provide the information on all IIP residence permissions granted. No residence permission has been given to any IIP applicant in the absence of the approved investment being made. In relation to the number of cases \"in dispute\", I can advise the Deputy that 8 project owners have taken legal proceedings in relation to proposals that were unsuccessful. I am not in a position to provide the value for each application nor can I comment on individual applications however the total value of investment from each year is provided in the table below. The table below provides a breakdown of IIP applications received, approved and the value of investments since the inception of the programme to the end of 2025. Year Applications received Approved applications Value of Approved Investment 2012 5 2 \u20ac1,500,000 2013 18 16 \u20ac12,200,000 2014 30 5 \u20ac2,950,000 2015 75 67 \u20ac36,800,000 2016 334 33 \u20ac18,750,000 2017 324 360 \u20ac244,200,000 2018 423 145 \u20ac128,850,000 2019 445 222 \u20ac194,200,000 2020 339 267 \u20ac186,200,000 2021 259 266 \u20ac187,700,000 2022 1343 307 \u20ac206,900,000 2023 1,932 259 \u20ac189,500,000 2024 315 540 \u20ac316,300,000 2025 112 446 \u20ac309,900,000 Total 5,954 2,935 \u20ac2,035,950,000 *Approvals issued in any year may relate to applications which were received in previous years due to the time taken to process applications. **Please note, figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2026-03-18/pq_1285", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2026-03-18/1285/" }, { "date": "2026-06-23", "question_number": 289, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "Work Permits", "asked_by": "Carol Nolan", "answered_by": "Enterprise", "question_type": "written", "question": "289. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the total number of individuals who are nationals of countries outside the UK or EEA who have been granted work permits in each of the years from 2011 to 2025 and to date in 2026. [47219/26]", "answer": "Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment Ireland operates a managed employment permits system designed to facilitate the admission of appropriately skilled non-EEA and non-UK nationals to address labour and skills shortages in the economy, while ensuring opportunities remain available for Irish, EEA and UK nationals. The system is demand-led and employer-driven, with permits issued only where the statutory criteria under the Employment Permits Act are met. It aims to maximise the benefits of economic migration while minimising disruption to the labour market and supporting enterprise and economic growth. The table below sets out the total number of employment permits (including renewals) issued to nationals of countries outside the EEA and the United Kingdom for each of the years from 2011 to 2025, and to date in 2026. Year Number of Employment Permits Issued 2011 5,200 2012 4,007 2013 3,863 2014 5,495 2015 7,253 2016 9,373 2017 11,361 2018 13,398 2019 16,383 2020 16,419 2021 16,275 2022 39,955 2023 30,981 2024 39,390 2025 31,044 2026* 15,535 *2026 figures are to date (02/06/2026).", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2026-06-23/pq_289", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2026-06-23/289/" }, { "date": "2026-07-28", "question_number": 2337, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "Citizenship Ceremonies", "asked_by": "Fionnt\u00e1n \u00d3 S\u00failleabh\u00e1in", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "2337. Deputy Fionnt\u00e1n \u00d3 S\u00failleabh\u00e1in asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to provide a breakdown of the cost of each citizenship ceremony that has taken place since 2000; the number of new citizens sworn in at each ceremony; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57801/26]", "answer": "Minister of State at the Department of Justice Citizenship ceremonies were first introduced in 2011 and have been very well received, marking the grant of Irish citizenship in a solemn, dignified, and appropriate manner. Since Citizenship Ceremonies were first introduced, there has been a total of 222 Ceremonies (not including June 2026) with people from over 180 countries receiving their Certificate of Naturalisation. Minor applicants do not need to attend a Ceremony. The table below outlines the number of ceremonies per year and the number of attendees. Table 1. Number of ceremonies and attendees 2011-2025 Year Ceremonies Attended 2011 28 4,847 2012 35 19,539 2013 18 17,854 2014 18 14,939 2015 16 11,002 2016 9 7,935 2017 7 6,789 2018 7 6,973 2019 7 4,959 2020 7 5,082 2021 0 0 2022 6 4,335 2023 15 13,272 2024 24 21,037 2025 25 24,515 * Please note, all figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing In relation to the cost of each citizenship ceremony, it has unfortunately not been possible to collate the information requested by the Deputy in the time available. I will write to the Deputy directly once the information is to hand.", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2026-07-28/pq_2337", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2026-07-28/2337/" }, { "date": "2025-09-08", "question_number": 1563, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na", "asked_by": "Matt Carthy", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "1563. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of Garda\u00ed who have resigned and retired in each of the past 15 years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45500/25]", "answer": "Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration I am advised by the Garda authorities that the following table outlines the number of Garda\u00ed who have resigned and retired in each of the past 15 years. Figures include Voluntary, Compulsory, Cost Neutral Early Retirements, Resignations, Resignations not suitable for appointment and Resignation in lieu of dismissal. Year Number 2010 379 2011 464 2012 444 2013 321 2014 275 2015 258 2016 252 2017 265 2018 295 2019 295 2020 316 2021 386 2022 446 2023 486 2024 379 2025* 201 *Figures as of 30 July 2025", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2025-09-08/pq_1563", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2025-09-08/1563/" }, { "date": "2022-10-26", "question_number": 148, "chamber": "33rd D\u00e1il", "topic": "Deportation Orders", "asked_by": "Catherine Murphy", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "148. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice the number of deportation orders issued; the number of deportation orders which were affected from 2004 to date in tabular form. [53679/22]", "answer": "Minister for Justice I propose to take Questions Nos. 148 and 149 together. I can advise the Deputy that when issued with a deportation order, the person concerned is required to remove themselves from the State. Many people comply with this and leave the country, without notifying the immigration authorities that they have done so. However where a person does not voluntarily return to their own country, Ireland like all other EU Member States, puts in place arrangements to return people to their home country. The table below contains the statistics requested by the Deputy. Deportation Orders Issued Deportation Orders Effected Year Issued Total Minors Year Effected Total Minors 2004 1965 272 2004 554 65 2005 2116 345 2005 386 57 2006 1354 207 2006 293 27 2007 396 30 2007 140 8 2008 680 109 2008 160 17 2009 1039 285 2009 336 78 2010 1008 209 2010 341 67 2011 1353 270 2011 277 63 2012 1330 178 2012 301 68 2013 1173 73 2013 199 24 2014 959 50 2014 110 2 2015 818 62 2015 250 30 2016 1442 110 2016 428 70 2017 1122 93 2017 138 4 2018 1116 85 2018 163 4 2019 2016 187 2019 299 14 2020 873 40 2020 141 12 2021 31 0 2021 38 1 2022 YTD (21/10/2022) 174 1 2022 YTD (21/10/2022) 103 7 20965 2606 4657 618 It should be noted that a Deportation Order (DO) effected in any year may relate to a DO issued in a previous year and includes people that have 'self deported' and left the country after the issue of a Deportation Order.", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2022-10-26/pq_148", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2022-10-26/148/" }, { "date": "2022-10-26", "question_number": 149, "chamber": "33rd D\u00e1il", "topic": "Deportation Orders", "asked_by": "Catherine Murphy", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "149. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice the number of deportation orders issued to children; the number of deportation orders to children which were affected from 2004 to date in tabular form. [53680/22]", "answer": "Minister for Justice I propose to take Questions Nos. 148 and 149 together. I can advise the Deputy that when issued with a deportation order, the person concerned is required to remove themselves from the State. Many people comply with this and leave the country, without notifying the immigration authorities that they have done so. However where a person does not voluntarily return to their own country, Ireland like all other EU Member States, puts in place arrangements to return people to their home country. The table below contains the statistics requested by the Deputy. Deportation Orders Issued Deportation Orders Effected Year Issued Total Minors Year Effected Total Minors 2004 1965 272 2004 554 65 2005 2116 345 2005 386 57 2006 1354 207 2006 293 27 2007 396 30 2007 140 8 2008 680 109 2008 160 17 2009 1039 285 2009 336 78 2010 1008 209 2010 341 67 2011 1353 270 2011 277 63 2012 1330 178 2012 301 68 2013 1173 73 2013 199 24 2014 959 50 2014 110 2 2015 818 62 2015 250 30 2016 1442 110 2016 428 70 2017 1122 93 2017 138 4 2018 1116 85 2018 163 4 2019 2016 187 2019 299 14 2020 873 40 2020 141 12 2021 31 0 2021 38 1 2022 YTD (21/10/2022) 174 1 2022 YTD (21/10/2022) 103 7 20965 2606 4657 618 It should be noted that a Deportation Order (DO) effected in any year may relate to a DO issued in a previous year and includes people that have 'self deported' and left the country after the issue of a Deportation Order.", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2022-10-26/pq_149", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2022-10-26/149/" }, { "date": "2026-09-07", "question_number": 2206, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "Legislative Measures", "asked_by": "Cathy Bennett", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "2206. Deputy Cathy Bennett asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if he will outline the legislation originating from the European Union which he is obliged to, but has not yet, transposed into domestic law; the deadline for transposition; the consequences arising from not meeting the transposition deadline; the timeframe in which he intends to transpose, by directive, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61152/26]", "answer": "Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration I propose to take Questions Nos. 2206 and 2207 together. The European Commission monitors the application of EU law in the Member States and may initiate infringement proceedings if a Member State fails to transpose an EU directive into national law by the prescribed deadline. The infringement procedure follows several steps laid out in the EU treaties (Article 258 of the TFEU), each ending with a formal decision. If an EU Member State fails to transpose or communicate a complete transposition to the Commission following a reasoned opinion, the Commission may refer the matter to the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) to confirm the principle of the infringement and propose that the court impose financial penalties. In March 2026, the Minister of State for European Affairs and Defence, Thomas Byrne TD, launched an EU law transparency initiative with a dedicated section on Ireland.ie focused on highlighting how Ireland implements EU law. Details of infringement proceedings against Ireland are listed. Details of directives which are due to be transposed into Irish law this year are also included in this section. A link to the website can be found at the following address - www.ireland.ie/en/eu/implementation-of-eu-law-in-ireland/. The following table provides details of measures under the remit of my Department which have a transposition date since 1 January 2023. No financial penalties have arisen in respect of the late transposition of measures under the remit of my Department during that timeframe. Directive Transposition deadline Deadline Met Transposition status 1 Directive (EU) 2022/211 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 February 2022 amending Council Framework Decision 2002/465/JHA, as regards its alignment with Union rules on the protection of personal data 11/03/2023 Yes No new legislation was required for transposition. Notice outlining position published in Iris Oifigi\u00fail on 5 March 2024 2 Directive (EU) 2019/1023 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 June 2019 on preventive restructuring frameworks, on discharge of debt and disqualifications, and on measures to increase the efficiency of procedures concerning restructuring, insolvency and discharge of debt, Article 22. 17 July 2022 Y \u2013 however the specific legislative implications of Article 22 are currently under active review. The Department is currently working to advance a proposal to fully transpose Article 22 through an omnibus amendment to the Bankruptcy Act. To this end, the specific requirements of Art 22 are under review alongside a comprehensive audit of the wider Statute Book. This review focuses on identifying historic standard-template bankruptcy disqualifications within sectoral legislation and public board frameworks. 3 Directive (EU) 2022/2555 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 December 2022 on measures for a high common level of cybersecurity across the Union, amending Regulation (EU) No 910/2014 and Directive (EU) 2018/1972, and repealing Directive (EU) 2016/1148 (NIS 2 Directive)) 17/10/2024 No Work is at an advanced stage on the drafting of the National Cyber Security Bill with publication expected in the Autumn session. Ireland expects to be in a position to notify transposition of the NIS2 Directive by the end of 2026. The Commission has referred Ireland (together with the Netherlands, France and Spain) to the CJEU for failure to notify transposition of the NIS2 Directive. If the Court finds there is an infringement, it is at the discretion of the Court whether it would choose to impose a lump sum fine and/or a penalty payment, not exceeding financial sanction amounts proposed by the Commission. 4 Directive (EU) 2023/977 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 10 May 2023 on the exchange of information between the law enforcement authorities of Member States and repealing Council Framework Decision 2006/960/JHA 12/12/2024 No Transposed via S.I. No. 748/2024 5 Directive (EU) 2024/1226 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 24 April 2024 on the definition of criminal offences and penalties for the violation of Union restrictive measures and amending Directive (EU) 2018/1673 20/05/2025 No The Criminal Justice (Violation of EU Restrictive Measures) Bill 2025 will transpose Directive (EU) 2024/1226 The General Scheme of the Bill was approved by Government on 25 March 2025 and drafting is underway. It is expected that the bill will be published in the coming months. 6 Commission Implementing Directive (EU) 2024/325 of 19 January 2024 amending Implementing Directive (EU) 2019/68 as regards the minimum depth of markings on firearms and essential components 22/07/2025 Yes Transposed via S.I. No. 339/2025 - - European Union (Acquisition and Possession of Weapons and Ammunition) (Amendment) Regulations 2025, which came into operation on 22 July 2025. 7 Directive (EU) 2023/2123 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 4 October 2023 amending Council Decision 2005/671/JHA as regards its alignment with Union rules on the protection of personal data 01/11/2025 Yes No new legislation was required for transposition. Notice outlining position published in Iris Oifigi\u00fail on 24 October 2025 8 Directive (EU) 2023/1544 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 12 July 2023 laying down harmonised rules on the designation of designated establishments and the appointment of legal representatives for the purpose of gathering electronic evidence in criminal proceedings 18/02/2026 No Criminal Justice (International Cooperation on Electronic Evidence and Other Matters) Act 2026 was signed into law on 15 July. 9 Directive (EU) 2024/1069 on protecting persons who engage in public participation from manifestly unfounded claims or abusive court proceedings (Anti-SLAPP Directive) 07/05/2026 Partial transposition This Directive has been partially transposed through the Defamation (Amendment) Act 2026. The Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation Bill will complete transposition and was published on 1 July 2026 10 Directive (EU) 2024/1346 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 May 2024 laying down standards for the reception of applicants for international protection 12/06/2026 Partial transposition Most provisions were transposed by the International Protection Act 2026 which came into operation on 12 June 2026. Some elements of detail were transposed by S.I.s which were signed between 10 June and 12 June. S.I.s needed to transpose the remaining elements of the Reception Conditions Directive not covered by the 2026 Act are still in development. 11 Directive (EU) 2024/1712 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 June 2024 amending Directive 2011/36/EU on preventing and combating trafficking in human beings and protecting its victims 15/07/2026 Partial Transposition This Directive is a recast and the majority of the provisions are already transposed into Irish law. The General Scheme of the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences, Domestic Violence and International Instruments) Bill 2025 proposes amendments to existing laws to incorporate the expanded definition of exploitation and the criminalisation of knowingly using services of trafficking victims, which will transpose the outstanding provisions of the Directive. The General Scheme was published in October 2025 and drafting is underway, with a view to have the Bill published in Q2 of 2027. 12 Directive (EU) 2023/2843 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 December 2023 amending Directives 2011/99/EU and 2014/41/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council, Council Directive 2003/8/EC and Council Framework Decisions 2002/584/JHA, 2003/577/JHA, 2005/214/JHA, 2006/783/JHA, 2008/909/JHA, 2008/947/JHA, 2009/829/JHA and 2009/948/JHA, as regards digitalisation of judicial cooperation 01/05/2027 Pending Legislation is already in place to transpose each of the measures concerned and will be examined with a view to making any necessary amendments to them to provide for the use of e:Codex instead of communication mechanisms currently in use, such as email or post. 13 Directive (EU) 2024/1385 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 May 2024 on combating violence against women and domestic violence. 14/06/2027 Pending Policy and Legislative examinations underway 14 Directive (EU) 2024/1654 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 31 May 2024 amending Directive (EU) 2019/1153 as regards access by competent authorities to centralised bank account registries through the interconnection system and technical measures to facilitate the use of transaction records (responsibility for the interconnection system and uniform technical standards is divided between the European Commission at the EU level and specific financial/law enforcement authorities at the national level). 10/07/2027 additional technical deadline 10/07/2029 Pending Any necessary legislative changes to be made by statutory instrument. 15 Directive (EU) 2026/1021 of the European Parliament and of the Council on combating corruption, replacing Council Framework Decision 2003/568/JHA and the Convention on the fight against corruption involving officials of the European Communities or officials of Member States of the European Union and amending Directive (EU) 2017/1371 of the European Parliament and of the Council 01/06/2028 for most Articles 01/06/2029 for certain Articles Pending Policy and Legislative examinations underway 16 Directive (EU) 2024/1640 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 31 May 2024 on the mechanisms to be put in place by Member States for the prevention of the use of the financial system for the purposes of money laundering or terrorist financing, amending Directive (EU) 2019/1937, and amending and repealing Directive (EU) 2015/849 (transposition shared between the Departments of Finance and Justice, Home Affairs and Migration) 10/07/2027 (in relation to the aspects being transposed by DJHAM) Pending It is intended to bring a General Scheme to Government for approval shortly to transpose some aspects. A statutory instrument is being prepared. 17 Directive (EU) 2026/1472 of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Directive 2012/29/EU establishing minimum standards on the rights, support and protection of victims of crime, and replacing Council Framework Decision 2001/220/JHA 02/07/2030 Pending Policy and Legislative examinations underway", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2026-09-07/pq_2206", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2026-09-07/2206/" }, { "date": "2026-09-07", "question_number": 2207, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "Legislative Measures", "asked_by": "Cathy Bennett", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "2207. Deputy Cathy Bennett asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if he will outline the legislation originating from the European Union which had transposition deadlines since 2023; the deadline for transposition; those for which Ireland did not meet the transposition deadline; any penalties accrued arising from such; the timeframe in which he intends to transpose, by directive, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61155/26]", "answer": "Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration I propose to take Questions Nos. 2206 and 2207 together. The European Commission monitors the application of EU law in the Member States and may initiate infringement proceedings if a Member State fails to transpose an EU directive into national law by the prescribed deadline. The infringement procedure follows several steps laid out in the EU treaties (Article 258 of the TFEU), each ending with a formal decision. If an EU Member State fails to transpose or communicate a complete transposition to the Commission following a reasoned opinion, the Commission may refer the matter to the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) to confirm the principle of the infringement and propose that the court impose financial penalties. In March 2026, the Minister of State for European Affairs and Defence, Thomas Byrne TD, launched an EU law transparency initiative with a dedicated section on Ireland.ie focused on highlighting how Ireland implements EU law. Details of infringement proceedings against Ireland are listed. Details of directives which are due to be transposed into Irish law this year are also included in this section. A link to the website can be found at the following address - www.ireland.ie/en/eu/implementation-of-eu-law-in-ireland/. The following table provides details of measures under the remit of my Department which have a transposition date since 1 January 2023. No financial penalties have arisen in respect of the late transposition of measures under the remit of my Department during that timeframe. Directive Transposition deadline Deadline Met Transposition status 1 Directive (EU) 2022/211 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 February 2022 amending Council Framework Decision 2002/465/JHA, as regards its alignment with Union rules on the protection of personal data 11/03/2023 Yes No new legislation was required for transposition. Notice outlining position published in Iris Oifigi\u00fail on 5 March 2024 2 Directive (EU) 2019/1023 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 June 2019 on preventive restructuring frameworks, on discharge of debt and disqualifications, and on measures to increase the efficiency of procedures concerning restructuring, insolvency and discharge of debt, Article 22. 17 July 2022 Y \u2013 however the specific legislative implications of Article 22 are currently under active review. The Department is currently working to advance a proposal to fully transpose Article 22 through an omnibus amendment to the Bankruptcy Act. To this end, the specific requirements of Art 22 are under review alongside a comprehensive audit of the wider Statute Book. This review focuses on identifying historic standard-template bankruptcy disqualifications within sectoral legislation and public board frameworks. 3 Directive (EU) 2022/2555 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 December 2022 on measures for a high common level of cybersecurity across the Union, amending Regulation (EU) No 910/2014 and Directive (EU) 2018/1972, and repealing Directive (EU) 2016/1148 (NIS 2 Directive)) 17/10/2024 No Work is at an advanced stage on the drafting of the National Cyber Security Bill with publication expected in the Autumn session. Ireland expects to be in a position to notify transposition of the NIS2 Directive by the end of 2026. The Commission has referred Ireland (together with the Netherlands, France and Spain) to the CJEU for failure to notify transposition of the NIS2 Directive. If the Court finds there is an infringement, it is at the discretion of the Court whether it would choose to impose a lump sum fine and/or a penalty payment, not exceeding financial sanction amounts proposed by the Commission. 4 Directive (EU) 2023/977 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 10 May 2023 on the exchange of information between the law enforcement authorities of Member States and repealing Council Framework Decision 2006/960/JHA 12/12/2024 No Transposed via S.I. No. 748/2024 5 Directive (EU) 2024/1226 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 24 April 2024 on the definition of criminal offences and penalties for the violation of Union restrictive measures and amending Directive (EU) 2018/1673 20/05/2025 No The Criminal Justice (Violation of EU Restrictive Measures) Bill 2025 will transpose Directive (EU) 2024/1226 The General Scheme of the Bill was approved by Government on 25 March 2025 and drafting is underway. It is expected that the bill will be published in the coming months. 6 Commission Implementing Directive (EU) 2024/325 of 19 January 2024 amending Implementing Directive (EU) 2019/68 as regards the minimum depth of markings on firearms and essential components 22/07/2025 Yes Transposed via S.I. No. 339/2025 - - European Union (Acquisition and Possession of Weapons and Ammunition) (Amendment) Regulations 2025, which came into operation on 22 July 2025. 7 Directive (EU) 2023/2123 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 4 October 2023 amending Council Decision 2005/671/JHA as regards its alignment with Union rules on the protection of personal data 01/11/2025 Yes No new legislation was required for transposition. Notice outlining position published in Iris Oifigi\u00fail on 24 October 2025 8 Directive (EU) 2023/1544 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 12 July 2023 laying down harmonised rules on the designation of designated establishments and the appointment of legal representatives for the purpose of gathering electronic evidence in criminal proceedings 18/02/2026 No Criminal Justice (International Cooperation on Electronic Evidence and Other Matters) Act 2026 was signed into law on 15 July. 9 Directive (EU) 2024/1069 on protecting persons who engage in public participation from manifestly unfounded claims or abusive court proceedings (Anti-SLAPP Directive) 07/05/2026 Partial transposition This Directive has been partially transposed through the Defamation (Amendment) Act 2026. The Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation Bill will complete transposition and was published on 1 July 2026 10 Directive (EU) 2024/1346 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 May 2024 laying down standards for the reception of applicants for international protection 12/06/2026 Partial transposition Most provisions were transposed by the International Protection Act 2026 which came into operation on 12 June 2026. Some elements of detail were transposed by S.I.s which were signed between 10 June and 12 June. S.I.s needed to transpose the remaining elements of the Reception Conditions Directive not covered by the 2026 Act are still in development. 11 Directive (EU) 2024/1712 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 June 2024 amending Directive 2011/36/EU on preventing and combating trafficking in human beings and protecting its victims 15/07/2026 Partial Transposition This Directive is a recast and the majority of the provisions are already transposed into Irish law. The General Scheme of the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences, Domestic Violence and International Instruments) Bill 2025 proposes amendments to existing laws to incorporate the expanded definition of exploitation and the criminalisation of knowingly using services of trafficking victims, which will transpose the outstanding provisions of the Directive. The General Scheme was published in October 2025 and drafting is underway, with a view to have the Bill published in Q2 of 2027. 12 Directive (EU) 2023/2843 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 December 2023 amending Directives 2011/99/EU and 2014/41/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council, Council Directive 2003/8/EC and Council Framework Decisions 2002/584/JHA, 2003/577/JHA, 2005/214/JHA, 2006/783/JHA, 2008/909/JHA, 2008/947/JHA, 2009/829/JHA and 2009/948/JHA, as regards digitalisation of judicial cooperation 01/05/2027 Pending Legislation is already in place to transpose each of the measures concerned and will be examined with a view to making any necessary amendments to them to provide for the use of e:Codex instead of communication mechanisms currently in use, such as email or post. 13 Directive (EU) 2024/1385 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 May 2024 on combating violence against women and domestic violence. 14/06/2027 Pending Policy and Legislative examinations underway 14 Directive (EU) 2024/1654 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 31 May 2024 amending Directive (EU) 2019/1153 as regards access by competent authorities to centralised bank account registries through the interconnection system and technical measures to facilitate the use of transaction records (responsibility for the interconnection system and uniform technical standards is divided between the European Commission at the EU level and specific financial/law enforcement authorities at the national level). 10/07/2027 additional technical deadline 10/07/2029 Pending Any necessary legislative changes to be made by statutory instrument. 15 Directive (EU) 2026/1021 of the European Parliament and of the Council on combating corruption, replacing Council Framework Decision 2003/568/JHA and the Convention on the fight against corruption involving officials of the European Communities or officials of Member States of the European Union and amending Directive (EU) 2017/1371 of the European Parliament and of the Council 01/06/2028 for most Articles 01/06/2029 for certain Articles Pending Policy and Legislative examinations underway 16 Directive (EU) 2024/1640 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 31 May 2024 on the mechanisms to be put in place by Member States for the prevention of the use of the financial system for the purposes of money laundering or terrorist financing, amending Directive (EU) 2019/1937, and amending and repealing Directive (EU) 2015/849 (transposition shared between the Departments of Finance and Justice, Home Affairs and Migration) 10/07/2027 (in relation to the aspects being transposed by DJHAM) Pending It is intended to bring a General Scheme to Government for approval shortly to transpose some aspects. A statutory instrument is being prepared. 17 Directive (EU) 2026/1472 of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Directive 2012/29/EU establishing minimum standards on the rights, support and protection of victims of crime, and replacing Council Framework Decision 2001/220/JHA 02/07/2030 Pending Policy and Legislative examinations underway", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2026-09-07/pq_2207", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2026-09-07/2207/" }, { "date": "2026-07-01", "question_number": 224, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "Family Reunification", "asked_by": "Peadar T\u00f3ib\u00edn", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "224. Deputy Peadar T\u00f3ib\u00edn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration further to Parliamentary Question No. 475 of 15 January 2026, if a response will issue to the question; and if he will include information on those who apply as a result of asylum and all visas. [50127/26]", "answer": "Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration The information requested by the Deputy is provided below and includes family reunification visas as well as family reunification applications for people granted International Protection status. As the Deputy will be aware, I obtained government approval to introduce new policies and legislative changes to strengthen Ireland\u2019s migration and asylum system to ensure it is rules-based, efficient and more aligned with EU Member States. As part of these changes, we published the review of the non-EEA Family Reunification Policy, which had remained largely unchanged since 2013, and sets out how Irish citizens and most non-EEA Irish residents may apply to bring non-EEA family members to live with them in Ireland. I would like to advise the Deputy that further changes were made to the policy on 12 June 2026 based on commitments made in the review, including an annual review of financial thresholds to keep them in line with the cost of living, and to align with the new Statutory family reunification scheme under the International Protection Act 2026. The latest version of the family reunification policy document is available here: www.irishimmigration.ie/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Family-Reunification-Policy-12-June-2026.pdf The following table outlines the number of first instance grants for join family visa applications. Table 1. Join family visa applications granted at first instance 2016-2025. Year Join Family Visas (all categories) 2016 5,528 2017 6,228 2018 6,131 2019 7,751 2020 6,722 2021 10,099 2022 15,717 2023 15,167 2024 17,262 2025 14,599 *Figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing. The International Protection Act 2026 came into effect on 12 June 2026. From this date, people granted International Protection status are no longer eligible to apply for family reunification under the Non-EEA Family Reunification Policy. Instead, applications for family reunification must be made under section 205 of the International Protection Act 2026, unless the application is regarding a relationship that formed after their entry to the State. People granted International Protection status must wait a minimum of 2 years from the date of having been grated protection before they are eligible to apply for family reunification. This waiting period cannot be waived. Applications made before 12 June 2026 will continue to be assessed under Section 56 of the International Protection Act 2015. Section 56 of the International Protection Act 2015 was commenced on 31 December 2016 and statistics are available from 2017. In the last 9 years there have been 3,748 family members granted an International Protection family reunification permission, an average of 2.5 per sponsor. Table 2 below gives a breakdown of the figures by year. Table 2. International Protection Family Reunification grants 2017-2025. Year Number of individuals granted Family Reunification 2017 62 2018 211 2019 265 2020 196 2021 484 2022 475 2023 407 2024 979 2025 669 *Figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing.", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2026-07-01/pq_224", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2026-07-01/224/" }, { "date": "2025-05-27", "question_number": 489, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "International Protection", "asked_by": "Eoin Hayes", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "489. Deputy Eoin Hayes asked the Minister for Justice to supply the annual number of US citizens who have sought international protection in Ireland every year from 2010 to 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27711/25]", "answer": "Minister for Justice I can assure the Deputy that it is a priority to have recommendations made on all international protection applications as soon as possible. This gives status to those who are entitled to international protection to rebuild their lives here, while also ensuring faster decision making in respect of those who do not meet the criteria. The number of International Protection applications have been rising over the past number of years, reaching 18,500 in 2024. This year, we are beginning to see application numbers noticeably reduce. There have been 43% less applications in the first four months of 2025 compared to the first four months of 2024. We know that patterns in international protection applications vary over time and that is why it is important that the Government\u2019s response adapts accordingly. It is my belief that implementing a firmer and more efficient migration system is a key element in reducing the numbers coming to Ireland to seek international protection, particularly where individuals are unlikely to be entitled to that protection. Accelerated processing was introduced in November 2022 and it now applies to those from designated safe countries of origin, applicants who have received protection elsewhere in Europe and those from a country with a particularly high number of applications. Applications from countries subject to the accelerated procedure have reduced significantly since their introduction. It is my intention to continue to ramp up investment in the end-to-end international protection process to speed up decision making. This will support reaching key targets, including making 25,000 decisions in the IPO in 2025 and to increase the number of appeals at the IPAT completed over the course of 2025. United States Of America IP Applications 2010 0 2011 5 2012 5 2013 5 2014 0 2015 5 2016 5 2017 9 2018 6 2019 12 2020 12 2021 8 2022 13 2023 18 2024 22 *Please note data provided is correct at time of issue and may be subject to data cleansing,", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2025-05-27/pq_489", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2025-05-27/489/" }, { "date": "2021-09-15", "question_number": 554, "chamber": "33rd D\u00e1il", "topic": "Asylum Applications", "asked_by": "Richard Boyd Barrett", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "554. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Justice the number of asylum applications from Afghanistan between 1997 and to date in 2021; the number given some form of international protection in Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43669/21]", "answer": "Minister of State at the Department of Justice (Deputy James Browne) The International Protection Office (IPO) of my Department is responsible for examining all international protection applications received. The staff of the IPO (the Chief International Protection Officer and the International Protection Officers) are independent by law in the exercise of their international protection functions. The table below shows the number of applications for international protection received from persons providing Afghanistan as their nationality between 1997 to date, broken down by year of application. Year of Application Number of Applications 1997 6 1998 8 1999 13 2000 7 2001 25 2002 7 2003 24 2004 106 2005 142 2006 88 2007 78 2008 79 2009 68 2010 69 2011 67 2012 31 2013 32 2014 25 2015 124 2016 121 2017 75 2018 92 2019 112 2020 72 2021 to date (end July) 82 Total 1553 The table below sets out the number of decisions to grant a protection status (subsidiary protection or refugee status) to protection applicants providing Afghanistan as their nationality, broken down by year (1997 to date). The figures below include decisions granted under the Subsidiary Protection Regulation 2013 and 2006 and under both the Refugee Act 1996 (as amended) and the International Protection Act 2015. Where the number of decisions for individual countries is low (less than 6), a breakdown by country is not provided. This is for reasons of confidentiality, as provided for under Section 26 of the International Protection Act 2015. The data in the table refers to the year in which the decision was made and not the year in which the application was made. Year of Decision* No. of decisions to grant either refugee status or subsidiary protection to applicants providing Afghanistan as their nationality 2001 <=5 2002 0 2003 <=5 2004 18 2005 19 2006 26 2007 16 2008 23 2009 36 2010 17 2011 16 2012 7 2013 12 2014 50 2015 55 2016 66 2017 18 2018 76 2019 78 2020 67 2021 to date (End July) 13 *The earliest statistics available in respect of ministerial decisions are for 2001. My Department is currently reviewing all international protection applications on hand from Afghan nationals with a view to expediting their progress. This is in line with updated advice provided by UNHCR in recent weeks. These applications are already prioritised, as agreed with UNHCR. The processing of these applications takes full account of whether a person will be in danger if not provided with a permission to remain here.", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2021-09-15/pq_554", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2021-09-15/554/" }, { "date": "2023-02-28", "question_number": 486, "chamber": "33rd D\u00e1il", "topic": "Citizenship Applications", "asked_by": "Catherine Murphy", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "486. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice the number of projects which IIP applicants proposed to invest in that were deemed not to meet IIP criteria by the independent evaluation committee since the scheme opened and closed. [9747/23]", "answer": "Minister for Justice I propose to take Questions Nos. 486 and 487 together. As the Deputy is aware, I obtained approval from the Government to close the Immigrant Investor Programme (IIP) to further applications from 15 February 2023. The Immigrant Investor Programme was established over a decade ago during a time of unprecedented economic difficulty to stimulate investment in Ireland that would be of strategic and public benefit to the State. Since its inception, the Programme has brought significant investment to Ireland and has been operated by the Department of Justice to the highest professional standards. Approximately 100 applicants were refused permission under the IIP in the period from 2012 \u2013 2022. Applications may be refused for many reasons including the application being incomplete, the associated project not being in line with the IIP programme etc. In addition approximately 500 applicants withdrew their application from 2012 \u2013 2022. The closure of the Programme will not affect existing projects or individuals already approved under the programme. My Department will continue to monitor existing approved projects in relation to delivery of the approved project and for compliance with the terms of the Programme. The programme also allows for the review of the approved application at 2 and 5 years and where the programmes criteria are not being met consideration will be given to not renewing the immigration permission granted. It should also be noted that there are still a significant number of new applications due for processing and the closing of the programme will not impact these applications. My Department does not currently publish the details of individual approved IIP investments. The tables below provides a breakdown of IIP applications received, approved and the value of investments since the inception of the programme in 2012 to the end of 2022. Applications received and approved and the value of investment approved. Year Applications received Approved applications Value of Approved Investment 2012 5 2 1,500,000 2013 18 16 12,200,000 2014 30 5 2,950,000 2015 75 70 38,300,000 2016 334 33 18,750,000 2017 324 369 250,700,000 2018 423 155 138,750,000 2019 443 237 209,300,000 2020 339 270 188,000,000 2021 258 264 185,700,000 2022 1316 306 205,900,000 TOTAL 3565 1727 1,252,050,000* *Approvals issued in any year may relate to applications which were received in previous years due to the time taken to process applications. Approved applications by Investment type and value. Investment Type Total Applications Approved Total Value of Investment Enterprise 876 740,200,000 Investment Fund 243 225,000,000 REIT 6 12,000,000 Endowment 546 220,900,000 Bond & Mixed Investment* 56 53,950,000 TOTAL 1,727 1,252,050,000 * Government bond and Mixed investment options were suspended in 2016. Nationality of approved applicants. Nationality Applications approved China 1,614 USA 33 Vietnam 18 Rest of the World 62 TOTAL 1,727", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2023-02-28/pq_486", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2023-02-28/486/" }, { "date": "2023-02-28", "question_number": 487, "chamber": "33rd D\u00e1il", "topic": "Citizenship Applications", "asked_by": "Catherine Murphy", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "487. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice the totality of IIP permits that were granted since the scheme opened; if he will provide a breakdown of applications by country of origin; and if he will provide a schedule of all investments made under the IIP scheme. [9749/23]", "answer": "Minister for Justice I propose to take Questions Nos. 486 and 487 together. As the Deputy is aware, I obtained approval from the Government to close the Immigrant Investor Programme (IIP) to further applications from 15 February 2023. The Immigrant Investor Programme was established over a decade ago during a time of unprecedented economic difficulty to stimulate investment in Ireland that would be of strategic and public benefit to the State. Since its inception, the Programme has brought significant investment to Ireland and has been operated by the Department of Justice to the highest professional standards. Approximately 100 applicants were refused permission under the IIP in the period from 2012 \u2013 2022. Applications may be refused for many reasons including the application being incomplete, the associated project not being in line with the IIP programme etc. In addition approximately 500 applicants withdrew their application from 2012 \u2013 2022. The closure of the Programme will not affect existing projects or individuals already approved under the programme. My Department will continue to monitor existing approved projects in relation to delivery of the approved project and for compliance with the terms of the Programme. The programme also allows for the review of the approved application at 2 and 5 years and where the programmes criteria are not being met consideration will be given to not renewing the immigration permission granted. It should also be noted that there are still a significant number of new applications due for processing and the closing of the programme will not impact these applications. My Department does not currently publish the details of individual approved IIP investments. The tables below provides a breakdown of IIP applications received, approved and the value of investments since the inception of the programme in 2012 to the end of 2022. Applications received and approved and the value of investment approved. Year Applications received Approved applications Value of Approved Investment 2012 5 2 1,500,000 2013 18 16 12,200,000 2014 30 5 2,950,000 2015 75 70 38,300,000 2016 334 33 18,750,000 2017 324 369 250,700,000 2018 423 155 138,750,000 2019 443 237 209,300,000 2020 339 270 188,000,000 2021 258 264 185,700,000 2022 1316 306 205,900,000 TOTAL 3565 1727 1,252,050,000* *Approvals issued in any year may relate to applications which were received in previous years due to the time taken to process applications. Approved applications by Investment type and value. Investment Type Total Applications Approved Total Value of Investment Enterprise 876 740,200,000 Investment Fund 243 225,000,000 REIT 6 12,000,000 Endowment 546 220,900,000 Bond & Mixed Investment* 56 53,950,000 TOTAL 1,727 1,252,050,000 * Government bond and Mixed investment options were suspended in 2016. Nationality of approved applicants. Nationality Applications approved China 1,614 USA 33 Vietnam 18 Rest of the World 62 TOTAL 1,727", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2023-02-28/pq_487", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2023-02-28/487/" }, { "date": "2023-06-20", "question_number": 448, "chamber": "33rd D\u00e1il", "topic": "Immigration Policy", "asked_by": "Aengus \u00d3 Snodaigh", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "448. Deputy Aengus \u00d3 Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice when the review into the discontinued Immigrant Investor Programme will be completed and published. [29630/23]", "answer": "Minister for Justice I propose to take Questions Nos. 448 to 455, inclusive, together. As the Deputy will be aware, the Government agreed to close the Immigrant Investor Programme (IIP) to further applications from 15 February 2023. The IIP Unit has published a FAQ concerning the closure on my Department's website, which will be updated with any further arising questions from the closure, and is available here: www.irishimmigration.ie/faqs-closure-of-the-immigrant-investor-programme-iip/ In 2017 the Irish Government Economics and Evaluation Service (IGEES) completed a systemic review of the IIP and an audit of the Programme completed in 2019 recommended an external review. Following a tender process, an external review was carried out by EY. My Department will shortly publish the reviews onto my Department's website; www.irishimmigration.ie . I can confirm that I did not meet any applicant to the IIP regarding their IIP application. All projects in which IIP applicants are investing are examined in detail by an Independent Evaluation Committee comprising officials from my Department, the Department of Finance, the Department of Foreign Affairs, Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland who have appropriate expertise in this area. This examination process involves an assessment of the commercial viability of the project; employment outcomes associated with the proposed investment; and the overall benefit to the Irish State. The Committee makes a determination as to whether a project is suitable for IIP investment and if deemed suitable, the individual application will be submitted to the Minister for final approval. 1,788 applications have been successful under the IIP to mid-June 2023 with the value of investments approved almost \u20ac1.3bn. The table below provides a breakdown of IIP primary applicants approved by nationality since the inception of the programme to the middle of June 2023. Only very occasionally will the nationality of a dependent family member differ from that of the primary applicant. The vast majority of IIP beneficiaries require a visa to enter the State, with the exception of the USA and South Africa. Statistics are not maintained in such a way as to provide the information on all IIP residence permissions, as requested by the Deputy. Nationality Applications approved China 1,677 USA 36 Vietnam 14 Rest of the World 61 TOTAL 1,788 The tables below provides a breakdown of IIP applications received, approved and the value of investments since the inception of the programme to 19 June 2023. Year Applications received Approved applications Value of Approved Investment 2012 5 2 1,500,000 2013 18 16 12,200,000 2014 30 5 2,950,000 2015 75 70 38,300,000 2016 334 33 18,750,000 2017 324 369 250,700,000 2018 423 155 138,750,000 2019 443 237 209,300,000 2020 339 270 188,000,000 2021 258 264 185,700,000 2022 1316 306 205,900,000 2023 YtD (19 June) 1492 61 41,800,000 Total 5057 1788 1,293,850,000 *Approvals issued in any year may relate to applications which were received in previous years due to the time taken to process applications. Investment Type Total Applications Approved Total Value of Investment Enterprise 901 765,200,000 Investment Fund 247 229,000,000 REIT 6 12,000,000 Endowment 578 233,700,000 Bond & Mixed Investment 56 53,950,000 TOTAL 1788 1,293,850,000", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2023-06-20/pq_448", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2023-06-20/448/" }, { "date": "2023-06-20", "question_number": 449, "chamber": "33rd D\u00e1il", "topic": "Immigration Policy", "asked_by": "Aengus \u00d3 Snodaigh", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "449. Deputy Aengus \u00d3 Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice to list the countries from which non-EU citizens made applications for the discontinued Immigrant Investor Programme; and the number from each country who applied, were granted or refused residency rights along with their spouses and children since its inception in 2012. [29631/23]", "answer": "Minister for Justice I propose to take Questions Nos. 448 to 455, inclusive, together. As the Deputy will be aware, the Government agreed to close the Immigrant Investor Programme (IIP) to further applications from 15 February 2023. The IIP Unit has published a FAQ concerning the closure on my Department's website, which will be updated with any further arising questions from the closure, and is available here: www.irishimmigration.ie/faqs-closure-of-the-immigrant-investor-programme-iip/ In 2017 the Irish Government Economics and Evaluation Service (IGEES) completed a systemic review of the IIP and an audit of the Programme completed in 2019 recommended an external review. Following a tender process, an external review was carried out by EY. My Department will shortly publish the reviews onto my Department's website; www.irishimmigration.ie . I can confirm that I did not meet any applicant to the IIP regarding their IIP application. All projects in which IIP applicants are investing are examined in detail by an Independent Evaluation Committee comprising officials from my Department, the Department of Finance, the Department of Foreign Affairs, Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland who have appropriate expertise in this area. This examination process involves an assessment of the commercial viability of the project; employment outcomes associated with the proposed investment; and the overall benefit to the Irish State. The Committee makes a determination as to whether a project is suitable for IIP investment and if deemed suitable, the individual application will be submitted to the Minister for final approval. 1,788 applications have been successful under the IIP to mid-June 2023 with the value of investments approved almost \u20ac1.3bn. The table below provides a breakdown of IIP primary applicants approved by nationality since the inception of the programme to the middle of June 2023. Only very occasionally will the nationality of a dependent family member differ from that of the primary applicant. The vast majority of IIP beneficiaries require a visa to enter the State, with the exception of the USA and South Africa. Statistics are not maintained in such a way as to provide the information on all IIP residence permissions, as requested by the Deputy. Nationality Applications approved China 1,677 USA 36 Vietnam 14 Rest of the World 61 TOTAL 1,788 The tables below provides a breakdown of IIP applications received, approved and the value of investments since the inception of the programme to 19 June 2023. Year Applications received Approved applications Value of Approved Investment 2012 5 2 1,500,000 2013 18 16 12,200,000 2014 30 5 2,950,000 2015 75 70 38,300,000 2016 334 33 18,750,000 2017 324 369 250,700,000 2018 423 155 138,750,000 2019 443 237 209,300,000 2020 339 270 188,000,000 2021 258 264 185,700,000 2022 1316 306 205,900,000 2023 YtD (19 June) 1492 61 41,800,000 Total 5057 1788 1,293,850,000 *Approvals issued in any year may relate to applications which were received in previous years due to the time taken to process applications. Investment Type Total Applications Approved Total Value of Investment Enterprise 901 765,200,000 Investment Fund 247 229,000,000 REIT 6 12,000,000 Endowment 578 233,700,000 Bond & Mixed Investment 56 53,950,000 TOTAL 1788 1,293,850,000", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2023-06-20/pq_449", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2023-06-20/449/" }, { "date": "2023-06-20", "question_number": 450, "chamber": "33rd D\u00e1il", "topic": "Immigration Policy", "asked_by": "Aengus \u00d3 Snodaigh", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "450. Deputy Aengus \u00d3 Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice how many of the successful Immigrant Investor Programme applicants invested the minimum of over \u20ac1 million in a business in Ireland, or a minimum of \u20ac500,000 in a charity; and how much money was involved annually since the scheme began in 2012. [29632/23]", "answer": "Minister for Justice I propose to take Questions Nos. 448 to 455, inclusive, together. As the Deputy will be aware, the Government agreed to close the Immigrant Investor Programme (IIP) to further applications from 15 February 2023. The IIP Unit has published a FAQ concerning the closure on my Department's website, which will be updated with any further arising questions from the closure, and is available here: www.irishimmigration.ie/faqs-closure-of-the-immigrant-investor-programme-iip/ In 2017 the Irish Government Economics and Evaluation Service (IGEES) completed a systemic review of the IIP and an audit of the Programme completed in 2019 recommended an external review. Following a tender process, an external review was carried out by EY. My Department will shortly publish the reviews onto my Department's website; www.irishimmigration.ie . I can confirm that I did not meet any applicant to the IIP regarding their IIP application. All projects in which IIP applicants are investing are examined in detail by an Independent Evaluation Committee comprising officials from my Department, the Department of Finance, the Department of Foreign Affairs, Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland who have appropriate expertise in this area. This examination process involves an assessment of the commercial viability of the project; employment outcomes associated with the proposed investment; and the overall benefit to the Irish State. The Committee makes a determination as to whether a project is suitable for IIP investment and if deemed suitable, the individual application will be submitted to the Minister for final approval. 1,788 applications have been successful under the IIP to mid-June 2023 with the value of investments approved almost \u20ac1.3bn. The table below provides a breakdown of IIP primary applicants approved by nationality since the inception of the programme to the middle of June 2023. Only very occasionally will the nationality of a dependent family member differ from that of the primary applicant. The vast majority of IIP beneficiaries require a visa to enter the State, with the exception of the USA and South Africa. Statistics are not maintained in such a way as to provide the information on all IIP residence permissions, as requested by the Deputy. Nationality Applications approved China 1,677 USA 36 Vietnam 14 Rest of the World 61 TOTAL 1,788 The tables below provides a breakdown of IIP applications received, approved and the value of investments since the inception of the programme to 19 June 2023. Year Applications received Approved applications Value of Approved Investment 2012 5 2 1,500,000 2013 18 16 12,200,000 2014 30 5 2,950,000 2015 75 70 38,300,000 2016 334 33 18,750,000 2017 324 369 250,700,000 2018 423 155 138,750,000 2019 443 237 209,300,000 2020 339 270 188,000,000 2021 258 264 185,700,000 2022 1316 306 205,900,000 2023 YtD (19 June) 1492 61 41,800,000 Total 5057 1788 1,293,850,000 *Approvals issued in any year may relate to applications which were received in previous years due to the time taken to process applications. Investment Type Total Applications Approved Total Value of Investment Enterprise 901 765,200,000 Investment Fund 247 229,000,000 REIT 6 12,000,000 Endowment 578 233,700,000 Bond & Mixed Investment 56 53,950,000 TOTAL 1788 1,293,850,000", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2023-06-20/pq_450", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2023-06-20/450/" }, { "date": "2023-06-20", "question_number": 451, "chamber": "33rd D\u00e1il", "topic": "Immigration Policy", "asked_by": "Aengus \u00d3 Snodaigh", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "451. Deputy Aengus \u00d3 Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice to list the businesses and charities that benefitted from the Immigrant Investor Programme since its inception in 2012 to date. [29633/23]", "answer": "Minister for Justice I propose to take Questions Nos. 448 to 455, inclusive, together. As the Deputy will be aware, the Government agreed to close the Immigrant Investor Programme (IIP) to further applications from 15 February 2023. The IIP Unit has published a FAQ concerning the closure on my Department's website, which will be updated with any further arising questions from the closure, and is available here: www.irishimmigration.ie/faqs-closure-of-the-immigrant-investor-programme-iip/ In 2017 the Irish Government Economics and Evaluation Service (IGEES) completed a systemic review of the IIP and an audit of the Programme completed in 2019 recommended an external review. Following a tender process, an external review was carried out by EY. My Department will shortly publish the reviews onto my Department's website; www.irishimmigration.ie . I can confirm that I did not meet any applicant to the IIP regarding their IIP application. All projects in which IIP applicants are investing are examined in detail by an Independent Evaluation Committee comprising officials from my Department, the Department of Finance, the Department of Foreign Affairs, Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland who have appropriate expertise in this area. This examination process involves an assessment of the commercial viability of the project; employment outcomes associated with the proposed investment; and the overall benefit to the Irish State. The Committee makes a determination as to whether a project is suitable for IIP investment and if deemed suitable, the individual application will be submitted to the Minister for final approval. 1,788 applications have been successful under the IIP to mid-June 2023 with the value of investments approved almost \u20ac1.3bn. The table below provides a breakdown of IIP primary applicants approved by nationality since the inception of the programme to the middle of June 2023. Only very occasionally will the nationality of a dependent family member differ from that of the primary applicant. The vast majority of IIP beneficiaries require a visa to enter the State, with the exception of the USA and South Africa. Statistics are not maintained in such a way as to provide the information on all IIP residence permissions, as requested by the Deputy. Nationality Applications approved China 1,677 USA 36 Vietnam 14 Rest of the World 61 TOTAL 1,788 The tables below provides a breakdown of IIP applications received, approved and the value of investments since the inception of the programme to 19 June 2023. Year Applications received Approved applications Value of Approved Investment 2012 5 2 1,500,000 2013 18 16 12,200,000 2014 30 5 2,950,000 2015 75 70 38,300,000 2016 334 33 18,750,000 2017 324 369 250,700,000 2018 423 155 138,750,000 2019 443 237 209,300,000 2020 339 270 188,000,000 2021 258 264 185,700,000 2022 1316 306 205,900,000 2023 YtD (19 June) 1492 61 41,800,000 Total 5057 1788 1,293,850,000 *Approvals issued in any year may relate to applications which were received in previous years due to the time taken to process applications. Investment Type Total Applications Approved Total Value of Investment Enterprise 901 765,200,000 Investment Fund 247 229,000,000 REIT 6 12,000,000 Endowment 578 233,700,000 Bond & Mixed Investment 56 53,950,000 TOTAL 1788 1,293,850,000", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2023-06-20/pq_451", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2023-06-20/451/" }, { "date": "2023-06-20", "question_number": 452, "chamber": "33rd D\u00e1il", "topic": "Immigration Policy", "asked_by": "Aengus \u00d3 Snodaigh", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "452. Deputy Aengus \u00d3 Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice the number of the potential beneficiaries of the Immigrant Investor Programme scheme she met personally in advance of a decision being made on their applications to the scheme, or those who would benefit from same. [29634/23]", "answer": "Minister for Justice I propose to take Questions Nos. 448 to 455, inclusive, together. As the Deputy will be aware, the Government agreed to close the Immigrant Investor Programme (IIP) to further applications from 15 February 2023. The IIP Unit has published a FAQ concerning the closure on my Department's website, which will be updated with any further arising questions from the closure, and is available here: www.irishimmigration.ie/faqs-closure-of-the-immigrant-investor-programme-iip/ In 2017 the Irish Government Economics and Evaluation Service (IGEES) completed a systemic review of the IIP and an audit of the Programme completed in 2019 recommended an external review. Following a tender process, an external review was carried out by EY. My Department will shortly publish the reviews onto my Department's website; www.irishimmigration.ie . I can confirm that I did not meet any applicant to the IIP regarding their IIP application. All projects in which IIP applicants are investing are examined in detail by an Independent Evaluation Committee comprising officials from my Department, the Department of Finance, the Department of Foreign Affairs, Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland who have appropriate expertise in this area. This examination process involves an assessment of the commercial viability of the project; employment outcomes associated with the proposed investment; and the overall benefit to the Irish State. The Committee makes a determination as to whether a project is suitable for IIP investment and if deemed suitable, the individual application will be submitted to the Minister for final approval. 1,788 applications have been successful under the IIP to mid-June 2023 with the value of investments approved almost \u20ac1.3bn. The table below provides a breakdown of IIP primary applicants approved by nationality since the inception of the programme to the middle of June 2023. Only very occasionally will the nationality of a dependent family member differ from that of the primary applicant. The vast majority of IIP beneficiaries require a visa to enter the State, with the exception of the USA and South Africa. Statistics are not maintained in such a way as to provide the information on all IIP residence permissions, as requested by the Deputy. Nationality Applications approved China 1,677 USA 36 Vietnam 14 Rest of the World 61 TOTAL 1,788 The tables below provides a breakdown of IIP applications received, approved and the value of investments since the inception of the programme to 19 June 2023. Year Applications received Approved applications Value of Approved Investment 2012 5 2 1,500,000 2013 18 16 12,200,000 2014 30 5 2,950,000 2015 75 70 38,300,000 2016 334 33 18,750,000 2017 324 369 250,700,000 2018 423 155 138,750,000 2019 443 237 209,300,000 2020 339 270 188,000,000 2021 258 264 185,700,000 2022 1316 306 205,900,000 2023 YtD (19 June) 1492 61 41,800,000 Total 5057 1788 1,293,850,000 *Approvals issued in any year may relate to applications which were received in previous years due to the time taken to process applications. Investment Type Total Applications Approved Total Value of Investment Enterprise 901 765,200,000 Investment Fund 247 229,000,000 REIT 6 12,000,000 Endowment 578 233,700,000 Bond & Mixed Investment 56 53,950,000 TOTAL 1788 1,293,850,000", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2023-06-20/pq_452", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2023-06-20/452/" }, { "date": "2023-06-20", "question_number": 453, "chamber": "33rd D\u00e1il", "topic": "Immigration Policy", "asked_by": "Aengus \u00d3 Snodaigh", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "453. Deputy Aengus \u00d3 Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice what exact role she played in overseeing or signing-off on the granting of residency to Immigrant Investment Programme applicants, their spouses and children. [29635/23]", "answer": "Minister for Justice I propose to take Questions Nos. 448 to 455, inclusive, together. As the Deputy will be aware, the Government agreed to close the Immigrant Investor Programme (IIP) to further applications from 15 February 2023. The IIP Unit has published a FAQ concerning the closure on my Department's website, which will be updated with any further arising questions from the closure, and is available here: www.irishimmigration.ie/faqs-closure-of-the-immigrant-investor-programme-iip/ In 2017 the Irish Government Economics and Evaluation Service (IGEES) completed a systemic review of the IIP and an audit of the Programme completed in 2019 recommended an external review. Following a tender process, an external review was carried out by EY. My Department will shortly publish the reviews onto my Department's website; www.irishimmigration.ie . I can confirm that I did not meet any applicant to the IIP regarding their IIP application. All projects in which IIP applicants are investing are examined in detail by an Independent Evaluation Committee comprising officials from my Department, the Department of Finance, the Department of Foreign Affairs, Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland who have appropriate expertise in this area. This examination process involves an assessment of the commercial viability of the project; employment outcomes associated with the proposed investment; and the overall benefit to the Irish State. The Committee makes a determination as to whether a project is suitable for IIP investment and if deemed suitable, the individual application will be submitted to the Minister for final approval. 1,788 applications have been successful under the IIP to mid-June 2023 with the value of investments approved almost \u20ac1.3bn. The table below provides a breakdown of IIP primary applicants approved by nationality since the inception of the programme to the middle of June 2023. Only very occasionally will the nationality of a dependent family member differ from that of the primary applicant. The vast majority of IIP beneficiaries require a visa to enter the State, with the exception of the USA and South Africa. Statistics are not maintained in such a way as to provide the information on all IIP residence permissions, as requested by the Deputy. Nationality Applications approved China 1,677 USA 36 Vietnam 14 Rest of the World 61 TOTAL 1,788 The tables below provides a breakdown of IIP applications received, approved and the value of investments since the inception of the programme to 19 June 2023. Year Applications received Approved applications Value of Approved Investment 2012 5 2 1,500,000 2013 18 16 12,200,000 2014 30 5 2,950,000 2015 75 70 38,300,000 2016 334 33 18,750,000 2017 324 369 250,700,000 2018 423 155 138,750,000 2019 443 237 209,300,000 2020 339 270 188,000,000 2021 258 264 185,700,000 2022 1316 306 205,900,000 2023 YtD (19 June) 1492 61 41,800,000 Total 5057 1788 1,293,850,000 *Approvals issued in any year may relate to applications which were received in previous years due to the time taken to process applications. Investment Type Total Applications Approved Total Value of Investment Enterprise 901 765,200,000 Investment Fund 247 229,000,000 REIT 6 12,000,000 Endowment 578 233,700,000 Bond & Mixed Investment 56 53,950,000 TOTAL 1788 1,293,850,000", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2023-06-20/pq_453", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2023-06-20/453/" }, { "date": "2023-06-20", "question_number": 454, "chamber": "33rd D\u00e1il", "topic": "Immigration Policy", "asked_by": "Aengus \u00d3 Snodaigh", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "454. Deputy Aengus \u00d3 Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice the number/percentage of Immigrant Investment Programme applicants who were female. [29636/23]", "answer": "Minister for Justice I propose to take Questions Nos. 448 to 455, inclusive, together. As the Deputy will be aware, the Government agreed to close the Immigrant Investor Programme (IIP) to further applications from 15 February 2023. The IIP Unit has published a FAQ concerning the closure on my Department's website, which will be updated with any further arising questions from the closure, and is available here: www.irishimmigration.ie/faqs-closure-of-the-immigrant-investor-programme-iip/ In 2017 the Irish Government Economics and Evaluation Service (IGEES) completed a systemic review of the IIP and an audit of the Programme completed in 2019 recommended an external review. Following a tender process, an external review was carried out by EY. My Department will shortly publish the reviews onto my Department's website; www.irishimmigration.ie . I can confirm that I did not meet any applicant to the IIP regarding their IIP application. All projects in which IIP applicants are investing are examined in detail by an Independent Evaluation Committee comprising officials from my Department, the Department of Finance, the Department of Foreign Affairs, Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland who have appropriate expertise in this area. This examination process involves an assessment of the commercial viability of the project; employment outcomes associated with the proposed investment; and the overall benefit to the Irish State. The Committee makes a determination as to whether a project is suitable for IIP investment and if deemed suitable, the individual application will be submitted to the Minister for final approval. 1,788 applications have been successful under the IIP to mid-June 2023 with the value of investments approved almost \u20ac1.3bn. The table below provides a breakdown of IIP primary applicants approved by nationality since the inception of the programme to the middle of June 2023. Only very occasionally will the nationality of a dependent family member differ from that of the primary applicant. The vast majority of IIP beneficiaries require a visa to enter the State, with the exception of the USA and South Africa. Statistics are not maintained in such a way as to provide the information on all IIP residence permissions, as requested by the Deputy. Nationality Applications approved China 1,677 USA 36 Vietnam 14 Rest of the World 61 TOTAL 1,788 The tables below provides a breakdown of IIP applications received, approved and the value of investments since the inception of the programme to 19 June 2023. Year Applications received Approved applications Value of Approved Investment 2012 5 2 1,500,000 2013 18 16 12,200,000 2014 30 5 2,950,000 2015 75 70 38,300,000 2016 334 33 18,750,000 2017 324 369 250,700,000 2018 423 155 138,750,000 2019 443 237 209,300,000 2020 339 270 188,000,000 2021 258 264 185,700,000 2022 1316 306 205,900,000 2023 YtD (19 June) 1492 61 41,800,000 Total 5057 1788 1,293,850,000 *Approvals issued in any year may relate to applications which were received in previous years due to the time taken to process applications. Investment Type Total Applications Approved Total Value of Investment Enterprise 901 765,200,000 Investment Fund 247 229,000,000 REIT 6 12,000,000 Endowment 578 233,700,000 Bond & Mixed Investment 56 53,950,000 TOTAL 1788 1,293,850,000", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2023-06-20/pq_454", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2023-06-20/454/" }, { "date": "2023-06-20", "question_number": 455, "chamber": "33rd D\u00e1il", "topic": "Immigration Policy", "asked_by": "Aengus \u00d3 Snodaigh", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "455. Deputy Aengus \u00d3 Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice the counties, the businesses and charities which benefitted from investment of funds as a consequence of the Immigrant Investment Programme since its inception in 2012. [29637/23]", "answer": "Minister for Justice I propose to take Questions Nos. 448 to 455, inclusive, together. As the Deputy will be aware, the Government agreed to close the Immigrant Investor Programme (IIP) to further applications from 15 February 2023. The IIP Unit has published a FAQ concerning the closure on my Department's website, which will be updated with any further arising questions from the closure, and is available here: www.irishimmigration.ie/faqs-closure-of-the-immigrant-investor-programme-iip/ In 2017 the Irish Government Economics and Evaluation Service (IGEES) completed a systemic review of the IIP and an audit of the Programme completed in 2019 recommended an external review. Following a tender process, an external review was carried out by EY. My Department will shortly publish the reviews onto my Department's website; www.irishimmigration.ie . I can confirm that I did not meet any applicant to the IIP regarding their IIP application. All projects in which IIP applicants are investing are examined in detail by an Independent Evaluation Committee comprising officials from my Department, the Department of Finance, the Department of Foreign Affairs, Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland who have appropriate expertise in this area. This examination process involves an assessment of the commercial viability of the project; employment outcomes associated with the proposed investment; and the overall benefit to the Irish State. The Committee makes a determination as to whether a project is suitable for IIP investment and if deemed suitable, the individual application will be submitted to the Minister for final approval. 1,788 applications have been successful under the IIP to mid-June 2023 with the value of investments approved almost \u20ac1.3bn. The table below provides a breakdown of IIP primary applicants approved by nationality since the inception of the programme to the middle of June 2023. Only very occasionally will the nationality of a dependent family member differ from that of the primary applicant. The vast majority of IIP beneficiaries require a visa to enter the State, with the exception of the USA and South Africa. Statistics are not maintained in such a way as to provide the information on all IIP residence permissions, as requested by the Deputy. Nationality Applications approved China 1,677 USA 36 Vietnam 14 Rest of the World 61 TOTAL 1,788 The tables below provides a breakdown of IIP applications received, approved and the value of investments since the inception of the programme to 19 June 2023. Year Applications received Approved applications Value of Approved Investment 2012 5 2 1,500,000 2013 18 16 12,200,000 2014 30 5 2,950,000 2015 75 70 38,300,000 2016 334 33 18,750,000 2017 324 369 250,700,000 2018 423 155 138,750,000 2019 443 237 209,300,000 2020 339 270 188,000,000 2021 258 264 185,700,000 2022 1316 306 205,900,000 2023 YtD (19 June) 1492 61 41,800,000 Total 5057 1788 1,293,850,000 *Approvals issued in any year may relate to applications which were received in previous years due to the time taken to process applications. Investment Type Total Applications Approved Total Value of Investment Enterprise 901 765,200,000 Investment Fund 247 229,000,000 REIT 6 12,000,000 Endowment 578 233,700,000 Bond & Mixed Investment 56 53,950,000 TOTAL 1788 1,293,850,000", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2023-06-20/pq_455", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2023-06-20/455/" }, { "date": "2025-03-06", "question_number": 238, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "Legislative Process", "asked_by": "Catherine Connolly", "answered_by": "Finance", "question_type": "written", "question": "238. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Finance the Statutory Instruments he envisages being brought forward and signed by his Department during the first six months of 2025; to highlight in particular those concerned with the transposition and or implementation of further implementation of EU law requirements; those Statutory Instruments concerned with commencement of existing legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10329/25]", "answer": "Minister for Finance I wish to confirm for the Deputy that 14 Statutory Instruments have been signed so far in 2025, of which five transpose or enable EU legislation, six implement EU restrictive measures, and two commence sections of the primary legislation. The list of SIs signed is set out in the table below. Title Purpose Date S.I. No. 6 of 2025 - European Union (Requirements for Credit Transfers and Direct Debits in Euro) (Amendment) Regulations 2025 Transposition of Regulation (EU) 2024/886 (Instant Payments Regulation), amending the European Union (Requirements for Credit Transfers and Direct Debits in Euro) Regulations 2013 (S.I. No. 132 of 2013 ) 8 January 2025 S.I. No. 9 of 2025 \u2013 Motor Insurance Insolvency Compensation Act 2024 (Section 17(1)(a)) Order 2025 Order for the purposes of setting the \u201crelevant amount\u201d for the purposes of section 17(1)(a) of the Motor Insurance Insolvency Compensation Act 2024. 15 January 2025 S.I. No. 12 of 2025 - European Union (Digital Operational Resilience) Regulations 2025 Enabling regulation for Directive (EU) 2022/2556 (DORA Directive) 17 January 2025 S.I. 16 of 2025 - European Union (Restrictive Measures against Cyber-attacks threatening the Union or its Member States) Regulations Statutory Instrument to create offences and lay down penalties in respective of relevant EU Regulation. 31 January 2025 S.I. No. 17 of 2025 - European Union (Restrictive Measures concerning Libya) Regulations 2025 Statutory Instrument to create offences and lay down penalties in respective of relevant EU Regulation. 31 January 2025 S.I. No. 19 of 2025 - Criminal Justice (Terrorist Offences) Act 2005 (Section 42) (Restrictive Measures concerning Certain Persons and Entities with a view to Combating Terrorism) Regulations 2025 Statutory Instrument to create offences and lay down penalties in respective of relevant EU Regulation. 6 February 2025 S.I. No. 20 of 2025 - European Union (Digital Operational Resilience) (No. 2) Regulations 2025 Transposition of Regulation (EU) 2022/2554 (DORA Regulation) 11 February 2025 S.I. No. 21 of 2025 - European Union (Investment Firms) (Amendment) Regulations 2025 Transposition \u2013 giving further effect to Directive (EU) 2019/2034 (Investment Firms Directive). 6 February 2025 S.I. No. 39 of 2025 Finance Act 2024 (Section 69(1)) (Commencement) Order 2025 Statutory Instrument to commence Section 69(1) of Finance Act 2024. 20 February 2025 S.I. No. 41 of 2025 - European Union (European Green Bonds Standards and Disclosures) Regulations 2025 Transposition of Regulation (EU) 2023/2631 21 February 2025 S.I. No. 45 of 2025 - European Union (Restrictive Measures concerning Belarus) Regulations 2025 Statutory Instrument to create offences and lay down penalties in respective of relevant EU Regulation. 27 February 2025 S.I. No. 46 of 2025 - European Union (Restrictive Measures concerning Ukraine) Regulations 2025 Statutory Instrument to create offences and lay down penalties in respective of relevant EU Regulation. 27 February 2025 Criminal Justice (Terrorist Offences) Act 2005 (Section 42) (Restrictive Measures concerning Certain Persons and Entities Associated with ISIL (Da\u2019esh) and Al Qaida Organisations) Regulations 2025 Statutory Instrument to create offences and lay down penalties in respective of relevant EU regulation. 4 March 2025 Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2024 (Section 15) (Commencement) Order 2025 It is a Commencement Order. Section 15 of the Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2024 amends Section 126 of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 to confirm that Jobseeker\u2019s Pay-Related Benefit is taxable. This Order provides for the commencement of Section 15 of the Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2024 from 31 March 2025 to coincide with the commencement of Jobseeker\u2019s Pay-Related Benefit scheme. 5 March 2025 While EU restrictive measures have direct effect in all member states, it is up to member states to create offences and lay down penalties for breaches of EU restrictive measures. I, as Minister for Finance, share responsibility with the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment for implementing the necessary Statutory Instruments for creating offences and applicable penalties for breaches of EU restrictive measures. As Minister for Finance, I have approved the implementation of six such Statutory Instruments to date in 2025 and would expect to enact several more by the end of the first six months of 2025. However, it is not possible to predict how many of these particular Statutory Instruments will be prepared in the period specified, nor which EU restrictive measures regimes they will relate to. I also expect to sign a number of other Statutory Instruments over the period to end-June 2025, including seven to transpose or implement EU law, and three to commence primary legislation. The Statutory Instruments I expect to sign are listed in the table below. Title Purpose General Government Secured Borrowing Order 2025 This statutory instrument revokes the General Government Order 2022 (S.I. No. 581 of 2022). European Union (Administrative Cooperation in The Field of Taxation) Regulations 2025 Transposition - The purpose of the Statutory Instrument is to implement the reporting framework for Crypto asset service providers as provided for in Council Directive (EU) 2023/2226, amending Council Directive 2011/16/EU on administrative cooperation between (DAC 8). European Union (Payment Services) (Amendment) Regulations 2025 Transposition of Regulation (EU) 2024/886 (Instant Payments Regulation), amending the European Union (Payment Services) Regulations 2018 (S.I. No. 6 of 2018) European Union European Union (Settlement Finality) (Amendment) Regulations 2025 Transposition of Regulation (EU) 2024/886 (Instant Payments Regulation) amending the European Communities (Settlement Finality) Regulations 2010 (S.I. No. 624 of 2010) European Communities (Cross Border Payments) (Amendment) Regulations 2025 Amendment to European Communities (Cross Border Payments) Regulations 2010 (S.I. No. 183 of 2010) to give full effect to Regulation (EU) No. 2021/1230 (Cross Border Payment Regulations) Future Ireland Fund and Infrastructure, Climate and Nature Fund Act 2024 (Commencement) Order 2025 Statutory Instrument related to the commencement of Section 36 of Future Ireland Fund and Infrastructure, Climate and Nature Fund Act 2024 (16 of 2024), which repeals the National Surplus (Reserve Fund for Exceptional Contingencies) Act 2019 (18 of 2019) European Union (Information Accompanying Transfers of Funds) Regulations 2025 The purpose of this Statutory Instrument is to give full effect to Regulation (EU) 2023/1113 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 31 May 20231 on information accompanying transfers of funds and certain crypto-assets and amending Directive (EU) 2015/849 (recast) European Union (Controls of Cash entering or leaving the Union) Regulations 2025 To give further effect to the requirements of Regulation (EU) 2018/1672 of the European Parliament and the Council of 23 October 2018 European Union (Value-Added Tax) Regulations 2025 (2020/285) Transposition of Council Directive (EU) 2020/285 of 18 February 2020 amending Directive 2006/112/EC on the common system of value added tax as regards the special scheme for small enterprises and Regulation (EU) No 904/2010 as regards the administrative cooperation and exchange of information for the purpose of monitoring the correct application of the special scheme for small enterprises. Commencement Order for Section 75 of Finance Act 2024 A Commencement Order to give effect to Section 75 of Finance Act 2024. Appointment of Special Advisers (Minister for Finance) Order A Government Order Appointment of Special Adviser (Minister of State for the Department of Finance) Order A Government Order Finance (Delegation of Ministerial Functions) Order 2025 Delegation of functions to the Minister of State.", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2025-03-06/pq_238", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2025-03-06/238/" }, { "date": "2025-07-29", "question_number": 1910, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na", "asked_by": "Conor D McGuinness", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "1910. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of garda\u00ed who left the force in each year from 2014 to date in 2025, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40707/25]", "answer": "Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration I propose to take Questions Nos. 1910 and 1911 together. The below table, provided to me by the Garda authorities, outlines the number of Garda\u00ed who have left the Service in each year since 2014, as of 30 June, 2025. Retirements include Compulsory Retirements, Cost Neutral Early Retirements. - Retirements Resignations Total 2025 110 68 178 2024 240 142 382 2023 319 171 490 2022 340 110 450 2021 293 95 388 2020 250 68 318 2019 223 72 295 2018 218 77 295 2017 225 41 266 2016 228 24 252 2015 238 20 258 2014 248 26 274 Total 2932 914 3846 The below table, also provided by the Garda authorities, outlines the number of Garda\u00ed who have attested in each of the last ten years. Year Number of Probationer Garda\u00ed - Attested 2015 296 2016 393 2017 887 2018 789 2019 605 2020 522 2021 148 2022 370 2023 388 2024 601 2025 (to date) 271 Total 5,270", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2025-07-29/pq_1910", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2025-07-29/1910/" }, { "date": "2025-07-29", "question_number": 1911, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na", "asked_by": "Conor D McGuinness", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "1911. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of garda\u00ed who joined the force in each year from 2014 to date in 2025, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40708/25]", "answer": "Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration I propose to take Questions Nos. 1910 and 1911 together. The below table, provided to me by the Garda authorities, outlines the number of Garda\u00ed who have left the Service in each year since 2014, as of 30 June, 2025. Retirements include Compulsory Retirements, Cost Neutral Early Retirements. - Retirements Resignations Total 2025 110 68 178 2024 240 142 382 2023 319 171 490 2022 340 110 450 2021 293 95 388 2020 250 68 318 2019 223 72 295 2018 218 77 295 2017 225 41 266 2016 228 24 252 2015 238 20 258 2014 248 26 274 Total 2932 914 3846 The below table, also provided by the Garda authorities, outlines the number of Garda\u00ed who have attested in each of the last ten years. Year Number of Probationer Garda\u00ed - Attested 2015 296 2016 393 2017 887 2018 789 2019 605 2020 522 2021 148 2022 370 2023 388 2024 601 2025 (to date) 271 Total 5,270", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2025-07-29/pq_1911", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2025-07-29/1911/" }, { "date": "2026-01-22", "question_number": 445, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "Family Reunification", "asked_by": "Paul Murphy", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "445. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of family reunification applications that were granted in 2025, broken down by whether the sponsor was, a person with refugee status or a person eligible for subsidiary protection; and the average number of family members granted permission, per successful family reunification application in each category. [5600/26]", "answer": "Minister of State at the Department of Justice I propose to take Questions Nos. 445, 446, 447, 448, 467, 472, 479 and 480 together. As the Deputy will be aware, last November Minister O'Callaghan obtained government approval to introduce new policies and legislative changes to strengthen Ireland\u2019s migration and asylum system to ensure it is rules-based, efficient and more aligned with EU Member States. These new policies and legislative changes are designed to strengthen the systems integrity, enhance clarity for applicants, and ensure that migration pathways remain fair, transparent and sustainable. International Protection Family Reunification (IP-FRU), as provided for in Section 56 of the International Protection Act 2015, allows people granted international Protection status to apply for certain family members to join them in the State. As it stands, an application for IP-FRU must be made by the sponsor within 12 months of them being granted an International Protection permission. Section 56 of the IPA Act 2015 was commenced on 31 December 2016 and statistics are available from 2017. In the last 9 years there have been 3,748 family members granted an International Protection family reunification permission, an average of 2.5 per sponsor. Table 1 below gives a breakdown of the figures by year. Table 1. IP-FRU grants by year Year Granted Individuals 2017 62 2018 211 2019 265 2020 196 2021 484 2022 475 2023 407 2024 979 2025 669 In any individual application, some family members can be granted whilst others may be refused. Therefore I have provided the number of individual family members issued a permission. Table 2 below provides the breakdown of family relationship to the sponsor. Under the provisions of the Act, insofar as applications for children are concerned, the sponsor can only apply for their children who are under 18 and unmarried. If the sponsor is a minor at the time of their IP application they can apply for their parents, and their siblings who are under 18 and unmarried. Table 2 : Family relationship to the sponsor Relationship to Sponsor 2025 2024 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 Brother 23 63 19 25 39 12 31 21 0 Daughter 205 271 111 142 120 53 51 54 16 Father <10 30 <10 <10 26 <10 17 <10 <10 Husband 45 82 25 33 17 10 10 13 <10 Mother 13 35 13 16 32 11 21 11 <10 Sister 21 70 26 26 39 10 29 <10 0 Son 247 248 135 152 137 52 72 52 18 Wife 108 180 70 72 74 39 34 42 22 Table 3 below outlines the permission the sponsor holds, namely an international protection permission, a subsidiary protection permission, or a programme refugee under the Irish Refugee Protection Programme). Table 3: Immigration permission held by sponsor Sponsor 2025 2024 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 Refugee Status 242 365 125 165 171 56 77 61 20 Subsidiary Protection 14 14 <10 32 31 20 20 33 14 Programme Refugee <10 20 10 <10 <10 <10 <10 <10 <10 * Please note, all tables and figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing In 2025 IP-FRU was granted to 71 family members where the Sponsor was a minor. Statistics on the gender of the sponsor are not recorded. This would require the manual examination of thousands of cases. Such an examination would require a disproportionate amount of time to compile. Earlier this month Minister O'Callaghan published the new International Protection Bill 2026, which will give effect to the Pact measures and will replace the International Protection Act 2015. Work is underway with the Attorney General to developing provisions for inclusion in the Bill to give effect to the proposals, approved by Government on 26 November 2025, that adults who are beneficiaries of international protection will not be entitled to seek family reunification for a period of three years following their grant of international protection. They must also demonstrate that they are financially self-sufficient. This will be assessed by reference to appropriate income thresholds to be prescribed.", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2026-01-22/pq_445", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2026-01-22/445/" }, { "date": "2026-01-22", "question_number": 446, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "Family Reunification", "asked_by": "Roderic O'Gorman", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "446. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the proportion of family reunification grants made under the International Protection Act 2015 in 2025 where the sponsor was a minor; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5607/26]", "answer": "Minister of State at the Department of Justice I propose to take Questions Nos. 445, 446, 447, 448, 467, 472, 479 and 480 together. As the Deputy will be aware, last November Minister O'Callaghan obtained government approval to introduce new policies and legislative changes to strengthen Ireland\u2019s migration and asylum system to ensure it is rules-based, efficient and more aligned with EU Member States. These new policies and legislative changes are designed to strengthen the systems integrity, enhance clarity for applicants, and ensure that migration pathways remain fair, transparent and sustainable. International Protection Family Reunification (IP-FRU), as provided for in Section 56 of the International Protection Act 2015, allows people granted international Protection status to apply for certain family members to join them in the State. As it stands, an application for IP-FRU must be made by the sponsor within 12 months of them being granted an International Protection permission. Section 56 of the IPA Act 2015 was commenced on 31 December 2016 and statistics are available from 2017. In the last 9 years there have been 3,748 family members granted an International Protection family reunification permission, an average of 2.5 per sponsor. Table 1 below gives a breakdown of the figures by year. Table 1. IP-FRU grants by year Year Granted Individuals 2017 62 2018 211 2019 265 2020 196 2021 484 2022 475 2023 407 2024 979 2025 669 In any individual application, some family members can be granted whilst others may be refused. Therefore I have provided the number of individual family members issued a permission. Table 2 below provides the breakdown of family relationship to the sponsor. Under the provisions of the Act, insofar as applications for children are concerned, the sponsor can only apply for their children who are under 18 and unmarried. If the sponsor is a minor at the time of their IP application they can apply for their parents, and their siblings who are under 18 and unmarried. Table 2 : Family relationship to the sponsor Relationship to Sponsor 2025 2024 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 Brother 23 63 19 25 39 12 31 21 0 Daughter 205 271 111 142 120 53 51 54 16 Father <10 30 <10 <10 26 <10 17 <10 <10 Husband 45 82 25 33 17 10 10 13 <10 Mother 13 35 13 16 32 11 21 11 <10 Sister 21 70 26 26 39 10 29 <10 0 Son 247 248 135 152 137 52 72 52 18 Wife 108 180 70 72 74 39 34 42 22 Table 3 below outlines the permission the sponsor holds, namely an international protection permission, a subsidiary protection permission, or a programme refugee under the Irish Refugee Protection Programme). Table 3: Immigration permission held by sponsor Sponsor 2025 2024 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 Refugee Status 242 365 125 165 171 56 77 61 20 Subsidiary Protection 14 14 <10 32 31 20 20 33 14 Programme Refugee <10 20 10 <10 <10 <10 <10 <10 <10 * Please note, all tables and figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing In 2025 IP-FRU was granted to 71 family members where the Sponsor was a minor. Statistics on the gender of the sponsor are not recorded. This would require the manual examination of thousands of cases. Such an examination would require a disproportionate amount of time to compile. Earlier this month Minister O'Callaghan published the new International Protection Bill 2026, which will give effect to the Pact measures and will replace the International Protection Act 2015. Work is underway with the Attorney General to developing provisions for inclusion in the Bill to give effect to the proposals, approved by Government on 26 November 2025, that adults who are beneficiaries of international protection will not be entitled to seek family reunification for a period of three years following their grant of international protection. They must also demonstrate that they are financially self-sufficient. This will be assessed by reference to appropriate income thresholds to be prescribed.", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2026-01-22/pq_446", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2026-01-22/446/" }, { "date": "2026-01-22", "question_number": 447, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "Family Reunification", "asked_by": "Marie Sherlock", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "447. Deputy Marie Sherlock asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of family reunification applications that were granted in 2025; to provide a breakdown of those grants according to whether the sponsor was a person with refugee status or a person eligible for subsidiary protection; and the average number of family members granted permission per successful family reunification application in each category. [5829/26]", "answer": "Minister of State at the Department of Justice I propose to take Questions Nos. 445, 446, 447, 448, 467, 472, 479 and 480 together. As the Deputy will be aware, last November Minister O'Callaghan obtained government approval to introduce new policies and legislative changes to strengthen Ireland\u2019s migration and asylum system to ensure it is rules-based, efficient and more aligned with EU Member States. These new policies and legislative changes are designed to strengthen the systems integrity, enhance clarity for applicants, and ensure that migration pathways remain fair, transparent and sustainable. International Protection Family Reunification (IP-FRU), as provided for in Section 56 of the International Protection Act 2015, allows people granted international Protection status to apply for certain family members to join them in the State. As it stands, an application for IP-FRU must be made by the sponsor within 12 months of them being granted an International Protection permission. Section 56 of the IPA Act 2015 was commenced on 31 December 2016 and statistics are available from 2017. In the last 9 years there have been 3,748 family members granted an International Protection family reunification permission, an average of 2.5 per sponsor. Table 1 below gives a breakdown of the figures by year. Table 1. IP-FRU grants by year Year Granted Individuals 2017 62 2018 211 2019 265 2020 196 2021 484 2022 475 2023 407 2024 979 2025 669 In any individual application, some family members can be granted whilst others may be refused. Therefore I have provided the number of individual family members issued a permission. Table 2 below provides the breakdown of family relationship to the sponsor. Under the provisions of the Act, insofar as applications for children are concerned, the sponsor can only apply for their children who are under 18 and unmarried. If the sponsor is a minor at the time of their IP application they can apply for their parents, and their siblings who are under 18 and unmarried. Table 2 : Family relationship to the sponsor Relationship to Sponsor 2025 2024 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 Brother 23 63 19 25 39 12 31 21 0 Daughter 205 271 111 142 120 53 51 54 16 Father <10 30 <10 <10 26 <10 17 <10 <10 Husband 45 82 25 33 17 10 10 13 <10 Mother 13 35 13 16 32 11 21 11 <10 Sister 21 70 26 26 39 10 29 <10 0 Son 247 248 135 152 137 52 72 52 18 Wife 108 180 70 72 74 39 34 42 22 Table 3 below outlines the permission the sponsor holds, namely an international protection permission, a subsidiary protection permission, or a programme refugee under the Irish Refugee Protection Programme). Table 3: Immigration permission held by sponsor Sponsor 2025 2024 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 Refugee Status 242 365 125 165 171 56 77 61 20 Subsidiary Protection 14 14 <10 32 31 20 20 33 14 Programme Refugee <10 20 10 <10 <10 <10 <10 <10 <10 * Please note, all tables and figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing In 2025 IP-FRU was granted to 71 family members where the Sponsor was a minor. Statistics on the gender of the sponsor are not recorded. This would require the manual examination of thousands of cases. Such an examination would require a disproportionate amount of time to compile. Earlier this month Minister O'Callaghan published the new International Protection Bill 2026, which will give effect to the Pact measures and will replace the International Protection Act 2015. Work is underway with the Attorney General to developing provisions for inclusion in the Bill to give effect to the proposals, approved by Government on 26 November 2025, that adults who are beneficiaries of international protection will not be entitled to seek family reunification for a period of three years following their grant of international protection. They must also demonstrate that they are financially self-sufficient. This will be assessed by reference to appropriate income thresholds to be prescribed.", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2026-01-22/pq_447", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2026-01-22/447/" }, { "date": "2026-01-22", "question_number": 448, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "Family Reunification", "asked_by": "Sin\u00e9ad Gibney", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "448. Deputy Sin\u00e9ad Gibney asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of family reunification applications that were granted in 2025; the breakdown of those grants according to whether the sponsor was a person with refugee status or a person eligible for subsidiary protection; and the average number of family members granted permission per successful family reunification application in each category, in tabular form. [5114/26]", "answer": "Minister of State at the Department of Justice I propose to take Questions Nos. 445, 446, 447, 448, 467, 472, 479 and 480 together. As the Deputy will be aware, last November Minister O'Callaghan obtained government approval to introduce new policies and legislative changes to strengthen Ireland\u2019s migration and asylum system to ensure it is rules-based, efficient and more aligned with EU Member States. These new policies and legislative changes are designed to strengthen the systems integrity, enhance clarity for applicants, and ensure that migration pathways remain fair, transparent and sustainable. International Protection Family Reunification (IP-FRU), as provided for in Section 56 of the International Protection Act 2015, allows people granted international Protection status to apply for certain family members to join them in the State. As it stands, an application for IP-FRU must be made by the sponsor within 12 months of them being granted an International Protection permission. Section 56 of the IPA Act 2015 was commenced on 31 December 2016 and statistics are available from 2017. In the last 9 years there have been 3,748 family members granted an International Protection family reunification permission, an average of 2.5 per sponsor. Table 1 below gives a breakdown of the figures by year. Table 1. IP-FRU grants by year Year Granted Individuals 2017 62 2018 211 2019 265 2020 196 2021 484 2022 475 2023 407 2024 979 2025 669 In any individual application, some family members can be granted whilst others may be refused. Therefore I have provided the number of individual family members issued a permission. Table 2 below provides the breakdown of family relationship to the sponsor. Under the provisions of the Act, insofar as applications for children are concerned, the sponsor can only apply for their children who are under 18 and unmarried. If the sponsor is a minor at the time of their IP application they can apply for their parents, and their siblings who are under 18 and unmarried. Table 2 : Family relationship to the sponsor Relationship to Sponsor 2025 2024 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 Brother 23 63 19 25 39 12 31 21 0 Daughter 205 271 111 142 120 53 51 54 16 Father <10 30 <10 <10 26 <10 17 <10 <10 Husband 45 82 25 33 17 10 10 13 <10 Mother 13 35 13 16 32 11 21 11 <10 Sister 21 70 26 26 39 10 29 <10 0 Son 247 248 135 152 137 52 72 52 18 Wife 108 180 70 72 74 39 34 42 22 Table 3 below outlines the permission the sponsor holds, namely an international protection permission, a subsidiary protection permission, or a programme refugee under the Irish Refugee Protection Programme). Table 3: Immigration permission held by sponsor Sponsor 2025 2024 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 Refugee Status 242 365 125 165 171 56 77 61 20 Subsidiary Protection 14 14 <10 32 31 20 20 33 14 Programme Refugee <10 20 10 <10 <10 <10 <10 <10 <10 * Please note, all tables and figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing In 2025 IP-FRU was granted to 71 family members where the Sponsor was a minor. Statistics on the gender of the sponsor are not recorded. This would require the manual examination of thousands of cases. Such an examination would require a disproportionate amount of time to compile. Earlier this month Minister O'Callaghan published the new International Protection Bill 2026, which will give effect to the Pact measures and will replace the International Protection Act 2015. Work is underway with the Attorney General to developing provisions for inclusion in the Bill to give effect to the proposals, approved by Government on 26 November 2025, that adults who are beneficiaries of international protection will not be entitled to seek family reunification for a period of three years following their grant of international protection. They must also demonstrate that they are financially self-sufficient. This will be assessed by reference to appropriate income thresholds to be prescribed.", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2026-01-22/pq_448", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2026-01-22/448/" }, { "date": "2026-01-22", "question_number": 467, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "Family Reunification", "asked_by": "Gary Gannon", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "467. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of family reunification applications that were granted in 2025; to provide a breakdown of those grants according to whether the sponsor is a person with refugee status or a person eligible for subsidiary protection; and the average number of family members granted permission per successful family reunification application in each category. [5176/26]", "answer": "Minister of State at the Department of Justice I propose to take Questions Nos. 445, 446, 447, 448, 467, 472, 479 and 480 together. As the Deputy will be aware, last November Minister O'Callaghan obtained government approval to introduce new policies and legislative changes to strengthen Ireland\u2019s migration and asylum system to ensure it is rules-based, efficient and more aligned with EU Member States. These new policies and legislative changes are designed to strengthen the systems integrity, enhance clarity for applicants, and ensure that migration pathways remain fair, transparent and sustainable. International Protection Family Reunification (IP-FRU), as provided for in Section 56 of the International Protection Act 2015, allows people granted international Protection status to apply for certain family members to join them in the State. As it stands, an application for IP-FRU must be made by the sponsor within 12 months of them being granted an International Protection permission. Section 56 of the IPA Act 2015 was commenced on 31 December 2016 and statistics are available from 2017. In the last 9 years there have been 3,748 family members granted an International Protection family reunification permission, an average of 2.5 per sponsor. Table 1 below gives a breakdown of the figures by year. Table 1. IP-FRU grants by year Year Granted Individuals 2017 62 2018 211 2019 265 2020 196 2021 484 2022 475 2023 407 2024 979 2025 669 In any individual application, some family members can be granted whilst others may be refused. Therefore I have provided the number of individual family members issued a permission. Table 2 below provides the breakdown of family relationship to the sponsor. Under the provisions of the Act, insofar as applications for children are concerned, the sponsor can only apply for their children who are under 18 and unmarried. If the sponsor is a minor at the time of their IP application they can apply for their parents, and their siblings who are under 18 and unmarried. Table 2 : Family relationship to the sponsor Relationship to Sponsor 2025 2024 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 Brother 23 63 19 25 39 12 31 21 0 Daughter 205 271 111 142 120 53 51 54 16 Father <10 30 <10 <10 26 <10 17 <10 <10 Husband 45 82 25 33 17 10 10 13 <10 Mother 13 35 13 16 32 11 21 11 <10 Sister 21 70 26 26 39 10 29 <10 0 Son 247 248 135 152 137 52 72 52 18 Wife 108 180 70 72 74 39 34 42 22 Table 3 below outlines the permission the sponsor holds, namely an international protection permission, a subsidiary protection permission, or a programme refugee under the Irish Refugee Protection Programme). Table 3: Immigration permission held by sponsor Sponsor 2025 2024 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 Refugee Status 242 365 125 165 171 56 77 61 20 Subsidiary Protection 14 14 <10 32 31 20 20 33 14 Programme Refugee <10 20 10 <10 <10 <10 <10 <10 <10 * Please note, all tables and figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing In 2025 IP-FRU was granted to 71 family members where the Sponsor was a minor. Statistics on the gender of the sponsor are not recorded. This would require the manual examination of thousands of cases. Such an examination would require a disproportionate amount of time to compile. Earlier this month Minister O'Callaghan published the new International Protection Bill 2026, which will give effect to the Pact measures and will replace the International Protection Act 2015. Work is underway with the Attorney General to developing provisions for inclusion in the Bill to give effect to the proposals, approved by Government on 26 November 2025, that adults who are beneficiaries of international protection will not be entitled to seek family reunification for a period of three years following their grant of international protection. They must also demonstrate that they are financially self-sufficient. This will be assessed by reference to appropriate income thresholds to be prescribed.", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2026-01-22/pq_467", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2026-01-22/467/" }, { "date": "2026-01-22", "question_number": 472, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "Family Reunification", "asked_by": "Roderic O'Gorman", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "472. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of persons who arrived in the State through refugee family reunification in each of the years 2023, 2024 and 2025; the breakdown of persons, by age and by eligibility category, that is, spouses, minor children, parents of minor children, and siblings of minor children for each year. [5222/26]", "answer": "Minister of State at the Department of Justice I propose to take Questions Nos. 445, 446, 447, 448, 467, 472, 479 and 480 together. As the Deputy will be aware, last November Minister O'Callaghan obtained government approval to introduce new policies and legislative changes to strengthen Ireland\u2019s migration and asylum system to ensure it is rules-based, efficient and more aligned with EU Member States. These new policies and legislative changes are designed to strengthen the systems integrity, enhance clarity for applicants, and ensure that migration pathways remain fair, transparent and sustainable. International Protection Family Reunification (IP-FRU), as provided for in Section 56 of the International Protection Act 2015, allows people granted international Protection status to apply for certain family members to join them in the State. As it stands, an application for IP-FRU must be made by the sponsor within 12 months of them being granted an International Protection permission. Section 56 of the IPA Act 2015 was commenced on 31 December 2016 and statistics are available from 2017. In the last 9 years there have been 3,748 family members granted an International Protection family reunification permission, an average of 2.5 per sponsor. Table 1 below gives a breakdown of the figures by year. Table 1. IP-FRU grants by year Year Granted Individuals 2017 62 2018 211 2019 265 2020 196 2021 484 2022 475 2023 407 2024 979 2025 669 In any individual application, some family members can be granted whilst others may be refused. Therefore I have provided the number of individual family members issued a permission. Table 2 below provides the breakdown of family relationship to the sponsor. Under the provisions of the Act, insofar as applications for children are concerned, the sponsor can only apply for their children who are under 18 and unmarried. If the sponsor is a minor at the time of their IP application they can apply for their parents, and their siblings who are under 18 and unmarried. Table 2 : Family relationship to the sponsor Relationship to Sponsor 2025 2024 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 Brother 23 63 19 25 39 12 31 21 0 Daughter 205 271 111 142 120 53 51 54 16 Father <10 30 <10 <10 26 <10 17 <10 <10 Husband 45 82 25 33 17 10 10 13 <10 Mother 13 35 13 16 32 11 21 11 <10 Sister 21 70 26 26 39 10 29 <10 0 Son 247 248 135 152 137 52 72 52 18 Wife 108 180 70 72 74 39 34 42 22 Table 3 below outlines the permission the sponsor holds, namely an international protection permission, a subsidiary protection permission, or a programme refugee under the Irish Refugee Protection Programme). Table 3: Immigration permission held by sponsor Sponsor 2025 2024 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 Refugee Status 242 365 125 165 171 56 77 61 20 Subsidiary Protection 14 14 <10 32 31 20 20 33 14 Programme Refugee <10 20 10 <10 <10 <10 <10 <10 <10 * Please note, all tables and figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing In 2025 IP-FRU was granted to 71 family members where the Sponsor was a minor. Statistics on the gender of the sponsor are not recorded. This would require the manual examination of thousands of cases. Such an examination would require a disproportionate amount of time to compile. Earlier this month Minister O'Callaghan published the new International Protection Bill 2026, which will give effect to the Pact measures and will replace the International Protection Act 2015. Work is underway with the Attorney General to developing provisions for inclusion in the Bill to give effect to the proposals, approved by Government on 26 November 2025, that adults who are beneficiaries of international protection will not be entitled to seek family reunification for a period of three years following their grant of international protection. They must also demonstrate that they are financially self-sufficient. This will be assessed by reference to appropriate income thresholds to be prescribed.", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2026-01-22/pq_472", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2026-01-22/472/" }, { "date": "2026-01-22", "question_number": 479, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "Family Reunification", "asked_by": "Matt Carthy", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "479. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number granted refugee status or subsidiary protection, by gender who were given to right to bring their spouse to Ireland in each of the past ten years, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5337/26]", "answer": "Minister of State at the Department of Justice I propose to take Questions Nos. 445, 446, 447, 448, 467, 472, 479 and 480 together. As the Deputy will be aware, last November Minister O'Callaghan obtained government approval to introduce new policies and legislative changes to strengthen Ireland\u2019s migration and asylum system to ensure it is rules-based, efficient and more aligned with EU Member States. These new policies and legislative changes are designed to strengthen the systems integrity, enhance clarity for applicants, and ensure that migration pathways remain fair, transparent and sustainable. International Protection Family Reunification (IP-FRU), as provided for in Section 56 of the International Protection Act 2015, allows people granted international Protection status to apply for certain family members to join them in the State. As it stands, an application for IP-FRU must be made by the sponsor within 12 months of them being granted an International Protection permission. Section 56 of the IPA Act 2015 was commenced on 31 December 2016 and statistics are available from 2017. In the last 9 years there have been 3,748 family members granted an International Protection family reunification permission, an average of 2.5 per sponsor. Table 1 below gives a breakdown of the figures by year. Table 1. IP-FRU grants by year Year Granted Individuals 2017 62 2018 211 2019 265 2020 196 2021 484 2022 475 2023 407 2024 979 2025 669 In any individual application, some family members can be granted whilst others may be refused. Therefore I have provided the number of individual family members issued a permission. Table 2 below provides the breakdown of family relationship to the sponsor. Under the provisions of the Act, insofar as applications for children are concerned, the sponsor can only apply for their children who are under 18 and unmarried. If the sponsor is a minor at the time of their IP application they can apply for their parents, and their siblings who are under 18 and unmarried. Table 2 : Family relationship to the sponsor Relationship to Sponsor 2025 2024 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 Brother 23 63 19 25 39 12 31 21 0 Daughter 205 271 111 142 120 53 51 54 16 Father <10 30 <10 <10 26 <10 17 <10 <10 Husband 45 82 25 33 17 10 10 13 <10 Mother 13 35 13 16 32 11 21 11 <10 Sister 21 70 26 26 39 10 29 <10 0 Son 247 248 135 152 137 52 72 52 18 Wife 108 180 70 72 74 39 34 42 22 Table 3 below outlines the permission the sponsor holds, namely an international protection permission, a subsidiary protection permission, or a programme refugee under the Irish Refugee Protection Programme). Table 3: Immigration permission held by sponsor Sponsor 2025 2024 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 Refugee Status 242 365 125 165 171 56 77 61 20 Subsidiary Protection 14 14 <10 32 31 20 20 33 14 Programme Refugee <10 20 10 <10 <10 <10 <10 <10 <10 * Please note, all tables and figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing In 2025 IP-FRU was granted to 71 family members where the Sponsor was a minor. Statistics on the gender of the sponsor are not recorded. This would require the manual examination of thousands of cases. Such an examination would require a disproportionate amount of time to compile. Earlier this month Minister O'Callaghan published the new International Protection Bill 2026, which will give effect to the Pact measures and will replace the International Protection Act 2015. Work is underway with the Attorney General to developing provisions for inclusion in the Bill to give effect to the proposals, approved by Government on 26 November 2025, that adults who are beneficiaries of international protection will not be entitled to seek family reunification for a period of three years following their grant of international protection. They must also demonstrate that they are financially self-sufficient. This will be assessed by reference to appropriate income thresholds to be prescribed.", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2026-01-22/pq_479", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2026-01-22/479/" }, { "date": "2026-01-22", "question_number": 480, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "Family Reunification", "asked_by": "Matt Carthy", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "480. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number granted refugee status or subsidiary protection, by gender who were given the right to bring their children to Ireland in each of the past ten years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5338/26]", "answer": "Minister of State at the Department of Justice I propose to take Questions Nos. 445, 446, 447, 448, 467, 472, 479 and 480 together. As the Deputy will be aware, last November Minister O'Callaghan obtained government approval to introduce new policies and legislative changes to strengthen Ireland\u2019s migration and asylum system to ensure it is rules-based, efficient and more aligned with EU Member States. These new policies and legislative changes are designed to strengthen the systems integrity, enhance clarity for applicants, and ensure that migration pathways remain fair, transparent and sustainable. International Protection Family Reunification (IP-FRU), as provided for in Section 56 of the International Protection Act 2015, allows people granted international Protection status to apply for certain family members to join them in the State. As it stands, an application for IP-FRU must be made by the sponsor within 12 months of them being granted an International Protection permission. Section 56 of the IPA Act 2015 was commenced on 31 December 2016 and statistics are available from 2017. In the last 9 years there have been 3,748 family members granted an International Protection family reunification permission, an average of 2.5 per sponsor. Table 1 below gives a breakdown of the figures by year. Table 1. IP-FRU grants by year Year Granted Individuals 2017 62 2018 211 2019 265 2020 196 2021 484 2022 475 2023 407 2024 979 2025 669 In any individual application, some family members can be granted whilst others may be refused. Therefore I have provided the number of individual family members issued a permission. Table 2 below provides the breakdown of family relationship to the sponsor. Under the provisions of the Act, insofar as applications for children are concerned, the sponsor can only apply for their children who are under 18 and unmarried. If the sponsor is a minor at the time of their IP application they can apply for their parents, and their siblings who are under 18 and unmarried. Table 2 : Family relationship to the sponsor Relationship to Sponsor 2025 2024 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 Brother 23 63 19 25 39 12 31 21 0 Daughter 205 271 111 142 120 53 51 54 16 Father <10 30 <10 <10 26 <10 17 <10 <10 Husband 45 82 25 33 17 10 10 13 <10 Mother 13 35 13 16 32 11 21 11 <10 Sister 21 70 26 26 39 10 29 <10 0 Son 247 248 135 152 137 52 72 52 18 Wife 108 180 70 72 74 39 34 42 22 Table 3 below outlines the permission the sponsor holds, namely an international protection permission, a subsidiary protection permission, or a programme refugee under the Irish Refugee Protection Programme). Table 3: Immigration permission held by sponsor Sponsor 2025 2024 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 Refugee Status 242 365 125 165 171 56 77 61 20 Subsidiary Protection 14 14 <10 32 31 20 20 33 14 Programme Refugee <10 20 10 <10 <10 <10 <10 <10 <10 * Please note, all tables and figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing In 2025 IP-FRU was granted to 71 family members where the Sponsor was a minor. Statistics on the gender of the sponsor are not recorded. This would require the manual examination of thousands of cases. Such an examination would require a disproportionate amount of time to compile. Earlier this month Minister O'Callaghan published the new International Protection Bill 2026, which will give effect to the Pact measures and will replace the International Protection Act 2015. Work is underway with the Attorney General to developing provisions for inclusion in the Bill to give effect to the proposals, approved by Government on 26 November 2025, that adults who are beneficiaries of international protection will not be entitled to seek family reunification for a period of three years following their grant of international protection. They must also demonstrate that they are financially self-sufficient. This will be assessed by reference to appropriate income thresholds to be prescribed.", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2026-01-22/pq_480", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2026-01-22/480/" }, { "date": "2026-02-24", "question_number": 789, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na", "asked_by": "Peadar T\u00f3ib\u00edn", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "789. Deputy Peadar T\u00f3ib\u00edn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the amount of cash and assets seized by the Criminal Assets Bureau in each of the past 12 years; and the total amount returned to the Exchequer by CAB in the same period. [14854/26]", "answer": "Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration CAB is a multi-agency statutory body established under the Criminal Assets Bureau Act 1996. The Bureau\u2019s remit is to target a person's assets, wherever situated, which derive, or are suspected to derive, directly or indirectly, from criminal conduct. I am advised by CAB that the table below sets out the amount of cash and other financial assets frozen (such as cryptocurrency) and economic value of assets for the period 2014 - 2024. The figures in respect of jewellery, property, vehicles, designer goods, livestock and other are based on the estimated value placed by the Bureau on the asset at the time of making the application to the Court under section 2(1) of the Proceeds of Crime Act 1996. It is important to note that following the completion of investigations and hearings, all assets listed may not equate in returns to the Exchequer. The figures for 2025 are not yet available and will be published in the respective annual report. CAB annual reports are available to view at: https://www.cab.ie/annual-reports/ Year Jewellery Property Vehicle Financial* Designer Goods Live stock Other Total 2014 17,000 447,000 76,500 6,219,682 6,760,182 2015 20,950 100,528 72,300 747,301 941,079 2016 38,350 106,345 498,368 643,063 2017 126,270 2,449,013 838,960 3,576,661 29,636 7,020,539 2018 112,150 2,082,855 59,750 6,018,832 119,995 8,393,582 2019 185,730 7,844,134 1,838,798 54,650,944 58,875 407,069 64,985,550 2020 226,520 3,798,716 254,687 1,430,739 49,344 54,200 5,814,206 2021 107,231 954,178 1,078,760 911,659 13,700 3,000 3,068,528 2022 222,350 1,270,144 412,589 3,218,391 31,495 29,630 5,184,599 2023 171,645 5,277,635 378,708 1,858,788 144,796 150 7,831,722 2024 9,000 1,421,295 276,502 10,889,099 3,000 11,000 12,609,896 *Financial includes cash seized and cryptocurrency/financial assets frozen in financial institutions. The table below provided by CAB outlines the value of returns to the Exchequer for the period 2014 - 2024. The figures for 2025 are unavailable pending the publication of the respective annual report. Year Total sent to Exchequer from Section 4(1) & 4A Taxes and Interest Collected Social Welfare Recoveries 2014 467,152.37 \u20ac3,017,000.00 \u20ac335,911.00 2015 1,642,962.29 \u20ac2,038,000.00 \u20ac185,354.32 2016 1,412,920.41 \u20ac2,106,000.00 \u20ac297,430.12 2017 1,698,721.08 \u20ac2,374,000.00 \u20ac319,720.31 2018 2,271,799.92 \u20ac3,097,000.00 \u20ac302,673.36 2019 1,559,726.31 \u20ac2,206,000.00 \u20ac324,055.73 2020 1,838,507.25 \u20ac2,138,000.00 \u20ac317,236.57 2021 1,143,834.14 \u20ac4,041,000.00 \u20ac364,827.81 2022 2,065,265.03 \u20ac3,827,000.00 \u20ac445,423.00 2023 2,219,486.00 \u20ac5,792,000.00 \u20ac639,910.26 2024 3,117,637.00 \u20ac13,369,000.00 \u20ac566,219.00 Total 19,438,011.08 44,005,000.00 4,098,761.48", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2026-02-24/pq_789", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2026-02-24/789/" }, { "date": "2026-01-22", "question_number": 484, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "Departmental Data", "asked_by": "Matt Carthy", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "484. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number granted refugee status or subsidiary protection in each of the past ten years, broken down by country of origin, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5342/26]", "answer": "Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration I am fully committed to ensuring that Ireland\u2019s International Protection system is robust, and rules based, and that our borders are protected. The number of International Protection applications have been rising over the past number of years, reaching 18,500 in 2024. In 2025, application numbers reduced by approximately a third. There has been a significantly increased investment into the international protection system to improve efficiencies and throughput as well as enhancing the application, interview and decision-making process for applicants. In 2025, the International Protection Office (IPO) delivered over 20,200 first decisions compared to approximately 14,100 in 2024 resulting in a 44% increase. While the International Protection Appeals Tribunal (IPAT) more than doubled the number of appeals closed from 3,100 in 2024 to nearly 6,300 in 2025. My Department also continues to focus on preparing for the EU Migration and Asylum Pact in advance of June 2026. The Pact will provide a fair, sustainable and efficient asylum procedure. This will be achieved through convergence in asylum practices across the EU including standardised processing times for decisions: six months for a standard procedure, three months for accelerated and border procedures and two months for processing applicants who have applied for protection elsewhere in Europe. The new International Protection Bill 2026 gives effect to the measures of the EU Migration and Asylum Pact. Enactment of the Bill and commencement of the Act is required by 12 June 2026. The attached table details the number of International Protection applications made from 2015 up to 19 January 2026, by year and country of origin. Additionally, the table below details the number of applications granted refugee status or subsidiary protection in each of the past ten years. Refugee Status and Subsidiary Protection Grants 2015 - 2026* Year RS Grants SP Grants 2015 324 226 2016 590 137 2017 685 101 2018 826 208 2019 951 163 2020 1032 153 2021 1105 95 2022 1926 93 2023 2864 212 2024 3918 319 2025 4288 405 2026 168 77 Total 18677 2189 *to cob 19 January. **The data is based on applicant latest final decision. Changes may occur due to data cleansing, permission revoked and if the applicant receives a further decision on foot of an appeal outcome. My Department does not provide detailed statistics on international protection grant and refusal rates by nationality. International Protection Applications by Nationality 2015-2026", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2026-01-22/pq_484", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2026-01-22/484/" }, { "date": "2023-11-28", "question_number": 431, "chamber": "33rd D\u00e1il", "topic": "Departmental Funding", "asked_by": "Michael Ring", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "431. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Justice to detail in tabular form the amount of funding that has been given out since the closure of the immigrant investment programme, and the successful organisations that have received same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52576/23]", "answer": "Minister for Justice As the Deputy will be aware, the Government agreed to close the Immigrant Investor Programme (IIP) to further applications from 15 February 2023. All projects which IIP applicants are investing in are examined in great detail by an Independent Evaluation Committee comprising key officials from my Department, the Department of Finance, the Department of Foreign Affairs, Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland who have appropriate corporate expertise in this area. This examination process involves an assessment of the commercial viability of the project; employment outcomes associated with the proposed investment; and the overall benefit to the Irish State. The Committee makes a determination as to whether a project is suitable for IIP investment and if deemed suitable, the project and individual application(s) associated with it will be submitted to me for final approval. My Department does not currently publish the details of individual approved IIP investments. The tables below provides a breakdown of IIP applications received, approved and the value of investments since the inception of the programme to the end of September 2023. A breakdown of figures relating to applications pre and post closure of the programme are not available. Year Applications received Approved applications Value of Approved Investment 2012 5 2 1,500,000 2013 18 16 12,200,000 2014 30 5 2,950,000 2015 75 70 38,300,000 2016 334 33 18,750,000 2017 324 369 250,700,000 2018 423 155 138,750,000 2019 443 237 209,300,000 2020 339 270 188,000,000 2021 258 264 185,700,000 2022 1316 306 205,900,000 2023 (30/09) 1763 152 107,000,000 Total 5328 1879 1,359,050,000 *Approvals issued in any year may relate to applications which were received in previous years due to the time taken to process applications. Investment Type Total Applications Approved Total Value of Investment Enterprise 928 792,200,000 Investment Fund 268 250,000,000 REIT 6 12,000,000 Endowment 621 250,900,000 Bond & Mixed Investment 56 53,950,000 TOTAL 1879 1,359,050,000", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2023-11-28/pq_431", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2023-11-28/431/" }, { "date": "2026-07-14", "question_number": 588, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "Legal Aid", "asked_by": "Ivana Bacik", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "588. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the amount paid in criminal legal aid fees in the District Court in each year from 2015 to 2025; the number of cases handled in each of those years; to provide for each year the increase due to fee changes resulting from the reversal of FEMPI cuts, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53672/26]", "answer": "Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration Under the Criminal Justice (Legal Aid) Act 1962, it is the Courts, through the judiciary, that are responsible for the granting of legal aid. The Criminal Legal Aid Scheme is demand-led. Increases in the number of legal aid certificates granted have had a significant impact on criminal legal aid expenditure over recent years. I can inform the Deputy that the following table sets out the cost of criminal legal aid certificates granted in the District Court from 2015 to 2025. However, it should be noted that the expenditure in a given year does not necessarily correlate to the Legal Aid Certificates issued that year, as expenditure may relate to Legal Aid Certificates issued in previous years, for which claims for payment were made in subsequent years. Year Total Cost 2015 \u20ac19,275,214 2016 \u20ac20,191,375 2017 \u20ac22,608,214 2018 \u20ac25,043,379 2019 \u20ac26,860,269 2020 \u20ac24,475,827 2021 \u20ac29,289,855 2022 \u20ac28,364,837 2023 \u20ac30,837,699 2024 \u20ac37,786,861 2025 \u20ac40,705,809 The Courts Service has provided in the following table the number of cases associated with Criminal Legal Aid certificates granted by the District Court for the years 2015-2025. It should be noted that a single legal aid certificate can have several cases associated with it, while a single case may have multiple legal aid certificates granted and such cases would be counted multiple times in the data provided. Further, the District Court can grant legal aid in respect of cases being sent forward for trial/sentence in a higher jurisdiction. These cases would be included in the data provided. Year Number of Cases associated with CLA certificates granted by the District Court 2015 72,115 2016 72,143 2017 78,785 2018 85,076 2019 88,952 2020 83,842 2021 96,007 2022 89,413 2023 96,243 2024 104,093 2025 103,302 The information is not recorded in such a way to provide the Deputy with the increase in expenditure due to fee changes resulting from the reversal of so-called FEMPI cuts. As outlined in the Programme for Government 2025, the Government has committed to reforming the operation of Criminal Legal Aid. The general scheme of the Criminal Justice (Legal Aid) Bill 2023 was published in July 2023. This Bill will modernise the operation of the Criminal Legal Aid Scheme and is intended to: \u2022 Update the law relating to Criminal Legal Aid; \u2022 Transfer administrative responsibility for the Criminal Legal Aid Scheme from the Department of Justice to the Legal Aid Board, and \u2022 Strengthen oversight and governance structures for the Scheme. With effect from 1 July 2026, I have introduced an 8% increase in criminal legal aid fees payable to solicitors and barristers in the Circuit Court and higher courts. This represents the total restoration of the criminal legal aid fees cut under FEMPI. I have also introduced a fee of \u20ac520 for District Court criminal cases under the criminal legal aid scheme. This figure represents the current fee paid for five appearances in the District Court plus an 8% increase, providing for a full restoration of the so-called FEMPI cuts in line with the Programme for Government commitment.", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2026-07-14/pq_588", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2026-07-14/588/" }, { "date": "2019-03-26", "question_number": 450, "chamber": "32nd D\u00e1il", "topic": "Garda Data", "asked_by": "Mary Lou McDonald", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "450. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of garda\u00ed by rank attached to the immigration unit in the Dublin metropolitan region north and Dublin metropolitan region north central in each of the years 2009 to 2018, inclusive, and to date in 2019, in tabular form. [12887/19]", "answer": "Minister for Justice and Equality I propose to take Questions Nos. 441, 442, 444 to 456, inclusive, 458, 459, 461, 463 and 465 to 471, inclusive, together. As the Deputy will appreciate, it is the Garda Commissioner who is responsible for the distribution of resources, including personnel, among the various Garda Divisions and I, as Minister, have no direct role in the matter. Garda management keeps this distribution of resources under continual review in the context of crime trends and policing priorities so as to ensure that the optimum use is made of these resources. With regard to numbers of Garda\u00ed attached to divisions and stations or in particular roles or units much of the data requested is on my Department\u2019s website and is updated every month with the latest data provided by An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na. For general information on Garda Facts and Figures below is the link to the website: http://www.justice.ie/en/JELR/Pages/An_Garda_Siochana_facts_and_figures More specific data for the Dublin Metropolitan Region North and North Central are available via the following links: Overall Garda Workforce Strength 2006 to January 2019 Garda Numbers by Division District and Station 2009 to 31 January 2019 Garda Numbers by Division 2006 to 31 January 2019 Roads Policing Unit 2009 to 31 January 2019 Community Garda Strength 2008 to 31 January 2019 Garda Reserve Strength 2009 to 31 January 2019 Civilian Staff by Division and Station 2010 to 31 January 2019 Allocation of Probationer Garda\u00ed by Division and Station 2014 to January 2019 My officials are currently in the process of developing the website to provide additional information and data about other roles and units and I would encourage the deputy and colleagues to avail of this resource. I would like to take this opportunity to reiterate a number of points regarding An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na which I believe are important to emphasise. - Community policing is at the heart of An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na as it recognises that every community, either urban or rural, has its own concerns and expectations. The role of a community Garda is not a specialist role in An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na; rather it is the case that all Garda\u00ed have a role to play in community policing in carrying out their duties. The official categorisation of Community Garda simply refers to those who are exclusively assigned to building relationships with local communities and civil society including giving talks to schools, community groups and others. It is a matter for the Divisional Chief Superintendent to determine the optimum distribution of duties among the personnel available to him or her having regard to the profile of the area and its specific needs. - When appropriate, the work of local Garda\u00ed is supported by a number of Garda national units such as the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation, the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau and the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau. These national specialist units which form Garda Special Crime Operations are national units which support the work of the 28 Garda Divisions across the Country and are consequently not broken down by Division. Other examples of these include: the Special Detective Unit (SDU) which is responsible for the investigation of threats to state security and the monitoring of persons who pose a threat to the security of the State on both national and international fronts. The Unit also provides security for visiting VIPs, cash in transit movements and armed response and is the operational wing of the Witness Security Programme. The highly trained and equipped specialist intervention unit, the Emergency Response Unit (ERU) is also part of SDU. As the Deputy will appreciate, for security and operational reasons the strength of the SDU, ERU, Regional Support Units and the Special Tactics and Operational Command (STOC) Unit cannot be provided. - There are Garda\u00ed with specialist training in public order policing in each Division who are available to be called upon when required to police events with an increased risk of a public order incident occurring, such as, protests or large scale public events. The number of Garda\u00ed called upon is dependent on the nature of the event. As such there are no Garda\u00ed assigned to public order units on a full time basis. - Garda Juvenile Liaison Officers (JLOs) are specially trained to fulfil a key role in implementing the Garda Diversion Programme. Their role includes the administration of formal and informal cautions as well as appropriate supervision of children who have been admitted to the Diversion Programme, as provided in Part 4 of the Children Act 2001. This Government is committed to ensuring a strong and visible police presence throughout the country in order to maintain and strengthen community engagement, provide reassurance to citizens and to deter crime. To achieve this the Government has put in place a plan for an overall Garda workforce of 21,000 personnel by 2021 comprising 15,000 Garda members, 2,000 Reserve members and 4,000 civilians. We are making real, tangible progress on achieving this goal. Since the reopening of the Garda College in September 2014, almost 2,600 Garda recruits have been assigned to mainstream duties nationwide, including 200 trainees who passed out from the college on 8th March. I am pleased that funding is in place to maintain this high level of investment in the Garda workforce to ensure that the vision of an overall workforce of 21,000 by 2021 remains on track. The Government has increased the budget for An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na to \u20ac1.76 billion for 2019, which includes provision for the recruitment of up to 800 Garda\u00ed this year. The Commissioner has now informed me that he plans to recruit a total of 600 trainee Garda\u00ed in 2019 and 600 Garda Civilian Staff. This Garda Staff recruitment will allow the Commissioner to redeploy a further 500 fully trained Garda\u00ed from administrative duties to frontline policing in 2019. I believe that the injection of this large number of experienced officers into the field, along with the new recruits, will be really beneficial in terms of protecting communities. This and on-going recruitment will clearly provide the Commissioner with the resources needed to deploy increasing numbers of Garda\u00ed to deliver a visible effective and responsive policing service to communities across all Garda Divisions For the Deputy's information I have set out in the tables attached additional data in relation to the current strength of Garda national units, and in relation to numbers of community Garda\u00ed and juvenile liaison officers in the areas in question, which is currently not available on our website. Strength of Garda Special Crime Operations 31 January 2019 CR DC AC CS SU IN SG GD TOTAL Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau 0 0 0 0 4 4 16 87 111 Garda National Cyber Crime Bureau 0 0 0 0 1 1 5 21 28 Garda National Economic Crime Bureau (formerly Garda Bureau of Fraud Investigation) 0 0 0 1 1 3 11 47 63 Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigation 0 0 0 2 2 3 15 55 77 Garda National Protective Services Bureau 0 0 0 1 3 3 16 41 64 Garda National Technical Bureau 0 0 0 0 1 2 16 46 65 Criminal Assets Bureau 0 0 0 1 1 2 6 35 45 *As of 31 January 2019 Garda National Immigration Bureau 2009 - 2019* Year Garda Sergeant Inspector SU CS Total 2009 164 22 5 2 1 194 2010 154 19 5 2 1 181 2011 149 17 5 2 1 174 2012 134 15 5 2 1 157 2013 126 15 3 1 1 146 2014 120 12 3 1 1 137 2015 105 9 2 2 1 119 2016 99 9 4 2 1 115 2017 102 15 2 2 1 122 2018 96 12 4 2 1 115 2019 94 12 4 2 1 113 *As of 31 January 2019 Juvenile Liaison Officers Divisions 2009 - 2019* Division 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019* DMR North 12 11 11 11 12 13 13 13 12 12 12 DMR North Central 4 3 4 4 4 4 4 3 4 5 5 *As of 31 January 2019 Garda Strength Presented - Community Garda\u00ed - Total DMR North Division 31 January 2019 Year Community Garda\u00ed Total 2009 71 832 2010 76 803 2011 76 779 2012 86 744 2013 68 714 2014 57 681 2015 58 668 2016 53 676 2017 47 670 2018 51 715 2019* 50 714 Garda Strength Presented - Community Garda\u00ed - Total DMR North Central Division 31 January 2019 Year Community Garda\u00ed Total 2009 178 719 2010 159 693 2011 140 660 2012 143 654 2013 152 624 2014 139 607 2015 121 590 2016 110 612 2017 90 611 2018 83 655 2019* 84 670 Garda Bureau of Community Engagement 31 January 2019 Rank CR DC AC CS SU IN SG GD Total Total 0 0 0 1 3 3 16 3 26 *As of 31 January 2019 Garda National Operational Support Services 2009-2019* YEAR GD SG IN SU DC TOTAL 2009 57 7 1 1 0 66 2010 55 6 1 1 0 63 2011 53 10 1 0 0 64 2012 53 8 1 1 0 63 2013 53 7 1 1 0 62 2014 49 6 1 1 0 57 2015 47 6 1 1 1 56 2016 48 8 1 0 0 57 2017 62 10 3 1 0 76 2018 63 9 1 1 0 74 2019 63 9 1 1 0 74 *Up to 31 January 2019", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2019-03-26/pq_450", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2019-03-26/450/" }, { "date": "2019-07-23", "question_number": 717, "chamber": "32nd D\u00e1il", "topic": "Garda Deployment", "asked_by": "Imelda Munster", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "717. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of garda\u00ed attached to the immigration unit by rank in the Louth division in each of the years 2009 to 2018 and to date in 2019, in tabular form. [32333/19]", "answer": "Minister for Justice and Equality I propose to take Questions Nos. 701 to 704, inclusive, 706, 711, 713 to 717, inclusive, 719 to 723, inclusive, 741 to 744, inclusive, 746, 751 to 756, inclusive, 758 to 762, inclusive, 824 to 827, inclusive, 829, 834, 836 to 840, inclusive, 842 to 846, inclusive, 855 to 858, inclusive, 860, 865 to 871, inclusive, and 873 to 877, inclusive, together. As the Deputies will be aware, it is the Garda Commissioner who has responsibility for managing An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na, including personnel matters. Garda management keeps this distribution of resources under continual review in the context of crime trends and policing priorities so as to ensure that the optimum use is made of these resources. When appropriate, the work of local Garda\u00ed is supported by a number of Garda national units such as the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation, the National Immigration Bureau, the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau and the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau. These national specialist units which form Garda Special Crime Operations are national units which support the work of the 28 Garda Divisions across the Country and are consequently not broken down by Division. The Serious Crime Review Team also comes under this aegis. Other examples of these include: the Special Detective Unit (SDU) which is responsible for the investigation of threats to state security and the monitoring of persons who pose a threat to the security of the State on both national and international fronts. The Unit also provides security for visiting VIPs, cash in transit movements and armed response and is the operational wing of the Witness Security Programme. The highly trained and equipped specialist intervention unit, the Emergency Response Unit (ERU) is also part of SDU. As the Deputy will appreciate, for security and operational reasons the strength of the SDU, ERU, Regional Support Units and the Special Tactics and Operational Command (STOC) Unit cannot be provided. There are Garda\u00ed with specialist training in public order policing in each Division who are available to be called upon when required to police events with an increased risk of a public order incident occurring, such as, protests or large scale public events. The number of Garda\u00ed called upon is dependent on the nature of the event. As such there are no Garda\u00ed assigned to public order units on a full time basis. This Government is committed to ensuring a strong and visible police presence throughout the country in order to maintain and strengthen community engagement, provide reassurance to citizens and to deter crime. To achieve this the Government has put in place a plan for an overall Garda workforce of 21,000 personnel by 2021 comprising 15,000 Garda members, 2,000 Reserve members and 4,000 civilians. We are making real, tangible progress on achieving this goal. Since the reopening of the Garda College in September 2014, almost 2,800 recruits have attested as members of An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na and have been assigned to mainstream duties nationwide. I am pleased that funding is in place to maintain this high level of investment in the Garda workforce to ensure that the vision of an overall workforce of 21,000 by 2021 remains on track. The Government has increased the budget for An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na to \u20ac1.76 billion for 2019, which includes provision for the recruitment of up to 800 Garda\u00ed this year. The Commissioner has now informed me that he plans to recruit a total of 600 trainee Garda\u00ed in 2019 and 600 Garda Civilian Staff. This Garda Staff recruitment will allow the Commissioner to redeploy a further 500 fully trained Garda\u00ed from administrative duties to frontline policing in 2019. I believe that the injection of this large number of experienced officers into the field, along with the new recruits, will be really beneficial in terms of protecting communities. This and on-going recruitment will clearly provide the Commissioner with the resources needed to deploy increasing numbers of Garda\u00ed to deliver a visible effective and responsive policing service to communities across all Garda Divisions. For the information of the Deputies I have set out in the tables attached additional data in relation to the current strength of Garda national units which is currently not available on our website but will shortly be added. Strength of Garda Special Crime Operations 31 May 2019 CR DC AC CS SU IN SG GD TOTAL Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau 0 0 0 1 3 4 12 86 106 Garda National Cyber Crime Bureau 0 0 0 0 1 1 4 21 27 Garda National Economic Crime Bureau (formerly Garda Bureau of Fraud Investigation) 0 0 0 1 2 3 10 43 59 Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigation 0 0 0 1 4 5 12 52 74 Garda National Protective Services Bureau 0 0 0 1 3 2 16 40 64 Garda National Technical Bureau 0 0 0 0 1 2 15 46 64 Criminal Assets Bureau 0 0 0 1 1 2 6 34 44 *As of 31 May 2019 Garda National Immigration Bureau 2009 - 2019* Year Garda Sergeant Inspector SU CS Total 2009 164 22 5 2 1 194 2010 154 19 5 2 1 181 2011 149 17 5 2 1 174 2012 134 15 5 2 1 157 2013 126 15 3 1 1 146 2014 120 12 3 1 1 137 2015 105 9 2 2 1 119 2016 99 9 4 2 1 115 2017 102 15 2 2 1 122 2018 96 12 4 2 1 115 2019 93 13 4 2 1 113 *As of 31 May 2019 Garda National Operational Support Services 2009-2019* YEAR GD SG IN SU DC TOTAL 2009 57 7 1 1 0 66 2010 55 6 1 1 0 63 2011 53 10 1 0 0 64 2012 53 8 1 1 0 63 2013 53 7 1 1 0 62 2014 49 6 1 1 0 57 2015 47 6 1 1 1 56 2016 48 8 1 0 0 57 2017 62 10 3 1 0 76 2018 63 9 1 1 0 74 2019 62 9 1 1 0 73 *As of 31 May 2019", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2019-07-23/pq_717", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2019-07-23/717/" }, { "date": "2019-07-23", "question_number": 756, "chamber": "32nd D\u00e1il", "topic": "Garda Deployment", "asked_by": "Maurice Quinlivan", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "756. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of garda\u00ed attached to the immigration unit by rank in the Limerick division in each of the years 2009 to 2018 and to date in 2019, in tabular form. [32527/19]", "answer": "Minister for Justice and Equality I propose to take Questions Nos. 701 to 704, inclusive, 706, 711, 713 to 717, inclusive, 719 to 723, inclusive, 741 to 744, inclusive, 746, 751 to 756, inclusive, 758 to 762, inclusive, 824 to 827, inclusive, 829, 834, 836 to 840, inclusive, 842 to 846, inclusive, 855 to 858, inclusive, 860, 865 to 871, inclusive, and 873 to 877, inclusive, together. As the Deputies will be aware, it is the Garda Commissioner who has responsibility for managing An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na, including personnel matters. Garda management keeps this distribution of resources under continual review in the context of crime trends and policing priorities so as to ensure that the optimum use is made of these resources. When appropriate, the work of local Garda\u00ed is supported by a number of Garda national units such as the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation, the National Immigration Bureau, the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau and the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau. These national specialist units which form Garda Special Crime Operations are national units which support the work of the 28 Garda Divisions across the Country and are consequently not broken down by Division. The Serious Crime Review Team also comes under this aegis. Other examples of these include: the Special Detective Unit (SDU) which is responsible for the investigation of threats to state security and the monitoring of persons who pose a threat to the security of the State on both national and international fronts. The Unit also provides security for visiting VIPs, cash in transit movements and armed response and is the operational wing of the Witness Security Programme. The highly trained and equipped specialist intervention unit, the Emergency Response Unit (ERU) is also part of SDU. As the Deputy will appreciate, for security and operational reasons the strength of the SDU, ERU, Regional Support Units and the Special Tactics and Operational Command (STOC) Unit cannot be provided. There are Garda\u00ed with specialist training in public order policing in each Division who are available to be called upon when required to police events with an increased risk of a public order incident occurring, such as, protests or large scale public events. The number of Garda\u00ed called upon is dependent on the nature of the event. As such there are no Garda\u00ed assigned to public order units on a full time basis. This Government is committed to ensuring a strong and visible police presence throughout the country in order to maintain and strengthen community engagement, provide reassurance to citizens and to deter crime. To achieve this the Government has put in place a plan for an overall Garda workforce of 21,000 personnel by 2021 comprising 15,000 Garda members, 2,000 Reserve members and 4,000 civilians. We are making real, tangible progress on achieving this goal. Since the reopening of the Garda College in September 2014, almost 2,800 recruits have attested as members of An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na and have been assigned to mainstream duties nationwide. I am pleased that funding is in place to maintain this high level of investment in the Garda workforce to ensure that the vision of an overall workforce of 21,000 by 2021 remains on track. The Government has increased the budget for An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na to \u20ac1.76 billion for 2019, which includes provision for the recruitment of up to 800 Garda\u00ed this year. The Commissioner has now informed me that he plans to recruit a total of 600 trainee Garda\u00ed in 2019 and 600 Garda Civilian Staff. This Garda Staff recruitment will allow the Commissioner to redeploy a further 500 fully trained Garda\u00ed from administrative duties to frontline policing in 2019. I believe that the injection of this large number of experienced officers into the field, along with the new recruits, will be really beneficial in terms of protecting communities. This and on-going recruitment will clearly provide the Commissioner with the resources needed to deploy increasing numbers of Garda\u00ed to deliver a visible effective and responsive policing service to communities across all Garda Divisions. For the information of the Deputies I have set out in the tables attached additional data in relation to the current strength of Garda national units which is currently not available on our website but will shortly be added. Strength of Garda Special Crime Operations 31 May 2019 CR DC AC CS SU IN SG GD TOTAL Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau 0 0 0 1 3 4 12 86 106 Garda National Cyber Crime Bureau 0 0 0 0 1 1 4 21 27 Garda National Economic Crime Bureau (formerly Garda Bureau of Fraud Investigation) 0 0 0 1 2 3 10 43 59 Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigation 0 0 0 1 4 5 12 52 74 Garda National Protective Services Bureau 0 0 0 1 3 2 16 40 64 Garda National Technical Bureau 0 0 0 0 1 2 15 46 64 Criminal Assets Bureau 0 0 0 1 1 2 6 34 44 *As of 31 May 2019 Garda National Immigration Bureau 2009 - 2019* Year Garda Sergeant Inspector SU CS Total 2009 164 22 5 2 1 194 2010 154 19 5 2 1 181 2011 149 17 5 2 1 174 2012 134 15 5 2 1 157 2013 126 15 3 1 1 146 2014 120 12 3 1 1 137 2015 105 9 2 2 1 119 2016 99 9 4 2 1 115 2017 102 15 2 2 1 122 2018 96 12 4 2 1 115 2019 93 13 4 2 1 113 *As of 31 May 2019 Garda National Operational Support Services 2009-2019* YEAR GD SG IN SU DC TOTAL 2009 57 7 1 1 0 66 2010 55 6 1 1 0 63 2011 53 10 1 0 0 64 2012 53 8 1 1 0 63 2013 53 7 1 1 0 62 2014 49 6 1 1 0 57 2015 47 6 1 1 1 56 2016 48 8 1 0 0 57 2017 62 10 3 1 0 76 2018 63 9 1 1 0 74 2019 62 9 1 1 0 73 *As of 31 May 2019", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2019-07-23/pq_756", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2019-07-23/756/" }, { "date": "2019-07-23", "question_number": 840, "chamber": "32nd D\u00e1il", "topic": "Garda Deployment", "asked_by": "John Brady", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "840. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Justice and Equality he number of garda\u00ed attached to the immigration unit by rank in the Wicklow division in each of the years 2009 to 2018 and to date in 2019, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33014/19]", "answer": "Minister for Justice and Equality I propose to take Questions Nos. 701 to 704, inclusive, 706, 711, 713 to 717, inclusive, 719 to 723, inclusive, 741 to 744, inclusive, 746, 751 to 756, inclusive, 758 to 762, inclusive, 824 to 827, inclusive, 829, 834, 836 to 840, inclusive, 842 to 846, inclusive, 855 to 858, inclusive, 860, 865 to 871, inclusive, and 873 to 877, inclusive, together. As the Deputies will be aware, it is the Garda Commissioner who has responsibility for managing An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na, including personnel matters. Garda management keeps this distribution of resources under continual review in the context of crime trends and policing priorities so as to ensure that the optimum use is made of these resources. When appropriate, the work of local Garda\u00ed is supported by a number of Garda national units such as the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation, the National Immigration Bureau, the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau and the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau. These national specialist units which form Garda Special Crime Operations are national units which support the work of the 28 Garda Divisions across the Country and are consequently not broken down by Division. The Serious Crime Review Team also comes under this aegis. Other examples of these include: the Special Detective Unit (SDU) which is responsible for the investigation of threats to state security and the monitoring of persons who pose a threat to the security of the State on both national and international fronts. The Unit also provides security for visiting VIPs, cash in transit movements and armed response and is the operational wing of the Witness Security Programme. The highly trained and equipped specialist intervention unit, the Emergency Response Unit (ERU) is also part of SDU. As the Deputy will appreciate, for security and operational reasons the strength of the SDU, ERU, Regional Support Units and the Special Tactics and Operational Command (STOC) Unit cannot be provided. There are Garda\u00ed with specialist training in public order policing in each Division who are available to be called upon when required to police events with an increased risk of a public order incident occurring, such as, protests or large scale public events. The number of Garda\u00ed called upon is dependent on the nature of the event. As such there are no Garda\u00ed assigned to public order units on a full time basis. This Government is committed to ensuring a strong and visible police presence throughout the country in order to maintain and strengthen community engagement, provide reassurance to citizens and to deter crime. To achieve this the Government has put in place a plan for an overall Garda workforce of 21,000 personnel by 2021 comprising 15,000 Garda members, 2,000 Reserve members and 4,000 civilians. We are making real, tangible progress on achieving this goal. Since the reopening of the Garda College in September 2014, almost 2,800 recruits have attested as members of An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na and have been assigned to mainstream duties nationwide. I am pleased that funding is in place to maintain this high level of investment in the Garda workforce to ensure that the vision of an overall workforce of 21,000 by 2021 remains on track. The Government has increased the budget for An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na to \u20ac1.76 billion for 2019, which includes provision for the recruitment of up to 800 Garda\u00ed this year. The Commissioner has now informed me that he plans to recruit a total of 600 trainee Garda\u00ed in 2019 and 600 Garda Civilian Staff. This Garda Staff recruitment will allow the Commissioner to redeploy a further 500 fully trained Garda\u00ed from administrative duties to frontline policing in 2019. I believe that the injection of this large number of experienced officers into the field, along with the new recruits, will be really beneficial in terms of protecting communities. This and on-going recruitment will clearly provide the Commissioner with the resources needed to deploy increasing numbers of Garda\u00ed to deliver a visible effective and responsive policing service to communities across all Garda Divisions. For the information of the Deputies I have set out in the tables attached additional data in relation to the current strength of Garda national units which is currently not available on our website but will shortly be added. Strength of Garda Special Crime Operations 31 May 2019 CR DC AC CS SU IN SG GD TOTAL Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau 0 0 0 1 3 4 12 86 106 Garda National Cyber Crime Bureau 0 0 0 0 1 1 4 21 27 Garda National Economic Crime Bureau (formerly Garda Bureau of Fraud Investigation) 0 0 0 1 2 3 10 43 59 Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigation 0 0 0 1 4 5 12 52 74 Garda National Protective Services Bureau 0 0 0 1 3 2 16 40 64 Garda National Technical Bureau 0 0 0 0 1 2 15 46 64 Criminal Assets Bureau 0 0 0 1 1 2 6 34 44 *As of 31 May 2019 Garda National Immigration Bureau 2009 - 2019* Year Garda Sergeant Inspector SU CS Total 2009 164 22 5 2 1 194 2010 154 19 5 2 1 181 2011 149 17 5 2 1 174 2012 134 15 5 2 1 157 2013 126 15 3 1 1 146 2014 120 12 3 1 1 137 2015 105 9 2 2 1 119 2016 99 9 4 2 1 115 2017 102 15 2 2 1 122 2018 96 12 4 2 1 115 2019 93 13 4 2 1 113 *As of 31 May 2019 Garda National Operational Support Services 2009-2019* YEAR GD SG IN SU DC TOTAL 2009 57 7 1 1 0 66 2010 55 6 1 1 0 63 2011 53 10 1 0 0 64 2012 53 8 1 1 0 63 2013 53 7 1 1 0 62 2014 49 6 1 1 0 57 2015 47 6 1 1 1 56 2016 48 8 1 0 0 57 2017 62 10 3 1 0 76 2018 63 9 1 1 0 74 2019 62 9 1 1 0 73 *As of 31 May 2019", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2019-07-23/pq_840", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2019-07-23/840/" }, { "date": "2019-07-23", "question_number": 871, "chamber": "32nd D\u00e1il", "topic": "Garda Deployment", "asked_by": "Aengus \u00d3 Snodaigh", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "871. Deputy Aengus \u00d3 Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of garda\u00ed attached to the immigration unit by rank in the Dublin metro south central division in each of the years 2009 to 2018 and to date in 2019, in tabular form. [33045/19]", "answer": "Minister for Justice and Equality I propose to take Questions Nos. 701 to 704, inclusive, 706, 711, 713 to 717, inclusive, 719 to 723, inclusive, 741 to 744, inclusive, 746, 751 to 756, inclusive, 758 to 762, inclusive, 824 to 827, inclusive, 829, 834, 836 to 840, inclusive, 842 to 846, inclusive, 855 to 858, inclusive, 860, 865 to 871, inclusive, and 873 to 877, inclusive, together. As the Deputies will be aware, it is the Garda Commissioner who has responsibility for managing An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na, including personnel matters. Garda management keeps this distribution of resources under continual review in the context of crime trends and policing priorities so as to ensure that the optimum use is made of these resources. When appropriate, the work of local Garda\u00ed is supported by a number of Garda national units such as the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation, the National Immigration Bureau, the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau and the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau. These national specialist units which form Garda Special Crime Operations are national units which support the work of the 28 Garda Divisions across the Country and are consequently not broken down by Division. The Serious Crime Review Team also comes under this aegis. Other examples of these include: the Special Detective Unit (SDU) which is responsible for the investigation of threats to state security and the monitoring of persons who pose a threat to the security of the State on both national and international fronts. The Unit also provides security for visiting VIPs, cash in transit movements and armed response and is the operational wing of the Witness Security Programme. The highly trained and equipped specialist intervention unit, the Emergency Response Unit (ERU) is also part of SDU. As the Deputy will appreciate, for security and operational reasons the strength of the SDU, ERU, Regional Support Units and the Special Tactics and Operational Command (STOC) Unit cannot be provided. There are Garda\u00ed with specialist training in public order policing in each Division who are available to be called upon when required to police events with an increased risk of a public order incident occurring, such as, protests or large scale public events. The number of Garda\u00ed called upon is dependent on the nature of the event. As such there are no Garda\u00ed assigned to public order units on a full time basis. This Government is committed to ensuring a strong and visible police presence throughout the country in order to maintain and strengthen community engagement, provide reassurance to citizens and to deter crime. To achieve this the Government has put in place a plan for an overall Garda workforce of 21,000 personnel by 2021 comprising 15,000 Garda members, 2,000 Reserve members and 4,000 civilians. We are making real, tangible progress on achieving this goal. Since the reopening of the Garda College in September 2014, almost 2,800 recruits have attested as members of An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na and have been assigned to mainstream duties nationwide. I am pleased that funding is in place to maintain this high level of investment in the Garda workforce to ensure that the vision of an overall workforce of 21,000 by 2021 remains on track. The Government has increased the budget for An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na to \u20ac1.76 billion for 2019, which includes provision for the recruitment of up to 800 Garda\u00ed this year. The Commissioner has now informed me that he plans to recruit a total of 600 trainee Garda\u00ed in 2019 and 600 Garda Civilian Staff. This Garda Staff recruitment will allow the Commissioner to redeploy a further 500 fully trained Garda\u00ed from administrative duties to frontline policing in 2019. I believe that the injection of this large number of experienced officers into the field, along with the new recruits, will be really beneficial in terms of protecting communities. This and on-going recruitment will clearly provide the Commissioner with the resources needed to deploy increasing numbers of Garda\u00ed to deliver a visible effective and responsive policing service to communities across all Garda Divisions. For the information of the Deputies I have set out in the tables attached additional data in relation to the current strength of Garda national units which is currently not available on our website but will shortly be added. Strength of Garda Special Crime Operations 31 May 2019 CR DC AC CS SU IN SG GD TOTAL Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau 0 0 0 1 3 4 12 86 106 Garda National Cyber Crime Bureau 0 0 0 0 1 1 4 21 27 Garda National Economic Crime Bureau (formerly Garda Bureau of Fraud Investigation) 0 0 0 1 2 3 10 43 59 Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigation 0 0 0 1 4 5 12 52 74 Garda National Protective Services Bureau 0 0 0 1 3 2 16 40 64 Garda National Technical Bureau 0 0 0 0 1 2 15 46 64 Criminal Assets Bureau 0 0 0 1 1 2 6 34 44 *As of 31 May 2019 Garda National Immigration Bureau 2009 - 2019* Year Garda Sergeant Inspector SU CS Total 2009 164 22 5 2 1 194 2010 154 19 5 2 1 181 2011 149 17 5 2 1 174 2012 134 15 5 2 1 157 2013 126 15 3 1 1 146 2014 120 12 3 1 1 137 2015 105 9 2 2 1 119 2016 99 9 4 2 1 115 2017 102 15 2 2 1 122 2018 96 12 4 2 1 115 2019 93 13 4 2 1 113 *As of 31 May 2019 Garda National Operational Support Services 2009-2019* YEAR GD SG IN SU DC TOTAL 2009 57 7 1 1 0 66 2010 55 6 1 1 0 63 2011 53 10 1 0 0 64 2012 53 8 1 1 0 63 2013 53 7 1 1 0 62 2014 49 6 1 1 0 57 2015 47 6 1 1 1 56 2016 48 8 1 0 0 57 2017 62 10 3 1 0 76 2018 63 9 1 1 0 74 2019 62 9 1 1 0 73 *As of 31 May 2019", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2019-07-23/pq_871", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2019-07-23/871/" }, { "date": "2020-06-09", "question_number": 241, "chamber": "33rd D\u00e1il", "topic": "Immigration Data", "asked_by": "\u00c9amon \u00d3 Cu\u00edv", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "241. Deputy \u00c9amon \u00d3 Cu\u00edv asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of applications by asylum seekers given a final decision on their cases in each year since 2010; the number of these applications that resulted in refugee status being granted; the number of cases that resulted in subsidiary protection being granted; the number that resulted in humanitarian leave to remain being granted; the number refused; the number of persons deported; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10224/20]", "answer": "Minister for Justice and Equality Since the commencement of the International Protection Act 2015 on 31 December 2016, a single application procedure applies where all aspects of a person's application (refugee status, subsidiary protection status and permission to remain) are examined and determined in one process. Prior to this, the three strands were examined sequentially and this could lead to long delays in obtaining a final decision. Upon the commencement of the 2015 Act, approximately 3,500 legacy cases were carried over to be dealt with under the new single application procedure (1,500 of these cases were from the former Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner and 2,000 from the former Refugee Appeals Tribunal). A further 500 cases transitioned in the months following commencement. These cases would have been the longest in the system at the commencement of the Act. The International Protection Office (IPO) committed to scheduling these legacy cases for interview by the end of 2018 and for completion by the end of Q2 2019, where possible. The IPO achieved the first part of this commitment in 2018 by scheduling all transition cases for interview, where it was possible to do so. The vast majority of the legacy cases have now been processed to completion in the IPO, and the focus is now on post commencement single procedure cases. Some legacy cases will continue to be dealt with. These include transition applicants who had not co-operated up to this point but who are now re-engaging with the process and applicants who have come back into the process through Judicial Review. These cases are prioritised and scheduled for interview at the earliest possible opportunity and are processed accordingly. I append a number of tables providing the details requested by the Deputy on the number of applications by asylum seekers or International Protection applicants, as they are now known, who received a final decision on their cases by the Ministerial Decisions Unit in each year since 2010 . Year of Decision Total Decisions 2010 3,705* 2011 1,815* 2012 1,021* 2013 965* 2014 2,032 2015 2,804 2016 2,766 2017 1,191 2018 1,603 2019 2,872 2020 693 Grand Total 21,467 * These figures were collated from the Department's AISIP database. However, Subsidiary Protection figures for 2010 to 2013 were not included on that database and were therefore compiled under a different process for which an annual breakdown is not available. Therefore a further 92 cases granted Subsidiary Protection between 2010 and 2013 must be added to the grand total for the period from 2010 to date, giving an overall total of 21,559. The following table sets out the number of these applications that resulted in refugee status (RS) being granted, the number of cases that resulted in subsidiary protection (SP) being granted and the number that resulted in humanitarian leave to remain (PTR) being granted. Grants by year and grant type Type of grant Year Decision RS Grant SP Grant PTR Review Grant Grand Total 2010 159 # 159 2011 132 # 132 2012 93 # 93 2013 195 # 195 2014 212 270 482 2015 325 231 556 2016 590 137 727 2017 685 106 791 2018 828 224 29 1081 2019 947 168 169 1284 2020 257 68 48 373 Grand Total 4,423 1,204# 246 5,873# # As noted above, 92 Subsidiary Protection permissions were granted in the period between 2010 and 2013 which were recorded on Repatriation systems rather than on the AISIP database. An annual breakdown of the total for those years is not available. However, including those grants, the total number of Subsidiary Protection grants for the period from 2010 to date would come to 1,296 and the overall total for the period would come to 5,965. The table below sets out the various categories of refusal, including those deemed refused due to withdrawal by the applicants or deemed withdrawn due to lack of response from the applicant. Refusal by year and refusal type Type of Refusal YearDecision PTR Review Refusal Refuse All RS Deemed Withdrawn RS Refusal RS Refused-Withdrawn SP Deemed Withdrawn SP Refusal SP Refused-Withdrawn Grand Total 2010 3,546 728 4,274 2011 1,683 1,161 2,844 2012 926 2 681 1,609 2013 768 2 40 810 2014 7 431 71 447 104 490 1,550 2015 8 610 266 481 571 312 2,248 2016 21 941 347 229 454 47 2,039 2017 7 61 6 323 3 400 2018 299 116 52 55 522 2019 533 924 59 71 1 1,588 2020 178 126 6 10 320 Grand total 1,010 1,173 36 9,083 688 1,163 4,198 853 18,204 * Refuse All figures are applications under the IP Act 2015 (single procedure) that were not appealed to the IPAT and a decision issued from the Ministerial Decisions Unit. The decision is a refusal by the Ministerial Decisions unit of both Refugee Status (RS) and Subsidiary Protection (SP) only. *PTR Review Refusal are applications that were refused Refugee Status (RS) and Subsidiary Protection (SP) and post appeal to the IPAT were also refused Permission to Remain(PTR) by the Ministerial Decisions Unit. *SP Refusals and RS Refusals are refusals that were not made under the single procedure but were either legacy cases under the Refugee Act 1996 or cases processed under the transitional provisions of the IP Act 2015. The table below sets out the number of Deportations* Year Deported Total Deported 2010 343 2011 280 2012 302 2013 209 2014 114 2015 251 2016 428 2017 140 2018 163 2019 298 2020 (up to 04.06.2020) 87 Total 2615 *The figures above are for effected deportations, i.e,. it includes those deported and those deemed to be deported, who left the state themselves having received a deportation order. Since the International Protection Act 2015 (the 2015 Act) commenced on 31 December 2016, the International Protection Office has carried out the function of considering Permission to Remain (under section 49 of the 2015 Act). Permission to Remain decisions Year Grant Refusal 2020 (to end April) 42 618 2019 266 2,083 2018 198 1,833 2017 66 618", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2020-06-09/pq_241", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2020-06-09/241/" }, { "date": "2020-12-01", "question_number": 591, "chamber": "33rd D\u00e1il", "topic": "Citizenship Applications", "asked_by": "Peadar T\u00f3ib\u00edn", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "591. Deputy Peadar T\u00f3ib\u00edn asked the Minister for Justice the number of citizenship certificates granted by the State in each of the past 20 years. [39877/20]", "answer": "Minister for Justice I propose to take Questions Nos. 591 to 593, inclusive, together. Entitlement to Irish citizenship is governed by the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended. The Act distinguishes between the entitlement to citizenship by birth and descent and to the acquisition of citizenship through the naturalisation process. Following a referendum of the Irish people, the 27th amendment to the Constitution changed the situation in relation to entitlement to Irish Citizenship. As a result, Section 6 of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956 was amended by the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act, 2004. The changes came into effect on 1 January 2005. As of that date, a person born in the island of Ireland is not entitled to be an Irish citizen, unless that person's parents have been legally resident in the island of Ireland for a total of three years during the four years preceding that person's birth. The parent of a child who meets these requirements can apply directly to the Department of Foreign Affairs for an Irish passport and therefore does not require a naturalisation certificate. It is open to the parent, guardian or person who is in loco parentis to the child to lodge an application for naturalisation on behalf of the child if and when the conditions for naturalisation are satisfied, including a requirement to have a total of 5 years residence in the State. This ensures that there is a pathway to obtaining Irish citizenship through the naturalisation process for those children. No applications for citizenship were granted to children born in the State during the period 2000 to 2010 because prior to 2005, a child born in the State had an automatic entitlement to Irish citizenship and thereafter they must have 5 years residence before making an application. Table 1 below sets out the certificates granted since 2010 to minors born in the State who did not at birth have an entitlement to Irish citizenship. Table 1 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 (to date) Minor born in State post 1 Jan 2005 331 485 191 72 102 53 76 42 4 Some or all of the conditions for naturalisation may be waived where the applicant is a naturalised Irish citizen acting on behalf of their minor child. Last year, 94% of certificates issued in respect of minors were cases where the parent was a naturalised Irish citizen. Table 2 below sets out the certificates granted since 2000 in respect of all minors under the age of 18. Table 2 Year Certificates Issued to minors (under the age of 18) 2000 24 2001 86 2002 200 2003 370 2004 299 2005 354 2006 159 2007 433 2008 693 2009 791 2010 1,389 2011 945 2012 5,219 2013 6,354 2014 6,130 2015 2,601 2016 2,090 2017 1,406 2018 1,262 2019 900 2020 (to date) 485 Total 30,880 Table 3 below sets out the number of citizenship certificates granted by the State in each of the past 20 years. Table 3 Year Certificates issued 1999 1,433 2000 1,143 2001 2,817 2002 2,817 2003 3,993 2004 3,784 2005 4,079 2006 5,763 2007 4,649 2008 3,245 2009 4,533 2010 6,387 2011 10,749 2012 25,039 2013 24,263 2014 21,104 2015 13,565 2016 10,038 2017 8,195 2018 8,223 2019 5,790 2020 (to date) 5,481 Total 177,090", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2020-12-01/pq_591", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2020-12-01/591/" }, { "date": "2020-12-01", "question_number": 592, "chamber": "33rd D\u00e1il", "topic": "Citizenship Applications", "asked_by": "Peadar T\u00f3ib\u00edn", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "592. Deputy Peadar T\u00f3ib\u00edn asked the Minister for Justice the number of citizenship certificates granted by the State to persons on the grounds that they were born in Ireland in each of the years between 2000 and 2010. [39878/20]", "answer": "Minister for Justice I propose to take Questions Nos. 591 to 593, inclusive, together. Entitlement to Irish citizenship is governed by the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended. The Act distinguishes between the entitlement to citizenship by birth and descent and to the acquisition of citizenship through the naturalisation process. Following a referendum of the Irish people, the 27th amendment to the Constitution changed the situation in relation to entitlement to Irish Citizenship. As a result, Section 6 of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956 was amended by the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act, 2004. The changes came into effect on 1 January 2005. As of that date, a person born in the island of Ireland is not entitled to be an Irish citizen, unless that person's parents have been legally resident in the island of Ireland for a total of three years during the four years preceding that person's birth. The parent of a child who meets these requirements can apply directly to the Department of Foreign Affairs for an Irish passport and therefore does not require a naturalisation certificate. It is open to the parent, guardian or person who is in loco parentis to the child to lodge an application for naturalisation on behalf of the child if and when the conditions for naturalisation are satisfied, including a requirement to have a total of 5 years residence in the State. This ensures that there is a pathway to obtaining Irish citizenship through the naturalisation process for those children. No applications for citizenship were granted to children born in the State during the period 2000 to 2010 because prior to 2005, a child born in the State had an automatic entitlement to Irish citizenship and thereafter they must have 5 years residence before making an application. Table 1 below sets out the certificates granted since 2010 to minors born in the State who did not at birth have an entitlement to Irish citizenship. Table 1 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 (to date) Minor born in State post 1 Jan 2005 331 485 191 72 102 53 76 42 4 Some or all of the conditions for naturalisation may be waived where the applicant is a naturalised Irish citizen acting on behalf of their minor child. Last year, 94% of certificates issued in respect of minors were cases where the parent was a naturalised Irish citizen. Table 2 below sets out the certificates granted since 2000 in respect of all minors under the age of 18. Table 2 Year Certificates Issued to minors (under the age of 18) 2000 24 2001 86 2002 200 2003 370 2004 299 2005 354 2006 159 2007 433 2008 693 2009 791 2010 1,389 2011 945 2012 5,219 2013 6,354 2014 6,130 2015 2,601 2016 2,090 2017 1,406 2018 1,262 2019 900 2020 (to date) 485 Total 30,880 Table 3 below sets out the number of citizenship certificates granted by the State in each of the past 20 years. Table 3 Year Certificates issued 1999 1,433 2000 1,143 2001 2,817 2002 2,817 2003 3,993 2004 3,784 2005 4,079 2006 5,763 2007 4,649 2008 3,245 2009 4,533 2010 6,387 2011 10,749 2012 25,039 2013 24,263 2014 21,104 2015 13,565 2016 10,038 2017 8,195 2018 8,223 2019 5,790 2020 (to date) 5,481 Total 177,090", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2020-12-01/pq_592", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2020-12-01/592/" }, { "date": "2020-12-01", "question_number": 593, "chamber": "33rd D\u00e1il", "topic": "Citizenship Applications", "asked_by": "Peadar T\u00f3ib\u00edn", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "593. Deputy Peadar T\u00f3ib\u00edn asked the Minister for Justice the number of citizenship certificates granted by the State to children in each of the years between 2000 and 2010. [39879/20]", "answer": "Minister for Justice I propose to take Questions Nos. 591 to 593, inclusive, together. Entitlement to Irish citizenship is governed by the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended. The Act distinguishes between the entitlement to citizenship by birth and descent and to the acquisition of citizenship through the naturalisation process. Following a referendum of the Irish people, the 27th amendment to the Constitution changed the situation in relation to entitlement to Irish Citizenship. As a result, Section 6 of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956 was amended by the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act, 2004. The changes came into effect on 1 January 2005. As of that date, a person born in the island of Ireland is not entitled to be an Irish citizen, unless that person's parents have been legally resident in the island of Ireland for a total of three years during the four years preceding that person's birth. The parent of a child who meets these requirements can apply directly to the Department of Foreign Affairs for an Irish passport and therefore does not require a naturalisation certificate. It is open to the parent, guardian or person who is in loco parentis to the child to lodge an application for naturalisation on behalf of the child if and when the conditions for naturalisation are satisfied, including a requirement to have a total of 5 years residence in the State. This ensures that there is a pathway to obtaining Irish citizenship through the naturalisation process for those children. No applications for citizenship were granted to children born in the State during the period 2000 to 2010 because prior to 2005, a child born in the State had an automatic entitlement to Irish citizenship and thereafter they must have 5 years residence before making an application. Table 1 below sets out the certificates granted since 2010 to minors born in the State who did not at birth have an entitlement to Irish citizenship. Table 1 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 (to date) Minor born in State post 1 Jan 2005 331 485 191 72 102 53 76 42 4 Some or all of the conditions for naturalisation may be waived where the applicant is a naturalised Irish citizen acting on behalf of their minor child. Last year, 94% of certificates issued in respect of minors were cases where the parent was a naturalised Irish citizen. Table 2 below sets out the certificates granted since 2000 in respect of all minors under the age of 18. Table 2 Year Certificates Issued to minors (under the age of 18) 2000 24 2001 86 2002 200 2003 370 2004 299 2005 354 2006 159 2007 433 2008 693 2009 791 2010 1,389 2011 945 2012 5,219 2013 6,354 2014 6,130 2015 2,601 2016 2,090 2017 1,406 2018 1,262 2019 900 2020 (to date) 485 Total 30,880 Table 3 below sets out the number of citizenship certificates granted by the State in each of the past 20 years. Table 3 Year Certificates issued 1999 1,433 2000 1,143 2001 2,817 2002 2,817 2003 3,993 2004 3,784 2005 4,079 2006 5,763 2007 4,649 2008 3,245 2009 4,533 2010 6,387 2011 10,749 2012 25,039 2013 24,263 2014 21,104 2015 13,565 2016 10,038 2017 8,195 2018 8,223 2019 5,790 2020 (to date) 5,481 Total 177,090", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2020-12-01/pq_593", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2020-12-01/593/" }, { "date": "2023-02-22", "question_number": 204, "chamber": "33rd D\u00e1il", "topic": "Departmental Schemes", "asked_by": "P\u00e1draig O'Sullivan", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "204. Deputy P\u00e1draig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Justice the number of applications received and the number of approvals issued on an annual basis since its inception in respect of the immigrant investor programme, under each investment fund; the total investment under each fund, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9183/23]", "answer": "Minister for Justice As the Deputy is aware, I obtained approval from the Government to close the Immigrant Investor Programme (IIP) to further applications from 15 February 2023. The Immigrant Investor Programme was established over a decade ago during a time of unprecedented economic difficulty to stimulate investment in Ireland that would be of strategic and public benefit to the State. Since its inception, the Programme has brought significant investment to Ireland and has been operated by the Department of Justice to the highest professional standards. The IIP Unit has published a FAQ on my Department's website, which will be updated with any further arising questions from the closure, and is available here: www.irishimmigration.ie/faqs-closure-of-the-immigrant-investor-programme-iip/ All IIP applications were examined in great detail by an Independent Evaluation Committee comprising key officials from my Department, the Department of Finance, the Department of Foreign Affairs, Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland who have appropriate corporate expertise in this area. This examination process involves an assessment of the commercial viability of the project; employment outcomes associated with the proposed investment; and the overall benefit to the Irish State. My Department does not currently publish the details of individual approved IIP investments. The tables below provides a breakdown of IIP applications received, approved and the value of investments since the inception of the programme. Year Applications received Approved applications Value of Approved Investment 2012 5 2 1,500,000 2013 18 16 12,200,000 2014 30 5 2,950,000 2015 75 70 38,300,000 2016 334 33 18,750,000 2017 324 369 250,700,000 2018 423 155 138,750,000 2019 443 237 209,300,000 2020 339 270 188,000,000 2021 258 264 185,700,000 2022 1316 306 205,900,000 TOTAL 3565 1727 1,252,050,000 *Approvals issued in any year may relate to applications which were received in previous years due to the time taken to process applications. Investment Type Total Applications Approved Total Value of Investment Enterprise 876 740,200,000 Investment Fund 243 225,000,000 REIT 6 12,000,000 Endowment 546 220,900,000 *Bond & Mixed Investment 56 53,950,000 TOTAL 1,727 1,252,050,000 *The Bond and mixed Investment options were suspended in 2016", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2023-02-22/pq_204", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2023-02-22/204/" }, { "date": "2023-11-22", "question_number": 118, "chamber": "33rd D\u00e1il", "topic": "International Protection", "asked_by": "Pa Daly", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "118. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Justice the dedicated staffing and financial allocations of each of the decision-making divisions/bodies in the international protection process in each of the years 2013 to 2022 and to date in 2023, in tabular form. [51348/23]", "answer": "Minister for Justice A breakdown of headcount in functions involved in processing international protection applications from 2015 to 2023 up to 8 November 2023 is set out in the table below. Statistics before 2015 are not easily available in the manner sought as data would have to be extracted from a number of legacy systems. - 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023* The International Protection Office (IPO) (Formally the Office of Refugee Applications Commissioner) 88 124 140 144 143 148 180 212 389 International Protection Appeals Tribunal (IPAT) (formally the Refugee Appeals Tribunal) 37 40 44 48 50 47 52 47 63 *As of 8 November 2023. Please note all data provided is correct at time of issue and may be subject to data cleansing. In addition to staff, the IPO appoint appropriately qualified panel members to carry out a range of duties including carrying out interviews with applicants and producing reports detailing an applicant\u2019s case for consideration by IPO staff. Following a comprehensive recruitment programme, the number of IPO panel members is on target to reach 160 by year end (December 2022: 72). In IPAT, full and part-time Tribunal Members consider appeals and make decisions in respect of appeals. There are 66 Tribunal Members (December 2022: 47). In 2020 the Department of Justice implemented a transformation programme. As a result the costs from 2020 onward that are related to the international protection process are not directly comparable with the costs incurred prior to that point, as a number of expenditure areas were restructured as core departmental functions. The table below details data on financial allocations to the International Protection Office (IPO) and the International Protection Appeals Tribunal (IPAT) since 2013. Year IPO IPAT Total \u20ac000's \u20ac000's \u20ac000's 2013 4,594 3,980 8,574 2014 5,626 4,673 10,299 2015 6,095 3,902 9,996 2016 6,930 4,880 11,810 2017 7,159 3,793 10,951 2018 8,372 3,707 12,078 2019 10,314 4,243 14,557 2020 8,155 3,305 11,460 2021 8,204 3,370 11,574 2022 11,864 3,254 15,118 YTD SEP 2023 15,392 2,699 18,091 Notes: As part of the 2020 transformation programme IPO salary costs were included in Immigration Service Delivery salaries and an estimated adjustment has been made to include those values. All data provided is correct at time of issue and may be subject to data cleansing. The Deputy may also wish to know that the Department\u2019s website provides a detailed overview of the International Protection process in Ireland as well as monthly statistics and metrics on the processing of international protection applications. These can be accessed at: www.gov.ie/en/campaigns/304ba-international-protection/ . www.gov.ie/en/collection/48a28-international-protection-in-numbers /.", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2023-11-22/pq_118", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2023-11-22/118/" }, { "date": "2024-10-16", "question_number": 188, "chamber": "33rd D\u00e1il", "topic": "International Protection", "asked_by": "Peadar T\u00f3ib\u00edn", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "188. Deputy Peadar T\u00f3ib\u00edn asked the Minister for Justice the number of persons that have sought international protection/asylum in the State in each of the past ten years and to date in 2024; if a breakdown can be provided on the number who were successful or unsuccessful in their applications, and the number for whom a final determination has not yet been made on their application, in tabular form. [41860/24]", "answer": "Minister for Justice I can assure the Deputy that I am fully committed to ensuring that Ireland\u2019s International Protection system is robust and rules based, and that our borders are protected. I have significantly increased investment into the international protection system. I have implemented measures to improve efficiencies and throughput while also enhancing the application, interview, and decision-making process for applicants. One of the priority areas of focus has been to recruit both civil servants and panel members to increase case processing. The IPO now has 545 staff, an increase of 157% over 2022. In addition, there are currently 208 Panel Members contracted by the IPO, an increase of 124% over 2022 figures. Budget 2025 has provided an additional \u20ac25m package for end-to-end investment in the immigration system which will enable approximately 400 further staff to be recruited for roles across this process. This will support reaching key targets, including the IPO making 25,000 first instance decisions in 2025 compared to over 14,000 cases in 2024. Please note that although the Deputy has asked for figures from 2014 onwards, statistics pre-2017 are not readily available in the manner sought, as data would have to be extracted from a number of legacy systems. With the introduction of the International Protection Act in 2016 and the creation of the International Protection Office, a new database allows for easier collation of data in more recent years therefore we have provided figures from 2017 onwards only. The table below details the number of International Protection applications received from 2017 to 10 October 2024. 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 Applications 2,920 3,674 4,782 1,566 2,648 13,642 13,266 16,034 Of the cases with the International Protection Office 70.5% of cases are pending less than 1 year and 95.5% of cases are pending less than 2 years. The table below details the number of determinations made since 2017. It is important to note that there is no correlation between year of application and the year a decision is issued. First instance decisions 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 Total Refusal 830 1,737 2,067 1,429 778 866 5,144 6,458 19,309 Refugee status grant 672 679 708 439 859 1,390 2,469 2,609 9,825 Subsidiary protection grant 79 197 136 83 74 69 237 247 1,122 Permission to remain grant 65 204 271 203 588 2,078 530 235 4,174 Inadmissible 9 39 32 10 2 72 150 438 752 Withdrawal 126 117 220 99 164 491 360 372 1,949 *as of cob 10th October - figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing. The grant rate over this period was 40.72%", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2024-10-16/pq_188", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2024-10-16/188/" }, { "date": "2025-07-29", "question_number": 1936, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "Missing Persons", "asked_by": "Peadar T\u00f3ib\u00edn", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "1936. Deputy Peadar T\u00f3ib\u00edn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of persons reported missing in each of the past ten years and to date in 2025; the number of whom are children, by county. [41132/25]", "answer": "Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration I propose to take Questions Nos. 1936 and 1937 together. I am deeply conscious of the ongoing distress for the families and friends of people who go missing. The disappearance of any person is traumatic for their family and friends. My Department is committed to working with all relevant State bodies to help more families find their missing relatives. My Department hosts a ceremony to mark Ireland\u2019s National Missing Persons Day, an annual day of commemoration that takes place in December each year. The objective of National Missing Persons Day is to commemorate all those who have gone missing and recognise the lasting trauma for their families and friends. National Missing Persons Day also draws attention to open or unsolved missing persons cases, and creates an opportunity to provide information on available support services. I am advised by Garda authorities that the tables below provide the most up to date information on the number of persons reported missing in each of the past ten years and to date in 2025; the number of whom are children by Garda Division; and the number of active missing persons cases by Garda Division. Data is valid as of 17 July 2025, is operational and subject to change. The 2025 figure is from 1 January 2025 to 17 July 2025. Missing Person Reports Year Unique Incident Count 2025 6139 2024 11092 2023 11891 2022 10513 2021 9603 2020 8493 2019 9506 2018 9695 2017 9403 2016 9754 2015 9898 Missing Person Reports who are children Division 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 Clare/ Tipperary 251 294 157 157 169 87 91 68 132 134 58 Cork City 618 611 469 401 436 495 569 394 599 393 355 Cork County 264 287 227 282 278 157 237 208 189 153 84 DMR East 282 415 317 369 480 236 365 352 525 346 163 DMR North Central 831 1087 856 1156 1105 1444 1032 787 936 1278 631 DMR North 838 705 773 774 753 636 1033 793 944 701 596 DMR South Central 408 360 457 441 284 436 476 354 619 577 408 DMR South 243 215 335 340 218 336 396 467 812 570 235 DMR West 463 493 343 425 495 446 787 861 757 633 297 Donegal 94 89 51 45 70 44 112 117 133 162 96 Galway 119 146 131 157 105 82 93 78 110 59 68 Kerry 47 82 94 133 148 109 296 255 195 91 39 Kildare/ Carlow 476 437 500 415 194 221 322 344 476 364 131 Laois/ Offaly 111 189 247 260 198 162 89 225 395 480 145 Limerick 602 347 422 310 238 73 142 370 180 278 147 Louth/ Cavan/ Monaghan 494 546 388 458 448 389 330 536 397 557 199 Mayo/ Roscommon/ Longford 92 86 90 164 158 80 92 189 126 99 64 Meath/ Westmeath 481 336 370 291 414 344 366 451 548 453 346 Sligo/ Leitrim 55 87 104 98 60 39 31 107 122 254 150 Waterford/ Kilkenny 196 289 234 133 153 99 125 262 214 161 85 Wexford/ Wicklow 516 353 442 358 322 252 160 210 295 408 203 Missing Person Cases that are active Division Active Missing Persons Cases Clare/ Tipperary 42 Cork City 28 Cork County 35 DMR East 32 DMR North Central 128 DMR North 104 DMR South Central 178 DMR South 42 DMR West 37 Donegal 25 Galway 22 Kerry 19 Kildare/ Carlow 28 Laois/ Offaly 10 Limerick 32 Louth/ Cavan/ Monaghan 21 Mayo/ Roscommon/ Longford 17 Meath/ Westmeath 20 Sligo/ Leitrim 11 Waterford/ Kilkenny 28 Wexford/ Wicklow 47", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2025-07-29/pq_1936", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2025-07-29/1936/" }, { "date": "2025-07-29", "question_number": 1937, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "Missing Persons", "asked_by": "Peadar T\u00f3ib\u00edn", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "1937. Deputy Peadar T\u00f3ib\u00edn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of active missing persons cases in each county in the State. [41133/25]", "answer": "Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration I propose to take Questions Nos. 1936 and 1937 together. I am deeply conscious of the ongoing distress for the families and friends of people who go missing. The disappearance of any person is traumatic for their family and friends. My Department is committed to working with all relevant State bodies to help more families find their missing relatives. My Department hosts a ceremony to mark Ireland\u2019s National Missing Persons Day, an annual day of commemoration that takes place in December each year. The objective of National Missing Persons Day is to commemorate all those who have gone missing and recognise the lasting trauma for their families and friends. National Missing Persons Day also draws attention to open or unsolved missing persons cases, and creates an opportunity to provide information on available support services. I am advised by Garda authorities that the tables below provide the most up to date information on the number of persons reported missing in each of the past ten years and to date in 2025; the number of whom are children by Garda Division; and the number of active missing persons cases by Garda Division. Data is valid as of 17 July 2025, is operational and subject to change. The 2025 figure is from 1 January 2025 to 17 July 2025. Missing Person Reports Year Unique Incident Count 2025 6139 2024 11092 2023 11891 2022 10513 2021 9603 2020 8493 2019 9506 2018 9695 2017 9403 2016 9754 2015 9898 Missing Person Reports who are children Division 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 Clare/ Tipperary 251 294 157 157 169 87 91 68 132 134 58 Cork City 618 611 469 401 436 495 569 394 599 393 355 Cork County 264 287 227 282 278 157 237 208 189 153 84 DMR East 282 415 317 369 480 236 365 352 525 346 163 DMR North Central 831 1087 856 1156 1105 1444 1032 787 936 1278 631 DMR North 838 705 773 774 753 636 1033 793 944 701 596 DMR South Central 408 360 457 441 284 436 476 354 619 577 408 DMR South 243 215 335 340 218 336 396 467 812 570 235 DMR West 463 493 343 425 495 446 787 861 757 633 297 Donegal 94 89 51 45 70 44 112 117 133 162 96 Galway 119 146 131 157 105 82 93 78 110 59 68 Kerry 47 82 94 133 148 109 296 255 195 91 39 Kildare/ Carlow 476 437 500 415 194 221 322 344 476 364 131 Laois/ Offaly 111 189 247 260 198 162 89 225 395 480 145 Limerick 602 347 422 310 238 73 142 370 180 278 147 Louth/ Cavan/ Monaghan 494 546 388 458 448 389 330 536 397 557 199 Mayo/ Roscommon/ Longford 92 86 90 164 158 80 92 189 126 99 64 Meath/ Westmeath 481 336 370 291 414 344 366 451 548 453 346 Sligo/ Leitrim 55 87 104 98 60 39 31 107 122 254 150 Waterford/ Kilkenny 196 289 234 133 153 99 125 262 214 161 85 Wexford/ Wicklow 516 353 442 358 322 252 160 210 295 408 203 Missing Person Cases that are active Division Active Missing Persons Cases Clare/ Tipperary 42 Cork City 28 Cork County 35 DMR East 32 DMR North Central 128 DMR North 104 DMR South Central 178 DMR South 42 DMR West 37 Donegal 25 Galway 22 Kerry 19 Kildare/ Carlow 28 Laois/ Offaly 10 Limerick 32 Louth/ Cavan/ Monaghan 21 Mayo/ Roscommon/ Longford 17 Meath/ Westmeath 20 Sligo/ Leitrim 11 Waterford/ Kilkenny 28 Wexford/ Wicklow 47", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2025-07-29/pq_1937", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2025-07-29/1937/" }, { "date": "2025-11-12", "question_number": 184, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "Labour Market", "asked_by": "Albert Dolan", "answered_by": "Taoiseach", "question_type": "written", "question": "184. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Taoiseach to provide CSO data on labour force participation, migration, and tax status of persons aged 22-40 years of age, by highest education level; and to support an assessment of post-education retention and contribution to the economy. [61185/25]", "answer": "Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach The exact information requested by the Deputy is not available. The CSO does not provide data on the tax residency status of persons. The CSO does not provide data on the lifetime cost of education or the recoupment cost of education. The Labour Force Survey (LFS) is the official source of labour market estimates for the State. The most recent LFS figures available are for Q2 2025. Table 1 contains LFS estimates for total number of persons in the labour force and participation rate for persons aged 20-44 years of age broken down by citizenship and highest level of educational attainment from Q2 2015 to Q2 2025. Total persons in Labour Force and Participation Rate (ILO) for persons aged 20-44 years of age by Citizenship and Level of Education, Q2 2015 - Q2 2025 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 Citizenship Highest level of Education ILO Status Q2 Q2 Q2 Q2 Q2 Q2 Q2 Q2 Q2 Q2 Q2 Irish Primary or below Total Labour force, 000s 15.3 16.8 10.4 12.5 10.1 [6.8] * [7.5] [8.2] * * Participation Rate, % 44.4% 45.1% 37.0% 39.7% 32.2% 25.1% 20.2% 35.6% 30.2% 29.7% 23.5% Lower Secondary Total Labour force, 000s 80.6 70.7 67.8 60.8 56.7 39.9 42.9 43.2 43.8 32.6 33.8 Participation Rate, % 72.2% 68.3% 66.7% 65.9% 63.6% 52.2% 63.0% 64.7% 65.7% 58.4% 60.6% Higher Secpndary Total Labour force, 000s 261.3 261.8 257.0 256.5 278.1 215.7 267.6 253.9 284.8 271.4 269.0 Participation Rate, % 75.0% 77.4% 74.6% 73.8% 76.6% 61.2% 73.7% 74.3% 77.8% 78.1% 78.9% Post Secondary non-tertiary Total Labour force, 000s 150.2 163.7 161.1 163.4 167.0 138.5 145.7 150.8 144.4 152.3 148.1 Participation Rate, % 83.3% 84.1% 82.9% 82.7% 83.2% 70.9% 81.9% 83.0% 83.5% 84.6% 85.9% Third level non-honours Total Labour force, 000s 146.1 142.2 133.1 117.0 117.3 106.9 110.4 136.3 117.9 121.8 112.8 Participation Rate, % 88.0% 88.3% 87.7% 89.5% 88.9% 81.0% 88.0% 90.2% 90.4% 92.4% 91.9% Third level honours or above Total Labour force, 000s 438.7 439.6 458.3 455.3 447.9 462.1 509.6 504.4 493.0 504.9 538.2 Participation Rate, % 92.4% 92.3% 93.3% 92.5% 92.6% 88.7% 92.3% 95.0% 94.2% 95.2% 94.8% Other/Not stated Total Labour force, 000s 22.0 20.8 19.5 22.0 18.7 16.9 20.4 18.4 14.9 19.9 16.3 Participation Rate, % 74.0% 78.9% 75.6% 74.7% 72.6% 73.1% 80.8% 83.8% 73.0% 80.7% 75.1% All Total Labour force, 000s 1114.3 1115.5 1107.1 1087.5 1095.7 986.8 1101.6 1114.6 1107.0 1109.2 1122.9 Participation Rate, % 82.8% 83.4% 82.8% 82.3% 82.6% 74.4% 82.4% 84.7% 84.7% 85.9% 86.3% Non-Irish Primary or below Total Labour force, 000s [3.3] [4.3] [3.5] * * * * * * * * Participation Rate, % 54.9% 74.4% 56.7% * * * * * * * * Lower Secondary Total Labour force, 000s 7.0 [6.8] [5.1] 13.8 [9.2] * * * * * [11.3] Participation Rate, % 62.7% 71.5% 62.9% 76.3% 66.6% [61.1%] * * [71.4%] * [78.7%] Higher Secpndary Total Labour force, 000s 61.8 59.2 62.4 66.2 69.0 54.6 51.6 72.8 80.5 81.0 82.1 Participation Rate, % 71.4% 75.2% 76.6% 78.2% 78.7% 65.4% 71.1% 80.5% 86.1% 79.4% 84.6% Post Secondary non-tertiary Total Labour force, 000s 27.6 31.9 28.8 34.9 38.1 35.0 36.7 40.1 38.5 38.5 32.5 Participation Rate, % 81.6% 84.0% 80.3% 78.9% 78.3% 71.3% 90.7% 89.1% 88.1% 89.3% 86.8% Third level non-honours Total Labour force, 000s 30.7 33.4 28.9 40.0 40.3 45.3 38.2 43.0 52.9 61.2 71.9 Participation Rate, % 82.8% 82.7% 79.8% 86.6% 80.7% 75.9% 86.5% 85.7% 89.2% 89.8% 87.3% Third level honours or above Total Labour force, 000s 88.4 104.2 114.8 131.3 131.0 133.5 155.7 188.6 214.3 229.5 232.4 Participation Rate, % 77.9% 82.1% 82.1% 85.9% 85.3% 79.9% 88.5% 90.1% 89.9% 91.1% 90.8% Other/Not stated Total Labour force, 000s 34.5 29.8 29.7 17.9 18.4 [11.6] [25.8] 15.0 16.1 28.5 21.5 Participation Rate, % 80.1% 76.6% 82.6% 74.0% 80.6% [74.6%] 65.3% 79.2% 78.6% 89.0% 81.5% All Total Labour force, 000s 253.3 269.6 273.2 305.5 308.0 291.1 317.6 371.9 411.0 446.5 454.1 Participation Rate, % 76.5% 79.7% 79.5% 81.9% 80.6% 73.6% 82.2% 86.3% 87.7% 87.6% 87.5% All Primary or below Total Labour force, 000s 18.5 21.0 13.9 13.9 12.1 [9.7] * 13.0 [9.7] [8.4] [7.1] Participation Rate, % 45.9%", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2025-11-12/pq_184", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2025-11-12/184/" }, { "date": "2025-12-09", "question_number": 723, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "Public Sector Staff", "asked_by": "Barry Ward", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "723. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of employees currently employed in the Prison Services; the number of staff per year each year since 2015, broken down by grade, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [70250/25]", "answer": "Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration I can advise the Deputy that for security and operational reasons, the Irish Prison Service is not in a position to provide a breakdown of the staff resources. The allocation of staffing across the prison estate is based on the security and operational needs of each individual prison. The number of staff required is influenced by factors including, in particular, the numbers in custody, category of prisoner and regimes and a range of other factors, including the risks and needs associated with specific areas and particular offenders. The Irish Prison Service continually monitors the staffing requirements of the organisation and recruitment or promotion campaigns are put in place as required. The total number of staff employed by the Irish Prison Service from December 2015 to November 2025 is set out as below: Period PO & RPO's* Other Grades ** HQ Total 2015 (Dec) 2,123 1,073.39 111.83 3,308.22 2016 (Dec) 2,052 1,053.84 109.43 3,215.27 2017 (Dec) 2,007 1,074.38 114.43 3,195.81 2018 (Dec) 2,081 1,063.02 125.63 3,269.65 2019 (Dec) 2,190.5 1,064.99 149.09 3,404.58 2020 (Dec) 2,172.5 1,122.49 160.39 3,455.384 2021 (Dec) 2,180.5 1,129.84 164.01 3,474.349 2022 (Dec) 2,200.5 1,127.75 164.51 3,492.761 2023 (Dec) 2,228.5 1,156.95 168.78 3,554.231 2024 (Dec) 2,375 1,188.87 182.51 3,746.381 2025 (Nov) 2,511.5 1,263.57 209.51 3,984.58 * Prison Officers & Recruit Prison Officers ** Governor Grades, Assistant Chief Officers, Work Training Officers, Chief Officers, Trade Officers, Tutors, Medical Staff, Psychology Staff, Chaplains, Prison Administrative Staff. The figures provided above include fixed term contract staff e.g. Assistant Psychologists. Figures are given in FTE.", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2025-12-09/pq_723", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2025-12-09/723/" }, { "date": "2026-01-13", "question_number": 1650, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "Departmental Expenditure", "asked_by": "Grace Boland", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "1650. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the office rental costs per annum for staff in his Department and for each agency or organisation under his remit, in each of the years between 2015 and 2025 inclusive, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [74453/25]", "answer": "Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration The information requested in relation to the office rental costs of my Department in each year between 2015 to 2025, is provided in the below table: Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration Total Cost (per annum) 2015 \u20ac601,203 2016 \u20ac601,203 2017 \u20ac601,203 2018 \u20ac752,423 2019 \u20ac856,124 2020 \u20ac1,139,607 2021 \u20ac2,031,989 2022 \u20ac1,775,477 2023 \u20ac1,636,406 2024 \u20ac1,331,854 2025 \u20ac797,237 I am informed that information relating to any office rental costs incurred by agencies under my remit of my Department between 2015 and 2025, is provided in the table below. It has not been possible for An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na and the Courts Service to gather this information requested in the timeline provided. I will forward this information directly to the Deputy when it is available. Cuan Total Cost (per annum) 2024 \u20ac442,800 2025 \u20ac442,800 Data Protection Commission Total Cost (per annum) 2020 \u20ac710,543 2021 \u20ac722,329 2022 \u20ac689,850 2023 \u20ac699,745 2025 \u20ac1,214,817 Fiosr\u00fa Total Cost (per annum) 2015 \u20ac982,376 2016 \u20ac982,376 2017 \u20ac1,019,147 2018 \u20ac1,019,147 2019 \u20ac1,095,022 2020 \u20ac1,095,022 2021 \u20ac1,095,022 2022 \u20ac1,110,197 2023 \u20ac1,234,010 2024 \u20ac1,234,010 2025 \u20ac1,234,010 Forensic Science Ireland Total Cost (per annum) 2022 \u20ac77,556 2023 \u20ac111,001 2024 \u20ac129,673 2025 \u20ac772 Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland Total Cost (per annum) 2025 \u20ac189,972 Irish Prison Service Total Cost (per annum) 2016 \u20ac309,765 2017 \u20ac123,635 2018 \u20ac92,726 2019 \u20ac93,996 2020 \u20ac295,000 2021 \u20ac295,000 2022 \u20ac177,000 2023 \u20ac236,000 2024 \u20ac236,000 2025 \u20ac236,000 Legal Services Regulatory Authority Total Cost (per annum) 2019 \u20ac10,000 2020 \u20ac120,000 2021 \u20ac237,000 2022 \u20ac237,000 2023 \u20ac237,000 2024 \u20ac237,000 2025 \u20ac237,000 Legal Aid Board* Total Cost (per annum) 2015 \u20ac2,750,880 2016 \u20ac2,725,983 2017 \u20ac2,639,929 2018 \u20ac2,593,925 2019 \u20ac2,598,348 2020 \u20ac2,717,718 2021 \u20ac2,772,089 2022 \u20ac2,959,117 2023 \u20ac2,925,574 2024 \u20ac2,937,156 2025 \u20ac3,123,988 National Cyber Security Centre Total Cost (per annum) 2017 \u20ac50,400 2018 \u20ac50,400 2019 \u20ac50,400 Office of the Independent Examiner Total Cost (per annum) 2025 \u20ac110,700 Office of the Inspector of Prisons** Total Cost (per annum) 2024 \u20ac150,000 2025 \u20ac186,817 Parole Board 2023 \u20ac209,100 2024 \u20ac209,100 2025 \u20ac209,100 Policing & Community Safety Authority*** Total Cost (per annum) 2016 \u20ac203,000 2018 \u20ac379,000 2019 \u20ac253,000 2020 \u20ac253,000 2021 \u20ac263,000 2022 \u20ac259,000 2023 \u20ac258,000 2024 \u20ac329,000 Probation Service Total Cost (per annum) 2015 \u20ac20,037 2016 \u20ac20,037 2017 \u20ac15,028 2018 \u20ac20,037 2019 \u20ac15,028 2020 \u20ac25,046 2021 \u20ac24,883 2022 \u20ac15,028 2023 \u20ac25,046 2024 \u20ac25,765 2025 \u20ac28,860 *The Legal Aid Board rental costs not only provide accommodation for staff but delivery of front line services ** Prior to June 2024, rental costs for Office of the Inspector of Prisons was included in my Department's rental costs *** The Office of Public Works (OPW) rent the building where the Policing and Community Safety Authority (PCSA) are housed. Total rental costs are charged to the OPW. The figures provided reflect the cost to the PCSA. Rental costs 2015-2025", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2026-01-13/pq_1650", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2026-01-13/1650/" }, { "date": "2026-07-07", "question_number": 611, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "Departmental Expenditure", "asked_by": "Gary Gannon", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "611. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the total criminal legal aid expenditure in each of the past ten years; the number of practitioners undertaking criminal legal aid work in each year; and the average fee paid per criminal legal aid case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51891/26]", "answer": "Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration Under the Criminal Justice (Legal Aid) Act 1962, it is the Courts, through the judiciary, that are responsible for the granting of legal aid. There has been a significant increase in the granting of legal aid certificates over the past number of years with a corresponding increase in expenditure. The tables below set out the cost of Criminal Legal Aid from 2015 to 2025. Year 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 Total cost \u20ac50,879,582 \u20ac52,998,216 \u20ac58,139,968 \u20ac64,809,398 \u20ac65,091,656 \u20ac62,224,084 Year 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 Total cost \u20ac73,465,933 \u20ac76,652,987 \u20ac89,204,634 \u20ac89,250,708 \u20ac120,643,206 My Department significantly simplified the procedures for Criminal Legal Aid panel membership both for solicitors and counsel last year by waiving the requirement to apply yearly to be retained on panels, with the commencement on 26 November 2025 of S.I. 539 of 2025. Solicitors may apply to the Court Service to be placed on the Criminal Legal Aid panel for any county using a single application form, which is processed by a centralised courts office in Castlebar, Co. Mayo. This system, introduced in 2021, replaced the previous requirement to apply separately to individual local court offices. In order to be added to the Barristers panel, a barrister will advise the Bar Council of their willingness to accept instructions and the Bar Council in turn informs my Department. The table below sets out the number of solicitors and barristers assigned to the Criminal Legal Aid Panel from 2015 to 2025. Not all solicitors and barristers who are panel members may undertake work under the Scheme in any given year. Year 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 No of solicitors 1,166 1,143 1,075 1,058 990 944 933 867 672 695 825 No of barristers 890 850 833 844 820 812 812 760 740 712 760 The information is not recorded in such a way to provide the Deputy with an average fee paid per criminal legal aid case.", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2026-07-07/pq_611", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2026-07-07/611/" }, { "date": "2025-03-19", "question_number": 1156, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "Visa Applications", "asked_by": "Holly Cairns", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "1156. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Justice the visa requirements for missionaries visiting Ireland to proselytise; and to provide a breakdown of the number of visas issued, by organisation, from 2014 to date. [11715/25]", "answer": "Minister for Justice I propose to take Questions Nos. 1156 and 1188 together. I can advise the Deputy that my Department does not operate a system for the issuing of visas to missionaries who wish to come to Ireland to proselytise. However, my Department does operate a Minister of Religion (MOR) scheme which allows MORs to travel to Ireland and remain here under certain conditions. A MOR may be granted permission under this Scheme where their purpose for entering and residing in the State is one or more of the following: \u2022 conducting religious ceremonies, providing pastoral care or spiritual leadership, or conducting classes based on a religious ethos to an established congregation in Ireland. \u2022 providing senior administration support of a substantially full-time nature to a religious institution, order, church, or congregation established in Ireland where the work would not qualify for an employment permit issued by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment. \u2022 being a member of a religious community established in Ireland that takes public vows of poverty, chastity and obedience. \u2022 Engaging in an established course of religious studies of one years' duration administered by an established religious institution in Ireland. Full details of the scheme, including details on how both visa required and non-visa required nationals can apply, can be found on my Departments Immigration Service Delivery website at: www.irishimmigration.ie/coming-to-work-in-ireland/what-are-my-options-for-working-in-ireland/coming-to-work-for-more-than-90-days/minister-of-religion/#information To be of assistance to the Deputy, I have set out figures for both MOR visa applications and MOR-Preclearance applications in the tables below. Table 1. MOR visa applications from 2014 to 13 March 2025. - Minister of Religion (Visa Required Nationals) Year Applications Received Number of Decisions Made Granted Refused 2014 15 15 14 1 2015 144 138 129 9 2016 158 151 145 6 2017 226 219 195 24 2018 137 131 118 13 2019 95 89 80 9 2020 48 29 25 4 2021 52 45 24 21 2022 120 132 96 36 2023 86 74 50 24 2024 103 104 88 16 2025 (13/03/2025) 17 11 10 1 Totals 1201 1138 974 164 * Please note, figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing.* An MOR granted in a particular year may relate to an application made in a previous year. Table 2. MOR Preclearance visa applications from 2021* to 13 March 2025 - Minister of Religion \u2013 Preclearance (Non-Visa Required Nationals) Year Applications Received Number of Decisions Made Granted Refused 2021 22 15 6 9 2022 22 22 13 9 2023 37 26 14 12 2024 32 30 22 8 2025 (13/03/2025) 4 4 4 0 Totals 117 97 59 38 * Please note: The Preclearance scheme was introduced during 2021 so no data for this category exists prior to this date. * Please note, figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing. * An MOR granted in a particular year may relate to an application made in a previous year. I can advise the Deputy that information on the organisations sponsoring the MOR applicants, including lists of religious bodies and faith communities eligible for the MOR visa, is not collated by my Department. The process and eligibility requirements for a religious body or faith community to qualify is detailed in the Minister of Religion Preclearance Scheme Policy Document which is available at the following link: www.irishimmigration.ie/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Minister-of-Religion-Policy-Document-June-2023.pdf", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2025-03-19/pq_1156", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2025-03-19/1156/" }, { "date": "2025-03-19", "question_number": 1188, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "Visa Applications", "asked_by": "Holly Cairns", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "1188. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Justice to provide a list of the religious bodies and faith communities eligible for the minister of religion visa; and to outline the process and eligibility requirements for a religious body or faith community to qualify. [12230/25]", "answer": "Minister for Justice I propose to take Questions Nos. 1156 and 1188 together. I can advise the Deputy that my Department does not operate a system for the issuing of visas to missionaries who wish to come to Ireland to proselytise. However, my Department does operate a Minister of Religion (MOR) scheme which allows MORs to travel to Ireland and remain here under certain conditions. A MOR may be granted permission under this Scheme where their purpose for entering and residing in the State is one or more of the following: \u2022 conducting religious ceremonies, providing pastoral care or spiritual leadership, or conducting classes based on a religious ethos to an established congregation in Ireland. \u2022 providing senior administration support of a substantially full-time nature to a religious institution, order, church, or congregation established in Ireland where the work would not qualify for an employment permit issued by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment. \u2022 being a member of a religious community established in Ireland that takes public vows of poverty, chastity and obedience. \u2022 Engaging in an established course of religious studies of one years' duration administered by an established religious institution in Ireland. Full details of the scheme, including details on how both visa required and non-visa required nationals can apply, can be found on my Departments Immigration Service Delivery website at: www.irishimmigration.ie/coming-to-work-in-ireland/what-are-my-options-for-working-in-ireland/coming-to-work-for-more-than-90-days/minister-of-religion/#information To be of assistance to the Deputy, I have set out figures for both MOR visa applications and MOR-Preclearance applications in the tables below. Table 1. MOR visa applications from 2014 to 13 March 2025. - Minister of Religion (Visa Required Nationals) Year Applications Received Number of Decisions Made Granted Refused 2014 15 15 14 1 2015 144 138 129 9 2016 158 151 145 6 2017 226 219 195 24 2018 137 131 118 13 2019 95 89 80 9 2020 48 29 25 4 2021 52 45 24 21 2022 120 132 96 36 2023 86 74 50 24 2024 103 104 88 16 2025 (13/03/2025) 17 11 10 1 Totals 1201 1138 974 164 * Please note, figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing.* An MOR granted in a particular year may relate to an application made in a previous year. Table 2. MOR Preclearance visa applications from 2021* to 13 March 2025 - Minister of Religion \u2013 Preclearance (Non-Visa Required Nationals) Year Applications Received Number of Decisions Made Granted Refused 2021 22 15 6 9 2022 22 22 13 9 2023 37 26 14 12 2024 32 30 22 8 2025 (13/03/2025) 4 4 4 0 Totals 117 97 59 38 * Please note: The Preclearance scheme was introduced during 2021 so no data for this category exists prior to this date. * Please note, figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing. * An MOR granted in a particular year may relate to an application made in a previous year. I can advise the Deputy that information on the organisations sponsoring the MOR applicants, including lists of religious bodies and faith communities eligible for the MOR visa, is not collated by my Department. The process and eligibility requirements for a religious body or faith community to qualify is detailed in the Minister of Religion Preclearance Scheme Policy Document which is available at the following link: www.irishimmigration.ie/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Minister-of-Religion-Policy-Document-June-2023.pdf", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2025-03-19/pq_1188", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2025-03-19/1188/" }, { "date": "2024-10-22", "question_number": 562, "chamber": "33rd D\u00e1il", "topic": "Deportation Orders", "asked_by": "Jim O'Callaghan", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "562. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice to provide the number of people, subject to a deportation order, who were removed from the State in each year between 2016 and 2024 inclusive, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42528/24]", "answer": "Minister for Justice I can advise the deputy that a deportation order is a legal order to leave the State. Any person who has been ordered to leave the State and fails to do so is committing a criminal offence, and can be arrested without warrant if they come into contact with An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na. Such an order remains on the person\u2019s record permanently, unless revoked by the Minister for Justice \u2013 it means they may not enter Ireland again in future. The Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) carries out inquiries to confirm that people have removed themselves from the State and works closely with my Department to enforce deportations where this is not the case. In addition to the enforced deportations and those that are otherwise confirmed to have left, we know that a much larger number of people will have left the State without being escorted. However, as there are no routine exit checks at Irish borders, it is not possible to accurately quantify this number. Enforced deportation operations are complex and costly. They often involve investigations, detection, detentions in custody, legal challenges, flights costs and confirmation with the return country that the person is their citizen. Charter flights will support the removal process, in the near future. A procurement process for this is nearing completion and this will significantly increase capacity to conduct more enforced deportations. Meanwhile, enforced deportations are continuing on commercial flights and deportations conducted on commercial flights are at a 10 year high. The number of deportation orders signed up to18 October 2024 (1792) has increased by 140% for the same period in 2023. The number of enforced deportations has increased by 157% for the same period in 2023 and overall number of returns has increased by 205 % for the same period in 2023. 771 people have departed from the State under various mechanisms up to 18 October 2024. This includes 747 persons who left the State after a Deportation Order was issued or availed of my Department\u2019s Voluntary Return Programme before such an order was made. Alternatives to forced removals, such as through the State\u2019s voluntary return process, are preferable and there has been a significant increase in the number of persons availing of this programme. The number of voluntary returns has increased by 264% for the same period in 2023. My Department is taking a number of steps to improve immigration enforcement and to increasing removals. I have announced that my Department has taken over administrative immigration functions to allow Garda\u00ed to concentrate on enforcement and investigations. This has now freed up to 100 Garda\u00ed. Table below sets out the total number of repatriations of persons subject to a deportation order who were removed by GNIB, the number of persons subject to a deportation order where it has been confirmed they have left the State, and the number of persons who have departed the State under the Voluntary Return Programme for the period 2014 up to 18 October 2024. Year Deportation Enforced by GNIB Deportation Otherwise Confirmed Voluntary Returns Total 2014 70 41 242 353 2015 45 205 132 382 2016 62 366 187 615 2017 80 58 183 321 2018 85 78 213 376 2019 (1) 154 143 261 558 2020 42 97 201 340 2021 5 33 132 170 2022 24 92 91 207 2023 51 28 213 292 2024 (18 October) 95 15 637 747 (1) In 2019 there were two charter operations which resulted in a higher volume of enforced deportations * Please note, figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing. * Numbers repatriated/removed in a particular year may relate to deportation orders issued in previous years. * During the COVID- 19 Pandemic there was a moratorium on deportations. This was effective during the latter part of 2020, 2021 and for the first 8 months of 2022. During the moratorium only persons whose presence in Ireland would be contrary to the public interest were deported. This moratorium was lifted in July 2022.", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2024-10-22/pq_562", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2024-10-22/562/" }, { "date": "2026-07-01", "question_number": 71, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na", "asked_by": "Paul Lawless", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "71. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the total number of new Garda\u00ed recruited over the past ten years; and the total number of Garda\u00ed to leave the force in that period. [49841/26]", "answer": "Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration Under section 33 of the Policing Security and Community Safety Act 2025, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the administration and management of An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na. This includes the recruitment, training and appointment of members of Garda personnel. The Commissioner is independent in his functions under section 34 of the Act. An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na publishes information in relation to the allocation of Garda\u00ed nationally, including a breakdown of the allocation of newly attested Garda\u00ed to Garda divisions and stations nationwide. Historical data on the allocation of Garda\u00ed from 2015 - 2026 can be found here: [ ][ www.garda.ie/en/information-centre/garda-statistics/human%20resources/ ] The Deputy should select the relevant month and then select the relevant file. The table below has been provided to me by the Garda authorities and outlines the the number of resignations and retirements respectively in each of the years from 2015 to December 2025. Years Cost Neutral Early Retirement Compulsory Retirement Resignation (Ordinary) Voluntary Retirement Total Years Cost Neutral Early Retirement Compulsory Retirement Resignation (Ordinary) Voluntary Retirement Total 2015 2 14 20 222 258 2016 1 20 24 207 252 2017 1 53 39 172 265 2018 3 40 77 175 295 2019 3 60 71 160 294 2020 3 34 66 213 316 2021 2 78 89 213 382 2022 1 79 106 260 446 2023 8 66 167 245 486 2024 6 32 137 202 377 2025 4 10 141 204 359 To 13/2/ 2026 2 17 6 25 Total 34 488 954 2,279 3,755 Retirement eligibility requires both reaching the minimum retirement age and completing the necessary years of pensionable service. The minimum retirement age is either 50 or 55 years of age (depending on when a person joined), with 30 years service. The compulsory retirement age is currently 62.", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2026-07-01/pq_71", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2026-07-01/71/" }, { "date": "2022-06-23", "question_number": 394, "chamber": "33rd D\u00e1il", "topic": "Visa Applications", "asked_by": "R\u00f3is\u00edn Shortall", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "394. Deputy R\u00f3is\u00edn Shortall asked the Minister for Justice the number of non-European economic area nationals who have obtained residency in Ireland since the Ireland Immigrant Investor Program was established by country of origin, year, investment option and category of project in tabular form; the total investment made via this programme by investment option to date in 2022; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33500/22]", "answer": "Minister for Justice The Immigrant Investor Programme (IIP) was introduced in April 2012 to encourage inward investment and create business and employment opportunities in the State. The programme provides investors with the opportunity to invest in Ireland. Key to the programme is that the investments are beneficial for Ireland, generate or sustain employment and are generally in the public interest. To date, more than 1,500 IIP applications have been approved for investment with a value of over \u20ac1 billion. The tables below provide the data sought by the Deputy. Year Approved applications Value of Approved Investment 2012 2 1,500,000 2013 16 12,200,000 2014 8 4,450,000 2015 71 38,800,000 2016 33 18,750,000 2017 373 253,700,000 2018 156 139,750,000 2019 237 209,300,000 2020 270 188,000,000 2021 265 186,100,000 2022 116 82,500,000 TOTAL 1,547 1,135,050,000 Nationality Overall number of approvals China 1,458 USA 32 Vietnam 12 Rest of World 45 TOTAL 1,547 The tables below provides a breakdown by investment type and by category of project. Investment Type Total Applications Approved Total Value of Investment Enterprise 826 684,000,000 Investment Fund 228 210,000,000 REIT 6 12,000,000 Endowment 431 175,100,000 Bond & Mixed Investment 56 53,950,000 TOTAL 1,547 1,135,050,000 Category of project Value of Approved Investment \u20ac Social Housing 353,500,000 Investment Fund 206,000,000 Nursing Home 184,700,000 Hospitality/Tourism 120,200,000 Property/Housing 50,950,000 Healthcare 45,800,000 Education/Training 35,200,000 Sports 22,500,000 Other 116,200,000 TOTAL 1,135,050,000", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2022-06-23/pq_394", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2022-06-23/394/" }, { "date": "2022-10-18", "question_number": 655, "chamber": "33rd D\u00e1il", "topic": "Departmental Data", "asked_by": "Ged Nash", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "655. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Justice the number of successful applications for the immigrant investor programme in each of the years 2020, 2021 and to the 1 October 2022; if she will provide information on the nationality of each successful applicant on the basis of the socio-economic purpose of the investment made by each investor including sports, arts and culture, housing and so on; if she will provide this information based on the counties in which each qualifying investment is located and under the aforementioned headings; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51556/22]", "answer": "Minister for Justice The Immigrant Investor Programme (IIP) was introduced in April 2012 to encourage inward investment and create business and employment opportunities in the State. The programme provides investors with the opportunity to invest in Ireland. Key to the programme is that the investments are beneficial for Ireland, generate or sustain employment and are generally in the public interest. Over 1,600 applications have been successful under the IIP to date with the value of investments approved over \u20ac1bn. The table below provides a breakdown of IIP primary applicants approved by nationality since the inception of the programme to the end of September 30th 2022. - Nationality Applications approved China 1,511 USA 31 Vietnam 12 Saudi Arabia 5 South Africa 4 Rest of the World 50 TOTAL 1,613 All projects which IIP applicants are investing in are also examined in great detail by an Independent Evaluation Committee comprising key officials from my Department, the Department of Finance, the Department of Foreign Affairs, Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland who have appropriate corporate expertise in this area. This examination process involves an assessment of the commercial viability of the project; employment outcomes associated with the proposed investment; and the overall benefit to the Irish State. The Committee makes a determination as to whether a project is suitable for IIP investment and if deemed suitable, the individual application will be submitted to me for final approval. My Department does not currently publish the details of individual approved IIP investments. The tables below provides a breakdown of IIP applications received, approved and the value of investments since the inception of the programme to end of September 30th 2022. Approvals issued in any year may relate to applications which were received in previous years due to the time taken to process applications. - Year Applications received Approved applications Value of Approved Investment 2012 5 2 1,500,000 2013 18 16 12,200,000 2014 30 8 2,950,000 2015 75 71 38,300,000 2016 334 33 18,750,000 2017 324 373 250,700,000 2018 423 156 138,750,000 2019 443 237 209,300,000 2020 339 270 188,000,000 2021 258 265 185,700,000 2022 End Sept 812 192 132,100,000 TOTAL 3061 1623 1,178,250,000 - Investment Type Total Applications Approved Total Value of Investment Enterprise 842 703,000,000 Investment Fund 235 217,000,000 REIT 6 12,000,000 Endowment 474 192,300,000 Bond & Mixed Investment 56 53,950,000 TOTAL 1,613 1,178,250,000", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2022-10-18/pq_655", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2022-10-18/655/" }, { "date": "2023-03-09", "question_number": 303, "chamber": "33rd D\u00e1il", "topic": "Immigration Policy", "asked_by": "Matt Carthy", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "303. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice the number of joint applications made to the Immigrant Investor Programme; the amount invested or endowed, programme by year, country of origin, by the number of individuals involved in the joint application, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12110/23]", "answer": "Minister for Justice I propose to take Questions Nos. 303, 304 and 305 together. Each individual investor application to the Immigration Investor Program (IIP) is a standalone application and must be submitted in association with a particular project. A specific project may have numerous individual investor applications associated with it, depending on the amount of funding sought. The statistics in relation to multiple applications associated with a single project are not maintained in the manner requested by the Deputy. The closure of the Programme will not affect existing projects or individuals already approved under the programme. My Department will continue to monitor existing approved projects in relation to the delivery and for compliance with the terms of the Programme. Current applications on hand at the time of closure will continue to be considered. My Department has no role in how investors are matched with specific projects or recommending any project. The matching of potential investors with projects are matters for the relevant project owners. Investments approved under the IIP are made directly to the projects concerned and not through the Department of Justice. The Department is aware that there are a number of agents operating in the IIP field who assist matching investors to projects, however, this is a commercial transaction between two parties and any arrangements between them are a matter for those parties. Such agent fees are not covered under the IIP programme. As part of the assessment process, the IIP unit routinely seek confirmation from projects that agent fees are not included in their proposal. The IIP Unit has published a FAQ on my Department's website, which will be updated with any further arising questions from the closure, and is available here: www.irishimmigration.ie/faqs-closure-of-the-immigrant-investor-programme-iip/ My Department does not currently publish the details of individual approved IIP investments. The tables below provides a breakdown of IIP applications received, approved and the value of investments since the inception of the programme to the end of September 2022. Year Applications received Approved applications Value of Approved Investment 2012 5 2 1,500,000 2013 18 16 12,200,000 2014 30 5 2,950,000 2015 75 70 38,300,000 2016 334 33 18,750,000 2017 324 369 250,700,000 2018 423 155 138,750,000 2019 443 237 209,300,000 2020 339 270 188,000,000 2021 258 264 185,700,000 2022 1316 306 205,900,000 TOTAL 3565 1727 1,252,050,000 Approvals issued in any year may relate to applications which were received in previous years due to the time taken to process applications. Investment Type Total Applications Approved Total Value of Investment Enterprise 876 740,200,000 Investment Fund 243 225,000,000 REIT 6 12,000,000 Endowment 546 220,900,000 Bond & Mixed Investment 56 53,950,000 TOTAL 1,727 1,252,050,000 Nationality Applications approved China 1,614 USA 33 Vietnam 18 Rest of the World 62 TOTAL 1,727", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2023-03-09/pq_303", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2023-03-09/303/" }, { "date": "2023-03-09", "question_number": 304, "chamber": "33rd D\u00e1il", "topic": "Immigration Policy", "asked_by": "Matt Carthy", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "304. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice when the Immigrant Investor Programme will cease accepting any new applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12111/23]", "answer": "Minister for Justice I propose to take Questions Nos. 303, 304 and 305 together. Each individual investor application to the Immigration Investor Program (IIP) is a standalone application and must be submitted in association with a particular project. A specific project may have numerous individual investor applications associated with it, depending on the amount of funding sought. The statistics in relation to multiple applications associated with a single project are not maintained in the manner requested by the Deputy. The closure of the Programme will not affect existing projects or individuals already approved under the programme. My Department will continue to monitor existing approved projects in relation to the delivery and for compliance with the terms of the Programme. Current applications on hand at the time of closure will continue to be considered. My Department has no role in how investors are matched with specific projects or recommending any project. The matching of potential investors with projects are matters for the relevant project owners. Investments approved under the IIP are made directly to the projects concerned and not through the Department of Justice. The Department is aware that there are a number of agents operating in the IIP field who assist matching investors to projects, however, this is a commercial transaction between two parties and any arrangements between them are a matter for those parties. Such agent fees are not covered under the IIP programme. As part of the assessment process, the IIP unit routinely seek confirmation from projects that agent fees are not included in their proposal. The IIP Unit has published a FAQ on my Department's website, which will be updated with any further arising questions from the closure, and is available here: www.irishimmigration.ie/faqs-closure-of-the-immigrant-investor-programme-iip/ My Department does not currently publish the details of individual approved IIP investments. The tables below provides a breakdown of IIP applications received, approved and the value of investments since the inception of the programme to the end of September 2022. Year Applications received Approved applications Value of Approved Investment 2012 5 2 1,500,000 2013 18 16 12,200,000 2014 30 5 2,950,000 2015 75 70 38,300,000 2016 334 33 18,750,000 2017 324 369 250,700,000 2018 423 155 138,750,000 2019 443 237 209,300,000 2020 339 270 188,000,000 2021 258 264 185,700,000 2022 1316 306 205,900,000 TOTAL 3565 1727 1,252,050,000 Approvals issued in any year may relate to applications which were received in previous years due to the time taken to process applications. Investment Type Total Applications Approved Total Value of Investment Enterprise 876 740,200,000 Investment Fund 243 225,000,000 REIT 6 12,000,000 Endowment 546 220,900,000 Bond & Mixed Investment 56 53,950,000 TOTAL 1,727 1,252,050,000 Nationality Applications approved China 1,614 USA 33 Vietnam 18 Rest of the World 62 TOTAL 1,727", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2023-03-09/pq_304", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2023-03-09/304/" }, { "date": "2023-03-09", "question_number": 305, "chamber": "33rd D\u00e1il", "topic": "Immigration Policy", "asked_by": "Matt Carthy", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "305. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice if he is aware of any registered charity having been requested to make payments to third parties as a finders fee in relation to the Immigrant Investor Programme; the number of such instances brought to his attention; if related applicants to the programme were successful; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12112/23]", "answer": "Minister for Justice I propose to take Questions Nos. 303, 304 and 305 together. Each individual investor application to the Immigration Investor Program (IIP) is a standalone application and must be submitted in association with a particular project. A specific project may have numerous individual investor applications associated with it, depending on the amount of funding sought. The statistics in relation to multiple applications associated with a single project are not maintained in the manner requested by the Deputy. The closure of the Programme will not affect existing projects or individuals already approved under the programme. My Department will continue to monitor existing approved projects in relation to the delivery and for compliance with the terms of the Programme. Current applications on hand at the time of closure will continue to be considered. My Department has no role in how investors are matched with specific projects or recommending any project. The matching of potential investors with projects are matters for the relevant project owners. Investments approved under the IIP are made directly to the projects concerned and not through the Department of Justice. The Department is aware that there are a number of agents operating in the IIP field who assist matching investors to projects, however, this is a commercial transaction between two parties and any arrangements between them are a matter for those parties. Such agent fees are not covered under the IIP programme. As part of the assessment process, the IIP unit routinely seek confirmation from projects that agent fees are not included in their proposal. The IIP Unit has published a FAQ on my Department's website, which will be updated with any further arising questions from the closure, and is available here: www.irishimmigration.ie/faqs-closure-of-the-immigrant-investor-programme-iip/ My Department does not currently publish the details of individual approved IIP investments. The tables below provides a breakdown of IIP applications received, approved and the value of investments since the inception of the programme to the end of September 2022. Year Applications received Approved applications Value of Approved Investment 2012 5 2 1,500,000 2013 18 16 12,200,000 2014 30 5 2,950,000 2015 75 70 38,300,000 2016 334 33 18,750,000 2017 324 369 250,700,000 2018 423 155 138,750,000 2019 443 237 209,300,000 2020 339 270 188,000,000 2021 258 264 185,700,000 2022 1316 306 205,900,000 TOTAL 3565 1727 1,252,050,000 Approvals issued in any year may relate to applications which were received in previous years due to the time taken to process applications. Investment Type Total Applications Approved Total Value of Investment Enterprise 876 740,200,000 Investment Fund 243 225,000,000 REIT 6 12,000,000 Endowment 546 220,900,000 Bond & Mixed Investment 56 53,950,000 TOTAL 1,727 1,252,050,000 Nationality Applications approved China 1,614 USA 33 Vietnam 18 Rest of the World 62 TOTAL 1,727", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2023-03-09/pq_305", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2023-03-09/305/" }, { "date": "2024-04-09", "question_number": 912, "chamber": "33rd D\u00e1il", "topic": "International Protection", "asked_by": "Michael McNamara", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "912. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Justice how many \"transfer decisions\" were made by international protection officers to transfer in accordance with Regulation (EU) No 604/2013 in each calendar year since 2014. [14958/24]", "answer": "Minister for Justice I propose to take Questions Nos. 912 to 914, inclusive, together. My Department is taking all necessary steps to manage the international protection process fairly, efficiently and effectively, as part of the broader Government response, while ensuring the integrity of Ireland's rules-based immigration system is maintained. Regulation (EU) No 604/2013 (Dublin III Regulations), came into force on 19 July 2013, and lays down the criteria and mechanisms for determining which EU country is responsible for examining an asylum application. The Dublin Regulation is based on the principle that the first Member State to facilitate entry to the EU should be responsible for examining the protection application. The making of a transfer decision under the EU Dublin Regulation is not a deportation order. The International Protection Office considers whether applicants might have their cases considered under the Dublin Regulation. If the Regulation is deemed to apply, the applicant may appeal that decision to the International Protection Appeals Tribunal (IPAT). A decision to transfer made under the Dublin III Regulations expires after six months. This extends to 18 months if the applicant has absconded. If an appeal is launched, a Dublin III decision expires six months from the date the appeal decision is given. In practice, and in keeping with the experience of all Member States, the Regulations have not been effective. The increasing numbers of protection applications, appeals and decisions highlights the importance of the EU Migration Pact for Ireland. I have recently secured Cabinet approval to seek the necessary approvals from the Houses of the Oireachtas to opt-in to the Pact. The overall objectives of the Pact is to create a fair, sustainable and efficient asylum procedure in ordinary times as well as in times of migratory pressure and crisis situations. It will harmonise asylum procedures across the EU, and speed up the processing of asylum applications so that people in need of our protection get it quickly and those who don\u2019t are returned to their country of origin efficiently. The Asylum and Migration Management Regulation (AMMR) which will replace the Dublin III Regulation, provides, inter alia, for streamlined criteria and reduced timeframes for determining the Member State responsible for determining an asylum application as well as revised rules on transferring responsibility. This will significantly improve the current Dublin system by reducing the administrative burden on the Member States seeking to transfer a person to the Member State responsible for processing the application. Below is a table detailing how many decisions were made by international protection officers to transfer in accordance with Regulation (EU) No 604/2013 in each calendar year since 2014. Year Decisions Made 2024 63 2023 188 2022 24 2021 69 2020 310 2019 817 2018 251 2017 3 2016 594 2015 302 2014 21 The table below details how many transfer decisions made by international protection officers in accordance with Regulation (EU) No 604/2013 were set aside on appeal in each calendar year since 2014. Dublin II/III Regulations 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 Total Granted / Set aside 1 0 11 20 5 20 18 5 7 6 In regards to your query regarding how many of the transfer decisions made by international protection officers in accordance with Regulation (EU) No 604/2013 were challenged in Court proceedings in each calendar year since 2014 is not recorded in such a way as to provide the information requested by the Deputy. My Department is taking all necessary steps to manage the international protection process fairly, efficiently and effectively, as part of the broader Government response, while ensuring the integrity of Ireland's rules-based immigration system is maintained. Regulation (EU) No 604/2013 (Dublin III Regulations), came into force on 19 July 2013, and lays down the criteria and mechanisms for determining which EU country is responsible for examining an asylum application. The Dublin Regulation is based on the principle that the first Member State to facilitate entry to the EU should be responsible for examining the protection application.", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2024-04-09/pq_912", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2024-04-09/912/" }, { "date": "2024-04-09", "question_number": 913, "chamber": "33rd D\u00e1il", "topic": "International Protection", "asked_by": "Michael McNamara", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "913. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Justice how many \"transfer decisions\" made by international protection officers to transfer in accordance with Regulation (EU) No 604/2013 were set aside on appeal in each calendar year since 2014. [14959/24]", "answer": "Minister for Justice I propose to take Questions Nos. 912 to 914, inclusive, together. My Department is taking all necessary steps to manage the international protection process fairly, efficiently and effectively, as part of the broader Government response, while ensuring the integrity of Ireland's rules-based immigration system is maintained. Regulation (EU) No 604/2013 (Dublin III Regulations), came into force on 19 July 2013, and lays down the criteria and mechanisms for determining which EU country is responsible for examining an asylum application. The Dublin Regulation is based on the principle that the first Member State to facilitate entry to the EU should be responsible for examining the protection application. The making of a transfer decision under the EU Dublin Regulation is not a deportation order. The International Protection Office considers whether applicants might have their cases considered under the Dublin Regulation. If the Regulation is deemed to apply, the applicant may appeal that decision to the International Protection Appeals Tribunal (IPAT). A decision to transfer made under the Dublin III Regulations expires after six months. This extends to 18 months if the applicant has absconded. If an appeal is launched, a Dublin III decision expires six months from the date the appeal decision is given. In practice, and in keeping with the experience of all Member States, the Regulations have not been effective. The increasing numbers of protection applications, appeals and decisions highlights the importance of the EU Migration Pact for Ireland. I have recently secured Cabinet approval to seek the necessary approvals from the Houses of the Oireachtas to opt-in to the Pact. The overall objectives of the Pact is to create a fair, sustainable and efficient asylum procedure in ordinary times as well as in times of migratory pressure and crisis situations. It will harmonise asylum procedures across the EU, and speed up the processing of asylum applications so that people in need of our protection get it quickly and those who don\u2019t are returned to their country of origin efficiently. The Asylum and Migration Management Regulation (AMMR) which will replace the Dublin III Regulation, provides, inter alia, for streamlined criteria and reduced timeframes for determining the Member State responsible for determining an asylum application as well as revised rules on transferring responsibility. This will significantly improve the current Dublin system by reducing the administrative burden on the Member States seeking to transfer a person to the Member State responsible for processing the application. Below is a table detailing how many decisions were made by international protection officers to transfer in accordance with Regulation (EU) No 604/2013 in each calendar year since 2014. Year Decisions Made 2024 63 2023 188 2022 24 2021 69 2020 310 2019 817 2018 251 2017 3 2016 594 2015 302 2014 21 The table below details how many transfer decisions made by international protection officers in accordance with Regulation (EU) No 604/2013 were set aside on appeal in each calendar year since 2014. Dublin II/III Regulations 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 Total Granted / Set aside 1 0 11 20 5 20 18 5 7 6 In regards to your query regarding how many of the transfer decisions made by international protection officers in accordance with Regulation (EU) No 604/2013 were challenged in Court proceedings in each calendar year since 2014 is not recorded in such a way as to provide the information requested by the Deputy. My Department is taking all necessary steps to manage the international protection process fairly, efficiently and effectively, as part of the broader Government response, while ensuring the integrity of Ireland's rules-based immigration system is maintained. Regulation (EU) No 604/2013 (Dublin III Regulations), came into force on 19 July 2013, and lays down the criteria and mechanisms for determining which EU country is responsible for examining an asylum application. The Dublin Regulation is based on the principle that the first Member State to facilitate entry to the EU should be responsible for examining the protection application.", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2024-04-09/pq_913", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2024-04-09/913/" }, { "date": "2024-04-09", "question_number": 914, "chamber": "33rd D\u00e1il", "topic": "International Protection", "asked_by": "Michael McNamara", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "914. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Justice how many \"transfer decisions\" made by international protection officers to transfer in accordance with Regulation (EU) No 604/2013 were challenged in Court proceedings in each calendar year since 2014. [14960/24]", "answer": "Minister for Justice I propose to take Questions Nos. 912 to 914, inclusive, together. My Department is taking all necessary steps to manage the international protection process fairly, efficiently and effectively, as part of the broader Government response, while ensuring the integrity of Ireland's rules-based immigration system is maintained. Regulation (EU) No 604/2013 (Dublin III Regulations), came into force on 19 July 2013, and lays down the criteria and mechanisms for determining which EU country is responsible for examining an asylum application. The Dublin Regulation is based on the principle that the first Member State to facilitate entry to the EU should be responsible for examining the protection application. The making of a transfer decision under the EU Dublin Regulation is not a deportation order. The International Protection Office considers whether applicants might have their cases considered under the Dublin Regulation. If the Regulation is deemed to apply, the applicant may appeal that decision to the International Protection Appeals Tribunal (IPAT). A decision to transfer made under the Dublin III Regulations expires after six months. This extends to 18 months if the applicant has absconded. If an appeal is launched, a Dublin III decision expires six months from the date the appeal decision is given. In practice, and in keeping with the experience of all Member States, the Regulations have not been effective. The increasing numbers of protection applications, appeals and decisions highlights the importance of the EU Migration Pact for Ireland. I have recently secured Cabinet approval to seek the necessary approvals from the Houses of the Oireachtas to opt-in to the Pact. The overall objectives of the Pact is to create a fair, sustainable and efficient asylum procedure in ordinary times as well as in times of migratory pressure and crisis situations. It will harmonise asylum procedures across the EU, and speed up the processing of asylum applications so that people in need of our protection get it quickly and those who don\u2019t are returned to their country of origin efficiently. The Asylum and Migration Management Regulation (AMMR) which will replace the Dublin III Regulation, provides, inter alia, for streamlined criteria and reduced timeframes for determining the Member State responsible for determining an asylum application as well as revised rules on transferring responsibility. This will significantly improve the current Dublin system by reducing the administrative burden on the Member States seeking to transfer a person to the Member State responsible for processing the application. Below is a table detailing how many decisions were made by international protection officers to transfer in accordance with Regulation (EU) No 604/2013 in each calendar year since 2014. Year Decisions Made 2024 63 2023 188 2022 24 2021 69 2020 310 2019 817 2018 251 2017 3 2016 594 2015 302 2014 21 The table below details how many transfer decisions made by international protection officers in accordance with Regulation (EU) No 604/2013 were set aside on appeal in each calendar year since 2014. Dublin II/III Regulations 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 Total Granted / Set aside 1 0 11 20 5 20 18 5 7 6 In regards to your query regarding how many of the transfer decisions made by international protection officers in accordance with Regulation (EU) No 604/2013 were challenged in Court proceedings in each calendar year since 2014 is not recorded in such a way as to provide the information requested by the Deputy. My Department is taking all necessary steps to manage the international protection process fairly, efficiently and effectively, as part of the broader Government response, while ensuring the integrity of Ireland's rules-based immigration system is maintained. Regulation (EU) No 604/2013 (Dublin III Regulations), came into force on 19 July 2013, and lays down the criteria and mechanisms for determining which EU country is responsible for examining an asylum application. The Dublin Regulation is based on the principle that the first Member State to facilitate entry to the EU should be responsible for examining the protection application.", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2024-04-09/pq_914", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2024-04-09/914/" }, { "date": "2024-01-17", "question_number": 1011, "chamber": "33rd D\u00e1il", "topic": "Deportation Orders", "asked_by": "Pa Daly", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "1011. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Justice the number of people from a country designated as a safe country; the number of people from all other countries, respectively, who have been the subject of a deportation order in each of the past ten years; the number of deportation orders carried out; and a breakdown of the primary reasons the remainder of deportation orders were not carried out, in tabular from. [56546/23]", "answer": "Minister for Justice I propose to take Questions Nos. 1011, 1012, 1013 and 1144 together. Deportation and removal processes are an essential part of any immigration system. In the past 10 years 10,746 Deportation Orders were issued, this includes people who made unsuccessful applications for international protection and people who entered the country illegally or who may have overstayed after a visa was issued. The primary reason why forced deportations were not required in a number of cases is that people leave the State without informing the Department and by their nature the details of such departures are not available. There also may be a change in circumstances for the person which leads to the deportation order being revoked and permission granted, for example where there have been significant changes in the family circumstances of the person in question. In other cases there are legal challenges which prevent or lengthen the deportation process or the person may evade deportation. The below table outlines the number of deportation orders, the numbers revoked and the numbers deported*. Year Deportation Orders Issued Deported Revoked 2013 1172 199 308 2014 958 111 353 2015 817 250 482 2016 1438 428 360 2017 1113 138 165 2018 1112 163 319 2019 2007 298 346 2020 872 140 302 2021 29 38 231 2022 271 118 582 2023 957 80 414 Overall total 10746 1963 3862 * These figures are correct at time of issue, however, statistics may change due to data cleansing. Orders revoked in any year include orders made over previous years. Insofar as safe countries of origin are concerned, on foot of the introduction of accelerated processing for countries so designated in November 2022, 160 deportation orders were issued in 2023 under this procedure.", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2024-01-17/pq_1011", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2024-01-17/1011/" }, { "date": "2024-01-17", "question_number": 1012, "chamber": "33rd D\u00e1il", "topic": "Deportation Orders", "asked_by": "Pa Daly", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "1012. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Justice the total number of un-effected deportation orders currently. [56547/23]", "answer": "Minister for Justice I propose to take Questions Nos. 1011, 1012, 1013 and 1144 together. Deportation and removal processes are an essential part of any immigration system. In the past 10 years 10,746 Deportation Orders were issued, this includes people who made unsuccessful applications for international protection and people who entered the country illegally or who may have overstayed after a visa was issued. The primary reason why forced deportations were not required in a number of cases is that people leave the State without informing the Department and by their nature the details of such departures are not available. There also may be a change in circumstances for the person which leads to the deportation order being revoked and permission granted, for example where there have been significant changes in the family circumstances of the person in question. In other cases there are legal challenges which prevent or lengthen the deportation process or the person may evade deportation. The below table outlines the number of deportation orders, the numbers revoked and the numbers deported*. Year Deportation Orders Issued Deported Revoked 2013 1172 199 308 2014 958 111 353 2015 817 250 482 2016 1438 428 360 2017 1113 138 165 2018 1112 163 319 2019 2007 298 346 2020 872 140 302 2021 29 38 231 2022 271 118 582 2023 957 80 414 Overall total 10746 1963 3862 * These figures are correct at time of issue, however, statistics may change due to data cleansing. Orders revoked in any year include orders made over previous years. Insofar as safe countries of origin are concerned, on foot of the introduction of accelerated processing for countries so designated in November 2022, 160 deportation orders were issued in 2023 under this procedure.", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2024-01-17/pq_1012", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2024-01-17/1012/" }, { "date": "2024-01-17", "question_number": 1013, "chamber": "33rd D\u00e1il", "topic": "Deportation Orders", "asked_by": "Pa Daly", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "1013. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Justice the cumulative total number of un-effected deportation orders issued over the past five years. [56548/23]", "answer": "Minister for Justice I propose to take Questions Nos. 1011, 1012, 1013 and 1144 together. Deportation and removal processes are an essential part of any immigration system. In the past 10 years 10,746 Deportation Orders were issued, this includes people who made unsuccessful applications for international protection and people who entered the country illegally or who may have overstayed after a visa was issued. The primary reason why forced deportations were not required in a number of cases is that people leave the State without informing the Department and by their nature the details of such departures are not available. There also may be a change in circumstances for the person which leads to the deportation order being revoked and permission granted, for example where there have been significant changes in the family circumstances of the person in question. In other cases there are legal challenges which prevent or lengthen the deportation process or the person may evade deportation. The below table outlines the number of deportation orders, the numbers revoked and the numbers deported*. Year Deportation Orders Issued Deported Revoked 2013 1172 199 308 2014 958 111 353 2015 817 250 482 2016 1438 428 360 2017 1113 138 165 2018 1112 163 319 2019 2007 298 346 2020 872 140 302 2021 29 38 231 2022 271 118 582 2023 957 80 414 Overall total 10746 1963 3862 * These figures are correct at time of issue, however, statistics may change due to data cleansing. Orders revoked in any year include orders made over previous years. Insofar as safe countries of origin are concerned, on foot of the introduction of accelerated processing for countries so designated in November 2022, 160 deportation orders were issued in 2023 under this procedure.", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2024-01-17/pq_1013", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2024-01-17/1013/" }, { "date": "2024-01-17", "question_number": 1144, "chamber": "33rd D\u00e1il", "topic": "Deportation Orders", "asked_by": "Pa Daly", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "1144. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Justice for a breakdown of the number of people in 2023 who were issued with a deportation order that was not effected but have been confirmed to have left the country, in tabular form. [1835/24]", "answer": "Minister for Justice I propose to take Questions Nos. 1011, 1012, 1013 and 1144 together. Deportation and removal processes are an essential part of any immigration system. In the past 10 years 10,746 Deportation Orders were issued, this includes people who made unsuccessful applications for international protection and people who entered the country illegally or who may have overstayed after a visa was issued. The primary reason why forced deportations were not required in a number of cases is that people leave the State without informing the Department and by their nature the details of such departures are not available. There also may be a change in circumstances for the person which leads to the deportation order being revoked and permission granted, for example where there have been significant changes in the family circumstances of the person in question. In other cases there are legal challenges which prevent or lengthen the deportation process or the person may evade deportation. The below table outlines the number of deportation orders, the numbers revoked and the numbers deported*. Year Deportation Orders Issued Deported Revoked 2013 1172 199 308 2014 958 111 353 2015 817 250 482 2016 1438 428 360 2017 1113 138 165 2018 1112 163 319 2019 2007 298 346 2020 872 140 302 2021 29 38 231 2022 271 118 582 2023 957 80 414 Overall total 10746 1963 3862 * These figures are correct at time of issue, however, statistics may change due to data cleansing. Orders revoked in any year include orders made over previous years. Insofar as safe countries of origin are concerned, on foot of the introduction of accelerated processing for countries so designated in November 2022, 160 deportation orders were issued in 2023 under this procedure.", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2024-01-17/pq_1144", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2024-01-17/1144/" }, { "date": "2019-09-18", "question_number": 131, "chamber": "32nd D\u00e1il", "topic": "Direct Provision Data", "asked_by": "Niall Collins", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "131. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of persons who entered the direct provision system in each year since 2000; the numbers of persons having being processed through the direct provision system that were subsequently naturalised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37888/19]", "answer": "Minister for Justice and Equality I am advised by the International Protection Office (IPO) that, in the period 1 January 2000 to 31 August 2019, a total of 86,533 people made an application for asylum (2000 -2016) or international protection (from 2017 onwards) in the State. A breakdown of the figures for each of the years is set out in the table below. As the Deputy may be aware, not all applicants for international protection avail of the accommodation services offered by my Department. However, I am advised that over the period concerned it is estimated that some 64,594 people availed of this accommodation. I am further advised that a total of 7,372 persons with Refugee Status have subsequently become naturalised in the period 2005 to end August 2019. Figures prior to 2005 are not available. The Immigration Service of my Department have advised that there is no means of interrogating the system to determine whether applicants were, at the time of application, residents within the direct provision system or if they had previously been in accommodation provided by the Department. The Deputy may be aware, in this regard, that two of the five years total residency requirement for naturalisation are waived, for those defined as refugees under the 1956 Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act, as amended. Year Total Asylum/International Protection Applications Total Persons with Refugee Status who became Naturalised 2000 10,938 Figures not available 2001 10,325 Figures not available 2002 11,634 Figures not available 2003 7,900 Figures not available 2004 4,766 Figures not available 2005 4,323 0 2006 4,314 29 2007 3,985 254 2008 3,866 1,050 2009 2,689 681 2010 1,939 687 2011 1,290 1,139 2012 956 1,055 2013 946 1,153 2014 1,448 551 2015 3,276 317 2016 2,244 259 2017 2,926 116 2018 3,673 51 2019 to end August 3,095* 30 Total 86,533 7,372 *The figure for the number of International Protection applications in 2019 to end August is provisional.", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2019-09-18/pq_131", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2019-09-18/131/" }, { "date": "2023-11-22", "question_number": 117, "chamber": "33rd D\u00e1il", "topic": "International Protection", "asked_by": "Pa Daly", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "117. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Justice the number of applicants, number of initial decisions, number of appeals, number of appeal decisions, number of JRs, and the decision outcome, positive and negative with respect to international protection by type of status, for the years 2013 to 2022 and to date in 2023, in tabular form. [51347/23]", "answer": "Minister for Justice My Department takes all necessary steps to manage the international protection process efficiently and effectively, while ensuring the integrity of those processes is maintained at all times. The number of international protection applications last year was 13,650, a significant increase on recent years. It represents a 186% increase on the number received in 2019, the most recent year in which application numbers were not impacted by Covid-19. To end of October 2023 the IPO has received 10,386 international protection applications. In July this year, I published a report on the international protection modernisation programme for 2023 and 2024. This programme is implementing measures to improve efficiencies and throughput as well as improving the application, interview and decision-making process for applicants. This will give status to those who are entitled to international protection to rebuild their lives here, while also ensuring faster decision making in respect of those who do not meet the criteria. Already these reforms are having a significant impact with the median processing time for first-instance decisions reducing from 18 months in 2022 down to 15 months in 2023. The median processing times for appeals is also down from 15 months at the beginning of 2022 to five months in 2023. As part of this modernisation programme, I also signed a regulation in November 2022 to introduce an accelerated procedure for international protection applicants from designated safe countries of origin. These applicants now typically receive a first instance decision in less than three months, which is a significant reduction from a norm of 22 to 26 months early last year. The International Protection Appeals Tribunal (IPAT) is a statutorily independent body and exercises a quasi-judicial function under the International Protection Act 2015. The International Protection Appeals Tribunal's (IPAT) operational capacity is also currently being significantly expanded to meet their increased caseload. Additional resources are being deployed through increasing the number of Tribunal members as well as further recruitment of administrative staff. The table attached details the data requested by the Deputy including number of applicants, number of initial decisions, number of appeals, number of appeal decisions, number of JRs, and the decision outcome positive and negative with respect to international protection by type of status, for the years 2017 to 2022 and to date in 2023. Statistics before 2017 are not easily available in the manner sought as data would have to be extracted from a number of legacy systems. With the introduction of the International Protection Act in 2016 and the creation of the International Protection Office a new database allows for easier collation of data in more recent years. Appeals with Appeal Type (2017 - Oct 2023) year_appeal Total appeal_type 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 Accelerated IP Appeal 1 4 219 374 184 236 1700 2718 Accelerated IP Appeal - Asylum only 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 Dublin 111 5 155 148 55 17 22 116 518 Inadmissible Appeal 10 16 26 15 5 79 153 304 Legacy - Asylum Appeal 22 0 0 0 0 0 0 22 NA 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 4 SP Appeal - Legacy 128 49 31 3 1 4 0 216 Subsequent Appeal 40 33 40 47 13 12 5 190 Substantive IP Appeal 610 1719 1543 714 499 795 1746 7626 Substantive IP Appeal - Asylum only 34 132 88 68 54 32 25 433 Substantive IP Appeal - SP only 59 52 13 3 2 3 1 133 Total 909 2160 2108 1279 775 1183 3751 12165 Appeal Decisions with Appeal Type (2017 - Oct 2023) year_decision 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 appeal_type Accelerated IP Appeal decision Affirmed decision - Asylum 0 0 0 1 2 1 3 Affirmed decision - Asylum and Subsidiary protection 0 0 52 147 171 269 369 Affirmed decision - Subsidiary protection 0 0 0 0 0 1 3 Granted/Set Aside - Asylum 0 0 8 14 51 64 78 Granted/Set Aside - Subsidiary Protection (SP) 0 0 0 3 2 9 5 Subsequent - Set Aside 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 Dublin 111 decision (No Categorized) 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 Affirmed decision - Asylum and Subsidiary protection 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 Dublin 3 - Affirmed 0 16 132 86 12 20 23 Dublin 3 - Set Aside 0 5 19 17 5 7 2 Granted/Set Aside - Asylum 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 Dublin III - Legacy decision Granted/Set Aside 19 0 0 0 0 0 0 Refused/Affirmed 210 2 0 0 0 0 0 Void 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 Inadmissable Appeal decision Inadmissible - Affirmed 0 9 0 0 0 0 0 Refused/Affirmed 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 Inadmissible Appeal decision (No Categorized) 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 Affirmed decision - Asylum and Subsidiary protection 0 0 0 0 0 1 4 Inadmissible - Affirmed 0 0 5 17 10 12 105 Inadmissible - Set Aside 0 0 0 2 6 3 10 Legacy - Asylum Appeal decision Granted/Set Aside - Asylum 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 NA decision Affirmed decision - Asylum and Subsidiary protection 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 SP Appeal - Legacy decision Granted/Set Aside 42 19 10 4 7 0 0 Refused/Affirmed 190 58 30 11 1 6 2 Void 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 Subsequent Appeal decision Granted/Set Aside - Asylum 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 Subsequent - Affirmed 3 36 26 15 20 12 3 Subsequent - Set Aside 7 11 9 9 16 9 0 Substantive IP Appeal decision (No Categorized) 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 Abandoned 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 Affirmed decision - Asylum 0 0 1 5 3 4 3 Affirmed decision - Asylum and Subsidiary protection 75 585 1124 472 444 471 408 Affirmed decision - Subsidiary protection 1 1 3 4 0 2 0 Granted/Set Aside - Asylum 15 240 412 248 265 362 231 Granted/Set Aside - Subsidiary Protection (SP) 0 27 41 18 15 24 19 Inadmissible - Affirmed 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 Inadmissible - Set Aside 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 Subsequent - Set Aside 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 Substantive IP Appeal - Asylum only decision Affirmed decision - Asylum 12 2 11 3 1 5 1 Affirmed decision - Asylum and Subsidiary protection 0 0 1 1 3 1 2 Affirmed decision - Subsidiary protection 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 Granted/Set Aside - Asylum 4 5 19 9 15 22 4 Substantive IP Appeal - SP only decision Affirmed decision - Asylum and Subsidiary protection 0 3 0 2 0 0 0 Affirmed decision - Subsidiary protection 6 46 25 3 2 3 1 Granted/Set Aside - Subsidiary Protection (SP) 8 8 5 0 3 1 1 International Protection JRs 2017 to 2023 (to end Oct) Year No. of JRs 2017 184 2018 215 2019 231 2020 249 2021 88 2022 74 2023 185", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2023-11-22/pq_117", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2023-11-22/117/" }, { "date": "2024-01-17", "question_number": 1016, "chamber": "33rd D\u00e1il", "topic": "International Protection", "asked_by": "Eoin \u00d3 Broin", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "1016. Deputy Eoin \u00d3 Broin asked the Minister for Justice the number of applications for refugee status and international protection refused each year from 2015 to 2023, in tabular form; and the number of these refusals overturned on appeal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56584/23]", "answer": "Minister for Justice My Department takes all necessary steps to manage the international protection process efficiently and effectively, while ensuring the integrity of those processes is maintained at all times. The International Protection Office (IPO) of my Department is responsible for examining all international protection applications received. The staff of the IPO are independent by law in the exercise of their international protection functions. I am taking a number of steps to improve how our International Protection system works. In increasing capacity and speeding up decision making, we can ensure that those who have a right to international protection are given that status as quickly as possible. For those who are found not to have a right to international protection, they must return to their home country as quickly as possible. The steps I have taken to improve the process includes the doubling of the number of staff in the IPO and providing another significant increase this year (200 to 400 in 2023). The IPO is now processing 1,000 cases per month \u2013 and this will increase further this year. I introduced accelerated processing for people coming from safe countries with the first decisions now made within 90 days \u2013 down from 17-24 months in 2022. A review of the list of safe countries of origin is almost complete and I expect to make a decision on this in the coming weeks. In July of 2023, I published a report on the international protection modernisation programme for 2023 and 2024. This programme is implementing measures to improve efficiencies and throughput as well as improving the application, interview and decision-making process for applicants. This will give status to those who are entitled to international protection to rebuild their lives here, while also ensuring faster decision making in respect of those who do not meet the criteria. Reforms to the international protection process will continue in 2024. Approximately \u20ac34m was allocated in budget 2024 to the International Protection Office (IPO) and the International Protection Appeals Tribunal (IPAT) to continue to scale up processing. The table below sets out the number of IPO First Instance Decisions issued from 2017 to 2023 indicating where appeals are possible. In 2023, 62% of international protection applications were refused by the IPO. Please note that although the Deputy has asked for figures from 2015 onwards, statistics pre-2017 are not readily available in the manner sought, as data would have to be extracted from a number of legacy systems. With the introduction of the International Protection Act in 2016 and the creation of the International Protection Office, a new database allows for easier collation of data in more recent years therefore we have provided figures from 2017 onwards only. IPO First Instance Decisions 2017 to 2023: Decision 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 Decision 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 Refugee Status (RS) Grant 672 679 708 439 859 1390 2477 Subsidiary Protection (SP) Grant (RS Refusal)* 84 203 140 83 75 70 237 Permission to Remain (PTR) Grant (RS and SP Refusal)* 65 202 268 202 588 2076 531 Refusal (RS, SP and PTR Refusal)* 970 1784 2093 1433 781 871 5197 Grand Total** 1791 2868 3209 2157 2303 4407 8442 *Refusal of any RS and SP elements at first instance can be appealed to the IPAT **Figures are correct at time of issue and may be subject to data cleansing The International Protection Appeals Tribunal (IPAT) is a statutorily independent body and exercises a quasi-judicial function under the International Protection Act 2015. The table below show the number of appeals that IPAT (or it's predecessor the Refugee Appeal Tribunal) set aside or granted each year from 2015 to 2023*. In 2023, 90% of appeals from the IPO were refused by IPAT. IP Appeals 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 IP Appeals 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 Total Granted / Set aside 224 305 76 311 503 299 380 489 430 Total Appeals Received 1305 2020 886 1973 1895 1201 740 1158 4412 *Please note, figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing. The Deputy may also wish to know that my Department has created a website to provide a detailed overview of the International Protection process in Ireland which can be accessed at: www.gov.ie/en/campaigns/304ba-international-protection/ This site also provides detailed statistics and metrics in relation to processing of applications for protection. These statistics are published on a monthly basis. www.gov.ie/en/collection/48a28-international-protection-in-numbers/", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2024-01-17/pq_1016", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2024-01-17/1016/" }, { "date": "2025-11-12", "question_number": 768, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "Citizenship Applications", "asked_by": "Matt Carthy", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "768. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the steps being taken to address the backlog in citizenship applications over the past five years; the timeframe for the backlog to be cleared; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61680/25]", "answer": "Minister of State at the Department of Justice I propose to take Questions Nos. 768, 769 and 773 together. I understand that extended wait times can be frustrating for applicants. I want to assure anyone who has an application for naturalisation submitted, that my Department is doing everything possible to progress applications as quickly as possible. My Department has taken a significant number of steps to speed up the process for applicants. These included introducing an online digital application, online payments, and the introduction of eVetting. This digitisation has facilitated a record number of citizenship decisions made last year. In just over two years, my Department has gone from processing around 12,000 applications a year, to processing over 20,000 applications in 2023, and made more than 31,000 decisions in 2024. I am pleased to inform the Deputy that these changes are reducing processing times. The median processing time for a decision on an application in 2024 was 8 months. This is a significant decrease from the median processing time of 15 months in 2023 and 19 months in 2022. Furthermore, my Department held 24 citizenship ceremonies last year, an increase from the 15 ceremonies held in 2023, and the 6 that were held in 2022. My Department has already held 19 ceremonies this year, with more planned for later in the year. It is important to note, however, that no two naturalisation applications are the same and some take longer than others to process. Given the importance of citizenship, robust and comprehensive checks must take place on each application. Unfortunately some checks, such as international checks, can take a considerable amount of time and these are largely outside of the control of the Immigration Service. For that reason, while, I expect that going forward, that most applicants will receive a decision within one year, this cannot be guaranteed in the case of applications made in any specific year. The nationalities of those who were granted citizenship and who have received their certificate of naturalisation from 2020, up to 10 November 2025, is outlined in the attached file. It should be noted that decisions issued in any year may relate to applications which were received in previous years due to the time taken to process applications. Table 1 below details the number of people granted Irish citizenship and who have receive their certificate of naturalisation, and the number of citizenship ceremonies in each of the past ten years. Table 1 Year Granted Number of Ceremonies 2016 10,002 9 2017 8,179 7 2018 8,208 7 2019 5,779 7 2020 5,465 7 2021 9,811 0 2022 13,595 6 2023 18,265 15 2024 24,068 24 2025 (up to 10 November) 24,698 19 Total 128,070 101 *Please note, figures are correct at time of issue, however all statistics may be subject to data cleansing. Nationalities of those who were granted citizenship and who have received their certificate of naturalisation from 2020, up to 10 November 2025 Nationality 2025 India 5,272 Brazil 1,925 Romania 1,396 United Kingdom 1,372 Philippines 1,151 Poland 1,133 China (Including Hong Kong) 934 Nigeria 899 South Africa 857 Pakistan 637 United States Of America 564 Egypt 491 Mauritius 473 Italy 408 Latvia 357 Russian Federation 343 Syrian Arab Republic 318 Zimbabwe 313 T\u00fcrkiye 308 Ukraine 298 Lithuania 232 Sudan 229 Croatia 206 Hungary 200 Bangladesh 197 Congo, The Democratic Republic Of The 194 Venezuela 151 Mexico 150 France 139 Germany 137 Bulgaria 126 Spain 124 Slovak Republic 121 Malaysia 116 Nepal 116 Canada 110 Portugal 102 Albania 101 Australia 101 Malawi 97 Georgia 90 Afghanistan 85 Thailand 80 Argentina 79 Viet Nam 72 Ghana 70 Iraq 66 Somalia 64 Mongolia 61 Libyan Arab Jamahiriya 58 Greece 57 Sri Lanka 52 New Zealand 49 Israel 48 Colombia 47 Serbia 46 State of Palestine 43 Belarus 42 Botswana 42 Tunisia 41 Cameroon 38 Czech Republic 37 Algeria 36 Iran (Islamic Republic Of) 36 Lebanon 36 Moldova, Republic Of 35 Chile 34 Jordan 34 Taiwan 34 Kenya 31 Ethiopia 29 Morocco 28 Bolivia 27 Korea, Republic Of (South Korea) 27 Netherlands 27 Uganda 26 Indonesia 24 Bosnia And Herzegovina 22 Sweden 21 Angola 20 Estonia 19 Armenia 18 Kazakhstan 18 Kosovo / UNSCR 1244 18 Sierra Leone 18 El Salvador 17 Togo 15 Cote D'Ivoire 14 Peru 14 Belgium 13 Zambia 13 Costa Rica 12 Eritrea 12 Cuba 11 Cyprus 10 Dominican Republic 10 Japan 10 Uruguay 10 Rest of the World 254", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2025-11-12/pq_768", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2025-11-12/768/" }, { "date": "2025-11-12", "question_number": 769, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "Citizenship Applications", "asked_by": "Matt Carthy", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "769. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of citizenship applications granted in each of the past five years, by nationality, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61681/25]", "answer": "Minister of State at the Department of Justice I propose to take Questions Nos. 768, 769 and 773 together. I understand that extended wait times can be frustrating for applicants. I want to assure anyone who has an application for naturalisation submitted, that my Department is doing everything possible to progress applications as quickly as possible. My Department has taken a significant number of steps to speed up the process for applicants. These included introducing an online digital application, online payments, and the introduction of eVetting. This digitisation has facilitated a record number of citizenship decisions made last year. In just over two years, my Department has gone from processing around 12,000 applications a year, to processing over 20,000 applications in 2023, and made more than 31,000 decisions in 2024. I am pleased to inform the Deputy that these changes are reducing processing times. The median processing time for a decision on an application in 2024 was 8 months. This is a significant decrease from the median processing time of 15 months in 2023 and 19 months in 2022. Furthermore, my Department held 24 citizenship ceremonies last year, an increase from the 15 ceremonies held in 2023, and the 6 that were held in 2022. My Department has already held 19 ceremonies this year, with more planned for later in the year. It is important to note, however, that no two naturalisation applications are the same and some take longer than others to process. Given the importance of citizenship, robust and comprehensive checks must take place on each application. Unfortunately some checks, such as international checks, can take a considerable amount of time and these are largely outside of the control of the Immigration Service. For that reason, while, I expect that going forward, that most applicants will receive a decision within one year, this cannot be guaranteed in the case of applications made in any specific year. The nationalities of those who were granted citizenship and who have received their certificate of naturalisation from 2020, up to 10 November 2025, is outlined in the attached file. It should be noted that decisions issued in any year may relate to applications which were received in previous years due to the time taken to process applications. Table 1 below details the number of people granted Irish citizenship and who have receive their certificate of naturalisation, and the number of citizenship ceremonies in each of the past ten years. Table 1 Year Granted Number of Ceremonies 2016 10,002 9 2017 8,179 7 2018 8,208 7 2019 5,779 7 2020 5,465 7 2021 9,811 0 2022 13,595 6 2023 18,265 15 2024 24,068 24 2025 (up to 10 November) 24,698 19 Total 128,070 101 *Please note, figures are correct at time of issue, however all statistics may be subject to data cleansing. Nationalities of those who were granted citizenship and who have received their certificate of naturalisation from 2020, up to 10 November 2025 Nationality 2025 India 5,272 Brazil 1,925 Romania 1,396 United Kingdom 1,372 Philippines 1,151 Poland 1,133 China (Including Hong Kong) 934 Nigeria 899 South Africa 857 Pakistan 637 United States Of America 564 Egypt 491 Mauritius 473 Italy 408 Latvia 357 Russian Federation 343 Syrian Arab Republic 318 Zimbabwe 313 T\u00fcrkiye 308 Ukraine 298 Lithuania 232 Sudan 229 Croatia 206 Hungary 200 Bangladesh 197 Congo, The Democratic Republic Of The 194 Venezuela 151 Mexico 150 France 139 Germany 137 Bulgaria 126 Spain 124 Slovak Republic 121 Malaysia 116 Nepal 116 Canada 110 Portugal 102 Albania 101 Australia 101 Malawi 97 Georgia 90 Afghanistan 85 Thailand 80 Argentina 79 Viet Nam 72 Ghana 70 Iraq 66 Somalia 64 Mongolia 61 Libyan Arab Jamahiriya 58 Greece 57 Sri Lanka 52 New Zealand 49 Israel 48 Colombia 47 Serbia 46 State of Palestine 43 Belarus 42 Botswana 42 Tunisia 41 Cameroon 38 Czech Republic 37 Algeria 36 Iran (Islamic Republic Of) 36 Lebanon 36 Moldova, Republic Of 35 Chile 34 Jordan 34 Taiwan 34 Kenya 31 Ethiopia 29 Morocco 28 Bolivia 27 Korea, Republic Of (South Korea) 27 Netherlands 27 Uganda 26 Indonesia 24 Bosnia And Herzegovina 22 Sweden 21 Angola 20 Estonia 19 Armenia 18 Kazakhstan 18 Kosovo / UNSCR 1244 18 Sierra Leone 18 El Salvador 17 Togo 15 Cote D'Ivoire 14 Peru 14 Belgium 13 Zambia 13 Costa Rica 12 Eritrea 12 Cuba 11 Cyprus 10 Dominican Republic 10 Japan 10 Uruguay 10 Rest of the World 254", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2025-11-12/pq_769", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2025-11-12/769/" }, { "date": "2025-11-12", "question_number": 773, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "Citizenship Applications", "asked_by": "Matt Carthy", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "773. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the total number of people granted Irish citizenship and the total number of citizenship ceremonies, respectively in each of the past ten years, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61685/25]", "answer": "Minister of State at the Department of Justice I propose to take Questions Nos. 768, 769 and 773 together. I understand that extended wait times can be frustrating for applicants. I want to assure anyone who has an application for naturalisation submitted, that my Department is doing everything possible to progress applications as quickly as possible. My Department has taken a significant number of steps to speed up the process for applicants. These included introducing an online digital application, online payments, and the introduction of eVetting. This digitisation has facilitated a record number of citizenship decisions made last year. In just over two years, my Department has gone from processing around 12,000 applications a year, to processing over 20,000 applications in 2023, and made more than 31,000 decisions in 2024. I am pleased to inform the Deputy that these changes are reducing processing times. The median processing time for a decision on an application in 2024 was 8 months. This is a significant decrease from the median processing time of 15 months in 2023 and 19 months in 2022. Furthermore, my Department held 24 citizenship ceremonies last year, an increase from the 15 ceremonies held in 2023, and the 6 that were held in 2022. My Department has already held 19 ceremonies this year, with more planned for later in the year. It is important to note, however, that no two naturalisation applications are the same and some take longer than others to process. Given the importance of citizenship, robust and comprehensive checks must take place on each application. Unfortunately some checks, such as international checks, can take a considerable amount of time and these are largely outside of the control of the Immigration Service. For that reason, while, I expect that going forward, that most applicants will receive a decision within one year, this cannot be guaranteed in the case of applications made in any specific year. The nationalities of those who were granted citizenship and who have received their certificate of naturalisation from 2020, up to 10 November 2025, is outlined in the attached file. It should be noted that decisions issued in any year may relate to applications which were received in previous years due to the time taken to process applications. Table 1 below details the number of people granted Irish citizenship and who have receive their certificate of naturalisation, and the number of citizenship ceremonies in each of the past ten years. Table 1 Year Granted Number of Ceremonies 2016 10,002 9 2017 8,179 7 2018 8,208 7 2019 5,779 7 2020 5,465 7 2021 9,811 0 2022 13,595 6 2023 18,265 15 2024 24,068 24 2025 (up to 10 November) 24,698 19 Total 128,070 101 *Please note, figures are correct at time of issue, however all statistics may be subject to data cleansing. Nationalities of those who were granted citizenship and who have received their certificate of naturalisation from 2020, up to 10 November 2025 Nationality 2025 India 5,272 Brazil 1,925 Romania 1,396 United Kingdom 1,372 Philippines 1,151 Poland 1,133 China (Including Hong Kong) 934 Nigeria 899 South Africa 857 Pakistan 637 United States Of America 564 Egypt 491 Mauritius 473 Italy 408 Latvia 357 Russian Federation 343 Syrian Arab Republic 318 Zimbabwe 313 T\u00fcrkiye 308 Ukraine 298 Lithuania 232 Sudan 229 Croatia 206 Hungary 200 Bangladesh 197 Congo, The Democratic Republic Of The 194 Venezuela 151 Mexico 150 France 139 Germany 137 Bulgaria 126 Spain 124 Slovak Republic 121 Malaysia 116 Nepal 116 Canada 110 Portugal 102 Albania 101 Australia 101 Malawi 97 Georgia 90 Afghanistan 85 Thailand 80 Argentina 79 Viet Nam 72 Ghana 70 Iraq 66 Somalia 64 Mongolia 61 Libyan Arab Jamahiriya 58 Greece 57 Sri Lanka 52 New Zealand 49 Israel 48 Colombia 47 Serbia 46 State of Palestine 43 Belarus 42 Botswana 42 Tunisia 41 Cameroon 38 Czech Republic 37 Algeria 36 Iran (Islamic Republic Of) 36 Lebanon 36 Moldova, Republic Of 35 Chile 34 Jordan 34 Taiwan 34 Kenya 31 Ethiopia 29 Morocco 28 Bolivia 27 Korea, Republic Of (South Korea) 27 Netherlands 27 Uganda 26 Indonesia 24 Bosnia And Herzegovina 22 Sweden 21 Angola 20 Estonia 19 Armenia 18 Kazakhstan 18 Kosovo / UNSCR 1244 18 Sierra Leone 18 El Salvador 17 Togo 15 Cote D'Ivoire 14 Peru 14 Belgium 13 Zambia 13 Costa Rica 12 Eritrea 12 Cuba 11 Cyprus 10 Dominican Republic 10 Japan 10 Uruguay 10 Rest of the World 254", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2025-11-12/pq_773", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2025-11-12/773/" }, { "date": "2025-12-02", "question_number": 416, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "Prison Service", "asked_by": "Ken O'Flynn", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "416. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of recorded drone incursions at each prison in the State in the past five years, broken down by year and by institution, and the types of contraband recovered from those incidents. [67737/25]", "answer": "Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration I propose to take Questions Nos. 416, 417, 418, 419, 422 and 423 together. It is proposed to take 67737/25, 67738/25, 67739/25,67740/25, 67743/25, and 67744/25 together. I am advised by my officials that the Irish Prison Service addresses drone incursions across the prison estate by deploying all appropriate dynamic security measures responding to the nature and level of the threat in each instance. In relation to the staffing and technology in place, the Irish Prison Service does not disclose detailed operational information that could compromise the integrity, security, or safety of any prison establishment. The controlled management of security-related information is a core component of maintaining a safe and secure custodial environment for staff, prisoners, and the wider community. At this point in time it is not possible to collate the information sought regarding the financial impact, as work to reduce incursions of contraband to prison environments involves a range of collaborative actions involving multiple agencies. I can however, advise the Deputy that the Irish Prison Service has invested \u20ac5 million to date in the nationwide installation of metallic mesh netting to prevent and reduce drone-enabled contraband drops. The Irish Prison Service, together with An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na, have completed several very successful collaborative operations in the past year delivering significant results, including multiple arrests and prosecutions linked to attempts to introduce drugs and other contraband into prisons by drone or throw-over. This intelligence-led, multi-agency co-operation is effectively disrupting and detecting attempted delivery of contraband into prisons and improving communication pathways regarding supply, availability, typology and impact of illicit substances in prisons. In relation to the number of drone incursions at each prison, the Irish Prison Service Operational Support Group did not commence documenting a consistent central record of drone incidents until July 2024, when the prevalence of this type of incident increased. The figures provided in Table 1 below are of reports recorded from 1 January 2025 to 27 November 2025: Table 1: Number of drone incidents recorded per prison in 2024 and 2025 Prison Location 2025 (01 Jan \u2013 27 Nov) 2024 Wheatfield Prison 199 84 Cloverhill Prison 58 15 Mountjoy Prison 46 35 Midlands Prison 19 4 Portlaoise Prison 13 1 Limerick Prison 16 2 Castlerea Prison 10 1 Cork Prison 2 0 The types of contraband recovered from these incidents provide an insight into the importance of the close co-operative working between the Irish Prison Service and An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na to intercept these drone incursions. Items recovered include: various drugs, knives, blades, mobile phones, chargers and SIM cards. Table 2 below sets out the record of items of contraband seized by the Irish Prison Service. Items recovered from drone incursions are not recorded separately to items recovered in other operations across the prison estate. Table 2: Contraband seizures in Irish Prison Service 2016-2025 Year Phones Drugs Weapons 2025 (To Oct 31st) 1435 976 364 2024 1,236 1,035 260 2023 1,272 1,294 308 2022 1,439 1,390 312 2021 1,369 1,518 292 2020 1,148 1,251 294 2019 964 1,251 540 2018 962 1,138 664 2017 872 1,018 557 2016 648 715 435", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2025-12-02/pq_416", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2025-12-02/416/" }, { "date": "2025-12-02", "question_number": 417, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "Prison Service", "asked_by": "Ken O'Flynn", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "417. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the total quantity and classification of contraband recovered following drone incursions into prisons since 2020, including drugs, weapons, mobile phones, SIM cards, and other prohibited items. [67738/25]", "answer": "Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration I propose to take Questions Nos. 416, 417, 418, 419, 422 and 423 together. It is proposed to take 67737/25, 67738/25, 67739/25,67740/25, 67743/25, and 67744/25 together. I am advised by my officials that the Irish Prison Service addresses drone incursions across the prison estate by deploying all appropriate dynamic security measures responding to the nature and level of the threat in each instance. In relation to the staffing and technology in place, the Irish Prison Service does not disclose detailed operational information that could compromise the integrity, security, or safety of any prison establishment. The controlled management of security-related information is a core component of maintaining a safe and secure custodial environment for staff, prisoners, and the wider community. At this point in time it is not possible to collate the information sought regarding the financial impact, as work to reduce incursions of contraband to prison environments involves a range of collaborative actions involving multiple agencies. I can however, advise the Deputy that the Irish Prison Service has invested \u20ac5 million to date in the nationwide installation of metallic mesh netting to prevent and reduce drone-enabled contraband drops. The Irish Prison Service, together with An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na, have completed several very successful collaborative operations in the past year delivering significant results, including multiple arrests and prosecutions linked to attempts to introduce drugs and other contraband into prisons by drone or throw-over. This intelligence-led, multi-agency co-operation is effectively disrupting and detecting attempted delivery of contraband into prisons and improving communication pathways regarding supply, availability, typology and impact of illicit substances in prisons. In relation to the number of drone incursions at each prison, the Irish Prison Service Operational Support Group did not commence documenting a consistent central record of drone incidents until July 2024, when the prevalence of this type of incident increased. The figures provided in Table 1 below are of reports recorded from 1 January 2025 to 27 November 2025: Table 1: Number of drone incidents recorded per prison in 2024 and 2025 Prison Location 2025 (01 Jan \u2013 27 Nov) 2024 Wheatfield Prison 199 84 Cloverhill Prison 58 15 Mountjoy Prison 46 35 Midlands Prison 19 4 Portlaoise Prison 13 1 Limerick Prison 16 2 Castlerea Prison 10 1 Cork Prison 2 0 The types of contraband recovered from these incidents provide an insight into the importance of the close co-operative working between the Irish Prison Service and An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na to intercept these drone incursions. Items recovered include: various drugs, knives, blades, mobile phones, chargers and SIM cards. Table 2 below sets out the record of items of contraband seized by the Irish Prison Service. Items recovered from drone incursions are not recorded separately to items recovered in other operations across the prison estate. Table 2: Contraband seizures in Irish Prison Service 2016-2025 Year Phones Drugs Weapons 2025 (To Oct 31st) 1435 976 364 2024 1,236 1,035 260 2023 1,272 1,294 308 2022 1,439 1,390 312 2021 1,369 1,518 292 2020 1,148 1,251 294 2019 964 1,251 540 2018 962 1,138 664 2017 872 1,018 557 2016 648 715 435", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2025-12-02/pq_417", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2025-12-02/417/" }, { "date": "2025-12-02", "question_number": 418, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "Prison Service", "asked_by": "Ken O'Flynn", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "418. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the current security technology in place in each prison to detect, deter, or disable drone incursions; the date each system was installed; and the planned upgrades for 2026. [67739/25]", "answer": "Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration I propose to take Questions Nos. 416, 417, 418, 419, 422 and 423 together. It is proposed to take 67737/25, 67738/25, 67739/25,67740/25, 67743/25, and 67744/25 together. I am advised by my officials that the Irish Prison Service addresses drone incursions across the prison estate by deploying all appropriate dynamic security measures responding to the nature and level of the threat in each instance. In relation to the staffing and technology in place, the Irish Prison Service does not disclose detailed operational information that could compromise the integrity, security, or safety of any prison establishment. The controlled management of security-related information is a core component of maintaining a safe and secure custodial environment for staff, prisoners, and the wider community. At this point in time it is not possible to collate the information sought regarding the financial impact, as work to reduce incursions of contraband to prison environments involves a range of collaborative actions involving multiple agencies. I can however, advise the Deputy that the Irish Prison Service has invested \u20ac5 million to date in the nationwide installation of metallic mesh netting to prevent and reduce drone-enabled contraband drops. The Irish Prison Service, together with An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na, have completed several very successful collaborative operations in the past year delivering significant results, including multiple arrests and prosecutions linked to attempts to introduce drugs and other contraband into prisons by drone or throw-over. This intelligence-led, multi-agency co-operation is effectively disrupting and detecting attempted delivery of contraband into prisons and improving communication pathways regarding supply, availability, typology and impact of illicit substances in prisons. In relation to the number of drone incursions at each prison, the Irish Prison Service Operational Support Group did not commence documenting a consistent central record of drone incidents until July 2024, when the prevalence of this type of incident increased. The figures provided in Table 1 below are of reports recorded from 1 January 2025 to 27 November 2025: Table 1: Number of drone incidents recorded per prison in 2024 and 2025 Prison Location 2025 (01 Jan \u2013 27 Nov) 2024 Wheatfield Prison 199 84 Cloverhill Prison 58 15 Mountjoy Prison 46 35 Midlands Prison 19 4 Portlaoise Prison 13 1 Limerick Prison 16 2 Castlerea Prison 10 1 Cork Prison 2 0 The types of contraband recovered from these incidents provide an insight into the importance of the close co-operative working between the Irish Prison Service and An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na to intercept these drone incursions. Items recovered include: various drugs, knives, blades, mobile phones, chargers and SIM cards. Table 2 below sets out the record of items of contraband seized by the Irish Prison Service. Items recovered from drone incursions are not recorded separately to items recovered in other operations across the prison estate. Table 2: Contraband seizures in Irish Prison Service 2016-2025 Year Phones Drugs Weapons 2025 (To Oct 31st) 1435 976 364 2024 1,236 1,035 260 2023 1,272 1,294 308 2022 1,439 1,390 312 2021 1,369 1,518 292 2020 1,148 1,251 294 2019 964 1,251 540 2018 962 1,138 664 2017 872 1,018 557 2016 648 715 435", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2025-12-02/pq_418", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2025-12-02/418/" }, { "date": "2025-12-02", "question_number": 419, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "Prison Service", "asked_by": "Ken O'Flynn", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "419. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the current staffing levels assigned to perimeter security in each prison; the standard operating procedures for responding to drone incursions; and the number of times these procedures were activated in the past three years. [67740/25]", "answer": "Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration I propose to take Questions Nos. 416, 417, 418, 419, 422 and 423 together. It is proposed to take 67737/25, 67738/25, 67739/25,67740/25, 67743/25, and 67744/25 together. I am advised by my officials that the Irish Prison Service addresses drone incursions across the prison estate by deploying all appropriate dynamic security measures responding to the nature and level of the threat in each instance. In relation to the staffing and technology in place, the Irish Prison Service does not disclose detailed operational information that could compromise the integrity, security, or safety of any prison establishment. The controlled management of security-related information is a core component of maintaining a safe and secure custodial environment for staff, prisoners, and the wider community. At this point in time it is not possible to collate the information sought regarding the financial impact, as work to reduce incursions of contraband to prison environments involves a range of collaborative actions involving multiple agencies. I can however, advise the Deputy that the Irish Prison Service has invested \u20ac5 million to date in the nationwide installation of metallic mesh netting to prevent and reduce drone-enabled contraband drops. The Irish Prison Service, together with An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na, have completed several very successful collaborative operations in the past year delivering significant results, including multiple arrests and prosecutions linked to attempts to introduce drugs and other contraband into prisons by drone or throw-over. This intelligence-led, multi-agency co-operation is effectively disrupting and detecting attempted delivery of contraband into prisons and improving communication pathways regarding supply, availability, typology and impact of illicit substances in prisons. In relation to the number of drone incursions at each prison, the Irish Prison Service Operational Support Group did not commence documenting a consistent central record of drone incidents until July 2024, when the prevalence of this type of incident increased. The figures provided in Table 1 below are of reports recorded from 1 January 2025 to 27 November 2025: Table 1: Number of drone incidents recorded per prison in 2024 and 2025 Prison Location 2025 (01 Jan \u2013 27 Nov) 2024 Wheatfield Prison 199 84 Cloverhill Prison 58 15 Mountjoy Prison 46 35 Midlands Prison 19 4 Portlaoise Prison 13 1 Limerick Prison 16 2 Castlerea Prison 10 1 Cork Prison 2 0 The types of contraband recovered from these incidents provide an insight into the importance of the close co-operative working between the Irish Prison Service and An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na to intercept these drone incursions. Items recovered include: various drugs, knives, blades, mobile phones, chargers and SIM cards. Table 2 below sets out the record of items of contraband seized by the Irish Prison Service. Items recovered from drone incursions are not recorded separately to items recovered in other operations across the prison estate. Table 2: Contraband seizures in Irish Prison Service 2016-2025 Year Phones Drugs Weapons 2025 (To Oct 31st) 1435 976 364 2024 1,236 1,035 260 2023 1,272 1,294 308 2022 1,439 1,390 312 2021 1,369 1,518 292 2020 1,148 1,251 294 2019 964 1,251 540 2018 962 1,138 664 2017 872 1,018 557 2016 648 715 435", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2025-12-02/pq_419", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2025-12-02/419/" }, { "date": "2025-12-02", "question_number": 422, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "Prison Service", "asked_by": "Ken O'Flynn", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "422. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the estimated financial impact on the prison system arising from drone-related contraband since 2020, including security responses, detection equipment, staff overtime, drug-treatment interventions, and property damage. [67743/25]", "answer": "Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration I propose to take Questions Nos. 416, 417, 418, 419, 422 and 423 together. It is proposed to take 67737/25, 67738/25, 67739/25,67740/25, 67743/25, and 67744/25 together. I am advised by my officials that the Irish Prison Service addresses drone incursions across the prison estate by deploying all appropriate dynamic security measures responding to the nature and level of the threat in each instance. In relation to the staffing and technology in place, the Irish Prison Service does not disclose detailed operational information that could compromise the integrity, security, or safety of any prison establishment. The controlled management of security-related information is a core component of maintaining a safe and secure custodial environment for staff, prisoners, and the wider community. At this point in time it is not possible to collate the information sought regarding the financial impact, as work to reduce incursions of contraband to prison environments involves a range of collaborative actions involving multiple agencies. I can however, advise the Deputy that the Irish Prison Service has invested \u20ac5 million to date in the nationwide installation of metallic mesh netting to prevent and reduce drone-enabled contraband drops. The Irish Prison Service, together with An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na, have completed several very successful collaborative operations in the past year delivering significant results, including multiple arrests and prosecutions linked to attempts to introduce drugs and other contraband into prisons by drone or throw-over. This intelligence-led, multi-agency co-operation is effectively disrupting and detecting attempted delivery of contraband into prisons and improving communication pathways regarding supply, availability, typology and impact of illicit substances in prisons. In relation to the number of drone incursions at each prison, the Irish Prison Service Operational Support Group did not commence documenting a consistent central record of drone incidents until July 2024, when the prevalence of this type of incident increased. The figures provided in Table 1 below are of reports recorded from 1 January 2025 to 27 November 2025: Table 1: Number of drone incidents recorded per prison in 2024 and 2025 Prison Location 2025 (01 Jan \u2013 27 Nov) 2024 Wheatfield Prison 199 84 Cloverhill Prison 58 15 Mountjoy Prison 46 35 Midlands Prison 19 4 Portlaoise Prison 13 1 Limerick Prison 16 2 Castlerea Prison 10 1 Cork Prison 2 0 The types of contraband recovered from these incidents provide an insight into the importance of the close co-operative working between the Irish Prison Service and An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na to intercept these drone incursions. Items recovered include: various drugs, knives, blades, mobile phones, chargers and SIM cards. Table 2 below sets out the record of items of contraband seized by the Irish Prison Service. Items recovered from drone incursions are not recorded separately to items recovered in other operations across the prison estate. Table 2: Contraband seizures in Irish Prison Service 2016-2025 Year Phones Drugs Weapons 2025 (To Oct 31st) 1435 976 364 2024 1,236 1,035 260 2023 1,272 1,294 308 2022 1,439 1,390 312 2021 1,369 1,518 292 2020 1,148 1,251 294 2019 964 1,251 540 2018 962 1,138 664 2017 872 1,018 557 2016 648 715 435", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2025-12-02/pq_422", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2025-12-02/422/" }, { "date": "2025-12-02", "question_number": 423, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "Prison Service", "asked_by": "Ken O'Flynn", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "423. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if he will publish the most recent internal risk assessment relating to drone incursions into prisons, including risk ratings, mitigation measures, and outstanding vulnerabilities identified. [67744/25]", "answer": "Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration I propose to take Questions Nos. 416, 417, 418, 419, 422 and 423 together. It is proposed to take 67737/25, 67738/25, 67739/25,67740/25, 67743/25, and 67744/25 together. I am advised by my officials that the Irish Prison Service addresses drone incursions across the prison estate by deploying all appropriate dynamic security measures responding to the nature and level of the threat in each instance. In relation to the staffing and technology in place, the Irish Prison Service does not disclose detailed operational information that could compromise the integrity, security, or safety of any prison establishment. The controlled management of security-related information is a core component of maintaining a safe and secure custodial environment for staff, prisoners, and the wider community. At this point in time it is not possible to collate the information sought regarding the financial impact, as work to reduce incursions of contraband to prison environments involves a range of collaborative actions involving multiple agencies. I can however, advise the Deputy that the Irish Prison Service has invested \u20ac5 million to date in the nationwide installation of metallic mesh netting to prevent and reduce drone-enabled contraband drops. The Irish Prison Service, together with An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na, have completed several very successful collaborative operations in the past year delivering significant results, including multiple arrests and prosecutions linked to attempts to introduce drugs and other contraband into prisons by drone or throw-over. This intelligence-led, multi-agency co-operation is effectively disrupting and detecting attempted delivery of contraband into prisons and improving communication pathways regarding supply, availability, typology and impact of illicit substances in prisons. In relation to the number of drone incursions at each prison, the Irish Prison Service Operational Support Group did not commence documenting a consistent central record of drone incidents until July 2024, when the prevalence of this type of incident increased. The figures provided in Table 1 below are of reports recorded from 1 January 2025 to 27 November 2025: Table 1: Number of drone incidents recorded per prison in 2024 and 2025 Prison Location 2025 (01 Jan \u2013 27 Nov) 2024 Wheatfield Prison 199 84 Cloverhill Prison 58 15 Mountjoy Prison 46 35 Midlands Prison 19 4 Portlaoise Prison 13 1 Limerick Prison 16 2 Castlerea Prison 10 1 Cork Prison 2 0 The types of contraband recovered from these incidents provide an insight into the importance of the close co-operative working between the Irish Prison Service and An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na to intercept these drone incursions. Items recovered include: various drugs, knives, blades, mobile phones, chargers and SIM cards. Table 2 below sets out the record of items of contraband seized by the Irish Prison Service. Items recovered from drone incursions are not recorded separately to items recovered in other operations across the prison estate. Table 2: Contraband seizures in Irish Prison Service 2016-2025 Year Phones Drugs Weapons 2025 (To Oct 31st) 1435 976 364 2024 1,236 1,035 260 2023 1,272 1,294 308 2022 1,439 1,390 312 2021 1,369 1,518 292 2020 1,148 1,251 294 2019 964 1,251 540 2018 962 1,138 664 2017 872 1,018 557 2016 648 715 435", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2025-12-02/pq_423", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2025-12-02/423/" }, { "date": "2026-01-21", "question_number": 204, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "Departmental Advertising", "asked_by": "Malcolm Byrne", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "204. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the total sums spent for each year from 2016 to 2025, inclusive of advertising, by his Department on social media or online platforms, including identifying separately payments to influencers on such platforms; and to set out the annual totals for that period to each specific platform, including but not limited to major platforms (details supplied). [4858/26]", "answer": "Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration My Department carries out public information campaigns, where appropriate, in order to draw public attention to important issues across the justice sector. When planning a campaign, my Department works with media buyers to select the most appropriate channels for our target campaign audience and message. This can include social media platforms. The information requested by the Deputy in relation to my Department's expenditure on social media platforms, including public information campaigns, is provided in the table below. Platform 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 Total (per platform) YOUTUBE \u20ac4,314 \u20ac11,093 \u20ac9,850 \u20ac23,022 \u20ac28,531 \u20ac76,023 \u20ac57,963 \u20ac33,641 \u20ac15,253 \u20ac259,690 META \u20ac1,525 \u20ac5,572 \u20ac3,452 \u20ac20,215 \u20ac24,965 \u20ac92,690 \u20ac42,075 \u20ac18,780 \u20ac209,274 TIKTOK \u20ac7,227 \u20ac11,452 \u20ac10,099 \u20ac47,493 \u20ac34,038 \u20ac13,501 \u20ac123,810 SNAPCHAT \u20ac1,972 \u20ac9,943 \u20ac25,312 \u20ac5,755 \u20ac42,982 TINDER \u20ac23,063 \u20ac23,063 X (formally Twitter) \u20ac1,279 \u20ac5,227 \u20ac10,532 \u20ac17,038 REDDIT \u20ac14,306 \u20ac4,304 \u20ac18,610 LINKEDIN \u20ac2,157 \u20ac7,827 \u20ac2,095 \u20ac1,500 \u20ac13,579 TWITCH \u20ac3,821 \u20ac3,821 Total (per annum) \u20ac4,314 \u20ac11,093 \u20ac11,375 \u20ac6,851 \u20ac33,701 \u20ac88,488 \u20ac125,748 \u20ac215,916 \u20ac151,467 \u20ac62,914 The expenditure includes recent campaigns relating to: \u2022 Victims of Crime and the Victims Charter \u2022 Domestic, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (DSGBV) \u2022 Zero Tolerance \u2022 Consent \u2022 Intimate Image Abuse - No Excuses \u2022 Always Here / Still Here \u2022 Witnessing Domestic Violence - What Would You Do? \u2022 Fireworks Awareness. My Department has not paid social media influencers in any of its campaigns.", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2026-01-21/pq_204", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2026-01-21/204/" }, { "date": "2026-02-18", "question_number": 220, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "Visa Applications", "asked_by": "Peadar T\u00f3ib\u00edn", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "220. Deputy Peadar T\u00f3ib\u00edn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration further to Parliamentary Question No. 224 of 11 February 2026, to include all visa application figures that have been granted for the past ten years including applications that were subsequently granted at appeal, business visas, conference visas, medical visas, and any other visa category that have been issued. [13023/26]", "answer": "Minister of State at the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration I can advise the Deputy that my Department currently operates seven overseas Visa Offices in addition to the Visa Office in Dublin. These are located in Abuja, Beijing, London, Moscow, Ankara, Abu Dhabi and New Delhi. In addition, staff of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade process certain visa applications in Irish Embassies abroad under delegated authority from my Department. Visa and preclearance applications provide legal avenues for people moving to Ireland for employment, study and family reasons and also to facilitate visitors who wish to travel for business and/or tourism. It is important to recall these applications are screening processes, designed to establish that the person has a legitimate reason to come to Ireland prior to travel. Verifying an application is an important part of our immigration system. Any visa required national who wishes to enter the State and remain for up to 90 days must have a Type C short-stay visa, wile those intending to reside for longer than 90 days must have a Type D long-stay visa. In 2025, approximately 206,000 visa applications, of all types, were received by the Visa Division of my Department. This reflects an increase of 2% compared to 2024, with over 3,900 additional applications received. This follows a 21% increase in applications in 2024 compared to 2023. My officials are working to meet the increased level of demand, and over 8,700 additional visa decisions have issued in 2025, compared to 2024. I can advise the Deputy that table 1 below details the number of visas granted at first instance and at appeal for the various visa categories. Please note that it is the policy of my Department not to release numbers where there are less than 5, as there is a possibility that a person may be identifiable by releasing such information. Table 1. Visas granted at first instance and at appeal by category from 2016 to 2025. Category / Reason for Travel 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 Business 17,333 17,858 19,041 21,518 3,895 1,158 8,315 12,639 15,733 15,816 Conference/Event 9,498 9,705 12,186 10,617 1,300 257 5,589 7,953 8,991 8,459 Employment 4,089 4,466 4,591 6,998 5,068 6,870 16,432 15,496 12,446 11,470 Employment/Scientific Researcher 276 290 357 382 250 323 435 432 453 208 EU Treaty Rights 7 11 29 5 < 5 < 5 < 5 < 5 < 5 < 5 Exam 669 578 526 505 100 58 208 344 360 560 Family member of EU/EEA/Swiss cit. (de facto partner) 54 70 49 43 9 16 24 14 15 24 Family member of EU/EEA/Swiss cit. (other) 427 512 556 523 118 180 247 454 589 836 Family member of EU/EEA/Swiss cit. (spouse) 1,055 1,135 1,092 1,116 292 534 763 955 1,192 1,645 Family Re-unification 367 663 429 16 9 < 5 37 14 < 5 < 5 International Protection \u2013 Family Reunification 136 Internship 182 185 178 185 30 57 157 133 149 144 Join Family (de facto partner CSEP/HA) 5 42 70 79 65 99 Join Family (Irish nat.)(de facto partner) 44 43 38 28 12 31 51 18 21 30 Join Family (Irish nat.)(other) 519 507 432 435 351 519 488 559 619 528 Join Family (Irish nat.)(spouse) 758 825 732 705 514 675 682 708 607 715 Join Family (Non-EEA nat.)(de facto partner) 37 29 21 40 28 31 42 26 54 37 Join Family (Non-EEA nat.)(other) 2,257 2,513 2,554 3,288 2,963 4,669 7,355 7,425 8,547 7,046 Join Family (Non-EEA nat.)(spouse) 1,994 2,419 2,459 3,504 3,069 4,639 7,560 6,790 7,843 6,802 Join Family (UK nat.) 23 68 27 32 54 Join Ship 32 70 104 115 23 76 14 6 5 24 Marriage/Civil Partnership 46 55 46 40 12 14 66 61 44 63 Medical Treatment 19 26 10 10 6 7 16 6 38 92 Minister of Religion 146 198 118 81 25 31 116 66 102 90 Other 3,325 3,470 3,240 3,326 1,082 1,225 2,323 2,950 3,306 2,489 Performance/Tournament 1,735 1,491 1,489 1,688 355 558 808 848 1,383 1,668 Study 10,057 11,394 14,404 17,214 7,822 11,744 17,594 18,539 21,603 18,216 Training 1,888 1,864 1,865 1,998 421 69 720 879 885 1,039 Transit 173 159 128 142 26 12 34 59 99 87 Visit 47,314 49,638 54,268 62,550 9,823 8,691 43,197 60,648 74,670 82,641 Volunteer 70 69 57 49 24 20 38 24 16 15 * Please note, figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing. A decision made in a particular year may relate to an application received in a previous year. * International Protection Family Reunification (IP FRU) category was added at the end of July 2025, so these figures do not represent a full year. Prior to July 2025 IP FRU visas were included in another Join Family category such as Join Family (Non-EEA nat.)(spouse) or Join Family (Non-EEA nat.)(other). * Join Family (de facto partner CSEP/HA) was a new category introduced to capture the specific cohort and streamline their visa processing * Join Family (UK nat.) category was covered by EUTR prior to Brexit.", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2026-02-18/pq_220", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2026-02-18/220/" }, { "date": "2026-02-04", "question_number": 826, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "EU Agreements", "asked_by": "Matt Carthy", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "826. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to list the measures under protocol 21 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, which Ireland opted out of in each year since the introduction of the protocol, to date in 2026, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8237/26]", "answer": "Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration I propose to take Questions Nos. 826 and 827 together. Protocol 21 provides that \u201cIreland shall not take part in the adoption by the Council of proposed measures pursuant to Title V of Part Three of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union.\u201d As such, Ireland does not, as a rule, participate in the majority of Justice and Home Affairs related measures, unless we notify of our wish to opt-in. At the time of the negotiation of Protocol 21, Ireland made a Declaration (Declaration No. 56) which stated that we would participate to the maximum possible extent in JHA measures, and particularly in the field of police cooperation. In line with this commitment, our participation in measures which are subject to Protocol 21 is kept under constant review, in particular where an opt in under Article 3 was not previously utilised. The list of measures Ireland has opted-in pursuant to Protocol 21, as well as the list of measures that automatically apply to Ireland by virtue of our participation in certain elements of the Schengen acquis (i.e. in accordance with Council Decision 2002/192/EC) is available at the following link -https://assets.gov.ie/static/documents/09fe3ad4/EU_Justice_and_Home_Affairs_Measures_Subject_to_Protocol_21_in_which_Ireland_did_Opt-in.pdf. In May 2025 I published the findings of a Review of the operation of Protocol 21, which is available at the following link - www.gov.ie/en/department-of-justice-home-affairs-and-migration/publications/review-of-irelands-protocol-on-the-area-of-freedom-security-and-justice-2024/. The review was undertaken by my Department and informed by detailed statistical analysis of relevant legislation, internal and external consultations, and by a targeted consultation process with a range of key stakeholders. Appendix D of the review contained a list of significant JHA measures that Ireland had not yet opted in to. That list incorporates major EU legal instruments (Regulations and Directives) and International Agreements, but does not include Decisions and Implementing Regulations. As part of the continued oversight of the operation of Protocol 21, officials in my Department are reviewing this list with a view to updating it as required, and when this body of work is completed, the updated list will be published on gov.ie. In the interim, I can advise the Deputy that among the measures Ireland has opted into since Appendix D to the Protocol 21 Review was drafted include: \u2022 Regulation (EU) 2024/1348 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 May 2024 establishing a common procedure for international protection in the Union and repealing Directive 2013/32/EU \u2022 Regulation (EU) 2024/1351 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 May 2024 on asylum and migration management, amending Regulations (EU) 2021/1147 and (EU) 2021/1060 and repealing Regulation (EU) No 604/2013 \u2022 Regulation (EU) 2024/1350 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 May 2024 establishing a Union Resettlement and Humanitarian Admission Framework, and amending Regulation (EU) 2021/1147 \u2022 Directive (EU) 2024/1346 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 May 2024 laying down standards for the reception of applicants for international protection \u2022 Regulation (EU) 2024/1347 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 May 2024 on standards for the qualification of third-country nationals or stateless persons as beneficiaries of international protection, for a uniform status for refugees or for persons eligible for subsidiary protection and for the content of the protection granted, amending Council Directive 2003/109/EC and repealing Directive 2011/95/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council \u2022 Regulation (EU) 2024/1359 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 May 2024 addressing situations of crisis and force majeure in the field of migration and asylum and amending Regulation (EU) 2021/1147 \u2022 Regulation (EU) 2024/1358 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 May 2024 on the establishment of \u2018Eurodac\u2019 for the comparison of biometric data in order to effectively apply Regulations (EU) 2024/1351 and (EU) 2024/1350 of the European Parliament and of the Council and Council Directive 2001/55/EC and to identify illegally staying third-country nationals and stateless persons and on requests for the comparison with Eurodac data by Member States\u2019 law enforcement authorities and Europol for law enforcement purposes, amending Regulations (EU) 2018/1240 and (EU) 2019/818 of the European Parliament and of the Council and repealing Regulation (EU) No 603/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council All Protocol 21 opt-ins are of course subject to the approval of both houses of the Oireachtas, following a Government decision to seek their approval, and I can advise the Deputy that officials within my Department are currently working towards seeking approval to opt in under Article 4 of Protocol 21 to the following measures: \u2022 Directive (EU) 2024/1233 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 24 April 2024 on a single application procedure for a single permit for third-country nationals to reside and work in the territory of a Member State and on a common set of rights for third-country workers legally residing in a Member State (recast) \u2022 Council Regulation (EU) 2017/1939 of 12 October 2017 implementing enhanced cooperation on the establishment of the European Public Prosecutor\u2019s Office (EPPO) \u2022 Directive 2014/41/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 3 April 2014 regarding the European Investigation Order in criminal matters \u2022 Regulation (EU) 2019/818 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 May 2019 on establishing a framework for interoperability between EU information systems in the field of police and judicial cooperation, asylum and migration \u2022 Regulation (EU) 2019/816 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 April 2019 establishing a centralised system for the identification of Member States holding conviction information on third-country nationals and stateless persons (ECRIS-TCN) to supplement the European Criminal Records Information System and amending Regulation (EU) 2018/1726 \u2022 Council Decision (EU) 2023/1076 of 1 June 2023 on the conclusion, on behalf of the European Union, of the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence with regard to matters related to judicial cooperation in criminal matters, asylum and non-refoulement \u2022 Directive (EU) 2017/541 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 15 March 2017 on combating terrorism and replacing Council Framework Decision 2002/475/JHA and amending Council Decision 2005/671/JHA.", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2026-02-04/pq_826", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2026-02-04/826/" }, { "date": "2026-02-04", "question_number": 827, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "EU Agreements", "asked_by": "Matt Carthy", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "827. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration following the review of protocol 21 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union published in 2025, to list the measures which Ireland previously opted out of where opting in is now under consideration, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8238/26]", "answer": "Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration I propose to take Questions Nos. 826 and 827 together. Protocol 21 provides that \u201cIreland shall not take part in the adoption by the Council of proposed measures pursuant to Title V of Part Three of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union.\u201d As such, Ireland does not, as a rule, participate in the majority of Justice and Home Affairs related measures, unless we notify of our wish to opt-in. At the time of the negotiation of Protocol 21, Ireland made a Declaration (Declaration No. 56) which stated that we would participate to the maximum possible extent in JHA measures, and particularly in the field of police cooperation. In line with this commitment, our participation in measures which are subject to Protocol 21 is kept under constant review, in particular where an opt in under Article 3 was not previously utilised. The list of measures Ireland has opted-in pursuant to Protocol 21, as well as the list of measures that automatically apply to Ireland by virtue of our participation in certain elements of the Schengen acquis (i.e. in accordance with Council Decision 2002/192/EC) is available at the following link -https://assets.gov.ie/static/documents/09fe3ad4/EU_Justice_and_Home_Affairs_Measures_Subject_to_Protocol_21_in_which_Ireland_did_Opt-in.pdf. In May 2025 I published the findings of a Review of the operation of Protocol 21, which is available at the following link - www.gov.ie/en/department-of-justice-home-affairs-and-migration/publications/review-of-irelands-protocol-on-the-area-of-freedom-security-and-justice-2024/. The review was undertaken by my Department and informed by detailed statistical analysis of relevant legislation, internal and external consultations, and by a targeted consultation process with a range of key stakeholders. Appendix D of the review contained a list of significant JHA measures that Ireland had not yet opted in to. That list incorporates major EU legal instruments (Regulations and Directives) and International Agreements, but does not include Decisions and Implementing Regulations. As part of the continued oversight of the operation of Protocol 21, officials in my Department are reviewing this list with a view to updating it as required, and when this body of work is completed, the updated list will be published on gov.ie. In the interim, I can advise the Deputy that among the measures Ireland has opted into since Appendix D to the Protocol 21 Review was drafted include: \u2022 Regulation (EU) 2024/1348 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 May 2024 establishing a common procedure for international protection in the Union and repealing Directive 2013/32/EU \u2022 Regulation (EU) 2024/1351 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 May 2024 on asylum and migration management, amending Regulations (EU) 2021/1147 and (EU) 2021/1060 and repealing Regulation (EU) No 604/2013 \u2022 Regulation (EU) 2024/1350 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 May 2024 establishing a Union Resettlement and Humanitarian Admission Framework, and amending Regulation (EU) 2021/1147 \u2022 Directive (EU) 2024/1346 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 May 2024 laying down standards for the reception of applicants for international protection \u2022 Regulation (EU) 2024/1347 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 May 2024 on standards for the qualification of third-country nationals or stateless persons as beneficiaries of international protection, for a uniform status for refugees or for persons eligible for subsidiary protection and for the content of the protection granted, amending Council Directive 2003/109/EC and repealing Directive 2011/95/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council \u2022 Regulation (EU) 2024/1359 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 May 2024 addressing situations of crisis and force majeure in the field of migration and asylum and amending Regulation (EU) 2021/1147 \u2022 Regulation (EU) 2024/1358 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 May 2024 on the establishment of \u2018Eurodac\u2019 for the comparison of biometric data in order to effectively apply Regulations (EU) 2024/1351 and (EU) 2024/1350 of the European Parliament and of the Council and Council Directive 2001/55/EC and to identify illegally staying third-country nationals and stateless persons and on requests for the comparison with Eurodac data by Member States\u2019 law enforcement authorities and Europol for law enforcement purposes, amending Regulations (EU) 2018/1240 and (EU) 2019/818 of the European Parliament and of the Council and repealing Regulation (EU) No 603/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council All Protocol 21 opt-ins are of course subject to the approval of both houses of the Oireachtas, following a Government decision to seek their approval, and I can advise the Deputy that officials within my Department are currently working towards seeking approval to opt in under Article 4 of Protocol 21 to the following measures: \u2022 Directive (EU) 2024/1233 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 24 April 2024 on a single application procedure for a single permit for third-country nationals to reside and work in the territory of a Member State and on a common set of rights for third-country workers legally residing in a Member State (recast) \u2022 Council Regulation (EU) 2017/1939 of 12 October 2017 implementing enhanced cooperation on the establishment of the European Public Prosecutor\u2019s Office (EPPO) \u2022 Directive 2014/41/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 3 April 2014 regarding the European Investigation Order in criminal matters \u2022 Regulation (EU) 2019/818 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 May 2019 on establishing a framework for interoperability between EU information systems in the field of police and judicial cooperation, asylum and migration \u2022 Regulation (EU) 2019/816 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 April 2019 establishing a centralised system for the identification of Member States holding conviction information on third-country nationals and stateless persons (ECRIS-TCN) to supplement the European Criminal Records Information System and amending Regulation (EU) 2018/1726 \u2022 Council Decision (EU) 2023/1076 of 1 June 2023 on the conclusion, on behalf of the European Union, of the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence with regard to matters related to judicial cooperation in criminal matters, asylum and non-refoulement \u2022 Directive (EU) 2017/541 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 15 March 2017 on combating terrorism and replacing Council Framework Decision 2002/475/JHA and amending Council Decision 2005/671/JHA.", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2026-02-04/pq_827", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2026-02-04/827/" }, { "date": "2026-06-18", "question_number": 412, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "Closed-Circuit Television Systems", "asked_by": "Paul Lawless", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "412. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration whether there are plans to expand the community CCTV grant aid scheme to address gaps in coverage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46703/26]", "answer": "Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration I propose to take Questions Nos. 412, 413, 415 and 417 together. Community safety is a top priority for my Department and everyone has the right to be safe and to feel safe in their communities. CCTV in public places has a role in giving people a greater sense of security. It can also be effective in deterring criminal activity and antisocial behaviour and assists with the investigation of crime. Since 2017 my Department has administered a grant-aid scheme supporting groups wishing to establish a community-based CCTV system in their area, which provides grants of up to \u20ac40,000 for capital expenditure and up to \u20ac5,000 for maintenance. This scheme was extended in 2019 to cover not only new CCTV systems, but to also provide funding for the extension or upgrade of existing CCTV systems which are incomplete or obsolete. Grants of over \u20ac968,000 have been approved to date for 36 Community CCTV schemes. The consideration and operation of community CCTV by local authorities is a matter for the local authority concerned. As Minister, I have no role in local authorities and updates on the rollout of individual community CCTV schemes should be sought from the relevant local authority. To-date, the following local authorities have availed of funding to operate community CCTV schemes: Carlow, Kerry, Kilkenny, Laois, Leitrim, Limerick, Longford, Louth, Mayo, Monaghan, Sligo, Wexford and Wicklow. The attached table shows the amount of funding provided to CCTV schemes, by county, including Mayo, and by year from 2017 to-date in 2026. Please note there were no payments issued in 2017, 2025 and 2026. The Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na (Recording Devices) Act 2023 provides for a new regime for the authorisation and operation of CCTV schemes. Part 5 of that Act, when commenced, will introduce these new arrangements. There is a requirement under that Act for the Garda Commissioner to develop a Code of Practice for CCTV which will set out the procedures to be followed. As part of developing this new Code of Practice, An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na consulted with the bodies listed in Part 8 of the Act and conducted a public consultation for any views or observations on the draft Code of Practice. Prior to commencement, an amendment is required to the transitional arrangements in section 7 of the 2023 Act, for existing CCTV applications. That amendment has been included in the Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na (Recording Devices) (Amendment) Bill and is currently before the Houses of the Oireachtas. I expect that the new CCTV provisions set out in Part 5 will be commenced this summer. With respect to engagement with local authorities to improve public safety in town centres, the Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024, which I commenced in April 2025, provides for the establishment of 36 Local Community Safety Partnerships within each local authority area. As Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration I have appointed members to all 36 of these Safety Partnerships. Local Community Safety Partnerships (LCSP) have been established across the country to provide a more inclusive, community-led and multi-agency approach to local safety. They bring together a broad range of relevant stakeholders to address community safety issues in their area which will include residents, local councillors, community representatives, business and education representatives, and a range of public services including the HSE, Tusla, An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na and the local authority. Each LCSP will focus on concerns identified and prioritised by local people and will develop and implement its own tailored community safety plan. The National Office for Community Safety, an office of my Department, is providing support and guidance to local authorities on their operation. Summary of Funded CCTV Schemes by County and by Year \u20ac \u20ac \u20ac \u20ac \u20ac \u20ac \u20ac \u20ac County 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 Total Wexford 51,795 16,802 19,318 87,914 Leitrim 20,000 20,000 40,000 Wicklow 20,000 45,000 20,000 5,000 90,000 Limerick 167,289 167,287 334,575 Carlow 12,542 22,542 35,084 Sligo 4,418 9,418 13,835 Laois 22,969 22,725 30,693 76,388 Kilkenny 15,500 10,500 26,000 Louth 64,383 14,758 79,141 Monaghan 25,000 20,000 45,000 Kerry 47,877 47,877 95,754 Longford 20,000 20,000 40,000 Mayo 5,000 5,000 Total 91,795 227,217 127,608 157,220 9,418 197,787 157,647 968,691", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2026-06-18/pq_412", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2026-06-18/412/" }, { "date": "2026-06-18", "question_number": 413, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "Closed-Circuit Television Systems", "asked_by": "Paul Lawless", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "413. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the level of funding allocated under the community CCTV grant aid scheme in 2024, 2025 and to-date in 2026; the number of successful applications from County Mayo within that period; and whether additional funding will be made available to support towns seeking to improve public safety. [46704/26]", "answer": "Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration I propose to take Questions Nos. 412, 413, 415 and 417 together. Community safety is a top priority for my Department and everyone has the right to be safe and to feel safe in their communities. CCTV in public places has a role in giving people a greater sense of security. It can also be effective in deterring criminal activity and antisocial behaviour and assists with the investigation of crime. Since 2017 my Department has administered a grant-aid scheme supporting groups wishing to establish a community-based CCTV system in their area, which provides grants of up to \u20ac40,000 for capital expenditure and up to \u20ac5,000 for maintenance. This scheme was extended in 2019 to cover not only new CCTV systems, but to also provide funding for the extension or upgrade of existing CCTV systems which are incomplete or obsolete. Grants of over \u20ac968,000 have been approved to date for 36 Community CCTV schemes. The consideration and operation of community CCTV by local authorities is a matter for the local authority concerned. As Minister, I have no role in local authorities and updates on the rollout of individual community CCTV schemes should be sought from the relevant local authority. To-date, the following local authorities have availed of funding to operate community CCTV schemes: Carlow, Kerry, Kilkenny, Laois, Leitrim, Limerick, Longford, Louth, Mayo, Monaghan, Sligo, Wexford and Wicklow. The attached table shows the amount of funding provided to CCTV schemes, by county, including Mayo, and by year from 2017 to-date in 2026. Please note there were no payments issued in 2017, 2025 and 2026. The Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na (Recording Devices) Act 2023 provides for a new regime for the authorisation and operation of CCTV schemes. Part 5 of that Act, when commenced, will introduce these new arrangements. There is a requirement under that Act for the Garda Commissioner to develop a Code of Practice for CCTV which will set out the procedures to be followed. As part of developing this new Code of Practice, An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na consulted with the bodies listed in Part 8 of the Act and conducted a public consultation for any views or observations on the draft Code of Practice. Prior to commencement, an amendment is required to the transitional arrangements in section 7 of the 2023 Act, for existing CCTV applications. That amendment has been included in the Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na (Recording Devices) (Amendment) Bill and is currently before the Houses of the Oireachtas. I expect that the new CCTV provisions set out in Part 5 will be commenced this summer. With respect to engagement with local authorities to improve public safety in town centres, the Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024, which I commenced in April 2025, provides for the establishment of 36 Local Community Safety Partnerships within each local authority area. As Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration I have appointed members to all 36 of these Safety Partnerships. Local Community Safety Partnerships (LCSP) have been established across the country to provide a more inclusive, community-led and multi-agency approach to local safety. They bring together a broad range of relevant stakeholders to address community safety issues in their area which will include residents, local councillors, community representatives, business and education representatives, and a range of public services including the HSE, Tusla, An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na and the local authority. Each LCSP will focus on concerns identified and prioritised by local people and will develop and implement its own tailored community safety plan. The National Office for Community Safety, an office of my Department, is providing support and guidance to local authorities on their operation. Summary of Funded CCTV Schemes by County and by Year \u20ac \u20ac \u20ac \u20ac \u20ac \u20ac \u20ac \u20ac County 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 Total Wexford 51,795 16,802 19,318 87,914 Leitrim 20,000 20,000 40,000 Wicklow 20,000 45,000 20,000 5,000 90,000 Limerick 167,289 167,287 334,575 Carlow 12,542 22,542 35,084 Sligo 4,418 9,418 13,835 Laois 22,969 22,725 30,693 76,388 Kilkenny 15,500 10,500 26,000 Louth 64,383 14,758 79,141 Monaghan 25,000 20,000 45,000 Kerry 47,877 47,877 95,754 Longford 20,000 20,000 40,000 Mayo 5,000 5,000 Total 91,795 227,217 127,608 157,220 9,418 197,787 157,647 968,691", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2026-06-18/pq_413", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2026-06-18/413/" }, { "date": "2026-06-18", "question_number": 415, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "Closed-Circuit Television Systems", "asked_by": "Paul Lawless", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "415. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration his plans to introduce a more consistent national framework for the installation and maintenance of CCTV systems in towns across Ireland; and the measures being taken to support local authorities in delivering such infrastructure. [46707/26]", "answer": "Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration I propose to take Questions Nos. 412, 413, 415 and 417 together. Community safety is a top priority for my Department and everyone has the right to be safe and to feel safe in their communities. CCTV in public places has a role in giving people a greater sense of security. It can also be effective in deterring criminal activity and antisocial behaviour and assists with the investigation of crime. Since 2017 my Department has administered a grant-aid scheme supporting groups wishing to establish a community-based CCTV system in their area, which provides grants of up to \u20ac40,000 for capital expenditure and up to \u20ac5,000 for maintenance. This scheme was extended in 2019 to cover not only new CCTV systems, but to also provide funding for the extension or upgrade of existing CCTV systems which are incomplete or obsolete. Grants of over \u20ac968,000 have been approved to date for 36 Community CCTV schemes. The consideration and operation of community CCTV by local authorities is a matter for the local authority concerned. As Minister, I have no role in local authorities and updates on the rollout of individual community CCTV schemes should be sought from the relevant local authority. To-date, the following local authorities have availed of funding to operate community CCTV schemes: Carlow, Kerry, Kilkenny, Laois, Leitrim, Limerick, Longford, Louth, Mayo, Monaghan, Sligo, Wexford and Wicklow. The attached table shows the amount of funding provided to CCTV schemes, by county, including Mayo, and by year from 2017 to-date in 2026. Please note there were no payments issued in 2017, 2025 and 2026. The Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na (Recording Devices) Act 2023 provides for a new regime for the authorisation and operation of CCTV schemes. Part 5 of that Act, when commenced, will introduce these new arrangements. There is a requirement under that Act for the Garda Commissioner to develop a Code of Practice for CCTV which will set out the procedures to be followed. As part of developing this new Code of Practice, An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na consulted with the bodies listed in Part 8 of the Act and conducted a public consultation for any views or observations on the draft Code of Practice. Prior to commencement, an amendment is required to the transitional arrangements in section 7 of the 2023 Act, for existing CCTV applications. That amendment has been included in the Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na (Recording Devices) (Amendment) Bill and is currently before the Houses of the Oireachtas. I expect that the new CCTV provisions set out in Part 5 will be commenced this summer. With respect to engagement with local authorities to improve public safety in town centres, the Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024, which I commenced in April 2025, provides for the establishment of 36 Local Community Safety Partnerships within each local authority area. As Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration I have appointed members to all 36 of these Safety Partnerships. Local Community Safety Partnerships (LCSP) have been established across the country to provide a more inclusive, community-led and multi-agency approach to local safety. They bring together a broad range of relevant stakeholders to address community safety issues in their area which will include residents, local councillors, community representatives, business and education representatives, and a range of public services including the HSE, Tusla, An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na and the local authority. Each LCSP will focus on concerns identified and prioritised by local people and will develop and implement its own tailored community safety plan. The National Office for Community Safety, an office of my Department, is providing support and guidance to local authorities on their operation. Summary of Funded CCTV Schemes by County and by Year \u20ac \u20ac \u20ac \u20ac \u20ac \u20ac \u20ac \u20ac County 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 Total Wexford 51,795 16,802 19,318 87,914 Leitrim 20,000 20,000 40,000 Wicklow 20,000 45,000 20,000 5,000 90,000 Limerick 167,289 167,287 334,575 Carlow 12,542 22,542 35,084 Sligo 4,418 9,418 13,835 Laois 22,969 22,725 30,693 76,388 Kilkenny 15,500 10,500 26,000 Louth 64,383 14,758 79,141 Monaghan 25,000 20,000 45,000 Kerry 47,877 47,877 95,754 Longford 20,000 20,000 40,000 Mayo 5,000 5,000 Total 91,795 227,217 127,608 157,220 9,418 197,787 157,647 968,691", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2026-06-18/pq_415", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2026-06-18/415/" }, { "date": "2026-06-18", "question_number": 417, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "Closed-Circuit Television Systems", "asked_by": "Paul Lawless", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "417. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if he is engaging with other Departments and local authorities to improve public safety in town centres, particularly in relation to lighting, urban design, and community safety initiatives; and if he will outline any current or planned strategies. [46709/26]", "answer": "Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration I propose to take Questions Nos. 412, 413, 415 and 417 together. Community safety is a top priority for my Department and everyone has the right to be safe and to feel safe in their communities. CCTV in public places has a role in giving people a greater sense of security. It can also be effective in deterring criminal activity and antisocial behaviour and assists with the investigation of crime. Since 2017 my Department has administered a grant-aid scheme supporting groups wishing to establish a community-based CCTV system in their area, which provides grants of up to \u20ac40,000 for capital expenditure and up to \u20ac5,000 for maintenance. This scheme was extended in 2019 to cover not only new CCTV systems, but to also provide funding for the extension or upgrade of existing CCTV systems which are incomplete or obsolete. Grants of over \u20ac968,000 have been approved to date for 36 Community CCTV schemes. The consideration and operation of community CCTV by local authorities is a matter for the local authority concerned. As Minister, I have no role in local authorities and updates on the rollout of individual community CCTV schemes should be sought from the relevant local authority. To-date, the following local authorities have availed of funding to operate community CCTV schemes: Carlow, Kerry, Kilkenny, Laois, Leitrim, Limerick, Longford, Louth, Mayo, Monaghan, Sligo, Wexford and Wicklow. The attached table shows the amount of funding provided to CCTV schemes, by county, including Mayo, and by year from 2017 to-date in 2026. Please note there were no payments issued in 2017, 2025 and 2026. The Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na (Recording Devices) Act 2023 provides for a new regime for the authorisation and operation of CCTV schemes. Part 5 of that Act, when commenced, will introduce these new arrangements. There is a requirement under that Act for the Garda Commissioner to develop a Code of Practice for CCTV which will set out the procedures to be followed. As part of developing this new Code of Practice, An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na consulted with the bodies listed in Part 8 of the Act and conducted a public consultation for any views or observations on the draft Code of Practice. Prior to commencement, an amendment is required to the transitional arrangements in section 7 of the 2023 Act, for existing CCTV applications. That amendment has been included in the Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na (Recording Devices) (Amendment) Bill and is currently before the Houses of the Oireachtas. I expect that the new CCTV provisions set out in Part 5 will be commenced this summer. With respect to engagement with local authorities to improve public safety in town centres, the Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024, which I commenced in April 2025, provides for the establishment of 36 Local Community Safety Partnerships within each local authority area. As Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration I have appointed members to all 36 of these Safety Partnerships. Local Community Safety Partnerships (LCSP) have been established across the country to provide a more inclusive, community-led and multi-agency approach to local safety. They bring together a broad range of relevant stakeholders to address community safety issues in their area which will include residents, local councillors, community representatives, business and education representatives, and a range of public services including the HSE, Tusla, An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na and the local authority. Each LCSP will focus on concerns identified and prioritised by local people and will develop and implement its own tailored community safety plan. The National Office for Community Safety, an office of my Department, is providing support and guidance to local authorities on their operation. Summary of Funded CCTV Schemes by County and by Year \u20ac \u20ac \u20ac \u20ac \u20ac \u20ac \u20ac \u20ac County 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 Total Wexford 51,795 16,802 19,318 87,914 Leitrim 20,000 20,000 40,000 Wicklow 20,000 45,000 20,000 5,000 90,000 Limerick 167,289 167,287 334,575 Carlow 12,542 22,542 35,084 Sligo 4,418 9,418 13,835 Laois 22,969 22,725 30,693 76,388 Kilkenny 15,500 10,500 26,000 Louth 64,383 14,758 79,141 Monaghan 25,000 20,000 45,000 Kerry 47,877 47,877 95,754 Longford 20,000 20,000 40,000 Mayo 5,000 5,000 Total 91,795 227,217 127,608 157,220 9,418 197,787 157,647 968,691", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2026-06-18/pq_417", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2026-06-18/417/" }, { "date": "2026-09-07", "question_number": 2215, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "Departmental Data", "asked_by": "Albert Dolan", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "2215. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of young persons referred to and accepted onto the Garda Youth Diversion Programme in connection with offences involving unprovoked assaults in each of the past ten years; the age and gender profile of those referred; the county or Garda division in which the incidents occurred; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59918/26]", "answer": "Minister of State at the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration Part 4 of the Children Act 2001 provides the statutory basis for the Garda Youth Diversion Programme. The intention of this programme is to divert children, aged 12-17 years old, who have engaged in criminal or anti-social behaviour away from the criminal justice system towards more positive pro-social behaviour and break the cycle of offending. Young people who are deemed suitable by the Director of the Garda Youth Diversion Programme are referred to local youth diversion projects, where, in collaboration with a Garda Juvenile Liaison Officer, these projects provide supports to children to address their offending behaviour, engage in positive self-development, and connect with their communities. While there has been an approximate 25% increase in the population of 12-17 year olds over the past ten years, the number or children coming to the attention of the Garda National Youth Diversion Bureau has remained steady, pointing to an actual reduction in youth offending. The Garda authorities have advised me that they are not in a position to identify whether assaults were provoked or not. As such, the Garda authorities have provided data related to the crime types of \u2018Assault Causing Harm\u2019 and \u2018Assault Minor\u2019. The table below outlines the number of children referred to and accepted on to the Garda Youth Diversion programme for incidents relating to \u2018assault causing harm\u2019 and \u2018assault minor\u2019 for each year between 2016 \u2013 2025. Year Referrals Accepted 2016 1,034 640 2017 1,182 716 2018 1,055 589 2019 1,185 707 2020 986 575 2021 994 578 2022 997 574 2023 1,062 683 2024 901 581 2025 871 540 I have sought the requested information in respect of the age profile of referrals and I will forward this information to the Deputy when I have it to hand. According to Garda data, 75% of referrals under the two categories, namely \u2018Assault Minor\u2019 and \u2018Assault Causing Harm\u2019 from 2016 \u2013 2025, were male, and 25% were female. The Divisional and Regional breakdown is a large table and for ease of presentation that data has been attached to this answer as an Excel file with the title \u2018 Children referred to the Garda Youth Diversion Programme for incidents relating to assault causing harm and assault minor from 2016 \u2013 2025 by Garda Region-Division\u2019 The Garda National Youth Diversion Bureau publish annual reports on the Effectiveness of the Diversion Programme and these reports are publicly available from the Garda website at: www.garda.ie/en/crime-prevention/garda-national-youth-diversion-bureau/annual-reports-of-the-committee-appointed-to-monitor-the-effectiveness-of-the-diversion-programme/annual-report-of-the-committee-appointed-to-monitor-the-effectiveness-of-the-diversion-programme.html. Children referred to the Garda Youth Diversion Programme for incidents relating to assault causing harm and assault minor from 2016 \u2013 2025 by Garda Region/Division Region/Division 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 Dublin Region total 238 259 227 282 280 280 228 238 194 229 D.M.R. Northern 72 87 70 83 98 94 72 62 58 61 D.M.R. Western 52 50 47 57 55 60 47 52 42 54 D.M.R. Southern 40 39 40 48 44 50 37 48 36 30 D.M.R. Eastern 25 33 22 44 29 25 32 26 21 27 D.M.R. North Central 27 30 22 26 24 14 19 30 22 37 D.M.R. South Central 22 20 26 24 30 37 21 20 15 20 Eastern Region total 300 337 318 345 264 293 286 344 251 267 Meath/Westmeath 85 82 79 89 60 59 51 97 67 60 Waterford/Kilkenny 44 57 65 63 66 87 71 91 43 61 Kildare/Carlow 55 66 66 64 59 55 69 61 55 66 Wexford/Wicklow 69 73 42 64 50 42 44 53 60 50 Laois/Offaly 47 59 66 65 29 50 51 42 26 30 North Western Region total 215 294 229 262 229 220 235 256 207 * Louth/Cavan/Monaghan 89 101 66 81 83 81 83 84 74 78 Galway Div 43 76 62 61 55 38 35 55 44 52 Mayo/Roscommon/Longford 28 44 37 45 37 51 60 58 44 38 Donegal 34 44 47 47 37 32 38 35 33 30 Sligo/Leitrim 21 29 17 28 17 18 19 24 12 <10 Southern Region total 281 292 281 296 213 201 248 224 249 170 Clare/Tipperary 77 66 76 71 40 44 58 58 66 49 Cork County 54 73 72 64 48 60 45 51 45 35 Limerick 84 53 54 65 57 35 55 41 45 34 Cork City 36 70 57 67 43 40 57 33 42 30 Kerry 30 30 22 29 25 22 33 41 51 22 National Total 1,034 1,182 1,055 1,185 986 994 997 1,062 901 871 * Any figures lower than 10 are not published and are denoted tables as (<10). In certain instances, other figures may have to be withheld to avoid the disclosure of volumes less than 10. These are denoted with an asterisk (*) symbol.", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2026-09-07/pq_2215", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2026-09-07/2215/" }, { "date": "2024-03-20", "question_number": 956, "chamber": "33rd D\u00e1il", "topic": "An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na", "asked_by": "Paul Murphy", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "956. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Justice to provide details of categories (details supplied) in relation to the number of persons who have died in Garda custody, including but not limited to deaths in Garda stations, immigration detention centres and other spaces managed by An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na between 1 January 2010 and 31 December 2022, in tabular form. [12934/24]", "answer": "Minister for Justice I propose to take Questions Nos. 956 and 957 together. As the Deputy will be aware, the Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na Ombudsman Commission (GSOC) is the independent statutory body established under the Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na Act 2005 (as amended) to investigate complaints against members of An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na. As Minister, I have no role in the investigative functions of GSOC. Under subsection 102(1) of the Act, the Garda Commissioner shall refer to the Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na Ombudsman Commission any matter that appears to the Garda Commissioner to indicate that the conduct of a member of An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na may have resulted in the death of, or serious harm to, a person. Under subsection 102(2) of the Act, the Ombudsman Commission shall ensure that any matter referred to the Commission under subsection (1) is investigated. It should be noted that An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na must determine if the threshold has been reached to refer an incident to GSOC under Section 102. This determination is an operational matter for the Commissioner and neither I, as Minister, nor GSOC has any role in this independent decision making process. I am informed that it has been the practice of GSOC in its annual reporting to provide overviews of the circumstances that led to any Section 102 referrals in a given reporting year, including the proportion of referrals that arose from deaths. However, until their 2021 Annual Report, a breakdown of the circumstances of those deaths had not, as a matter of course, been disaggregated in these annual reports. The table below shows the figures for incidents that were referred to GSOC which resulted in death either in or after Garda custody (Section 102 referrals), and has been compiled using the published figures in GSOC's annual reports to date. It should be noted that referrals to GSOC under section 102 may involve more than one fatality in an incident, for instance, in a road traffic collision that results in the death of two or more persons. Year Fatal incidents involving referral under Section 102 2010 10 2011 23 2012 13 2013 8 2014 14 2015 15 2016 12 2017 7 2018 15 2019 16 2020 20 2021 34 2022 17 TOTAL 204 As noted above, GSOC\u2019s 2022 Annual Report provides a disaggregation of the kinds of circumstances that give rise to Section 102 referrals, including where this was the result of a death in custody. This breakdown is provided in the table below for reference. Reason for s102 referral in 2022 No of s102 referrals Injury / Illness During Arrest / Pursuit / in Custody 15 Injury / Illness Following Garda Contact 2 Death in Custody 3* Death (Other) 2 Death Following Garda Contact 4 Road Traffic Incidents (Non-Fatal) 5 Death, Road Traffic Incidents (Pursuit) 2 Death During Restraint / Arrest 1 Death Following Release from Custody 5 Injury Following Garda Contact - Off Duty Incident 2 Totals 41 *Deaths in Garda Custody includes persons who subsequently passed away in hospital.", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2024-03-20/pq_956", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2024-03-20/956/" }, { "date": "2025-07-29", "question_number": 1951, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "Immigration Status", "asked_by": "Peadar T\u00f3ib\u00edn", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "1951. Deputy Peadar T\u00f3ib\u00edn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of people granted leave to remain in the last five years, broken down by originating country, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41218/25]", "answer": "Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration (Deputy Jim O'Callaghan) I understand the Deputy has clarified that his question relates to those granted Permission to Remain under the International Protection Act 2015. It is a central priority for me that our international protection and immigration systems are robust and enforced. If the International Protection Office recommends that a person is not entitled to either refugee status or subsidiary protection, the Minister will then consider whether or not to give permission to remain. The International Protection Act sets out what the Minister should consider when making a decision to grant or refuse permission to remain: \u2022 The nature of a person\u2019s connection to Ireland \u2022 Humanitarian considerations \u2022 A person\u2019s character and conduct both in Ireland and abroad, including criminal convictions \u2022 National security and public order \u2022 Any other considerations of the common good The Minister must also consider if there is a risk that returning a person to another country could lead them to suffer harm. In particular, it will be considered whether a person is at risk of torture, degrading treatment or of facing the death penalty. The information given during an application for international protection serves as the basis for the decision. The table below details applicants with a current final outcome on their International Protection application of Permission to Remain Grant either at 1st Instance or at Permission to Remain Review stage from 2020 to 30 June 2025. * Up to 30/06/2025 The higher proportion of cases granted permission to remain in 2022 reflects the impact of the International Protection strand of the regularisation arrangements introduced in parallel with the general undocumented scheme as well as the impact of the Covid pandemic and the resulting moratorium on removals. Permission to Remain Year Murder Attempt/Threat 2015 241 2016 276 2017 307 2018 404 2019 464 2020 701 2021 739 2022 711 2023 494 2024 592 The below table details the nationality of people granted Permission to Remain. Nationality** 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025* Afghanistan 5 0 0 0 8 5 Albania 19 101 316 89 43 6 Algeria 8 32 82 45 48 6 Angola 5 6 15 8 7 0 Armenia 0 5 5 0 0 0 Azerbaijan 0 0 5 0 0 0 Bangladesh 13 61 102 34 12 9 Belarus 0 5 0 5 0 5 Belize 0 0 5 0 0 0 Benin 5 0 5 0 0 0 Bolivia 5 5 19 5 5 5 Botswana 5 11 35 17 14 6 Brazil 5 47 100 9 7 5 British Overseas Citizens (etc) 0 0 0 5 0 0 Burkina Faso 0 0 5 0 0 0 Burundi 0 0 0 5 0 0 Cameroon 6 5 6 5 0 0 Canada 0 0 0 5 0 0 Chad 0 0 0 0 5 0 Chile 0 5 0 0 0 0 China (Including Hong Kong) 5 9 13 9 5 0 Colombia 0 0 0 0 0 5 Congo, The Democratic Republic Of The 7 31 59 36 15 15 Congo, The Republic Of The 5 5 5 0 0 0 Costa Rica 0 0 0 0 5 0 Cote D'Ivoire 5 0 5 0 0 0 Cuba 0 0 5 0 0 0 Djibouti 0 0 0 5 0 0 Dominican Republic 5 0 0 0 0 0 Egypt 5 13 17 11 5 5 El Salvador 0 0 0 5 5 0 Ethiopia 5 0 0 5 0 0 Gambia 5 0 5 5 0 0 Georgia 7 52 396 191 65 31 Ghana 6 18 35 11 3 3 Guatemala 5 5 0 0 0 0 Guinea 0 0 5 5 0 0 Guyana 0 5 5 0 0 0 India 5 41 25 8 5 5 Indonesia 0 0 0 0 5 0 Iran (Islamic Republic Of) 0 5 5 0 0 0 Iraq 5 5 5 5 5 0 Israel 0 0 0 0 0 0 Jamaica 0 0 0 5 0 0 Jordan 5 0 5 5 5 8 Kenya 5 7 5 0 7 0 Korea, Republic Of (South Korea) 0 5 0 0 0 0 Kosovo / UNSCR 1244 0 12 25 8 6 5 Kuwait 0 5 5 5 0 0 Lebanon 0 5 0 5 0 5 Lesotho 0 5 0 5 0 0 Liberia 0 0 0 0 5 0 Libyan Arab Jamahiriya 0 0 0 5 0 0 Madagascar 0 0 0 0 0 0 Malawi 16 60 66 34 6 3 Malaysia 5 6 5 7 0 5 Mali 0 0 5 5 0 0 Mauritania 0 0 5 0 0 0 Mauritius 5 8 12 5 5 0 Mexico 0 0 5 0 5 5 Moldova, Republic Of 0 0 5 0 0 0 Mongolia 5 8 5 0 0 5 Morocco 5 5 21 12 5 5 Mozambique 0 5 0 0 0 0 Namibia 0 5 5 0 0 0 Nepal 5 5 11 5 5 5 Nicaragua 0 5 0 0 5 5 Nigeria 66 185 435 137 99 48 Pakistan 24 140 256 82 19 5 Palestinian Territory, Occupied 0 0 6 0 0 5 Paraguay 0 0 0 5 0 0 Peru 0 0 0 5 0 0 Philippines 0 5 0 0 0 0 Russian Federation 5 5 5 5 5 5 Rwanda 0 5 0 0 0 0 Saudi Arabia 0 0 0 0 0 0 Senegal 5 0 5 0 0 0 Sierra Leone 5 5 14 5 5 0 Somalia 0 0 0 5 11 5 South Africa 28 47 342 95 35 16 South Sudan 0 5 0 0 0 0 Sri Lanka 0 0 6 5 5 0 Stateless 0 0 5 0 0 0 Sudan 0 0 0 0 0 0 Swaziland 0 7 5 6 0 5 Syrian Arab Republic 0 0 5 5 0 0 Taiwan 0 0 5 0 0 0 Tanzania, United Republic Of 0 5 5 5 0 0 Togo 0 5 5 7 5 0 Trinidad And Tobago 5 5 0 5 0 0 Tunisia 0 5 5 5 5 0 T\u00fcrkiye 0 0 5 0 0 0 Uganda 0 6 15 5 5 5 Ukraine 5 10 0 5 5 0 United States Of America 5 5 5 5 5 0 Uzbekistan 0 0 0 5 0 0 Venezuela 6 5 17 5 5 0 Vietnam 0 6 15 5 5 0 Western Sahara 0 0 0 5 0 0 Zambia 5 5 5 0 0 0 Zimbabwe 47 154 294 80 32 14 * Up to 30/06/2025 **Please note the data in these tables is valid as at 18th July 2025 and is the applicants' current final decision. Changes may occur due to data cleansing, permission revoked and if applicant appeals and a further final decision is made. For more information on the International Protection system please see the following link: www.ipo.gov.ie/en/IPO/Pages/Assessment_of_Application", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2025-07-29/pq_1951", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2025-07-29/1951/" }, { "date": "2022-11-08", "question_number": 833, "chamber": "33rd D\u00e1il", "topic": "Departmental Programmes", "asked_by": "Richard Boyd Barrett", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "833. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Justice if she will request information from the Revenue Commissioners on the total amount remitted by investors of the immigrant investor programme to Ireland before they became resident in Ireland since 2012; the total amounts remitted each year since the inception of the scheme; and the total amount of tax collected from visa holders under the immigrant investor programme. [55087/22]", "answer": "Minister for Justice I propose to take Questions Nos. 833, 872 and 873 together. The Immigrant Investor Programme (IIP) was introduced in April 2012 to encourage inward investment and create business and employment opportunities in the State. The programme provides investors with the opportunity to invest in Ireland. Key to the programme is that the investments are beneficial for Ireland, generate or sustain employment and are generally in the public interest. Applicants who are successful are issued with a pre-approval notification informing them that they have 90 days to invest their money in the State. On receipt of evidence that the funds have been invested, a final approval letter is issued advising the applicant that they have permission to reside in the State and that they should apply for the appropriate visa, if required, to facilitate travel to the State. Total investments approved from 2012 to end September 2022 is \u20ac1.178bn. The tables below provides a breakdown of IIP applications received, approved and the value of investments since the inception of the programme to the end of September 2022. Year Applications received Approved applications Value of Approved Investment 2012 5 2 \u20ac1,500,000 2013 18 16 \u20ac12,200,000 2014 30 5 \u20ac2,950,000 2015 75 70 \u20ac38,300,000 2016 334 33 \u20ac18,750,000 2017 324 369 \u20ac250,700,000 2018 423 155 \u20ac138,750,000 2019 443 237 \u20ac209,300,000 2020 339 270 \u20ac188,000,000 2021 258 264 \u20ac185,700,000 2022* End September 812 192 \u20ac132,100,000 TOTAL 3061 1613 \u20ac1,178,250,000 Taxation is a matter for the individual and the Revenue Commissioners. It is a matter for the Revenue to assess and collect any tax due from individuals. All immigration related programmes are kept under constant review to ensure their effectiveness and appropriateness, taking into consideration international and EU level developments. In 2019, an audit of the IIP identified a number of actions to be undertaken, including a strategic review of the IIP. Following a tender process, a contract to carry out an external review was signed in June 2019. This review was to be carried out in two phases. The Terms of Reference for the review are published at: www.irishimmigration.ie/coming-to-live-in-ireland/immigrant-investor-programme-external-review The second phase of the review has been completed and is being considered by my Department and it would not be appropriate to release the Report while still being considered. In the meantime, applications to the IIP continue to be accepted and examined by an independent Evaluation Committee and, where assessed positively, are submitted to me for approval.", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2022-11-08/pq_833", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2022-11-08/833/" }, { "date": "2022-11-08", "question_number": 872, "chamber": "33rd D\u00e1il", "topic": "Departmental Programmes", "asked_by": "Richard Boyd Barrett", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "872. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Justice the total amount remitted by investors of the immigrant investor programme to Ireland before they became resident in Ireland since 2012; the total amounts remitted each year since the inception of the scheme; and the total amount of tax collected from visa holders under the programme. [55084/22]", "answer": "Minister for Justice I propose to take Questions Nos. 833, 872 and 873 together. The Immigrant Investor Programme (IIP) was introduced in April 2012 to encourage inward investment and create business and employment opportunities in the State. The programme provides investors with the opportunity to invest in Ireland. Key to the programme is that the investments are beneficial for Ireland, generate or sustain employment and are generally in the public interest. Applicants who are successful are issued with a pre-approval notification informing them that they have 90 days to invest their money in the State. On receipt of evidence that the funds have been invested, a final approval letter is issued advising the applicant that they have permission to reside in the State and that they should apply for the appropriate visa, if required, to facilitate travel to the State. Total investments approved from 2012 to end September 2022 is \u20ac1.178bn. The tables below provides a breakdown of IIP applications received, approved and the value of investments since the inception of the programme to the end of September 2022. Year Applications received Approved applications Value of Approved Investment 2012 5 2 \u20ac1,500,000 2013 18 16 \u20ac12,200,000 2014 30 5 \u20ac2,950,000 2015 75 70 \u20ac38,300,000 2016 334 33 \u20ac18,750,000 2017 324 369 \u20ac250,700,000 2018 423 155 \u20ac138,750,000 2019 443 237 \u20ac209,300,000 2020 339 270 \u20ac188,000,000 2021 258 264 \u20ac185,700,000 2022* End September 812 192 \u20ac132,100,000 TOTAL 3061 1613 \u20ac1,178,250,000 Taxation is a matter for the individual and the Revenue Commissioners. It is a matter for the Revenue to assess and collect any tax due from individuals. All immigration related programmes are kept under constant review to ensure their effectiveness and appropriateness, taking into consideration international and EU level developments. In 2019, an audit of the IIP identified a number of actions to be undertaken, including a strategic review of the IIP. Following a tender process, a contract to carry out an external review was signed in June 2019. This review was to be carried out in two phases. The Terms of Reference for the review are published at: www.irishimmigration.ie/coming-to-live-in-ireland/immigrant-investor-programme-external-review The second phase of the review has been completed and is being considered by my Department and it would not be appropriate to release the Report while still being considered. In the meantime, applications to the IIP continue to be accepted and examined by an independent Evaluation Committee and, where assessed positively, are submitted to me for approval.", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2022-11-08/pq_872", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2022-11-08/872/" }, { "date": "2022-11-08", "question_number": 873, "chamber": "33rd D\u00e1il", "topic": "Departmental Programmes", "asked_by": "Richard Boyd Barrett", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "873. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Justice if she will provide details and a copy of the second phase of an external completed review report into the immigrant investors programme (details supplied). [55085/22]", "answer": "Minister for Justice I propose to take Questions Nos. 833, 872 and 873 together. The Immigrant Investor Programme (IIP) was introduced in April 2012 to encourage inward investment and create business and employment opportunities in the State. The programme provides investors with the opportunity to invest in Ireland. Key to the programme is that the investments are beneficial for Ireland, generate or sustain employment and are generally in the public interest. Applicants who are successful are issued with a pre-approval notification informing them that they have 90 days to invest their money in the State. On receipt of evidence that the funds have been invested, a final approval letter is issued advising the applicant that they have permission to reside in the State and that they should apply for the appropriate visa, if required, to facilitate travel to the State. Total investments approved from 2012 to end September 2022 is \u20ac1.178bn. The tables below provides a breakdown of IIP applications received, approved and the value of investments since the inception of the programme to the end of September 2022. Year Applications received Approved applications Value of Approved Investment 2012 5 2 \u20ac1,500,000 2013 18 16 \u20ac12,200,000 2014 30 5 \u20ac2,950,000 2015 75 70 \u20ac38,300,000 2016 334 33 \u20ac18,750,000 2017 324 369 \u20ac250,700,000 2018 423 155 \u20ac138,750,000 2019 443 237 \u20ac209,300,000 2020 339 270 \u20ac188,000,000 2021 258 264 \u20ac185,700,000 2022* End September 812 192 \u20ac132,100,000 TOTAL 3061 1613 \u20ac1,178,250,000 Taxation is a matter for the individual and the Revenue Commissioners. It is a matter for the Revenue to assess and collect any tax due from individuals. All immigration related programmes are kept under constant review to ensure their effectiveness and appropriateness, taking into consideration international and EU level developments. In 2019, an audit of the IIP identified a number of actions to be undertaken, including a strategic review of the IIP. Following a tender process, a contract to carry out an external review was signed in June 2019. This review was to be carried out in two phases. The Terms of Reference for the review are published at: www.irishimmigration.ie/coming-to-live-in-ireland/immigrant-investor-programme-external-review The second phase of the review has been completed and is being considered by my Department and it would not be appropriate to release the Report while still being considered. In the meantime, applications to the IIP continue to be accepted and examined by an independent Evaluation Committee and, where assessed positively, are submitted to me for approval.", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2022-11-08/pq_873", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2022-11-08/873/" }, { "date": "2026-05-14", "question_number": 79, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na", "asked_by": "Paul Lawless", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "79. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the total number of garda\u00ed recruited to work in Mayo in the past ten years; the total number of garda\u00ed who have left the force in County Mayo during the same period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35065/26]", "answer": "Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na publishes information in relation to the allocation of Garda\u00ed nationally, including a breakdown of Garda divisions and stations nationwide. This includes a breakdown of Probationer Garda\u00ed assigned by Garda Station from 2015 to the end of March 2026, the latest date for which figures are available. This can be found at the following links: 2014-2025 www.garda.ie/en/about-us/our-departments/human-resources-and-people-development/garda-hr-directorate/garda-strength-breakdown-2025/garda-strength-breakdown-2025.html 2026 www.garda.ie/en/about-us/our-departments/human-resources-and-people-development/garda-hr-directorate/garda-strength-breakdown-2026/garda-strength-breakdown-2026.html The Deputy should select the most recently available date and then select the file titled \u2018Allocation of Probationer Garda\u00ed by Division and Station 2015 to the most recent date\" to access a breakdown of Garda\u00ed assigned by station. It should be noted that the Mayo Division was amalgamated with Roscommon/Longford Division under the new Operating Model in 2022. I am advised by the Garda authorities that 39 probationers were assigned to stations in Mayo since 2015, which includes one probationer who was assigned in February 2026. The allocation of each intake of newly attested probationer Garda\u00ed is considered by the Commissioner in the context of the overall operational needs and policing priorities of the organisation, whilst also having regard to the resourcing requirements of each Garda Division. It is also important to note that the allocation of Probationer Garda\u00ed is one part of the overall picture. Another part is the transfer of serving Garda\u00ed to their preferred location which is facilitated by the attestation and allocation of a Probationer Garda\u00ed. I am assured by the Garda Commissioner that, when allocating and transferring Garda\u00ed to and from any Division, consideration is given to commitments and undertakings outlined in the Annual Policing Plan. The requirements of all Garda Divisions nationwide are also taken into account, which include: \u2022 Local and national crime trends and workloads \u2022 Policing arrangements and operational strategies \u2022 Local population and trends, geographical area and size \u2022 Transfer applications, including welfare, personnel issues and concerns. Newly attested Garda\u00ed are allocated to specially designated training stations which have the required training and development structures and resources in place, including trained Garda tutors and access to a permanently appointed supervisory Sergeant who is thoroughly familiar with their responsibilities under the training programme. The table below has been provided to me by the Garda authorities and outlines the number of retirements and resignations in Mayo from 2016 to March 2026 Year No. of Retirements/Resignations 2026 5 2025 12 2024 15 2023 19 2022 15 2021 16 2020 21 2019 5 2018 10 2017 12 2016 9 Total 139 Earlier this week An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na launched their latest recruitment drive. This competition will help to ensure that we maintain the steady pipeline of new recruits. I encourage anyone with an interest in a career as a Garda member to apply through publicjobs. I am determined to ensure that we have a steady pipeline of new recruits into the Garda college so that we can see more Garda\u00ed assigned all around the country.", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2026-05-14/pq_79", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2026-05-14/79/" }, { "date": "2026-09-16", "question_number": 814, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "Departmental Data", "asked_by": "Eoin Hayes", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "814. Deputy Eoin Hayes asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of interventions made in Dublin, by area within Dublin, and by age in each of the years from 2015 to 2025, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [64132/26]", "answer": "Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration Anti-social behaviour is a broad term often used to describe a range of actions and behaviours that violate social norms in specific contexts. Along with increased Garda recruitment and resources, the Government is taking a range of targeted and integrated measures to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour generally. These include: \u2022 Introducing Community Safety Partnerships around the country, to develop Community Safety Plans for every area. \u2022 Continued expansion of youth justice and youth diversion measures to reduce youth offending and improve safety for everyone in the community. The budget allocation for Youth Justice measures has increased by 144% from 2020 to 2026 with a significant allocation of \u20ac7.3 million in additional core exchequer funding for Youth Justice measures announced as part of Budget 2026. \u2022 Strengthening the laws around Anti-Social Behaviour Orders (ASBOs) to enable swifter action by Garda\u00ed in such cases. \u2022 The implementation and expansion of the High Visibility Policing Plan by An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na. Anti-Social Behaviour Warnings and Anti-Social Behaviour Orders provide a response, through a civil process, to the behaviour of an individual. Garda\u00ed can give a Behaviour Warning verbally or in writing. If they give it verbally, the Garda must put it in writing as soon as reasonably possible and then serve it on the individual in person or by post. Garda\u00ed apply to the court to make an Anti-Social Behaviour Order. I am informed by the Garda Authorities that the following table is the annual count of the relevant PULSE Incident Types recorded since 2015 and for H1 2026. In accordance with standard practice An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na do not provide specific figures relating to incidents of fewer than ten for data protection reasons. As such a breakdown by Garda Division and by age cannot be disclosed as volumes are too low so may result in the identification of individuals. I am also advised by the Garda authorities that due to the way PULSE is configured there is no option to record Behaviour Orders for adults. PULSE Incident Type 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 H1 2026 Behaviour Orders (Children) 0 <10 0 <10 13 23 <10 10 <10 <10 <10 <10 Behaviour Warnings (Adult) 1010 677 1220 1270 947 1323 1028 633 503 619 503 192 Behaviour Warnings (Children) 236 211 122 128 105 162 76 91 92 51 59 32 Good Behaviour Contract 0 <10 <10 <10 0 0 <10 0 <10 0 0 0 In respect of incidents of anti-social behaviour reported to Garda\u00ed the Central Statistics Office (CSO), as the national statistical agency, is responsible for the compilation and publication of all crime statistics. The CSO produces these statistics using data recorded by An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na on the PULSE system and publishes regular releases on recorded crime, by offence type, including public order and related offences. The most recent release includes recorded crime up to the end of 2025 and are available at the following link: data.cso.ie/table/CJA01", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2026-09-16/pq_814", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2026-09-16/814/" }, { "date": "2023-11-22", "question_number": 120, "chamber": "33rd D\u00e1il", "topic": "Deportation Orders", "asked_by": "Pa Daly", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "120. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Justice for an estimate of the required Garda hours to complete a deportation order. [51350/23]", "answer": "Minister for Justice I propose to take Questions Nos. 120 and 122 together. I can advise the Deputy that deportation and removal processes are an essential part of any immigration system. It must be acknowledged that those who do not have a legal right to remain in this country must remove themselves from the State. A person subject to a Deportation Order has no legal basis to remain in the State. Their case to remain in the State has been considered in detail and all available appeals processes have been exhausted. The Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) is responsible for carrying out deportations. It is not possible to estimate the number of hours of Garda time to complete a deportation as each case is individual with different sets of circumstances, including destination and route required. The Deputy will be aware that the numbers of Deportation Orders effected by GNIB does not take account of individuals who have left the State without informing my Department. It is the case that many individuals who are subject to Deportation Orders leave the State without notifying the relevant authorities and this particular category of individual is difficult to quantify. The below table sets out the number of deportations ordered and completed for the years 2013 to 2022 and to date in 2023; and the associated costs for those years. The figure for costs covers flights and accommodation costs, where required, for all removals including Dublin 3 transfers, EU Removals as well as deportations. - 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 Deportation orders issued 1172 958 817 1437 1116 1112 2009 872 29 271 829 Deportation order effected 199 111 250 428 138 163 298 140 38 118 65 Costs of all deportations/returns \u20ac437,567 \u20ac304,108 \u20ac703,961 \u20ac1,010,386 \u20ac1,055,366 \u20ac916,389 \u20ac1,202,239 \u20ac1,628,266 \u20ac428,131 \u20ac467,289 \u20ac387,131", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2023-11-22/pq_120", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2023-11-22/120/" }, { "date": "2023-11-22", "question_number": 122, "chamber": "33rd D\u00e1il", "topic": "Deportation Orders", "asked_by": "Pa Daly", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "122. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Justice the number of deportations ordered and completed for the years 2013 to 2022 and to date in 2023; and the associated costs for those years, in tabular form. [51352/23]", "answer": "Minister for Justice I propose to take Questions Nos. 120 and 122 together. I can advise the Deputy that deportation and removal processes are an essential part of any immigration system. It must be acknowledged that those who do not have a legal right to remain in this country must remove themselves from the State. A person subject to a Deportation Order has no legal basis to remain in the State. Their case to remain in the State has been considered in detail and all available appeals processes have been exhausted. The Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) is responsible for carrying out deportations. It is not possible to estimate the number of hours of Garda time to complete a deportation as each case is individual with different sets of circumstances, including destination and route required. The Deputy will be aware that the numbers of Deportation Orders effected by GNIB does not take account of individuals who have left the State without informing my Department. It is the case that many individuals who are subject to Deportation Orders leave the State without notifying the relevant authorities and this particular category of individual is difficult to quantify. The below table sets out the number of deportations ordered and completed for the years 2013 to 2022 and to date in 2023; and the associated costs for those years. The figure for costs covers flights and accommodation costs, where required, for all removals including Dublin 3 transfers, EU Removals as well as deportations. - 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 Deportation orders issued 1172 958 817 1437 1116 1112 2009 872 29 271 829 Deportation order effected 199 111 250 428 138 163 298 140 38 118 65 Costs of all deportations/returns \u20ac437,567 \u20ac304,108 \u20ac703,961 \u20ac1,010,386 \u20ac1,055,366 \u20ac916,389 \u20ac1,202,239 \u20ac1,628,266 \u20ac428,131 \u20ac467,289 \u20ac387,131", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2023-11-22/pq_122", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2023-11-22/122/" }, { "date": "2025-07-16", "question_number": 184, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "Prison Service", "asked_by": "Peadar T\u00f3ib\u00edn", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "184. Deputy Peadar T\u00f3ib\u00edn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of prisoners that have been unlawfully at large from prison in each of the past ten years. [39839/25]", "answer": "Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration A person who has been granted temporary release is deemed to be unlawfully at large (UAL) if they have not returned to custody before the expiry of their temporary release period, or if a condition of their release is breached. An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na may arrest, without warrant, a person whom they suspect to be unlawfully at large. The person may be returned to the prison in which they are required to be detained and placed immediately back into the custody of the governor of that prison. The term of their sentence is suspended for the period they have been at large. I am informed that the vast majority of prisoners are recorded as UAL for technical breaches whereby they do not return to the prison on their designated date to sign-on. Please see attached data table, Table 1 Total Number of Prisoners Unlawfully at Large & Instances of Unlawfully at Large per year, shows the data recorded by the IPS for each of the past 10 years. These numbers are dynamic, as a majority of prisoners are UAL for a short period of time and return within a day or return to the prison the following week. Total Number of Prisoners Unlawfully at Large & Instances of Unlawfully at Large per year Year Number of individuals who went UAL in year Number of instances of UAL recorded In year Number of individuals returned to custody following UAL report 2024 702 707 576 2023 565 568 505 2022 396 399 355 2021 185 186 177 2020 143 143 127 2019 495 501 459 2018 341 346 319 2017 294 296 272 2016 418 419 401 2015 639 647 624 Total 4,178 4,212 3815 *Years 2020 and 2021 Covid-19 emergency measures in place *Please note that the data provided is correct as of 4 July 2025 and is subject to change.", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2025-07-16/pq_184", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2025-07-16/184/" }, { "date": "2018-09-27", "question_number": 97, "chamber": "32nd D\u00e1il", "topic": "Immigration Support Services", "asked_by": "Donnchadh \u00d3 Laoghaire", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "97. Deputy Donnchadh \u00d3 Laoghaire asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the funding provided for immigration integration services in each year since 2011; the services provided with this targeted funding; the amount each service received in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39249/18]", "answer": "Minister of State at the Department of Justice and Equality I with to inform the Deputy that service provision to migrants is mainstreamed across all Government Departments. The following table sets out the budget allocation for each year from 2011 to 2018 in respect of the Office for the Promotion of Migrant Integration which operates in the Department of Justice and Equality. 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 3,638 2,502 2,344 2,312 2,346 4,445 4,957 5,196 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 3,638 2,502 2,344 2,312 2,346 4,445 4,957 5,196 The Office for the Promotion of Migrant Integration operates a number of funding schemes in the area of migrant integration which includes the integration of refugees. It administers a National Funding Programme to Promote Integration of Migrants (a scheme for grants spread over 3 years) and a small grants scheme (maximum grant of \u20ac5,000 per project) under the Communities Integration Fund. The EU Funds Unit of the Department administers generally larger grants and for multi-annual projects using funding from European sources, including the Asylum Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF) and the European Social Fund (ESF). Details of funding amounts and services provided are attached where available as follows: A; National Funding Programme to Promote the Integration of Migrants B. Communities Integration Fund 2017 C. Communities Integration Fund 2018 D. Asylum Migration and Integration Fund 2017 - 2019 E. European Integration Fund 2009/2010 F. European Integration Fund 2013/2015 G. European Refugee Fund 2009/2010 H. European Refugee Fund 2013/2015 I. European Social Fund PEIL 2.7 Integration and Employment of Migrants j. Dormant Accounts Fund Measure 4 - Preactivation Supports for Female Refugees European Integration Fund 2013-15 Integration Migrants Dormant Accounts Fund - Measure 4 Integration Fund European Integration Fund 2009-10 Asylum Migration & Integration 2017-19 European Social Fund PEIL Communities Integration Fund 2018 European Refugee Fund 2009 European Refugee Fund 2013-15", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2018-09-27/pq_97", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2018-09-27/97/" }, { "date": "2022-05-04", "question_number": 405, "chamber": "33rd D\u00e1il", "topic": "Departmental Programmes", "asked_by": "Catherine Connolly", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "405. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice the number of immigrant investor programme applications received, by year, since 2012; the number of successful applications, by year, since 2012; the number of visas granted in respect of each application, by year, since 2012; the value of the investment or donation in respect of each successful application; the details of the enterprise, fund, real estate investment trust and-or registered charity in which each of these investments, donations or endowments were made; the number of visas granted in respect of which no investment, donation or endowment was made; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22338/22]", "answer": "Minister for Justice I propose to take Questions Nos. 405 to 408, inclusive, together. The Immigrant Investor Programme (IIP) was introduced by Government Decision in April 2012, to encourage inward investment and to create business and employment opportunities in the State. The Programme was introduced at a time when Ireland was going through a very significant economic downturn and Departments were tasked with initiating innovative programmes to attract investment and create employment as part of the Action Plan for Jobs 2012. Key to the programme is that the investments are beneficial for Ireland, generate or sustain employment and are generally in the public interest. The criteria applied when assessing applications under the IIP is set out in the guidance published on my Department's immigration website at: I want to invest in Ireland - Immigration Service Delivery (irishimmigration.ie). Successful applicants under the Programme and their nominated family members are granted a residence permission in Ireland under Stamp 4 conditions. Stamp 4 conditions permit non-EEA nationals to work, study or start their own businesses in Ireland. Successful applicants granted a permission under the IIP must then apply for a D reside visa, if visa required, to travel to the State. This is a separate process to the IIP application and it should be noted that not all persons approved are visa required nationals. I can also confirm that no residence permission has been given to any IIP applicant in the absence of the approved investment being made. Given the significant immigration benefits accruing to successful applicants under the programme all such persons are subject to rigorous screening by my Department as to their suitability during the application process. This screening includes due diligence and sanction checks in respect of applicants, and reputable international databases are accessed for this purpose, as and when required, to ensure that only reputable individuals are eligible for permission. These rigorous checks are aimed at protecting the integrity of the programme and the State\u2019s interests. All projects which IIP applicants are investing in are also examined in great detail by an Independent Evaluation Committee comprising key officials from my Department, the Department of Finance, the Department of Foreign Affairs, Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland who have appropriate corporate expertise in this area. This examination process involves an assessment of the commercial viability of the project; employment outcomes associated with the proposed investment; and the overall benefit to the Irish State. The Committee makes a determination as to whether a project is suitable for IIP investment and if deemed suitable, the individual application will be submitted to me for final approval. In addition, IIP permissions are renewable at years two and five and specific monitoring mechanisms and reporting obligations apply in this regard. Where the specific criteria are not being met, renewal of permissions will be refused. All immigration related programmes are kept under constant review to ensure their effectiveness and appropriateness, taking into consideration international and EU level developments. In 2019, an audit of the IIP identified a number actions to be undertaken, including a strategic review of the IIP. Following a tender process, a contract to carry out an external review was signed in June 2019. This review was to be carried out in two phases. The Terms of Reference for the review are published at: www.irishimmigration.ie/coming-to-live-in-ireland/immigrant-investor-programme-external-review. The second phase of the review has been completed and is being considered by my Department. In the meantime, applications under the IIP continue to be assessed by the independent evaluation committee and, where assessed positively, are accepted and processed. My Department does not currently publish the details of individual approved IIP investments; however, this matter is currently under consideration. The tables below provides a breakdown of IIP applications received, approved and the value of investments since the inception of the programme to end 2021. Year Applications received Approved applications Value of Approved Investment 2012 5 2 1,500,000 2013 18 16 12,200,000 2014 30 8 4,450,000 2015 75 71 38,800,000 2016 334 33 18,750,000 2017 324 373 253,700,000 2018 423 156 139,750,000 2019 443 237 209,300,000 2020 339 270 188,000,000 2021 258 265 186,100,000 TOTAL 2,249 1,431 1,052,550,000 Approvals issued in any year may relate to applications which were received in previous years due to the time taken to process applications. Investment Type Total Applications Approved Total Value of Investment Enterprise 780 639,000,000 Investment Fund 214 196,000,000 REIT 6 12,000,000 Endowment 375 152,600,000 Bond & Mixed Investment 56 53,950,000 TOTAL 1,431 1,052,550,000", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2022-05-04/pq_405", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2022-05-04/405/" }, { "date": "2022-05-04", "question_number": 406, "chamber": "33rd D\u00e1il", "topic": "Departmental Programmes", "asked_by": "Catherine Connolly", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "406. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice the criteria applied when assessing applications under the immigrant investor programme; the membership of the evaluation committee that examines the application and enterprise, fund or project in which the applicant wishes to invest; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22339/22]", "answer": "Minister for Justice I propose to take Questions Nos. 405 to 408, inclusive, together. The Immigrant Investor Programme (IIP) was introduced by Government Decision in April 2012, to encourage inward investment and to create business and employment opportunities in the State. The Programme was introduced at a time when Ireland was going through a very significant economic downturn and Departments were tasked with initiating innovative programmes to attract investment and create employment as part of the Action Plan for Jobs 2012. Key to the programme is that the investments are beneficial for Ireland, generate or sustain employment and are generally in the public interest. The criteria applied when assessing applications under the IIP is set out in the guidance published on my Department's immigration website at: I want to invest in Ireland - Immigration Service Delivery (irishimmigration.ie). Successful applicants under the Programme and their nominated family members are granted a residence permission in Ireland under Stamp 4 conditions. Stamp 4 conditions permit non-EEA nationals to work, study or start their own businesses in Ireland. Successful applicants granted a permission under the IIP must then apply for a D reside visa, if visa required, to travel to the State. This is a separate process to the IIP application and it should be noted that not all persons approved are visa required nationals. I can also confirm that no residence permission has been given to any IIP applicant in the absence of the approved investment being made. Given the significant immigration benefits accruing to successful applicants under the programme all such persons are subject to rigorous screening by my Department as to their suitability during the application process. This screening includes due diligence and sanction checks in respect of applicants, and reputable international databases are accessed for this purpose, as and when required, to ensure that only reputable individuals are eligible for permission. These rigorous checks are aimed at protecting the integrity of the programme and the State\u2019s interests. All projects which IIP applicants are investing in are also examined in great detail by an Independent Evaluation Committee comprising key officials from my Department, the Department of Finance, the Department of Foreign Affairs, Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland who have appropriate corporate expertise in this area. This examination process involves an assessment of the commercial viability of the project; employment outcomes associated with the proposed investment; and the overall benefit to the Irish State. The Committee makes a determination as to whether a project is suitable for IIP investment and if deemed suitable, the individual application will be submitted to me for final approval. In addition, IIP permissions are renewable at years two and five and specific monitoring mechanisms and reporting obligations apply in this regard. Where the specific criteria are not being met, renewal of permissions will be refused. All immigration related programmes are kept under constant review to ensure their effectiveness and appropriateness, taking into consideration international and EU level developments. In 2019, an audit of the IIP identified a number actions to be undertaken, including a strategic review of the IIP. Following a tender process, a contract to carry out an external review was signed in June 2019. This review was to be carried out in two phases. The Terms of Reference for the review are published at: www.irishimmigration.ie/coming-to-live-in-ireland/immigrant-investor-programme-external-review. The second phase of the review has been completed and is being considered by my Department. In the meantime, applications under the IIP continue to be assessed by the independent evaluation committee and, where assessed positively, are accepted and processed. My Department does not currently publish the details of individual approved IIP investments; however, this matter is currently under consideration. The tables below provides a breakdown of IIP applications received, approved and the value of investments since the inception of the programme to end 2021. Year Applications received Approved applications Value of Approved Investment 2012 5 2 1,500,000 2013 18 16 12,200,000 2014 30 8 4,450,000 2015 75 71 38,800,000 2016 334 33 18,750,000 2017 324 373 253,700,000 2018 423 156 139,750,000 2019 443 237 209,300,000 2020 339 270 188,000,000 2021 258 265 186,100,000 TOTAL 2,249 1,431 1,052,550,000 Approvals issued in any year may relate to applications which were received in previous years due to the time taken to process applications. Investment Type Total Applications Approved Total Value of Investment Enterprise 780 639,000,000 Investment Fund 214 196,000,000 REIT 6 12,000,000 Endowment 375 152,600,000 Bond & Mixed Investment 56 53,950,000 TOTAL 1,431 1,052,550,000", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2022-05-04/pq_406", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2022-05-04/406/" }, { "date": "2022-05-04", "question_number": 407, "chamber": "33rd D\u00e1il", "topic": "Departmental Programmes", "asked_by": "Catherine Connolly", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "407. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice the details of all evaluations or reviews carried out or commissioned by her Department into the immigrant investor programme since 2012; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22340/22]", "answer": "Minister for Justice I propose to take Questions Nos. 405 to 408, inclusive, together. The Immigrant Investor Programme (IIP) was introduced by Government Decision in April 2012, to encourage inward investment and to create business and employment opportunities in the State. The Programme was introduced at a time when Ireland was going through a very significant economic downturn and Departments were tasked with initiating innovative programmes to attract investment and create employment as part of the Action Plan for Jobs 2012. Key to the programme is that the investments are beneficial for Ireland, generate or sustain employment and are generally in the public interest. The criteria applied when assessing applications under the IIP is set out in the guidance published on my Department's immigration website at: I want to invest in Ireland - Immigration Service Delivery (irishimmigration.ie). Successful applicants under the Programme and their nominated family members are granted a residence permission in Ireland under Stamp 4 conditions. Stamp 4 conditions permit non-EEA nationals to work, study or start their own businesses in Ireland. Successful applicants granted a permission under the IIP must then apply for a D reside visa, if visa required, to travel to the State. This is a separate process to the IIP application and it should be noted that not all persons approved are visa required nationals. I can also confirm that no residence permission has been given to any IIP applicant in the absence of the approved investment being made. Given the significant immigration benefits accruing to successful applicants under the programme all such persons are subject to rigorous screening by my Department as to their suitability during the application process. This screening includes due diligence and sanction checks in respect of applicants, and reputable international databases are accessed for this purpose, as and when required, to ensure that only reputable individuals are eligible for permission. These rigorous checks are aimed at protecting the integrity of the programme and the State\u2019s interests. All projects which IIP applicants are investing in are also examined in great detail by an Independent Evaluation Committee comprising key officials from my Department, the Department of Finance, the Department of Foreign Affairs, Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland who have appropriate corporate expertise in this area. This examination process involves an assessment of the commercial viability of the project; employment outcomes associated with the proposed investment; and the overall benefit to the Irish State. The Committee makes a determination as to whether a project is suitable for IIP investment and if deemed suitable, the individual application will be submitted to me for final approval. In addition, IIP permissions are renewable at years two and five and specific monitoring mechanisms and reporting obligations apply in this regard. Where the specific criteria are not being met, renewal of permissions will be refused. All immigration related programmes are kept under constant review to ensure their effectiveness and appropriateness, taking into consideration international and EU level developments. In 2019, an audit of the IIP identified a number actions to be undertaken, including a strategic review of the IIP. Following a tender process, a contract to carry out an external review was signed in June 2019. This review was to be carried out in two phases. The Terms of Reference for the review are published at: www.irishimmigration.ie/coming-to-live-in-ireland/immigrant-investor-programme-external-review. The second phase of the review has been completed and is being considered by my Department. In the meantime, applications under the IIP continue to be assessed by the independent evaluation committee and, where assessed positively, are accepted and processed. My Department does not currently publish the details of individual approved IIP investments; however, this matter is currently under consideration. The tables below provides a breakdown of IIP applications received, approved and the value of investments since the inception of the programme to end 2021. Year Applications received Approved applications Value of Approved Investment 2012 5 2 1,500,000 2013 18 16 12,200,000 2014 30 8 4,450,000 2015 75 71 38,800,000 2016 334 33 18,750,000 2017 324 373 253,700,000 2018 423 156 139,750,000 2019 443 237 209,300,000 2020 339 270 188,000,000 2021 258 265 186,100,000 TOTAL 2,249 1,431 1,052,550,000 Approvals issued in any year may relate to applications which were received in previous years due to the time taken to process applications. Investment Type Total Applications Approved Total Value of Investment Enterprise 780 639,000,000 Investment Fund 214 196,000,000 REIT 6 12,000,000 Endowment 375 152,600,000 Bond & Mixed Investment 56 53,950,000 TOTAL 1,431 1,052,550,000", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2022-05-04/pq_407", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2022-05-04/407/" }, { "date": "2022-05-04", "question_number": 408, "chamber": "33rd D\u00e1il", "topic": "Departmental Programmes", "asked_by": "Catherine Connolly", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "408. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice the details of the legislative or policy basis for the immigrant investor programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22341/22]", "answer": "Minister for Justice I propose to take Questions Nos. 405 to 408, inclusive, together. The Immigrant Investor Programme (IIP) was introduced by Government Decision in April 2012, to encourage inward investment and to create business and employment opportunities in the State. The Programme was introduced at a time when Ireland was going through a very significant economic downturn and Departments were tasked with initiating innovative programmes to attract investment and create employment as part of the Action Plan for Jobs 2012. Key to the programme is that the investments are beneficial for Ireland, generate or sustain employment and are generally in the public interest. The criteria applied when assessing applications under the IIP is set out in the guidance published on my Department's immigration website at: I want to invest in Ireland - Immigration Service Delivery (irishimmigration.ie). Successful applicants under the Programme and their nominated family members are granted a residence permission in Ireland under Stamp 4 conditions. Stamp 4 conditions permit non-EEA nationals to work, study or start their own businesses in Ireland. Successful applicants granted a permission under the IIP must then apply for a D reside visa, if visa required, to travel to the State. This is a separate process to the IIP application and it should be noted that not all persons approved are visa required nationals. I can also confirm that no residence permission has been given to any IIP applicant in the absence of the approved investment being made. Given the significant immigration benefits accruing to successful applicants under the programme all such persons are subject to rigorous screening by my Department as to their suitability during the application process. This screening includes due diligence and sanction checks in respect of applicants, and reputable international databases are accessed for this purpose, as and when required, to ensure that only reputable individuals are eligible for permission. These rigorous checks are aimed at protecting the integrity of the programme and the State\u2019s interests. All projects which IIP applicants are investing in are also examined in great detail by an Independent Evaluation Committee comprising key officials from my Department, the Department of Finance, the Department of Foreign Affairs, Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland who have appropriate corporate expertise in this area. This examination process involves an assessment of the commercial viability of the project; employment outcomes associated with the proposed investment; and the overall benefit to the Irish State. The Committee makes a determination as to whether a project is suitable for IIP investment and if deemed suitable, the individual application will be submitted to me for final approval. In addition, IIP permissions are renewable at years two and five and specific monitoring mechanisms and reporting obligations apply in this regard. Where the specific criteria are not being met, renewal of permissions will be refused. All immigration related programmes are kept under constant review to ensure their effectiveness and appropriateness, taking into consideration international and EU level developments. In 2019, an audit of the IIP identified a number actions to be undertaken, including a strategic review of the IIP. Following a tender process, a contract to carry out an external review was signed in June 2019. This review was to be carried out in two phases. The Terms of Reference for the review are published at: www.irishimmigration.ie/coming-to-live-in-ireland/immigrant-investor-programme-external-review. The second phase of the review has been completed and is being considered by my Department. In the meantime, applications under the IIP continue to be assessed by the independent evaluation committee and, where assessed positively, are accepted and processed. My Department does not currently publish the details of individual approved IIP investments; however, this matter is currently under consideration. The tables below provides a breakdown of IIP applications received, approved and the value of investments since the inception of the programme to end 2021. Year Applications received Approved applications Value of Approved Investment 2012 5 2 1,500,000 2013 18 16 12,200,000 2014 30 8 4,450,000 2015 75 71 38,800,000 2016 334 33 18,750,000 2017 324 373 253,700,000 2018 423 156 139,750,000 2019 443 237 209,300,000 2020 339 270 188,000,000 2021 258 265 186,100,000 TOTAL 2,249 1,431 1,052,550,000 Approvals issued in any year may relate to applications which were received in previous years due to the time taken to process applications. Investment Type Total Applications Approved Total Value of Investment Enterprise 780 639,000,000 Investment Fund 214 196,000,000 REIT 6 12,000,000 Endowment 375 152,600,000 Bond & Mixed Investment 56 53,950,000 TOTAL 1,431 1,052,550,000", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2022-05-04/pq_408", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2022-05-04/408/" }, { "date": "2022-07-26", "question_number": 1613, "chamber": "33rd D\u00e1il", "topic": "Immigration Policy", "asked_by": "R\u00f3is\u00edn Shortall", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "1613. Deputy R\u00f3is\u00edn Shortall asked the Minister for Justice the approximate breakdown of the projects which applicants invested in through the Ireland Immigrant Investor Programme by category of project, investment type, year and value of investment in tabular form. [41714/22]", "answer": "Minister for Justice I propose to take Questions Nos. 1613 and 1614 together. The Immigrant Investor Programme (IIP) was introduced in April 2012 to encourage inward investment and create business and employment opportunities in the State. The programme provides investors with the opportunity to invest in Ireland. Key to the programme is that the investments are beneficial for Ireland, generate or sustain employment and are generally in the public interest. The IIP offers four investment options for potential investors. - Enterprise Investment : A minimum of \u20ac1 million invested in an Irish enterprise for a period of at least three years; - Investment Fund : A minimum of \u20ac1 million invested in an approved investment fund for a period of at least three years. Such funds must be approved and regulated by the Central Bank; - Real Estate Investment Trusts : A minimum investment of \u20ac2 million in any Irish REIT that is listed on the Irish Stock Exchange, for a period of at least three years; and - Endowment : A minimum \u20ac500,000 (or \u20ac400,000 where five or more applications are received) philanthropic donation to a project which is of public benefit to the arts, sports, health, culture or education in Ireland. The criteria applied when assessing applications under the IIP is set out in the guidance published on my Department's immigration website at: www.irishimmigration.ie/coming-to-live-in-ireland/i-want-to-invest-in-ireland/ Over 1,400 applications have been successful under the IIP to date with the value of investments approved over \u20ac1bn. All projects which IIP applicants are investing in are also examined in great detail by an Independent Evaluation Committee comprising key officials from my Department, the Department of Finance, the Department of Foreign Affairs, Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland who have appropriate corporate expertise in this area. This examination process involves an assessment of the commercial viability of the project; employment outcomes associated with the proposed investment; and the overall benefit to the Irish State. The Committee makes a determination as to whether a project is suitable for IIP investment and, if deemed suitable, the individual application will be submitted to me for final approval. My Department does not currently publish the details of individual approved IIP investments. The tables below provide a breakdown of IIP applications received, approved and the value of investments since the inception of the programme to end 2021. Year Applications received Approved applications Value of Approved Investment 2012 5 2 1,500,000 2013 18 16 12,200,000 2014 30 8 4,450,000 2015 75 71 38,800,000 2016 334 33 18,750,000 2017 324 373 253,700,000 2018 423 156 139,750,000 2019 443 237 209,300,000 2020 339 270 188,000,000 2021 258 265 186,100,000 TOTAL 2,249 1,431 1,052,550,000 Approvals issued in any year may relate to applications which were received in previous years due to the time taken to process applications. Investment Type Total Applications Approved Total Value of Investment Enterprise 780 639,000,000 Investment Fund 214 196,000,000 REIT 6 12,000,000 Endowment 375 152,600,000 Bond & Mixed Investment 56 53,950,000 TOTAL 1,431 1,052,550,000", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2022-07-26/pq_1613", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2022-07-26/1613/" }, { "date": "2022-07-26", "question_number": 1614, "chamber": "33rd D\u00e1il", "topic": "Immigration Policy", "asked_by": "R\u00f3is\u00edn Shortall", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "1614. Deputy R\u00f3is\u00edn Shortall asked the Minister for Justice if Ireland Immigrant Investor Programme applicants are still required to make a minimum investment of \u20ac1 million under the enterprise investment and investment fund options, \u20ac2 million under the real estate investment trusts option and \u20ac500 million under the endowment option; if an applicant can only submit an application under one option; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41715/22]", "answer": "Minister for Justice I propose to take Questions Nos. 1613 and 1614 together. The Immigrant Investor Programme (IIP) was introduced in April 2012 to encourage inward investment and create business and employment opportunities in the State. The programme provides investors with the opportunity to invest in Ireland. Key to the programme is that the investments are beneficial for Ireland, generate or sustain employment and are generally in the public interest. The IIP offers four investment options for potential investors. - Enterprise Investment : A minimum of \u20ac1 million invested in an Irish enterprise for a period of at least three years; - Investment Fund : A minimum of \u20ac1 million invested in an approved investment fund for a period of at least three years. Such funds must be approved and regulated by the Central Bank; - Real Estate Investment Trusts : A minimum investment of \u20ac2 million in any Irish REIT that is listed on the Irish Stock Exchange, for a period of at least three years; and - Endowment : A minimum \u20ac500,000 (or \u20ac400,000 where five or more applications are received) philanthropic donation to a project which is of public benefit to the arts, sports, health, culture or education in Ireland. The criteria applied when assessing applications under the IIP is set out in the guidance published on my Department's immigration website at: www.irishimmigration.ie/coming-to-live-in-ireland/i-want-to-invest-in-ireland/ Over 1,400 applications have been successful under the IIP to date with the value of investments approved over \u20ac1bn. All projects which IIP applicants are investing in are also examined in great detail by an Independent Evaluation Committee comprising key officials from my Department, the Department of Finance, the Department of Foreign Affairs, Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland who have appropriate corporate expertise in this area. This examination process involves an assessment of the commercial viability of the project; employment outcomes associated with the proposed investment; and the overall benefit to the Irish State. The Committee makes a determination as to whether a project is suitable for IIP investment and, if deemed suitable, the individual application will be submitted to me for final approval. My Department does not currently publish the details of individual approved IIP investments. The tables below provide a breakdown of IIP applications received, approved and the value of investments since the inception of the programme to end 2021. Year Applications received Approved applications Value of Approved Investment 2012 5 2 1,500,000 2013 18 16 12,200,000 2014 30 8 4,450,000 2015 75 71 38,800,000 2016 334 33 18,750,000 2017 324 373 253,700,000 2018 423 156 139,750,000 2019 443 237 209,300,000 2020 339 270 188,000,000 2021 258 265 186,100,000 TOTAL 2,249 1,431 1,052,550,000 Approvals issued in any year may relate to applications which were received in previous years due to the time taken to process applications. Investment Type Total Applications Approved Total Value of Investment Enterprise 780 639,000,000 Investment Fund 214 196,000,000 REIT 6 12,000,000 Endowment 375 152,600,000 Bond & Mixed Investment 56 53,950,000 TOTAL 1,431 1,052,550,000", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2022-07-26/pq_1614", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2022-07-26/1614/" }, { "date": "2023-06-13", "question_number": 1268, "chamber": "33rd D\u00e1il", "topic": "Nursing Homes", "asked_by": "Peadar T\u00f3ib\u00edn", "answered_by": "Health", "question_type": "written", "question": "1268. Deputy Peadar T\u00f3ib\u00edn asked the Minister for Health how many private and public nursing homes beds are registered in the State for each of the past five years; how many nursing homes have opened and closed in each of the past five years; how many nursing homes places are needed in the State now and for each of the next seven years; the average cost of a nursing home bed in the public and private sector; how many former nursing homes have become accommodation for asylum seekers; and the projected number for the next three years. [28259/23]", "answer": "Minister of State at the Department of Health The Health Information and Quality Authority's older people's services inspection team is legally responsible for the monitoring, inspection and registration of designated centres for older people, such as nursing homes, in Ireland. Details in relation to the number of nursing homes and beds registered beds between 2019 and 8 June 2023 and the number of homes that have opened and closed during the same period has been collated by HIQA. I will arrange to have this information forwarded to the Deputy in the coming days. The 2018 Health Capacity Review set out a recommendation for an increase in both long-stay and short-stay residential care beds for older people to meet growing demographic need and taking account of reforms. The review identified the need to increase the quantum from 30,000 community beds in 2016 to 41,900 to 43,000 beds (lower and upper range) by 2031. 2023 2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031 Lower target 35,556 36,349 37,142 37,935 38,728 39,521 40,314 41,107 41,900 Upper target 36,064 36,931 37,798 38,665 39,532 40,399 41,266 42,133 43,000 The gross weekly average cost of public and private beds since 2018 is set out in tabular format below. 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 Gross weekly average cost of public bed 1,576 1,619 1,656 1,681 1,703 Gross weekly average cost of private bed 984 1,016 1,035 1,060 1,087 Source: NHSS Performance Reports December each year The legislation relating to Government procurement of accommodation for refugees is a matter for the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth.", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2023-06-13/pq_1268", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2023-06-13/1268/" }, { "date": "2024-04-18", "question_number": 274, "chamber": "33rd D\u00e1il", "topic": "Departmental Expenditure", "asked_by": "Peadar T\u00f3ib\u00edn", "answered_by": "Children", "question_type": "written", "question": "274. Deputy Peadar T\u00f3ib\u00edn asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the amount spent on IPAS accommodation for each of the past ten years; the amount spent on direct provision for each of the past ten years; the amount spent on the provision of accommodation for Ukrainian citizens for each of the past three years; and the average cost of accommodation per night per person for each of these three accommodation sections. [17160/24]", "answer": "Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth At present nearly 29,000 people are accommodated in the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) system as a whole, of whom nearly 7,000 are children. This compares approximately 8,700 people at the end of February 2022. Together with Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection displaced by the war in Ukraine, this means that Ireland is now accommodating over 100,000 people in state-supported accommodation The costs outlined below include all accommodation and related costs, including transport, facilities management and other related expenditure. The average cost of accommodating an IP applicant in IPAS accommodation in 2023 was \u20ac76.80 per night. Please see, in tabular format, the total spend of IPAS accommodation, for the last 10 years respectively. Year Expenditure 2014 \u20ac53,217,000 2015 \u20ac57,025,000 2016 \u20ac64,137,000 2017 \u20ac67,359,000 2018 \u20ac77,993,000 2019 \u20ac129.408,000 2020 \u20ac183,215,000 2021 \u20ac190,856,000 2022 \u20ac356,554,000 2023 \u20ac651,756,000 Accommodation for people fleeing Ukraine The amount that has been spent on the provision of accommodation for Ukrainian citizens for each of the past three years: The below table shows the totals spent on the provision of accommodation for Ukraine between 2022 and 2024 (16.04.24) and the total amount spent which is \u20ac2,367,199,580.62. Year Expenditure 2022 \u20ac515,781,870.02 2023 \u20ac1,489,656,569.38 2024 as of 16/04/2024 \u20ac361,761,141.22 Total Expenditure to Date: \u20ac2,367,199,580.62 The average cost of accommodation per night per person for each of these three accommodation sections: The average cost of accommodation for BOTPs varies over time due to a variety of factors. At end 2022 , the average cost per person per night was estimated at approximately \u20ac60. At end 2023 , the cost was estimated at in the region of \u20ac48 per person per night. The reduction in cost reflected the Department\u2019s focus on obtaining greater value for money, and by moving more providers to providing self-catering accommodation rather than full board. As at April 16 th 2024, the average cost per person per night was estimated at approximately \u20ac45.", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2024-04-18/pq_274", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2024-04-18/274/" }, { "date": "2025-05-20", "question_number": 708, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "Refugee Resettlement Programme", "asked_by": "Peadar T\u00f3ib\u00edn", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "708. Deputy Peadar T\u00f3ib\u00edn asked the Minister for Justice the number of people that have availed of the Irish Refugee Protection Programme; the total cost to the State each year for the programme; the cost of the support that each refugee receives in total; and the cost on average for each person, since its inception, broken down by year and country of origin [25927/25]", "answer": "Minister for Justice The Irish Refugee Protection Programme (IRPP) is a key part of Ireland\u2019s response to the global humanitarian migration crisis in central and southern Europe. Since it was established in 2015, the IRPP has supported more than 4,500 refugees to resettle in Ireland. People are referred to the IRPP by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) after they have been granted refugee status under the 1951 Geneva Refugee Convention. They are then brought to Ireland for resettlement, following a joint IRPP/An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na selection mission held in their first country of asylum. This makes it different from the international protection application process available to people who make their own way to Ireland and apply for international protection, and to the temporary protection process available to people fleeing the war in Ukraine. The information requested by the Deputy in relation to arrivals under the Irish Refugee Protection Programme is set out in the table below. Arrivals under the programme have been through resettlement, which has primarily concentrated on Syrian nationals up to this point, and separately the humanitarian admission of Afghan nationals arising from the Taliban takeover in 2021. Year Syrian Afghan 2025 ytd 83 6 2024 199 77 2023 130 39 2022 202 159 2021 111 404 2020 195 2019 783 2018 605 2017 788 2016 596 2015 163 Totals 3,855 685 A whole of Government approach to Irish resettlement is in place, whereby multiple Departments collaborate to ensure the effective long term integration of the resettled refugees. Upon arrival, the refugees are generally accommodated in Reception and Orientation Centres provided by my Department to facilitate initial orientation and access to services for their welfare. Adults are provided with English language lessons and children attend local primary and post-primary schools. This period of orientation provides them with an opportunity to access necessary basic services in advance of their resettlement within the wider community. Services such as education and health are mainstreamed and IRPP beneficiaries have the same access to State supports as an Irish resident. Please see below a combined costs for the last five years for Ireland\u2019s three Reception and Orientation Centres (ROCs). 2025** 2024 2023 2022 2021 \u20ac5,031,668 \u20ac18,697,716 \u20ac20,298,833 \u20ac6,091,712 \u20ac7,281,698 * Please note that the 2025 figures are up to 16/05/2025 It is not possible to provide a breakdown of cost by country of origin as requested by the Deputy. Please note that wider costs of services provided to resettled refugees by other public services, like healthcare and education, are not available as services are mainstreamed.", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2025-05-20/pq_708", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2025-05-20/708/" }, { "date": "2026-05-28", "question_number": 438, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "Departmental Data", "asked_by": "Tom Brabazon", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "438. Deputy Tom Brabazon asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to detail, the number of people prosecuted and/or incarcerated for organised crime drug related offences in Ireland for each of the years 2015 \u2013 2026, inclusive in tabular form. [40850/26]", "answer": "Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration Operation Tara is An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na\u2019s national anti-drug crime operation which began in July 2021. The focus of Operation Tara is to disrupt, dismantle and prosecute drug trafficking networks and drug related organised crime groups at all levels - international, national, local - involved in the importation, distribution, cultivation, production, local sale and supply of controlled drugs. Under Operation Tara, individuals and groups involved in drug crime are the target of enforcement activity based on intelligence and the latest crime trends. While it is not possible to provide the precise data requested, I have been advised by An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na that the table below highlights the number of charges and summons created nationally between 1 January 2015 to 31 March 2026 for drug related offences and offences linked to Operation Tara. This encompasses all incident types under the category drugs, intoxicated driving a vehicle and intoxicated in charge of a vehicle (if they are linked to drugs), drug driving offences and search under Misuse of Drugs Act 1977/1984 and incidents associated to Operation Tara by virtue of it being drug related. Year No. of Proceedings 2015 19,700 2016 22,048 2017 23,927 2018 26,493 2019 32,940 2020 37,986 2021 34,998 2022 31,154 2023 31,804 2024 30,146 2025 33,933 2026 9,537 These figures are correct as of 25 May 2026 and based on PULSE data. As such, figures provided are operational and may be subject to change. Management of the courts and operational matters are the responsibility of the Courts Service, which is independent in exercising its functions under the Courts Service Act 1998. Statistics related to Court outcomes for drugs offences, including the numbers convicted and the number of those imprisoned or detained (if under 18 years of age), are available in the relevant Courts Service Annual Reports: www.courts.ie/publications/ The Courts Service has a dedicated email address for the provision of information to members of the Houses of the Oireachtas: oireachtasenquiries@courts.ie.", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2026-05-28/pq_438", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2026-05-28/438/" }, { "date": "2018-10-11", "question_number": 76, "chamber": "32nd D\u00e1il", "topic": "Direct Provision Data", "asked_by": "Eoin \u00d3 Broin", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "76. Deputy Eoin \u00d3 Broin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the cost of a direct provision hostel (details supplied) in each year since it opened; the number of adults and children, respectively resident at the hostel on 1 September in each year since the hostel opened; the number of inspections carried out by Departmental staff or other State agencies or bodies in each year since the hostel opened; the number of adults and children, respectively deported while resident at the hostel in each year since the hostel was opened in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41666/18]", "answer": "Minister of State at the Department of Justice and Equality (Deputy David Stanton) The following table provides a detailed breakdown of the start and end dates and the value of each contract pertaining to the premises in question. Contracts are not generally made for periods matching a calendar year and can span a number of years or simply a number of months. The table reflects this. The Deputy will also note that the table shows all information from 2006, when the centre was first contracted as an accommodation centre, up to the end of 2015 (excluding the last two full calendar years, i.e., 2016 and 2017). In fulfilling its general accommodation responsibilities, the RIA does not lease or rent premises from commercial contractors. Rather, it contracts-in a comprehensive range of services and facilities, which include accommodation, housekeeping, etc., for a fixed sum over the period of the contract. RIA endeavours to achieve the best value for money in relation to these contracts, in respect of which negotiations can take place with a number of commercial entities. As RIA is currently moving to the phased introduction of public tendering, it is therefore not in the best interests of the taxpayer that current details of individual contracts are generally made known. To compile or release such current detailed financial information could negatively affect the competitive position of the State in their discussions with parties who are, or who may be in the future, engaged in negotiations with the RIA. This is in accordance with the Reception & Integration Agency's policy on disclosure of financial information which was agreed with the Office of the information Commissioner. Contract Start Contract Finish VALUE (to end 2015) Capacity 10/10/2006 31/03/2009 \u20ac7,993,500 50 - 250 01/04/2009 08/08/2011 \u20ac7,420,500 250 09/08/2011 24/12/2012 \u20ac4,347,000 250 25/12/2012 23/06/2014 \u20ac3,931,200 225 24/06/2014 07/12/2015 \u20ac3,830,400 225 It is important to note that each of these contracts require contractor to provide full bed and board and lodgings (including laundry services, WIFI facilities etc) for all persons in the protection process resident at the relevant centre. The number of adults and children in the centre on 1 September each year is not available. The Department does, however, maintain a snapshot of such detail at 31 December of each year. The information is published in the Annual Reports of the Reception & Integration Agency (RIA) of the Department (also available in respect of other centres at www.ria.gov.ie). Please note that the RIA Annual Reports were first published in 2007 and information in relation to 2006 is not available. The following table outlines the number of adults and children in the centre on 31 December for the years 2007 to 2017. Year Adults Children Total 2007 137 94 231 2008 168 74 242 2009 116 80 196 2010 120 73 193 2011 138 87 225 2012 132 93 225 2013 120 89 209 2014 116 86 202 2015 126 80 206 2016 119 78 197 2017 104 68 172 2018 (@ 07/10/2018) 157 91 248 The number of inspections carried out at this centre in each year was as follows: Year Total No. of Inspections 2006 0 (centre opened in October) 2007 1 2008 2 2009 3 2010 2 2011 3 2012 2 2013 3 2014 4 2015 1 2016 3 2017 3 2018 2 (to date) In relation to the Deputy\u2019s question about persons deported each year while residing in a specified State provided accommodation centre, the position is that deportation related records are not maintained by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of the Department in a manner such as would allow the figures for such deportations to be disaggregated from the figures for all deportation orders effected in the relevant year.", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2018-10-11/pq_76", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2018-10-11/76/" }, { "date": "2022-12-06", "question_number": 481, "chamber": "33rd D\u00e1il", "topic": "Asylum Applications", "asked_by": "Peadar T\u00f3ib\u00edn", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "481. Deputy Peadar T\u00f3ib\u00edn asked the Minister for Justice the number of applications for asylum in Ireland that have been refused for each of the past ten years in real numbers and as the percentage of the total number of applicants. [60762/22]", "answer": "Minister for Justice Unfortunately it is not possible to provide the Deputy with the information requested regarding the number of refused applications as a percentage of all applications, as the IPO do not maintain statistics in this manner. Decisions on international protection are made by the Ministerial Decisions Unit (MDU) of my Department. MDU processes the recommendations received from the International Protection Office (IPO) and the decisions of the International Protection Appeals Tribunal (IPAT). The International Protection Office (IPO) makes first instance recommendations in respect of international protection (refugee status and subsidiary protection) as well as decisions on permission to remain. Where an international protection applicant has been refused international protection, as part of a single procedure, a decision will be made on whether or not to grant the applicant permission to remain in the State. Therefore a proportion of persons listed in the tables below will have subsequently granted permission to remain in the State. When considering the figures in Table 1 below on refusals it is important to note that the figures provided relate to the year in which the decision was made, which may not be the year in which the application was made. The data in the table is also based on application numbers and not applicant numbers, as an application may include more than one applicant. The figures below include decisions refused under the Subsidiary Protection Regulation 2013 and 2006 and under both the Refugee Act 1996 (as amended) and the International Protection Act 2015. Refusals of International Protection per year (by application) 2013 to end November 2022* Year Total number of refusals of Refugee Status and Subsidiary Protection Status 2013 770 2014 1,547 2015 2,244 2016 2,070 2017 408 2018 551 2019 1,745 2020 951 2021 981 2022 3,530 Total 14,797 *Refusals that were quashed or overturned are only excluded if the decision to quash or overturn the refusal occurred within the same year as the original refusal for that application Total Applicants for International Protection to the International Protection Office 2013- November 2022 Year Number of Applications 2013 974 2014 1,856 2015 5,193 2016 4,249 2017 2,920 2018 3,674 2019 4,780 2020 1,566 2021 2,648 2022 12,453 Total 40,313", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2022-12-06/pq_481", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2022-12-06/481/" }, { "date": "2023-11-14", "question_number": 441, "chamber": "33rd D\u00e1il", "topic": "Departmental Funding", "asked_by": "John Brady", "answered_by": "Children", "question_type": "written", "question": "441. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to provide a breakdown in tabular form of the spending and allocation of the asylum, migration and integration fund (AIMF) by his Department from 2021 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49708/23]", "answer": "Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth The Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF) was instituted as one of the EU Home Affairs financial instruments for the programme period 2014 to 2020. Each Member State wishing to participate in AMIF must produce a National Programme covering the main areas of the Fund. Ireland\u2019s national programmes for AMIF is focused on specific objectives, including in the areas of asylum, reception, integration, legal migration and the return of irregular migrants. Ireland\u2019s allocation under AMIF was \u20ac55.5m for the period 2014-2020. The delivery of many AMIF funded projects was impacted by two major international events: the Covid-19 pandemic and the conflict in Ukraine. In response to the influx of refugees fleeing the conflict in Ukraine, the EU agreed to extend the 2014-2020 programme, bringing the programme end-date to June 2024. During the extended period, Member States are permitted to re-deploy unused funds under existing activities to fund activities to support Ukrainian refugees. Redeployed AMIF funding was used to provide urgent support to approved projects to pivot their actions to address the changing situation. Table 1 \u201cAMIF 2014-2020 Programme Funding Overview\u201d sets out in in tabular form the spending and allocations of the AMIF 2014-2020 national programme up to October 2023. In March 2022, Ireland opted in to the 2021-2027 Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund. Under Ireland\u2019s AMIF 2021-2027 national programme, Ireland will build on the work done under the previous AMIF 2014-2020 programme, and improve its effectiveness where possible. Strong support for the efforts of non-Government actors, particularly with respect to the integration objectives, will continue under the new programme. The programme will also support elements of State-run programmes, both at national and local level, which provide integration measures tailored to the needs of third-country nationals. No spend has been incurred as yet under the AMIF 2021-2027 national programme. Table 1: AMIF 2014-2020 Programme Funding Overview - TOTAL Cumulative Claims 2015-2020* TOTAL Annual Claim 2021* TOTAL Annual Claim 2022* TOTAL Annual Claim 2023** TOTAL Claim 2015-2023 (All amounts \u20ac000s) Specific objective 1: Asylum Open Calls 2016 \u20ac2,083.45 \u20ac2,003.42 \u20ac80.03 \u20ac - \u20ac - \u20ac2,083.45 2019 \u20ac2,357.51 \u20ac700.13 \u20ac688.72 \u20ac495.12 \u20ac18.21 \u20ac1,902.18 2022 \u20ac1,185.62 \u20ac - \u20ac525.70 \u20ac525.70 Total Calls \u20ac5,626.58 \u20ac2,703.55 \u20ac768.75 \u20ac495.12 \u20ac543.91 \u20ac4,511.33 Direct Awards \u20ac1,827.49 \u20ac1,096.06 \u20ac204.49 \u20ac - \u20ac - \u20ac1,300.55 Specific objective 2: Integration/legal migration Open Calls 2016 \u20ac1,866.69 \u20ac1,709.23 \u20ac26.65 \u20ac - \u20ac - \u20ac1,735.88 2019 \u20ac2,011.32 \u20ac518.95 \u20ac496.20 \u20ac465.79 \u20ac75.05 \u20ac1,555.99 2022 \u20ac912.86 \u20ac - \u20ac - \u20ac - \u20ac425.71 \u20ac425.71 Total Calls \u20ac4,790.87 \u20ac2,228.17 \u20ac522.85 \u20ac465.79 \u20ac500.76 \u20ac3,717.58 Direct Awards \u20ac1,074.52 \u20ac1,051.04 \u20ac - \u20ac - \u20ac115.32 \u20ac1,166.36 Specific objective 3: Return Returns \u20ac5,650.51 \u20ac4,623.57 -\u20ac22.72 \u20ac237.76 \u20ac212.34 \u20ac5,050.95 Specific objective 4: Solidarity Direct Awards \u20ac2,000.00 \u20ac1,882.27 \u20ac - \u20ac - \u20ac - \u20ac1,882.27 Technical Assistance \u20ac4,051.96 \u20ac1,959.73 \u20ac145.90 \u20ac - \u20ac1,282.43 \u20ac3,388.06 Sub-Total \u20ac25,021.93 \u20ac15,544.40 \u20ac1,619.26 \u20ac1,198.67 \u20ac2,654.77 \u20ac21,017.10 Special Cases \u20ac30,468.34 \u20ac25,278.00 \u20ac2,802.00 \u20ac 54.00 \u20ac 228.00 \u20ac28,362.00 Total \u20ac55,490.27 \u20ac40,822.40 \u20ac4,421.26 \u20ac1,252.67 \u20ac2,882.77 \u20ac49,379.10 * AMIF Annual accounts are submitted to EU Commission covering spend for the period of 16th October each year up to 15th Oct. of the following year ** AMIF Accounts to be submitted to EU Commission on 15th March 2024 for financial period 16th October 2022 to 15th October 2023", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2023-11-14/pq_441", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2023-11-14/441/" }, { "date": "2025-03-06", "question_number": 216, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "Legislative Process", "asked_by": "Catherine Connolly", "answered_by": "Transport", "question_type": "written", "question": "216. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Transport the Statutory Instruments he envisages being brought forward and signed by his Department during the first six months of 2025; to highlight in particular those concerned with the transposition and or implementation of further implementation of EU law requirements; those Statutory Instruments concerned with commencement of existing legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10340/25]", "answer": "Minister for Transport My Department anticipates up to 37 Statutory Instruments being brought forward for my approval and signature as set out below within the first six months of 2025. Most of these relate to transposition of EU legislation. 1. Statutory Instruments relating to EU legislation: S.I. transposing Commission Delegated Directive (EU) 2025/149 by amending S.I. No.651 of 2010, European Union (Transport of Dangerous Goods by Rail) (Amendment) Regulations 2010. S.I. implementing EU Regulation 2024/1258 regarding minimum requirements on minimum breaks and daily and weekly rest periods in the occasional passenger transport sector. S.I. implementing the Protocol to the Interbus Agreement regarding the international regular and special regular carriage of passengers by coach and bus. S.I. No. 27/2025 - European Union (Road Transport Activities Checks) Regulations 2025. An S.I. to consolidate previous Road Transport Activities Checks Regulations to give further effect to Directive 2006/22/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 15 March 2006, as amended by Commission Delegated Directive (EU) 2024/846 of 14 March 2024. S.I. No. 28/2025 - European Union (Occupation of Road Transport Operator) (Amendment) Regulations 2025. An amending S.I. to give full effect to Article 18 of Regulation (EC) No 1071/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 21 October 2009 establishing common rules concerning the conditions to be complied with to pursue the occupation of road transport operator, and full effect to Article 14(1) of Section 1 of Part A of Annex 31 to the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement. S.I. to amend the European Communities (Vessel Traffic Monitoring and Information System) Regulations 2010 to take account of an amendment to Directive 2002/59/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 June 2002 establishing a Community vessel traffic monitoring and information system and repealing Council Directive 93/75/EEC. S.I. to amend the European Union (Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers) (Amendment) Regulations 2014 to take account of Directive (EU) 2022/993 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 8 June 2022 on the minimum level of training of seafarers (codification) and amendments in relation to the description of certain areas of partially smooth waters. S.I. to give further effect to Regulation (EU) 2018/858 in relation to SERMI operators. S.I. to to give further effect to the requirements of Regulation (EC) 2019/2144 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 November 2019 in relation to Speed Limitation Devices. S.I. giving effect to Regulation (EU) 2023/2405 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 October 2023 on ensuring a level playing field for sustainable air transport (ReFuelEU Aviation) in relation to the designation of competent authorities. S.I. to give further effect to Regulation (EU) 2019/1020 to designate the Irish Aviation Authority as the Market Surveillance Authority for Unmanned Aircraft Systems. S.I. to give further effect to Regulation (EU) 2019/945 to designate the Minister for Transport as the Notifying Authority for UAS. S.I. to give effect to Regulation (EU) 2023/1805 on the use of renewable and low-carbon fuels in maritime transport, and amending Directive 2009/16/EC. S.I. to give effect to the incoming Vehicle Registration Data EU Council Decision. This will amend the Vehicle Registration Data (Automated Searching and Exchange) Act 2018 to allow for sharing of data with the UK. S.I. transposing transport-related provisions of Directive (EU) 2018/2001 (RED II) as amended by Directive (EU) 2023/2413 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 October 2023 (RED III). S.I. to exclude POME-derived biofuel from the award of additional Renewable Transport Fuel certificates under National Oil Reserves Agency Act 2007 (Additional Certificates for Renewable Transport Fuel) Regulations 2023 (S.I. No. 143 of 2023). S.I. to give full effect to the provisions of Article 20 of Regulation (EU) 2023/1804 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 September 2023 on the deployment of alternative fuels infrastructure (AFIR) including naming the Identification Registration Organisation (IDRO). S.I. to replace S.I. 703 of 2022 and to align fuel price comparison requirements in line with Regulation (EU) 2023/1804 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 September 2023 on the deployment of alternative fuels infrastructure (AFIR). S.I. 8 of 2025 - EU (Market Surveillance and Compliance of Automotive Products) Regulations 2025. (completed) 2. Statutory Instruments concerned with commencement of existing legislation: S.I. to commence paragraphs of section 5 of the Road Traffic and Roads Act 2023. S.I. to commence paragraphs of section 21 of the Road Traffic Act 2024. S.I. to commence sections 4, 11(a) & (c) of the Road Traffic and Roads Act 2023. Other Statutory Instruments anticipated to be brought forward and signed within the first six months of 2025: S.I. providing for an increase in the rate of Light Dues per ton, and an increase to the tonnage cap for vessels paying Light Dues. S.I. to set out the information requirement on economic operators regarding application as an RTFO account holder and application for award of RTFO certificates in respect of renewable electricity supply at public charge points. S.I. regulations under section 41(1) of the Road Traffic Act 1994 (as amended by 11(c) of the Road Traffic and Roads Act 2023). S.I. to review and consolidate National and Regional Roads Classifications. S.I. to amend Section 46 of the Road Traffic and Roads Act 2023 to facilitate the use of cameras on roads to obtain data. S.I. 47 of 2025 - Road Traffic (Construction and Use of Vehicles) (Amendment) Regulations 2025. (completed) S.I. to update EU references in S.I. 223 of 2000 - EC (Proof of Compliance) Regulations. S.I. to update EU References in S.I. 224 of 2000 - (Construction, Equipment and Use of Vehicles) (Amendment) Regulations, 2000. S.I. for technical amendment to Schedules to S.I. 415 of 2017 (NCT Regulations). S.I.s amending the Road Traffic (Traffic and Parking) Regulations (182/1997) and the Road Traffic (Signs) Regulations (220/2024) in order to facilitate regulatory amendments to the Traffic Signs Manual. S.I. amending the Road Traffic Act 2010 (Part 3) (Fixed Charge Offences) Regulations 2024 (227/2024) so as to attach an FCN to the offence of failing to use eScooter lights during specified lighting-up hours. Two S.I.s to make amendments in relation to the description of certain areas of partially smooth waters - Merchant Shipping (Fire Protection) (Amendment) Rules and Merchant Shipping (SOLAS V \u2013 Safe Manning and Watchkeeping) (Amendment) Regulations. S.I. implementing relevant Articles of the Trade and Co-operation Agreement (TCA) relating to road passenger transport following the entry into force of the Protocol to the Interbus Agreement. S.I to allow for the revocation of a driving licence in certain circumstances.", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2025-03-06/pq_216", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2025-03-06/216/" }, { "date": "2025-11-26", "question_number": 230, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "International Protection", "asked_by": "Carol Nolan", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "230. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of Dublin III transfer decisions made by the IPO and IPAT for international protection applicants each of the years 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 and to date in 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [66355/25]", "answer": "Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration I propose to take Questions Nos. 230, 231 and 232 together. My Department is taking all necessary steps to manage the international protection process efficiently and effectively, while ensuring the integrity of those processes is maintained at all times. Regulation (EU) No 604/2013 (Dublin III Regulations), came into force on 19 July 2013, and lays down the criteria and mechanisms for determining which EU country is responsible for examining an asylum application. The Dublin Regulation is based on the principle that the first Member State to facilitate entry to the EU should be responsible for examining the protection application. A decision to transfer made under the Dublin III Regulations expires after six months. This extends to 18 months if the applicant has absconded. If an appeal is launched, a Dublin III decision expires six months from the date the appeal decision is given. In practice, and in keeping with the experience of other Member States, effective implementation of the Dublin Regulation is challenging. Member States have found significant problems with the Dublin Regulation, including the lack of consistent implementation across the Member States and that shortcomings with the design of the Regulation makes it difficult to achieve its main objectives. In advance of a transfer, it is necessary to inform the receiving State of the transfer and make the arrangements to transfer the person in the specific notification periods for each EU Member State. The notification periods range from 3 working days to the majority of EU Member States requiring at least 7 working days. Earlier this year I increased the permissible detention period to facilitate a transfer under the Regulations from 7 to 42 days, with the intention being to give the Garda National Immigration Bureau more capacity to make the required arrangements in advance of the transfer being effected. Ireland has opted in to the EU Asylum and Migration Pact which is due to enter operation in June 2026. The Pact will provide a fair, sustainable and efficient asylum procedure. This will be achieved through convergence in asylum practices across the EU. One of the major benefits for Ireland of the Pact is that it replaces the Dublin III Regulation with a more efficient and streamlined process. The Asylum and Migration Management Regulation (AMMR) which will replace the Dublin III Regulation, provides for, among other things, streamlined criteria and reduced timeframes for determining the Member State responsible for determining an asylum application as well as revised rules on transferring responsibility and addressing evasion. This will significantly improve the current system by reducing the administrative burden on the Member States seeking to transfer a person to the Member State. It will also extend the period by which a transfer must be carried out from 18 months to 3 years. The table below shows the number of Dublin III transfer decisions issued by the IPO for international protection applicants from 2019 to 14 November 2025. Year Decisions issued 2019 817 2020 310 2021 69 2022 24 2023 188 2024 339 2025 * 363 *As of 14 November 2025 The table below shows the median processing time of Dublin III decisions at the IPO from when a formal request is accepted to the transfer decision issuing from 2019 to 23 November 2025. Year Months 2019 2.2 2020 3.6 2021 2.2 2022 3.6 2023 3.8 2024 3.5 2025* 2.3 To cob 23 November 2025 International protection applicants have 10 days to lodge an appeal with the International Protection Appeals Tribunal in the case of Dublin III Regulation Appeals. The table below shows the number of Dublin III Appeals accepted by the International Protection Appeals Tribunal (IPAT) from 2019 to 23 November 2025. Year Appeals accepted 2019 148 2020 54 2021 16 2022 22 2023 151 2024 272 2025* 264 *To cob 23 November 2025 The table below shows the median processing time of IPAT Dublin III Appeals in months from 2019 to 23 November 2025. Year Median processing times of Dublin III Appeals in months 2019 7.4 2020 12 2021 14 2022 7.3 2023 5.8 2024 9.9 2025* 18.7 * to cob 23 November 2025 The table below shows the number of Dublin III Appeals Decisions issued by the IPAT for international protection applicants from 2019 to 23 November 2025. Dublin III Appeals Decisions Issued Year Decisions Refused/Affirmed Granted/Set Aside 2019 151 132 19 2020 104 86 18 2021 17 12 5 2022 28 21 7 2023 42 36 6 2024 52 41 11 2025* 96 72 24 *To cob 23 November 2025 The table below shows the number of Dublin III transfer decisions that have expired (including in cases of absconding) from 2019 to 31 October 2025. Year Number of Dublin III transfer decision that have expired 2019 35 2020 202 2021 494 2022 337 2023 20 2024 77 2025 (to 25th Nov) 56 The figures for 2020-22 reflect the impact of Covid on returns arrangements, as returns were largely limited to cases involving criminality during that time. Please note that figures are correct at time of issue and may be subject to data cleansing.", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2025-11-26/pq_230", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2025-11-26/230/" }, { "date": "2025-11-26", "question_number": 231, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "International Protection", "asked_by": "Carol Nolan", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "231. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the average processing time for Dublin III decisions from initial application to the IPO to IPAT decision for international protection applicants for each of the years 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 and to date in 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [66356/25]", "answer": "Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration I propose to take Questions Nos. 230, 231 and 232 together. My Department is taking all necessary steps to manage the international protection process efficiently and effectively, while ensuring the integrity of those processes is maintained at all times. Regulation (EU) No 604/2013 (Dublin III Regulations), came into force on 19 July 2013, and lays down the criteria and mechanisms for determining which EU country is responsible for examining an asylum application. The Dublin Regulation is based on the principle that the first Member State to facilitate entry to the EU should be responsible for examining the protection application. A decision to transfer made under the Dublin III Regulations expires after six months. This extends to 18 months if the applicant has absconded. If an appeal is launched, a Dublin III decision expires six months from the date the appeal decision is given. In practice, and in keeping with the experience of other Member States, effective implementation of the Dublin Regulation is challenging. Member States have found significant problems with the Dublin Regulation, including the lack of consistent implementation across the Member States and that shortcomings with the design of the Regulation makes it difficult to achieve its main objectives. In advance of a transfer, it is necessary to inform the receiving State of the transfer and make the arrangements to transfer the person in the specific notification periods for each EU Member State. The notification periods range from 3 working days to the majority of EU Member States requiring at least 7 working days. Earlier this year I increased the permissible detention period to facilitate a transfer under the Regulations from 7 to 42 days, with the intention being to give the Garda National Immigration Bureau more capacity to make the required arrangements in advance of the transfer being effected. Ireland has opted in to the EU Asylum and Migration Pact which is due to enter operation in June 2026. The Pact will provide a fair, sustainable and efficient asylum procedure. This will be achieved through convergence in asylum practices across the EU. One of the major benefits for Ireland of the Pact is that it replaces the Dublin III Regulation with a more efficient and streamlined process. The Asylum and Migration Management Regulation (AMMR) which will replace the Dublin III Regulation, provides for, among other things, streamlined criteria and reduced timeframes for determining the Member State responsible for determining an asylum application as well as revised rules on transferring responsibility and addressing evasion. This will significantly improve the current system by reducing the administrative burden on the Member States seeking to transfer a person to the Member State. It will also extend the period by which a transfer must be carried out from 18 months to 3 years. The table below shows the number of Dublin III transfer decisions issued by the IPO for international protection applicants from 2019 to 14 November 2025. Year Decisions issued 2019 817 2020 310 2021 69 2022 24 2023 188 2024 339 2025 * 363 *As of 14 November 2025 The table below shows the median processing time of Dublin III decisions at the IPO from when a formal request is accepted to the transfer decision issuing from 2019 to 23 November 2025. Year Months 2019 2.2 2020 3.6 2021 2.2 2022 3.6 2023 3.8 2024 3.5 2025* 2.3 To cob 23 November 2025 International protection applicants have 10 days to lodge an appeal with the International Protection Appeals Tribunal in the case of Dublin III Regulation Appeals. The table below shows the number of Dublin III Appeals accepted by the International Protection Appeals Tribunal (IPAT) from 2019 to 23 November 2025. Year Appeals accepted 2019 148 2020 54 2021 16 2022 22 2023 151 2024 272 2025* 264 *To cob 23 November 2025 The table below shows the median processing time of IPAT Dublin III Appeals in months from 2019 to 23 November 2025. Year Median processing times of Dublin III Appeals in months 2019 7.4 2020 12 2021 14 2022 7.3 2023 5.8 2024 9.9 2025* 18.7 * to cob 23 November 2025 The table below shows the number of Dublin III Appeals Decisions issued by the IPAT for international protection applicants from 2019 to 23 November 2025. Dublin III Appeals Decisions Issued Year Decisions Refused/Affirmed Granted/Set Aside 2019 151 132 19 2020 104 86 18 2021 17 12 5 2022 28 21 7 2023 42 36 6 2024 52 41 11 2025* 96 72 24 *To cob 23 November 2025 The table below shows the number of Dublin III transfer decisions that have expired (including in cases of absconding) from 2019 to 31 October 2025. Year Number of Dublin III transfer decision that have expired 2019 35 2020 202 2021 494 2022 337 2023 20 2024 77 2025 (to 25th Nov) 56 The figures for 2020-22 reflect the impact of Covid on returns arrangements, as returns were largely limited to cases involving criminality during that time. Please note that figures are correct at time of issue and may be subject to data cleansing.", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2025-11-26/pq_231", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2025-11-26/231/" }, { "date": "2025-11-26", "question_number": 232, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "International Protection", "asked_by": "Carol Nolan", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "232. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of Dublin III transfer decision that have \u201ctimed out\u201d because the Department did not transfer the applicant within the six months permitted by law for each of the years 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 and to date in 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [66357/25]", "answer": "Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration I propose to take Questions Nos. 230, 231 and 232 together. My Department is taking all necessary steps to manage the international protection process efficiently and effectively, while ensuring the integrity of those processes is maintained at all times. Regulation (EU) No 604/2013 (Dublin III Regulations), came into force on 19 July 2013, and lays down the criteria and mechanisms for determining which EU country is responsible for examining an asylum application. The Dublin Regulation is based on the principle that the first Member State to facilitate entry to the EU should be responsible for examining the protection application. A decision to transfer made under the Dublin III Regulations expires after six months. This extends to 18 months if the applicant has absconded. If an appeal is launched, a Dublin III decision expires six months from the date the appeal decision is given. In practice, and in keeping with the experience of other Member States, effective implementation of the Dublin Regulation is challenging. Member States have found significant problems with the Dublin Regulation, including the lack of consistent implementation across the Member States and that shortcomings with the design of the Regulation makes it difficult to achieve its main objectives. In advance of a transfer, it is necessary to inform the receiving State of the transfer and make the arrangements to transfer the person in the specific notification periods for each EU Member State. The notification periods range from 3 working days to the majority of EU Member States requiring at least 7 working days. Earlier this year I increased the permissible detention period to facilitate a transfer under the Regulations from 7 to 42 days, with the intention being to give the Garda National Immigration Bureau more capacity to make the required arrangements in advance of the transfer being effected. Ireland has opted in to the EU Asylum and Migration Pact which is due to enter operation in June 2026. The Pact will provide a fair, sustainable and efficient asylum procedure. This will be achieved through convergence in asylum practices across the EU. One of the major benefits for Ireland of the Pact is that it replaces the Dublin III Regulation with a more efficient and streamlined process. The Asylum and Migration Management Regulation (AMMR) which will replace the Dublin III Regulation, provides for, among other things, streamlined criteria and reduced timeframes for determining the Member State responsible for determining an asylum application as well as revised rules on transferring responsibility and addressing evasion. This will significantly improve the current system by reducing the administrative burden on the Member States seeking to transfer a person to the Member State. It will also extend the period by which a transfer must be carried out from 18 months to 3 years. The table below shows the number of Dublin III transfer decisions issued by the IPO for international protection applicants from 2019 to 14 November 2025. Year Decisions issued 2019 817 2020 310 2021 69 2022 24 2023 188 2024 339 2025 * 363 *As of 14 November 2025 The table below shows the median processing time of Dublin III decisions at the IPO from when a formal request is accepted to the transfer decision issuing from 2019 to 23 November 2025. Year Months 2019 2.2 2020 3.6 2021 2.2 2022 3.6 2023 3.8 2024 3.5 2025* 2.3 To cob 23 November 2025 International protection applicants have 10 days to lodge an appeal with the International Protection Appeals Tribunal in the case of Dublin III Regulation Appeals. The table below shows the number of Dublin III Appeals accepted by the International Protection Appeals Tribunal (IPAT) from 2019 to 23 November 2025. Year Appeals accepted 2019 148 2020 54 2021 16 2022 22 2023 151 2024 272 2025* 264 *To cob 23 November 2025 The table below shows the median processing time of IPAT Dublin III Appeals in months from 2019 to 23 November 2025. Year Median processing times of Dublin III Appeals in months 2019 7.4 2020 12 2021 14 2022 7.3 2023 5.8 2024 9.9 2025* 18.7 * to cob 23 November 2025 The table below shows the number of Dublin III Appeals Decisions issued by the IPAT for international protection applicants from 2019 to 23 November 2025. Dublin III Appeals Decisions Issued Year Decisions Refused/Affirmed Granted/Set Aside 2019 151 132 19 2020 104 86 18 2021 17 12 5 2022 28 21 7 2023 42 36 6 2024 52 41 11 2025* 96 72 24 *To cob 23 November 2025 The table below shows the number of Dublin III transfer decisions that have expired (including in cases of absconding) from 2019 to 31 October 2025. Year Number of Dublin III transfer decision that have expired 2019 35 2020 202 2021 494 2022 337 2023 20 2024 77 2025 (to 25th Nov) 56 The figures for 2020-22 reflect the impact of Covid on returns arrangements, as returns were largely limited to cases involving criminality during that time. Please note that figures are correct at time of issue and may be subject to data cleansing.", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2025-11-26/pq_232", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2025-11-26/232/" }, { "date": "2026-06-16", "question_number": 680, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "Asylum Applications", "asked_by": "Carol Nolan", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "680. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of asylum applications which have been fully approved from nationals of Nigeria or the Congo in each year from 2016 to date. [45517/26]", "answer": "Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration My Department takes all necessary steps to manage the international protection process efficiently and effectively, while ensuring the integrity of those processes is maintained at all times. There has been a significant increase in investment into the international protection system over the last number of years which, combined with digitisation and process re-engineering, has facilitated a major increase in processing capacity and demonstrates a strong commitment to reducing cases on hand. In 2025, the International Protection Office (IPO) delivered over 20,200 first decisions compared to approximately 14,100 in 2024, a 44% increase. The International Protection Appeals Tribunal (IPAT) more than doubled the number of appeals closed from 3,100 in 2024 to nearly 6,300 in 2025. As of 31 May, IPAT has closed 3,932 appeals this year and is on track to significantly exceed the number of appeals closed in 2025. To date in 2026 the median processing time for IPO first instance decisions is 12 months (accelerated cases are processed in 2 months, while standard cases are processed in 16 months). The median processing time for International Protection appeals is 13.6 months. The median processing time under the accelerated procedure is 7.0 months and 16.4 months for all other appeals. Please note my Department does not provide detailed statistics on international protection grant and refusal rates by nationality. The following table shows the total number of international protection applications from Nigeria and the Congo from 2016 to 11 June 2026. Nationality 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026* Nigeria 176 185 253 386 210 450 1,111 2,083 4,036 1,940 759 Democratic Republic of The Congo 67 96 104 77 34 29 186 180 169 86 29 Republic of The Congo 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 9 5 *to 11 June 2026 Please note figures are correct at time of issue and may be subject to data cleansing.", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2026-06-16/pq_680", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2026-06-16/680/" }, { "date": "2026-07-28", "question_number": 2225, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "International Protection", "asked_by": "Ken O'Flynn", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "2225. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of persons who presented at each airport and each seaport in the State with false, fraudulent or altered travel documents, or who were recorded as imposters, in each year from 2020 to 2025 and to 30 June 2026, broken down by port of entry, in tabular form; to confirm whether this category is recorded separately from persons presenting without documentation; whether these figures are collated nationally across all ports of entry or held separately by the Border Management Unit and An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56450/26]", "answer": "Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration I propose to take Questions Nos. 2266, 2225, 2226, 2267, 2268, 2269 and 2270 together. Implementing effective border security arrangements is a priority for me as Minister. The Programme for Government commits to developing a border security strategy to deliver stronger border security, ensuring technology supports border screening and to reviewing the potential of extending pre-clearance mechanisms, such as electronic travel authorisation, for travel from designated third countries. This work is underway. The Border Management Unit (BMU) of my Department is responsible for frontline Immigration at Dublin Airport only, as such the below figures reflect the position at Dublin Airport. Other airports and other ports of entry are the responsibility of An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na. When any non-EEA national presents at a border, an Immigration Officer must determine whether that person should be granted leave to land and gain entry to the State. In performing their duties, an Officer is required to consider all of the circumstances of the individual at the time of entry in line with the provisions of the Immigration Act 2004. The establishment of a person\u2019s identity and nationality is an important feature of our immigration process. Section 4(3) of the Immigration Act 2004 sets out the full range of grounds on which a person may be refused. People can be refused for more than one reason. These include, but are not limited to, persons arriving without correct documentation. When a person is refused leave to land at Dublin airport, the Immigration Officer will arrange for the person to be referred to the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) for removal from the State. The priority is to return them on the next available return flight to the last point of embarkation. The operational policy in this regard has not changed. Arrangements for the removal of those refused leave to land are operational matters for the GNIB. If a person indicates or is identified as being in need of international protection they are admitted to the international protection process. However, they will still be recorded as a refusal of leave to land. My Department and the GNIB are working closely with airlines on a range of measures to ensure that passengers have such documentation when boarding. This includes delivering in-person training to relevant airline ground-handling staff on immigration requirements and false travel documentation. BMU officials are available 24/7 to assist airlines with any immigration queries. An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na has responsibility for issuing carrier liability notices and warnings, and for the imposition of carrier liability fines on carriers who permit a non-national to travel with their airline or ferry without the necessary documentation i.e. no documents, false document, no visa or improper use of genuine documents. The fines payable by carriers in such instances were increased by way of the Courts, Civil Law, Criminal Law and Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2024. The effect of these changes is to increase the fines payable by carriers on summary conviction to a maximum of \u20ac5,000 from the previous maximum of \u20ac3,000. The Act also provides that carriers which make a payment of \u20ac2,500 within 28 days will avoid prosecution for an offence under the Act, which was an increase from the previous payment of \u20ac1,500; in practice many carriers avail of this option. The visa requirements to travel to Ireland have been strengthened and remain under review by my Department. BMU and GNIB have an ongoing intelligence-led programme of operations at airplanes to detect passengers who destroyed documents inflight and to identify the point of embarkation of undocumented passengers. To the end of June this year, the BMU have carried out 3,408 doorstop operations at Dublin Airport. The table below outlines the number of people refused leave to land and those who presented without a valid travel document at Dublin Airport from 2018 onwards, as the civilianisation process was completed that year. The figures for those who have claimed asylum at Dublin Airport have only been recorded since 2022. While systems do not allow for the extraction of the precise data requested with regard to the number of refusals who subsequently claimed asylum, it is the case that the majority of those who present without appropriate documentation and are refused leave to land seek to enter the international protection process. It is also the case that some people with valid travel documents seek to enter the international protection process, hence the number of applicants for asylum below include persons who presented with valid documents. I have written to the Garda Commissioner in relation to records in relation to other ports of entry and I will write to the Deputy directly should the information be available. Table 1. Dublin Airport immigration control Year Total Arriving Passengers Total Refusals Undocumented Arrivals False Documents + Imposters Claimed Asylum 2018 15,634,300 3,999 895 891 N/A 2019 16,318,300 6,151 1,579 1,849 N/A 2020 3,636,256 2,077 712 169 N/A 2021 4,118,027 3,210 2,082 279 N/A 2022 13,930,041 7,662 4,968 832 6,765 2023 16,628,545 5,826 3,287 872 4,712 2024 17,310,841 5,267 2,297 1080 4,320 2025 18,202,584 4,928 2,067 1034 3,993 2026 (to 30/06) 8,945,664 2130 894 465 1,669 * Please note, figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2026-07-28/pq_2225", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2026-07-28/2225/" }, { "date": "2026-07-28", "question_number": 2226, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "International Protection", "asked_by": "Ken O'Flynn", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "2226. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of persons who arrived at each airport and each seaport in the State without valid travel documents in each year from 2020 to 2025 and to 30 June 2026, broken down by port of entry, together with the countries of origin and the points of embarkation of those persons, in tabular form; whether the Department collates this information nationally; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56451/26]", "answer": "Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration I propose to take Questions Nos. 2266, 2225, 2226, 2267, 2268, 2269 and 2270 together. Implementing effective border security arrangements is a priority for me as Minister. The Programme for Government commits to developing a border security strategy to deliver stronger border security, ensuring technology supports border screening and to reviewing the potential of extending pre-clearance mechanisms, such as electronic travel authorisation, for travel from designated third countries. This work is underway. The Border Management Unit (BMU) of my Department is responsible for frontline Immigration at Dublin Airport only, as such the below figures reflect the position at Dublin Airport. Other airports and other ports of entry are the responsibility of An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na. When any non-EEA national presents at a border, an Immigration Officer must determine whether that person should be granted leave to land and gain entry to the State. In performing their duties, an Officer is required to consider all of the circumstances of the individual at the time of entry in line with the provisions of the Immigration Act 2004. The establishment of a person\u2019s identity and nationality is an important feature of our immigration process. Section 4(3) of the Immigration Act 2004 sets out the full range of grounds on which a person may be refused. People can be refused for more than one reason. These include, but are not limited to, persons arriving without correct documentation. When a person is refused leave to land at Dublin airport, the Immigration Officer will arrange for the person to be referred to the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) for removal from the State. The priority is to return them on the next available return flight to the last point of embarkation. The operational policy in this regard has not changed. Arrangements for the removal of those refused leave to land are operational matters for the GNIB. If a person indicates or is identified as being in need of international protection they are admitted to the international protection process. However, they will still be recorded as a refusal of leave to land. My Department and the GNIB are working closely with airlines on a range of measures to ensure that passengers have such documentation when boarding. This includes delivering in-person training to relevant airline ground-handling staff on immigration requirements and false travel documentation. BMU officials are available 24/7 to assist airlines with any immigration queries. An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na has responsibility for issuing carrier liability notices and warnings, and for the imposition of carrier liability fines on carriers who permit a non-national to travel with their airline or ferry without the necessary documentation i.e. no documents, false document, no visa or improper use of genuine documents. The fines payable by carriers in such instances were increased by way of the Courts, Civil Law, Criminal Law and Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2024. The effect of these changes is to increase the fines payable by carriers on summary conviction to a maximum of \u20ac5,000 from the previous maximum of \u20ac3,000. The Act also provides that carriers which make a payment of \u20ac2,500 within 28 days will avoid prosecution for an offence under the Act, which was an increase from the previous payment of \u20ac1,500; in practice many carriers avail of this option. The visa requirements to travel to Ireland have been strengthened and remain under review by my Department. BMU and GNIB have an ongoing intelligence-led programme of operations at airplanes to detect passengers who destroyed documents inflight and to identify the point of embarkation of undocumented passengers. To the end of June this year, the BMU have carried out 3,408 doorstop operations at Dublin Airport. The table below outlines the number of people refused leave to land and those who presented without a valid travel document at Dublin Airport from 2018 onwards, as the civilianisation process was completed that year. The figures for those who have claimed asylum at Dublin Airport have only been recorded since 2022. While systems do not allow for the extraction of the precise data requested with regard to the number of refusals who subsequently claimed asylum, it is the case that the majority of those who present without appropriate documentation and are refused leave to land seek to enter the international protection process. It is also the case that some people with valid travel documents seek to enter the international protection process, hence the number of applicants for asylum below include persons who presented with valid documents. I have written to the Garda Commissioner in relation to records in relation to other ports of entry and I will write to the Deputy directly should the information be available. Table 1. Dublin Airport immigration control Year Total Arriving Passengers Total Refusals Undocumented Arrivals False Documents + Imposters Claimed Asylum 2018 15,634,300 3,999 895 891 N/A 2019 16,318,300 6,151 1,579 1,849 N/A 2020 3,636,256 2,077 712 169 N/A 2021 4,118,027 3,210 2,082 279 N/A 2022 13,930,041 7,662 4,968 832 6,765 2023 16,628,545 5,826 3,287 872 4,712 2024 17,310,841 5,267 2,297 1080 4,320 2025 18,202,584 4,928 2,067 1034 3,993 2026 (to 30/06) 8,945,664 2130 894 465 1,669 * Please note, figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2026-07-28/pq_2226", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2026-07-28/2226/" }, { "date": "2026-07-28", "question_number": 2266, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "International Protection", "asked_by": "Ken O'Flynn", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "2266. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of persons refused leave to land at each port of entry in each of the years 2015 to 2025 and to date in 2026, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56969/26]", "answer": "Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration I propose to take Questions Nos. 2266, 2225, 2226, 2267, 2268, 2269 and 2270 together. Implementing effective border security arrangements is a priority for me as Minister. The Programme for Government commits to developing a border security strategy to deliver stronger border security, ensuring technology supports border screening and to reviewing the potential of extending pre-clearance mechanisms, such as electronic travel authorisation, for travel from designated third countries. This work is underway. The Border Management Unit (BMU) of my Department is responsible for frontline Immigration at Dublin Airport only, as such the below figures reflect the position at Dublin Airport. Other airports and other ports of entry are the responsibility of An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na. When any non-EEA national presents at a border, an Immigration Officer must determine whether that person should be granted leave to land and gain entry to the State. In performing their duties, an Officer is required to consider all of the circumstances of the individual at the time of entry in line with the provisions of the Immigration Act 2004. The establishment of a person\u2019s identity and nationality is an important feature of our immigration process. Section 4(3) of the Immigration Act 2004 sets out the full range of grounds on which a person may be refused. People can be refused for more than one reason. These include, but are not limited to, persons arriving without correct documentation. When a person is refused leave to land at Dublin airport, the Immigration Officer will arrange for the person to be referred to the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) for removal from the State. The priority is to return them on the next available return flight to the last point of embarkation. The operational policy in this regard has not changed. Arrangements for the removal of those refused leave to land are operational matters for the GNIB. If a person indicates or is identified as being in need of international protection they are admitted to the international protection process. However, they will still be recorded as a refusal of leave to land. My Department and the GNIB are working closely with airlines on a range of measures to ensure that passengers have such documentation when boarding. This includes delivering in-person training to relevant airline ground-handling staff on immigration requirements and false travel documentation. BMU officials are available 24/7 to assist airlines with any immigration queries. An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na has responsibility for issuing carrier liability notices and warnings, and for the imposition of carrier liability fines on carriers who permit a non-national to travel with their airline or ferry without the necessary documentation i.e. no documents, false document, no visa or improper use of genuine documents. The fines payable by carriers in such instances were increased by way of the Courts, Civil Law, Criminal Law and Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2024. The effect of these changes is to increase the fines payable by carriers on summary conviction to a maximum of \u20ac5,000 from the previous maximum of \u20ac3,000. The Act also provides that carriers which make a payment of \u20ac2,500 within 28 days will avoid prosecution for an offence under the Act, which was an increase from the previous payment of \u20ac1,500; in practice many carriers avail of this option. The visa requirements to travel to Ireland have been strengthened and remain under review by my Department. BMU and GNIB have an ongoing intelligence-led programme of operations at airplanes to detect passengers who destroyed documents inflight and to identify the point of embarkation of undocumented passengers. To the end of June this year, the BMU have carried out 3,408 doorstop operations at Dublin Airport. The table below outlines the number of people refused leave to land and those who presented without a valid travel document at Dublin Airport from 2018 onwards, as the civilianisation process was completed that year. The figures for those who have claimed asylum at Dublin Airport have only been recorded since 2022. While systems do not allow for the extraction of the precise data requested with regard to the number of refusals who subsequently claimed asylum, it is the case that the majority of those who present without appropriate documentation and are refused leave to land seek to enter the international protection process. It is also the case that some people with valid travel documents seek to enter the international protection process, hence the number of applicants for asylum below include persons who presented with valid documents. I have written to the Garda Commissioner in relation to records in relation to other ports of entry and I will write to the Deputy directly should the information be available. Table 1. Dublin Airport immigration control Year Total Arriving Passengers Total Refusals Undocumented Arrivals False Documents + Imposters Claimed Asylum 2018 15,634,300 3,999 895 891 N/A 2019 16,318,300 6,151 1,579 1,849 N/A 2020 3,636,256 2,077 712 169 N/A 2021 4,118,027 3,210 2,082 279 N/A 2022 13,930,041 7,662 4,968 832 6,765 2023 16,628,545 5,826 3,287 872 4,712 2024 17,310,841 5,267 2,297 1080 4,320 2025 18,202,584 4,928 2,067 1034 3,993 2026 (to 30/06) 8,945,664 2130 894 465 1,669 * Please note, figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2026-07-28/pq_2266", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2026-07-28/2266/" }, { "date": "2026-07-28", "question_number": 2267, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "International Protection", "asked_by": "Ken O'Flynn", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "2267. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of persons refused leave to land who were returned to their point of embarkation on the next available carrier service in each of the years 2015 to 2025 and to date in 2026, in tabular form; the number in each year who were instead permitted to enter the State pending an application for international protection; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56970/26]", "answer": "Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration I propose to take Questions Nos. 2266, 2225, 2226, 2267, 2268, 2269 and 2270 together. Implementing effective border security arrangements is a priority for me as Minister. The Programme for Government commits to developing a border security strategy to deliver stronger border security, ensuring technology supports border screening and to reviewing the potential of extending pre-clearance mechanisms, such as electronic travel authorisation, for travel from designated third countries. This work is underway. The Border Management Unit (BMU) of my Department is responsible for frontline Immigration at Dublin Airport only, as such the below figures reflect the position at Dublin Airport. Other airports and other ports of entry are the responsibility of An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na. When any non-EEA national presents at a border, an Immigration Officer must determine whether that person should be granted leave to land and gain entry to the State. In performing their duties, an Officer is required to consider all of the circumstances of the individual at the time of entry in line with the provisions of the Immigration Act 2004. The establishment of a person\u2019s identity and nationality is an important feature of our immigration process. Section 4(3) of the Immigration Act 2004 sets out the full range of grounds on which a person may be refused. People can be refused for more than one reason. These include, but are not limited to, persons arriving without correct documentation. When a person is refused leave to land at Dublin airport, the Immigration Officer will arrange for the person to be referred to the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) for removal from the State. The priority is to return them on the next available return flight to the last point of embarkation. The operational policy in this regard has not changed. Arrangements for the removal of those refused leave to land are operational matters for the GNIB. If a person indicates or is identified as being in need of international protection they are admitted to the international protection process. However, they will still be recorded as a refusal of leave to land. My Department and the GNIB are working closely with airlines on a range of measures to ensure that passengers have such documentation when boarding. This includes delivering in-person training to relevant airline ground-handling staff on immigration requirements and false travel documentation. BMU officials are available 24/7 to assist airlines with any immigration queries. An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na has responsibility for issuing carrier liability notices and warnings, and for the imposition of carrier liability fines on carriers who permit a non-national to travel with their airline or ferry without the necessary documentation i.e. no documents, false document, no visa or improper use of genuine documents. The fines payable by carriers in such instances were increased by way of the Courts, Civil Law, Criminal Law and Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2024. The effect of these changes is to increase the fines payable by carriers on summary conviction to a maximum of \u20ac5,000 from the previous maximum of \u20ac3,000. The Act also provides that carriers which make a payment of \u20ac2,500 within 28 days will avoid prosecution for an offence under the Act, which was an increase from the previous payment of \u20ac1,500; in practice many carriers avail of this option. The visa requirements to travel to Ireland have been strengthened and remain under review by my Department. BMU and GNIB have an ongoing intelligence-led programme of operations at airplanes to detect passengers who destroyed documents inflight and to identify the point of embarkation of undocumented passengers. To the end of June this year, the BMU have carried out 3,408 doorstop operations at Dublin Airport. The table below outlines the number of people refused leave to land and those who presented without a valid travel document at Dublin Airport from 2018 onwards, as the civilianisation process was completed that year. The figures for those who have claimed asylum at Dublin Airport have only been recorded since 2022. While systems do not allow for the extraction of the precise data requested with regard to the number of refusals who subsequently claimed asylum, it is the case that the majority of those who present without appropriate documentation and are refused leave to land seek to enter the international protection process. It is also the case that some people with valid travel documents seek to enter the international protection process, hence the number of applicants for asylum below include persons who presented with valid documents. I have written to the Garda Commissioner in relation to records in relation to other ports of entry and I will write to the Deputy directly should the information be available. Table 1. Dublin Airport immigration control Year Total Arriving Passengers Total Refusals Undocumented Arrivals False Documents + Imposters Claimed Asylum 2018 15,634,300 3,999 895 891 N/A 2019 16,318,300 6,151 1,579 1,849 N/A 2020 3,636,256 2,077 712 169 N/A 2021 4,118,027 3,210 2,082 279 N/A 2022 13,930,041 7,662 4,968 832 6,765 2023 16,628,545 5,826 3,287 872 4,712 2024 17,310,841 5,267 2,297 1080 4,320 2025 18,202,584 4,928 2,067 1034 3,993 2026 (to 30/06) 8,945,664 2130 894 465 1,669 * Please note, figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2026-07-28/pq_2267", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2026-07-28/2267/" }, { "date": "2026-07-28", "question_number": 2268, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "International Protection", "asked_by": "Ken O'Flynn", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "2268. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if the operational policy of returning persons refused leave to land to their point of embarkation on the next available carrier service has changed at any point since 2019; if so, the date of any such change, the reason for it, and the form in which the change was communicated to carriers and to border management unit staff; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56971/26]", "answer": "Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration I propose to take Questions Nos. 2266, 2225, 2226, 2267, 2268, 2269 and 2270 together. Implementing effective border security arrangements is a priority for me as Minister. The Programme for Government commits to developing a border security strategy to deliver stronger border security, ensuring technology supports border screening and to reviewing the potential of extending pre-clearance mechanisms, such as electronic travel authorisation, for travel from designated third countries. This work is underway. The Border Management Unit (BMU) of my Department is responsible for frontline Immigration at Dublin Airport only, as such the below figures reflect the position at Dublin Airport. Other airports and other ports of entry are the responsibility of An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na. When any non-EEA national presents at a border, an Immigration Officer must determine whether that person should be granted leave to land and gain entry to the State. In performing their duties, an Officer is required to consider all of the circumstances of the individual at the time of entry in line with the provisions of the Immigration Act 2004. The establishment of a person\u2019s identity and nationality is an important feature of our immigration process. Section 4(3) of the Immigration Act 2004 sets out the full range of grounds on which a person may be refused. People can be refused for more than one reason. These include, but are not limited to, persons arriving without correct documentation. When a person is refused leave to land at Dublin airport, the Immigration Officer will arrange for the person to be referred to the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) for removal from the State. The priority is to return them on the next available return flight to the last point of embarkation. The operational policy in this regard has not changed. Arrangements for the removal of those refused leave to land are operational matters for the GNIB. If a person indicates or is identified as being in need of international protection they are admitted to the international protection process. However, they will still be recorded as a refusal of leave to land. My Department and the GNIB are working closely with airlines on a range of measures to ensure that passengers have such documentation when boarding. This includes delivering in-person training to relevant airline ground-handling staff on immigration requirements and false travel documentation. BMU officials are available 24/7 to assist airlines with any immigration queries. An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na has responsibility for issuing carrier liability notices and warnings, and for the imposition of carrier liability fines on carriers who permit a non-national to travel with their airline or ferry without the necessary documentation i.e. no documents, false document, no visa or improper use of genuine documents. The fines payable by carriers in such instances were increased by way of the Courts, Civil Law, Criminal Law and Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2024. The effect of these changes is to increase the fines payable by carriers on summary conviction to a maximum of \u20ac5,000 from the previous maximum of \u20ac3,000. The Act also provides that carriers which make a payment of \u20ac2,500 within 28 days will avoid prosecution for an offence under the Act, which was an increase from the previous payment of \u20ac1,500; in practice many carriers avail of this option. The visa requirements to travel to Ireland have been strengthened and remain under review by my Department. BMU and GNIB have an ongoing intelligence-led programme of operations at airplanes to detect passengers who destroyed documents inflight and to identify the point of embarkation of undocumented passengers. To the end of June this year, the BMU have carried out 3,408 doorstop operations at Dublin Airport. The table below outlines the number of people refused leave to land and those who presented without a valid travel document at Dublin Airport from 2018 onwards, as the civilianisation process was completed that year. The figures for those who have claimed asylum at Dublin Airport have only been recorded since 2022. While systems do not allow for the extraction of the precise data requested with regard to the number of refusals who subsequently claimed asylum, it is the case that the majority of those who present without appropriate documentation and are refused leave to land seek to enter the international protection process. It is also the case that some people with valid travel documents seek to enter the international protection process, hence the number of applicants for asylum below include persons who presented with valid documents. I have written to the Garda Commissioner in relation to records in relation to other ports of entry and I will write to the Deputy directly should the information be available. Table 1. Dublin Airport immigration control Year Total Arriving Passengers Total Refusals Undocumented Arrivals False Documents + Imposters Claimed Asylum 2018 15,634,300 3,999 895 891 N/A 2019 16,318,300 6,151 1,579 1,849 N/A 2020 3,636,256 2,077 712 169 N/A 2021 4,118,027 3,210 2,082 279 N/A 2022 13,930,041 7,662 4,968 832 6,765 2023 16,628,545 5,826 3,287 872 4,712 2024 17,310,841 5,267 2,297 1080 4,320 2025 18,202,584 4,928 2,067 1034 3,993 2026 (to 30/06) 8,945,664 2130 894 465 1,669 * Please note, figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2026-07-28/pq_2268", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2026-07-28/2268/" }, { "date": "2026-07-28", "question_number": 2269, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "International Protection", "asked_by": "Ken O'Flynn", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "2269. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of persons who presented at a port of entry without a valid travel document in each of the years 2015 to 2025 and to date in 2026; the number of these who were refused leave to land; the number returned on the next available carrier service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56972/26]", "answer": "Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration I propose to take Questions Nos. 2266, 2225, 2226, 2267, 2268, 2269 and 2270 together. Implementing effective border security arrangements is a priority for me as Minister. The Programme for Government commits to developing a border security strategy to deliver stronger border security, ensuring technology supports border screening and to reviewing the potential of extending pre-clearance mechanisms, such as electronic travel authorisation, for travel from designated third countries. This work is underway. The Border Management Unit (BMU) of my Department is responsible for frontline Immigration at Dublin Airport only, as such the below figures reflect the position at Dublin Airport. Other airports and other ports of entry are the responsibility of An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na. When any non-EEA national presents at a border, an Immigration Officer must determine whether that person should be granted leave to land and gain entry to the State. In performing their duties, an Officer is required to consider all of the circumstances of the individual at the time of entry in line with the provisions of the Immigration Act 2004. The establishment of a person\u2019s identity and nationality is an important feature of our immigration process. Section 4(3) of the Immigration Act 2004 sets out the full range of grounds on which a person may be refused. People can be refused for more than one reason. These include, but are not limited to, persons arriving without correct documentation. When a person is refused leave to land at Dublin airport, the Immigration Officer will arrange for the person to be referred to the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) for removal from the State. The priority is to return them on the next available return flight to the last point of embarkation. The operational policy in this regard has not changed. Arrangements for the removal of those refused leave to land are operational matters for the GNIB. If a person indicates or is identified as being in need of international protection they are admitted to the international protection process. However, they will still be recorded as a refusal of leave to land. My Department and the GNIB are working closely with airlines on a range of measures to ensure that passengers have such documentation when boarding. This includes delivering in-person training to relevant airline ground-handling staff on immigration requirements and false travel documentation. BMU officials are available 24/7 to assist airlines with any immigration queries. An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na has responsibility for issuing carrier liability notices and warnings, and for the imposition of carrier liability fines on carriers who permit a non-national to travel with their airline or ferry without the necessary documentation i.e. no documents, false document, no visa or improper use of genuine documents. The fines payable by carriers in such instances were increased by way of the Courts, Civil Law, Criminal Law and Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2024. The effect of these changes is to increase the fines payable by carriers on summary conviction to a maximum of \u20ac5,000 from the previous maximum of \u20ac3,000. The Act also provides that carriers which make a payment of \u20ac2,500 within 28 days will avoid prosecution for an offence under the Act, which was an increase from the previous payment of \u20ac1,500; in practice many carriers avail of this option. The visa requirements to travel to Ireland have been strengthened and remain under review by my Department. BMU and GNIB have an ongoing intelligence-led programme of operations at airplanes to detect passengers who destroyed documents inflight and to identify the point of embarkation of undocumented passengers. To the end of June this year, the BMU have carried out 3,408 doorstop operations at Dublin Airport. The table below outlines the number of people refused leave to land and those who presented without a valid travel document at Dublin Airport from 2018 onwards, as the civilianisation process was completed that year. The figures for those who have claimed asylum at Dublin Airport have only been recorded since 2022. While systems do not allow for the extraction of the precise data requested with regard to the number of refusals who subsequently claimed asylum, it is the case that the majority of those who present without appropriate documentation and are refused leave to land seek to enter the international protection process. It is also the case that some people with valid travel documents seek to enter the international protection process, hence the number of applicants for asylum below include persons who presented with valid documents. I have written to the Garda Commissioner in relation to records in relation to other ports of entry and I will write to the Deputy directly should the information be available. Table 1. Dublin Airport immigration control Year Total Arriving Passengers Total Refusals Undocumented Arrivals False Documents + Imposters Claimed Asylum 2018 15,634,300 3,999 895 891 N/A 2019 16,318,300 6,151 1,579 1,849 N/A 2020 3,636,256 2,077 712 169 N/A 2021 4,118,027 3,210 2,082 279 N/A 2022 13,930,041 7,662 4,968 832 6,765 2023 16,628,545 5,826 3,287 872 4,712 2024 17,310,841 5,267 2,297 1080 4,320 2025 18,202,584 4,928 2,067 1034 3,993 2026 (to 30/06) 8,945,664 2130 894 465 1,669 * Please note, figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2026-07-28/pq_2269", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2026-07-28/2269/" }, { "date": "2026-07-28", "question_number": 2270, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "International Protection", "asked_by": "Ken O'Flynn", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "2270. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of occasions in each of the years 2015 to 2025 and to date in 2026 on which a member of An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na escorted a person refused leave to land onto a departing aircraft or vessel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56973/26]", "answer": "Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration I propose to take Questions Nos. 2266, 2225, 2226, 2267, 2268, 2269 and 2270 together. Implementing effective border security arrangements is a priority for me as Minister. The Programme for Government commits to developing a border security strategy to deliver stronger border security, ensuring technology supports border screening and to reviewing the potential of extending pre-clearance mechanisms, such as electronic travel authorisation, for travel from designated third countries. This work is underway. The Border Management Unit (BMU) of my Department is responsible for frontline Immigration at Dublin Airport only, as such the below figures reflect the position at Dublin Airport. Other airports and other ports of entry are the responsibility of An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na. When any non-EEA national presents at a border, an Immigration Officer must determine whether that person should be granted leave to land and gain entry to the State. In performing their duties, an Officer is required to consider all of the circumstances of the individual at the time of entry in line with the provisions of the Immigration Act 2004. The establishment of a person\u2019s identity and nationality is an important feature of our immigration process. Section 4(3) of the Immigration Act 2004 sets out the full range of grounds on which a person may be refused. People can be refused for more than one reason. These include, but are not limited to, persons arriving without correct documentation. When a person is refused leave to land at Dublin airport, the Immigration Officer will arrange for the person to be referred to the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) for removal from the State. The priority is to return them on the next available return flight to the last point of embarkation. The operational policy in this regard has not changed. Arrangements for the removal of those refused leave to land are operational matters for the GNIB. If a person indicates or is identified as being in need of international protection they are admitted to the international protection process. However, they will still be recorded as a refusal of leave to land. My Department and the GNIB are working closely with airlines on a range of measures to ensure that passengers have such documentation when boarding. This includes delivering in-person training to relevant airline ground-handling staff on immigration requirements and false travel documentation. BMU officials are available 24/7 to assist airlines with any immigration queries. An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na has responsibility for issuing carrier liability notices and warnings, and for the imposition of carrier liability fines on carriers who permit a non-national to travel with their airline or ferry without the necessary documentation i.e. no documents, false document, no visa or improper use of genuine documents. The fines payable by carriers in such instances were increased by way of the Courts, Civil Law, Criminal Law and Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2024. The effect of these changes is to increase the fines payable by carriers on summary conviction to a maximum of \u20ac5,000 from the previous maximum of \u20ac3,000. The Act also provides that carriers which make a payment of \u20ac2,500 within 28 days will avoid prosecution for an offence under the Act, which was an increase from the previous payment of \u20ac1,500; in practice many carriers avail of this option. The visa requirements to travel to Ireland have been strengthened and remain under review by my Department. BMU and GNIB have an ongoing intelligence-led programme of operations at airplanes to detect passengers who destroyed documents inflight and to identify the point of embarkation of undocumented passengers. To the end of June this year, the BMU have carried out 3,408 doorstop operations at Dublin Airport. The table below outlines the number of people refused leave to land and those who presented without a valid travel document at Dublin Airport from 2018 onwards, as the civilianisation process was completed that year. The figures for those who have claimed asylum at Dublin Airport have only been recorded since 2022. While systems do not allow for the extraction of the precise data requested with regard to the number of refusals who subsequently claimed asylum, it is the case that the majority of those who present without appropriate documentation and are refused leave to land seek to enter the international protection process. It is also the case that some people with valid travel documents seek to enter the international protection process, hence the number of applicants for asylum below include persons who presented with valid documents. I have written to the Garda Commissioner in relation to records in relation to other ports of entry and I will write to the Deputy directly should the information be available. Table 1. Dublin Airport immigration control Year Total Arriving Passengers Total Refusals Undocumented Arrivals False Documents + Imposters Claimed Asylum 2018 15,634,300 3,999 895 891 N/A 2019 16,318,300 6,151 1,579 1,849 N/A 2020 3,636,256 2,077 712 169 N/A 2021 4,118,027 3,210 2,082 279 N/A 2022 13,930,041 7,662 4,968 832 6,765 2023 16,628,545 5,826 3,287 872 4,712 2024 17,310,841 5,267 2,297 1080 4,320 2025 18,202,584 4,928 2,067 1034 3,993 2026 (to 30/06) 8,945,664 2130 894 465 1,669 * Please note, figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2026-07-28/pq_2270", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2026-07-28/2270/" }, { "date": "2023-11-16", "question_number": 182, "chamber": "33rd D\u00e1il", "topic": "Deportation Orders", "asked_by": "Carol Nolan", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "182. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Justice how the State and the International Protection Accommodation Services verify that deportations are carried out by persons subject to such orders; if there is a verification process in place; if so, whether she will confirm the number of persons who voluntarily self-deported for each year from 2011 to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50326/23]", "answer": "Minister for Justice I can advise the Deputy that deportation and removal processes are an essential part of any immigration system. It must be acknowledged that those who do not have a legal right to remain in this country must remove themselves from the State. A person subject to a deportation order has no legal basis to remain in the State. Their case to remain in the State has been considered in detail and all available appeals processes have been exhausted.When issued with a deportation order, a person is required to remove themselves from the State. Many people comply in this manner and leave the country, often without notifying the immigration authorities that they have done so. However, where a person does not voluntarily return to their own country, Ireland, like all other EU Member States, puts in place arrangements to return people to their home country. The exercise of powers in this area is at all times subject to the law and to respect for individual rights. The gov.ie website publishes, on a monthly basis, statistics on Deportation Orders and Enforcement/Removals, where a person had a previous International Protection application. The Deputy will find further details at the link below: www.gov.ie/en/collection/48a28-international-protection-in-numbers/.The table below provides the number of persons who are recorded as having voluntarily self-deported in the years 2011 to 2023 (to 13 November 2023). Year Effected 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 (up to 13th Nov) Persons who have self-deported 39 28 36 41 205 366 58 78 143 97 33 92 25 *Please note all figures are correct at time of issue and may be subject to data cleansing.The numbers above do not take account of all individuals who have left the State. It is the case that many individuals who are subject to Deportation Orders leave the State without notifying the relevant authorities and this particular category of individual is difficult to quantify.Any person subject to a deportation order is required to present to the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB). GNIB has operational responsibility for enforcing deportation orders. Any person subject to a deportation order is obliged to keep my Department informed of their current address. Where a person does not present to GNIB at a specified time and date they will be deemed to be evading deportation and become liable to arrest and detention until their removal from the state.", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2023-11-16/pq_182", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2023-11-16/182/" }, { "date": "2026-05-21", "question_number": 288, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "Legal Aid", "asked_by": "Albert Dolan", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "288. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of cases that proceeded before the District Court and which involved an accused that had the benefit of criminal legal aid; the total value of criminal legal aid provided in those cases, in 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38501/26]", "answer": "Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration Under the Criminal Justice (Legal Aid) Act 1962, it is the Courts, through the judiciary, that are responsible for the granting of legal aid. The Criminal Legal Aid Scheme is demand-led. Increases in the number of legal aid certificates granted have had a significant impact on criminal legal aid expenditure over recent years. As outlined in the Programme for Government 2025, the Government has committed to reforming the operation of Criminal Legal Aid. The general scheme of the Criminal Justice (Legal Aid) Bill 2023 was published in July 2023. This Bill will modernise the operation of the Criminal Legal Aid Scheme and is intended to: \u2022 Update the law relating to Criminal Legal Aid; \u2022 Transfer administrative responsibility of the Criminal Legal Aid Scheme from the Department of Justice to the Legal Aid Board, and \u2022 Strengthen oversight and governance structures for the Scheme. I can inform the Deputy, that the table below sets out the number and cost of criminal legal aid certificates granted in the District Court from 2015 to 2025. However, it should be noted that the expenditure in a given year does not necessarily correlate to the Legal Aid Certificates issued that year, as expenditure may relate to Legal Aid Certificates issued in previous years, for which claims for payment were made in subsequent years. Year Number of CLA Certificates issued in the District Court Total Cost 2015 53,937 \u20ac19,275,214 2016 55,617 \u20ac20,191,375 2017 64,181 \u20ac22,608,214 2018 72,674 \u20ac25,043,379 2019 79,346 \u20ac26,860,269 2020 73,611 \u20ac24,475,827 2021 80,831 \u20ac29,289,855 2022 81,025 \u20ac28,364,837 2023 87,668 \u20ac30,837,699 2024 98,230 \u20ac37,786,861 2025 98,617 \u20ac40,705,809", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2026-05-21/pq_288", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2026-05-21/288/" }, { "date": "2021-02-25", "question_number": 231, "chamber": "33rd D\u00e1il", "topic": "Immigrant Investor Programme", "asked_by": "Alan Kelly", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "231. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Justice the status of the review of the immigrant investor programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10912/21]", "answer": "Minister for Justice I propose to take Questions Nos. 231 to 234, inclusive, together. The Immigrant Investor Programme (IIP) was introduced in April 2012 to encourage inward investment and create business and employment opportunities in the State. The programme provides investors with the opportunity to invest in Ireland. Key to the programme is that the investments are beneficial for Ireland, generate or sustain employment and are generally in the public interest. Successful applicants under the IIP and their nominated family members may be granted a residence permission in Ireland under Stamp 4 conditions. Stamp 4 conditions permit non-EEA nationals to work, study or start their own businesses in Ireland. Therefore, given the significant immigration benefits accruing it is essential that all applications are subject to a robust due diligence process in respect of both personal and financial checks to protect the State's interests. In this regard, a number of enhanced control mechanisms have been introduced to the Programme within the past 12 months. The IIP has been subject to a number of reviews, both internal and external, in recent years. Following a tender process, a contract to carry out an external review was signed in June 2019. This review was to be carried out in two phases. The Terms of Reference for the review are published on the Immigration Service website at: http://www.inis.gov.ie/en/INIS/Pages/New%20Programmes%20for%20Investors%20and%20Entrepreneurs . The second phase of the review has recently been completed and is being considered by my Department. In the meantime, applications under the IIP continue to be assessed by an independent evaluation committee and, where assessed positively, are accepted and processed. The table below provides details of the applications received and the numbers of approvals issued since 2012. Year Applications received Applications approved 2012 5 2 2013 18 16 2014 30 8 2015 75 71 2016 333 32 2017 324 373 2018 423 156 2019 442 237 2020 340 267 2021 to date 26 18 TOTAL 2016 1,197 *Note: Applications received includes applications received under the IIP Bond and Mixed Investment Bond Options, which were suspended in July 2016, by the Evaluation Committee on the basis that they no longer provided value for money. I have set out in the table below details of the applications that have been made for the immigrant investor programme via the enterprise investment, investment fund, REIT and endowment options up to the end of January 2021; the breakdown for each of those options in each period for 2020 2019 and 2018. Investment Type Applications received to date Applications received in 2020 Applications received in 2019 Applications received in 2018 Enterprise Investment 1120 103 145 318 Investment Fund 286 61 74 30 REIT 8 1 4 1 Endowment 533 175 219 74 The following table provides details of the applications approved and issued from 2019 to date under the enterprise investment, investment fund, REIT and endowment options. Investment Type Approved 2019 Approved 2020 Approved January 2021 Enterprise Investment 168 76 5 Investment Fund 19 45 6 REIT 1 3 0 Endowment 49 143 7 It is important to note that approvals issued in any year may relate to applications which were received in previous years due to the time taken to process applications and carry out the necessary due diligence checks on applications.", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2021-02-25/pq_231", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2021-02-25/231/" }, { "date": "2021-02-25", "question_number": 232, "chamber": "33rd D\u00e1il", "topic": "Immigrant Investor Programme", "asked_by": "Alan Kelly", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "232. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Justice the number of applicants to the immigrant investor programme from 2012 to date; the number of those applicants who have been successful since 2012 to date in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10913/21]", "answer": "Minister for Justice I propose to take Questions Nos. 231 to 234, inclusive, together. The Immigrant Investor Programme (IIP) was introduced in April 2012 to encourage inward investment and create business and employment opportunities in the State. The programme provides investors with the opportunity to invest in Ireland. Key to the programme is that the investments are beneficial for Ireland, generate or sustain employment and are generally in the public interest. Successful applicants under the IIP and their nominated family members may be granted a residence permission in Ireland under Stamp 4 conditions. Stamp 4 conditions permit non-EEA nationals to work, study or start their own businesses in Ireland. Therefore, given the significant immigration benefits accruing it is essential that all applications are subject to a robust due diligence process in respect of both personal and financial checks to protect the State's interests. In this regard, a number of enhanced control mechanisms have been introduced to the Programme within the past 12 months. The IIP has been subject to a number of reviews, both internal and external, in recent years. Following a tender process, a contract to carry out an external review was signed in June 2019. This review was to be carried out in two phases. The Terms of Reference for the review are published on the Immigration Service website at: http://www.inis.gov.ie/en/INIS/Pages/New%20Programmes%20for%20Investors%20and%20Entrepreneurs . The second phase of the review has recently been completed and is being considered by my Department. In the meantime, applications under the IIP continue to be assessed by an independent evaluation committee and, where assessed positively, are accepted and processed. The table below provides details of the applications received and the numbers of approvals issued since 2012. Year Applications received Applications approved 2012 5 2 2013 18 16 2014 30 8 2015 75 71 2016 333 32 2017 324 373 2018 423 156 2019 442 237 2020 340 267 2021 to date 26 18 TOTAL 2016 1,197 *Note: Applications received includes applications received under the IIP Bond and Mixed Investment Bond Options, which were suspended in July 2016, by the Evaluation Committee on the basis that they no longer provided value for money. I have set out in the table below details of the applications that have been made for the immigrant investor programme via the enterprise investment, investment fund, REIT and endowment options up to the end of January 2021; the breakdown for each of those options in each period for 2020 2019 and 2018. Investment Type Applications received to date Applications received in 2020 Applications received in 2019 Applications received in 2018 Enterprise Investment 1120 103 145 318 Investment Fund 286 61 74 30 REIT 8 1 4 1 Endowment 533 175 219 74 The following table provides details of the applications approved and issued from 2019 to date under the enterprise investment, investment fund, REIT and endowment options. Investment Type Approved 2019 Approved 2020 Approved January 2021 Enterprise Investment 168 76 5 Investment Fund 19 45 6 REIT 1 3 0 Endowment 49 143 7 It is important to note that approvals issued in any year may relate to applications which were received in previous years due to the time taken to process applications and carry out the necessary due diligence checks on applications.", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2021-02-25/pq_232", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2021-02-25/232/" }, { "date": "2021-02-25", "question_number": 233, "chamber": "33rd D\u00e1il", "topic": "Immigrant Investor Programme", "asked_by": "Alan Kelly", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "233. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Justice the number of applications that have been made for the immigrant investor programme via the enterprise, investment, REIT and endowment options up to the end of January 2021; the breakdown for each of those options in each period for 2020, in tabular form; the number of applications in 2018 and 2019; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10914/21]", "answer": "Minister for Justice I propose to take Questions Nos. 231 to 234, inclusive, together. The Immigrant Investor Programme (IIP) was introduced in April 2012 to encourage inward investment and create business and employment opportunities in the State. The programme provides investors with the opportunity to invest in Ireland. Key to the programme is that the investments are beneficial for Ireland, generate or sustain employment and are generally in the public interest. Successful applicants under the IIP and their nominated family members may be granted a residence permission in Ireland under Stamp 4 conditions. Stamp 4 conditions permit non-EEA nationals to work, study or start their own businesses in Ireland. Therefore, given the significant immigration benefits accruing it is essential that all applications are subject to a robust due diligence process in respect of both personal and financial checks to protect the State's interests. In this regard, a number of enhanced control mechanisms have been introduced to the Programme within the past 12 months. The IIP has been subject to a number of reviews, both internal and external, in recent years. Following a tender process, a contract to carry out an external review was signed in June 2019. This review was to be carried out in two phases. The Terms of Reference for the review are published on the Immigration Service website at: http://www.inis.gov.ie/en/INIS/Pages/New%20Programmes%20for%20Investors%20and%20Entrepreneurs . The second phase of the review has recently been completed and is being considered by my Department. In the meantime, applications under the IIP continue to be assessed by an independent evaluation committee and, where assessed positively, are accepted and processed. The table below provides details of the applications received and the numbers of approvals issued since 2012. Year Applications received Applications approved 2012 5 2 2013 18 16 2014 30 8 2015 75 71 2016 333 32 2017 324 373 2018 423 156 2019 442 237 2020 340 267 2021 to date 26 18 TOTAL 2016 1,197 *Note: Applications received includes applications received under the IIP Bond and Mixed Investment Bond Options, which were suspended in July 2016, by the Evaluation Committee on the basis that they no longer provided value for money. I have set out in the table below details of the applications that have been made for the immigrant investor programme via the enterprise investment, investment fund, REIT and endowment options up to the end of January 2021; the breakdown for each of those options in each period for 2020 2019 and 2018. Investment Type Applications received to date Applications received in 2020 Applications received in 2019 Applications received in 2018 Enterprise Investment 1120 103 145 318 Investment Fund 286 61 74 30 REIT 8 1 4 1 Endowment 533 175 219 74 The following table provides details of the applications approved and issued from 2019 to date under the enterprise investment, investment fund, REIT and endowment options. Investment Type Approved 2019 Approved 2020 Approved January 2021 Enterprise Investment 168 76 5 Investment Fund 19 45 6 REIT 1 3 0 Endowment 49 143 7 It is important to note that approvals issued in any year may relate to applications which were received in previous years due to the time taken to process applications and carry out the necessary due diligence checks on applications.", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2021-02-25/pq_233", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2021-02-25/233/" }, { "date": "2021-02-25", "question_number": 234, "chamber": "33rd D\u00e1il", "topic": "Immigrant Investor Programme", "asked_by": "Alan Kelly", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "234. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Justice the number of applications for the immigrant investor programme via the enterprise, investment, REIT and endowment options that have been approved up to the end of January 2021 for 2019 and 2020; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10915/21]", "answer": "Minister for Justice I propose to take Questions Nos. 231 to 234, inclusive, together. The Immigrant Investor Programme (IIP) was introduced in April 2012 to encourage inward investment and create business and employment opportunities in the State. The programme provides investors with the opportunity to invest in Ireland. Key to the programme is that the investments are beneficial for Ireland, generate or sustain employment and are generally in the public interest. Successful applicants under the IIP and their nominated family members may be granted a residence permission in Ireland under Stamp 4 conditions. Stamp 4 conditions permit non-EEA nationals to work, study or start their own businesses in Ireland. Therefore, given the significant immigration benefits accruing it is essential that all applications are subject to a robust due diligence process in respect of both personal and financial checks to protect the State's interests. In this regard, a number of enhanced control mechanisms have been introduced to the Programme within the past 12 months. The IIP has been subject to a number of reviews, both internal and external, in recent years. Following a tender process, a contract to carry out an external review was signed in June 2019. This review was to be carried out in two phases. The Terms of Reference for the review are published on the Immigration Service website at: http://www.inis.gov.ie/en/INIS/Pages/New%20Programmes%20for%20Investors%20and%20Entrepreneurs . The second phase of the review has recently been completed and is being considered by my Department. In the meantime, applications under the IIP continue to be assessed by an independent evaluation committee and, where assessed positively, are accepted and processed. The table below provides details of the applications received and the numbers of approvals issued since 2012. Year Applications received Applications approved 2012 5 2 2013 18 16 2014 30 8 2015 75 71 2016 333 32 2017 324 373 2018 423 156 2019 442 237 2020 340 267 2021 to date 26 18 TOTAL 2016 1,197 *Note: Applications received includes applications received under the IIP Bond and Mixed Investment Bond Options, which were suspended in July 2016, by the Evaluation Committee on the basis that they no longer provided value for money. I have set out in the table below details of the applications that have been made for the immigrant investor programme via the enterprise investment, investment fund, REIT and endowment options up to the end of January 2021; the breakdown for each of those options in each period for 2020 2019 and 2018. Investment Type Applications received to date Applications received in 2020 Applications received in 2019 Applications received in 2018 Enterprise Investment 1120 103 145 318 Investment Fund 286 61 74 30 REIT 8 1 4 1 Endowment 533 175 219 74 The following table provides details of the applications approved and issued from 2019 to date under the enterprise investment, investment fund, REIT and endowment options. Investment Type Approved 2019 Approved 2020 Approved January 2021 Enterprise Investment 168 76 5 Investment Fund 19 45 6 REIT 1 3 0 Endowment 49 143 7 It is important to note that approvals issued in any year may relate to applications which were received in previous years due to the time taken to process applications and carry out the necessary due diligence checks on applications.", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2021-02-25/pq_234", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2021-02-25/234/" }, { "date": "2022-10-04", "question_number": 538, "chamber": "33rd D\u00e1il", "topic": "Deportation Orders", "asked_by": "Carol Nolan", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "538. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Justice if she will provide details of the number of deportation orders made under grounds (a) to (i) of Section 3(2) of the Immigration Act 1999, as amended, from 1 January 2011 to date in 2022 (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48144/22]", "answer": "Minister for Justice I can advise the Deputy that since 2011, a total of 13,151 deportation orders have been made by my Department under Section 3(2) of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended). When issued with a deportation order, the person concerned is required to remove themselves from the State. Many people comply with this and leave the country, without notifying the immigration authorities that they have done so. However, where a person does not voluntarily return to their own country, Ireland like all other EU Member States, puts in place arrangements to return people to their home country. The table below contains the relevant statistics. The figures are not broken down into the legislative sub-categories as set out in the Deputy\u2019s question. My Department can only give annual totals for all deportation orders made. Year Deportations Issued 2011 1412 2012 1639 2013 1790 2014 742 2015 818 2016 1442 2017 1122 2018 1116 2019 2017 2020 873 2021 31 2022 (to 29/09/2022) 149 TOTAL 13,151", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2022-10-04/pq_538", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2022-10-04/538/" }, { "date": "2022-12-06", "question_number": 406, "chamber": "33rd D\u00e1il", "topic": "Direct Provision System", "asked_by": "Peadar T\u00f3ib\u00edn", "answered_by": "Children", "question_type": "written", "question": "406. Deputy Peadar T\u00f3ib\u00edn asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of persons currently in direct provision; and the number who entered the system in each of the past ten years. [60813/22]", "answer": "Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth I propose to take Questions Nos. 406 to 408, inclusive,together. Deputy, in regard to the number of persons currently in accommodation provided by the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) and the number who entered the International Protection Accommodation system in each of the past ten years, please see information below as requested: Date 31/12/2011 5,423 30/12/2012 4,841 29/12/2013 4,360 28/12/2014 4,364 27/12/2015 4,696 18/12/2016 4,279 31/12/2017 5,096 30/12/2018 6,106 29/12/2019 7,683 27/12/2020 6,997 26/12/2021 7,244 27/11/2022 17,648 In regard to the supports or assistance programmes, services or phonelines available to persons who have qualified for refugee status to help them move out of direct provision centres, I can confirm IPAS has a specific transition team who work in collaboration with Depaul Ireland, the Peter McVerry Trust (PMTV), officials in the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and the Local Authorities and the City and County Managers Association (CCMA) to collectively support residents with status, or a permission to remain, to exit IPAS accommodation and access housing options. IPAS write to all people in IPAS accommodation when they are granted status and notify them of their support worker's contact details, who is assigned from either PMVT or Depaul. Finally, in regard to the number of persons currently residing in IPAS accommodation centres who have qualified for refugee status but continue to reside in direct provision centres, I can confirm that as of the end October 2022 there are 4,625 people in IPAS accommodation with Status (Refugee status, Subsidiary Protection or Leave to Remain). I trust this information clarifies the matter Deputy.", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2022-12-06/pq_406", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2022-12-06/406/" }, { "date": "2022-12-06", "question_number": 407, "chamber": "33rd D\u00e1il", "topic": "Direct Provision System", "asked_by": "Peadar T\u00f3ib\u00edn", "answered_by": "Children", "question_type": "written", "question": "407. Deputy Peadar T\u00f3ib\u00edn asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the supports or assistance programmes, services or phonelines available to persons who have qualified for refugee status to help them move out of direct provision centres. [60814/22]", "answer": "Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth I propose to take Questions Nos. 406 to 408, inclusive,together. Deputy, in regard to the number of persons currently in accommodation provided by the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) and the number who entered the International Protection Accommodation system in each of the past ten years, please see information below as requested: Date 31/12/2011 5,423 30/12/2012 4,841 29/12/2013 4,360 28/12/2014 4,364 27/12/2015 4,696 18/12/2016 4,279 31/12/2017 5,096 30/12/2018 6,106 29/12/2019 7,683 27/12/2020 6,997 26/12/2021 7,244 27/11/2022 17,648 In regard to the supports or assistance programmes, services or phonelines available to persons who have qualified for refugee status to help them move out of direct provision centres, I can confirm IPAS has a specific transition team who work in collaboration with Depaul Ireland, the Peter McVerry Trust (PMTV), officials in the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and the Local Authorities and the City and County Managers Association (CCMA) to collectively support residents with status, or a permission to remain, to exit IPAS accommodation and access housing options. IPAS write to all people in IPAS accommodation when they are granted status and notify them of their support worker's contact details, who is assigned from either PMVT or Depaul. Finally, in regard to the number of persons currently residing in IPAS accommodation centres who have qualified for refugee status but continue to reside in direct provision centres, I can confirm that as of the end October 2022 there are 4,625 people in IPAS accommodation with Status (Refugee status, Subsidiary Protection or Leave to Remain). I trust this information clarifies the matter Deputy.", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2022-12-06/pq_407", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2022-12-06/407/" }, { "date": "2022-12-06", "question_number": 408, "chamber": "33rd D\u00e1il", "topic": "Direct Provision System", "asked_by": "Peadar T\u00f3ib\u00edn", "answered_by": "Children", "question_type": "written", "question": "408. Deputy Peadar T\u00f3ib\u00edn asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of persons currently residing in direct provision centres in the State who have qualified for refugee status but continue to reside in direct provision centres. [60815/22]", "answer": "Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth I propose to take Questions Nos. 406 to 408, inclusive,together. Deputy, in regard to the number of persons currently in accommodation provided by the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) and the number who entered the International Protection Accommodation system in each of the past ten years, please see information below as requested: Date 31/12/2011 5,423 30/12/2012 4,841 29/12/2013 4,360 28/12/2014 4,364 27/12/2015 4,696 18/12/2016 4,279 31/12/2017 5,096 30/12/2018 6,106 29/12/2019 7,683 27/12/2020 6,997 26/12/2021 7,244 27/11/2022 17,648 In regard to the supports or assistance programmes, services or phonelines available to persons who have qualified for refugee status to help them move out of direct provision centres, I can confirm IPAS has a specific transition team who work in collaboration with Depaul Ireland, the Peter McVerry Trust (PMTV), officials in the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and the Local Authorities and the City and County Managers Association (CCMA) to collectively support residents with status, or a permission to remain, to exit IPAS accommodation and access housing options. IPAS write to all people in IPAS accommodation when they are granted status and notify them of their support worker's contact details, who is assigned from either PMVT or Depaul. Finally, in regard to the number of persons currently residing in IPAS accommodation centres who have qualified for refugee status but continue to reside in direct provision centres, I can confirm that as of the end October 2022 there are 4,625 people in IPAS accommodation with Status (Refugee status, Subsidiary Protection or Leave to Remain). I trust this information clarifies the matter Deputy.", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2022-12-06/pq_408", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2022-12-06/408/" }, { "date": "2024-05-15", "question_number": 72, "chamber": "33rd D\u00e1il", "topic": "Deportation Orders", "asked_by": "Peadar T\u00f3ib\u00edn", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "72. Deputy Peadar T\u00f3ib\u00edn asked the Minister for Justice the number of deportation orders revoked by her Department in each of the past ten years.; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21961/24]", "answer": "Minister for Justice A deportation order is a legal order to leave the State. Any person who has been ordered to leave the State and fails to do so is committing a criminal offence, and can be arrested without warrant if they come into contact with An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na. Section 3(11) of the Immigration Act 1999 provides that a deportation order may be revoked. The Department receives submissions from individuals seeking that this power be invoked in their case. In assessing such submissions consideration is given to whether there is compelling new information or material changes in circumstances which were not previously put forward, nor capable of being put forward, when the original decision was made. By far the main grounds advanced relate to the extent to which an individual has established family, employment and other connections here. All submissions are carefully assessed including in the context of any rights arising and a criminal records check is carried out in each instance. I am significantly increasing the level of investment into the international protection system. I have already doubled the number of staff in the international Protection Office, which has resulted in a corresponding trebling of the number of decision issued. The faster a decision can be reached in an international protection case, the easier it is to return those who are found not to have a right to protection. The EU Migration and Asylum Pact will significantly improve processing times through the introduction legally binding timeframes for making decisions on applications. The table below details the number of Deportation Orders which have been revoked since 2013. The number of cases since 2022 includes persons who qualified under the terms of the Regularisation of Long-Term Undocumented Migrants Scheme. Year Deportation Orders revoked 2013 308 2014 353 2015 482 2016 360 2017 165 2018 319 2019 346 2020 302 2021 231 2022 582 2023 416 2024 (To 14/05/2024) 102 * Please note, figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing. ** Number of deportation orders revoked may relate to orders issued in a previous year", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2024-05-15/pq_72", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2024-05-15/72/" }, { "date": "2025-07-29", "question_number": 1940, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na", "asked_by": "Peadar T\u00f3ib\u00edn", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "1940. Deputy Peadar T\u00f3ib\u00edn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of garda\u00ed who have been assaulted while on active duty in each of the past ten years and to date in 2025. [41136/25]", "answer": "Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration We are all immensely grateful to all our Garda\u00ed for their outstanding dedication and commitment to serving the public and for the important role that they play in our society. For the most part, the relationship between Garda\u00ed and the public they serve is one built on very significant trust. We only have to look to the fact that An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na is a largely unarmed, and yet hugely effective, community policing service. As you will be aware, an assault on a member of An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na, a prison officer, a member of the fire brigade, ambulance personnel, or a member of the Defence Forces is already an offence under section 19 of the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act 1994. My predecessor increased the maximum penalty for such an offence from 7 years to 12 years. I have been advised by An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na that the table below sets out in tabular form the number of Garda\u00ed who have been assaulted while on active duty in each of the past ten years, and to date in 2025 (as of 23 July 2025). Year 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 Total Number 299 301 282 264 224 266 223 266 316 470 373 156 3440 Figures are operational and, as such, subject to change.", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2025-07-29/pq_1940", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2025-07-29/1940/" }, { "date": "2025-10-09", "question_number": 48, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "Asylum Seekers", "asked_by": "Peadar T\u00f3ib\u00edn", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "48. Deputy Peadar T\u00f3ib\u00edn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of persons who have applied for asylum in the State in each of the past ten years and to date in 2025. [53288/25]", "answer": "Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration I can assure the Deputy that I will take all necessary steps to manage the international protection process efficiently and effectively. The number of International Protection applications have been rising over the past number of years, reaching 18,500 in 2024. This year, we are beginning to see application numbers noticeably reduce. There have been 38% fewer applications to quarter three 2025 compared to the same period of 2024 (9,589 compared to 15,583). We know that patterns in international protection applications vary over time and that is why it is important that the Government\u2019s response adapts accordingly. There has been a significant increase in investment into the international protection system which, combined with digitisation and process re-engineering, has facilitated a major increase in processing capacity. In 2024 there was a 65% increase in the total number of first decisions processed with over 14,000 in 2024 from over 8,500 in 2023. In 2025, to the end of Q3, there has been a 51% increase in the total number of first decisions when compared to the same period in 2024. The table below shows a yearly breakdown of IP applications made from 2015 to date in 2025. Year of Application Total 2015 3,276 2016 2,244 2017 2,920 2018 3,674 2019 4,783 2020 1,565 2021 2,647 2022 13,643 2023 13,271 2024 18,554 2025* 9,691* *To cob 2 October 2025 Please note, figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing.", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2025-10-09/pq_48", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2025-10-09/48/" }, { "date": "2022-07-14", "question_number": 671, "chamber": "33rd D\u00e1il", "topic": "Departmental Programmes", "asked_by": "Brendan Smith", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "671. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Justice the number of applications that have been received and the number of approvals issued on an annual basis since 2012 in respect of the Immigrant Investor Programme under each particular investment fund; the total investment under each heading; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39295/22]", "answer": "Minister for Justice The Immigrant Investor Programme (IIP) was introduced by Government Decision in April 2012, to encourage inward investment and to create business and employment opportunities in the State. The Programme was introduced at a time when Ireland was going through a very significant economic downturn and Departments were tasked with initiating innovative programmes to attract investment and create employment as part of the Action Plan for Jobs 2012. Key to the programme is that the investments are beneficial for Ireland, generate or sustain employment and are generally in the public interest. The criteria applied when assessing applications under the IIP is set out in the guidance published on my Department's immigration website at: www.irishimmigration.ie/coming-to-live-in-ireland/i-want-to-invest-in-ireland/ All projects which IIP applicants are investing in are also examined in great detail by an Independent Evaluation Committee comprising key officials from my Department, the Department of Finance, the Department of Foreign Affairs, Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland who have appropriate corporate expertise in this area. This examination process involves an assessment of the commercial viability of the project; employment outcomes associated with the proposed investment; and the overall benefit to the Irish State. The Committee makes a determination as to whether a project is suitable for IIP investment and, if deemed suitable, the individual application will be submitted to me for final approval. My Department does not currently publish the details of individual approved IIP investments; however, this matter is currently under consideration The tables below provide a breakdown of IIP applications received, approved and the value of investments since the inception of the programme up to the end of 2021. Year Applications received Approved applications Value of Approved Investment 2012 5 2 1,500,000 2013 18 16 12,200,000 2014 30 8 4,450,000 2015 75 71 38,800,000 2016 334 33 18,750,000 2017 324 373 253,700,000 2018 423 156 139,750,000 2019 443 237 209,300,000 2020 339 270 188,000,000 2021 258 265 186,100,000 TOTAL 2,249 1,431 1,052,550,000 Approvals issued in any year may relate to applications which were received in previous years due to the time taken to process applications. Investment Type Total Applications Approved Total Value of Investment Enterprise 780 639,000,000 Investment Fund 214 196,000,000 REIT 6 12,000,000 Endowment 375 152,600,000 Bond & Mixed Investment 56 53,950,000 TOTAL 1,431 1,052,550,000", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2022-07-14/pq_671", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2022-07-14/671/" }, { "date": "2024-04-18", "question_number": 247, "chamber": "33rd D\u00e1il", "topic": "Asylum Seekers", "asked_by": "Peadar T\u00f3ib\u00edn", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "247. Deputy Peadar T\u00f3ib\u00edn asked the Minister for Justice the number of asylum seekers who have registered for asylum in Ireland for each of the past ten years, including each month of 2024. [17161/24]", "answer": "Minister for Justice I can confirm that my Department takes all necessary steps to manage the international protection process efficiently and effectively, while ensuring the integrity of those processes is maintained at all times. Making sure that applications are processed quickly means those who need our protection are given the opportunity to re-build their life in Ireland in a timely manner. It also means that those who do not qualify, return to their country of origin. My Department have taken a significant number of measures to increase the capacity of the international protection system. In November 2022, I introduced an accelerated procedure for international protection applicants from designated safe countries of origin. These applicants now typically receive a first instance decision in less than three months, a significant reduction from a norm of 22 to 26 months in recent years. For the year up to 31 January 2024 the number of applications from safe countries has reduced by more than 50% compared to previous 12 month period. In July 2023, I published a report on the international protection modernisation programme for 2023 and 2024. This programme involved unparalleled investment in staff, panel members, reengineered processes, and technology. We have implemented measures to improve efficiencies and throughput as well as enhancing the application, interview and decision-making process for applicants. One of the priority areas of focus has been to recruit both civil servants and panel members, to increase case processing. The International Protection Office now has over 400 staff, an increase of 95% over 2022. The IPO made 2,482 first instance determinations in 2021, 4323 in 2022, 9,000 in 2023 and are confident of delivering over 14,000 decisions this year. These reforms and increased staff numbers are having a significant impact with the median processing time for all first-instance decisions reducing from 18 months in 2022 down to 13 months in 2023. The median processing time for appeals was 5.5 months in 2023 down from 13.5 months at the start of 2022. Reforms to the international protection process will continue in 2024. Approximately \u20ac34m additional funding was allocated in Budget 2024 to the International Protection Office (IPO) and the International Protection Appeals Tribunal (IPAT) to continue to scale up processing. These measures, and all other aspects of the international protection modernisation programme will continue to be kept under review and improved on a continuous ongoing basis. The increasing numbers of protection applications seen below highlight the importance of the EU Asylum and Migration Pact for Ireland. I recently secured Cabinet approval to seek the necessary approvals from the Houses of the Oireachtas to opt-in to the Pact. The overall objectives of the Pact is to create a fair, sustainable and efficient asylum procedure in ordinary times as well as in times of migratory pressure and crisis situations. It will harmonise asylum procedures across the EU, and speed up the processing of asylum applications so that people in need of our protection get it quickly and those who don\u2019t are returned to their country of origin efficiently. Please note that although the Deputy has asked for figures from 2015 onwards, statistics pre-2017 are not readily available in the manner sought, as data would have to be extracted from a number of legacy systems. With the introduction of the International Protection Act in 2016 and the creation of the International Protection Office, a new database allows for easier collation of data in more recent years therefore we have provided figures from 2017 onwards only. The table below details the number of International Protection applications received since 2017. Year Month Total 2017 2,920 2018 3,674 2019 4,782 2020 1,566 2021 2,648 2022 13,646 2023 13,272 2024* 6,069 January 1,773 February 1,569 March 1,821 April* 906 *To COB 12th April 2024. Please note, figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing.", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2024-04-18/pq_247", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2024-04-18/247/" }, { "date": "2025-07-29", "question_number": 1917, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "Legal Aid", "asked_by": "Malcolm Byrne", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "1917. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of criminal legal aid certificates granted in the District Court for each of the years 2015 to 2024; the reasons for the increase in that number; the total costs for each year 2015 to 2024 of legal aid granted in the District Court; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40809/25]", "answer": "Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration Under the Criminal Justice (Legal Aid) Act 1962, it is the Courts, through the judiciary, that are responsible for the granting of legal aid. The Criminal Legal Aid Scheme is demand-led. Increases in the complexity of criminal cases and the number of legal aid certificates granted have had a significant impact on criminal legal aid expenditure over recent years. As outlined in the Programme for Government 2025, the Government has committed to reforming the operation of Criminal Legal Aid. The general scheme of the Criminal Justice (Legal Aid) Bill 2023 was published in July 2023. This Bill will modernise the operation of the Criminal Legal Aid Scheme and is intended to: \u2022 Update the law relating to Criminal Legal Aid; \u2022 Transfer administrative responsibility of the Criminal Legal Aid Scheme from the Department of Justice to the Legal Aid Board, and \u2022 Strengthen oversight and governance structures for the Scheme. In addition to moving the administration of the scheme to the Legal Aid Board, the operation of Criminal Legal Aid will be modernised to include automation of payments and a comprehensive review of fees. My Department will continue to engage with the Bar Council, the Law Society and all relevant stakeholders on the modernisation and funding structure of the scheme. The table below sets out the number and cost of criminal legal aid certificates granted each year in the District Court from 2015 to 2024. Year Number of Criminal Legal Aid Certificates issued in the District Court Total Cost 2015 53,937 \u20ac19,275,214 2016 55,617 \u20ac20,191,375 2017 64,181 \u20ac22,608,214 2018 72,674 \u20ac25,043,379 2019 79,346 \u20ac26,860,269 2020 73,611 \u20ac24,475,827 2021 80,831 \u20ac29,289,855 2022 81,025 \u20ac28,364,837 2023 87,668 \u20ac30,837,699 2024 98,230 \u20ac37,786,861", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2025-07-29/pq_1917", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2025-07-29/1917/" }, { "date": "2026-03-19", "question_number": 30, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "International Protection", "asked_by": "Paul Lawless", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "30. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the total amount spent on accommodation for those seeking international protection in County Mayo in the past ten years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20108/26]", "answer": "Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration Ireland has at all times endeavoured to provide accommodation and other basic supports to people seeking international protection as is required by law. The State is currently accommodating over 33,000 people in approximately 310 International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) centres around the country. The accommodation system is managed on a national level, as is reporting on all aspects of the process. Accommodation providers and details of payments are recorded, but not by county. As such, the breakdown of data requested with respect to the total amount spent on accommodation for those seeking international protection in County Mayo in the past ten years is not collated or readily available. An approximate figure has been collated, however, in respect of costs incurred in County Mayo drawn from available records, for the last two years, as follows. Year Cost 2024 \u20ac34.9m 2025 \u20ac42.8m Please see, in tabular format, the total spend on IPAS accommodation in commercial and State-owned accommodation since 2015. Please note the 2025 figure is provisional pending completion of the 2025 Appropriation Accounts. Year IP Accommodation Cost 2015 \u20ac57m 2016 \u20ac64.1m 2017 \u20ac67.4m 2018 \u20ac77.9m 2019 \u20ac129.4m 2020 \u20ac183.2m 2021 \u20ac190.8m 2022 \u20ac356.5m 2023 \u20ac651.7m 2024 \u20ac1.05 billion 2025 \u20ac1.2 Billion In terms of international protection applicants, significant reform is underway to speed up the processing system, achieve improved value for money for the State and reduce the demand for accommodation. That includes moving away consistently, over time, from the degree of reliance on commercial accommodation and putting in place more facilities on State-owned sites. IPAS is reviewing commercial contracts and driving improvements in standards, governance and compliance. The introduction of a new rate card model is driving down costs for new and renewed contracts, already saving approximately \u20ac83 million since May 2025. The allocation for IPAS accommodation and supports for 2025 was \u20ac1.2 billion and this has reduced to an allocation of over \u20ac1.1 billion for accommodation and supports in 2026.", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2026-03-19/pq_30", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2026-03-19/30/" }, { "date": "2026-06-09", "question_number": 1328, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na", "asked_by": "Paul Lawless", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "1328. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of garda\u00ed recruited to work in County Mayo in each of the past ten years; and the number of garda\u00ed who have left the force in County Mayo in each of those years, in tabular form. [42018/26]", "answer": "Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na publishes information in relation to the allocation of Garda\u00ed nationally, including a breakdown of Garda divisions and stations nationwide. Historical data on the allocation of of Garda\u00ed and probationer Garda\u00ed from 2015 - 2025 can be found here: (www.garda.ie/en/about-us/our-departments/human-resources-and-people-development/garda-hr-directorate/garda-strength-breakdown-2025/garda-strength-breakdown-2025.html ). The Deputy should select December 2025 and then select the filed titled 'Allocation of Probationer Gardai\" and \"Garda Member by Division District Station\" to access the relevant data. Data for 2026 can be found here: (www.garda.ie/en/about-us/our-departments/human-resources-and-people-development/garda-hr-directorate/garda-strength-breakdown-2026/garda-strength-breakdown-2026.html). The Deputy should select the relevant month and then select the relevant file. It should be noted that the Mayo Division was amalgamated with Roscommon/Longford Division under the new Operating Model in 2022. I am advised by the Garda authorities that 39 probationers were assigned to stations in Mayo since 2015, which includes one probationer who was assigned in February 2026. The allocation of each intake of newly attested probationer Garda\u00ed is considered by the Commissioner in the context of the overall operational needs and policing priorities of the organisation, whilst also having regard to the resourcing requirements of each Garda Division. It is also important to note that the allocation of Probationer Garda\u00ed is one part of the overall picture. Another part is the transfer of serving Garda\u00ed to their preferred location which is facilitated by the attestation and allocation of a Probationer Garda\u00ed. I am assured by the Garda Commissioner that, when allocating and transferring Garda\u00ed to and from any Division, consideration is given to commitments and undertakings outlined in the Annual Policing Plan. The requirements of all Garda Divisions nationwide are also taken into account, which include: \u2022 Local and national crime trends and workloads \u2022 Policing arrangements and operational strategies \u2022 Local population and trends, geographical area and size \u2022 Transfer applications, including welfare, personnel issues and concerns. Newly attested Garda\u00ed are allocated to specially designated training stations which have the required training and development structures and resources in place, including trained Garda tutors and access to a permanently appointed supervisory Sergeant who is thoroughly familiar with their responsibilities under the training programme. The table below has been provided to me by the Garda authorities and outlines the number of retirements and resignations in Mayo from 2016 to March 2026: Year No. of Retirements/Resignations 2026 5 2025 12 2024 15 2023 19 2022 15 2021 16 2020 21 2019 5 2018 10 2017 12 2016 9 Total 139", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2026-06-09/pq_1328", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2026-06-09/1328/" }, { "date": "2026-07-28", "question_number": 2249, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "Departmental Data", "asked_by": "Carol Nolan", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "2249. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of persons who have arrived in Ireland at any port of entry, including Dublin Airport, without valid travel documents for each of the years from 2018 to 2025 and to date in 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56662/26]", "answer": "Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration The Border Management Unit (BMU) of my Department is responsible for frontline Immigration at Dublin Airport only. Other airports and other ports of entry are the responsibility of An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na. The establishment of a person\u2019s identity and nationality is an important feature of our immigration process. Immigration officials conduct passport checks, and run operations as required, to ensure passengers arriving in the State are properly documented in accordance with Section 11 of the Immigration Act 2004. The table below details the total number of people who have been refused leave to land at Dublin Airport, and of that total, the numbers refused due to presenting false identity documents or no identity documents. In relation to other ports of entry, I have sought the information requested from the Garda Commissioner and I will write to the Deputy directly should the information be available. My Department and the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) are working closely with airlines on a range of measures to ensure that passengers have such documentation when boarding. This includes delivering in-person training to relevant airline ground-handling staff on immigration requirements and false travel documentation. BMU officials are also available 24/7 to assist airlines with any immigration queries. An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na has responsibility for issuing carrier liability notices and warnings, and for the imposition of carrier liability fines on carriers who permit a non-national to travel with their airline or ferry without the necessary documentation i.e. no documents, false document, no visa or improper use of genuine documents. The fines payable by carriers in such instances were increased by way of the Courts, Civil Law, Criminal Law and Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2024. The effect of these changes is to increase the fines payable by carriers on summary conviction to a maximum of \u20ac5,000 from the previous maximum of \u20ac3,000. The Act also provides that carriers which make a payment of \u20ac2,500 within 28 days will avoid prosecution for an offence under the Act, which was an increase from the previous payment of \u20ac1,500; in practice many carriers avail of this option. The visa requirements to travel to Ireland have been strengthened and remain under review by my Department. BMU and GNIB have an ongoing intelligence-led programme of operations at airplanes to detect passengers who destroyed documents inflight and to identify the point of embarkation of undocumented passengers. To the end of June this year, the BMU have carried out 3,408 doorstop operations at Dublin Airport. Table 1. Dublin Airport refused leave to land figures 2018 - 2026 (to 30/06) Year Total Arriving Passengers Total Refusals Undocumented Arrivals False Documents + Imposters 2018 15,634,300 3,999 895 891 2019 16,318,300 6,151 1,579 1,849 2020 3,636,256 2,077 712 169 2021 4,118,027 3,210 2,082 279 2022 13,930,041 7,662 4,968 832 2023 16,628,545 5,826 3,287 872 2024 17,310,841 5,267 2,297 1080 2025 18,202,584 4,928 2,067 1034 2026 (to 30/06) 8,945,664 2130 894 465 * Please note, figures are correct at time of issue. However, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing.", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2026-07-28/pq_2249", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2026-07-28/2249/" }, { "date": "2026-02-19", "question_number": 435, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "Drug and Alcohol Testing", "asked_by": "Alan Kelly", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "435. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the annual statistical data relating to alcohol test-purchase operations carried out by An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na under the Intoxicating Liquor Act 2008, from 2008 to the end of 2025, (details supplied) [13530/26]", "answer": "Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration I am advised by the Garda authorities that a search of PULSE was conducted for incidents of: \u2022 Test Purchasing of Intoxicating Liquor \u2022 Sale of Intoxicating Liquor to Under 18 Year Olds, where the operation Test Purchasing of Intoxicating Liquor was selected. Incident counts for total Test Purchasing of Intoxicating Liquor operations and incidents of the Sale of Intoxicating Liquor to Under 18 Year Olds detected, where Test Purchasing of Intoxicating Liquor was in operation, by year, are provided in the table below. Year Test Purchasing of Intoxicating Liquor Sale of Intoxicating Liquor to Under 18 Year Olds, where Test Purchasing of Intoxicating Liquor was in operation 2016 335 25 2017 350 29 2018 297 20 2019 164 19 2020 118 12 2021 190 29 2022 116 19 2023 89 * 2024 123 15 2025 176 * * Indicates a number of incidents of fewer than 10 An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na have advised that, when the suspected offence of Sale of Intoxicating Liquor to Under 18 Year Olds is detected during a Test Purchasing, that incident is recorded as Sale of Intoxicating Liquor to Under 18 Year Olds rather than a Test Purchasing. The table below provides the number of charges and summons linked to incidents of Sale of Intoxicating Liquor to Under 18 Years Old, where the operation Test Purchasing of Intoxicating Liquor was used. Year Number of charges and summons issued 2016 15 2017 17 2018 11 2019 42 2020 * 2021 20 2022 18 2023 12 2024 * 2025 * * Indicates a number of incidents of fewer than 10. All figures provided in the above tables are based on data as was available in the PULSE database on 18 February 2026, are operational and are subject to change. By law, criminal investigations are carried out by An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na, who submit a report to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP). The DPP decides whether a prosecution should proceed, and what crime will be prosecuted. The DPP is fully independent in her functions under the Prosecution of Offences Act 1974 (as amended). The Office of the DPP is not an agency or body under my remit. As Minister for Justice and I have no role in the operations, functions, oversight or governance of the Office of the Director. As such I am unable to provide any information related to the work of the DPP. Management of the courts, operational matters and logistical functions are the responsibility of the judiciary and Courts Service, which are independent in exercising their functions under the Courts Service Act 1998 and the Constitution. The collation of data on convictions, acquittals, struck-out or withdrawn cases is a function of the courts. The Courts Service has a dedicated email address for the provision of information to members of the Houses of the Oireachtas: oireachtasenquiries@courts.ie", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2026-02-19/pq_435", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2026-02-19/435/" }, { "date": "2017-09-27", "question_number": 116, "chamber": "32nd D\u00e1il", "topic": "Asylum Applications Data", "asked_by": "John Lahart", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "116. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of persons that applied for asylum in each of the years 2000 to 2016 and to date in 2017; the number of persons that were rejected; the number of persons that left voluntarily; the number of persons awaiting a decision, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40808/17]", "answer": "Minister for Justice and Equality I am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the figures requested by the Deputy are set out in the following table: Year Applications Received Refused/Rejected Voluntarily Returned 2000 10,938 N/A[1] 83 2001 10,325 3,891 109 2002 11,634 5,992 158 2003 7,900 5,313 260 2004 4,766 7,560 182 2005 4,323 5,224 138 2006 4,314 2,448 87 2007 3,985 3,425 77 2008 3,866 2,769 93 2009 2,689 4,237 136 2010 1,939 3,572 140 2011 1,290 1,686 145 2012 956 931 120 2013 946 771 89 2014 1,448 511 59 2015 3,276 885 30 2016 2,244 1,352 57 2017* 1,675 30 33 *End August 2017 The figure for 2017 for Refusals/Rejected applications is expected to increase substantially for the remainder of the year as the single procedure under the International Protection Act takes effect. On 31 August 2017, there were 4,694 applications on hand with the International Protection Office. The International Protection Appeals Tribunal had 300 Appeals pending on this date. [1] Please note that a dedicated Unit was established in INIS on 20 November 2000 following the commencement of the Refugee Act 1996 but did not issue any decisions until the following year. Section 2 of the International Protection Act 2015 defines a refugee as \u201ca person\u2026who, owing to a well-founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, political opinion or membership of a particular social group, is outside his or her country of nationality and is unable or, owing to such fear, is unwilling to avail himself or herself of the protection of that country, or a stateless person, who, being outside of the country of former habitual residence for the same reasons as mentioned above, is unable or, owing to such fear, unwilling to return to it\u201d The Irish system for assessing applications for international protection is independent and complies fully with international standards, characterised by a high level of transparency and oversight with each application being dealt with in full compliance with due process. Persons that seek International Protection in Ireland lodge their application with the International Protection Office in the first instance. If they are not satisfied with the decision issued by that office they may appeal to the International Protection Appeals Tribunal which is also an independent body. Refusals to grant asylum are accompanied by written reports that set out the reasons why the application has been refused. Applicants also have access to free legal aid and to the Irish Courts where they may challenge the decision made in their case by way of Judicial Review in the High Court, Supreme Court and ultimately the Court of Justice of the European Union.", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2017-09-27/pq_116", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2017-09-27/116/" }, { "date": "2017-11-28", "question_number": 276, "chamber": "32nd D\u00e1il", "topic": "Deportation Orders Data", "asked_by": "Richard Boyd Barrett", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "276. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of deportation orders which have been signed in each of the years 2000 to 2016, inclusive, and to date in 2017, on a yearly basis; the number of deportations that have been effected on a yearly basis in each of the years 2000 to 2016, inclusive, and to date in 2017; the cost for same for the same period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50311/17]", "answer": "Minister for Justice and Equality I am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the figures requested by the Deputy are as set out in the tables below. The statutory criteria which must be considered in relation to a decision to make a deportation order under section 3(6) of the Immigration Act 1999 include national security and public policy, the character and conduct of the person concerned and the common good. In determining whether to make a deportation order, in addition to the factors set out in Section 3(6) of the Immigration Act 1999, all relevant constitutional and international human rights arising including those enshrined in the Refugee Convention, the UN Convention Against Torture and the European Charter of Human Rights must be considered. The question of not returning a person to a place where certain fundamental rights would be breached (or non refoulement as it is commonly referred to) is also fully considered in every case when deciding whether or not to make a deportation order. This involves consideration of whether returning the person would result in the life or freedom of that person being threatened on account of his or her race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion, or whether the person would be subjected to torture or to inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. A deportation order requires the person concerned to remove themselves from the State and it is only where they fail to do so that the State is forced to remove them and enforce the rule of law. The enforcement of deportation orders is an operational matter for the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB). The costs for effecting deportations for the period requested by the Deputy of almost 18 years is in the order of \u20ac16.2m. Deportation orders signed by Year 2000 to date (Up to and including 23/11/2017) Year Deportations Signed 2000 767 2001 1,690 2002 2,052 2003 2,093 2004 2,641 2005 1,723 2006 1,406 2007 373 2008 705 2009 1,012 2010 1,027 2011 1,361 2012 1,624 2013 1,776 2014 732 2015 760 2016 1,191 2017 829 Total 23,762 Deportations Effected by year 2000 - 2017 (up to and including 23/11/2017). Year Deportations effected 2000 177 2001 311 2002 410 2003 522 2004 554 2005 386 2006 293 2007 140 2008 160 2009 336 2010 341 2011 279 2012 302 2013 209 2014 114 2015 251 2016 428 2017 129 Total 5,342", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2017-11-28/pq_276", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2017-11-28/276/" }, { "date": "2017-11-28", "question_number": 277, "chamber": "32nd D\u00e1il", "topic": "Deportation Orders Data", "asked_by": "Richard Boyd Barrett", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "277. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the top three nationalities deported in each of the years 2000 to 2016, inclusive, and to date in 2017; the number of persons who have been refused leave to enter the State in each of the years 2000 to 2016, inclusive, and to date in 2017; and according to nationality the number that were failed asylum applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50312/17]", "answer": "Minister for Justice and Equality I am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the information requested by the Deputy is as set out in the tables below. The statutory criteria which must be considered in relation to a decision to make a deportation order under section 3(6) of the Immigration Act 1999 include national security and public policy, the character and conduct of the person concerned and the common good. In determining whether to make a deportation order, in addition to the factors set out in Section 3(6) of the Immigration Act 1999, I must also consider all relevant constitutional and international human rights arising including those enshrined in the Refugee Convention, the UN Convention Against Torture and the European Charter of Human Rights. The question of not returning a person to a place where certain fundamental rights would be breached (or non refoulement as it is commonly referred to) is fully considered in every case when deciding whether or not to make a deportation order. This involves consideration of whether returning the person would result in the life or freedom of that person being threatened on account of his or her race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion, or whether the person would be subjected to torture or to inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. A deportation order requires the person concerned to remove themselves from the State and it is only where they fail to do so that the State is forced to remove them and enforce the rule of law. It is to be noted that the enforcement of deportation orders is an operational matter for the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB). Table 1: Individuals deported broken down by top 3 Nationalities from 2000 to 2017 (up to and including 25/11/2017) Year Nationality 1 Nationality 2 Nationality 3 2000 Poland Romania Czech Republic 2001 Romania Czech Republic Poland 2002 Romania Czech Republic Poland 2003 Romania Czech Republic China 2004 Romania Nigeria Moldova 2005 Nigeria Romania China 2006 Romania Nigeria China 2007 China Nigeria Brazil 2008 Nigeria China Brazil 2009 Nigeria South Africa Brazil 2010 Nigeria Georgia Moldova 2011 Nigeria South Africa Georgia 2012 Nigeria Pakistan Georgia 2013 Nigeria China (Including Hong Kong) Mauritius 2014 China (Including Hong Kong) Nigeria Malaysia 2015 Nigeria China (Including Hong Kong) Mauritius 2016 Nigeria China (Including Hong Kong) Ghana 2017 (to date) China (Including Hong Kong) Nigeria Pakistan Table 2: The number of persons that have been refused leave to enter the State in each of the years 2002 to 2017 is provided in the following table. Year Number of refused leave to land 2000 5,852 2001 5,388 2002 4,417 2003 4,827 2004 4,477 2005 4,433 2006 5,366 2007 5,854 2008 5,390 2009 3,252 2010 2,941 2011 2,308 2012 1,958 2013 1,844 2014 2,147 2015 3,451 2016 3,951 2017 to 1/9 * 2,578 * The figure for 2017 is provisional and subject to change. Table 3: Number of individuals who claimed asylum who were then deported broken down by top 3 Nationalities from 2000 to 2017 (up to and including 25/11/2017) Year Nationality 1 Number Nationality 2 Number Nationality 3 Number 2000 Poland 57 Romania 55 Czech Republic 30 2001 Romania 106 Czech Republic 60 Poland 44 2002 Romania 103 Czech Republic 62 Poland 57 2003 Romania 148 Czech Republic 66 Poland 35 2004 Romania 226 Nigeria 73 Moldova 53 2005 Nigeria 130 Romania 113 Croatia 17 2006 Romania 93 Nigeria 78 Moldova 18 2007 China 35 Nigeria 33 Moldova 11 2008 Nigeria 81 China 13 Moldova 6 2009 Nigeria 213 Georgia 13 South Africa 9 2010 Nigeria 195 Georgia 43 Moldova 9 2011 Nigeria 119 Georgia 18 Moldova 17 2012 Nigeria 77 Pakistan 35 Georgia 27 2013 Nigeria 51 Albania 15 Congo, The Democratic Republic Of The 10 2014 Nigeria 20 China (Including Hong Kong) 12 Somalia 6 2015 Nigeria 107 China (Including Hong Kong) 15 Congo, The Democratic Republic Of The 8 2016 Nigeria 173 China (Including Hong Kong) 56 Ghana 16 2017 China (Including Hong Kong) 96 Nigeria 27 Pakistan 15", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2017-11-28/pq_277", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2017-11-28/277/" }, { "date": "2018-10-23", "question_number": 312, "chamber": "32nd D\u00e1il", "topic": "Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund", "asked_by": "Donnchadh \u00d3 Laoghaire", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "312. Deputy Donnchadh \u00d3 Laoghaire asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the spend on the asylum migration and integration fund for each year since its inception by project and location. [43295/18]", "answer": "Minister of State at the Department of Justice and Equality Ireland\u2019s National Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF) Programme was approved by the European Commission on 21 March 2016. The EU Funds Unit in the Department of Justice and Equality has been designated as Ireland\u2019s Responsible Authority for the AMIF. The funding available to Ireland under the AMIF will be used over the lifetime of the Programme \u2013 the eligibility period extends to 2022 \u2013 to support actions that will help the National Objectives set out in the National Programme. (Further details of the National Programme, including details of the National Objectives and specific actions set by Ireland can be found at: http://www.integration.ie/en/isec/pages/eu_funds) The total AMIF spend managed by the EU Funds Unit is as follows: Total spend 2015 \u20ac132,190.68 Total Spend 2016 \u20ac873,301.00 Total Spend 2017 \u20ac3,144,728.82 Total Spend 2018 (to-date) \u20ac1,995,291.50 \u20ac6,145,512.00 The funds are distributed using three mechanisms: Open Calls for Proposals, Direct Awards and by Delegated Authority. AMIF Funding is also used for Technical Assistance activities of the EU Funds Unit. Below is an explanation of each of these mechanisms along with details of the spend which has occurred. Open Call: In 2016, an Open Call for Proposals was issued and 20 projects were selected from 45 applicants following an appraisal process. Over \u20ac4.5 million was committed under this call for the 2017-2020 period. The projects selected for funding will receive 75% of the eligible project costs. The applicant organisations are required to provide the 25% matching funding. Project/beneficiary Grant Award Total Location Amount paid 2017 Amount paid 2018 (to-date) Clare Immigrant Support Centre Ltd \u20ac180,000 Co Clare \u20ac54,000.00 \u20ac54,000.00 Crosscare \u20ac248,981 Dublin & surrounding areas \u20ac74,694.15 \u20ac74,694.15 Doras Luimn\u00ed \u20ac234,245 Limerick & Mid West Region \u20ac70,273.50 Edmund Rice \u20ac150,000 Waterford/Wexford/Kilkenny/Carlow \u20ac45,000.00 Football Association of Ireland \u20ac150,073 National \u20ac45,021.83 Galway City Partnership \u20ac201,000 Galway City and County \u20ac60,300.00 Immigrant Council of Ireland \u20ac150,000 National \u20ac45,000.00 Irish Refugee Council \u20ac300,000 National focus on areas with low/no information provision \u20ac90,000.00 Irish Traveller Movement \u20ac150,410 National \u20ac45,122.85 \u20ac45,122.85 Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) Ltd. \u20ac179,954 Dublin \u20ac53,986.09 \u20ac53,986.09 KASI \u20ac180,000 Killarney & Tralee \u20ac54,000.00 \u20ac54,000.00 Kilmallock Performing Centre \u20ac168,750 Limerick City, Co Cork, Co Clare \u20ac50,625.00 Laois Partnership Company \u20ac150,000 Co Laois \u20ac45,000.00 Mary Immaculate College \u20ac300,000 Limerick City \u20ac90,000.00 Migrant Rights Centre of Ireland \u20ac250,000 11 sites nationwide \u20ac75,000.00 \u20ac75,000.00 NASC \u20ac200,000 Cork \u20ac60,000.00 National College of Ireland \u20ac150,000 Dublin North & South Inner City \u20ac45,000.00 South Dublin County Partnership \u20ac150,000 South Dublin County \u20ac45,000.00 South West Mayo Development Company \u20ac265,814 Mayo \u20ac79,744.20 \u20ac79,744.20 Spirasi \u20ac750,000 National \u20ac225,000.00 \u20ac178,071.00 Totals \u20ac4,509,227 \u20ac1,352,767.62 \u20ac614,618.29 Direct Awards: In addition, under the AMIF Commission Delegated Regulation Article 7 \u2013 (EU) No. 1042/2014 - The Responsible Authority (EU Funds Unit) may award grants directly. To date 4 Direct Award Grants have been made, 3 to the Irish Refugee Protection Programme (to fund local authorities' resettlement programmes for refugees) and 1 to the Reception and Integration Agency. The details and spend are listed below. The Irish Refugee Protection Programme and the Reception and Integration Agency receive 75% of the eligible project costs (represented below) and are required to provide the 25% matching funding/remainder of the project costs. Beneficiary Grant Award Total Location Amount paid 2016 Amount paid 2017 Amount paid 2018 (to-date) Irish Refugee Protection Programme: Direct Award 1 \u20ac1,522,020.00 National/International \u20ac452,578.00 \u20ac224,139.00 \u20ac23,110.00 Irish Refugee Protection Programme: Direct Award 2 \u20ac2,000,000.00 National/International n/a \u20ac998,771.00 \u20ac257,001.00 Irish Refugee Protection Programme: Direct Award 3 \u20ac1,500,000.00 National/International n/a n/a \u20ac0.00 Reception and Integration Agency: Direct Award 4 \u20ac77,675.00 Co Clare n/a n/a \u20ac0.00 Totals: \u20ac5,099,695.00 \u20ac452,578.00 \u20ac1,222,910.00 \u20ac280,111.00 Delegated Authority: The Repatriation Unit of the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service has received a delegated authority to manage the portion of the AMIF that relates to the Special Objective on Returns. AMIF funding represents 75% of the Delegated Authority\u2019s spend and the Delegated Authority is required to provide the balance of 25%. Spend 2017 Spend 2018 (to-date) Delegated Authority \u20ac460,938.83 \u20ac852,452.67 Technical Assistance: Under the basic acts and regulations governing AMIF 2014-2020, the EU Funds Unit can use AMIF funding to support the preparatory, monitoring, administrative, evaluation, audit and control measures and activities required for it to implement the AMIF regulations successfully. 2015 2016 2017 2018 Technical Assistance \u20ac132,190.68 \u20ac420,723.00 \u20ac108,112.37 \u20ac248,109.54 Further AMIF funding: It is intended that a further Open Call for Proposals will be announced in early 2019. Approximately \u20ac4 million will be available to fund projects, mainly to be delivered by NGOs, for the period 2019 - 2022.", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2018-10-23/pq_312", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2018-10-23/312/" }, { "date": "2021-05-18", "question_number": 395, "chamber": "33rd D\u00e1il", "topic": "Housing Provision", "asked_by": "Rose Conway-Walsh", "answered_by": "Housing", "question_type": "written", "question": "395. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the total number in each county in receipt of local authority provided special accommodation for older persons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26445/21]", "answer": "Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage The allocation of local authority dwellings, including for specific groups such as older people, is, in accordance with relevant regulations, a matter for individual local authorities. As such I have no function relating to such allocations, nor does my Department collate information from local authorities in relation to their allocations. Details on the number of households qualified for social housing support in each local authority administrative area are provided in the statutory Summary of Social Housing Assessments (SSHA). The SSHA has been conducted on an annual basis since 2016, prior to which it was carried out once every three years, with the last Summary under this approach having taken place in 2013. The most recent summary, conducted in November 2020, shows that 61,880 households were assessed as qualified for and being in need of social housing support. This represents a decrease of 6,813 households or 9.9% on the last assessment in June 2019. Since 2016, the numbers have decreased from 91,600 to 61,880, a reduction of 32.4%. Below is the link to the summary report for 2020 which includes breakdowns by each local authority across a range of categories. It should be noted that the SSHA is a point in time snapshot of the demand for social housing support in each local authority area and does not necessarily reflect the dynamic nature of entry to and exit from the housing waiting lists. 2020 Report www.gov.ie/en/publication/970ea-summary-of-social-housing-assessments-2020-key-findings/#:~:text=The%20Summary%20of%20Social%20Housing,is%20not%20currently%20being%20met. It is important to note that only the results of the 2013, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020 summaries are directly comparable with each other. These summaries were carried out using a standardised methodology as specified by the Social Housing Assessment Regulations 2011. Previous summaries were not carried out under the current standardised assessment regime for social housing support which came into effect on 1 April 2011. As there were no assessments carried out in 2012, 2014 or 2015 my Department does not have data for those years. Below are links to the Housing Needs Assessment (HNA) for 2011 and SSHA reports for 2013, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019 which contain data broken down by local authority area. Report 2019 https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/29da7-summary-of-social-housing-assessments-2019-key-findings/ Report 2018 https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/6fab90-summary-of-social-housing-assessments-2018-key-findings/ Report 2017 https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/6205a6-summary-of-social-housing-assessments-2017/ Report 2016 https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/cce84-summary-of-social-housing-assessments-2016/ Report 2013 https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/3a099-summary-of-social-housing-assessments-2013-key-findings/ HNA 2011 https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/d2410-housing-needs-assessment", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2021-05-18/pq_395", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2021-05-18/395/" }, { "date": "2022-06-14", "question_number": 1364, "chamber": "33rd D\u00e1il", "topic": "Citizenship Applications", "asked_by": "Neale Richmond", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "1364. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Justice the number of persons who have been awarded Irish citizenship and their country of origin from 2015 to 2021 and to date in 2022; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30662/22]", "answer": "Minister for Justice The information requested by the Deputy can be found in the attached table. Where the total number of people of any given country of origin is less than five, no further breakdown is provided to protect the identity of the people concerned. I am deeply conscious of how important the granting of naturalisation is to those who apply for it and my Department continued to accept and process citizenship applications throughout the pandemic and during all levels of public health restrictions. It should be noted that last year, my Department made 11,512 citizenship decisions, which is the highest level since 2015, and this work has continued apace in 2022. The citizenship application process is reviewed on an ongoing basis to continually improve customer service quality. Feedback from applicants is taken on board and, as a result, a much more simplified, customer-focused and streamlined mechanism for applicants to provide their proofs of residence has recently been introduced. To further speed up the processing of applications, a number of digitisation measures have also been introduced to increase efficiency in the process, including eTax clearance, eVetting and online payments. The end result of the digitisation process will be to free up more staff to focus on processing applications in a timely and efficient manner, to improve service to our customers and reduce waiting times. Additional staff have also been assigned to the citizenship team. Since the beginning of this year, new applicants for citizenship no longer have to submit their original passport with their application. Instead, they can provide a full colour copy of their entire passport, including the front and back covers. This change in practice is welcomed by our customers and is also freeing up valuable staff time that up to now has been engaged in returning passports to applicants. I am also pleased to confirm that my Department will host the first in-person citizenship ceremony since the pandemic on 20 June 2022, with further ceremonies scheduled in December 2022, in Killarney. Column1 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 Grand Total Afghanistan 80 46 39 36 15 25 81 75 397 Albania 78 40 14 26 13 25 57 25 278 Algeria 79 54 20 25 8 8 51 40 285 Angola 78 46 26 16 7 8 19 9 209 Argentina 18 9 15 10 7 13 25 9 106 Armenia 16 11 2 9 3 3 6 3 53 Australia 57 36 32 32 31 12 66 30 296 Austria 1 3 2 3 0 1 2 1 13 Azerbaijan 5 2 2 2 3 3 6 3 26 Bahrain 0 1 2 2 0 0 2 0 7 Bangladesh 141 111 79 81 58 41 146 87 744 Barbados 0 1 1 0 0 1 1 1 5 Belarus 64 46 29 30 22 16 23 8 238 Belgium 5 4 3 4 6 3 4 4 33 Benin 7 0 1 2 0 1 2 1 14 Bhutan 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 5 6 Bolivia 3 4 2 2 1 1 3 4 20 Bosnia And Herzegovina 15 12 11 8 3 5 8 2 64 Botswana 7 7 4 5 7 4 11 3 48 Brazil 393 303 264 219 187 179 334 172 2,051 British Overseas Citizens (etc) 21 11 8 3 4 4 9 0 60 Bulgaria 107 76 60 57 47 62 75 33 517 Burkina Faso 3 3 0 0 0 0 0 2 8 Burundi 13 2 3 2 0 0 3 4 27 Cambodia 1 1 1 1 0 2 1 0 7 Cameroon 79 43 38 33 27 24 46 16 306 Canada 52 43 18 31 19 28 48 21 260 Chad 2 2 0 1 0 0 0 1 6 Chile 7 8 2 3 1 1 7 2 31 China (Including Hong Kong) 478 304 224 233 160 129 293 120 1,941 Colombia 13 17 11 15 8 5 15 9 93 Congo, The Democratic Republic Of The 245 155 74 56 34 43 101 66 774 Congo, The Republic Of The 11 9 4 4 3 1 6 2 40 Costa Rica 0 3 0 0 2 2 0 0 7 Cote D'Ivoire 24 10 9 5 8 3 17 5 81 Croatia 33 17 15 14 19 17 49 25 189 Cuba 8 4 2 5 2 7 4 4 36 Cyprus 0 2 1 0 2 0 1 1 7 Czech Republic 30 40 32 27 18 10 20 16 193 Denmark 0 4 4 2 1 1 5 0 17 Dominican Republic 4 2 4 0 2 1 5 1 19 Ecuador 4 3 3 2 3 0 1 3 19 Egypt 126 81 60 71 52 46 108 56 600 El Salvador 2 0 1 0 1 4 0 0 8 Eritrea 13 11 2 5 3 0 11 9 54 Estonia 27 25 24 23 11 16 23 7 156 Ethiopia 24 18 16 11 13 8 15 6 111 Fiji 4 0 0 1 2 1 0 0 8 Finland 1 6 1 2 2 3 0 0 15 France 25 25 31 28 20 15 29 15 188 Gambia 1 4 3 5 3 3 1 2 22 Georgia 46 31 30 18 18 17 35 29 224 Germany 33 27 26 42 26 15 35 18 222 Ghana 123 64 41 32 26 33 51 20 390 Greece 8 13 14 13 15 8 5 4 80 Guatemala 3 3 1 0 1 2 1 0 11 Guinea 22 10 7 16 6 3 12 6 82 Honduras 2 0 0 0 5 0 1 0 8 Hungary 172 216 163 142 101 80 114 41 1,029 India 1,616 1,028 665 629 514 465 746 302 5,965 Indonesia 8 6 7 6 3 5 10 2 47 Iran (Islamic Republic Of) 74 36 31 27 0 15 49 54 286 Iraq 99 39 24 23 12 22 65 92 376 Israel 19 16 6 20 15 5 19 4 104 Italy 38 37 39 44 32 36 64 45 335 Jamaica 11 5 6 8 3 3 7 0 43 Japan 5 3 5 7 1 1 7 1 30 Jordan 9 10 7 16 5 5 14 8 74 Kazakhstan 7 6 6 9 7 4 8 6 53 Kenya 45 25 13 25 14 20 28 20 190 Korea, Republic Of (South Korea) 15 9 3 7 10 2 11 0 57 Kosovo / UNSCR 1244 35 19 11 10 10 12 23 4 124 Kuwait 12 7 3 3 5 1 9 14 54 Kyrgyzstan 5 4 1 0 1 2 3 1 17 Lao People's Democratic Republic 3 0 1 4 0 0 0 0 8 Latvia 328 380 392 308 221 146 240 73 2,088 Lebanon 17 19 7 6 12 12 28 6 107 Lesotho 0 3 6 1 0 2 2 1 15 Liberia 16 15 3 5 1 0 6 4 50 Libyan Arab Jamahiriya 39 15 10 8 1 8 36 41 158 Lithuania 126 166 166 133 88 49 111 44 883 Malawi 17 12 13 4 10 8 19 14 97 Malaysia 149 111 68 76 39 27 69 27 566 Mali 0 1 1 0 1 3 4 2 12 Malta 0 0 1 0 1 1 3 0 6 Mauritius 76 74 68 76 68 59 85 46 552 Mexico 28 19 22 14 25 12 34 13 167 Missing 5 0 1 0 1 1 0 2 10 Moldova, Republic Of 131 70 43 26 32 30 42 8 382 Mongolia 19 16 19 10 8 5 25 15 117 Morocco 69 41 24 21 7 9 38 28 237 Mozambique 0 4 1 2 1 0 1 0 9 Multiple Nationality Recorded 1 1 1 0 0 0 2 2 7 Myanmar 10 9 3 1 1 0 6 5 35 Namibia 0 0 2 2 0 0 1 0 5 Nepal 42 32 13 17 16 25 23 10 178 Netherlands 7 4 5 6 5 0 9 1 37 New Zealand 26 31 15 14 14 9 28 10 147 Nicaragua 3 2 0 0 1 1 0 1 8 Niger 1 0 2 0 0 2 1 0 6 Nigeria 1,364 774 508 478 304 227 744 260 4,659 Other 6 1 1 3 1 2 2 0 16 Pakistan 730 419 340 363 125 136 611 466 3,190 Palestinian Territory, Occupied 23 9 9 10 6 14 20 16 107 Panama 1 2 0 2 0 0 0 0 5 Paraguay 0 5 1 0 0 2 1 0 9 Peru 15 11 5 8 5 6 3 3 56 Philippines 1,165 729 362 319 191 157 218 104 3,245 Poland 1,159 1,324 1,357 1,463 925 758 819 318 8,123 Portugal 11 11 14 18 4 9 10 12 89 Romania 902 756 763 819 552 538 721 370 5,421 Russian Federation 156 109 95 91 70 66 113 69 769 Rwanda 12 4 4 1 5 2 9 2 39 Saint Lucia 0 2 2 1 1 1 0 0 7 Saudi Arabia 1 1 0 0 0 0", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2022-06-14/pq_1364", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2022-06-14/1364/" }, { "date": "2023-01-18", "question_number": 1071, "chamber": "33rd D\u00e1il", "topic": "Asylum Applications", "asked_by": "Carol Nolan", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "1071. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Justice the number of asylum applications by month from January 2020 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63440/22]", "answer": "Minister for Justice I propose to take Questions Nos. 1071 and 1118 together. My Department's overall objective is to have decisions made on applications from people seeking international protection as quickly as possible. This ensures that those who are found to be in need of protection in Ireland can receive it quickly and begin rebuilding their lives here with a sense of safety and security. It must be acknowledged that those who do not have a legal right to remain in this country must return to their own country. A decision to effect a deportation order is taken following fair procedure and when the individual concerned has gone through all available avenues for appeal. The information sought by the Deputy with regard to the number of asylum applications by month from January 2020 to date, can be found in the tables below. New applications for International protection by month from Jan 2020 to December 2022* Year/Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec Total 2020 306 246 177 30 16 41 107 118 173 128 64 160 1,566 2021 138 91 138 113 132 116 156 262 332 329 387 455 2,649 2022 391 750 1032 1,172 1,543 1,605 1,266 1,132 1,060 1,189 1,313 1,198 13,651 During 2022 the number of people claiming international protection increased significantly, with cations made with the IPO. This is a 186% increase on the same period in 2019, the last year in which application numbers were not impacted by COVID-19. The information sought in relation to the total number of applications for asylum received in each year from 2016 to 2022 is provided in the table below. Year of Application No. of Applications 2016 2,244 2017 2,926 2018 3,674 2019 4,781 2020 1,566 2021 2, 649 2022 13, 651 The table below sets out the number of applications which were approved and rejected from 2016 to 2022 Year of Decision Refugee Status Grants (RS) Subsidiary Protection Grants (SP) RS/SP Refusals Total Decisions 2016 590 137 2,038 2,765 2017 686 106 400 1,192 2018 827 224 551 1,602 2019 954 168 1,745 2,867 2020 1,033 164 951 2,148 2021 1,107 105 983 2,195 2022 1,926 98 4,121 6,145 Total 7,123 1,002 10,789 18,914 * The figures in the table above refer to the year in which the decision was made and not necessarily to the year in which the application was made. My Department is committed to reducing processing times for international protection applicants and we are taking steps to ensure that applications are dealt with as quickly as possible. Over the last number of months, the International Protection Office has implemented a number of measures to improve efficiencies and throughput, in tandem with reforms to the application, interview and decision making process, and these are having a significant impact upon processing times. The Government has also committed additional funding of nearly \u20ac18m in 2023 that will also go towards increasing efficiency in processing applications, including by increasing staff numbers at the International Protection Office. Further reforms are being examined with a view to speeding up the processing of applications.", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2023-01-18/pq_1071", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2023-01-18/1071/" }, { "date": "2023-01-18", "question_number": 1118, "chamber": "33rd D\u00e1il", "topic": "Asylum Applications", "asked_by": "Carol Nolan", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "1118. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Justice the total number of applications for asylum received in each year from 2016 to 2022; the number of applications which were approved and rejected in those years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1421/23]", "answer": "Minister for Justice I propose to take Questions Nos. 1071 and 1118 together. My Department's overall objective is to have decisions made on applications from people seeking international protection as quickly as possible. This ensures that those who are found to be in need of protection in Ireland can receive it quickly and begin rebuilding their lives here with a sense of safety and security. It must be acknowledged that those who do not have a legal right to remain in this country must return to their own country. A decision to effect a deportation order is taken following fair procedure and when the individual concerned has gone through all available avenues for appeal. The information sought by the Deputy with regard to the number of asylum applications by month from January 2020 to date, can be found in the tables below. New applications for International protection by month from Jan 2020 to December 2022* Year/Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec Total 2020 306 246 177 30 16 41 107 118 173 128 64 160 1,566 2021 138 91 138 113 132 116 156 262 332 329 387 455 2,649 2022 391 750 1032 1,172 1,543 1,605 1,266 1,132 1,060 1,189 1,313 1,198 13,651 During 2022 the number of people claiming international protection increased significantly, with cations made with the IPO. This is a 186% increase on the same period in 2019, the last year in which application numbers were not impacted by COVID-19. The information sought in relation to the total number of applications for asylum received in each year from 2016 to 2022 is provided in the table below. Year of Application No. of Applications 2016 2,244 2017 2,926 2018 3,674 2019 4,781 2020 1,566 2021 2, 649 2022 13, 651 The table below sets out the number of applications which were approved and rejected from 2016 to 2022 Year of Decision Refugee Status Grants (RS) Subsidiary Protection Grants (SP) RS/SP Refusals Total Decisions 2016 590 137 2,038 2,765 2017 686 106 400 1,192 2018 827 224 551 1,602 2019 954 168 1,745 2,867 2020 1,033 164 951 2,148 2021 1,107 105 983 2,195 2022 1,926 98 4,121 6,145 Total 7,123 1,002 10,789 18,914 * The figures in the table above refer to the year in which the decision was made and not necessarily to the year in which the application was made. My Department is committed to reducing processing times for international protection applicants and we are taking steps to ensure that applications are dealt with as quickly as possible. Over the last number of months, the International Protection Office has implemented a number of measures to improve efficiencies and throughput, in tandem with reforms to the application, interview and decision making process, and these are having a significant impact upon processing times. The Government has also committed additional funding of nearly \u20ac18m in 2023 that will also go towards increasing efficiency in processing applications, including by increasing staff numbers at the International Protection Office. Further reforms are being examined with a view to speeding up the processing of applications.", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2023-01-18/pq_1118", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2023-01-18/1118/" }, { "date": "2025-09-08", "question_number": 1578, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "International Protection", "asked_by": "Ken O'Flynn", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "1578. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of family reunification applications received; the number approved; the number of dependants admitted under the International Protection Act 2015 for each of the years since 2019; and if he will publish the internal business case referenced in documents released to RT\u00c9 under freedom of information. [45556/25]", "answer": "Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration I propose to take Questions Nos. 1578, 1580, 1581, 1582, 1584, 1585, 1588 and 1589 together. I understand the Deputy is referring to Family reunification (FRU) as provided for in Section 56 of the International Protection Act 2015 which allows people granted international Protection status to apply for certain family members to join them in the State. An application for FRU must be made by the sponsor within 12 months of them being granted an International Protection permission. The provisions of the 2015 Act on FRU give effect to the EU Directive 2004/83/EC which contains provisions on maintaining family unity. These provisions are under review in the context of reforms to asylum and migration policy and the implementation of the EU Migration and Asylum Pact. My Department works closely with other Government Departments including through the new Strategic Migration Policy Group (SMPG) to ensure that migration policy is joined up across Government. The Programme for Government commits to developing a new National Migration and Integration Strategy. Detailed work on this is ongoing through the SMPG and it is planned to publish this Strategy in the next year. In relation to the cited court case, I can inform the Deputy that this case does not refer to Section 56 FRU applications. However, decisions on Section 56 applications are made strictly in line with existing legislation. Full information on the policy is available on my Department's website here: www.irishimmigration.ie/coming-to-join-family-in-ireland/family-reunification-of-international-protection-holders/. Any person granted International Protection status is eligible to apply. The sponsor is required to complete a questionnaire regarding their family members. My Department will require evidence that demonstrates the family members' relationship and their identity. Furthermore, where a family member has been granted an FRU permission, they may also be required to make an application for a visa to travel to the State. In relation to how Ireland compares to other EU countries when it comes to family reunification, it is important to note that Ireland is not party to EU Council Directive 2003/86/EC on Family Reunification. The EU Migration and Asylum Pact is a new EU framework to manage migration and asylum for the long-term. The overall objective of the Pact is to provide a fair, sustainable and efficient asylum procedure. This will be achieved through convergence in asylum practices across the EU. Ireland has opted in to Regulation (EU) 2024/1347, the Qualification Regulation. This Regulation sets out the rights available to those granted an International Protection declaration with regards to family reunification. The new International Protection Bill, which will give effect to the Pact measures and will replace the International Protection Act 2015, will make provision for family reunification in accordance with the provisions on maintaining family unity set out in the Qualification Regulation. In relation to the FOI cited, I can assure the Deputy that I am committed to enhancing transparency and effective communication of my Department\u2019s work, including in the area of International Protection, and to publishing regular statistics on international protection. Statistics on staff numbers at the International Protection Office (IPO) are published monthly on www.gov.ie/en/collection/48a28-international-protection-in-numbers/. The International Protection Appeals Tribunal (IPAT) publish figures on staffing in their annual report which can be found here: www.protectionappeals.ie/annual-reports/. In relation to funding, a programme breakdown is published in the Revised Estimates which can be found here: https://assets.gov.ie/static/documents/Revised_and_Further_Revised_Estimates_Presidents_Establishment_Department_of_the_Taois.pdf. The Appropriation Accounts can be found here: www.audit.gov.ie/en/publications/appropriation%20accounts/appropriation-accounts-20231.html. Table 1 below shows the number of FRU sponsor applications received and the number of family members associated with these applications from 2019, up to 01 September 2025. Table 1 Year Sponsor applications received Number of associated family members 2019 312 747 2020 427 1051 2021 451 1209 2022 760 2245 2023 810 2330 2024 1477 4467 2025 (up to 01 September) 883 2,566 * Please note, figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing Table 2 below shows the number of FRU application decisions issued for family members, the number of family members granted an FRU permission, and the number of applications refused, deemed ineligible or withdrawn from 2019, up to 01 September 2025. Table 2 Year Total family member decisions issued** Number of family members granted Applications Refused/ Ineligible/ Withdrawn 2019 629 265 364 2020 601 196 405 2021 1163 484 679 2022 1432 475 957 2023 813 407 406 2024 1979 983 996 2025 (up to 01 September) 1197 449 748 * Please note, figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing **Decisions issued in any year may relate to applications which were received in previous years due to the time taken to process applications.", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2025-09-08/pq_1578", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2025-09-08/1578/" }, { "date": "2025-09-08", "question_number": 1580, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "International Protection", "asked_by": "Ken O'Flynn", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "1580. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration whether family reunification rights under the International Protection Act 2015 are being applied more broadly than the statutory definition in view of recent court rulings; and if he will set out his Department\u2019s position on this matter. [45558/25]", "answer": "Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration I propose to take Questions Nos. 1578, 1580, 1581, 1582, 1584, 1585, 1588 and 1589 together. I understand the Deputy is referring to Family reunification (FRU) as provided for in Section 56 of the International Protection Act 2015 which allows people granted international Protection status to apply for certain family members to join them in the State. An application for FRU must be made by the sponsor within 12 months of them being granted an International Protection permission. The provisions of the 2015 Act on FRU give effect to the EU Directive 2004/83/EC which contains provisions on maintaining family unity. These provisions are under review in the context of reforms to asylum and migration policy and the implementation of the EU Migration and Asylum Pact. My Department works closely with other Government Departments including through the new Strategic Migration Policy Group (SMPG) to ensure that migration policy is joined up across Government. The Programme for Government commits to developing a new National Migration and Integration Strategy. Detailed work on this is ongoing through the SMPG and it is planned to publish this Strategy in the next year. In relation to the cited court case, I can inform the Deputy that this case does not refer to Section 56 FRU applications. However, decisions on Section 56 applications are made strictly in line with existing legislation. Full information on the policy is available on my Department's website here: www.irishimmigration.ie/coming-to-join-family-in-ireland/family-reunification-of-international-protection-holders/. Any person granted International Protection status is eligible to apply. The sponsor is required to complete a questionnaire regarding their family members. My Department will require evidence that demonstrates the family members' relationship and their identity. Furthermore, where a family member has been granted an FRU permission, they may also be required to make an application for a visa to travel to the State. In relation to how Ireland compares to other EU countries when it comes to family reunification, it is important to note that Ireland is not party to EU Council Directive 2003/86/EC on Family Reunification. The EU Migration and Asylum Pact is a new EU framework to manage migration and asylum for the long-term. The overall objective of the Pact is to provide a fair, sustainable and efficient asylum procedure. This will be achieved through convergence in asylum practices across the EU. Ireland has opted in to Regulation (EU) 2024/1347, the Qualification Regulation. This Regulation sets out the rights available to those granted an International Protection declaration with regards to family reunification. The new International Protection Bill, which will give effect to the Pact measures and will replace the International Protection Act 2015, will make provision for family reunification in accordance with the provisions on maintaining family unity set out in the Qualification Regulation. In relation to the FOI cited, I can assure the Deputy that I am committed to enhancing transparency and effective communication of my Department\u2019s work, including in the area of International Protection, and to publishing regular statistics on international protection. Statistics on staff numbers at the International Protection Office (IPO) are published monthly on www.gov.ie/en/collection/48a28-international-protection-in-numbers/. The International Protection Appeals Tribunal (IPAT) publish figures on staffing in their annual report which can be found here: www.protectionappeals.ie/annual-reports/. In relation to funding, a programme breakdown is published in the Revised Estimates which can be found here: https://assets.gov.ie/static/documents/Revised_and_Further_Revised_Estimates_Presidents_Establishment_Department_of_the_Taois.pdf. The Appropriation Accounts can be found here: www.audit.gov.ie/en/publications/appropriation%20accounts/appropriation-accounts-20231.html. Table 1 below shows the number of FRU sponsor applications received and the number of family members associated with these applications from 2019, up to 01 September 2025. Table 1 Year Sponsor applications received Number of associated family members 2019 312 747 2020 427 1051 2021 451 1209 2022 760 2245 2023 810 2330 2024 1477 4467 2025 (up to 01 September) 883 2,566 * Please note, figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing Table 2 below shows the number of FRU application decisions issued for family members, the number of family members granted an FRU permission, and the number of applications refused, deemed ineligible or withdrawn from 2019, up to 01 September 2025. Table 2 Year Total family member decisions issued** Number of family members granted Applications Refused/ Ineligible/ Withdrawn 2019 629 265 364 2020 601 196 405 2021 1163 484 679 2022 1432 475 957 2023 813 407 406 2024 1979 983 996 2025 (up to 01 September) 1197 449 748 * Please note, figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing **Decisions issued in any year may relate to applications which were received in previous years due to the time taken to process applications.", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2025-09-08/pq_1580", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2025-09-08/1580/" }, { "date": "2025-09-08", "question_number": 1581, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "International Protection", "asked_by": "Ken O'Flynn", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "1581. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if he will review the legislative framework on family reunification in view of the fact that approvals now average 2.5 dependants per applicant, effectively doubling asylum intake numbers. [45559/25]", "answer": "Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration I propose to take Questions Nos. 1578, 1580, 1581, 1582, 1584, 1585, 1588 and 1589 together. I understand the Deputy is referring to Family reunification (FRU) as provided for in Section 56 of the International Protection Act 2015 which allows people granted international Protection status to apply for certain family members to join them in the State. An application for FRU must be made by the sponsor within 12 months of them being granted an International Protection permission. The provisions of the 2015 Act on FRU give effect to the EU Directive 2004/83/EC which contains provisions on maintaining family unity. These provisions are under review in the context of reforms to asylum and migration policy and the implementation of the EU Migration and Asylum Pact. My Department works closely with other Government Departments including through the new Strategic Migration Policy Group (SMPG) to ensure that migration policy is joined up across Government. The Programme for Government commits to developing a new National Migration and Integration Strategy. Detailed work on this is ongoing through the SMPG and it is planned to publish this Strategy in the next year. In relation to the cited court case, I can inform the Deputy that this case does not refer to Section 56 FRU applications. However, decisions on Section 56 applications are made strictly in line with existing legislation. Full information on the policy is available on my Department's website here: www.irishimmigration.ie/coming-to-join-family-in-ireland/family-reunification-of-international-protection-holders/. Any person granted International Protection status is eligible to apply. The sponsor is required to complete a questionnaire regarding their family members. My Department will require evidence that demonstrates the family members' relationship and their identity. Furthermore, where a family member has been granted an FRU permission, they may also be required to make an application for a visa to travel to the State. In relation to how Ireland compares to other EU countries when it comes to family reunification, it is important to note that Ireland is not party to EU Council Directive 2003/86/EC on Family Reunification. The EU Migration and Asylum Pact is a new EU framework to manage migration and asylum for the long-term. The overall objective of the Pact is to provide a fair, sustainable and efficient asylum procedure. This will be achieved through convergence in asylum practices across the EU. Ireland has opted in to Regulation (EU) 2024/1347, the Qualification Regulation. This Regulation sets out the rights available to those granted an International Protection declaration with regards to family reunification. The new International Protection Bill, which will give effect to the Pact measures and will replace the International Protection Act 2015, will make provision for family reunification in accordance with the provisions on maintaining family unity set out in the Qualification Regulation. In relation to the FOI cited, I can assure the Deputy that I am committed to enhancing transparency and effective communication of my Department\u2019s work, including in the area of International Protection, and to publishing regular statistics on international protection. Statistics on staff numbers at the International Protection Office (IPO) are published monthly on www.gov.ie/en/collection/48a28-international-protection-in-numbers/. The International Protection Appeals Tribunal (IPAT) publish figures on staffing in their annual report which can be found here: www.protectionappeals.ie/annual-reports/. In relation to funding, a programme breakdown is published in the Revised Estimates which can be found here: https://assets.gov.ie/static/documents/Revised_and_Further_Revised_Estimates_Presidents_Establishment_Department_of_the_Taois.pdf. The Appropriation Accounts can be found here: www.audit.gov.ie/en/publications/appropriation%20accounts/appropriation-accounts-20231.html. Table 1 below shows the number of FRU sponsor applications received and the number of family members associated with these applications from 2019, up to 01 September 2025. Table 1 Year Sponsor applications received Number of associated family members 2019 312 747 2020 427 1051 2021 451 1209 2022 760 2245 2023 810 2330 2024 1477 4467 2025 (up to 01 September) 883 2,566 * Please note, figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing Table 2 below shows the number of FRU application decisions issued for family members, the number of family members granted an FRU permission, and the number of applications refused, deemed ineligible or withdrawn from 2019, up to 01 September 2025. Table 2 Year Total family member decisions issued** Number of family members granted Applications Refused/ Ineligible/ Withdrawn 2019 629 265 364 2020 601 196 405 2021 1163 484 679 2022 1432 475 957 2023 813 407 406 2024 1979 983 996 2025 (up to 01 September) 1197 449 748 * Please note, figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing **Decisions issued in any year may relate to applications which were received in previous years due to the time taken to process applications.", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2025-09-08/pq_1581", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2025-09-08/1581/" }, { "date": "2025-09-08", "question_number": 1582, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "International Protection", "asked_by": "Ken O'Flynn", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "1582. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration whether his Department has considered introducing thresholds or conditions, such as financial capacity, housing availability, or integration requirements, before family reunification rights can be exercised. [45560/25]", "answer": "Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration I propose to take Questions Nos. 1578, 1580, 1581, 1582, 1584, 1585, 1588 and 1589 together. I understand the Deputy is referring to Family reunification (FRU) as provided for in Section 56 of the International Protection Act 2015 which allows people granted international Protection status to apply for certain family members to join them in the State. An application for FRU must be made by the sponsor within 12 months of them being granted an International Protection permission. The provisions of the 2015 Act on FRU give effect to the EU Directive 2004/83/EC which contains provisions on maintaining family unity. These provisions are under review in the context of reforms to asylum and migration policy and the implementation of the EU Migration and Asylum Pact. My Department works closely with other Government Departments including through the new Strategic Migration Policy Group (SMPG) to ensure that migration policy is joined up across Government. The Programme for Government commits to developing a new National Migration and Integration Strategy. Detailed work on this is ongoing through the SMPG and it is planned to publish this Strategy in the next year. In relation to the cited court case, I can inform the Deputy that this case does not refer to Section 56 FRU applications. However, decisions on Section 56 applications are made strictly in line with existing legislation. Full information on the policy is available on my Department's website here: www.irishimmigration.ie/coming-to-join-family-in-ireland/family-reunification-of-international-protection-holders/. Any person granted International Protection status is eligible to apply. The sponsor is required to complete a questionnaire regarding their family members. My Department will require evidence that demonstrates the family members' relationship and their identity. Furthermore, where a family member has been granted an FRU permission, they may also be required to make an application for a visa to travel to the State. In relation to how Ireland compares to other EU countries when it comes to family reunification, it is important to note that Ireland is not party to EU Council Directive 2003/86/EC on Family Reunification. The EU Migration and Asylum Pact is a new EU framework to manage migration and asylum for the long-term. The overall objective of the Pact is to provide a fair, sustainable and efficient asylum procedure. This will be achieved through convergence in asylum practices across the EU. Ireland has opted in to Regulation (EU) 2024/1347, the Qualification Regulation. This Regulation sets out the rights available to those granted an International Protection declaration with regards to family reunification. The new International Protection Bill, which will give effect to the Pact measures and will replace the International Protection Act 2015, will make provision for family reunification in accordance with the provisions on maintaining family unity set out in the Qualification Regulation. In relation to the FOI cited, I can assure the Deputy that I am committed to enhancing transparency and effective communication of my Department\u2019s work, including in the area of International Protection, and to publishing regular statistics on international protection. Statistics on staff numbers at the International Protection Office (IPO) are published monthly on www.gov.ie/en/collection/48a28-international-protection-in-numbers/. The International Protection Appeals Tribunal (IPAT) publish figures on staffing in their annual report which can be found here: www.protectionappeals.ie/annual-reports/. In relation to funding, a programme breakdown is published in the Revised Estimates which can be found here: https://assets.gov.ie/static/documents/Revised_and_Further_Revised_Estimates_Presidents_Establishment_Department_of_the_Taois.pdf. The Appropriation Accounts can be found here: www.audit.gov.ie/en/publications/appropriation%20accounts/appropriation-accounts-20231.html. Table 1 below shows the number of FRU sponsor applications received and the number of family members associated with these applications from 2019, up to 01 September 2025. Table 1 Year Sponsor applications received Number of associated family members 2019 312 747 2020 427 1051 2021 451 1209 2022 760 2245 2023 810 2330 2024 1477 4467 2025 (up to 01 September) 883 2,566 * Please note, figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing Table 2 below shows the number of FRU application decisions issued for family members, the number of family members granted an FRU permission, and the number of applications refused, deemed ineligible or withdrawn from 2019, up to 01 September 2025. Table 2 Year Total family member decisions issued** Number of family members granted Applications Refused/ Ineligible/ Withdrawn 2019 629 265 364 2020 601 196 405 2021 1163 484 679 2022 1432 475 957 2023 813 407 406 2024 1979 983 996 2025 (up to 01 September) 1197 449 748 * Please note, figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing **Decisions issued in any year may relate to applications which were received in previous years due to the time taken to process applications.", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2025-09-08/pq_1582", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2025-09-08/1582/" }, { "date": "2025-09-08", "question_number": 1584, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "International Protection", "asked_by": "Ken O'Flynn", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "1584. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration whether persons that arrived in the State without identification documents are subsequently permitted to exercise family reunification rights; and if so, the way in which identity verification of family members is conducted in such cases. [45562/25]", "answer": "Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration I propose to take Questions Nos. 1578, 1580, 1581, 1582, 1584, 1585, 1588 and 1589 together. I understand the Deputy is referring to Family reunification (FRU) as provided for in Section 56 of the International Protection Act 2015 which allows people granted international Protection status to apply for certain family members to join them in the State. An application for FRU must be made by the sponsor within 12 months of them being granted an International Protection permission. The provisions of the 2015 Act on FRU give effect to the EU Directive 2004/83/EC which contains provisions on maintaining family unity. These provisions are under review in the context of reforms to asylum and migration policy and the implementation of the EU Migration and Asylum Pact. My Department works closely with other Government Departments including through the new Strategic Migration Policy Group (SMPG) to ensure that migration policy is joined up across Government. The Programme for Government commits to developing a new National Migration and Integration Strategy. Detailed work on this is ongoing through the SMPG and it is planned to publish this Strategy in the next year. In relation to the cited court case, I can inform the Deputy that this case does not refer to Section 56 FRU applications. However, decisions on Section 56 applications are made strictly in line with existing legislation. Full information on the policy is available on my Department's website here: www.irishimmigration.ie/coming-to-join-family-in-ireland/family-reunification-of-international-protection-holders/. Any person granted International Protection status is eligible to apply. The sponsor is required to complete a questionnaire regarding their family members. My Department will require evidence that demonstrates the family members' relationship and their identity. Furthermore, where a family member has been granted an FRU permission, they may also be required to make an application for a visa to travel to the State. In relation to how Ireland compares to other EU countries when it comes to family reunification, it is important to note that Ireland is not party to EU Council Directive 2003/86/EC on Family Reunification. The EU Migration and Asylum Pact is a new EU framework to manage migration and asylum for the long-term. The overall objective of the Pact is to provide a fair, sustainable and efficient asylum procedure. This will be achieved through convergence in asylum practices across the EU. Ireland has opted in to Regulation (EU) 2024/1347, the Qualification Regulation. This Regulation sets out the rights available to those granted an International Protection declaration with regards to family reunification. The new International Protection Bill, which will give effect to the Pact measures and will replace the International Protection Act 2015, will make provision for family reunification in accordance with the provisions on maintaining family unity set out in the Qualification Regulation. In relation to the FOI cited, I can assure the Deputy that I am committed to enhancing transparency and effective communication of my Department\u2019s work, including in the area of International Protection, and to publishing regular statistics on international protection. Statistics on staff numbers at the International Protection Office (IPO) are published monthly on www.gov.ie/en/collection/48a28-international-protection-in-numbers/. The International Protection Appeals Tribunal (IPAT) publish figures on staffing in their annual report which can be found here: www.protectionappeals.ie/annual-reports/. In relation to funding, a programme breakdown is published in the Revised Estimates which can be found here: https://assets.gov.ie/static/documents/Revised_and_Further_Revised_Estimates_Presidents_Establishment_Department_of_the_Taois.pdf. The Appropriation Accounts can be found here: www.audit.gov.ie/en/publications/appropriation%20accounts/appropriation-accounts-20231.html. Table 1 below shows the number of FRU sponsor applications received and the number of family members associated with these applications from 2019, up to 01 September 2025. Table 1 Year Sponsor applications received Number of associated family members 2019 312 747 2020 427 1051 2021 451 1209 2022 760 2245 2023 810 2330 2024 1477 4467 2025 (up to 01 September) 883 2,566 * Please note, figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing Table 2 below shows the number of FRU application decisions issued for family members, the number of family members granted an FRU permission, and the number of applications refused, deemed ineligible or withdrawn from 2019, up to 01 September 2025. Table 2 Year Total family member decisions issued** Number of family members granted Applications Refused/ Ineligible/ Withdrawn 2019 629 265 364 2020 601 196 405 2021 1163 484 679 2022 1432 475 957 2023 813 407 406 2024 1979 983 996 2025 (up to 01 September) 1197 449 748 * Please note, figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing **Decisions issued in any year may relate to applications which were received in previous years due to the time taken to process applications.", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2025-09-08/pq_1584", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2025-09-08/1584/" }, { "date": "2025-09-08", "question_number": 1585, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "International Protection", "asked_by": "Ken O'Flynn", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "1585. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the way in which Ireland\u2019s family reunification provisions compare with those in other EU member states in terms of categories of relatives admitted and the average numbers approved per application. [45563/25]", "answer": "Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration I propose to take Questions Nos. 1578, 1580, 1581, 1582, 1584, 1585, 1588 and 1589 together. I understand the Deputy is referring to Family reunification (FRU) as provided for in Section 56 of the International Protection Act 2015 which allows people granted international Protection status to apply for certain family members to join them in the State. An application for FRU must be made by the sponsor within 12 months of them being granted an International Protection permission. The provisions of the 2015 Act on FRU give effect to the EU Directive 2004/83/EC which contains provisions on maintaining family unity. These provisions are under review in the context of reforms to asylum and migration policy and the implementation of the EU Migration and Asylum Pact. My Department works closely with other Government Departments including through the new Strategic Migration Policy Group (SMPG) to ensure that migration policy is joined up across Government. The Programme for Government commits to developing a new National Migration and Integration Strategy. Detailed work on this is ongoing through the SMPG and it is planned to publish this Strategy in the next year. In relation to the cited court case, I can inform the Deputy that this case does not refer to Section 56 FRU applications. However, decisions on Section 56 applications are made strictly in line with existing legislation. Full information on the policy is available on my Department's website here: www.irishimmigration.ie/coming-to-join-family-in-ireland/family-reunification-of-international-protection-holders/. Any person granted International Protection status is eligible to apply. The sponsor is required to complete a questionnaire regarding their family members. My Department will require evidence that demonstrates the family members' relationship and their identity. Furthermore, where a family member has been granted an FRU permission, they may also be required to make an application for a visa to travel to the State. In relation to how Ireland compares to other EU countries when it comes to family reunification, it is important to note that Ireland is not party to EU Council Directive 2003/86/EC on Family Reunification. The EU Migration and Asylum Pact is a new EU framework to manage migration and asylum for the long-term. The overall objective of the Pact is to provide a fair, sustainable and efficient asylum procedure. This will be achieved through convergence in asylum practices across the EU. Ireland has opted in to Regulation (EU) 2024/1347, the Qualification Regulation. This Regulation sets out the rights available to those granted an International Protection declaration with regards to family reunification. The new International Protection Bill, which will give effect to the Pact measures and will replace the International Protection Act 2015, will make provision for family reunification in accordance with the provisions on maintaining family unity set out in the Qualification Regulation. In relation to the FOI cited, I can assure the Deputy that I am committed to enhancing transparency and effective communication of my Department\u2019s work, including in the area of International Protection, and to publishing regular statistics on international protection. Statistics on staff numbers at the International Protection Office (IPO) are published monthly on www.gov.ie/en/collection/48a28-international-protection-in-numbers/. The International Protection Appeals Tribunal (IPAT) publish figures on staffing in their annual report which can be found here: www.protectionappeals.ie/annual-reports/. In relation to funding, a programme breakdown is published in the Revised Estimates which can be found here: https://assets.gov.ie/static/documents/Revised_and_Further_Revised_Estimates_Presidents_Establishment_Department_of_the_Taois.pdf. The Appropriation Accounts can be found here: www.audit.gov.ie/en/publications/appropriation%20accounts/appropriation-accounts-20231.html. Table 1 below shows the number of FRU sponsor applications received and the number of family members associated with these applications from 2019, up to 01 September 2025. Table 1 Year Sponsor applications received Number of associated family members 2019 312 747 2020 427 1051 2021 451 1209 2022 760 2245 2023 810 2330 2024 1477 4467 2025 (up to 01 September) 883 2,566 * Please note, figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing Table 2 below shows the number of FRU application decisions issued for family members, the number of family members granted an FRU permission, and the number of applications refused, deemed ineligible or withdrawn from 2019, up to 01 September 2025. Table 2 Year Total family member decisions issued** Number of family members granted Applications Refused/ Ineligible/ Withdrawn 2019 629 265 364 2020 601 196 405 2021 1163 484 679 2022 1432 475 957 2023 813 407 406 2024 1979 983 996 2025 (up to 01 September) 1197 449 748 * Please note, figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing **Decisions issued in any year may relate to applications which were received in previous years due to the time taken to process applications.", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2025-09-08/pq_1585", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2025-09-08/1585/" }, { "date": "2025-09-08", "question_number": 1588, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "International Protection", "asked_by": "Ken O'Flynn", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "1588. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the assessment made of the cost implications for healthcare provision associated with family reunification; and whether his Department has commissioned a service impact study on this matter. [45567/25]", "answer": "Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration I propose to take Questions Nos. 1578, 1580, 1581, 1582, 1584, 1585, 1588 and 1589 together. I understand the Deputy is referring to Family reunification (FRU) as provided for in Section 56 of the International Protection Act 2015 which allows people granted international Protection status to apply for certain family members to join them in the State. An application for FRU must be made by the sponsor within 12 months of them being granted an International Protection permission. The provisions of the 2015 Act on FRU give effect to the EU Directive 2004/83/EC which contains provisions on maintaining family unity. These provisions are under review in the context of reforms to asylum and migration policy and the implementation of the EU Migration and Asylum Pact. My Department works closely with other Government Departments including through the new Strategic Migration Policy Group (SMPG) to ensure that migration policy is joined up across Government. The Programme for Government commits to developing a new National Migration and Integration Strategy. Detailed work on this is ongoing through the SMPG and it is planned to publish this Strategy in the next year. In relation to the cited court case, I can inform the Deputy that this case does not refer to Section 56 FRU applications. However, decisions on Section 56 applications are made strictly in line with existing legislation. Full information on the policy is available on my Department's website here: www.irishimmigration.ie/coming-to-join-family-in-ireland/family-reunification-of-international-protection-holders/. Any person granted International Protection status is eligible to apply. The sponsor is required to complete a questionnaire regarding their family members. My Department will require evidence that demonstrates the family members' relationship and their identity. Furthermore, where a family member has been granted an FRU permission, they may also be required to make an application for a visa to travel to the State. In relation to how Ireland compares to other EU countries when it comes to family reunification, it is important to note that Ireland is not party to EU Council Directive 2003/86/EC on Family Reunification. The EU Migration and Asylum Pact is a new EU framework to manage migration and asylum for the long-term. The overall objective of the Pact is to provide a fair, sustainable and efficient asylum procedure. This will be achieved through convergence in asylum practices across the EU. Ireland has opted in to Regulation (EU) 2024/1347, the Qualification Regulation. This Regulation sets out the rights available to those granted an International Protection declaration with regards to family reunification. The new International Protection Bill, which will give effect to the Pact measures and will replace the International Protection Act 2015, will make provision for family reunification in accordance with the provisions on maintaining family unity set out in the Qualification Regulation. In relation to the FOI cited, I can assure the Deputy that I am committed to enhancing transparency and effective communication of my Department\u2019s work, including in the area of International Protection, and to publishing regular statistics on international protection. Statistics on staff numbers at the International Protection Office (IPO) are published monthly on www.gov.ie/en/collection/48a28-international-protection-in-numbers/. The International Protection Appeals Tribunal (IPAT) publish figures on staffing in their annual report which can be found here: www.protectionappeals.ie/annual-reports/. In relation to funding, a programme breakdown is published in the Revised Estimates which can be found here: https://assets.gov.ie/static/documents/Revised_and_Further_Revised_Estimates_Presidents_Establishment_Department_of_the_Taois.pdf. The Appropriation Accounts can be found here: www.audit.gov.ie/en/publications/appropriation%20accounts/appropriation-accounts-20231.html. Table 1 below shows the number of FRU sponsor applications received and the number of family members associated with these applications from 2019, up to 01 September 2025. Table 1 Year Sponsor applications received Number of associated family members 2019 312 747 2020 427 1051 2021 451 1209 2022 760 2245 2023 810 2330 2024 1477 4467 2025 (up to 01 September) 883 2,566 * Please note, figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing Table 2 below shows the number of FRU application decisions issued for family members, the number of family members granted an FRU permission, and the number of applications refused, deemed ineligible or withdrawn from 2019, up to 01 September 2025. Table 2 Year Total family member decisions issued** Number of family members granted Applications Refused/ Ineligible/ Withdrawn 2019 629 265 364 2020 601 196 405 2021 1163 484 679 2022 1432 475 957 2023 813 407 406 2024 1979 983 996 2025 (up to 01 September) 1197 449 748 * Please note, figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing **Decisions issued in any year may relate to applications which were received in previous years due to the time taken to process applications.", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2025-09-08/pq_1588", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2025-09-08/1588/" }, { "date": "2025-09-08", "question_number": 1589, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "International Protection", "asked_by": "Ken O'Flynn", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "1589. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if his Department has prepared an inter-departmental strategy, in cooperation with the Departments of Justice, Housing, Health and Education, to coordinate the arrival and integration of family reunification beneficiaries; and if not, if she will bring forward such a plan. [45568/25]", "answer": "Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration I propose to take Questions Nos. 1578, 1580, 1581, 1582, 1584, 1585, 1588 and 1589 together. I understand the Deputy is referring to Family reunification (FRU) as provided for in Section 56 of the International Protection Act 2015 which allows people granted international Protection status to apply for certain family members to join them in the State. An application for FRU must be made by the sponsor within 12 months of them being granted an International Protection permission. The provisions of the 2015 Act on FRU give effect to the EU Directive 2004/83/EC which contains provisions on maintaining family unity. These provisions are under review in the context of reforms to asylum and migration policy and the implementation of the EU Migration and Asylum Pact. My Department works closely with other Government Departments including through the new Strategic Migration Policy Group (SMPG) to ensure that migration policy is joined up across Government. The Programme for Government commits to developing a new National Migration and Integration Strategy. Detailed work on this is ongoing through the SMPG and it is planned to publish this Strategy in the next year. In relation to the cited court case, I can inform the Deputy that this case does not refer to Section 56 FRU applications. However, decisions on Section 56 applications are made strictly in line with existing legislation. Full information on the policy is available on my Department's website here: www.irishimmigration.ie/coming-to-join-family-in-ireland/family-reunification-of-international-protection-holders/. Any person granted International Protection status is eligible to apply. The sponsor is required to complete a questionnaire regarding their family members. My Department will require evidence that demonstrates the family members' relationship and their identity. Furthermore, where a family member has been granted an FRU permission, they may also be required to make an application for a visa to travel to the State. In relation to how Ireland compares to other EU countries when it comes to family reunification, it is important to note that Ireland is not party to EU Council Directive 2003/86/EC on Family Reunification. The EU Migration and Asylum Pact is a new EU framework to manage migration and asylum for the long-term. The overall objective of the Pact is to provide a fair, sustainable and efficient asylum procedure. This will be achieved through convergence in asylum practices across the EU. Ireland has opted in to Regulation (EU) 2024/1347, the Qualification Regulation. This Regulation sets out the rights available to those granted an International Protection declaration with regards to family reunification. The new International Protection Bill, which will give effect to the Pact measures and will replace the International Protection Act 2015, will make provision for family reunification in accordance with the provisions on maintaining family unity set out in the Qualification Regulation. In relation to the FOI cited, I can assure the Deputy that I am committed to enhancing transparency and effective communication of my Department\u2019s work, including in the area of International Protection, and to publishing regular statistics on international protection. Statistics on staff numbers at the International Protection Office (IPO) are published monthly on www.gov.ie/en/collection/48a28-international-protection-in-numbers/. The International Protection Appeals Tribunal (IPAT) publish figures on staffing in their annual report which can be found here: www.protectionappeals.ie/annual-reports/. In relation to funding, a programme breakdown is published in the Revised Estimates which can be found here: https://assets.gov.ie/static/documents/Revised_and_Further_Revised_Estimates_Presidents_Establishment_Department_of_the_Taois.pdf. The Appropriation Accounts can be found here: www.audit.gov.ie/en/publications/appropriation%20accounts/appropriation-accounts-20231.html. Table 1 below shows the number of FRU sponsor applications received and the number of family members associated with these applications from 2019, up to 01 September 2025. Table 1 Year Sponsor applications received Number of associated family members 2019 312 747 2020 427 1051 2021 451 1209 2022 760 2245 2023 810 2330 2024 1477 4467 2025 (up to 01 September) 883 2,566 * Please note, figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing Table 2 below shows the number of FRU application decisions issued for family members, the number of family members granted an FRU permission, and the number of applications refused, deemed ineligible or withdrawn from 2019, up to 01 September 2025. Table 2 Year Total family member decisions issued** Number of family members granted Applications Refused/ Ineligible/ Withdrawn 2019 629 265 364 2020 601 196 405 2021 1163 484 679 2022 1432 475 957 2023 813 407 406 2024 1979 983 996 2025 (up to 01 September) 1197 449 748 * Please note, figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing **Decisions issued in any year may relate to applications which were received in previous years due to the time taken to process applications.", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2025-09-08/pq_1589", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2025-09-08/1589/" }, { "date": "2025-11-12", "question_number": 710, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "Work Permits", "asked_by": "Eoin Hayes", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "710. Deputy Eoin Hayes asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if he will provide a breakdown of the number of labour market access permission applications made and granted since 2015, or latest data available; the number of LMA5 forms returned during that period, on an annual basis, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61056/25]", "answer": "Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration I propose to take Questions Nos. 710 and 711 together. Labour Market Access Permission became available to eligible International Protection applicants in July 2018. Under the European Communities (Reception Conditions) Regulations 2018 (S.I. No. 230 of 2018), people are eligible to apply for labour market access permission if: * They are an international protection applicant; and * They have waited at least 5 months from their \u201cApplication Received\u201d date for their first instance recommendation; and * They are cooperating with the international protection process \u2013 delays in receiving a recommendation must not be attributable to the applicant. Following that, a person will be issued a permission for labour market access if, at 6 months, they have not yet received a first instance recommendation. This permission is valid for 12 months and may be renewed until a final decision is made on the person's international protection application. The table below shows the number of labour market access permission applications made and granted from 2018 to date. The granting of a labour market access permission does not necessarily confirm that the applicant has found employment. - Applications made Applications granted 2018 2886 1910 2019 2671 1794 2020 2799 2355 2021 4525 3985 2022 8807 6372 2023 13322 10101 2024 17078 16998 2025* 19653 17675 *2025 is correct as of 05 November 2025 Once an applicant that has been granted labour market access and begins to work, their employer (or the individual themselves if they are self-employed) must complete and return the declaration form LMA5. The table below shows the number of LMA5s forms returned from 2018 to date. Please note that these forms are not always returned to the Department and as such the numbers below do not represent the number of international protection applicants that have achieved employment. Year LMA5s Returned 2018 659 2019 1045 2020 1409 2021 1216 2022 1199 2023 3104 2024 3061 2025* 7787 *2025 is correct as of 05 November 2025 The table below shows the average processing time for labour market access permission applications from 2018 to date. Year Average processing time 2018** Information unavailable 2019** Information unavailable 2020** Information unavailable 2021 2 weeks 2022 3 weeks 2023 10 weeks 2024 11 weeks 2025* 3 weeks *2025 is correct as of 05 November 2025 ** Data unavailable due to historical data not migrating to the current platform.", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2025-11-12/pq_710", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2025-11-12/710/" }, { "date": "2025-11-12", "question_number": 711, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "Work Permits", "asked_by": "Eoin Hayes", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "711. Deputy Eoin Hayes asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if he will provide the average processing time for labour market access permission applications for each year since 2015, or latest data available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61057/25]", "answer": "Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration I propose to take Questions Nos. 710 and 711 together. Labour Market Access Permission became available to eligible International Protection applicants in July 2018. Under the European Communities (Reception Conditions) Regulations 2018 (S.I. No. 230 of 2018), people are eligible to apply for labour market access permission if: * They are an international protection applicant; and * They have waited at least 5 months from their \u201cApplication Received\u201d date for their first instance recommendation; and * They are cooperating with the international protection process \u2013 delays in receiving a recommendation must not be attributable to the applicant. Following that, a person will be issued a permission for labour market access if, at 6 months, they have not yet received a first instance recommendation. This permission is valid for 12 months and may be renewed until a final decision is made on the person's international protection application. The table below shows the number of labour market access permission applications made and granted from 2018 to date. The granting of a labour market access permission does not necessarily confirm that the applicant has found employment. - Applications made Applications granted 2018 2886 1910 2019 2671 1794 2020 2799 2355 2021 4525 3985 2022 8807 6372 2023 13322 10101 2024 17078 16998 2025* 19653 17675 *2025 is correct as of 05 November 2025 Once an applicant that has been granted labour market access and begins to work, their employer (or the individual themselves if they are self-employed) must complete and return the declaration form LMA5. The table below shows the number of LMA5s forms returned from 2018 to date. Please note that these forms are not always returned to the Department and as such the numbers below do not represent the number of international protection applicants that have achieved employment. Year LMA5s Returned 2018 659 2019 1045 2020 1409 2021 1216 2022 1199 2023 3104 2024 3061 2025* 7787 *2025 is correct as of 05 November 2025 The table below shows the average processing time for labour market access permission applications from 2018 to date. Year Average processing time 2018** Information unavailable 2019** Information unavailable 2020** Information unavailable 2021 2 weeks 2022 3 weeks 2023 10 weeks 2024 11 weeks 2025* 3 weeks *2025 is correct as of 05 November 2025 ** Data unavailable due to historical data not migrating to the current platform.", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2025-11-12/pq_711", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2025-11-12/711/" }, { "date": "2025-12-18", "question_number": 569, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "International Protection", "asked_by": "Matt Carthy", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "569. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the average processing time of applications for international protection in the years 2020 to date in 2025, by quarter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [73682/25]", "answer": "Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration There has been a significant increase in investment into the international protection system which, combined with digitisation and process re-engineering, has facilitated a major increase in processing capacity. In 2024, the International Protection Office (IPO) delivered over 14,000 first decisions compared to over 8,500 in 2023, while the International Protection Appeals Tribunal (IPAT) closed around 3,100 appeals in 2024 compared to over 1,700 in 2023. In 2025, to the end of November, there has been a 44% increase in the total number of first instance decisions made when compared to the same period in 2024. The IPAT has also increased the number of appeals completed to date in 2025 by 84% over the full year figure for 2024. The following table shows the overall median processing time in months of applications for international protection in the years 2020 to 12 December 2025, by quarter. Year Quarter Median 2020 Qtr 1 16 2020 Qtr 2 17 2020 Qtr 3 19 2020 Qtr 4 20 2021 Qtr 1 22 2021 Qtr 2 27 2021 Qtr 3 23 2021 Qtr 4 22 2022 Qtr 1 26 2022 Qtr 2 22 2022 Qtr 3 13 2022 Qtr 4 9 2023 Qtr 1 10 2023 Qtr 2 12 2023 Qtr 3 14 2023 Qtr 4 16 2024 Qtr 1 16 2024 Qtr 2 17 2024 Qtr 3 15 2024 Qtr 4 15 2025 Qtr 1 14 2025 Qtr 2 14 2025 Qtr 3 14 2025 Qtr 4* 14 *up to 12 December 2025 Accelerated processing was introduced in November 2022, and it now applies to those from designated safe countries of origin, applicants who have received protection elsewhere in Europe and those from a country with a particularly high number of applications. The following table shows the median processing time in months of applications for international protection under the accelerated procedure in the years 2022 to date in 2025, by quarter. Accelerated Procedure Year Quarter Median 2022 Qtr 4 1 2023 Qtr 1 2 2023 Qtr 2 2 2023 Qtr 3 2 2023 Qtr 4 2 2024 Qtr 1 3 2024 Qtr 2 2 2024 Qtr 3 2 2024 Qtr 4 3 2025 Qtr 1 4 2025 Qtr 2 4 2025 Qtr 3 3 2025 Qtr 4* 2 * up to 12 December 2025 All IPO first instance decisions other than Refugee Status grants can be appealed to the International Protection Appeals Tribunal (IPAT). The following table shows International Protection Appeals Tribunal median processing times in months for each quarter from 2020 to Q3 2025. Year Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 2020 6 9 11 12 2021 15 16 13 14 2022 15 13 10 4 2023 6 6 6 7 2024 9 10 11 13 2025 15 16 16 - Please note figures are correct at time of issue and may be subject to data cleansing. My Department also continues to focus on preparing for the EU Migration and Asylum Pact in advance of June 2026. The Pact will provide a fair, sustainable and efficient asylum procedure. This will be achieved through convergence in asylum practices across the EU. On 1 July, my Department introduced the first phase of a gradual transition to a new accelerated, end-to-end process for applicants entering the international protection system in Ireland. This new accelerated process mirrors elements of the future border procedure and screening required by the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum while still adhering to the existing International Protection Act 2015. The new process is designed to enable testing of new border procedure timelines that will be required as part of the EU Pact requirements in June 2026. The border procedure allows 12 weeks to first and second-instance decisions and a further 12 weeks to return for those who receive negative decisions. This first transition phase focused on accelerating the processing of applicants from three designated safe countries of origin: Georgia, India and Brazil. It also introduced elements of the future required screening process under the EU Pact. During the initial three months of the transition, a total of 366 applicants were processed under these shorter timelines. While it is too soon to measure the six months total timeline permitted, the timeline of 12 weeks for first and second instance decision was achieved. This represents a significant shift from the current median processing times in the IPO and IPAT, and hence a significant reduction in costs for accommodation and other supports. Phase two of the transition is currently underway, having launched on October 8, 2025 with the addition of the remaining 12 designated safe countries of origin. The impacts and learnings from expanding the transition will become clearer over the coming months.", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2025-12-18/pq_569", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2025-12-18/569/" }, { "date": "2025-12-11", "question_number": 475, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "Departmental Data", "asked_by": "Malcolm Byrne", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "475. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of firearms/gun licences issued by the State for each year 2015 to 2024, and to date in 2025, broken down by new licences and renewals. [71035/25]", "answer": "Minister of State at the Department of Justice While my Department is the competent authority for the import and export of firearms, An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na has a range of functions with regard to the operation of firearms legislation, including the issuing of firearms certificates and authorisations and is the competent authority for the licensing of firearms within the State. The Firearms (Firearm Certificates for Non-Residents) Act 2000 gives the authority for granting licences to Superintendents of An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na. Superintendents, when considering firearms licence applications, are considered 'persona designata' and cannot have their decision-making process fettered in any way. Neither I, as Minister of State, nor my Department, have any role in the issuing or otherwise of firearms certificates. An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na have provided the attached table outlining figures for the number of firearms applications approved for the period 2020-2025 to date. I am advised by An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na that its Analysis Service does not distinguish between new applications and renewals in reporting. The following is a count of firearms applications approved each year 2015 to 2024 and 2025 (to 7 December 2025). Number of Firearms Applications approved Application Status 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 *2025 Certificate Printed 44,007 126,728 34,910 43,240 125,774 36,113 46,926 119,419 38,778 49,562 110,028 * to 7th Dec 2025", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2025-12-11/pq_475", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2025-12-11/475/" }, { "date": "2026-01-27", "question_number": 728, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "International Protection", "asked_by": "Paul Nicholas Gogarty", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "728. Deputy Paul Nicholas Gogarty asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of people who have applied for international protection from 1 January 2020 to 31 December 2025; of the people who have made their applications in that period, the number who have received a decision in the first instance or separately on appeal; the number who have received a protection status or leave to remain; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5853/26]", "answer": "Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration I propose to take Questions Nos. 728, 731 and 732 together. I am fully committed to ensuring that Ireland\u2019s International Protection system is robust, and rules based, and that our borders are protected. The number of International Protection applications have been rising over the past number of years, reaching 18,500 in 2024. In 2025, application numbers reduced by approximately a third. There has been a significantly increased investment into the international protection system to improve efficiencies and throughput as well as enhancing the application, interview and decision-making process for applicants. In 2025, the International Protection Office (IPO) delivered over 20,200 first decisions compared to approximately 14,100 in 2024: a 44% increase. While the International Protection Appeals Tribunal (IPAT) more than doubled the number of appeals closed from 3,100 in 2024 to nearly 6,300 in 2025. My Department continues to focus on preparing for the EU Migration and Asylum Pact in advance of June 2026. The Pact will provide a fair, sustainable and efficient asylum procedure. This will be achieved through convergence in asylum practices across the EU including standardised processing times for decisions: six months for a standard procedure, three months for accelerated and border procedures and two months for processing applicants who have applied for protection elsewhere in Europe. Last week, I published the new International Protection Bill 2026 which will give effect to the measures of the EU Migration and Asylum Pact. Enactment of the Bill and commencement of the Act is required by 12 June 2026. The table below provides a yearly breakdown of IP applications made from 2020 to 2025. Year of Application Total 2020 1,565 2021 2,647 2022 13,643 2023 13,271 2024 18,553 2025 13,160 The table below shows all international protection first instance decisions made from 2020 to 2025 broken down by those granted either Refugee Status (RS), Subsidiary Protection (SP) or Permission to Remain (PTR) and those refused. Please note that there is not a direct correlation between the year an application was made and the year the decision issued. First instance decisions 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 Granted (RS, SP, PTR) 725 32.12% 1,521 61.77% 3,537 71.70% 3,236 36.73% 3,909 27.80% 3,744 18.64% Refused / withdrew / inadmissible 1,532 67.87% 941 38.22% 1,396 28.30% 5,574 63.26% 10,151 72.19% 16,497 81.35% All applicants refused international protection have a right to appeal to the International Protection Appeals Tribunal (IPAT) who must then consider if the earlier International Protection Office (IPO) determinations on refugee status and subsidiary protection should be affirmed or set aside. The table below details International Protection appeal decisions from 2020 to 2025. International Protection Appeals Tribunal Decisions Issued Year Decision Grand Total Decision % Granted/Set Aside Refused/Affirmed Granted/Set Aside Refused/Affirmed 2020 317 766 1083 29.3% 70.7% 2021 385 667 1052 36.6% 63.4% 2022 496 804 1300 38.2% 61.8% 2023 446 1136 1582 28.2% 71.8% 2024 819 2051 2870 28.5% 71.5% 2025 1488 4016 5504 27.0% 73.0% Following a negative international protection decision an individual no longer has permission to reside in the State. The International Protection Act 2015, at section 51, provides that a person shall have a deportation order made in respect of them if they are refused international protection or permission to remain in the State and if they also do not avail of the option of voluntary return. The table below details the number deportation orders which have been signed in respect of people who have been refused International Protection from 2020, up to end of 2025. Year IP Deportation Orders Signed 2020 290 2021 0* 2022 541 2023 765 2024 2,001 2025 3,573 * During the COVID- 19 Pandemic there was a moratorium on deportations. This was effective during the latter part of 2020, 2021 and for the first 8 months of 2022. During the moratorium only persons who whose presence in Ireland would be contrary to the public interest were deported. This moratorium was lifted in July 2022. The information requested by the Deputy on the number of international protection applications processed to a final decision during 2025 is not easily extracted. Please note, all figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing.", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2026-01-27/pq_728", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2026-01-27/728/" }, { "date": "2026-01-27", "question_number": 731, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "International Protection", "asked_by": "Paul Nicholas Gogarty", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "731. Deputy Paul Nicholas Gogarty asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number and percentage of applications for international protection from 1 January 2020 to 31 December 2025, where decisions have been made, have resulted in protection status or leave to remain; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5856/26]", "answer": "Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration I propose to take Questions Nos. 728, 731 and 732 together. I am fully committed to ensuring that Ireland\u2019s International Protection system is robust, and rules based, and that our borders are protected. The number of International Protection applications have been rising over the past number of years, reaching 18,500 in 2024. In 2025, application numbers reduced by approximately a third. There has been a significantly increased investment into the international protection system to improve efficiencies and throughput as well as enhancing the application, interview and decision-making process for applicants. In 2025, the International Protection Office (IPO) delivered over 20,200 first decisions compared to approximately 14,100 in 2024: a 44% increase. While the International Protection Appeals Tribunal (IPAT) more than doubled the number of appeals closed from 3,100 in 2024 to nearly 6,300 in 2025. My Department continues to focus on preparing for the EU Migration and Asylum Pact in advance of June 2026. The Pact will provide a fair, sustainable and efficient asylum procedure. This will be achieved through convergence in asylum practices across the EU including standardised processing times for decisions: six months for a standard procedure, three months for accelerated and border procedures and two months for processing applicants who have applied for protection elsewhere in Europe. Last week, I published the new International Protection Bill 2026 which will give effect to the measures of the EU Migration and Asylum Pact. Enactment of the Bill and commencement of the Act is required by 12 June 2026. The table below provides a yearly breakdown of IP applications made from 2020 to 2025. Year of Application Total 2020 1,565 2021 2,647 2022 13,643 2023 13,271 2024 18,553 2025 13,160 The table below shows all international protection first instance decisions made from 2020 to 2025 broken down by those granted either Refugee Status (RS), Subsidiary Protection (SP) or Permission to Remain (PTR) and those refused. Please note that there is not a direct correlation between the year an application was made and the year the decision issued. First instance decisions 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 Granted (RS, SP, PTR) 725 32.12% 1,521 61.77% 3,537 71.70% 3,236 36.73% 3,909 27.80% 3,744 18.64% Refused / withdrew / inadmissible 1,532 67.87% 941 38.22% 1,396 28.30% 5,574 63.26% 10,151 72.19% 16,497 81.35% All applicants refused international protection have a right to appeal to the International Protection Appeals Tribunal (IPAT) who must then consider if the earlier International Protection Office (IPO) determinations on refugee status and subsidiary protection should be affirmed or set aside. The table below details International Protection appeal decisions from 2020 to 2025. International Protection Appeals Tribunal Decisions Issued Year Decision Grand Total Decision % Granted/Set Aside Refused/Affirmed Granted/Set Aside Refused/Affirmed 2020 317 766 1083 29.3% 70.7% 2021 385 667 1052 36.6% 63.4% 2022 496 804 1300 38.2% 61.8% 2023 446 1136 1582 28.2% 71.8% 2024 819 2051 2870 28.5% 71.5% 2025 1488 4016 5504 27.0% 73.0% Following a negative international protection decision an individual no longer has permission to reside in the State. The International Protection Act 2015, at section 51, provides that a person shall have a deportation order made in respect of them if they are refused international protection or permission to remain in the State and if they also do not avail of the option of voluntary return. The table below details the number deportation orders which have been signed in respect of people who have been refused International Protection from 2020, up to end of 2025. Year IP Deportation Orders Signed 2020 290 2021 0* 2022 541 2023 765 2024 2,001 2025 3,573 * During the COVID- 19 Pandemic there was a moratorium on deportations. This was effective during the latter part of 2020, 2021 and for the first 8 months of 2022. During the moratorium only persons who whose presence in Ireland would be contrary to the public interest were deported. This moratorium was lifted in July 2022. The information requested by the Deputy on the number of international protection applications processed to a final decision during 2025 is not easily extracted. Please note, all figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing.", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2026-01-27/pq_731", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2026-01-27/731/" }, { "date": "2026-01-27", "question_number": 732, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "International Protection", "asked_by": "Paul Nicholas Gogarty", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "732. Deputy Paul Nicholas Gogarty asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the current number of international protection applicants who do not have leave to remain; the number who have been requested to leave the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5857/26]", "answer": "Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration I propose to take Questions Nos. 728, 731 and 732 together. I am fully committed to ensuring that Ireland\u2019s International Protection system is robust, and rules based, and that our borders are protected. The number of International Protection applications have been rising over the past number of years, reaching 18,500 in 2024. In 2025, application numbers reduced by approximately a third. There has been a significantly increased investment into the international protection system to improve efficiencies and throughput as well as enhancing the application, interview and decision-making process for applicants. In 2025, the International Protection Office (IPO) delivered over 20,200 first decisions compared to approximately 14,100 in 2024: a 44% increase. While the International Protection Appeals Tribunal (IPAT) more than doubled the number of appeals closed from 3,100 in 2024 to nearly 6,300 in 2025. My Department continues to focus on preparing for the EU Migration and Asylum Pact in advance of June 2026. The Pact will provide a fair, sustainable and efficient asylum procedure. This will be achieved through convergence in asylum practices across the EU including standardised processing times for decisions: six months for a standard procedure, three months for accelerated and border procedures and two months for processing applicants who have applied for protection elsewhere in Europe. Last week, I published the new International Protection Bill 2026 which will give effect to the measures of the EU Migration and Asylum Pact. Enactment of the Bill and commencement of the Act is required by 12 June 2026. The table below provides a yearly breakdown of IP applications made from 2020 to 2025. Year of Application Total 2020 1,565 2021 2,647 2022 13,643 2023 13,271 2024 18,553 2025 13,160 The table below shows all international protection first instance decisions made from 2020 to 2025 broken down by those granted either Refugee Status (RS), Subsidiary Protection (SP) or Permission to Remain (PTR) and those refused. Please note that there is not a direct correlation between the year an application was made and the year the decision issued. First instance decisions 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 Granted (RS, SP, PTR) 725 32.12% 1,521 61.77% 3,537 71.70% 3,236 36.73% 3,909 27.80% 3,744 18.64% Refused / withdrew / inadmissible 1,532 67.87% 941 38.22% 1,396 28.30% 5,574 63.26% 10,151 72.19% 16,497 81.35% All applicants refused international protection have a right to appeal to the International Protection Appeals Tribunal (IPAT) who must then consider if the earlier International Protection Office (IPO) determinations on refugee status and subsidiary protection should be affirmed or set aside. The table below details International Protection appeal decisions from 2020 to 2025. International Protection Appeals Tribunal Decisions Issued Year Decision Grand Total Decision % Granted/Set Aside Refused/Affirmed Granted/Set Aside Refused/Affirmed 2020 317 766 1083 29.3% 70.7% 2021 385 667 1052 36.6% 63.4% 2022 496 804 1300 38.2% 61.8% 2023 446 1136 1582 28.2% 71.8% 2024 819 2051 2870 28.5% 71.5% 2025 1488 4016 5504 27.0% 73.0% Following a negative international protection decision an individual no longer has permission to reside in the State. The International Protection Act 2015, at section 51, provides that a person shall have a deportation order made in respect of them if they are refused international protection or permission to remain in the State and if they also do not avail of the option of voluntary return. The table below details the number deportation orders which have been signed in respect of people who have been refused International Protection from 2020, up to end of 2025. Year IP Deportation Orders Signed 2020 290 2021 0* 2022 541 2023 765 2024 2,001 2025 3,573 * During the COVID- 19 Pandemic there was a moratorium on deportations. This was effective during the latter part of 2020, 2021 and for the first 8 months of 2022. During the moratorium only persons who whose presence in Ireland would be contrary to the public interest were deported. This moratorium was lifted in July 2022. The information requested by the Deputy on the number of international protection applications processed to a final decision during 2025 is not easily extracted. Please note, all figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing.", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2026-01-27/pq_732", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2026-01-27/732/" }, { "date": "2026-06-09", "question_number": 1430, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "European Union", "asked_by": "Matt Carthy", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "1430. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the enactment dates of each regulation and directive that form the EU Migration and Asylum Pact; the mechanism by which the Government has opted in to each regulation and directive; whether there is a route for Government to opt-out of any regulation or directive at this point or any future point; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43695/26]", "answer": "Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration On 27 June 2024, following formal votes of approval by both Houses of the Oireachtas, Ireland notified the EU Commission and Council, in accordance with Article 4 of Protocol No. 21 to the Treaty on European Union and to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union that Ireland wanted to accept and be bound by the following Pact Regulations and Directive: \u2022 Regulation (EU) 2024/1347 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 May 2024 on standards for the qualification of third-country nationals or stateless persons as beneficiaries of international protection, for a uniform status for refugees or for persons eligible for subsidiary protection and for the content of the protection granted, amending Council Directive 2003/109/EC and repealing Directive 2011/95/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council; \u2022 Directive (EU) 2024/1346 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 May 2024 laying down standards for the reception of applicants for international protection; \u2022 Regulation (EU) 2024/1351 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 May 2024 on asylum and migration management, amending Regulations (EU) 2021/1147 and (EU) 2021/1060 and repealing Regulation (EU) No 604/2013; \u2022 Regulation (EU) 2024/1350 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 May 2024 establishing a Union Resettlement and Humanitarian Admission Framework, and amending Regulation (EU) 2021/1147; \u2022 Regulation (EU) 2024/1358 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 May 2024 on the establishment of EuroDac for the comparison of biometric data in order to effectively apply Regulations (EU) 2024/1351 and (EU) 2024/1350 of the European Parliament and of the Council and Council Directive 2001/55/EC and to identify illegally staying third-country nationals and stateless persons and on requests for the comparison with EuroDac data by Member States\u2019 law enforcement authorities and Europol for law enforcement purposes, amending Regulations (EU) 2018/1240 and (EU) 2019/818 of the European Parliament and of the Council and repealing Regulation (EU) No 603/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council; \u2022 Regulation (EU) 2024/1348 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 May 2024 establishing a common procedure for international protection in the Union and repealing Directive 2013/32/EU; and \u2022 Regulation (EU) 2024/1359 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 May 2024 addressing situations of crisis and force majeure in the field of migration and asylum and amending Regulation (EU) 2021/1147. The date of adoption of the above Pact measures was 14th May 2024. They shall apply from 12th June 2026. On 31 July 2024, the EU Commission decided to confirm Ireland\u2019s participation in the above measures. The Commission\u2019s decision was published in the Official Journal of the EU on 2 August 2024 and entered into force on 3 August 2024. The Commission had previously, on 28 July 2023, confirmed the participation of Ireland in Regulation (EU) 2021/2303 of the European Parliament and of the Council on the European Union Agency for Asylum. Two of the above measures - Regulation (EU) 2024/1356: Screening Regulation and Regulation (EU) 2024/1349: Return Border Procedure Regulation are Schengen measures that Ireland cannot opt into but has aligned appropriately in national law, through the International Protection Act 2026. The Migration and Asylum Pact and the International Protection Act 2026 introduce faster processing of asylum claims with a much more efficient decision-making system. Faster processing will mean that applicants spend less time in International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) accommodation, and it will significantly reduce the cost of the asylum system to the State. Faster decision-making will also mean that successful applicants will be granted international protection sooner, and those whose applications are refused can be returned to their country of origin sooner. Having a common system across the EU makes sure that all applicants are treated the same in every Member State with no incentive to move from one to another. If Ireland had not opted into the Pact, it is likely that we would face higher levels of secondary movement, slower processing and a less efficient returns system. This would result in applicants staying in the system for much longer, at much greater cost to the State, in terms of the provision of accommodation and other supports. It is for these reasons that the Government and both Houses of the Oireachtas gave approval in accordance with Article 29.4.7 of the Constitution in 2024 for Ireland to opt in to the Pact measures. The proposal to opt in was debated at length in the Houses before the opt in motions were approved. There is no legal mechanism available by which Ireland could unilaterally reverse its decision to opt in to a particular EU measure once it has opted in under Protocol 21, whether or not the measure has come into operation. Such a possibility is not provided for in the EU Treaties or the Constitution.", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2026-06-09/pq_1430", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2026-06-09/1430/" }, { "date": "2026-07-28", "question_number": 2227, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "Deportation Orders", "asked_by": "Ken O'Flynn", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "2227. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of persons subject to a deportation order signed between 2020 and 2025 whose whereabouts are not known to his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56452/26]", "answer": "Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration I propose to take Questions Nos. 2227, 2228, 2394 and 2404 together. It is a central priority for me that Ireland\u2019s immigration system is robust and rules based. The enforcement aspects of our laws, including deportation orders, are an essential requirement for the system to work effectively and to ensure that there is confidence in the application of our legislation in this area. Deportations are costly and complex to enforce. It is the preferred option to return people voluntarily and my Department has a voluntary return programme to assist people to return prior to the issuance of a deportation order. A person can only avail of voluntary return before a deportation order is issued and I have increased resources into this programme to enable individuals who wish to return before a deportation order is issued to them. If a person does not remove themselves from the State following the issuance of a deportation order, they will be removed, and my Department has taken action to significantly improve immigration enforcement measures and increase removals. The number of deportation orders signed in 2024 (2,403) increased by 180% compared to 2023 (857). In 2025, 4,700 deportation orders were signed, an increase of 96% compared to 2024. 2,650 deportation orders have been signed up to 24 July 2026. In 2024, 1,122 people departed from the State under various mechanisms (i.e. enforced deportation, voluntary return etc.). In 2025, 2,111 people had their departure confirmed through these pathways, an increase of 88% compared to 2024. Up to 24 July 2026, 1,294 people have departed the State through these pathways. Tables 1 and 2 below detail the number of deportation orders signed, as well as the number enforced, from 2020 up to 24 July 2026. Table 1 Year 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 (up to 24 July) Deportation orders signed 598 33 549 859 2,403 4,700 2,650 *Please note, figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing. Table 2: Deportation Enforcement 2020 to 24 July 2026 Year 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 (up to 24 July) Enforced Deportations 42 5 24 51 134 185 148 Removed by Charter N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 182 104 Otherwise Confirmed Deportation (1) 97 33 93 28 28 67 45 Total Deportations 139 38 117 79 162 434 297 Other Removals (2) 40 46 39 24 26 61 102 Number of Voluntary Returns 201 132 91 215 934 1,616 895 Total Removed 380 216 247 318 1,122 2,111 1,294 *Please note, figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing. ** During the COVID- 19 Pandemic there was a moratorium on deportations. This was effective during the latter part of 2020, 2021 and for the first 8 months of 2022. During the moratorium only people who whose presence in Ireland would be contrary to the public interest were deported. This moratorium was lifted in July 2022. *** A deportation order effected in any year may relate to an order signed in a previous year. 1. Otherwise confirmed deportations is where it has been confirmed a person has left the state following receipt of a deportation order without being escorted. 2. Other removals include Dublin III Transfer Orders of International Protection applicants to another EU State and EU Removal Orders for the return of EU Citizens under the Free Movement Regulations (these orders are made on grounds of criminality) and people who are deemed inadmissible under the International Protection Act. Table 3 below shows the costs incurred of charter and commercial flights from 2024, up to 24 July 2026. The figure for commercial flights includes both the flight costs (often through hubs and long-distance) for removal operations completed and also the costs of returning accompanying escorts to Ireland when a one-way charter flight is used. Table 3: Costs for Charter and Commercial flights from 2024, up to 24 July 2026. - 2024 2025 2026 (up to 24 July) Charter Flight costs N/A \u20ac1,667,772 \u20ac2,129,586 Commercial Flight costs (enforced returns) \u20ac1,202,750 \u20ac1,525,731** \u20ac1,323,415** *Figures include VAT **includes the return of escorts for one way charter operations. These are provisional costs as the invoicing process has not yet been completed. Table 4 sets out the number of removals enforced on commercial airlines and charter flights from 2024, up to 24 July 2026. Table 4: Deportations enforced from 2024, up to 24 July 2026. - 2024 2025 2026 (up to 24 July) Deportation orders enforced on commercial flights 134 185 148 Deportation orders enforced on charter flights 0 182 104 Other removals enforced on commercial flights* 26 28 32 Other removals enforced on charter flights* 0 23 68 *Other enforced removals include Dublin III Transfer Orders of International Protection applicants to other EU State and EU Removal Orders for the return of EU Citizen under the Free Movement Regulations (these orders are made on grounds of criminality) and persons who are deemed inadmissible under the International Protection Act. Since 2016 to the end of 2023, my Department was able to reclaim some costs of commercial flights under the European Union\u2019s Asylum Migration and Integration Fund. A new fund opened in 2024 and my Department continues to reclaim funding for commercial flight costs under this EU Fund (for deportation costs only) and will be reclaiming charter costs under this fund. A number of factors impact the costs associated with deportation operations. In particular, the costs for any particular deportation reflect the numbers travelling in each instance, the destination country, and if direct flights are not available the escorts and deportee transit through a hub airport. Furthermore, in some cases, a person may resist deportation and the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) risk assessment may give rise to the need for additional escorts. It is the case that a significant number of individuals who were subject to deportation orders have left the State without notifying the relevant authorities; As there are no routine exit checks at Irish borders, it is not possible to definitely provide the number of people who have or have not complied with an order. I am, however, informed that the GNIB has reviewed a large sample of cases of people subject to deportation orders; their inquiries suggest a very significant number of these individuals have left the State. The nature and extent of these checks, as well enforcement of deportation orders, are a matter for the GNIB. I can inform the Deputy that there are no targets within my Department for the number of enforced deportations, however, my Department works closely with the GNIB to progress arrangements for the removal of people subject to deportation orders. If a person issued with a deportation order does not leave the State independently then they are required to present to the GNIB in accordance with the conditions of their deportation order. Information on the total cost associated with the processing and signing of deportation orders is not available as individuals may be subject to a range of decisions made across a number of sections within Immigration Service Delivery (ISD) before a deportation order is signed. As the signing of a deportation order represents the final stage of the immigration process, it is not possible to attribute the total costs associated solely with the processing and signing of deportation orders.", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2026-07-28/pq_2227", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2026-07-28/2227/" }, { "date": "2026-07-28", "question_number": 2228, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "Deportation Orders", "asked_by": "Ken O'Flynn", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "2228. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the total cost to the Department of processing and signing deportation orders in each year from 2020 to 2025; whether the Department has set any target or performance indicator for the proportion of signed deportation orders that are enforced; whether the gap between orders signed and orders enforced is recorded on the Department's Corporate Risk Register; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56453/26]", "answer": "Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration I propose to take Questions Nos. 2227, 2228, 2394 and 2404 together. It is a central priority for me that Ireland\u2019s immigration system is robust and rules based. The enforcement aspects of our laws, including deportation orders, are an essential requirement for the system to work effectively and to ensure that there is confidence in the application of our legislation in this area. Deportations are costly and complex to enforce. It is the preferred option to return people voluntarily and my Department has a voluntary return programme to assist people to return prior to the issuance of a deportation order. A person can only avail of voluntary return before a deportation order is issued and I have increased resources into this programme to enable individuals who wish to return before a deportation order is issued to them. If a person does not remove themselves from the State following the issuance of a deportation order, they will be removed, and my Department has taken action to significantly improve immigration enforcement measures and increase removals. The number of deportation orders signed in 2024 (2,403) increased by 180% compared to 2023 (857). In 2025, 4,700 deportation orders were signed, an increase of 96% compared to 2024. 2,650 deportation orders have been signed up to 24 July 2026. In 2024, 1,122 people departed from the State under various mechanisms (i.e. enforced deportation, voluntary return etc.). In 2025, 2,111 people had their departure confirmed through these pathways, an increase of 88% compared to 2024. Up to 24 July 2026, 1,294 people have departed the State through these pathways. Tables 1 and 2 below detail the number of deportation orders signed, as well as the number enforced, from 2020 up to 24 July 2026. Table 1 Year 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 (up to 24 July) Deportation orders signed 598 33 549 859 2,403 4,700 2,650 *Please note, figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing. Table 2: Deportation Enforcement 2020 to 24 July 2026 Year 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 (up to 24 July) Enforced Deportations 42 5 24 51 134 185 148 Removed by Charter N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 182 104 Otherwise Confirmed Deportation (1) 97 33 93 28 28 67 45 Total Deportations 139 38 117 79 162 434 297 Other Removals (2) 40 46 39 24 26 61 102 Number of Voluntary Returns 201 132 91 215 934 1,616 895 Total Removed 380 216 247 318 1,122 2,111 1,294 *Please note, figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing. ** During the COVID- 19 Pandemic there was a moratorium on deportations. This was effective during the latter part of 2020, 2021 and for the first 8 months of 2022. During the moratorium only people who whose presence in Ireland would be contrary to the public interest were deported. This moratorium was lifted in July 2022. *** A deportation order effected in any year may relate to an order signed in a previous year. 1. Otherwise confirmed deportations is where it has been confirmed a person has left the state following receipt of a deportation order without being escorted. 2. Other removals include Dublin III Transfer Orders of International Protection applicants to another EU State and EU Removal Orders for the return of EU Citizens under the Free Movement Regulations (these orders are made on grounds of criminality) and people who are deemed inadmissible under the International Protection Act. Table 3 below shows the costs incurred of charter and commercial flights from 2024, up to 24 July 2026. The figure for commercial flights includes both the flight costs (often through hubs and long-distance) for removal operations completed and also the costs of returning accompanying escorts to Ireland when a one-way charter flight is used. Table 3: Costs for Charter and Commercial flights from 2024, up to 24 July 2026. - 2024 2025 2026 (up to 24 July) Charter Flight costs N/A \u20ac1,667,772 \u20ac2,129,586 Commercial Flight costs (enforced returns) \u20ac1,202,750 \u20ac1,525,731** \u20ac1,323,415** *Figures include VAT **includes the return of escorts for one way charter operations. These are provisional costs as the invoicing process has not yet been completed. Table 4 sets out the number of removals enforced on commercial airlines and charter flights from 2024, up to 24 July 2026. Table 4: Deportations enforced from 2024, up to 24 July 2026. - 2024 2025 2026 (up to 24 July) Deportation orders enforced on commercial flights 134 185 148 Deportation orders enforced on charter flights 0 182 104 Other removals enforced on commercial flights* 26 28 32 Other removals enforced on charter flights* 0 23 68 *Other enforced removals include Dublin III Transfer Orders of International Protection applicants to other EU State and EU Removal Orders for the return of EU Citizen under the Free Movement Regulations (these orders are made on grounds of criminality) and persons who are deemed inadmissible under the International Protection Act. Since 2016 to the end of 2023, my Department was able to reclaim some costs of commercial flights under the European Union\u2019s Asylum Migration and Integration Fund. A new fund opened in 2024 and my Department continues to reclaim funding for commercial flight costs under this EU Fund (for deportation costs only) and will be reclaiming charter costs under this fund. A number of factors impact the costs associated with deportation operations. In particular, the costs for any particular deportation reflect the numbers travelling in each instance, the destination country, and if direct flights are not available the escorts and deportee transit through a hub airport. Furthermore, in some cases, a person may resist deportation and the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) risk assessment may give rise to the need for additional escorts. It is the case that a significant number of individuals who were subject to deportation orders have left the State without notifying the relevant authorities; As there are no routine exit checks at Irish borders, it is not possible to definitely provide the number of people who have or have not complied with an order. I am, however, informed that the GNIB has reviewed a large sample of cases of people subject to deportation orders; their inquiries suggest a very significant number of these individuals have left the State. The nature and extent of these checks, as well enforcement of deportation orders, are a matter for the GNIB. I can inform the Deputy that there are no targets within my Department for the number of enforced deportations, however, my Department works closely with the GNIB to progress arrangements for the removal of people subject to deportation orders. If a person issued with a deportation order does not leave the State independently then they are required to present to the GNIB in accordance with the conditions of their deportation order. Information on the total cost associated with the processing and signing of deportation orders is not available as individuals may be subject to a range of decisions made across a number of sections within Immigration Service Delivery (ISD) before a deportation order is signed. As the signing of a deportation order represents the final stage of the immigration process, it is not possible to attribute the total costs associated solely with the processing and signing of deportation orders.", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2026-07-28/pq_2228", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2026-07-28/2228/" }, { "date": "2026-07-28", "question_number": 2345, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "Legal Aid", "asked_by": "Peadar T\u00f3ib\u00edn", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "2345. Deputy Peadar T\u00f3ib\u00edn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to provide totals paid out in expenses for solicitors on the free legal aid scheme, for each of the past ten years and to date in 2026; and to provide a breakdown of those expenses into categories of expenses as applicable such as travel expenses/mileage, subsistence and incidentals. [57847/26]", "answer": "Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration Under the Criminal Justice (Legal Aid) Act 1962, it is the Courts, through the judiciary, that are responsible for the granting of legal aid. My Department is responsible for the administration of and has budgetary responsibility for the Statutory Criminal Legal Aid Scheme. As outlined in the Programme for Government 2025, the Government has committed to reforming the operation of Criminal Legal Aid, and work is continuing on the drafting of the Criminal Justice (Legal Aid) Bill 2023. The General Scheme of the Bill was published in 2023, and its key purpose is to transfer the administration of and budgetary responsibility for the Criminal Legal Aid Scheme from the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to the Legal Aid Board in order to strengthen oversight and governance structures for the Scheme. Under the Criminal Legal Aid Scheme, claims for payment for expenses including and not limited to, mileage, travel, parking, accommodation and consultation fees are received from any number of individuals associated with a case including, solicitors, barristers, interpreters, translators and witnesses. Therefore, the information is not available in such a way as to provide a breakdown of particular expenses claimed by one type of profession only. However, I can inform the Deputy, that the table below sets out the total cost of expenses paid under the Criminal Legal Aid Scheme for the years inclusive 2016 to 2025 and up to 22 July 2026. 2016 1,065,128.56 2017 975,083.59 2018 1,124,405.80 2019 1,169,181.86 2020 1,159,237.12 2021 1,398,868.38 2022 1,493,955.73 2023 1,555,621.71 2024 1,541,777.04 2025 1,747,712.13 2026 626,419.31 * *up to 22 July 2026", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2026-07-28/pq_2345", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2026-07-28/2345/" }, { "date": "2026-07-28", "question_number": 2383, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "International Protection", "asked_by": "Peadar T\u00f3ib\u00edn", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "2383. Deputy Peadar T\u00f3ib\u00edn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of immigration and international protection legal aid cases funded by the State in each year from 2020 to date, the average cost per case and the highest cost incurred in an individual case in each year. [58327/26]", "answer": "Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration I propose to take Questions Nos. 2383 and 2386 together. The Legal Aid Board (LAB) is the statutory body responsible for the provision of civil legal aid and advice to persons of modest means in the State, in accordance with the provisions of the Civil Legal Aid Act 1995 and the Civil Legal Aid Regulations 1996 to 2021. Section 3(3) of the 1995 Act provides that the Board shall, subject to the provisions of the Act, be independent in the exercise of its functions. However, to be of assistance to the Deputy I have had enquiries made with the Legal Aid Board and have been provided with the following information. On introduction of the single application procedure following the enactment of the International Protection Act 2015, the Board established and maintains a panel of solicitors who are willing to provide: advice and/or representation in relation to an application under the International Protection Act 2015; and for all relevant matters covered by the International Protection Act 2015, the Refugee Act 1996 and the Immigration Act 1999. The Legal Aid Board also engages barristers through its law centres to provide services in international protection cases. Table 1 below provides a breakdown of the annual expenditure (not including pay or operational costs) from 2019 to 2025 in relation to the provision of legal aid and advice in international protection, as provided by the Legal Aid Board. It is broken down by expenditure for private solicitors contracted through the Legal Aid Boards, Solicitors Panel for International Protection Matters and for barristers retained from the International Protection Barristers Sub panel as well as related service delivery costs such as expert medical reports, translations and interpreter services. It is not possible to determine the average cost per applicant of legal aid services provided to persons seeking international protection, as the expenditure in table one does not include pay or operational costs. Table 1 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 \u20ac \u20ac \u20ac \u20ac \u20ac \u20ac \u20ac International Protection Counsel Fees 0 911 1,569 2,702 64,518 178,141 241,503 Medical Fees 56,365 33,539 34,183 52,814 83,258 176,092 116,446 Other Fees 1,063 304 1,857 344 385 83 385 Translations 37,322 130,387 10,763 56,986 55,172 121,700 132,577 Interpretation 236,934 143,368 116,628 541,627 1,326,651 1,319,805 1,145,784 Private Practitioners 1,251,105 935,398 823,873 1,412,658 2,600,253 3,902,575 4,953,527 TOTAL 1,582,789 1,243,907 988,873 2,067,130 4,130,236 5,698,396 6,590,222 Table 2 provides the number of referrals to the International Protection Solicitors Panel per year since 2015. Year Number of Referrals to International Protection Solicitors Panel per Year 2019 2,061 2020 941 2021 918 2022 5,725 2023 8,850 2024 11,109 2025 9,801", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2026-07-28/pq_2383", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2026-07-28/2383/" }, { "date": "2026-07-28", "question_number": 2386, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "International Protection", "asked_by": "Peadar T\u00f3ib\u00edn", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "2386. Deputy Peadar T\u00f3ib\u00edn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the average number of immigration and international protection cases handled annually by Legal Aid Board solicitors and by externally contracted solicitors respectively. [58332/26]", "answer": "Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration I propose to take Questions Nos. 2383 and 2386 together. The Legal Aid Board (LAB) is the statutory body responsible for the provision of civil legal aid and advice to persons of modest means in the State, in accordance with the provisions of the Civil Legal Aid Act 1995 and the Civil Legal Aid Regulations 1996 to 2021. Section 3(3) of the 1995 Act provides that the Board shall, subject to the provisions of the Act, be independent in the exercise of its functions. However, to be of assistance to the Deputy I have had enquiries made with the Legal Aid Board and have been provided with the following information. On introduction of the single application procedure following the enactment of the International Protection Act 2015, the Board established and maintains a panel of solicitors who are willing to provide: advice and/or representation in relation to an application under the International Protection Act 2015; and for all relevant matters covered by the International Protection Act 2015, the Refugee Act 1996 and the Immigration Act 1999. The Legal Aid Board also engages barristers through its law centres to provide services in international protection cases. Table 1 below provides a breakdown of the annual expenditure (not including pay or operational costs) from 2019 to 2025 in relation to the provision of legal aid and advice in international protection, as provided by the Legal Aid Board. It is broken down by expenditure for private solicitors contracted through the Legal Aid Boards, Solicitors Panel for International Protection Matters and for barristers retained from the International Protection Barristers Sub panel as well as related service delivery costs such as expert medical reports, translations and interpreter services. It is not possible to determine the average cost per applicant of legal aid services provided to persons seeking international protection, as the expenditure in table one does not include pay or operational costs. Table 1 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 \u20ac \u20ac \u20ac \u20ac \u20ac \u20ac \u20ac International Protection Counsel Fees 0 911 1,569 2,702 64,518 178,141 241,503 Medical Fees 56,365 33,539 34,183 52,814 83,258 176,092 116,446 Other Fees 1,063 304 1,857 344 385 83 385 Translations 37,322 130,387 10,763 56,986 55,172 121,700 132,577 Interpretation 236,934 143,368 116,628 541,627 1,326,651 1,319,805 1,145,784 Private Practitioners 1,251,105 935,398 823,873 1,412,658 2,600,253 3,902,575 4,953,527 TOTAL 1,582,789 1,243,907 988,873 2,067,130 4,130,236 5,698,396 6,590,222 Table 2 provides the number of referrals to the International Protection Solicitors Panel per year since 2015. Year Number of Referrals to International Protection Solicitors Panel per Year 2019 2,061 2020 941 2021 918 2022 5,725 2023 8,850 2024 11,109 2025 9,801", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2026-07-28/pq_2386", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2026-07-28/2386/" }, { "date": "2026-07-28", "question_number": 2394, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "Deportation Orders", "asked_by": "James Geoghegan", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "2394. Deputy James Geoghegan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the total number of persons who were deported on commercial flights in 2024, 2025, to date in 2026; the total costs associated with these deportations for each of the years and time periods specified; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58425/26]", "answer": "Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration I propose to take Questions Nos. 2227, 2228, 2394 and 2404 together. It is a central priority for me that Ireland\u2019s immigration system is robust and rules based. The enforcement aspects of our laws, including deportation orders, are an essential requirement for the system to work effectively and to ensure that there is confidence in the application of our legislation in this area. Deportations are costly and complex to enforce. It is the preferred option to return people voluntarily and my Department has a voluntary return programme to assist people to return prior to the issuance of a deportation order. A person can only avail of voluntary return before a deportation order is issued and I have increased resources into this programme to enable individuals who wish to return before a deportation order is issued to them. If a person does not remove themselves from the State following the issuance of a deportation order, they will be removed, and my Department has taken action to significantly improve immigration enforcement measures and increase removals. The number of deportation orders signed in 2024 (2,403) increased by 180% compared to 2023 (857). In 2025, 4,700 deportation orders were signed, an increase of 96% compared to 2024. 2,650 deportation orders have been signed up to 24 July 2026. In 2024, 1,122 people departed from the State under various mechanisms (i.e. enforced deportation, voluntary return etc.). In 2025, 2,111 people had their departure confirmed through these pathways, an increase of 88% compared to 2024. Up to 24 July 2026, 1,294 people have departed the State through these pathways. Tables 1 and 2 below detail the number of deportation orders signed, as well as the number enforced, from 2020 up to 24 July 2026. Table 1 Year 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 (up to 24 July) Deportation orders signed 598 33 549 859 2,403 4,700 2,650 *Please note, figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing. Table 2: Deportation Enforcement 2020 to 24 July 2026 Year 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 (up to 24 July) Enforced Deportations 42 5 24 51 134 185 148 Removed by Charter N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 182 104 Otherwise Confirmed Deportation (1) 97 33 93 28 28 67 45 Total Deportations 139 38 117 79 162 434 297 Other Removals (2) 40 46 39 24 26 61 102 Number of Voluntary Returns 201 132 91 215 934 1,616 895 Total Removed 380 216 247 318 1,122 2,111 1,294 *Please note, figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing. ** During the COVID- 19 Pandemic there was a moratorium on deportations. This was effective during the latter part of 2020, 2021 and for the first 8 months of 2022. During the moratorium only people who whose presence in Ireland would be contrary to the public interest were deported. This moratorium was lifted in July 2022. *** A deportation order effected in any year may relate to an order signed in a previous year. 1. Otherwise confirmed deportations is where it has been confirmed a person has left the state following receipt of a deportation order without being escorted. 2. Other removals include Dublin III Transfer Orders of International Protection applicants to another EU State and EU Removal Orders for the return of EU Citizens under the Free Movement Regulations (these orders are made on grounds of criminality) and people who are deemed inadmissible under the International Protection Act. Table 3 below shows the costs incurred of charter and commercial flights from 2024, up to 24 July 2026. The figure for commercial flights includes both the flight costs (often through hubs and long-distance) for removal operations completed and also the costs of returning accompanying escorts to Ireland when a one-way charter flight is used. Table 3: Costs for Charter and Commercial flights from 2024, up to 24 July 2026. - 2024 2025 2026 (up to 24 July) Charter Flight costs N/A \u20ac1,667,772 \u20ac2,129,586 Commercial Flight costs (enforced returns) \u20ac1,202,750 \u20ac1,525,731** \u20ac1,323,415** *Figures include VAT **includes the return of escorts for one way charter operations. These are provisional costs as the invoicing process has not yet been completed. Table 4 sets out the number of removals enforced on commercial airlines and charter flights from 2024, up to 24 July 2026. Table 4: Deportations enforced from 2024, up to 24 July 2026. - 2024 2025 2026 (up to 24 July) Deportation orders enforced on commercial flights 134 185 148 Deportation orders enforced on charter flights 0 182 104 Other removals enforced on commercial flights* 26 28 32 Other removals enforced on charter flights* 0 23 68 *Other enforced removals include Dublin III Transfer Orders of International Protection applicants to other EU State and EU Removal Orders for the return of EU Citizen under the Free Movement Regulations (these orders are made on grounds of criminality) and persons who are deemed inadmissible under the International Protection Act. Since 2016 to the end of 2023, my Department was able to reclaim some costs of commercial flights under the European Union\u2019s Asylum Migration and Integration Fund. A new fund opened in 2024 and my Department continues to reclaim funding for commercial flight costs under this EU Fund (for deportation costs only) and will be reclaiming charter costs under this fund. A number of factors impact the costs associated with deportation operations. In particular, the costs for any particular deportation reflect the numbers travelling in each instance, the destination country, and if direct flights are not available the escorts and deportee transit through a hub airport. Furthermore, in some cases, a person may resist deportation and the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) risk assessment may give rise to the need for additional escorts. It is the case that a significant number of individuals who were subject to deportation orders have left the State without notifying the relevant authorities; As there are no routine exit checks at Irish borders, it is not possible to definitely provide the number of people who have or have not complied with an order. I am, however, informed that the GNIB has reviewed a large sample of cases of people subject to deportation orders; their inquiries suggest a very significant number of these individuals have left the State. The nature and extent of these checks, as well enforcement of deportation orders, are a matter for the GNIB. I can inform the Deputy that there are no targets within my Department for the number of enforced deportations, however, my Department works closely with the GNIB to progress arrangements for the removal of people subject to deportation orders. If a person issued with a deportation order does not leave the State independently then they are required to present to the GNIB in accordance with the conditions of their deportation order. Information on the total cost associated with the processing and signing of deportation orders is not available as individuals may be subject to a range of decisions made across a number of sections within Immigration Service Delivery (ISD) before a deportation order is signed. As the signing of a deportation order represents the final stage of the immigration process, it is not possible to attribute the total costs associated solely with the processing and signing of deportation orders.", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2026-07-28/pq_2394", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2026-07-28/2394/" }, { "date": "2026-07-28", "question_number": 2404, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "Deportation Orders", "asked_by": "Matt Carthy", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "2404. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of people issued with a deportation order; the number of persons deported by the State, respectively, in each of the past five years and to date in 2026, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58581/26]", "answer": "Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration I propose to take Questions Nos. 2227, 2228, 2394 and 2404 together. It is a central priority for me that Ireland\u2019s immigration system is robust and rules based. The enforcement aspects of our laws, including deportation orders, are an essential requirement for the system to work effectively and to ensure that there is confidence in the application of our legislation in this area. Deportations are costly and complex to enforce. It is the preferred option to return people voluntarily and my Department has a voluntary return programme to assist people to return prior to the issuance of a deportation order. A person can only avail of voluntary return before a deportation order is issued and I have increased resources into this programme to enable individuals who wish to return before a deportation order is issued to them. If a person does not remove themselves from the State following the issuance of a deportation order, they will be removed, and my Department has taken action to significantly improve immigration enforcement measures and increase removals. The number of deportation orders signed in 2024 (2,403) increased by 180% compared to 2023 (857). In 2025, 4,700 deportation orders were signed, an increase of 96% compared to 2024. 2,650 deportation orders have been signed up to 24 July 2026. In 2024, 1,122 people departed from the State under various mechanisms (i.e. enforced deportation, voluntary return etc.). In 2025, 2,111 people had their departure confirmed through these pathways, an increase of 88% compared to 2024. Up to 24 July 2026, 1,294 people have departed the State through these pathways. Tables 1 and 2 below detail the number of deportation orders signed, as well as the number enforced, from 2020 up to 24 July 2026. Table 1 Year 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 (up to 24 July) Deportation orders signed 598 33 549 859 2,403 4,700 2,650 *Please note, figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing. Table 2: Deportation Enforcement 2020 to 24 July 2026 Year 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 (up to 24 July) Enforced Deportations 42 5 24 51 134 185 148 Removed by Charter N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 182 104 Otherwise Confirmed Deportation (1) 97 33 93 28 28 67 45 Total Deportations 139 38 117 79 162 434 297 Other Removals (2) 40 46 39 24 26 61 102 Number of Voluntary Returns 201 132 91 215 934 1,616 895 Total Removed 380 216 247 318 1,122 2,111 1,294 *Please note, figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing. ** During the COVID- 19 Pandemic there was a moratorium on deportations. This was effective during the latter part of 2020, 2021 and for the first 8 months of 2022. During the moratorium only people who whose presence in Ireland would be contrary to the public interest were deported. This moratorium was lifted in July 2022. *** A deportation order effected in any year may relate to an order signed in a previous year. 1. Otherwise confirmed deportations is where it has been confirmed a person has left the state following receipt of a deportation order without being escorted. 2. Other removals include Dublin III Transfer Orders of International Protection applicants to another EU State and EU Removal Orders for the return of EU Citizens under the Free Movement Regulations (these orders are made on grounds of criminality) and people who are deemed inadmissible under the International Protection Act. Table 3 below shows the costs incurred of charter and commercial flights from 2024, up to 24 July 2026. The figure for commercial flights includes both the flight costs (often through hubs and long-distance) for removal operations completed and also the costs of returning accompanying escorts to Ireland when a one-way charter flight is used. Table 3: Costs for Charter and Commercial flights from 2024, up to 24 July 2026. - 2024 2025 2026 (up to 24 July) Charter Flight costs N/A \u20ac1,667,772 \u20ac2,129,586 Commercial Flight costs (enforced returns) \u20ac1,202,750 \u20ac1,525,731** \u20ac1,323,415** *Figures include VAT **includes the return of escorts for one way charter operations. These are provisional costs as the invoicing process has not yet been completed. Table 4 sets out the number of removals enforced on commercial airlines and charter flights from 2024, up to 24 July 2026. Table 4: Deportations enforced from 2024, up to 24 July 2026. - 2024 2025 2026 (up to 24 July) Deportation orders enforced on commercial flights 134 185 148 Deportation orders enforced on charter flights 0 182 104 Other removals enforced on commercial flights* 26 28 32 Other removals enforced on charter flights* 0 23 68 *Other enforced removals include Dublin III Transfer Orders of International Protection applicants to other EU State and EU Removal Orders for the return of EU Citizen under the Free Movement Regulations (these orders are made on grounds of criminality) and persons who are deemed inadmissible under the International Protection Act. Since 2016 to the end of 2023, my Department was able to reclaim some costs of commercial flights under the European Union\u2019s Asylum Migration and Integration Fund. A new fund opened in 2024 and my Department continues to reclaim funding for commercial flight costs under this EU Fund (for deportation costs only) and will be reclaiming charter costs under this fund. A number of factors impact the costs associated with deportation operations. In particular, the costs for any particular deportation reflect the numbers travelling in each instance, the destination country, and if direct flights are not available the escorts and deportee transit through a hub airport. Furthermore, in some cases, a person may resist deportation and the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) risk assessment may give rise to the need for additional escorts. It is the case that a significant number of individuals who were subject to deportation orders have left the State without notifying the relevant authorities; As there are no routine exit checks at Irish borders, it is not possible to definitely provide the number of people who have or have not complied with an order. I am, however, informed that the GNIB has reviewed a large sample of cases of people subject to deportation orders; their inquiries suggest a very significant number of these individuals have left the State. The nature and extent of these checks, as well enforcement of deportation orders, are a matter for the GNIB. I can inform the Deputy that there are no targets within my Department for the number of enforced deportations, however, my Department works closely with the GNIB to progress arrangements for the removal of people subject to deportation orders. If a person issued with a deportation order does not leave the State independently then they are required to present to the GNIB in accordance with the conditions of their deportation order. Information on the total cost associated with the processing and signing of deportation orders is not available as individuals may be subject to a range of decisions made across a number of sections within Immigration Service Delivery (ISD) before a deportation order is signed. As the signing of a deportation order represents the final stage of the immigration process, it is not possible to attribute the total costs associated solely with the processing and signing of deportation orders.", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2026-07-28/pq_2404", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2026-07-28/2404/" }, { "date": "2026-07-07", "question_number": 536, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "Departmental Policies", "asked_by": "Shane Moynihan", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "536. Deputy Shane Moynihan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the main policy achievements of his Department since 22 January 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50806/26]", "answer": "Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration I am proud of the considerable progress by my Department on a broad range of policy, operational and legislative initiatives since my appointment as Minister in January 2025. I look forward to continuing this work on my priorities, in line with the commitments set out in the Programme for Government. Delivering on the commitments laid out in the Programme for Government is a priority for me as Minister, my Department and my colleagues, Ministers of State Colm Brophy and Catherine Ardagh. Working with them, I want to ensure that our justice system is modern, efficient, and responsive to the needs of all of our people. I want a justice system that serves the fundamental need of all people to feel safe and secure in their homes and in their communities. I was pleased to publish the new Statement of Strategy for my Department for 2025\u20132028 in November last year. The Strategy aligns with the Programme for Government, sets out my Department\u2019s strategic direction to 2028 and will further the work towards our shared vision of a safe, fair and inclusive Ireland. I have previously answered Parliamentary Questions on the achievements of my Department since the formation of the Government, most recently Question. 461 of 28 May 2026. Some of the key achievements of my Department since 28 May 2026 are set out below. Garda Recruitment and Operations My first priority as Minister for Justice is to get more Garda\u00ed out onto our streets preventing the commission of crime through high visibility patrols. Increased recruitment and appropriate civilianisation where possible are vital to achieving this as is modern technology and equipment and active management of Garda resources. The Programme for Government commits to recruiting at least 5,000 Garda\u00ed over the lifetime of the Government, and we are very close to surpassing the previous record high of 14,600 Garda\u00ed from March 2020. Recruitment into An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na has gathered real momentum. In 2025, 794 new recruits were welcomed into the Garda College in Templemore. This is the highest number recruited since 2018. Over 200 trainee Gardai entered Templemore in May, bringing the total number of current trainees to over 600. An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na also recently held their latest recruitment drive which closed on 3 June, with over 4,000 applications received. This competition will help to ensure that we maintain the steady pipeline of new recruits. I also introduced the Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na (Powers) Bill and the Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na (Recording Devices) (Amendment) Bill, which will provide additional powers to An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na in relation to search warrants and use of facial recognition technology in certain circumstances. The Powers Bill successfully completed all stages in the Seanad on 17 June. The (Recording Devices) (Amendment) Bill completed its passage through the D\u00e1il on the 13 May 2026 and completed its passage through the Seanad on the 23 June 2026. It will now return to the D\u00e1il for one further date in order for that House to consider a small number of amendments made in the Seanad. The project to rollout Body Worn Cameras to all Garda\u00ed has progressed to procurement stage. Significant progress has been made on major developments of new garda stations in Portlaoise, Macroom, Clonmel, Bailieborough and Newcastle West. Domestic, Sexual, and Gender-Based Violence Strategy Combatting all forms of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence (DSGBV) has been a central priority for me since taking office. In June 2025, I published the final implementation plan of the five-year \u2018Zero Tolerance\u2019 National DSGBV Strategy setting out the delivery targets and collective action to end 2026. The plan contains 95 specific actions across the four pillars of the Istanbul Convention. Amongst the key deliverables are actions already underway in respect of significant legislative reform including: \u2022 Prioritising the drafting of the Guardianship of Infants and Child Care (Amendment) Bill that will, in certain situations, allow for the removal of guardianship rights from individuals convicted of killing the other parent or guardian of their child; The Bill completed all stages in the D\u00e1il on 17 June 2026 and in the Seanad on 30 June. It is anticipated that the Bill will complete its passage through the Oireachtas on the 15 July. \u2022 The Miscellaneous Provisions Bill completed all Seanad stages on 2 July. This Bill will limit the disclosure of counselling records in rape and sexual assault cases. \u2022 Banning sex for rent under the Criminal Law and Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2025; These provisions are included in the aforementioned Miscellaneous Provisions Bill which completed all Seanad stages on 02 July. \u2022 Introducing the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences, Domestic Violence, and International Instruments) Bill 2025 which will, inter alia, change the threshold from a subjective to an objective test for establishing consent in rape and sexual assault cases; \u2022 The Criminal Justice (Domestic Violence Register) Bill 2026 completed all Seanad stages on 25 June. The Bill will bring greater transparency and accountability for serious offenders. \u2022 Establishing the necessary legislative basis to provide for Operation Encompass, which will enable An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na to share information with schools when a child has been exposed to domestic violence. As part of the Zero Tolerance Strategy, Government committed to doubling domestic violence accommodation capacity in Ireland by the end of 2026 from 141 to 282 family units. By the end of 2026, it is envisaged to have 94 safe homes and 193 refuge units completed, bringing total safe accommodation to 287, with 50 further refuge units under construction. I am continuing to work with Cuan, my Department and the Department of Housing to ensure we are exhausting all measures to increase the pace of delivery for this much needed additional capacity. Immigration It is also a central priority for me to ensure that our immigration system is robust and rules based. My Department has taken action to significantly improve immigration enforcement measures and increase removals. This includes the renewed use of chartered deportation and removal flights. In 2025, 4,700 deportation orders were signed, an increase of 96% compared to 2024, while 2,111 people had their departure confirmed under various mechanisms (i.e. enforced deportation, voluntary return etc.), an increase of 88% compared to 2024. To June 5 2026, 2,108 deportation orders have been signed, an increase of 9% on 2025. International Protection The EU Migration and Asylum Pact came into effect on June 12, 2026, as did the International Protection Act 2026. The Pact is a new EU framework to manage migration and asylum for the long-term. The overall objective of the Pact is to provide a fair, sustainable and efficient asylum procedure. New applicants are now required to attend Citywest Reception Centre for screening, which includes identity, criminality, health and vulnerability checks. Applicants are provided with legal counselling and may avail of free legal aid. They are triaged into the correct procedural pathway. The first interviews will take place before the end of June. Case processing will be more efficient through use of a new fully digital system, and cases will be decided quickly in the vast majority of cases. The new appeals body, TARA, is resourced to hear appeals within specific timelines, and immigration officers and the Garda National Immigration Bureau are prepared to return those whose application is unsuccessful or who do not have the right to remain during an appeal. Ultimately, improved, faster processing will result in decreasing annual costs by reducing the time an applicant remains in the system. State Owned Accommodation I am committed to reforming Ireland\u2019s international protection system to ensure its efficiency and robustness. A stable and sustainable accommodation network is a central element of that reform and a key PfG commitment. State-owned centres are part of the Government\u2019s long-term plan to reduce the reliance on private accommodation providers resulting in better value for money of public funds and a more efficient international protection system. The purchase of the Citywest Hotel last year June was a significant step in achieving this. The viability of other properties that could be utilised as state-owned accommodation is currently being accessed. A coherent and sustainable response to the ending of the Temporary Protection Directive On 26 May 2026, Government approved measures to support those displaced by the war in Ukraine to transition from Temporary Protection status in line with the EU Council recommendation for a co-ordinated approach to transition people out of Temporary Protection across the EU. Ireland intends to continue to support people fleeing the war in Ukraine who are Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection. Since the adoption of the Government Decision on 26 May 2026, significant progress has been made in implementing these measures. This includes the development of a new Temporary Permission Transition Scheme for eligible beneficiaries of temporary protection, phased withdrawal of state-contracted commercial accommodation in tandem with protections for those who have specific vulnerabilities, the development of voluntary return arrangements as well as strengthening of information and engagement supports through partners such as the Irish Red Cross and the International Organisation for Migration. Delivery of these measures is being overseen through established cross-Government governance structures. These include the Senior Officials Group on Justice, divisions within my department and through regular whole-of-government engagement, local authorities, the European Commission and other stakeholders. Progress is monitored on an ongoing basis, with implementation milestones and emerging risks kept under review to ensure that Ireland\u2019s response remains coordinated, sustainable and aligned with developments at EU level. Community Safety The National Office for Community Safety established in April 2025 is a central coordinating body to the new whole of government, collaborative, problem-solving approach to community safety as envisaged by the Commission for the Future of Policing in Ireland (CoFPI). Last June, I signed regulations to allow for Local Community Safety Partnerships to begin their work across the country. These regulations provide for a total of 36 Local Community Safety Partnerships to be established across every Local Authority. At a local level, community safety partnerships will play a major role in enhancing community safety nationwide in collaboration with An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na, local residents, businesses and state agencies. I secured an additional \u20ac2.5 million in Budget 2026 to support the establishment of all 36 Local Community Safety Partnerships across the country. Members have been appointed to all 36 of these Safety Partnerships and the Partnerships are working to develop Local Community Safety Plans for their local areas. Improvements to international judicial cooperation Bilateral agreements between Ireland and the United Arab Emirates on extradition and mutual legal assistance (MLA) in criminal matters entered into force on 18 May 2025. The bilateral MLA and extradition treaties will ensure that criminals cannot evade the law. They will also serve to mitigate the harm caused by any perception that criminals can evade the law and benefit from the ill-gotten gains of criminal activity abroad, which itself diminishes the trust and confidence of citizens in the rule of law. I have also received Cabinet approval to publish the Criminal Justice (International Cooperation on Electronic Evidence and Other Matters) Bill 2026. The Bill, which is currently progressing through the Houses of the Oireachtas, will establish a new Office of Director of Criminal Justice International Cooperation, to allow Ireland to meet the requirements of the EU e-Evidence package. The package will make it faster and easier for law enforcement and judicial authorities across the EU, to obtain electronic evidence from service providers as part of criminal investigations. It is expected that all stages of consideration of the Bill will be completed this week. Criminal Law and Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2026 In December 2025, I secured Government approval to publish the Criminal Law and Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2026. The Bill, now titled the Criminal Law, Civil Law and Defence (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2026, was passed by the D\u00e1il on 10 June 2026 and passed Seanad Report and Final Stages on 2 July 2026. It will return to the D\u00e1il for a final vote on amendments introduced in the Seanad on 15 July. The Bill responds to a range of pressing challenges for the justice system. Among other provisions, it includes measures to: \u2022 criminalise the highly exploitative behaviour commonly known as \u2018sex for rent\u2019; \u2022 reform the law in relation to the disclosure of personal records in sexual offences trials, including by providing for a presumption of non-disclosure in relation to counselling notes and other sensitive personal records ; \u2022 mandate greater consideration of community service orders as an alternative to imprisonment in a wider range of suitable cases; \u2022 provide that prison officers may carry and deploy incapacitant spray in the course of their duties insofar as may be authorised by the Minister under the Prison Rules; \u2022 enable the use of more advanced DNA analysis in missing persons cases; \u2022 further facilitate video link hearings in the criminal courts by enabling bail bonds and suspended sentence bonds to be taken by Gardai and prison officers respectively; \u2022 establish a permanent regulatory basis under which licenced premises may provide outdoor seating on public land; \u2022 amend the Schedule to the Bail Act 1997 to add offences relating to forced marriage or coercive control, offences relating to witness intimidation, and offences of failing to comply with notification requirements under the Sex Offenders Act 2001; \u2022 provide for an application-based legislative scheme for the disregard of certain historical convictions relating to consensual sexual activity between men; \u2022 amend the Prisons Act 2015 to provide that, where two years or less of the applicable prison term remains to be served, a person may be taken from prison for the purpose of effecting a deportation or removal order; \u2022 amend the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005 to facilitate the use of the PPSN as a unique identifier for the criminal justice system; \u2022 provide an enabling basis for electronic document transmission in criminal proceedings and in international co-operation proceedings, and for electronic statements of truth in lieu of affidavits or statutory declarations in such proceedings; \u2022 amend the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act 1994 to provide members of An Garda Siochana with a limited power, in specified public order circumstances, to direct a person to remove a face covering; \u2022 amend the Misuse of Drugs Act 1984 to provide a statutory basis for the admissibility, as certificate evidence in criminal proceedings, of the results of presumptive drug tests administered by members of An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na; \u2022 extend Ireland\u2019s Passenger Name Record Data regime to include \u201cintra-EU\u201d flights flight routes between Ireland and the EU \u2013 in addition to extra-EU flights (routes between Ireland and countries outside the EU). The regime is underpinned by the EU PNR Directive (Directive 2016/681) and mandates the collection of PNR data from airlines and processing by national Passenger Information Units, in order to detect suspicious travel patterns and identify criminals and terrorists. Omagh Inquiry The International Co-operation (Omagh Bombing Inquiry) Act 2026 came into effect on 15 June 2026 in advance of the start of the Inquiry\u2019s evidential hearings in September. The commencement of the legislation is another major step in delivering on the PfG commitment to facilitate and support the Inquiry and adds to the suite of measures already implemented. Those measures include the Memorandum of Understanding with the Inquiry which has been in operation for over 12 months and under which a large volume of documentary materials has been disclosed. That work continues at pace. The measures also initiatives to support the disclosure of personal data to the Inquiry including the Data Protection Regulations that I signed last November. Family Justice The ongoing reform of the Family Justice system, for the benefit of families and children, is another of my key priorities. Work has commenced on the implementation of the Family Courts Act 2024. The Act introduces changes to the current delivery of family justice, including the introduction of specialist family law judges assigned and operating within new family court divisions. I recently announced details of the Implementation Plan for the Family Justice Act that will result in some of the most significant reforms of the family justice system in the history of the State. In June 2026, I launched a nationwide survey to learn more about professionals providing Voice of the Child and Welfare Reports in private family law proceedings to assist with the development and establishment of a panel of assessors. The establishment of a panel was another key recommendation in the Review of Expert Reports in the Family Law Process. Prisons and penal reform Irish Prison Service (IPS) is delivering one of the most significant capital programmes in the justice sector, reflecting the Government\u2019s commitment to increase prison capacity and modernise the estate in line with population growth, with an overall target of delivering over 1,500 spaces by 2031. This includes a large extension to the existing Cork Prison on the site of the old, decommissioned Cork Prison, a new block in Wheatfield, an additional block extension at Midlands prison, and additional spaces at Castlerea, Mountjoy, Cloverhill, Portlaoise, Limerick and the D\u00f3chas centre. To accelerate delivery for this plan, I sought and secured an exemption from the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation for six major projects (960 prison spaces) to move straight to Approval Gate 2 - Pre-Tender Approval of the Infrastructure Guidelines. This decision is expected to bring forward delivery timelines on those six projects by 12 to 18 months, while freeing up internal capacity within IPS to advance the wider programme. This acceleration reflects the priority placed by Government on strengthening the prison system\u2019s resilience and providing safe, secure and humane accommodation. Since 2024, 258 spaces have been constructed across the Prison Estate, with 126 constructed in 2024, 106 constructed in 2025 and 26 constructed so far in 2026 with a plan to build another 39 spaces by the end of the year. In June 2026, I published a Policy Review of the Criminal Justice (Community Sanctions) Bill 2014. The purpose of the proposed Bill is to update the Probation of Offenders Act 1907 with modern provisions dealing with community sanctions and the role of the Probation Service in the criminal justice system. The Policy Review was jointly undertaken by my Department and the Probation Service. It proposes changes to the 2014 Bill\u2019s General Scheme to reflect more recent developments in Irish penal policy, and it recommends several changes to pre-sentencing practice, while retaining the 2014 provisions around reparation orders and the discontinuation of the Court Poor Box. My Department will now progress work in relation to the revision of the General Scheme of the Criminal Justice (Community Sanctions) Bill 2014. The Criminal Law, Civil Law and Defence (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2026, which completed all Seanad stages on 2 July and is due to return to the D\u00e1il on 15 July for a final vote on the Seanad amendments, includes amendments to the Criminal Justice (Community Service) Act 1983 aimed at encouraging greater use of community service orders (CSOs). The amendments will oblige the courts to consider a CSO in lieu of a prison sentence of up to 24 months\u2019 duration (the current such threshold being 12 months) and to give reasons where they consider that a CSO should not be imposed in such a case. A court will also be able to order up to 480 hours of community service (the current statutory maximum being 240 hours). A key recommendation of the High-Level Taskforce (HLTF) on mental health and addiction was the establishment of a Community Access Support Team (CAST) to divert those experiencing situational trauma or a mental health crisis away from the criminal justice system, and towards the healthcare system. The CAST project commenced in January 2025 and is a partnership pilot between An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na and the Mental Health Services of HSE Mid-West Community Healthcare which is currently being trialled in the Limerick Garda Division. This has resulted in multiple diversions from arrest and subsequent detentions under Section 12 of the Mental Health Act 2001 to the benefit of individual patients and increased public safety. An evaluation of CAST has recently been completed by the University of Limerick. Counter-terrorism Last June, I received Cabinet approval to strengthen Ireland\u2019s counter-terrorism laws with the publication of the Criminal Justice (Terrorist Offences) (Amendment) Bill 2025. The Terrorist Offences Bill will allow for the prosecution of a broader range of terrorist activities in light of the evolving nature of terrorism. These include terrorist acts with a cross-border element, and cyber-attacks where the aim is to cause widespread harm. The Bill will bring Ireland\u2019s counter-terrorism laws into line with those of other EU member states. This alignment will facilitate Ireland\u2019s participation in enhanced counter-terrorism networks across the EU, enabling An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na to tap into those networks to respond to both domestic and cross-border terrorist threats. On 30 June, the Bill successfully completed its passage through both Houses of the Oireachtas. It will now be presented to the President for signing and promulgation.", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2026-07-07/pq_536", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2026-07-07/536/" }, { "date": "2026-09-24", "question_number": 381, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "International Protection", "asked_by": "Paul Lawless", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "381. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of judicial reviews that were undertaken by asylum seekers against IPAT rulings for each of the past five years; the cost to the State in terms of free legal aid for those taking the judicial reviews and also for those defending against these judicial reviews, for each of the past five years. [67700/26]", "answer": "Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration It is a central priority for me that Ireland's immigration system is robust and rules-based. In 2025, the International Protection Office (IPO) delivered over 20,200 first-instance decisions, compared to approximately 14,100 in 2024, representing a 44% increase. The International Protection Appeals Tribunal (IPAT) more than doubled the number of appeals closed, from 3,100 in 2024 to nearly 6,300 in 2025. This year, as of 20 September 2026, IPAT has already closed 6,693 appeals and is on track to significantly exceed the number of appeals closed in 2025. The table below shows the appeals completed by year since 2021. Year Total Completed 2021 1228 2022 1571 2023 1701 2024 3098 2025 6254 2026 YTD* 6693 *as at 20/09/2026 The table below shows the number of Judicial Reviews taken against decisions of the IPAT from 2021 to 21 September 2026. Year Judicial Reviews taken against decisions of IPAT 2021 59 2022 42 2023 156 2024 200 2025 383 2026 YTD* 412 Total 1252 * as of 21/09/2026 Legal representation costs incurred in defending Judicial Reviews taken against decisions made by State entities, such as IPAT, are the responsibility of the Chief State Solicitor's Office and are not charged to the Department's Vote. The Legal Aid Board (LAB) is the statutory independent body responsible for the provision of civil legal aid and advice to persons of modest means. Legal aid and advice are provided to international protection applicants under the International Protection Act 2015 and the International Protection Act 2026, including where an applicant seeks legal aid to bring Judicial Review proceedings against a negative decision of IPAT, the Minister, or the Tribunal for Asylum and Returns Appeals (TARA). To assist the Deputy, I have made enquiries with the Legal Aid Board and have been provided with the following information. Where an applicant seeks legal aid to bring Judicial Review proceedings against a negative decision of IPAT, the Minister, or TARA, legal aid may be granted for such proceedings. Unlike the earlier stages of the international protection process, Judicial Review proceedings are not covered by the International Protection Private Practitioners Panel and, therefore, where legal aid is granted for Judicial Review proceedings, the matter must be dealt with internally by a law centre. The applicant must make a further application for legal services to the LAB. The applicant must satisfy the means and merits tests that apply to the grant of legal aid under the Civil Legal Aid Act 1995. The applicant must be financially eligible, with a disposable income of \u20ac18,000 or less and disposable capital of \u20ac100,000 or less. The applicant's case must also satisfy the merits test that applies under sections 24 and 28 of the Civil Legal Aid Act 1995, namely: \u2022 Whether a reasonable person of average means would pay for the proceedings with their own money; \u2022 Whether a solicitor or barrister would advise them to do so; \u2022 Whether there are reasonable grounds in law to institute or defend the matter; \u2022 Whether the applicant has reasonable prospects of success in the matter; \u2022 Whether the legal proceedings contemplated are the most appropriate method by which the matter can be resolved; and \u2022 Whether the matter meets a cost-benefit analysis, balancing the likely costs involved against the benefit to the applicant. Generally speaking, where legal services for international protection in connection with the IPO, IPAT or TARA have been provided by a private practitioner on foot of a legal aid certificate, and where grounds for judicial review have been identified by the private practitioner and the private practitioner considers the matter has reasonable prospects of success, it will usually be taken on by the private practitioner on a no fault, no fee basis. One of the matters that LAB must also consider in assessing an application for legal services is the possibility that the legal representation sought may be obtained from a private solicitor and applicants are advised of the possibility that a private solicitor may take the matter on. However, if an applicant advises that he/she has been unable to secure representation privately then, due to the short time frames within which judicial review proceedings may be instituted, the application for legal services is accepted and the application is processed and a submission for a legal aid certificate is made on the basis of the above outlined merits criteria. In the event that a legal aid certificate is refused, then that decision is subject to the usual right of review/appeal. From January 2021 to date, the Legal Aid Board have only issued one legal aid certificate to institute Judicial Review proceedings in international protection matters. The LAB have provided a breakdown of the annual expenditure from 2020 to 2026 YTD in relation to the provision of legal aid and advice in international protection. The Legal Aid Board has advised that it is not possible to provide a breakdown of expenditure by application stage as this information is not recorded in a manner which allows for the collation of data as requested along the lines sought by the Deputy. As such, it is not possible for the Legal Aid Board to provide a breakdown of expenditure for international protection and immigration related judicial review and other court proceedings although, as noted above, there has only been one legal aid certificate issued to institute such proceedings since January 2021. They have indicated that the annual expenditure in this table does not include pay or operational costs, as International Protection is one of many services provided by law centres and therefore the expenditure on International Protection cannot be extracted from the overall pay and operational costs for law centres. The table is broken down by expenditure for private solicitors contracted through the Legal Aid Board\u2019s Solicitors Panel for International Protection Matters and for barristers retained from the International Protection Barristers Sub-panel, as well as related service delivery costs such as expert medical reports, translations and interpreter services. 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 * \u20ac \u20ac \u20ac \u20ac \u20ac \u20ac International Protection Counsel Fees 1,569 2,702 64,518 178,141 241,503 161,675 Medical Fees 34,183 52,814 83,258 176,092 116,446 50,495 Other Fees 1,857 344 385 83 385 86 Translations 10,763 56,986 55,172 121,700 132,577 62,003 Interpretation 116,628 541,627 1,326,651 1,319,805 1,145,784 772,151 Private Practitioners 823,873 1,412,658 2,600,253 3,902,575 4,953,527 2,849,916 TOTAL 988,873 2,067,131 4,130,237 5,698,396 6,590,222 3,896,326 * Up to 31 August 2026 All data is correct at time of issue and may be subject to data cleansing.", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2026-09-24/pq_381", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2026-09-24/381/" }, { "date": "2019-01-15", "question_number": 510, "chamber": "32nd D\u00e1il", "topic": "Work Permits Applications Data", "asked_by": "Maurice Quinlivan", "answered_by": "Business", "question_type": "written", "question": "510. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the number of work permits applied for in each of the years 2010 to 2018; the number refused; the number granted; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1204/19]", "answer": "Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation I propose to take Questions Nos. 510 and 511 together. The Employment Permits section in my Department has experienced a large increase in demand for employment permits throughout 2018 due to our continued economic success, growing labour market and reduced labour surplus, which has in turn contributed to increased processing times for applications. In 2018, 16,768 employment permit applications were accepted, a 27% increase over 2017 (13,217). Over the same period 13,398 permits were granted, an 18% increase over 2017 (11,354) so productivity is improving. My officials inform me that, at the end of 2018, approximately 2,620 applications were awaiting processing. Good progress had been made in reducing processing times in Q4 2018, with processing times for Trusted Partners falling from 7 weeks to 5 weeks, and from 16 weeks to 12 weeks for standard applications by December last. This was achieved through a combination of increased resources, staff working overtime and some ICT and other operational improvements. In addition, solutions are also being developed to eliminate the impact on processing times of seasonal challenges and work is underway on developing a new IT system which will further reduce processing times. Finally, the statistics requested by the Deputy are set out in the following table: Year Applications Accepted Permits Granted Permits Refused 2010 7,967 7,877 1,212 2011 6,054 5,374 1,216 2012 4,925 4,139 965 2013 4,602 3,923 547 2014 6,303 5,496 588 2015 9,021 7,265 906 2016 11,317 9,383 1,651 2017 13,217 11,354 1,516 2018 16,768 13,398 1,38", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2019-01-15/pq_510", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2019-01-15/510/" }, { "date": "2019-01-15", "question_number": 511, "chamber": "32nd D\u00e1il", "topic": "Work Permits Applications Data", "asked_by": "Maurice Quinlivan", "answered_by": "Business", "question_type": "written", "question": "511. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the average waiting time for a work permit to be processed; the number of permits awaiting processing; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1205/19]", "answer": "Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation I propose to take Questions Nos. 510 and 511 together. The Employment Permits section in my Department has experienced a large increase in demand for employment permits throughout 2018 due to our continued economic success, growing labour market and reduced labour surplus, which has in turn contributed to increased processing times for applications. In 2018, 16,768 employment permit applications were accepted, a 27% increase over 2017 (13,217). Over the same period 13,398 permits were granted, an 18% increase over 2017 (11,354) so productivity is improving. My officials inform me that, at the end of 2018, approximately 2,620 applications were awaiting processing. Good progress had been made in reducing processing times in Q4 2018, with processing times for Trusted Partners falling from 7 weeks to 5 weeks, and from 16 weeks to 12 weeks for standard applications by December last. This was achieved through a combination of increased resources, staff working overtime and some ICT and other operational improvements. In addition, solutions are also being developed to eliminate the impact on processing times of seasonal challenges and work is underway on developing a new IT system which will further reduce processing times. Finally, the statistics requested by the Deputy are set out in the following table: Year Applications Accepted Permits Granted Permits Refused 2010 7,967 7,877 1,212 2011 6,054 5,374 1,216 2012 4,925 4,139 965 2013 4,602 3,923 547 2014 6,303 5,496 588 2015 9,021 7,265 906 2016 11,317 9,383 1,651 2017 13,217 11,354 1,516 2018 16,768 13,398 1,38", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2019-01-15/pq_511", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2019-01-15/511/" }, { "date": "2023-01-18", "question_number": 1103, "chamber": "33rd D\u00e1il", "topic": "Asylum Seekers", "asked_by": "Peadar T\u00f3ib\u00edn", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "1103. Deputy Peadar T\u00f3ib\u00edn asked the Minister for Justice the number of persons who have applied for asylum who have been repatriated in each of the past ten years; and the number who have applied for asylum who have been repatriated due to a previous criminal record coming to light in their home country and or due to a criminal record incurred in Ireland, respectively. [1189/23]", "answer": "Minister for Justice The table below contains details of persons confirmed deported and those confirmed deported following unsuccessful International Protection applications. The Department does not record data in the manner requested by the Deputy where criminality is concerned. Year Effected DO Effected DO Effected after Failed IP Application 2012 301 186 2013 199 101 2014 110 33 2015 250 112 2016 428 228 2017 138 84 2018 163 94 2019 299 183 2020 140 61 2021 38 17 2022 119 54 Total 2,183 1,153 When issued with a deportation order, a person is required to remove themselves from the State. Many people also comply in this manner and leave the country, without notifying the immigration authorities that they have done so. However, where a person does not voluntarily return to their own country, Ireland, like all other EU Member States, puts in place arrangements to return people to their home country.", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2023-01-18/pq_1103", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2023-01-18/1103/" }, { "date": "2023-11-28", "question_number": 424, "chamber": "33rd D\u00e1il", "topic": "Citizenship Applications", "asked_by": "Michael Ring", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "424. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Justice the number of foreign nationals who have successfully applied for Irish citizenship in each of the past ten years. [52448/23]", "answer": "Minister for Justice The granting of Irish citizenship through naturalisation is governed by the provisions of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended. All applications for a certificate of naturalisation are processed and assessed individually in accordance with the provisions of the Act. Applicants are required to have 5 years reckonable residence in the State prior to making an application, except for spouses of Irish nationals and people granted International Protection where the requirement is 3 years. In all cases, the final 12 months must be continuous residence in the State. It is open to anyone to make an application for citizenship once they meet the criteria as set out in the 1956 Act, as amended. Once an application is received, a determination on whether the applicant satisfies the statutory criteria for naturalisation will be made. I can advise the Deputy, that in October 2023 my Department moved from paper based applications to online forms for all new adult applications and this should help in reducing the median processing time for applications. Detailed information on how to apply for naturalisation is available on my Department's Irish Immigration website at: www.irishimmigration.ie/how-to-become-a-citizen/ The table below details the number of Certificates of Naturalisation issued for each of the years 2013 to date, as requested by the Deputy. The number naturalised in any given year may includes persons approved for naturalisation in a previous year. The Citizenship Division issues invitations to ceremonies to successful applicants at the earliest possible opportunity. Over 17,000 applicants have received a decision in relation to their application for naturalisation to date in 2023. So far this year there have been 9 Citizenship Ceremonies. These have taken place in the RDS, Dublin in March, in the INEC, Killarney in June and the Convention Centre in Dublin in October. A further 7 ceremonies will be held over two days in the Convention Centre Dublin next month and invitations to applicants will issue shortly. Year Total 2013 24,202 2014 21,064 2015 13,532 2016 10,017 2017 8,186 2018 8,213 2019 5,781 2020 5,468 2021 9,776 2022 13,601 2023 (YTD) 12,500", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2023-11-28/pq_424", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2023-11-28/424/" }, { "date": "2017-04-11", "question_number": 127, "chamber": "32nd D\u00e1il", "topic": "Direct Provision Data", "asked_by": "Carol Nolan", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "127. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the T\u00e1naiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of persons who are currently in direct provision; the number of persons granted asylum over each of the past ten years; the waiting times to be granted asylum; the number of persons who have been refused asylum; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17906/17]", "answer": "T\u00e1naiste and Minister for Justice and Equality The International Protection Act 2015 was commenced on 31 December 2016. The new system will ensure that all aspects of a person's claim (Asylum, Subsidiary protection and Humanitarian Leave to Remain) are considered together rather than sequentially as heretofore. The following figures are provided in answer to the Deputy's question: Regarding Direct Provision, as of 26 March, 2017, there were 4,519 persons resident in Reception and Integration Agency (RIA) accommodation centres. The numbers of persons granted, and refused, asylum over each of the past ten years are as follows: Year Granted Refused Total 2007 600 3507 4107 2008 591 2769 3360 2009 394 4237 4631 2010 160 3572 3732 2011 132 1686 1818 2012 92 931 1023 2013 192 771 963 2014 210 511 721 2015 323 885 1208 2016 591 1352 1943 Total 3285 20221 23,506 In addition, a number of these applicants may have been granted subsidiary protection or permission to remain subsequent to their initial application. The median processing time for applicants granted asylum by the Ministerial Decisions Unit (MDU) for 2016 was 358 days (51 weeks). The new single application procedure under the International Protection Act 2015, will, in time, significantly accelerate the protection determination process and by extension will reduce the length of time which applicants spend in State provided accommodation. In relation to direct provision, the Deputy will be aware that a new analysis published in February reported on further significant progress in implementing the recommendations of the McMahon Report. 92% of the Report\u2019s 173 recommendations are now implemented, partially implemented or are in progress, a significant increase on the 80% reported in the first audit of progress published last June. The process of implementation will continue across a number of Government Departments and Agencies. 121 of the recommendations are now implemented, with a further 38 recommendations partially implemented or in progress. When the Working Group examined the figures in 2015 there were 2,695 people in Direct Provision for 3 or more years. As of 1 January this year, this has been reduced by 55% to 1,204 people. The number of people in the system for 5 years or more has reduced by 58% from 1,946 to 811. Only 251 of these are awaiting a final decision on their protection application and the vast majority of these cannot be processed for various reasons such as pending judicial review proceedings. In effect, this means that almost all cases in the Direct Provision system for over five years that can be processed have been.", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2017-04-11/pq_127", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2017-04-11/127/" }, { "date": "2021-11-23", "question_number": 474, "chamber": "33rd D\u00e1il", "topic": "Deportation Orders", "asked_by": "Robert Troy", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "474. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Justice the number of persons currently on the deportation list. [57242/21]", "answer": "Minister for Justice As the Deputy will be aware, the Minister for Justice can make an order under the Immigration Act 1999, requiring people who are non-nationals to leave the State, commonly known as a deportation order. I can advise the Deputy that prior to a Deportation Order being made, the permission to remain process includes a full consideration of private and family rights in accordance with the European Convention on Human Rights as well as consideration of their work history if any, among other issues. Each case is examined in detail on its individual merits, taking all factors into account. The principle of non-refoulement applies to these decisions. Under international human rights law, the principle of non-refoulement guarantees that no one should be returned to a country where they would face torture, cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment and other irreparable harm. The concept of voluntary return is actively encouraged prior to a Deportation Order being made. If a Deportation Order is subsequently made, Section 3 (11) of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended) allows an Order to be amended or revoked by making a request to me, as Minister for Justice. The request can be made to raise matters which were not considered at the time when the decision to make a DO was taken. I would encourage anyone making such a request to be as detailed as possible in their representations so that fully informed decisions can be taken at the appropriate time. The outcome of such a request will be that the Order is either revoked or affirmed. The table below provides the number of Deportation Orders (DO\u2019s) issued from 2011 until the end of October 2021. Year DOs Issued 2011 1353 2012 1330 2013 1173 2014 959 2015 817 2016 1442 2017 1122 2018 1117 2019 2017 2020 873 2021 26 Total 12,229 The low number of deportations in 2021 reflects my decision only to deport persons in very restricted circumstances in the context of the pandemic.", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2021-11-23/pq_474", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2021-11-23/474/" }, { "date": "2025-07-29", "question_number": 1943, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "Prison Service", "asked_by": "Peadar T\u00f3ib\u00edn", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "1943. Deputy Peadar T\u00f3ib\u00edn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of deaths of prisoners in the State, in each of the past ten years. [41142/25]", "answer": "Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration The information requested by the Deputy is included in the table below. The table includes deaths that took place while the individual was in Prison, outside the prison on Temporary Release or Unlawfully at Large. I would like to express my sympathies to the family and friends of each of the individuals concerned. All deaths of prisoners within prisons are notified to An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na, who investigate where circumstances warrant, in addition to the inquest held in the Coroner's Court. The cause of death is determined by a jury on the basis of the information presented to the Coroner's Court. All prisoner deaths including deaths that occur within one month of temporary release are subject to an independent investigation by the Inspector of Prisons. Following this investigation, the Office of the Inspector of Prisons makes recommendations for improvement where appropriate. Finalised reports and any associated Prison Service Action Plan to address recommendations are published in an anonymised form on the Gov.ie website and made available to the Coroner. Further, the Irish Prison Service has a robust, internal review mechanism which assesses the circumstances of each prisoner death, highlights accountability and actions taken in relation to it, and outlines lessons learned. Table 1: Total Deaths in custody from 2015 to 17 July 2025 inclusive that took place while the prisoner was in Prison, outside the prison on Temporary Release or Unlawfully at Large: - Total Deaths in custody Year Numbers in Custody (IPS) as of 31 Dec In Prison On Temporary Release from Prison Unlawfully at Large from Prison Total 2025 5,528 * 8 1 2 11 * 2024 5,001 22 8 1 31 2023 4,677 12 10 2 24 2022 4,246 20 4 0 24 2021 3,704 8 2 0 10 2020 3,650 8 5 1 14 2019 3,950 14 7 0 21 2018 3,911 9 9 1 19 2017 3,619 10 4 0 14 2016 3,597 5 5 0 10 2015 3,647 15 8 0 23 Total N/A 131 63 7 201 *Correct as of 17 July 2025", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2025-07-29/pq_1943", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2025-07-29/1943/" }, { "date": "2026-05-06", "question_number": 625, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "Deportation Orders", "asked_by": "Peadar T\u00f3ib\u00edn", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "625. Deputy Peadar T\u00f3ib\u00edn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the process that applies where an individual has been refused permission to remain in the State, including the steps taken from the point of refusal to deportation or voluntary return. [32187/26]", "answer": "Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration I propose to take Questions Nos. 625, 627, 628 and 629 together. It is a central priority for me that Ireland\u2019s immigration system is robust and rules based. The enforcement aspects of our laws, including deportation orders, are an essential requirement for the system to work effectively and to ensure that there is confidence in the application of our legislation in this area. In relation to permission to remain in the context of international protection, an applicant makes only one application under the single procedure. All grounds for seeking international protection (refugee status and subsidiary protection) as well as permission to remain are determined in this one process. This is known as a first-instance decision, or first-instance recommendation. The International Protection Office (IPO) makes first instance recommendations in respect of international protection (refugee status and subsidiary protection) as well as decisions on permission to remain. All applicants refused international protection have a right to appeal to the International Protection Appeals Tribunal (IPAT) who must then consider if the earlier International Protection Office (IPO) determinations on refugee status and subsidiary protection should be affirmed (refused) or set aside (granted). Applicants who have had their appeal for international protection refused are entitled to submit a request to review their permission to remain to the IPO where their circumstances have changed since their first instance recommendation. If successful, they will be granted permission to remain in Ireland. If the permission to remain review is refused the persons may have the option of voluntary return, which if not accepted will in the normal course lead to the making of a deportation order. The only barrier to that course of action is the provisions of section 50 of the International Protection Act 2015 on the prohibition of refoulement. Deportations are costly and complex to enforce. It is the preferred option to return people voluntarily and my Department has a voluntary return programme to assist people to return prior to the issuance of a deportation order. A person can only avail of voluntary return before a deportation order is issued. If a person does not remove themselves from the State following the issuance of a deportation order, they will be removed. A deportation order is a legal order to leave the State, and the enforcement of a deportation order is an operational matter for the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB). Each deportation order is accompanied by a letter or notice that informs the person of their obligations and requirements, including the obligation to present to the GNIB at a particular time and date. Other requirements are outlined in the letter, such as the requirement to reside at their address pending their removal and the requirement to co-operate with the GNIB and produce any travel document to facilitate their removal from the State. My Department works closely with the GNIB to progress arrangements for the removal of people subject to deportation orders. Any person who is the subject to a deportation order is ineligible for social assistance payments and a range of other public services such as accommodation. It is the case that a significant number of individuals who were subject to deportation orders have left the State without notifying the relevant authorities; however, as there are no routine exit checks at Irish borders, it is not possible to definitely provide the number of people who have or have not complied with an order. I am, however, informed that the GNIB has reviewed a large sample of cases of people subject to deportation orders; their inquiries suggest a very significant number of these individuals have left the State. Table 1 below details the number deportation orders which have been signed in respect of people who have been refused International Protection (IP) in 2024, 2025 and up to 31 March 2026. Table 1. Deportation orders signed from 2020 to 01 May 2026 Year 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 (up to 01 May) Deportation orders signed 598 33 549 859 2,403 4,700 1,513 *Please note, figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing. Table 2. Deportation Enforcement 2020 to 01 May 2026 Year 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 (up to 01 May) Enforced Deportations 42 5 24 51 134 185 96 Removed by Charter N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 182 62 Otherwise Confirmed Deportation (1) 97 33 93 28 28 67 21 Total Deportations 139 38 117 79 162 434 179 Other Removals (2) 40 46 39 24 26 61 52 Number of Voluntary Returns 201 132 91 215 934 1,616 497 Total Removed 380 216 247 318 1,122 2,111 728 *Please note, figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing. ** During the COVID- 19 Pandemic there was a moratorium on deportations. This was effective during the latter part of 2020, 2021 and for the first 8 months of 2022. During the moratorium only people who whose presence in Ireland would be contrary to the public interest were deported. This moratorium was lifted in July 2022. *** A deportation order effected in any year may relate to an order signed in a previous year. 1. Otherwise confirmed deportations is where it has been confirmed a person has left the state following receipt of a deportation order without being escorted. 2. Other removals include Dublin III Transfer Orders of International Protection applicants to another EU State and EU Removal Orders for the return of EU Citizens under the Free Movement Regulations (these orders are made on grounds of criminality) and people who are deemed inadmissible under the International Protection Act.", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2026-05-06/pq_625", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2026-05-06/625/" }, { "date": "2026-05-06", "question_number": 627, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "Deportation Orders", "asked_by": "Peadar T\u00f3ib\u00edn", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "627. Deputy Peadar T\u00f3ib\u00edn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration whether his Department maintains oversight of individuals who have been refused permission to remain in the State but have not yet been deported, including where such individuals are residing; and the monitoring arrangements, if any, are in place. [32189/26]", "answer": "Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration I propose to take Questions Nos. 625, 627, 628 and 629 together. It is a central priority for me that Ireland\u2019s immigration system is robust and rules based. The enforcement aspects of our laws, including deportation orders, are an essential requirement for the system to work effectively and to ensure that there is confidence in the application of our legislation in this area. In relation to permission to remain in the context of international protection, an applicant makes only one application under the single procedure. All grounds for seeking international protection (refugee status and subsidiary protection) as well as permission to remain are determined in this one process. This is known as a first-instance decision, or first-instance recommendation. The International Protection Office (IPO) makes first instance recommendations in respect of international protection (refugee status and subsidiary protection) as well as decisions on permission to remain. All applicants refused international protection have a right to appeal to the International Protection Appeals Tribunal (IPAT) who must then consider if the earlier International Protection Office (IPO) determinations on refugee status and subsidiary protection should be affirmed (refused) or set aside (granted). Applicants who have had their appeal for international protection refused are entitled to submit a request to review their permission to remain to the IPO where their circumstances have changed since their first instance recommendation. If successful, they will be granted permission to remain in Ireland. If the permission to remain review is refused the persons may have the option of voluntary return, which if not accepted will in the normal course lead to the making of a deportation order. The only barrier to that course of action is the provisions of section 50 of the International Protection Act 2015 on the prohibition of refoulement. Deportations are costly and complex to enforce. It is the preferred option to return people voluntarily and my Department has a voluntary return programme to assist people to return prior to the issuance of a deportation order. A person can only avail of voluntary return before a deportation order is issued. If a person does not remove themselves from the State following the issuance of a deportation order, they will be removed. A deportation order is a legal order to leave the State, and the enforcement of a deportation order is an operational matter for the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB). Each deportation order is accompanied by a letter or notice that informs the person of their obligations and requirements, including the obligation to present to the GNIB at a particular time and date. Other requirements are outlined in the letter, such as the requirement to reside at their address pending their removal and the requirement to co-operate with the GNIB and produce any travel document to facilitate their removal from the State. My Department works closely with the GNIB to progress arrangements for the removal of people subject to deportation orders. Any person who is the subject to a deportation order is ineligible for social assistance payments and a range of other public services such as accommodation. It is the case that a significant number of individuals who were subject to deportation orders have left the State without notifying the relevant authorities; however, as there are no routine exit checks at Irish borders, it is not possible to definitely provide the number of people who have or have not complied with an order. I am, however, informed that the GNIB has reviewed a large sample of cases of people subject to deportation orders; their inquiries suggest a very significant number of these individuals have left the State. Table 1 below details the number deportation orders which have been signed in respect of people who have been refused International Protection (IP) in 2024, 2025 and up to 31 March 2026. Table 1. Deportation orders signed from 2020 to 01 May 2026 Year 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 (up to 01 May) Deportation orders signed 598 33 549 859 2,403 4,700 1,513 *Please note, figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing. Table 2. Deportation Enforcement 2020 to 01 May 2026 Year 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 (up to 01 May) Enforced Deportations 42 5 24 51 134 185 96 Removed by Charter N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 182 62 Otherwise Confirmed Deportation (1) 97 33 93 28 28 67 21 Total Deportations 139 38 117 79 162 434 179 Other Removals (2) 40 46 39 24 26 61 52 Number of Voluntary Returns 201 132 91 215 934 1,616 497 Total Removed 380 216 247 318 1,122 2,111 728 *Please note, figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing. ** During the COVID- 19 Pandemic there was a moratorium on deportations. This was effective during the latter part of 2020, 2021 and for the first 8 months of 2022. During the moratorium only people who whose presence in Ireland would be contrary to the public interest were deported. This moratorium was lifted in July 2022. *** A deportation order effected in any year may relate to an order signed in a previous year. 1. Otherwise confirmed deportations is where it has been confirmed a person has left the state following receipt of a deportation order without being escorted. 2. Other removals include Dublin III Transfer Orders of International Protection applicants to another EU State and EU Removal Orders for the return of EU Citizens under the Free Movement Regulations (these orders are made on grounds of criminality) and people who are deemed inadmissible under the International Protection Act.", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2026-05-06/pq_627", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2026-05-06/627/" }, { "date": "2026-05-06", "question_number": 628, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "Deportation Orders", "asked_by": "Peadar T\u00f3ib\u00edn", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "628. Deputy Peadar T\u00f3ib\u00edn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of individuals refused permission to remain in the State in each of the last five years; the number subsequently deported; the number remaining in the State; and if he is aware of the location of each of these individuals. [32190/26]", "answer": "Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration I propose to take Questions Nos. 625, 627, 628 and 629 together. It is a central priority for me that Ireland\u2019s immigration system is robust and rules based. The enforcement aspects of our laws, including deportation orders, are an essential requirement for the system to work effectively and to ensure that there is confidence in the application of our legislation in this area. In relation to permission to remain in the context of international protection, an applicant makes only one application under the single procedure. All grounds for seeking international protection (refugee status and subsidiary protection) as well as permission to remain are determined in this one process. This is known as a first-instance decision, or first-instance recommendation. The International Protection Office (IPO) makes first instance recommendations in respect of international protection (refugee status and subsidiary protection) as well as decisions on permission to remain. All applicants refused international protection have a right to appeal to the International Protection Appeals Tribunal (IPAT) who must then consider if the earlier International Protection Office (IPO) determinations on refugee status and subsidiary protection should be affirmed (refused) or set aside (granted). Applicants who have had their appeal for international protection refused are entitled to submit a request to review their permission to remain to the IPO where their circumstances have changed since their first instance recommendation. If successful, they will be granted permission to remain in Ireland. If the permission to remain review is refused the persons may have the option of voluntary return, which if not accepted will in the normal course lead to the making of a deportation order. The only barrier to that course of action is the provisions of section 50 of the International Protection Act 2015 on the prohibition of refoulement. Deportations are costly and complex to enforce. It is the preferred option to return people voluntarily and my Department has a voluntary return programme to assist people to return prior to the issuance of a deportation order. A person can only avail of voluntary return before a deportation order is issued. If a person does not remove themselves from the State following the issuance of a deportation order, they will be removed. A deportation order is a legal order to leave the State, and the enforcement of a deportation order is an operational matter for the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB). Each deportation order is accompanied by a letter or notice that informs the person of their obligations and requirements, including the obligation to present to the GNIB at a particular time and date. Other requirements are outlined in the letter, such as the requirement to reside at their address pending their removal and the requirement to co-operate with the GNIB and produce any travel document to facilitate their removal from the State. My Department works closely with the GNIB to progress arrangements for the removal of people subject to deportation orders. Any person who is the subject to a deportation order is ineligible for social assistance payments and a range of other public services such as accommodation. It is the case that a significant number of individuals who were subject to deportation orders have left the State without notifying the relevant authorities; however, as there are no routine exit checks at Irish borders, it is not possible to definitely provide the number of people who have or have not complied with an order. I am, however, informed that the GNIB has reviewed a large sample of cases of people subject to deportation orders; their inquiries suggest a very significant number of these individuals have left the State. Table 1 below details the number deportation orders which have been signed in respect of people who have been refused International Protection (IP) in 2024, 2025 and up to 31 March 2026. Table 1. Deportation orders signed from 2020 to 01 May 2026 Year 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 (up to 01 May) Deportation orders signed 598 33 549 859 2,403 4,700 1,513 *Please note, figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing. Table 2. Deportation Enforcement 2020 to 01 May 2026 Year 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 (up to 01 May) Enforced Deportations 42 5 24 51 134 185 96 Removed by Charter N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 182 62 Otherwise Confirmed Deportation (1) 97 33 93 28 28 67 21 Total Deportations 139 38 117 79 162 434 179 Other Removals (2) 40 46 39 24 26 61 52 Number of Voluntary Returns 201 132 91 215 934 1,616 497 Total Removed 380 216 247 318 1,122 2,111 728 *Please note, figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing. ** During the COVID- 19 Pandemic there was a moratorium on deportations. This was effective during the latter part of 2020, 2021 and for the first 8 months of 2022. During the moratorium only people who whose presence in Ireland would be contrary to the public interest were deported. This moratorium was lifted in July 2022. *** A deportation order effected in any year may relate to an order signed in a previous year. 1. Otherwise confirmed deportations is where it has been confirmed a person has left the state following receipt of a deportation order without being escorted. 2. Other removals include Dublin III Transfer Orders of International Protection applicants to another EU State and EU Removal Orders for the return of EU Citizens under the Free Movement Regulations (these orders are made on grounds of criminality) and people who are deemed inadmissible under the International Protection Act.", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2026-05-06/pq_628", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2026-05-06/628/" }, { "date": "2026-05-06", "question_number": 629, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "Deportation Orders", "asked_by": "Peadar T\u00f3ib\u00edn", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "629. Deputy Peadar T\u00f3ib\u00edn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration whether he receives regular reports on the status of individuals who have been refused permission to remain in the State but remain present in the State; and if so, the nature and frequency of such reports. [32191/26]", "answer": "Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration I propose to take Questions Nos. 625, 627, 628 and 629 together. It is a central priority for me that Ireland\u2019s immigration system is robust and rules based. The enforcement aspects of our laws, including deportation orders, are an essential requirement for the system to work effectively and to ensure that there is confidence in the application of our legislation in this area. In relation to permission to remain in the context of international protection, an applicant makes only one application under the single procedure. All grounds for seeking international protection (refugee status and subsidiary protection) as well as permission to remain are determined in this one process. This is known as a first-instance decision, or first-instance recommendation. The International Protection Office (IPO) makes first instance recommendations in respect of international protection (refugee status and subsidiary protection) as well as decisions on permission to remain. All applicants refused international protection have a right to appeal to the International Protection Appeals Tribunal (IPAT) who must then consider if the earlier International Protection Office (IPO) determinations on refugee status and subsidiary protection should be affirmed (refused) or set aside (granted). Applicants who have had their appeal for international protection refused are entitled to submit a request to review their permission to remain to the IPO where their circumstances have changed since their first instance recommendation. If successful, they will be granted permission to remain in Ireland. If the permission to remain review is refused the persons may have the option of voluntary return, which if not accepted will in the normal course lead to the making of a deportation order. The only barrier to that course of action is the provisions of section 50 of the International Protection Act 2015 on the prohibition of refoulement. Deportations are costly and complex to enforce. It is the preferred option to return people voluntarily and my Department has a voluntary return programme to assist people to return prior to the issuance of a deportation order. A person can only avail of voluntary return before a deportation order is issued. If a person does not remove themselves from the State following the issuance of a deportation order, they will be removed. A deportation order is a legal order to leave the State, and the enforcement of a deportation order is an operational matter for the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB). Each deportation order is accompanied by a letter or notice that informs the person of their obligations and requirements, including the obligation to present to the GNIB at a particular time and date. Other requirements are outlined in the letter, such as the requirement to reside at their address pending their removal and the requirement to co-operate with the GNIB and produce any travel document to facilitate their removal from the State. My Department works closely with the GNIB to progress arrangements for the removal of people subject to deportation orders. Any person who is the subject to a deportation order is ineligible for social assistance payments and a range of other public services such as accommodation. It is the case that a significant number of individuals who were subject to deportation orders have left the State without notifying the relevant authorities; however, as there are no routine exit checks at Irish borders, it is not possible to definitely provide the number of people who have or have not complied with an order. I am, however, informed that the GNIB has reviewed a large sample of cases of people subject to deportation orders; their inquiries suggest a very significant number of these individuals have left the State. Table 1 below details the number deportation orders which have been signed in respect of people who have been refused International Protection (IP) in 2024, 2025 and up to 31 March 2026. Table 1. Deportation orders signed from 2020 to 01 May 2026 Year 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 (up to 01 May) Deportation orders signed 598 33 549 859 2,403 4,700 1,513 *Please note, figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing. Table 2. Deportation Enforcement 2020 to 01 May 2026 Year 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 (up to 01 May) Enforced Deportations 42 5 24 51 134 185 96 Removed by Charter N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 182 62 Otherwise Confirmed Deportation (1) 97 33 93 28 28 67 21 Total Deportations 139 38 117 79 162 434 179 Other Removals (2) 40 46 39 24 26 61 52 Number of Voluntary Returns 201 132 91 215 934 1,616 497 Total Removed 380 216 247 318 1,122 2,111 728 *Please note, figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing. ** During the COVID- 19 Pandemic there was a moratorium on deportations. This was effective during the latter part of 2020, 2021 and for the first 8 months of 2022. During the moratorium only people who whose presence in Ireland would be contrary to the public interest were deported. This moratorium was lifted in July 2022. *** A deportation order effected in any year may relate to an order signed in a previous year. 1. Otherwise confirmed deportations is where it has been confirmed a person has left the state following receipt of a deportation order without being escorted. 2. Other removals include Dublin III Transfer Orders of International Protection applicants to another EU State and EU Removal Orders for the return of EU Citizens under the Free Movement Regulations (these orders are made on grounds of criminality) and people who are deemed inadmissible under the International Protection Act.", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2026-05-06/pq_629", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2026-05-06/629/" }, { "date": "2025-09-17", "question_number": 848, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "Child and Family Agency", "asked_by": "Louise O'Reilly", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "848. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of children who were referred by An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na to Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, in each year between 2014 and 2024, in tabular form. [47938/25]", "answer": "Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration I propose to take Questions Nos. 848 and 862 together. I am advised by An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na that the following table provides a count of unique incidents where a child was referred by An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na to Tusla, the Family & Child Agency for the 2014 to 2024 period. Year Reported Incident Type Number of Incidents 2014 Formal Notification to Tusla 13,101 2015 Formal Notification to Tusla 15,500 2016 Formal Notification to Tusla 17,091 2017 Formal Notification to Tusla 21,897 2018 Formal Notification to Tusla 23,513 2019 Formal Notification to Tusla 26,655 2020 Formal Notification to Tusla 30,694 2021 Formal Notification to Tusla 32, 854 2022 Formal Notification to Tusla 30,010 2023 Formal Notification to Tusla 32,836 2024 Formal Notification to Tusla 32,519 I am advised by the Garda authorities that where multiple children are associated with an originating PULSE incident, a separate notification incident is generated for each child. I am also advised that a child may be associated with more than one notification incident during the course of a single reporting year and/or across multiple reporting years.", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2025-09-17/pq_848", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2025-09-17/848/" }, { "date": "2025-09-17", "question_number": 862, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "Child and Family Agency", "asked_by": "Matt Carthy", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "862. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of children who were referred by An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na to Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, in each year between 2014 and 2024, in tabular form. [48066/25]", "answer": "Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration I propose to take Questions Nos. 848 and 862 together. I am advised by An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na that the following table provides a count of unique incidents where a child was referred by An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na to Tusla, the Family & Child Agency for the 2014 to 2024 period. Year Reported Incident Type Number of Incidents 2014 Formal Notification to Tusla 13,101 2015 Formal Notification to Tusla 15,500 2016 Formal Notification to Tusla 17,091 2017 Formal Notification to Tusla 21,897 2018 Formal Notification to Tusla 23,513 2019 Formal Notification to Tusla 26,655 2020 Formal Notification to Tusla 30,694 2021 Formal Notification to Tusla 32, 854 2022 Formal Notification to Tusla 30,010 2023 Formal Notification to Tusla 32,836 2024 Formal Notification to Tusla 32,519 I am advised by the Garda authorities that where multiple children are associated with an originating PULSE incident, a separate notification incident is generated for each child. I am also advised that a child may be associated with more than one notification incident during the course of a single reporting year and/or across multiple reporting years.", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2025-09-17/pq_862", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2025-09-17/862/" }, { "date": "2025-05-07", "question_number": 316, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "Deportation Orders", "asked_by": "Peadar T\u00f3ib\u00edn", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "316. Deputy Peadar T\u00f3ib\u00edn asked the Minister for Justice the number of deportation orders that have been revoked by his Department in each of the past ten years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22258/25]", "answer": "Minister for Justice Section 3(11) of the Immigration Act 1999, as amended, provides that a deportation order may be revoked. My Department receives submissions from people seeking that this provision be invoked. In assessing such submissions consideration is given to whether there is compelling new information or material changes in circumstances which were not previously put forward, nor capable of being put forward, when the original decision was made. The main grounds advanced relate to the extent to which a person has established family, employment and other connections here. All submissions are carefully assessed including in the context of any rights arising and a criminal records check is carried out in each instance. Deportation Orders may also be revoked on technical grounds such as where a person has been admitted or readmitted to the international protection process and permitted to remain in Ireland while their application is considered. The Deportation Orders of people who qualified under the terms of the Regularisation of Long-Term Undocumented Migrants Scheme in 2022, the processing of which is now largely concluded, were revoked and these revocations are included in the figures set out below. The table below details the number of deportation orders revoked under Section 3(11) of the Immigration Act 1999, as amended. Year Deportation Orders revoked 2015 481 2016 360 2017 163 2018 318 2019 340 2020 301 2021 232 2022 586 2023 416 2024 524 2025(YTD 30/04/25) 127 * Please note, figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing.", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2025-05-07/pq_316", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2025-05-07/316/" }, { "date": "2026-02-10", "question_number": 820, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na", "asked_by": "Alan Kelly", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "820. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of members of An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na currently suspended from duty; the number that have been suspended in each of the years from 2015 to date in 2026; the full number on suspension in each of those years; the number of those suspended that are on suspension on full pay; the shortest suspension period and longest suspension period in each of the years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9974/26]", "answer": "Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration The vast majority of Garda\u00ed serve with integrity and work tirelessly to keep our communities safe. However, there are robust procedures in place to allow the Garda Commissioner to deal with any allegations of misconduct and the Commissioner is committed to ensuring that the highest levels of integrity are maintained by Garda\u00ed. I am informed that there were 107 Garda\u00ed suspended at the end of 2025 and that 42 new suspensions were initiated across last year. The below table has been provided to me by Garda authorities, showing the number of Garda\u00ed that have been suspended for the years 2015 to 2024, as well as shortest suspension period and longest suspension period in each of those years. - 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 No. of Members Suspended 12 9 9 21 26 41 44 44 27 18 Shortest number of days * 26 9 242 22 53 35 1 32 13 28 Longest number of days * 2,113 2,674 1,327 2,387 2,276 1,855 1,536 1,156 829 391 *Figures represent days suspended. The length of time a Garda is suspended for may be dependent on criminal cases and/or a member choosing to exercise their right to judicially review the process. These factors can result in a protracted suspension period. The suspension of each member is reviewed on a quarterly basis by senior Garda management. The Commissioner's monthly report to the Policing and Community Safety Authority contains figures on the number of suspended Garda\u00ed and a breakdown of the main issue behind each suspension. These reports can be found at the below link: Commissioner's Monthly Reports to Policing and Community Safety Authority - Garda (www.garda.ie/en/about-us/publications/general-reports/commissioner-s-monthly-reports-to-policing-and-community-safety-authority/) The Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of Garda business by law. This includes Garda discipline. As Minister, I play no role in these independent functions, including decisions related to the suspension of Garda members", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2026-02-10/pq_820", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2026-02-10/820/" }, { "date": "2017-06-20", "question_number": 717, "chamber": "32nd D\u00e1il", "topic": "Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service Data", "asked_by": "Jack Chambers", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "717. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of applications for naturalisation and citizenship received and processed by his Department in each of the past ten years; the number of applications granted and rejected respectively in each of these years, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26727/17]", "answer": "Minister for Justice and Equality I propose to take Questions Nos. 717 and 718 together. I am informed by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the retrieval and compilation of the information requested by the Deputy for each of the past ten years would necessitate a disproportionate use of time and resources which could not be justified in circumstances where the priority is to deal with the cases on hand. Information in respect of date of application can, however, be provided for the years 2010 to 2017 to date inclusive and is shown below. The number of applications for naturalisation received, granted and refused respectively for the years 2010-2017 inclusive is below, it should be noted that decisions in any year may not relate to applications made in the same year : Year 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 to date Total Applications received 12,546 18,330 19,990 19,053 15,474 12,712 13,011 3,936 115,052 Applications granted 5,018 12,832 23,329 29,290 18,405 11,483 10,393 3,414 114,164 Applications refused 1,238 613 407 723 879 492 484 467 5,303 The number of applications for naturalisation currently being processed, by year of receipt of application for each of the years 2015 - 2017 inclusive and 2014 and earlier is as follows: Year of application 2014 and earlier 2015 2016 2017 to date Total Applications currently on hand 554 732 3,916 3,889 9,091 Over 85% of applications were made either this year or last year. It is recognised that all applicants for citizenship would wish to have a decision on their application without delay. While most straightforward cases are generally processed within six months, the nature of the naturalisation process is such that, for a broad range of reasons, some cases will take longer than others to process. In some instances, completing the necessary checks can take a considerable period of time, particularly with regard to establishing whether the statutory conditions for naturalisation as set out in the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended, such as good character and lawful residence are satisfied. In many cases delays can arise as further documentation may be required from the applicant and/or payment of the required certificate fee is awaited, or the applicant has not engaged with the office. In some instances delays can arise at the final stage of the naturalisation process, for example where information comes to light which requires further investigation. In other instances the applicant may request that a hold be put on their application, for example where they may have returned to their country of origin for a prolonged period, to facilitate them in making arrangements to return to reside in the State, or where they have difficulty in obtaining satisfactory evidence of their identity or nationality. Following a review of outstanding cases carried out in October last year, applicants with outstanding applications are being written to informing them that a time limit is being imposed to pay the requisite certificate fee (which consists the bulk of cases) or to supply documentation which was requested. In cases where no valid reason has been advanced for a delay in fee payment or supply of requested documents, or where the applicant has not responded to correspondence over a lengthy period of time, a further submission may be made recommending the refusal of the application and closure of the case. The completion of this process over time will significantly reduce the number of older cases on hand. Requests for an extension of the deadline have been acceded to in some instances taking account of individual exceptional circumstances. As the Deputy will appreciate, the granting of Irish citizenship through naturalisation is a privilege and an honour which confers certain rights and entitlements not only within the State but also at European Union level and it is important that appropriate procedures are in place to preserve the integrity of the process.", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2017-06-20/pq_717", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2017-06-20/717/" }, { "date": "2017-06-20", "question_number": 718, "chamber": "32nd D\u00e1il", "topic": "Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service Data", "asked_by": "Jack Chambers", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "718. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of applications for citizenship currently being processed by his Department; the number of active applications being processed for more than one, two, three and five years plus; the average waiting time for each application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26728/17]", "answer": "Minister for Justice and Equality I propose to take Questions Nos. 717 and 718 together. I am informed by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the retrieval and compilation of the information requested by the Deputy for each of the past ten years would necessitate a disproportionate use of time and resources which could not be justified in circumstances where the priority is to deal with the cases on hand. Information in respect of date of application can, however, be provided for the years 2010 to 2017 to date inclusive and is shown below. The number of applications for naturalisation received, granted and refused respectively for the years 2010-2017 inclusive is below, it should be noted that decisions in any year may not relate to applications made in the same year : Year 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 to date Total Applications received 12,546 18,330 19,990 19,053 15,474 12,712 13,011 3,936 115,052 Applications granted 5,018 12,832 23,329 29,290 18,405 11,483 10,393 3,414 114,164 Applications refused 1,238 613 407 723 879 492 484 467 5,303 The number of applications for naturalisation currently being processed, by year of receipt of application for each of the years 2015 - 2017 inclusive and 2014 and earlier is as follows: Year of application 2014 and earlier 2015 2016 2017 to date Total Applications currently on hand 554 732 3,916 3,889 9,091 Over 85% of applications were made either this year or last year. It is recognised that all applicants for citizenship would wish to have a decision on their application without delay. While most straightforward cases are generally processed within six months, the nature of the naturalisation process is such that, for a broad range of reasons, some cases will take longer than others to process. In some instances, completing the necessary checks can take a considerable period of time, particularly with regard to establishing whether the statutory conditions for naturalisation as set out in the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended, such as good character and lawful residence are satisfied. In many cases delays can arise as further documentation may be required from the applicant and/or payment of the required certificate fee is awaited, or the applicant has not engaged with the office. In some instances delays can arise at the final stage of the naturalisation process, for example where information comes to light which requires further investigation. In other instances the applicant may request that a hold be put on their application, for example where they may have returned to their country of origin for a prolonged period, to facilitate them in making arrangements to return to reside in the State, or where they have difficulty in obtaining satisfactory evidence of their identity or nationality. Following a review of outstanding cases carried out in October last year, applicants with outstanding applications are being written to informing them that a time limit is being imposed to pay the requisite certificate fee (which consists the bulk of cases) or to supply documentation which was requested. In cases where no valid reason has been advanced for a delay in fee payment or supply of requested documents, or where the applicant has not responded to correspondence over a lengthy period of time, a further submission may be made recommending the refusal of the application and closure of the case. The completion of this process over time will significantly reduce the number of older cases on hand. Requests for an extension of the deadline have been acceded to in some instances taking account of individual exceptional circumstances. As the Deputy will appreciate, the granting of Irish citizenship through naturalisation is a privilege and an honour which confers certain rights and entitlements not only within the State but also at European Union level and it is important that appropriate procedures are in place to preserve the integrity of the process.", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2017-06-20/pq_718", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2017-06-20/718/" }, { "date": "2021-10-12", "question_number": 463, "chamber": "33rd D\u00e1il", "topic": "Citizenship Applications", "asked_by": "Holly Cairns", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "463. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Justice the steps she is taking to reduce the time applicants are waiting for the processing of their citizenship applications. [49865/21]", "answer": "Minister of State at the Department of Justice I propose to take Questions Nos. 463 and 464 together. I am deeply conscious of how important the granting of naturalisation is to those who apply for it and my Department has continued to accept and process citizenship applications throughout the pandemic and at all levels of public health restrictions. However, the combined impact of the 2019 Jones judgment and the necessary health and safety related restrictions imposed as a result of the Covid-19 disruption has resulted in the processing timeline for standard applications increasing. Aside from these specific issues, for a broad range of reasons, some cases will take longer than others to process. Processing timescales can be impacted by incomplete applications having to be returned; further documentation being required from the applicant; where the payment of the required certificate fee is awaited; or if the applicant has not been engaging with my Department. In some instances, the input of several government agencies, both within and outside the jurisdiction is needed and the request and receipt of information from these sources can result in delays in processing some applications. Issues can also arise at the final stage of the naturalisation process, for example, where additional information comes to light which is required to be considered before a final decision is taken. For applicants that were in the final stages of processing, in January, my Department opened a temporary system to enable these applicants to complete their naturalisation process by signing a statutory declaration of loyalty. Since then, almost 6,200 certificates of naturalisation have been issued so far this year and a further 1,000 people have paid the statutory fee and will receive their certificates in the coming weeks. The Citizenship Division of my Department has prioritised bringing the oldest applications on hand to conclusion and a significant number of these applicants have received their certificates since the introduction of the temporary process. Since 13 September, citizenship staff have returned to the office on a new attendance pattern that will see a gain of approximately 500 production hours per week due to increased footfall on-site. To further address the volume of applications on hand, additional staff are being assigned to the citizenship team; and a number of digitisation measures have been introduced to increase efficiency in the process, including eTax clearance, eVetting and online payments. The end result of the digitisation process will be to free up more staff to focus on processing applications in a timely and efficient manner, to improve service to our customers and reduce waiting times. Based on this, my objective is to achieve an improved decision making timeframe of 6-9 months for a majority of applications during 2022. The table below provides the amount received in application fees for Irish citizenship by naturalisation annually since 1 January 2015. Year Total Application Fees received Total Certificate fees received Total Fees 2015 \u20ac2,046,799 9,422,250 \u20ac11,469,049 2016 \u20ac2,270,620 7,700,550 \u20ac9,971,170 2017 \u20ac2,065,700 6,744,800 \u20ac8,810,500 2018 \u20ac2,048,725 6,765,104 \u20ac8,813,829 2019 \u20ac2,316,825 4,754,750 \u20ac7,071,575 2020 \u20ac1,241,625 5,577,450 \u20ac6,819,075 2021* \u20ac1,350,125 4,840,800 \u20ac6,190,925 * The figures for 2021 are approximate to 07/10/2021. In relation to the way these amounts are spent annually, money received goes into central funds so it is not possible to trace a pathway from receipt to expenditure. The fees charged in respect of applications for a certificate of naturalisation are governed by the provisions of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Regulations 2011 and have not increased in the last ten years. The fee is charged in two parts. The current application fee is \u20ac175, payable when an application for naturalisation is lodged, in addition to which is a certificate fee, payable when a certificate of naturalisation issues. The standard certificate fee is \u20ac950, while a reduced fee of \u20ac200 applies in the case of an application made on behalf of a minor or in certain cases where the application is made by a widow, widower or surviving civil partner of an Irish citizen. In the case of recognised refugees and stateless persons, there is no certificate fee. I am informed that the introduction of the application fee had an immediate positive effect on the quality and completeness of applications, which is ultimately to the benefit of applicants. All of the fees payable under the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended, are kept under ongoing review by my Department. The standard fees payable by an applicant are designed to reflect the effort and cost involved in processing applications for a certificate of naturalisation which, given the benefits involved, is quite a detailed process. The Deputy will be aware that formal citizenship ceremonies were introduced ten years ago. These have been universally well-received by participants as the ceremonies provide a sense of dignity and a celebratory occasion that serves to underscore the importance to both the State and the applicant of the grant of Irish citizenship. It is my intention that they will resume once it is safe to do so.", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2021-10-12/pq_463", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2021-10-12/463/" }, { "date": "2021-10-12", "question_number": 464, "chamber": "33rd D\u00e1il", "topic": "Citizenship Applications", "asked_by": "Holly Cairns", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "464. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Justice the amount received by her Department in application fees for Irish citizenship by naturalisation annually since 1 January 2015; the way these amounts are spent annually for the same period; and the justification for these fees. [49866/21]", "answer": "Minister of State at the Department of Justice I propose to take Questions Nos. 463 and 464 together. I am deeply conscious of how important the granting of naturalisation is to those who apply for it and my Department has continued to accept and process citizenship applications throughout the pandemic and at all levels of public health restrictions. However, the combined impact of the 2019 Jones judgment and the necessary health and safety related restrictions imposed as a result of the Covid-19 disruption has resulted in the processing timeline for standard applications increasing. Aside from these specific issues, for a broad range of reasons, some cases will take longer than others to process. Processing timescales can be impacted by incomplete applications having to be returned; further documentation being required from the applicant; where the payment of the required certificate fee is awaited; or if the applicant has not been engaging with my Department. In some instances, the input of several government agencies, both within and outside the jurisdiction is needed and the request and receipt of information from these sources can result in delays in processing some applications. Issues can also arise at the final stage of the naturalisation process, for example, where additional information comes to light which is required to be considered before a final decision is taken. For applicants that were in the final stages of processing, in January, my Department opened a temporary system to enable these applicants to complete their naturalisation process by signing a statutory declaration of loyalty. Since then, almost 6,200 certificates of naturalisation have been issued so far this year and a further 1,000 people have paid the statutory fee and will receive their certificates in the coming weeks. The Citizenship Division of my Department has prioritised bringing the oldest applications on hand to conclusion and a significant number of these applicants have received their certificates since the introduction of the temporary process. Since 13 September, citizenship staff have returned to the office on a new attendance pattern that will see a gain of approximately 500 production hours per week due to increased footfall on-site. To further address the volume of applications on hand, additional staff are being assigned to the citizenship team; and a number of digitisation measures have been introduced to increase efficiency in the process, including eTax clearance, eVetting and online payments. The end result of the digitisation process will be to free up more staff to focus on processing applications in a timely and efficient manner, to improve service to our customers and reduce waiting times. Based on this, my objective is to achieve an improved decision making timeframe of 6-9 months for a majority of applications during 2022. The table below provides the amount received in application fees for Irish citizenship by naturalisation annually since 1 January 2015. Year Total Application Fees received Total Certificate fees received Total Fees 2015 \u20ac2,046,799 9,422,250 \u20ac11,469,049 2016 \u20ac2,270,620 7,700,550 \u20ac9,971,170 2017 \u20ac2,065,700 6,744,800 \u20ac8,810,500 2018 \u20ac2,048,725 6,765,104 \u20ac8,813,829 2019 \u20ac2,316,825 4,754,750 \u20ac7,071,575 2020 \u20ac1,241,625 5,577,450 \u20ac6,819,075 2021* \u20ac1,350,125 4,840,800 \u20ac6,190,925 * The figures for 2021 are approximate to 07/10/2021. In relation to the way these amounts are spent annually, money received goes into central funds so it is not possible to trace a pathway from receipt to expenditure. The fees charged in respect of applications for a certificate of naturalisation are governed by the provisions of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Regulations 2011 and have not increased in the last ten years. The fee is charged in two parts. The current application fee is \u20ac175, payable when an application for naturalisation is lodged, in addition to which is a certificate fee, payable when a certificate of naturalisation issues. The standard certificate fee is \u20ac950, while a reduced fee of \u20ac200 applies in the case of an application made on behalf of a minor or in certain cases where the application is made by a widow, widower or surviving civil partner of an Irish citizen. In the case of recognised refugees and stateless persons, there is no certificate fee. I am informed that the introduction of the application fee had an immediate positive effect on the quality and completeness of applications, which is ultimately to the benefit of applicants. All of the fees payable under the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended, are kept under ongoing review by my Department. The standard fees payable by an applicant are designed to reflect the effort and cost involved in processing applications for a certificate of naturalisation which, given the benefits involved, is quite a detailed process. The Deputy will be aware that formal citizenship ceremonies were introduced ten years ago. These have been universally well-received by participants as the ceremonies provide a sense of dignity and a celebratory occasion that serves to underscore the importance to both the State and the applicant of the grant of Irish citizenship. It is my intention that they will resume once it is safe to do so.", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2021-10-12/pq_464", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2021-10-12/464/" }, { "date": "2021-12-07", "question_number": 405, "chamber": "33rd D\u00e1il", "topic": "Direct Provision System", "asked_by": "Peadar T\u00f3ib\u00edn", "answered_by": "Children", "question_type": "written", "question": "405. Deputy Peadar T\u00f3ib\u00edn asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the total number of persons currently in direct provision and the number in each of the past ten years. [60028/21]", "answer": "Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth I would like to direct the Deputy to the table below. The numbers are set out by the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) of this Department. These figures were last received on Sunday, 28 November, 2021. As at Year Number of Persons in Direct Provision 28 November 2021 7,089 Year-end 2020 6,997 Year-end 2019 7,683 Year-end 2018 6,106 Year-end 2017 5,096 Year-end 2016 4,279 Year-end 2015 4,696 Year-end 2014 4,364 Year-end 2013 4,360 Year-end 2012 4,841 Year-end 2011 5,423", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2021-12-07/pq_405", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2021-12-07/405/" }, { "date": "2022-02-01", "question_number": 596, "chamber": "33rd D\u00e1il", "topic": "Immigration Policy", "asked_by": "Peadar T\u00f3ib\u00edn", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "596. Deputy Peadar T\u00f3ib\u00edn asked the Minister for Justice if immigrants to Ireland are checked for previous criminal records; if immigrants from the European Union or outside of the European Union are allowed by the State to stay in Ireland in cases in which they have found guilty of a crime, in particular a violent crime; if not, if they are returned to their home country; and the number of European Union and non-European Union immigrants who have been sent home to their home countries in each of the past ten years for having a criminal record or having a history of violent or sexual assault. [4389/22]", "answer": "Minister for Justice I can advise the Deputy that EU citizens do not require a visa to travel to Ireland and may reside freely in any EU Member State. Furthermore, EEA and Swiss nationals are not required to register with immigration authorities. Not all non-EEA nationals are visa required. A full list of visa required and non-visa required countries can be found on my Department's website at: www.irishimmigration.ie/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Immigration-Service-Delivery-Visa-and-Non-Visa-Required-Countries.pdf . All visa applications are automatically checked against the relevant databases. Applicants must declare any criminal convictions and any negative immigration history, such as visa refusals or deportations, in any country. My Department also carries out routine checks with other countries through our local visa office and mission network abroad, as required. Furthermore, the granting of a visa does not guarantee entry into the State. Entry into the State, for both visa required and non-visa required nationals, is solely at the discretion of the Immigration Officer at the port of entry. The onus is on the individual to have all documentation relating to their reasons for entering Ireland ready for presentation to the Immigration Officer to gain entry. Under the European Communities Free Movement of Persons Regulations 2015, I may make a removal order in respect of an EU national who represents a danger for public policy or public security if their conduct represents a genuine, present and sufficiently serious threat affecting one of the fundamental interests of society. If an EU national residing in Ireland is found guilty of a crime, including a violent crime, the Garda National Immigration Bureau will notify my Department. However, if the person has resided in the State for more than 10 years or is under the age of 18 years, a removal order can only be made on imperative grounds of public security. The family and economic circumstances of the person are also assessed, the nature of their social and cultural integration in the State, the health of the person and their links with their country of origin, in deciding whether or not to make such an order. For non-EU citizens residing in Ireland, each individual immigration case is assessed under the criteria set out in Section 3(6) of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended). These criteria include the age of the person, their duration of residence in the State, the family and economic circumstances of the person, their character and conduct, including any criminal convictions and considerations of national security and public policy. The individual\u2019s \u2018character and conduct\u2019 is assessed both within and (where relevant and ascertainable) outside the State. Any and all criminal convictions are considered, including violent crime. An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na notify my Department of matters which may be relevant to its considerations. Equally, any permission granted can be revoked if the individual fails to obey the laws of the State or becomes involved in criminal activity. If the crime is serious or a violent crime, the person may be removed to their home Member State or deported to their country of origin. Since 2012, 634 EU citizens were removed from the State, all of whom had criminal convictions. The yearly breakdown is as follows: Year Effected Total 2012 55 2013 66 2014 88 2015 71 2016 68 2017 84 2018 70 2019 64 2020 32 2021 36 Total 634 Since 2012, 1,012 non-EU citizens have had deportation orders enforced. The yearly breakdown is as follows: Year Enforced Total 2012 273 2013 173 2014 73 2015 45 2016 62 2017 82 2018 85 2019 155 2020 59 2021 5 Total 1012 All those removed or deported during this period would have breached the Immigration Act or had more serious criminal convictions. The statistics are not maintained by my Department in a manner that would allow for further breakdown as requested by the Deputy. However, I can confirm that the five people deported in 2021 all had criminal convictions.", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2022-02-01/pq_596", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2022-02-01/596/" }, { "date": "2022-07-13", "question_number": 63, "chamber": "33rd D\u00e1il", "topic": "Departmental Data", "asked_by": "Michael Ring", "answered_by": "Taoiseach", "question_type": "written", "question": "63. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Taoiseach if he will outline the factors contributing to the increase in the population to five million as recently confirmed by the Central Statistics Office including the number of deaths and live births in each of the past five years; the number of returning Irish emigrants in each of the past five years and to compare this to the number of Irish emigrants in the same period; the number of asylum seekers in each of the past five years; and the number of refugees for each of the past five years. [38424/22]", "answer": "Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach Preliminary figures from the Census of Population 2022, indicated that the population of Ireland was 5,123,536. This figure reflected a population increase of 361,671 and was made up of a natural increase (births minus deaths) of 171,338 and estimated net inward migration (population change minus natural increase) of 190,333. This data is compiled on a de facto basis and represents the inter-censal change between 2016 and 2022. This is a preliminary count only and the processing of individual forms is now underway with an intention to publish final figures in the second quarter of 2023. In addition, the CSO publishes an annual estimate of the usually resident population, in its Population and Migration Estimates publication and this publication contains a broad nationality breakdown. The latest figures available are for April 2021 and table 1 below show the number of immigrants and emigrants together with the broad breakdown by nationality, for April 2017 to April 2021. These figures will be subject to revision once the final figures from the Census of Population are available. Table 1: Estimated Migration classified by Nationality, April 2017 to April 2021 - 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 Nationality of Immigrants (thousand) Irish 27.4 28.4 26.9 28.9 30.2 Non-Irish 57.2 61.9 61.7 56.5 35.0 of which: United Kingdom 6.1 7.3 7.4 5.5 4.3 EU14 excluding Irish1 10.8 11.6 12.6 9.2 7.6 EU15 to EU27 states2 10.9 12.2 11.1 11.4 9.0 Non-EU nationalities 29.4 30.9 30.6 30.4 14.1 Total Immigrants 84.6 90.3 88.6 85.4 65.2 Nationality of Emigrants (thousand) Irish 30.8 28.3 29.0 28.3 22.8 Non-Irish 34.0 28.0 25.9 28.2 31.2 of which: United Kingdom 4.0 4.1 3.2 2.5 3.0 EU14 excluding Irish1 6.7 6.8 4.5 5.2 7.6 EU15 to EU27 states2 9.6 7.1 7.0 9.2 5.1 Non-EU nationalities 13.7 10.0 11.2 11.4 15.4 Total Emigrants 64.8 56.3 54.9 56.5 54.0 Net Migration 19.8 34.0 33.7 28.9 11.2 1 EU14 excluding Irish: The EU countries before enlargement on 1 May 2004, excluding Ireland and UK. 2 EU15 to EU27 states: The ten countries that joined the EU on 1 May 2004, along with Bulgaria, Romania and Croatia. In addition, the CSO publishes, both annual and quarterly statistics on births and deaths that occur in Ireland. The CSO publishes provisional quarterly data based on the date the birth/death was registered with the General Register Office (GRO) for the relevant period within 5 months of the end of the reference period. In addition, a yearly summary is published, also based on registered births/deaths within 5 months of the end of the reference period. There is also a separate annual publication which is based on the date the birth/death occurred, within 22 months of the end of the reference period. All births/deaths that occur in the State must be registered with the General Registration Office (GRO) no later than three months from the date of death. The registration of a death may be delayed where the death has been referred to a Coroner for investigation or inquiry. The registrations submitted to the GRO are transmitted electronically to the Central Statistics Office (CSO) on a weekly basis. Please see Table 2 below, detailing the number of births and deaths for the five-year period 2017 - 2021. This data is based on data for births and deaths registered in these years. Table 2 - Number of births and deaths registered, 2017 - 2021 - Births Registered Deaths Registered Natural Increase 2021 58,443 33,055 25,388 2020 55,959 31,765 24,194 2019 59,796 31,134 28,662 2018 61,016 31,116 29,900 2017 62,053 30,484 31,569 Figures for asylum applicants and resettled persons are not published by the CSO but are instead published by the Department of Justice and the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth. Data, where available, for 2017 to 2021, are those figures previously supplied to Eurostat by the Departments and are included in table 3 below. Asylum Applicants and Resettled Persons, 2017 to 2021 - 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 (thousand) Asylum Applicants1 2.9 3.7 4.7 1.5 2.6 Resettled Persons2 0.3 0.3 0.8 0.2 : 1 Collected by the Department of Justice and published by Eurostat ( ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/view/migr_asyappctza/default/table?lang=en ). 2 Collected by the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth and published by Eurostat ( ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/view/tps00195/default/table?lang=en ). : Data not available", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2022-07-13/pq_63", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2022-07-13/63/" }, { "date": "2026-05-06", "question_number": 672, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "International Protection", "asked_by": "Ken O'Flynn", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "672. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the average processing time for appeals before the International Protection Appeals Tribunal in each year from 2019 to 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32923/26]", "answer": "Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration I propose to take Questions Nos. 672, 673, 674 and 675 together. It is a central priority for me that Ireland\u2019s immigration system is robust and rules based. The number of International Protection applications have been rising over the past number of years, reaching 18,500 in 2024. In 2025, application numbers reduced by approximately a third. Year-to-date application numbers in 2026 are around 3,800 and this figure is in line with applications made in the same period in 2025. In 2025, the International Protection Office (IPO) delivered over 20,200 first instance decisions compared to approximately 14,100 in 2024: a 44% increase. IPAT more than doubled the number of appeals closed from 3,100 in 2024 to nearly 6,300 in 2025. As of 5 May, IPAT has closed 3,170 appeals this year and is on track to significantly exceed the number of appeals closed in 2025. As of 5 May, the IPAT has 20,469 cases on hand. We know that patterns in international protection applications vary over time and this also impacts on cases on hand. That is why it is important that the Government\u2019s response adapts accordingly. There has been a significant increase in investment into the international protection system which, combined with digitisation and process reengineering, has facilitated a major increase in processing capacity and demonstrates a strong commitment to reducing cases on hand. This resourcing has been particularly evident at IPAT over the past few years with the Tribunal budget increasing by 95% from 2023 to 2025. Administrative staff at IPAT have increased from 37 at the start of 2023 to 86 currently. My Department, in conjunction with the Public Appointments Service, has also been actively recruiting for additional whole-time and part-time Tribunal Members over the last two years, with appointments from three such competitions having recently concluded. The number of whole-time Members has increased from 3 at the start of 2025 to 9. The number of part-time Members has increased from 44 at the start of 2025 to 141. A competition recruiting full time Appeal Officers for the new Tribunal for Asylum and Returns Appeals (TARA) closed on 21 April with a further competition for part time Appeal Officers set to be advertised shortly. In addition to measures to improve processing generally, an operational plan between Ireland and the European Union Agency for Asylum (EUAA) has also seen 21 EUAA personnel deployed to support the work being done at IPAT to reduce cases on hand. This work includes preparing appeal files, conducting research on country-of-origin information and international protection jurisprudence. The Operational Plan also includes the EUAA providing interpretation resources in difficult-to-source languages. The table below shows the average processing time for appeals in each year from 2019 to 2025. Year Median processing time (months) 2019 6.7 2020 8.1 2021 13.5 2022 10.2 2023 5.5 2024 10.0 2025 12.5 Please note figures are correct at time of issue and may be subject to data cleansing. The table below shows the average number of IPAT decisions per whole-time Tribunal Member in each year from 2019 to 2025. The average number of decisions made by whole-time Members across the years 2019-2025 has varied for several reasons. The Tribunal currently has nine whole-time Members, two of whom are currently assigned the role of Acting Deputy Chairpersons of the Tribunal. These individuals deliver training, mentoring and performance management of 141 part-time Members and carry out quality audits of Tribunal decisions amongst other tasks. Additionally, as 6 of the 9 whole-time Members were recruited in 2025, the date of appointment and an initial training period will have directly impacted on the average number of cases completed in 2025. Year Average Decisions per Whole Time Member 2019 99 2020 56 2021 48 2022 75 2023 102 2024 120 2025 55 As the Deputy will be aware, the International Protection Act was passed into law last month and gives effect to the EU Migration and Asylum Pact. My Department continues to focus preparing for these new rules to take effect on 12 June 2026. The Pact will provide a fair, sustainable and efficient asylum procedure. This will be achieved through convergence in asylum practices across the EU including standardised processing times for decisions: six months for a standard procedure, three months for accelerated and border procedures and two months for processing applicants who have applied for protection elsewhere in Europe. Faster processing will mean that applicants spend less time in International Protection Accommodation Services (IPAS) accommodation, and this will significantly reduce the cost of the asylum system to the State. Faster decision-making will also mean that successful applicants will be granted international protection sooner, and those whose applications are refused can be returned to their country of origin sooner.", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2026-05-06/pq_672", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2026-05-06/672/" }, { "date": "2026-05-06", "question_number": 673, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "International Protection", "asked_by": "Ken O'Flynn", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "673. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the projected number of cases on hand at the International Protection Appeals Tribunal at the end of 2026, 2027 and 2028 under current staffing and productivity assumptions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32924/26]", "answer": "Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration I propose to take Questions Nos. 672, 673, 674 and 675 together. It is a central priority for me that Ireland\u2019s immigration system is robust and rules based. The number of International Protection applications have been rising over the past number of years, reaching 18,500 in 2024. In 2025, application numbers reduced by approximately a third. Year-to-date application numbers in 2026 are around 3,800 and this figure is in line with applications made in the same period in 2025. In 2025, the International Protection Office (IPO) delivered over 20,200 first instance decisions compared to approximately 14,100 in 2024: a 44% increase. IPAT more than doubled the number of appeals closed from 3,100 in 2024 to nearly 6,300 in 2025. As of 5 May, IPAT has closed 3,170 appeals this year and is on track to significantly exceed the number of appeals closed in 2025. As of 5 May, the IPAT has 20,469 cases on hand. We know that patterns in international protection applications vary over time and this also impacts on cases on hand. That is why it is important that the Government\u2019s response adapts accordingly. There has been a significant increase in investment into the international protection system which, combined with digitisation and process reengineering, has facilitated a major increase in processing capacity and demonstrates a strong commitment to reducing cases on hand. This resourcing has been particularly evident at IPAT over the past few years with the Tribunal budget increasing by 95% from 2023 to 2025. Administrative staff at IPAT have increased from 37 at the start of 2023 to 86 currently. My Department, in conjunction with the Public Appointments Service, has also been actively recruiting for additional whole-time and part-time Tribunal Members over the last two years, with appointments from three such competitions having recently concluded. The number of whole-time Members has increased from 3 at the start of 2025 to 9. The number of part-time Members has increased from 44 at the start of 2025 to 141. A competition recruiting full time Appeal Officers for the new Tribunal for Asylum and Returns Appeals (TARA) closed on 21 April with a further competition for part time Appeal Officers set to be advertised shortly. In addition to measures to improve processing generally, an operational plan between Ireland and the European Union Agency for Asylum (EUAA) has also seen 21 EUAA personnel deployed to support the work being done at IPAT to reduce cases on hand. This work includes preparing appeal files, conducting research on country-of-origin information and international protection jurisprudence. The Operational Plan also includes the EUAA providing interpretation resources in difficult-to-source languages. The table below shows the average processing time for appeals in each year from 2019 to 2025. Year Median processing time (months) 2019 6.7 2020 8.1 2021 13.5 2022 10.2 2023 5.5 2024 10.0 2025 12.5 Please note figures are correct at time of issue and may be subject to data cleansing. The table below shows the average number of IPAT decisions per whole-time Tribunal Member in each year from 2019 to 2025. The average number of decisions made by whole-time Members across the years 2019-2025 has varied for several reasons. The Tribunal currently has nine whole-time Members, two of whom are currently assigned the role of Acting Deputy Chairpersons of the Tribunal. These individuals deliver training, mentoring and performance management of 141 part-time Members and carry out quality audits of Tribunal decisions amongst other tasks. Additionally, as 6 of the 9 whole-time Members were recruited in 2025, the date of appointment and an initial training period will have directly impacted on the average number of cases completed in 2025. Year Average Decisions per Whole Time Member 2019 99 2020 56 2021 48 2022 75 2023 102 2024 120 2025 55 As the Deputy will be aware, the International Protection Act was passed into law last month and gives effect to the EU Migration and Asylum Pact. My Department continues to focus preparing for these new rules to take effect on 12 June 2026. The Pact will provide a fair, sustainable and efficient asylum procedure. This will be achieved through convergence in asylum practices across the EU including standardised processing times for decisions: six months for a standard procedure, three months for accelerated and border procedures and two months for processing applicants who have applied for protection elsewhere in Europe. Faster processing will mean that applicants spend less time in International Protection Accommodation Services (IPAS) accommodation, and this will significantly reduce the cost of the asylum system to the State. Faster decision-making will also mean that successful applicants will be granted international protection sooner, and those whose applications are refused can be returned to their country of origin sooner.", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2026-05-06/pq_673", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2026-05-06/673/" }, { "date": "2026-05-06", "question_number": 674, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "International Protection", "asked_by": "Ken O'Flynn", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "674. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration whether his Department has estimated the accommodation cost attributable to delays at appeal stage in the international protection process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32925/26]", "answer": "Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration I propose to take Questions Nos. 672, 673, 674 and 675 together. It is a central priority for me that Ireland\u2019s immigration system is robust and rules based. The number of International Protection applications have been rising over the past number of years, reaching 18,500 in 2024. In 2025, application numbers reduced by approximately a third. Year-to-date application numbers in 2026 are around 3,800 and this figure is in line with applications made in the same period in 2025. In 2025, the International Protection Office (IPO) delivered over 20,200 first instance decisions compared to approximately 14,100 in 2024: a 44% increase. IPAT more than doubled the number of appeals closed from 3,100 in 2024 to nearly 6,300 in 2025. As of 5 May, IPAT has closed 3,170 appeals this year and is on track to significantly exceed the number of appeals closed in 2025. As of 5 May, the IPAT has 20,469 cases on hand. We know that patterns in international protection applications vary over time and this also impacts on cases on hand. That is why it is important that the Government\u2019s response adapts accordingly. There has been a significant increase in investment into the international protection system which, combined with digitisation and process reengineering, has facilitated a major increase in processing capacity and demonstrates a strong commitment to reducing cases on hand. This resourcing has been particularly evident at IPAT over the past few years with the Tribunal budget increasing by 95% from 2023 to 2025. Administrative staff at IPAT have increased from 37 at the start of 2023 to 86 currently. My Department, in conjunction with the Public Appointments Service, has also been actively recruiting for additional whole-time and part-time Tribunal Members over the last two years, with appointments from three such competitions having recently concluded. The number of whole-time Members has increased from 3 at the start of 2025 to 9. The number of part-time Members has increased from 44 at the start of 2025 to 141. A competition recruiting full time Appeal Officers for the new Tribunal for Asylum and Returns Appeals (TARA) closed on 21 April with a further competition for part time Appeal Officers set to be advertised shortly. In addition to measures to improve processing generally, an operational plan between Ireland and the European Union Agency for Asylum (EUAA) has also seen 21 EUAA personnel deployed to support the work being done at IPAT to reduce cases on hand. This work includes preparing appeal files, conducting research on country-of-origin information and international protection jurisprudence. The Operational Plan also includes the EUAA providing interpretation resources in difficult-to-source languages. The table below shows the average processing time for appeals in each year from 2019 to 2025. Year Median processing time (months) 2019 6.7 2020 8.1 2021 13.5 2022 10.2 2023 5.5 2024 10.0 2025 12.5 Please note figures are correct at time of issue and may be subject to data cleansing. The table below shows the average number of IPAT decisions per whole-time Tribunal Member in each year from 2019 to 2025. The average number of decisions made by whole-time Members across the years 2019-2025 has varied for several reasons. The Tribunal currently has nine whole-time Members, two of whom are currently assigned the role of Acting Deputy Chairpersons of the Tribunal. These individuals deliver training, mentoring and performance management of 141 part-time Members and carry out quality audits of Tribunal decisions amongst other tasks. Additionally, as 6 of the 9 whole-time Members were recruited in 2025, the date of appointment and an initial training period will have directly impacted on the average number of cases completed in 2025. Year Average Decisions per Whole Time Member 2019 99 2020 56 2021 48 2022 75 2023 102 2024 120 2025 55 As the Deputy will be aware, the International Protection Act was passed into law last month and gives effect to the EU Migration and Asylum Pact. My Department continues to focus preparing for these new rules to take effect on 12 June 2026. The Pact will provide a fair, sustainable and efficient asylum procedure. This will be achieved through convergence in asylum practices across the EU including standardised processing times for decisions: six months for a standard procedure, three months for accelerated and border procedures and two months for processing applicants who have applied for protection elsewhere in Europe. Faster processing will mean that applicants spend less time in International Protection Accommodation Services (IPAS) accommodation, and this will significantly reduce the cost of the asylum system to the State. Faster decision-making will also mean that successful applicants will be granted international protection sooner, and those whose applications are refused can be returned to their country of origin sooner.", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2026-05-06/pq_674", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2026-05-06/674/" }, { "date": "2026-05-06", "question_number": 675, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "International Protection", "asked_by": "Ken O'Flynn", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "675. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the average number of IPAT appeals completed per whole-time equivalent Tribunal member in each year from 2019 to 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32926/26]", "answer": "Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration I propose to take Questions Nos. 672, 673, 674 and 675 together. It is a central priority for me that Ireland\u2019s immigration system is robust and rules based. The number of International Protection applications have been rising over the past number of years, reaching 18,500 in 2024. In 2025, application numbers reduced by approximately a third. Year-to-date application numbers in 2026 are around 3,800 and this figure is in line with applications made in the same period in 2025. In 2025, the International Protection Office (IPO) delivered over 20,200 first instance decisions compared to approximately 14,100 in 2024: a 44% increase. IPAT more than doubled the number of appeals closed from 3,100 in 2024 to nearly 6,300 in 2025. As of 5 May, IPAT has closed 3,170 appeals this year and is on track to significantly exceed the number of appeals closed in 2025. As of 5 May, the IPAT has 20,469 cases on hand. We know that patterns in international protection applications vary over time and this also impacts on cases on hand. That is why it is important that the Government\u2019s response adapts accordingly. There has been a significant increase in investment into the international protection system which, combined with digitisation and process reengineering, has facilitated a major increase in processing capacity and demonstrates a strong commitment to reducing cases on hand. This resourcing has been particularly evident at IPAT over the past few years with the Tribunal budget increasing by 95% from 2023 to 2025. Administrative staff at IPAT have increased from 37 at the start of 2023 to 86 currently. My Department, in conjunction with the Public Appointments Service, has also been actively recruiting for additional whole-time and part-time Tribunal Members over the last two years, with appointments from three such competitions having recently concluded. The number of whole-time Members has increased from 3 at the start of 2025 to 9. The number of part-time Members has increased from 44 at the start of 2025 to 141. A competition recruiting full time Appeal Officers for the new Tribunal for Asylum and Returns Appeals (TARA) closed on 21 April with a further competition for part time Appeal Officers set to be advertised shortly. In addition to measures to improve processing generally, an operational plan between Ireland and the European Union Agency for Asylum (EUAA) has also seen 21 EUAA personnel deployed to support the work being done at IPAT to reduce cases on hand. This work includes preparing appeal files, conducting research on country-of-origin information and international protection jurisprudence. The Operational Plan also includes the EUAA providing interpretation resources in difficult-to-source languages. The table below shows the average processing time for appeals in each year from 2019 to 2025. Year Median processing time (months) 2019 6.7 2020 8.1 2021 13.5 2022 10.2 2023 5.5 2024 10.0 2025 12.5 Please note figures are correct at time of issue and may be subject to data cleansing. The table below shows the average number of IPAT decisions per whole-time Tribunal Member in each year from 2019 to 2025. The average number of decisions made by whole-time Members across the years 2019-2025 has varied for several reasons. The Tribunal currently has nine whole-time Members, two of whom are currently assigned the role of Acting Deputy Chairpersons of the Tribunal. These individuals deliver training, mentoring and performance management of 141 part-time Members and carry out quality audits of Tribunal decisions amongst other tasks. Additionally, as 6 of the 9 whole-time Members were recruited in 2025, the date of appointment and an initial training period will have directly impacted on the average number of cases completed in 2025. Year Average Decisions per Whole Time Member 2019 99 2020 56 2021 48 2022 75 2023 102 2024 120 2025 55 As the Deputy will be aware, the International Protection Act was passed into law last month and gives effect to the EU Migration and Asylum Pact. My Department continues to focus preparing for these new rules to take effect on 12 June 2026. The Pact will provide a fair, sustainable and efficient asylum procedure. This will be achieved through convergence in asylum practices across the EU including standardised processing times for decisions: six months for a standard procedure, three months for accelerated and border procedures and two months for processing applicants who have applied for protection elsewhere in Europe. Faster processing will mean that applicants spend less time in International Protection Accommodation Services (IPAS) accommodation, and this will significantly reduce the cost of the asylum system to the State. Faster decision-making will also mean that successful applicants will be granted international protection sooner, and those whose applications are refused can be returned to their country of origin sooner.", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2026-05-06/pq_675", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2026-05-06/675/" }, { "date": "2026-09-24", "question_number": 378, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "Deportation Orders", "asked_by": "Paul Lawless", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "378. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of deportation orders that have been revoked by his Department in each of the past ten years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [67703/26]", "answer": "Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration It is a central priority for me that Ireland\u2019s immigration system is robust and rules based. The enforcement aspects of our laws, including deportation orders, are an essential requirement for the system to work effectively and to ensure that there is confidence in the application of our legislation in this area. Deportation orders may be revoked or amended. A deportation order remains in effect unless it has been revoked. People subject to a deportation order, remain legally obliged to comply with any reporting requirements placed on them by the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB), are residing illegally in the State and have no right to work. It is open to individuals to bring the attention of my Department new information or changes in their circumstances that they believe may warrant examination in this regard. Such information will be considered by my Department, though it is important to note that such ongoing consideration will not in itself act to stop the effecting of a Deportation Order. Many of the cases that are considered are in respect of people who have already been removed from the jurisdiction. The table below details the number of deportation orders revoked under Section 3(11) of the Immigration Act 1999, as amended. Year Deportation Orders revoked 2016 360 2017 163 2018 318 2019 340 2020 301 2021 232 2022 586 2023 416 2024 524 2025 520 2026 (16/09/26) 281 * Please note, figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing.", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2026-09-24/pq_378", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2026-09-24/378/" }, { "date": "2025-02-25", "question_number": 620, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "International Protection", "asked_by": "Peadar T\u00f3ib\u00edn", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "620. Deputy Peadar T\u00f3ib\u00edn asked the Minister for Justice the amount the IPAS applicant process has cost for each of the past five years. [7135/25]", "answer": "Minister for Justice I can assure the Deputy that I am fully committed to ensuring that Ireland\u2019s International Protection system is robust and rules based, and that our borders are protected. In 2024 the International Protection Office (IPO) delivered over 14,000 first decisions compared to over 8,500 in 2023, while the International Protection Appeals Tribunal (IPAT) closed around 3,100 appeals in 2024 compared to over 1,700 in 2023. It is my intention to continue ramping up investment enabling more staff to be recruited. This will support reaching key targets, including making 25,000 decisions in the IPO in 2025 and to increase the number of appeals at the IPAT completed over the course of 2025. Budget 2025 has provided an additional \u20ac25m package for end-to-end investment in the entire immigration system. The breakdown of the package includes \u20ac9.5m allocated for ISD and IPO, as well as an additional \u20ac2.4m allocated for IPAT. These significant additional resources will be directed to streamline the international protection process. It will also fund increased investment in digital systems to modernise immigration systems, reduce processing times, increase removals (including with a new charter plane service), and strengthen border security. The additional monies will also go towards funding readiness work for the introduction of the EU Asylum and Migration Pact requirements in June 2026. All aspects of the international protection modernisation programme will continue to be kept under review and improved on an ongoing basis. The following table outlines the money spent in the IPO for the period requested. Total Estimate of IPO Expenditure 2019 - 2024 (Pay and Non-Pay) IPO IPAT Core Non-Core Total Total \u20ac000's \u20ac000's \u20ac000's \u20ac000's 2019 10,314 10,314 4,243 2020 8,155 8,155 3,305 2021 8,204 8,204 3,370 2022 11,864 11,864 3,254 2023 9,899 13,223 23,122 3,805 2024 12,709 22,275 34,984 5,838 Note: In 2020 DOJ implemented a transformation programme moving from a subject-based structure to a functional operating model. As a result the costs from 2020 onward are not directly comparable with the costs incurred pre transformation as a number of expenditure areas were restructured as core departmental functions and some centralised costs were moved to the respective areas. In 2020 as part of the transformation programme IPO Salary costs were included in ISD Administration salaries and an estimated adjustment has been made to include those values in the total costs for IPO. Costs for 2020 and 2021 were impacted by restrictions during Covid. In 2023 Non-Core Additonal Humanitarian Aid Funding was granted to IPO. In 2024 a new cost centre was set up for IPO so no IPO salary adjustment was required.", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2025-02-25/pq_620", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2025-02-25/620/" }, { "date": "2025-07-29", "question_number": 1946, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "Human Trafficking", "asked_by": "Peadar T\u00f3ib\u00edn", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "1946. Deputy Peadar T\u00f3ib\u00edn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of instances of human trafficking reported to Garda\u00ed, in each of the past ten years and to date in 2025. [41145/25]", "answer": "Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration The prevention, detection and prosecution of the crime of human trafficking is a priority for me and for this Government. Significant measures have been taken to combat human trafficking, to create a more victim-centred approach to identifying and supporting victims; to raise public awareness and provide training to relevant people including professionals to detect, understand and combat human trafficking. In order to encourage victims to come forward and access supports, in November 2023, the Third National Action Plan to prevent and combat human trafficking (2023-2027) was launched. It includes key actions in respect of the training of frontline workers, ensuring effective anti-trafficking screening measures are in place at point of entry to the State and establishing dedicated accommodation for victims of trafficking who have been trafficked for sexual exploitation. The establishment of a revised National Referral Mechanism (NRM) is another key action under the National Action Plan. Under the revised NRM, responsibility for the formal identification of victims of trafficking will be expanded beyond An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na to include a range of designated Departments and State agencies, each of which will be authorised as a competent authority. NGOs can also apply to be designated as \u201ctrusted partners\u201d and will be able to make referrals into the NRM. This will improve early engagement and make it easier for victims to be identified, come forward and access support. The Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Human Trafficking) Act 2024 put the revised NRM on a statutory footing. Preparatory work is underway to finalise operational aspects of the new mechanism before it can be launched, and the relevant provisions of the legislation commenced. The Government\u2019s efforts are in line with Ireland\u2019s requirements under EU Directive 2024/1712 on preventing and combating trafficking in human beings and protecting its victims. With regard to the Deputy's query in relation to the number of instances of human trafficking reported to Garda\u00ed, in each of the past ten years and to date in 2025, An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na have supplied the table. Table 1: Human Trafficking Instances per Year Year Instances of Human Trafficking 2025 63 2024 68 2023 52 2022 47 2021 51 2020 43 2019 40 2018 46 2017 45 2016 38 2015 35 Grand Total 528 Additional information \u00b7 Data is valid as of 18/07/2025. \u00b7 Date ranges include 01/01/2015 until 18/07/2025. \u00b7 Crime counting rules have been applied.", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2025-07-29/pq_1946", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2025-07-29/1946/" }, { "date": "2026-02-24", "question_number": 790, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na", "asked_by": "Peadar T\u00f3ib\u00edn", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "790. Deputy Peadar T\u00f3ib\u00edn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of persons arrested for fraud offences in each of the past ten years and to date in 2026, in tabular form. [14855/26]", "answer": "Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration The Government is committed to taking measures to combat and prevent fraud and cybercrime. There is close cooperation across the whole of Government on this issue, including between An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na and the National Cyber Security Centre. An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na Analysis Service conducted a search of Custody Logs in PULSE where the Arrest Reason was given as \u2018Fraud/Economic Crime\u2019 for the 2016 to 2025 period. The count of unique custody logs/arrests and the count of unique persons arrested each year as follows: Year of Arrest Number of Arrests Number of Unique Persons 2016 1,103 952 2017 1,062 941 2018 1,087 964 2019 1,320 1,163 2020 1,637 1,456 2021 1,802 1,575 2022 1,507 1,372 2023 1,534 1,380 2024 1,630 1,460 2025 1,800 1,610 The Garda authorities have further advised that all members of An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na can investigate crimes of a fraudulent nature and many members throughout the country have received specialist training in this area of crime investigation.", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2026-02-24/pq_790", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2026-02-24/790/" }, { "date": "2021-03-10", "question_number": 628, "chamber": "33rd D\u00e1il", "topic": "Direct Provision System", "asked_by": "Michael Creed", "answered_by": "Children", "question_type": "written", "question": "628. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the cost to the State of the direct provision system in each of the past ten years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13405/21]", "answer": "Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth My Department currently has contracts in place for 49 accommodation centres, including management contracts for 7 State owned centres. The 49 centres comprise 45 accommodation centres for International Protection applicants, the National Reception Centre for International Protection applicants in Balseskin, Co. Dublin and 3 Emergency Reception and Orientation Centres (EROC) for refugees brought to Ireland under the Irish Refugee Protection Programme (IRPP). Due to continuing increases in the numbers applying for international protection in recent years, these centres reached full operational capacity in September 2018 and a number of premises, hotels and guesthouses, were contracted to provide accommodation on a short-term basis until additional accommodation centres could be provided under a regional tendering competition. There are currently 25 such accommodation premises currently being used to accommodate international protection applicants on a temporary basis. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, my Department also provided 4 dedicated self-isolation facilities for residents in 2020. One of these is still under contract as well as 2 quarantine centres, one for residents who had left their allocated accommodation to live temporarily with famly or friends and a second for newly arrived International Protection applicants seeking accommodation. My Department contracts for an all-inclusive service, which includes catering services, as well as cleaning, maintenance and laundry services. The below table provides the total costs in each of the last ten years. Year Expenditure in millions 2010 \u20ac79.1 2011 \u20ac69.5 2012 \u20ac62.3 2013 \u20ac55.2 2014 \u20ac53.2 2015 \u20ac57.025 2016 \u20ac64.137 2017 \u20ac67.359 2018 \u20ac77.993 2019 \u20ac129.408 2020 \u20ac183.037", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2021-03-10/pq_628", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2021-03-10/628/" }, { "date": "2016-11-09", "question_number": 28, "chamber": "32nd D\u00e1il", "topic": "Defence Forces Strength", "asked_by": "Bernard Durkan", "answered_by": "Defence", "question_type": "written", "question": "28. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the extent to which the strength of the Army, Naval Service, Air Corps and reserves has fluctuated in the past ten years; if any changes in recruitment practice is envisaged to address any issues emerging; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33782/16]", "answer": "Minister of State at the Department of Defence (Deputy Paul Kehoe) The following tabular statement outlines the extent to which the whole-time equivalent strength of the Army, Naval Service and Air Corps has fluctuated over the last ten years. As of the 30th September, 2016, the strength of the PDF (whole-time equivalent) was 9,044 personnel. The Government is committed to maintaining the stabilised strength of the Permanent Defence Force at 9,500 personnel, comprising of 7,520 Army, 886 Air Corps and 1,094 Naval Service as stated in the 2015 White Paper on Defence. The manpower requirement of the Defence Forces is monitored on an ongoing basis in accordance with the operational requirements of each of the three services. Personnel are posted on the basis of operational needs across the organisation both at home and abroad. As there is significant turnover of personnel in the Permanent Defence Force targeted recruitment takes place so as to maintain personnel numbers at or near the agreed strength levels. All efforts are currently being directed at recruitment in order to return the Defence Forces to their approved establishment. Regular competitions are held for recruitment of enlisted personnel, cadets and other staff. To reduce the number of occasions an applicant must present in a military installation during a General Service competition, the Defence Forces are now conducting fitness tests and competency based interviews on the same day. The following tabular statement (Table 2) sets out the extent to which the effective strength of the Reserve has fluctuated over the last ten years. In terms of the Reserve, the 2015 White Paper on Defence sets out a developmental path for the organisation. It also provides that the overarching establishment of the Army Reserve (AR) and Naval Service Reserve (NSR) is to be set at 4,169 personnel, consisting of 3,869 Army Reservists and for the expansion of the establishment of the four NSR Units from currently 200 personnel to 300. A key challenge is to recruit and train sufficient personnel to meet the Reserve establishment provided in the White Paper. I am committed to accelerating induction into the Reserve, in tandem with expanded recruitment into the PDF. Table 1 \u2013 PDF Strength Fluctuation Year Army Naval Service Air Corps Total Approved Strength 2006 8532 1082 865 10479 2007 8512 1077 845 10434 2008 8507 1070 832 10409 2009 8095 1031 807 9933 2010 7752 1032 766 9550 2011 7650 997 791 9438 2012 7510 1058 791 9359 *2013 7434 1023 779 9236 2014 7457 1057 766 9280 2015 7309 1083 748 9140 2016 (to end Sept) 7247 1079 718 9044 * Strength figures from 2013 on are Whole Time Equivalents Table 2 \u2013 RDF Strength Fluctuation Year Reserve Defence Force Approved Strength 2006 9134 2007 8408 2008 7671 2009 6644 2010 6083 2011 5220 2012 4978 * 2013 3655 * 2014 2302 2015 2280 2016 (to end Sept) 2095 * 2012 & 2013 \u2013 Due to the reorganisation of the Reserve Defence Force there is a significantly larger margin of error applicable to these figures.", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2016-11-09/pq_28", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2016-11-09/28/" }, { "date": "2017-01-17", "question_number": 383, "chamber": "32nd D\u00e1il", "topic": "SOLAS Training and Education Programmes Data", "asked_by": "Maurice Quinlivan", "answered_by": "Education", "question_type": "written", "question": "383. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans regarding training for apprenticeships for trades, given the fact all these skills will be urgently required in view of the houses that need to be built in the next number of months and years; his views on any recent developments; his plans with respect to apprenticeships training for trades plans; the level of funding allocated each year from 2017 to 2021 for the area of training apprenticeships for trades, in tabular form; the number of apprentices he envisages will be delivered in each of the years 2017 to 2021, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41489/16]", "answer": "Minister of State at the Department of Education and Skills I propose to take Questions Nos. 382 and 383 together. The forecast apprentice registrations in the 27 craft trades are set out in a table. CRAFT Actual Registration 2016 Forecast Registrations 2017 Forecast Registrations 2018 Forecast Registrations 2019 Forecast Registrations 2020 BRICK & STONELAYING 52 65 95 140 180 CARPENTRY & JOINERY 399 570 700 810 1045 FLOOR & WALL TILING 0 0 0 0 0 PAINTING & DECORATING 27 45 65 90 110 PIPEFITTING 33 45 55 65 75 PLASTERING 18 30 60 90 120 PLUMBING 345 460 625 690 750 STONECUTTING 2 14 14 14 14 WOOD MANUFACTURING & FINISHING 71 90 110 125 140 TOTAL FOR CONSTRUCTION 947 1319 1724 2024 2434 ELECTRICAL AIRCRAFT MECHANICS 39 40 40 40 40 ELECTRICAL 1343 1280 1360 1390 1415 ELECTRICAL INSTRUMENTATION 106 100 110 120 130 ELECTRONIC SECURITY SYSTEMS 28 35 45 55 65 INSTRUMENTATION 10 14 14 14 14 REFRIGERATION & AIR CONDITIONING 79 85 90 90 90 TOTAL FOR ELECTRICAL 1605 1554 1659 1709 1754 M.A.M.F. 163 175 185 200 225 FARRIERY 5 8 8 8 8 INDUSTRIAL INSULATION 10 14 14 14 14 METAL FABRICATION 186 200 210 225 235 SHEET METALWORKING 40 45 50 55 60 TOOLMAKING 66 70 75 75 80 TOTAL FOR ENGINEERING 470 512 542 577 622 AGRICULTURAL MECHANICS 43 50 50 50 50 CONSTRUCTION PLANT FITTING 59 75 80 80 80 HEAVY VEHICLE MECHANICS 136 155 160 160 160 MOTOR MECHANIC 420 420 420 420 420 VEHICLE BODY REPAIRS 58 50 50 55 55 TOTAL FOR MOTOR 716 750 760 765 765 PRINT MEDIA 4 12 12 12 12 OVERALL TOTAL 3,742 4,147 4,697 5,087 5,587 SOLAS has informed me that the forecast for future apprenticeship registrations is strong and the number of apprentices registered by employers in 2016 was almost 20% higher than in 2015. This increase in apprentice registration is primarily being driven by employers in the electrical, engineering and motor sectors with modest growth occurring in construction related apprenticeships. Budget 2017 saw \u20ac80 million made available from the National Training Fund (NTF). This is \u20ac20 million greater than the 2016 allocation to provide for increased apprenticeship activity in 2017. The 2018 and future year allocations will be considered through the budgetary process, taking into account forecast increased participation in existing apprenticeships and traineeships and the costs of development and roll out of new apprenticeship programmes and career traineeships. SOLAS regularly conducts evaluations on the imbalances in skills supply and demand in the workplace, including the construction sector and provides forecasts of the apprenticeship requirements over a five year period. SOLAS in partnership with the Higher Education Authority and Education and Training Boards Ireland ensures sufficient training provision and resources are in place to meet the labour market demands for apprentices. SOLAS has recently produced the 2016 National Skills Bulletin (NSB) where shortage indicators are highlighted across a range of construction-related occupations. The data and trends provided in the 2016 NSB will feed into the annual service planning process which incorporates the planning of construction related apprenticeships by SOLAS in conjunction with Education and Training Boards and Institutes of Technology. The forecast for future apprenticeship registrations remains strong and it is predicted that craft based apprentice registrations will continue to grow incrementally up to 2020. SOLAS is working with its partners to ensure adequate capacity exists within the education and training sector to meet this expected increase in apprentice registrations over the next five years.", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2017-01-17/pq_383", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2017-01-17/383/" }, { "date": "2017-09-11", "question_number": 328, "chamber": "32nd D\u00e1il", "topic": "Schools Building Projects Data", "asked_by": "Marcella Corcoran Kennedy", "answered_by": "Education", "question_type": "written", "question": "328. Deputy Marcella Corcoran Kennedy asked the Minister for Education and Skills the detail of all capital expenditure such as extensions, new builds and additional accommodation for all primary schools in County Offaly since January 2011, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37210/17]", "answer": "Minister for Education and Skills The capital funding expended on new schools, school extensions, additional accommodation, emergency works and the summer works scheme for primary schools in Offaly in the period 2011 - August 2017 follows. Details of all school capital works that have been funded by my Department may be viewed on my Department's website www.education.ie and this is updated regularly. YEAR YEAR YEAR YEAR YEAR YEAR YEAR SCHOOL NAME 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 ARDEN BOYS NS 9,070.50 12,378.50 8,386.00 106,150.50 58,412.93 8,090.00 2,091.00 BALLYKILMURRY NS 10,458.00 9,782.48 104,018.66 10,661.50 10,402.50 10,439.50 0 BROUGHAL NS 6,018.00 0 5,962.50 5,888.50 5,833.00 5,851.50 206.36 CARRAIG NS BIRR 7,294.50 0 7,162.69 6,758.00 17,388.00 7,807.59 0 CHARLEVILLE NS 57,907.44 0 7,276.00 7,276.00 7,257.50 7,331.50 0 CLARA CONVENT NS 149,055.75 349.2 10,381.20 9,089.00 9,033.50 168,883.57 18,500.00 CLONAGHADOO NS 7,350.00 0 97,542.50 53,662.50 7,627.50 7,627.50 3,171.67 CLONBULLOGUE NATIONAL SCHOOL 30,313.54 0 7,646.00 26,438.05 7,516.50 7,604.81 0 CLONEYHURKE NS 18,258.50 0 6,221.50 6,166.00 6,092.00 6,036.50 0 COOLANARNEY NS 9,716.50 0 6,739.50 6,702.50 6,721.00 214,587.46 54,739.74 COOLDERRY CENTRAL NS 9,236.48 35,612.50 7,294.50 7,165.00 156,224.38 22,025.00 0 CROGHAN NS 7,331.50 4,722.04 7,257.50 7,350.00 7,313.00 7,202.00 0 CROINCHOILL NS 768,477.61 730,268.17 19,054.86 60,342.53 84,455.43 20,312.11 9,464.74 DAINGEAN NS 14,978.00 18,499.95 86,685.49 65,075.16 93,083.38 13,925.40 0 GAELSCOIL EISICIR RIADA 9,459.00 0 9,440.50 9,403.50 116,092.54 9,329.50 47,755.59 GAELSCOIL BHIORRA 0 0 0 0 95,734.99 52,980.11 0 GEASHILL 1 NS 7,794.00 0 8,354.00 8,127.00 398,824.40 298,970.05 0 GORTNAMONA NS 7,128.00 387.45 7,035.50 6,980.00 6,980.00 6,832.00 18,500.00 GS EADAN DOIRE 33,337.95 16,300.46 133,430.27 1,378,292.11 23,212.17 12,228.50 13,500.00 HIGH ST MIXED N S 11,392.00 1,773.76 6,813.50 6,913.03 7,227.53 119,938.56 0 KILCORMAC CONVENT NS 4,300.00 0 0 0 0 0 0 KILLEEN NS 7,220.50 0 30,896.37 17,356.73 7,424.00 110,602.00 0 KINNITTY NS 12,318.95 2,004.80 152,513.26 38,166.00 22,274.00 7,627.50 0 MARIAN NS OFFALY SCHOOL OF SPECIAL EDUCATION 7,631.68 7,148.50 29,499.25 15,287.94 18,147.72 16,448.75 16,792.12 MERCY PRIMARY SCHOOL 11,364.50 0 9,551.50 9,385.00 78,828.13 8,811.50 15,996.65 MONASTERORIS NS 7,054.00 0 6,961.50 6,850.50 6,739.50 6,684.00 107.59 MOUNTBOLUS NATIONAL SCHOOL 6,314.00 0 6,166.00 6,203.00 6,166.00 6,184.50 0 NAOMH MHUIRE NS 7,387.00 362,906.20 15,461.00 42,254.54 7,331.50 82,885.00 68,558.82 POLLAGH NS 57,926.28 0 7,257.50 7,387.00 7,405.50 89,279.53 0 PORTARLINGTON NS 54,768.48 2,633,558.02 19,390.83 60,191.50 19,742.45 34,541.50 1,693.48 ROSCOMROE NS 64,129.97 39,865.49 6,110.50 5,888.50 5,925.50 5,907.00 0 S N BHRIDE 7,146.50 0 7,239.00 7,128.00 7,091.00 7,128.00 0 S N CHARTAIGH NAOFA 28,164.00 6,500.00 18,498.85 14,995.50 88,225.09 16,699.00 6,500.00 S N LOMCHLUANA 15,500.70 0 6,647.00 7,678.50 24,328.50 13,221.00 0 S N MUIRE BAINRION 14,999.00 0 11,147.68 59,302.41 184,208.99 13,215.00 157,619.90 S N NAOMH BROGAIN 8,829.50 0 7,202.00 7,183.50 9,877.04 7,165.00 0 S N NAOMH PHILOMENA 39,796.63 0 8,460.00 21,001.00 33,209.00 16,663.22 0 S N OSMANN 143,032.18 0 177,942.22 7,276.00 7,165.00 7,109.50 0 S N PEADAR AGUS POL 28,840.00 0 12,233.30 29,690.97 26,412.86 5,962.50 0 S N SHEOSAIMH NAOFA 1,703,791.34 174,067.95 117,290.33 10,226.50 11,436.95 8,904.00 2,053.84 SCOIL BHRIDE 48,812.99 0 9,070.50 8,996.50 46,338.95 8,959.50 0 SCOIL BHRIDE 79,698.49 93,798.24 351,868.01 5,592,377.70 1,555,793.21 34,420.87 175,148.32 SCOIL CRONAIN NAOFA 1,078,420.95 24,837.73 62,677.55 56,230.79 10,217.50 11,281.45 2,370.72 SCOIL MHUIRE 25,813.45 41,548.46 86,185.59 55,533.68 96,251.26 2,214,958.73 2,092,908.12 SCOIL MHUIRE AGUS CHORMAIC 77,004.50 574.98 7,257.50 10,674.76 131,092.80 131,182.69 106,757.47 SCOIL NAOMH EOIN 52,427.79 0 7,407.00 7,387.00 70,866.00 16,516.50 7,471.00 SCOIL NAOMH PADRAIG 7,683.00 46,996.50 7,775.50 7,683.00 7,868.00 8,201.00 0 SHINCHILL NS 79,551.50 37,500.00 9,958.50 163,576.02 80,111.66 10,402.50 18,500.00 SHINRONE MXD NS 13,688.20 0 10,988.00 8,090.00 9,170.61 8,127.00 0 SN CAOIMHIN NAOFA 7,350.00 0 7,405.50 8,850.35 7,239.00 7,128.00 0 SN CHIARAIN NAOFA 12,870.51 0 6,887.50 43,708.70 22,600.23 6,906.00 0 SN MHUIRE 7,461.00 4,519.00 673,316.80 36,367.00 7,738.50 9,442.20 0 SN MHUIRE BAINRIOGHAN 8,926.50 0 6,702.50 6,647.00 6,554.50 58,316.98 0 SN MHUIRE NAOFA 11,490.00 0 10,615.78 9,181.50 8,978.00 8,719.00 14,601.93 SN NAOMH CHOLUMCHILLE 13,001.90 2,694.72 9,366.50 9,963.50 393,779.34 10,645.75 0 SN PHADRAIG 14,914.65 0 7,812.50 7,812.50 7,683.00 7,664.50 0 ST BRENDANS MONASTERY 164,365.19 0 9,773.50 16,033.00 64,734.87 10,549.58 20,671.70 ST CALLINANS NS 6,462.00 6,666.94 6,499.00 6,680.50 7,836.23 6,684.00 0 ST CIARANS MIXED NS 7,535.00 0 7,442.50 23,690.00 121,692.20 32,724.06 6,500.00 ST COLMANS NS 122,132.02 211,717.97 120,376.68 119,593.00 11,216.50 12,365.59 0 ST COLMANS NS 9,139.26 474.82 7,276.00 7,405.50 42,940.50 7,516.50 0 ST CORMACS NS 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 ST CRONANS NS LUSMAGH 12,043.98 0 6,758.00 6,610.00 6,591.50 6,739.50 0 ST CYNOCS NATIONAL SCHOOL 19,761.72 0 14,792.50 19,626.25 14,792.50 14,644.50 0 ST FRANCIS BNS 11,701.00 38,966.17 9,440.50 30,012.30 30,294.35 766,425.00 252,720.75 ST JOSEPHS NS 17,916.24 973.31 18,689.50 47,278.22 20,317.50 437,346.09 123,543.90 ST KIERANS NS 8,860.81 0 6,684.00 6,702.50 6,480.50 6,591.50 0 ST MARYS BOYS 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 ST MARYS NS 19,274.50 0 61,851.80 190,376.25 29,784.64 13,344.00 0 ST MARYS NS 24,770.88 0 6,850.50 6,887.50 14,591.00 7,146.50 0 ST PATRICKS BNS 34,940.79 0 53,835.50 24,662.65 58,267.59 66,064.83 39,979.09 ST. JOSEPHS NS 7,126.00 0 6,499.00 41,723.18 6,702.50 6,795.00 25,038.30 ST. RYANAGH'S NS 21,214.50 792.12 10,754.00 10,569.00 10,754.00 10,587.50 0 TULLAMORE EDUCATE TOGETHER NS 23,503.22 4,257.40 8,996.50 68,584.33 2,632,850.67 474,154.54 73,363.45 Total 5,454,955.02 4,572,443.83 2,828,985.47 8,821,408.15 7,239,500.59 5,905,593.02 3,396,826.25 38,219,712.33", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2017-09-11/pq_328", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2017-09-11/328/" }, { "date": "2020-09-22", "question_number": 139, "chamber": "33rd D\u00e1il", "topic": "Work Permits", "asked_by": "Br\u00edd Smith", "answered_by": "Enterprise", "question_type": "written", "question": "139. Deputy Br\u00edd Smith asked the T\u00e1naiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of general employment permits issued since 2010 to the meat processing sector. [25598/20]", "answer": "T\u00e1naiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Since 2010, a total of 4,281 General Employment Permits (previously known as Work Permits) have issued to the Meat Processing sector. A yearly breakdown is available below. Permit Type 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 General Employment Permit/Work Permit 281 82 129 35 41 13 168 174 923 1,129 1,306", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2020-09-22/pq_139", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2020-09-22/139/" }, { "date": "2021-03-10", "question_number": 727, "chamber": "33rd D\u00e1il", "topic": "International Protection", "asked_by": "Michael Creed", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "727. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Justice the number of applicants for international protection whose applications were declined in each of the past ten years who were subsequently deported; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13404/21]", "answer": "Minister for Justice I can confirm that in line with the clear commitments that both I and the Taoiseach have given, the position remains that no further deportation orders are being enforced during the Covid-19 pandemic, except in circumstances where an individual may be a threat to national security, and whose presence in Ireland would be contrary to the public interest. The table below outlines the number of effected Deportation Orders (DOs) by year as a result of refused asylum/international protection applications since 2011. The number of effected DOs over any given period, is a combination of people deported or forcibly removed by the Garda National Immigration Bureau, as well as people who have left the State themselves on foot of a DO, in cases where this has come to the attention of the relevant authorities. Refused applicants are notified of final decisions by the Ministerial Decisions Unit (MDU) of the International Protection Office (IPO). Annual figures of MDU refusals are also included in the table below. Year MDU refusals DO\u2019s effected on refused asylum cases 2011 1,044 5 2012 505 18 2013 343 16 2014 1,402 5 2015 2,006 21 2016 1,861 77 2017 378 46 2018 543 69 2019 1,749 133 2020 957 53 Total 10,788 443 These figures include cases where deportation orders were made under both section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended) and section 51 of the International Protection Act 2015. The figures include international protection applications refused under the provisions of the Refugee Act 1996, the Subsidiary Protection Regulations 2006 and 2013 and the International Protection Act 2015. The figures for deportation orders effected in a particular year will inevitably include orders made in a previous year.", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2021-03-10/pq_727", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2021-03-10/727/" }, { "date": "2023-04-25", "question_number": 96, "chamber": "33rd D\u00e1il", "topic": "Departmental Schemes", "asked_by": "P\u00e1draig O'Sullivan", "answered_by": "Rural", "question_type": "written", "question": "96. Deputy P\u00e1draig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the position regarding the timing of the next allocations under the town and village renewal scheme; the allocations per local authority for each of the years 2018 to 2022; if any review of the scheme is envisaged given the difference in size and population between local authorities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19328/23]", "answer": "Minister for Rural and Community Development The Town and Village Renewal Scheme (TVRS) was introduced in 2016 and is one of a number of measures designed to rejuvenate rural towns and villages throughout Ireland. Over \u20ac149 million has been allocated to more than 1,600 projects across Ireland to date. The Scheme is primarily targeted at towns and villages with a population of 10,000 or less. In line with the commitment in Our Rural Future, TVRS priorities are reviewed at the end of each scheme year to ensure that funding is targeted effectively to support vibrant and attractive communities. The 2023 review process is at an advanced stage and I expect to be in a position to launch the 2023 scheme in June of this year. The table below outlines the allocations per local authority for each of the years 2018 to 2022. Local Authority 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 Total Carlow \u20ac786,118 \u20ac399,692 \u20ac815,998 \u20ac1,258,401 \u20ac1,482,769 \u20ac4,742,978 Cavan \u20ac530,000 \u20ac604,914 \u20ac1,166,268 \u20ac1,351,985 \u20ac1,597,440 \u20ac5,250,607 Clare \u20ac581,000 \u20ac721,109 \u20ac1,215,110 \u20ac1,118,860 \u20ac1,001,073 \u20ac4,637,152 Cork City \u20ac0 \u20ac264,800 \u20ac240,000 \u20ac932,853 \u20ac75,000 \u20ac1,512,653 Cork Co \u20ac1,001,800 \u20ac737,500 \u20ac1,170,540 \u20ac832,077 \u20ac895,870 \u20ac4,637,787 Donegal \u20ac1,100,000 \u20ac764,400 \u20ac810,318 \u20ac748,664 \u20ac1,023,234 \u20ac4,446,616 D\u00fan Laoghaire/Rathdown \u20ac100,000 \u20ac0 \u20ac0 \u20ac0 \u20ac225,000 \u20ac325,000 Fingal \u20ac597,960 \u20ac120,000 \u20ac422,429 \u20ac141,174 \u20ac186,000 \u20ac1,467,563 South Dublin \u20ac0 \u20ac200,000 \u20ac9,450 \u20ac0 \u20ac0 \u20ac209,450 Galway \u20ac900,000 \u20ac752,000 \u20ac1,105,323 \u20ac850,772 \u20ac1,012,075 \u20ac4,620,170 Kerry \u20ac476,000 \u20ac810,486 \u20ac1,111,545 \u20ac918,531 \u20ac983,768 \u20ac4,300,330 Kildare \u20ac520,000 \u20ac312,164 \u20ac854,533 \u20ac252,993 \u20ac942,950 \u20ac2,882,640 Kilkenny \u20ac652,280 \u20ac391,600 \u20ac1,036,026 \u20ac1,335,340 \u20ac450,230 \u20ac3,865,476 Laois \u20ac872,094 \u20ac437,761 \u20ac775,275 \u20ac1,056,352 \u20ac1,017,500 \u20ac4,158,982 Leitrim \u20ac737,520 \u20ac324,511 \u20ac922,103 \u20ac1,443,283 \u20ac1,281,787 \u20ac4,709,204 Limerick \u20ac963,918 \u20ac585,101 \u20ac1,030,861 \u20ac1,341,784 \u20ac1,636,229 \u20ac5,557,893 Longford \u20ac593,856 \u20ac454,104 \u20ac711,061 \u20ac913,893 \u20ac664,263 \u20ac3,337,177 Louth \u20ac892,157 \u20ac338,000 \u20ac745,490 \u20ac1,075,505 \u20ac420,885 \u20ac3,472,037 Mayo \u20ac1,183,615 \u20ac838,533 \u20ac1,241,821 \u20ac118,946 \u20ac1,196,843 \u20ac4,579,758 Meath \u20ac670,834 \u20ac585,792 \u20ac905,563 \u20ac930,503 \u20ac1,015,700 \u20ac4,108,392 Monaghan \u20ac868,500 \u20ac569,536 \u20ac1,228,863 \u20ac1,093,458 \u20ac1,366,395 \u20ac5,126,752 Offaly \u20ac1,300,000 \u20ac700,000 \u20ac1,250,000 \u20ac590,500 \u20ac1,475,000 \u20ac5,315,500 Roscommon \u20ac880,000 \u20ac688,000 \u20ac1,228,885 \u20ac1,220,015 \u20ac1,352,420 \u20ac5,369,320 Sligo \u20ac1,138,400 \u20ac564,000 \u20ac1,095,000 \u20ac1,570,000 \u20ac1,320,101 \u20ac5,687,501 Tipperary \u20ac913,266 \u20ac684,615 \u20ac1,180,659 \u20ac1,475,587 \u20ac1,383,571 \u20ac5,637,698 Waterford \u20ac756,000 \u20ac500,000 \u20ac805,127 \u20ac825,578 \u20ac1,118,623 \u20ac4,005,328 Westmeath \u20ac452,000 \u20ac700,000 \u20ac575,600 \u20ac398,531 \u20ac554,701 \u20ac2,680,832 Wexford \u20ac1,334,798 \u20ac691,206 \u20ac1,177,981 \u20ac1,254,358 \u20ac1,524,901 \u20ac5,983,244 Wicklow \u20ac518,005 \u20ac250,173 \u20ac961,538 \u20ac692,925 \u20ac1,048,299 \u20ac3,470,940 Total Funding Allocated \u20ac21,320,121 \u20ac14,989,996 \u20ac25,793,367 \u20ac25,742,868 \u20ac28,252,627 \u20ac116,098,979", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2023-04-25/pq_96", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2023-04-25/96/" }, { "date": "2023-12-05", "question_number": 377, "chamber": "33rd D\u00e1il", "topic": "International Protection", "asked_by": "Marian Harkin", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "377. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Justice the number of international protection applicants who have arrived in Ireland for each of the past five years, in tabular form, including the number per year; the numbers who were refused entry at the border; the number per year whose applications have been approved/refused; the number per year who have received deportation orders, and of those, the number deported by year, all in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53203/23]", "answer": "Minister for Justice My Department is taking all necessary steps to manage the international protection process fairly and efficiently, as part of the broader Government response to this challenging issue. The number of international protection applications in 2022 was 13,650, a significant increase on recent years. It represents a 186% increase on the number received in 2019, the most recent year in which application numbers were not impacted by Covid-19. In July this year, I published a report on the international protection modernisation programme for 2023 and 2024. This programme is implementing measures to improve efficiencies and throughput as well as improving the application, interview and decision-making process for applicants. This will give status to those who are entitled to international protection to rebuild their lives here, while also ensuring faster decision making in respect of those who do not meet the criteria. As part of this modernisation programme, I also signed a regulation in November 2022 to introduce an accelerated procedure for international protection applicants from designated safe countries of origin. These applicants now typically receive a first instance decision in less than three months, which is a significant reduction from a norm of 22 to 26 months early last year. Reforms to the international protection process will continue in 2024. Approximately \u20ac34m was allocated in budget 2024 to the International Protection Office (IPO) and the International Protection Appeals Tribunal (IPAT) to continue to scale up processing. The table below sets out the number of applications for international protection, each year from 2019 to 2023. IP Applications 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023* Total 4,782 1,566 2648 13,650 11,791** *To 29 November 2023. **Please note, figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing. The data in the table below shows the latest statistics on decisions made per applicant for International Protection from 2019 to end October 2023* Decision Year Refugee Status (RS) Grants** Subsidiary Protection (SP) Grants** Permission to Remain (PTR) Grant (1st Instance and Final Decision)** Refusal All (RS, SP & PTR)** 2019 951 163 427 1,050 2020 1,032 153 315 601 2021 1,105 95 1,148 16 2022 1,926 95 2,849 1,140 2023* 2,332 183 905 988 *There is no correlation between year of application and year decision is issued. **Please note, figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing. A person who wishes to make a claim for international protection (refugee status and subsidiary protection status) in Ireland must be at the frontier of the State or already be present in the State under Section 15(1) of the International Protection Act 2015. The State has a duty to protect its borders and following examination, ensure that all arriving passengers are entitled to enter the State. This is a fundamental exercise of State sovereignty, which is necessary to protect the security of the State and to prevent illegal immigration. The exercise of powers in this area is at all times subject to the law and to respect for individual rights. If a person arriving at a port of entry to the State indicates or is identified as being in need of international protection they are admitted to the international protection process. My Department examines applications for international protection by anyone who indicates they wish to make an application, this is in accordance with our obligations under international and EU asylum law. The table below details arrivals for Dublin Airport. The Border Management Unit of my Department is responsible for frontline Immigration at Dublin Airport only, as such the below figures reflect the position at Dublin Airport. Other ports of entry are the responsibility of the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB). Year Total Arriving Passengers* Total Refusals* Requested Asylum* 2019 16,318,300 6,151 N/A** 2020 3,636,256 2,077 N/A** 2021 4,118,027 3,210 N/A** 2022 13,930,041 7,662 6,765 2023 YtD (31/10) 14,304,987 4,606 3,644 *Please note, figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing. **The BMU introduced the statistical system to capture these figures in October 2021, therefore, data is only available from that time. I can advise the Deputy that deportation and removal processes are an essential part of any immigration system. It must be acknowledged that those who do not have a legal right to remain in this country must remove themselves from the State. A person subject to a Deportation Order has no legal basis to remain in the State. Their case to remain in the State has been considered in detail and all available appeals processes have been exhausted. The Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) is responsible for carrying out deportations. However, the Deputy will be aware that the numbers of Deportation Orders effected by GNIB does not take account of individuals who have left the State without informing my Department. It is the case that many individuals who are subject to Deportation Orders leave the State without notifying the relevant authorities and this particular category of individual is difficult to quantify. Year Issued Total IP Deportation Orders Signed* Numbers Deported* 2019 835 183 2020 291 63 2021 0 17 2022 539 55 2023 YTD 736 34 *Please note, figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing. Numbers deported may relate to deportation orders issued in previous years. The Deputy may also wish to know that my Department has created a website to provide a detailed overview of the International Protection process in Ireland which can be accessed at: www.gov.ie/en/campaigns/304ba-international-protection/ This site also provides detailed statistics and metrics in relation to processing of applications for protection. These statistics are published on a monthly basis. www.gov.ie/en/collection/48a28-international-protection-in-numbers/", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2023-12-05/pq_377", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2023-12-05/377/" }, { "date": "2025-03-06", "question_number": 328, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "Statutory Instruments", "asked_by": "Catherine Connolly", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "328. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice the Statutory Instruments he envisages being brought forward and signed by his Department during the first six months of 2025; to highlight in particular those concerned with the transposition and or implementation of further implementation of EU law requirements; those Statutory Instruments concerned with commencement of existing legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10334/25]", "answer": "Minister for Justice The table below is a list of proposed Statutory Instruments to be brought forward and signed by my Department in the first six months of 2025. The Deputy should be aware that this is list may be subject to change. My Department continues to put in place the necessary measures to ensure the full transposition, implementation and enforcement of EU law in Ireland, as appropriate. The table highlights planned Statutory Instruments which are concerned with transposing or implementing EU law. The table also highlights Statutory Instruments concerned with the commencement of existing legislation. Title of Statutory Instrument Transposition/Implementation of EU Law Commencement of Existing Legislation Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024 (Commencement) Order 2025: Allow for commencement of the Act No Yes. Order to commence the Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024 Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024 (Appointment to the Ranks of Assistant Garda Commissioner, Chief Superintendent, and Superintendent) regulations 2025: Allow for appointments to the rank of Assistant Garda Commissioner, Chief Superintendent, and Superintendent in the Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na. No No. Regulations to be finalised at or shortly after commencement. Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na (Appointment to the Ranks of Inspector and Sergeant) (Amendment) Regulations 2024: Allow for appointments to the rank of Sergeant and Inspector in the Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na No No. Regulations to be finalised at or shortly after commencement. Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024 (Admissions and Appointments) Regulations 2025: Allow for the recruitment and admission of trainees to AGS No No. Regulations to be finalised at or shortly after commencement. Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024 (Section 104) (Designation of public service body) Order 2025: Allow for the designation of public service bodies for the purposes of Part 2 of the Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024 No No. Regulations to be finalised after commencement. Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024 (Designation of a Committee of Government) Regulations 2025: Allow for the Designation of a Committee of Government for the purposes of Part 3 (Community Safety) of the 2024 Act No No. Regulations to be finalised after commencement. Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024 (Section 107) (Operation and Procedures of Steering Group) Regulations 2025: Allow for the establishment of the National Community Safety Steering Group under the Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024 No No. Regulations to be finalised shortly after commencement. Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024 (Section 114) (Safety Partnerships) Regulations 2024: Allow for the establishment of Local Community Safety Partnerships No No. Regulations to be finalised shortly after commencement. Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024 (An Oifig N\u00e1isi\u00fanta um Sh\u00e1bh\u00e1ilteacht Pobail) (Establishment Day) Order 2025: Allow for the establishment of the National Office of Community Safety No Yes. Establishment of the National Office is required for the commencement of the Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024 Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024 (An t\u00dadar\u00e1s P\u00f3il\u00edneachta agus S\u00e1bh\u00e1ilteachta Pobail) (Establishment Day) Order 2024: Allow for the establishment of the Policing and Community Safety Authority No Yes. Establishment of the Authority is required for the commencement of the Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024 Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024 (Oifig an Scr\u00fadaitheora Neamhsple\u00e1ch um Reachta\u00edocht Sl\u00e1nd\u00e1la) (Establishment Day) Order 2025: Allow for the establishment of the Office of the Independent Examiner No Yes. Establishment of the Office is required for the commencement of the Policing, Security and Community Safety Act, 2024. Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024 (Conduct) Regulations 2025: Allow for procedures to address misconduct by a member of An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na No Yes. Required for the commencement of the Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024 Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024 (Performance) Regulations 2025: To provide for procedures to address unsatisfactory performance or attendance of a member of An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na No Yes. Required for the commencement of the Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024 Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024 (Professional Standards) Regulations 2025: To prescribe the standards of professional behaviour applicable to members of garda personnel No Yes. Required for the commencement of the Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024 Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024 (Notifiable Misconduct) Regulations 2025: To prescribe types of conduct that constitute \u201cnotifiable misconduct\u201d under the 2024 Act No Yes. Required for the commencement of the Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024 European Union (Passenger Name Record Data) (Amendment) Regulations 2025: To amend the European Union (Passenger Name Record Data) Regulations 2018, which transposed Directive (EU) 2016/681, so as to align Ireland's domestic regime with the judgment of the Court of Justice of the European Union in the Case C-817/19 Yes. Directive (EU) 2016/681 and CJEU judgment in Case C-817/19 No European Union (Acquisition and Possession of Weapons and Ammunition) (Amendment) Regulations 2022: 1) to transpose Article 4.5 of the Firearms Directive (EU) 2021/555, providing for implementation of a computerised data-filing system in which each firearm subject to the Directive will be recorded; 2) to transpose Commission Implementing Directive (EU) 2024/325 regarding the minimum depth of markings on firearms and essential components Yes. Article 4(5) of Directive (EU) 2021/555 No European Union (Eurojust) (Amendment) Regulations 2025: to give further effect in Irish law to Regulation (EU) 2023/2131 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 4 October 2023 amending Regulation (EU) 2018/1727 of the European Parliament and of the Council and Council Decision 2005/671/JHA, as regards digital information exchange in terrorism cases. Subject to Oireachtas approval, these Regulations will allow Ireland to opt in to Regulation (EU) 2023/2131 in accordance with Article 4 of Protocol 21. Yes. Regulation (EU) 2023/2131 and Commission Implementing Directive (EU) 2024/325 No Court Proceedings (Delays) Act 2024 Commencement Order 2025: Arrangements to operationalise the requirements of the Act are currently being finalised. It is envisaged that these arrangements will be at an advanced stage of readiness by the second quarter of 2025, with commencement of the Act to follow shortly thereafter. No Court Proceedings (Delays) Act 2024 Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na (Functions and Operational Areas) Act 2022 Commencement Order 2025: Arrangements to operationalise the requirements of the Act are currently being finalised. It is envisaged that these arrangements will be completed in 2025, with commencement of the Act to follow shortly thereafter. No Yes, order to commence the Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na (Functions and Operational Areas) Act 2022 Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na (Functions and Operational Areas) Act 2022 (Section 9) Regulations 2025: Regulations to effect the change of Garda rank and operational area in Regulations to align with such changes under the primary act. No Yes. Required for the commencement of the Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na (Functions and Operational Areas) Act 2022 Data Protection Act 2018 (Section 60(4)) Regulations 2025 No No Gambling Regulation Act 2024 (Commencement) Order 2025 - commences certain provisions of the Gambling Regulation Act 2024. No No Gambling Regulation Act 2024 (Establishment Day) Order - appoints the establishment day for the purposes of the Gambling Regulation Act 2024, i.e. the day on which the Gambling Regulation Authority of Ireland is established. No No Private Security (Licensing, Standards and Fees)(Supplier or Installer of Safes) Regulations 2025 - regulations to provide for the licensing of the security service of the supplying or installing of safes. No No", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2025-03-06/pq_328", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2025-03-06/328/" }, { "date": "2025-06-24", "question_number": 640, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "Departmental Expenditure", "asked_by": "Aidan Farrelly", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "640. Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the amount expended on an annual basis on commercial and charter flights, to include a schedule of ancillary costs in the context of the deportation of persons from the jurisdiction from 2000 to date in 2025; and if he will include a breakdown of the number of flights used for this purpose on annual basis, over the same time period. [34165/25]", "answer": "Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration It is a central priority for me that Ireland\u2019s immigration system is robust and rules based. The enforcement aspects of our laws, including deportation orders, are an essential requirement for the system to work effectively and to ensure that there is confidence in the application of our legislation in this area.A deportation order is a legal order to leave the State. Any person who has been ordered to leave the State and fails to do so, within the timeframe issued with the deportation order, is committing a criminal offence and can be arrested without warrant if they come into contact with An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na. Such an order remains on the person\u2019s record permanently, unless revoked \u2013 it means they may not enter Ireland again in future. Deportations are costly and complex to enforce. It is the preferred option to return people voluntarily and my Department has a voluntary return programme to assist people to return prior to the issuance of a deportation order. A person can only avail of voluntary return before a deportation order is issued and I have increased resources into this programme to enable persons who wish to return before a deportation order is issued to them. If a person does not remove themselves from the State following the issuance of a deportation order, they will be removed, and my Department has taken action to significantly improve immigration enforcement measures and increase removals. The number of deportation orders signed in 2024 (2,403) increased by 180% compared to 2023 (857). This year 2,120 deportation orders have been signed up to 20 June 2025. Last year, 1,116 people departed from the State under various mechanisms (i.e. enforced deportation, voluntary return etc.), an increase of 252% compared to 2023 (317). This year 980 persons have had their departure confirmed through these pathways up to 20 June 2025. It is not possible to provide all of the information requested by the Deputy, which spans over a time period of 25 years. To do so would require the manual examination of a large quantity of case files. Such an examination would require a disproportionate amount of time to compile. So far in 2025, three charter flight operations have removed 106 people who were subject to deportation orders from the State with a further 59 removed on commercial airlines. Further charter operations and removals on commercial aircraft will be conducted as the year progresses. The costs for the provision of the aircraft for these operations has been as follows: \u2022 \u20ac102,476 for a one-way flight to Georgia in February. \u2022 \u20ac103,751 for a one-way flight to Georgia in May. \u2022 \u20ac324,714 for a return flight to Nigeria in June. Costs for the provision of supporting charter flight services such as ground handling services, on-board paramedics and a flight manager have been \u20ac46,352 so far in 2025. Table 1 below shows the cost of charter and commercial flights from 2021 to 2025. The figure for commercial flights includes both the flight costs (often through hubs and long-distance) for removal operations completed and also the costs of returning accompanying escorts to Ireland when a one-way charter flight is used. Table 1: Costs for Charter and Commercial flights in 2021, 2022, 2023 2024 and 2025 (up to 20/06/2025) - 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 Charter Flight costs N/A N/A N/A N/A \u20ac530,941 Commercial Flight costs \u20ac428,131 \u20ac467,289 \u20ac494,829 \u20ac1,202,750 \u20ac527,003* *includes the return of escorts for one way charter operations. From 2016 up to the end of 2023, my Department was able to reclaim some costs of commercial flights under the Asylum Migration and Integration Fund. A new fund opened in 2024 and my Department continues to reclaim funding for commercial flight costs under this EU Fund (for deportation costs only). A number of factors impact the costs associated with deportation operations. In particular, the costs for any particular deportation reflect the numbers travelling in each instance, the destination country, and if direct flights are not available the escorts and deportee transit through a hub airport. In some cases a person may resist deportation and the Garda National Immigration Bureau risk assessment may give rise to the need for additional escorts. Flight costs also can often be impacted by the need to make arrangements to enable escorts to return on the same flight; where, for example, it is necessary for the personal safety of the escorts. Table 2 sets out the number of removals enforced on commercial airlines from 2021, up to 20 June 2025. During the COVID- 19 Pandemic there was a moratorium on deportations. This impacted the latter part of 2020, 2021 and for the first 8 months of 2022. During the moratorium only people whose presence in Ireland would be contrary to the public interest were deported. This moratorium was lifted in July 2022. Due to the pandemic, travelling incurred additional costs. When deportation orders and other types of removal orders are enforced using commercial airlines, they are normally returning one individual to their country of nationality. Table 2. Deportations and Removals enforced in 2021, 2022, 2023 2024 and 2025 (up to 20/06/2025) - 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025* Deportation orders enforced on commercial airlines 5 24 51 134 59 Other removals enforced on commercial flights** 47 40 24 26 10 *(to 20/06/2025) **Other enforced removals include Dublin III Transfer Orders of International Protection applicants to other EU State and EU Removal Orders for the return of EU Citizen under the Free Movement Regulations (these orders are made on grounds of criminality) and persons who are deemed inadmissible under the International Protection Act.", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2025-06-24/pq_640", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2025-06-24/640/" }, { "date": "2025-06-18", "question_number": 113, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "Deportation Orders", "asked_by": "Catherine Connolly", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "113. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of deportation orders enforced on commercial airlines; the number of deportation orders enforced by GNIB on charter flights, other removals enforced on commercial flights, in each of the past five years; the costs incurred and destination in respect of each flight, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32884/25]", "answer": "Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration It is a central priority for me that Ireland\u2019s immigration system is robust and rules based. The enforcement aspects of our laws, including deportation orders, are an essential requirement for the system to work effectively and to ensure that there is confidence in the application of our legislation in this area. A deportation order is a legal order to leave the State. Any person who has been ordered to leave the State and fails to do so, within the timeframe issued with the deportation order, is committing a criminal offence and can be arrested without warrant if they come into contact with An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na. Such an order remains on the person\u2019s record permanently, unless revoked \u2013 it means they may not enter Ireland again in future. It is the preferred option to return people voluntarily and my Department has a voluntary return programme to assist people to return prior to the issuance of a deportation order. It is important to note that a person can only avail of voluntary return before a deportation order is issued. My Department has taken action to significantly improve immigration enforcement measures and increase removals. The number of deportation orders signed in 2024 (2,403) increased by 180% compared to 2023 (857). This year 2,113 deportation orders have been signed up to 13 June 2025. Last year, 1,116 people departed from the State under various mechanisms (i.e. enforced deportation, voluntary return etc.), an increase of 252% compared to 2023 (317). This year, 939 people have had their departure confirmed through these pathways up to 13 June 2025. The below table sets out the number of removals enforced in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 and year to date in 2025 (up to 13 June). It should be noted that during 2021, and until August 2022, only persons with serious criminal convictions were removed from the State. During this period, travelling incurred additional costs due to the pandemic. Table 1. Deportations and Removals enforced in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 2024 and 2025 (up to 13/06/2025). - 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025* Deportation orders enforced on commercial airlines 42 5 24 51 134 58 Deportation orders enforced on charter flights N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 106 Other removals enforced on commercial flights* 48 47 40 24 26 10 *Other enforced removals include Dublin III Transfer Orders of International Protection applicants to other EU State and EU Removal Orders for the return of EU Citizen under the Free Movement Regulations (these orders are made on grounds of criminality) and persons who are deemed inadmissible under the International Protection Act. I can advise the Deputy that full information regarding destinations cannot be provided. It is the policy of my Department not to release numbers where there are less than 5 in respect of any nationality, as there is a possibility that a person may be identifiable by releasing such information. Table 2 below shows the receiving countries for deportations (commercial and charter flights) in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 2024 and 2025 (up to 13/06/2025). Top 5 Countries of destination (greater than 5 removals) 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 1 Pakistan Brazil Georgia Georgia Georgia 2 Brazil Georgia Brazil South Africa Nigeria 3 South Africa Albania 4 Brazil 5 Nigeria Table 3 below shows the receiving countries for EU Removals in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025. Again, this table shows only the destinations where more than 5 EU removal orders have been enforced. Table 3. EU Removals destinations in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 2024 and 2025 (up to 13/06/2025). Top 5 Countries of destination (greater than 5 removals) 2020 2021* 2022 2023 2024 2025 1 Romania Lithuania Romania Lithuania Romania 2 Lithuania Poland Lithuania Poland 3 Poland Romania Poland Romania 4 5 Table 4 below shows the receiving countries Dublin III transfers in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025. I can advise the Deputy, that when a Dublin III transfer order is enforced this is normally returning one individual to the country responsible for processing their International Protection Application. Table 4 below shows the number of Dublin III transfers in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025 to 13/06/25. Date 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 Destination EU Member States and UK (prior to Brexit) EU Member State EU Member State EU Member State EU Member State EU Member State Number of Returnees 15 5 2 3 8 0 So far in 2025, three charter flight operations have removed 106 people who were subject to deportation orders from the State with a further 58 removed on commercial airlines. Further charter operations and removals on commercial aircraft will be conducted as the year progresses. The costs for the provision of the aircraft for these operations has been as follows: \u2022 \u20ac102,476 for a one-way flight to Georgia in February. \u2022 \u20ac103,751 for a one-way flight to Georgia in May. \u2022 \u20ac324,714 for a return flight to Nigeria in June. Costs for the provision of supporting charter flight services such as ground handling services, on-board paramedics and a flight manager have been \u20ac46,352 so far in 2025. The table below shows the cost of both charter and commercial flights from 2020 to 2025. The figure for commercial flights includes both the flight costs (often through hubs and long-distance) for removal operations completed and also the costs of returning accompanying escorts to Ireland when a one-way charter flight is used. Table 5. Costs for Charter and Commercial flights in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 2024 and 2025 (up to 13/06/2025). - 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 Charter Flight costs N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A \u20ac530,941 Commercial Flight costs \u20ac1,628,266 \u20ac428,131 \u20ac467,289 \u20ac494,829 \u20ac1,202,750 \u20ac527,003* *includes the return of escorts for one way charter operations. From 2016 up to the end of 2023, my Department was able to reclaim some costs of commercial flights under the Asylum Migration and Integration Fund. A new fund opened in 2024 and my Department continues to reclaim funding for commercial flight costs under this EU Fund (for deportation costs only). A number of factors impact the costs associated with deportation operations. In particular, the costs for any particular deportation reflect the numbers travelling in each instance. In some cases a person may resist deportation and the Garda National Immigration Bureau risk assessment may give rise to the need for additional escorts. Flight costs also can often be impacted by the need to make arrangements to enable escorts to return on the same flight; where, for example, it is necessary for the personal safety of the escorts. Please note that all the figures for 2025 are provisional and subject to change. Figures are correct at time of issue, however all statistics may be subject to data cleansing.", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2025-06-18/pq_113", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2025-06-18/113/" }, { "date": "2025-10-21", "question_number": 606, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "Deportation Orders", "asked_by": "Eoin Hayes", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "606. Deputy Eoin Hayes asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of deportation flights chartered and otherwise that have occurred every year from Ireland since 2021; the associated costs to the State for each of those flights; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57097/25]", "answer": "Minister of State at the Department of Justice It is a central priority for me that Ireland\u2019s immigration system is robust and rules based. The enforcement aspects of our laws, including deportation orders, are an essential requirement for the system to work effectively and to ensure that there is confidence in the application of our legislation in this area. Deportations are costly and complex to enforce. It is the preferred option to return people voluntarily and my Department has a voluntary return programme to assist people to return prior to the issuance of a deportation order. A person can only avail of voluntary return before a deportation order is issued and I have increased resources into this programme to enable persons who wish to return before a deportation order is issued to them. If a person does not remove themselves from the State following the issuance of a deportation order, they will be removed, and my Department has taken action to significantly improve immigration enforcement measures and increase removals. The number of deportation orders signed in 2024 (2,403) increased by 180% compared to 2023 (857). This year 3,583 deportation orders have been signed up to 17 October 2025. Last year, 1,122 people departed from the State under various mechanisms (i.e. enforced deportation, voluntary return etc.), an increase of 252% compared to 2023 (317). This year, 1,652 people have had their departure confirmed through these pathways up to 17 October 2025. So far in 2025, five charter flight operations have removed 153 people from the State. Of these, four operations to non-EU destinations removed 130 people who were subject to deportation orders and one operation removed 23 EU citizens on grounds of criminality. Further removals will be conducted as the year progresses. The costs for the provision of the aircraft for these operations has been as follows: \u2022 \u20ac102,476 for a one-way flight to Georgia in February. \u2022 \u20ac103,751 for a one-way flight to Georgia in May. \u2022 \u20ac324,714 for a return flight to Nigeria in June. \u2022 \u20ac473,000 for a return flight to Pakistan in September. \u2022 \u20ac69,475 for one way flight to Romania* *The cost for provision of the aircraft for the fifth charter operation is approximately \u20ac69,475 for a one-way flight to Romania. The total costs for this operation are not yet available as the invoicing process has not yet been completed. Costs for the provision of supporting charter flight services such as ground handling services, on-board paramedics and a flight manager have been \u20ac73,255 so far in 2025. Table 1 below shows the costs incurred of charter and commercial flights from 2021 up to 17 October 2025. The figure for commercial flights includes both the flight costs (often through hubs and long-distance) for removal operations completed and also the costs of returning accompanying escorts to Ireland when a one-way charter flight is used. Table 1: Costs for Charter and Commercial flights in 2021, 2022, 2023 2024 and 2025 (up to 17/10/2025) 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 Charter Flight costs N/A N/A N/A N/A \u20ac1,003,942 Commercial Flight costs (enforced returns) \u20ac428,131 \u20ac467,289 \u20ac494,829 \u20ac1,202,750 \u20ac1,521,424* *includes the return of escorts for one way charter operations. Since 2016 to the end of 2023, my Department was able to reclaim some costs of commercial flights under the European Union\u2019s Asylum Migration and Integration Fund. A new fund opened in 2024 and my Department continues to reclaim funding for commercial flight costs under this EU Fund (for deportation costs only) and will begin to claim for charter costs shortly. A number of factors impact the costs associated with deportation operations. In particular, the costs for any particular deportation reflect the numbers travelling in each instance, the destination country, and if direct flights are not available the escorts and deportee transit through a hub airport. In some cases a person may resist deportation and the Garda National Immigration Bureau risk assessment may give rise to the need for additional escorts. Flight costs also can often be impacted by the need to make arrangements to enable escorts to return on the same flight; where, for example, it is necessary for the personal safety of the escorts. Table 2 sets out the number of removals enforced on commercial airlines from 2021, up to 17 October 2025. During the COVID- 19 Pandemic there was a moratorium on deportations. This impacted the latter part of 2020, 2021 and for the first 8 months of 2022. During the moratorium only people whose presence in Ireland would be contrary to the public interest were deported. This moratorium was lifted in July 2022. Due to the pandemic, travelling incurred additional costs. When deportation orders and other types of removal orders are enforced using commercial airlines, they are normally returning one individual to their country of nationality. Table 2. Deportations and Removals enforced in 2021, 2022, 2023 2024 and 2025 (up to 17/10/2025) 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025* Deportation orders enforced on commercial flights 5 24 51 134 140 Deportation orders enforced on charter flights 0 0 0 0 130 Other removals enforced on commercial flights** 47 40 24 26 25 Other removals enforced on charter flights** 0 0 0 0 23 *(to 17 October 2025) **Other enforced removals include Dublin III Transfer Orders of International Protection applicants to other EU State and EU Removal Orders for the return of EU Citizen under the Free Movement Regulations (these orders are made on grounds of criminality) and persons who are deemed inadmissible under the International Protection Act.", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2025-10-21/pq_606", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2025-10-21/606/" }, { "date": "2025-11-25", "question_number": 686, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "International Protection", "asked_by": "Matt Carthy", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "686. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the average processing time of applications for international protection in the years 2020 to date in 2025; by quarter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [66175/25]", "answer": "Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration I propose to take Questions Nos. 686 and 687 together. I am fully committed to ensuring that Ireland\u2019s International Protection system is robust, and rules based, and that our borders are protected. The number of International Protection applications have been rising over the past number of years, reaching 18,500 in 2024. This year, we are beginning to see application numbers noticeably reduce with 33% fewer compared with the same period in 2024. There has been a significant increase in investment into the international protection system which, combined with digitisation and process reengineering, has facilitated a major increase in processing capacity. In 2024, the International Protection Office (IPO) delivered over 14,000 first decisions compared to over 8,500 in 2023, while the International Protection Appeals Tribunal (IPAT) closed around 3,100 appeals in 2024 compared to over 1,700 in 2023. In 2025, to the end of Q3, there has been a 51% increase in the total number of first decisions when compared to the same period in 2024. The IPAT has also increased the number of appeals completed to date in 2025 by 44% over the full year figure for 2024 with ongoing recruitment of Tribunal Members to increase its decision-making capacity. The table below shows the number of applications for international protection in the years 2020 to date in 2025, by quarter. Year Quarter Number of Applications 2020 Qtr 1 729 Qtr 2 87 Qtr 3 397 Qtr 4 352 2021 Qtr 1 367 Qtr 2 360 Qtr 3 749 Qtr 4 1,171 2022 Qtr 1 2,172 Qtr 2 4,318 Qtr 3 3,455 Qtr 4 3,698 2023 Qtr 1 2,993 Qtr 2 2,475 Qtr 3 3,434 Qtr 4 4,369 2024 Qtr 1 5,161 Qtr 2 5,436 Qtr 3 4,986 Qtr 4 2,971 2025 Qtr 1 3,023 Qtr 2 3,020 Qtr 3 3,546 Qtr 4* 1,965 *Q4 2025 to COB Nov 19 2025 The table below shows the overall median processing time in months of applications for international protection in the years 2020 to 19 November 2025, by quarter. Year Quarter Median 2020 Qtr 1 16 2020 Qtr 2 17 2020 Qtr 3 19 2020 Qtr 4 20 2021 Qtr 1 22 2021 Qtr 2 27 2021 Qtr 3 23 2021 Qtr 4 22 2022 Qtr 1 26 2022 Qtr 2 22 2022 Qtr 3 13 2022 Qtr 4 9 2023 Qtr 1 10 2023 Qtr 2 12 2023 Qtr 3 14 2023 Qtr 4 16 2024 Qtr 1 16 2024 Qtr 2 17 2024 Qtr 3 15 2024 Qtr 4 15 2025 Qtr 1 14 2025 Qtr 2 14 2025 Qtr 3 14 2025 Qtr 4* 15 *up to 19 November 2025 Accelerated processing was introduced in November 2022, and it now applies to those from designated safe countries of origin, applicants who have received protection elsewhere in Europe and those from a country with a particularly high number of applications. The table below shows the median processing time in months of applications for international protection under the accelerated procedure in the years 2022 to date in 2025, by quarter. Accelerated Procedure Year Quarter Median 2022 Qtr 4 1 2023 Qtr 1 2 2023 Qtr 2 2 2023 Qtr 3 2 2023 Qtr 4 2 2024 Qtr 1 3 2024 Qtr 2 2 2024 Qtr 3 2 2024 Qtr 4 3 2025 Qtr 1 4 2025 Qtr 2 4 2025 Qtr 3 3 2025 Qtr 4* 2 *up to 19 November 2025 Please note that figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing. My Department also continues to focus on preparing for the EU Migration and Asylum Pact in advance of June 2026. The Pact will provide a fair, sustainable and efficient asylum procedure. This will be achieved through convergence in asylum practices across the EU including standardised processing times for decisions: six months for a standard procedure, three months for accelerated and border procedures and two months for processing applicants who have applied for protection elsewhere in Europe. The General Scheme of a new International Protection Bill to give effect to the measures of the EU Migration and Asylum Pact was approved by Government on 29 April 2025. The General Scheme has been published and referred to the Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Home Affairs and Migration for pre-legislative scrutiny. The drafting of the Bill is underway. Enactment of the Bill and commencement of the Act is required by 11 June 2026.", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2025-11-25/pq_686", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2025-11-25/686/" }, { "date": "2025-11-25", "question_number": 687, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "International Protection", "asked_by": "Matt Carthy", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "687. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of applications for international protection in the years 2020 to date in 2025; by quarter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [66176/25]", "answer": "Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration I propose to take Questions Nos. 686 and 687 together. I am fully committed to ensuring that Ireland\u2019s International Protection system is robust, and rules based, and that our borders are protected. The number of International Protection applications have been rising over the past number of years, reaching 18,500 in 2024. This year, we are beginning to see application numbers noticeably reduce with 33% fewer compared with the same period in 2024. There has been a significant increase in investment into the international protection system which, combined with digitisation and process reengineering, has facilitated a major increase in processing capacity. In 2024, the International Protection Office (IPO) delivered over 14,000 first decisions compared to over 8,500 in 2023, while the International Protection Appeals Tribunal (IPAT) closed around 3,100 appeals in 2024 compared to over 1,700 in 2023. In 2025, to the end of Q3, there has been a 51% increase in the total number of first decisions when compared to the same period in 2024. The IPAT has also increased the number of appeals completed to date in 2025 by 44% over the full year figure for 2024 with ongoing recruitment of Tribunal Members to increase its decision-making capacity. The table below shows the number of applications for international protection in the years 2020 to date in 2025, by quarter. Year Quarter Number of Applications 2020 Qtr 1 729 Qtr 2 87 Qtr 3 397 Qtr 4 352 2021 Qtr 1 367 Qtr 2 360 Qtr 3 749 Qtr 4 1,171 2022 Qtr 1 2,172 Qtr 2 4,318 Qtr 3 3,455 Qtr 4 3,698 2023 Qtr 1 2,993 Qtr 2 2,475 Qtr 3 3,434 Qtr 4 4,369 2024 Qtr 1 5,161 Qtr 2 5,436 Qtr 3 4,986 Qtr 4 2,971 2025 Qtr 1 3,023 Qtr 2 3,020 Qtr 3 3,546 Qtr 4* 1,965 *Q4 2025 to COB Nov 19 2025 The table below shows the overall median processing time in months of applications for international protection in the years 2020 to 19 November 2025, by quarter. Year Quarter Median 2020 Qtr 1 16 2020 Qtr 2 17 2020 Qtr 3 19 2020 Qtr 4 20 2021 Qtr 1 22 2021 Qtr 2 27 2021 Qtr 3 23 2021 Qtr 4 22 2022 Qtr 1 26 2022 Qtr 2 22 2022 Qtr 3 13 2022 Qtr 4 9 2023 Qtr 1 10 2023 Qtr 2 12 2023 Qtr 3 14 2023 Qtr 4 16 2024 Qtr 1 16 2024 Qtr 2 17 2024 Qtr 3 15 2024 Qtr 4 15 2025 Qtr 1 14 2025 Qtr 2 14 2025 Qtr 3 14 2025 Qtr 4* 15 *up to 19 November 2025 Accelerated processing was introduced in November 2022, and it now applies to those from designated safe countries of origin, applicants who have received protection elsewhere in Europe and those from a country with a particularly high number of applications. The table below shows the median processing time in months of applications for international protection under the accelerated procedure in the years 2022 to date in 2025, by quarter. Accelerated Procedure Year Quarter Median 2022 Qtr 4 1 2023 Qtr 1 2 2023 Qtr 2 2 2023 Qtr 3 2 2023 Qtr 4 2 2024 Qtr 1 3 2024 Qtr 2 2 2024 Qtr 3 2 2024 Qtr 4 3 2025 Qtr 1 4 2025 Qtr 2 4 2025 Qtr 3 3 2025 Qtr 4* 2 *up to 19 November 2025 Please note that figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing. My Department also continues to focus on preparing for the EU Migration and Asylum Pact in advance of June 2026. The Pact will provide a fair, sustainable and efficient asylum procedure. This will be achieved through convergence in asylum practices across the EU including standardised processing times for decisions: six months for a standard procedure, three months for accelerated and border procedures and two months for processing applicants who have applied for protection elsewhere in Europe. The General Scheme of a new International Protection Bill to give effect to the measures of the EU Migration and Asylum Pact was approved by Government on 29 April 2025. The General Scheme has been published and referred to the Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Home Affairs and Migration for pre-legislative scrutiny. The drafting of the Bill is underway. Enactment of the Bill and commencement of the Act is required by 11 June 2026.", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2025-11-25/pq_687", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2025-11-25/687/" }, { "date": "2025-12-10", "question_number": 259, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "Departmental Data", "asked_by": "Cathal Crowe", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "259. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the main policy achievements of his Department since 22 January 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [70528/25]", "answer": "Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration I am proud of the considerable progress by my Department on a broad range of policy, operational and legislative initiatives since my appointment as Minister in January 2025. I look forward to continuing this work on my priorities, in line with the commitments set out in the Programme for Government. I was pleased to recently publish the new Statement of Strategy for my Department for 2025\u20132028. The Strategy aligns with the Programme for Government, sets out my Department\u2019s strategic direction to 2028 and will further the work towards our shared vision of a safe, fair and inclusive Ireland. Some of the achievements of my Department since 23 January 2025 are set out below. Garda Recruitment and Operations My first priority as Minister for Justice is to get more Garda\u00ed out onto our streets preventing the commission of crime through high visibility patrols. Increased recruitment and appropriate civilianisation where possible are vital to achieving this as is modern technology and equipment and active management of Garda resources. The Programme for Government commits to recruiting at least 5,000 Garda\u00ed in the coming five years. As we strengthen An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na, we will see more Garda\u00ed visible in our communities tackling and preventing crime. This year 794 new recruits have been welcomed into the Garda College in Templemore. This is the highest number recruited since 2018. This includes an intake of 223 trainees in November, the largest single intake in over a decade. Recruitment into An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na is now gathering real momentum. New Garda recruits are already making an impact in their communities and the ongoing recruitment of new Garda\u00ed will see further progress in increasing Garda numbers across the State. Domestic, Sexual, and Gender-Based Violence Strategy Combatting all forms of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence (DSGBV) has been a central priority for me since taking office. An allocation of almost \u20ac80 million was secured through Budget 2026 to fund initiatives aimed at tackling DSGBV, an increase of 18% (\u20ac12.2 million) from 2025. In June, I published the final implementation plan of the five-year \u2018Zero Tolerance\u2019 National DSGBV Strategy setting out the delivery targets and collective action to end 2026. The plan contains 95 specific actions across the four pillars of the Istanbul Convention. There is a strong emphasis on delivery, collective responsibility, and meaningful outcomes. Amongst the key deliverables are actions already underway in respect of significant legislative reform including:: \u2022 Prioritising the drafting of the Guardianship of Infants (Amendment) Bill that will, in certain situations, allow for the removal of guardianship rights from individuals convicted of killing the other parent or guardian of their child; \u2022 Limiting the disclosure of counselling records in rape and sexual assault cases; \u2022 Banning sex for rent under the Criminal Law and Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2025; \u2022 Introducing the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences, Domestic Violence, and International Instruments) Bill 2025 which will introduce the Domestic Violence Register of Judgments - known as \u2018Jennie\u2019s Law\u2019 - bringing greater transparency and accountability for serious offenders; \u2022 Establishing the necessary legislative basis to provide for Operation Encompass, which will enable An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na to share information with schools when a child has been exposed to domestic violence. As part of the Zero Tolerance Strategy, Government committed to doubling domestic violence accommodation capacity in Ireland by the end of 2026 from 141 to 282 family units. The following safe accommodation target was set earlier this year \u2022 52 new family refuge units by the end of 2026 \u2022 45 new safe homes by the end of 2026 \u2022 50 new units under construction by the end of 2026 Therefore, by the end of 2026 it is envisaged to have 94 safe homes and 193 refuge units completed, bringing total safe accommodation to 287, with 50 further refuge units under construction. I am continuing to work with Cuan, my Department and the Department of Housing to ensure we are exhausting all measures to increase the pace of delivery for this much needed additional capacity. Immigration It is also a central priority for me to ensure that our immigration system is robust and enforced. My Department has taken action to significantly improve immigration enforcement measures and increase removals. This includes the renewed use of chartered deportation flights. To date this year 4,454 deportation orders have been signed and 1,952 people have departed the State under various mechanisms. We have seen the number of people seeking international protection in Ireland is down by around a third in 2025 compared to the same period last year. In keeping with the Government commitment to significantly enhance the delivery of public services digitally, phase one of my Department's Immigration Customer Service Portal, which enables applicants to check their immigration application status, book first-time registration appointments, and submit queries, has been operational since last October. To the end of Q3 2025, more than 195,000 customers have registered, with over 150,000 queries resolved and in excess of 88,000 registration appointments made. In April I secured Government approval to draft the International Protection Bill, the most significant reform of Irish asylum laws in the history of the State in line with the EU Migration and Asylum Pact. The Pact is a new EU framework to manage migration and asylum for the long-term. The overall objective of the Pact is to provide a fair, sustainable and efficient asylum procedure. These important changes include streamlining the decisions process, streamlining the returns process, a new \u2018Border procedure\u2019 with a three-month time limit for decisions, and new institutional arrangements for international protection decisions and appeals. Commencement of Policing, Security, and Community Safety Act On 2 April 2025, I was pleased to commence the landmark Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024. As a result, the following bodies were established: \u2022 The new Garda Board \u2022 The Policing and Community Safety Authority (replacing the existing Policing Authority and Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na Inspectorate) \u2022 Fiosr\u00fa \u2013 the Office of the Police Ombudsman \u2022 The Office of the Independent Examiner of Security Legislation \u2022 The National Office for Community Safety The Act strengthens and consolidates independent, external oversight of An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na; makes community safety a whole of government and multi-agency responsibility and enhances the internal governance of An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na by establishing a new non-executive board which is a corporate governance standard across the public and private sectors. Community Safety The National Office for Community Safety established in April 2025 is a central coordinating body to the new whole of government, collaborative, problem-solving approach to community safety as envisaged in Commission for the Future of Policing in Ireland (CoFPI). In June, I signed regulations to allow for Local Community Safety Partnerships to begin their work across the country. These regulations allow for a total of 36 Local Community Safety Partnerships to be established across every Local Authority. At a local level, community safety partnerships will play a major role in enhancing community safety nationwide in collaboration with An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na, local residents, businesses and state agencies. Having launched a call in April last for applications under the Community Safety Fund 2025, I was pleased to announce in October grants totalling \u20ac4.4 million from the proceeds of crime, seized by the Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB) and An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na, into 42 local projects focused on enhancing community safety. Youth Justice The Government\u2019s focus on youth diversion and interventions is a keystone in the Youth Justice Strategy, which is a forward-thinking plan designed to address the unique challenges faced by young people in Ireland. At its core, the Strategy emphasises early intervention, prevention, family support, and community engagement. It includes key objectives aimed at promoting positive behavioural change, and it is only by targeting this behaviour that we can break the cycle of offending by young people. YDPs work with young people at risk of crime and anti-social behaviour to divert them away from criminal behaviour and towards better life outcomes. In November, I was pleased to announce with Minister of State Collins that the State\u2019s network of Youth Diversion Projects (YDPs) has been successfully rolled out nationwide, making these critical interventions available to young people at risk of engaging in criminal activity no matter where they live in Ireland. Criminal Assets Bureau The Proceeds of Crime and Related Matters Bill 2025, approved by Cabinet on 8 July, represents the most significant update to Ireland\u2019s civil asset forfeiture laws since their introduction in 1996. The Bill strengthens the State\u2019s ability to identify, freeze and confiscate assets linked to serious and organised crime. The Bill strengthens CAB\u2019s investigative powers, with new provisions to freeze bank accounts when there is a reasonable suspicion that it is being used to hold proceeds of crime. To address the risk of funds being moved quickly or hidden, a direction can be given to a financial institution to freeze an account for up to seven days. Transfers of responsibilities Responsibility for integration, International Protection Accommodation Services (IPAS), and the Ukraine Division transferred to my Department from the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, and Equality on 1 May 2025. This transfer includes the transfer of all staff, approximately 340 people, alongside a substantial budget transfer of approximately \u20ac2.1 billion. As my Department had existing responsibility for immigration and migration and the processing of applications for international protection, this transfer underpins a more cohesive and strategic approach to migration and integration. The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) also transferred to my Department from the Department of the Environment, Communications and Climate on 2 June 2025. The NCSC is the lead government agency on cyber security. Responsibility for the Irish Film Classification Office (IFCO) transferred from my Department on 1 August to the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport. This transfer was carried out in line with the Programme for Government and aligns the work of IFCO with the Department responsible for culture. Ahead of the transfer, my Department completed a Periodic Critical Review of IFCO which had a focus on the ongoing business case for the entity, its performance, efficiency, effectiveness, and governance arrangements. The report from the review was published ahead of the transfer. Responsibility for the Property Services Regulatory Authority (PSRA), as well as the Property Services Appeal Board, also transferred from my Department on 1 August to the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. Integration The Minister of State for Migration, Colm Brophy TD, recently announced the 37 projects set to receive over \u20ac1.5m in funding under the Ireland Against Racism Fund 2025. This Fund enables non-government and community organisations to provide national and regional projects and local initiatives that combat racism and promote racial equality. The Fund is a key part of the National Action Plan Against Racism (NAPAR) which was informed by the experiences of people who have been directly affected by racism. This is in addition to the Integration Fund which combines two previously run funds \u2013 the International Protection Integration Fund (IPIF) and the Communities Integration Fund (CIF). Since their inception, these funds have provided close to \u20ac10m in funding to more than 1,000 projects across the country. This fund is for projects supporting migrant integration in areas such as sport, education, employment, and culture. Results of the 2025 Integration Fund were announced in November. 117 projects were awarded a total of \u20ac3.6m. Establishment of the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland On 5 March, I established the independent Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland. The GRAI is responsible for a new streamlined, simplified, and coherent licensing framework which reflects the nature of modern gambling in the State and for a robust regulatory regime to regulate gambling in-person and online that will replace the existing, fragmented systems which date back to 1929. The regulatory powers of the GRAI take into account the harms associated with problem gambling and provide safeguards to protect people from those harms, including children, those vulnerable to problem gambling, and those affected by problem gambling. The GRAI will establish and maintain a National Gambling Exclusion Register, funded through licence fees, and establish a Social Impact Fund, financed by a levy on the industry, to support services to treat gambling addiction and fund public education and awareness raising programmes. The GRAI is planning to commence licensing operations in early 2026 as part of a phased stand-up of their functions under the Gambling Regulation Act 2024. Data Protection Commission On 17 September 2025, the Government appointed a third Commissioner for Data Protection, with the appointment taking effect from 13 October 2025, for a five-year term. This follows the appointment of two new Commissioners for Data Protection in February 2024. In 2022 the Government approved commencement of a process to increase the number of commissioners. A review was undertaken by the Department of Justice which took account of the evolving organisational structure, governance and business needs of the Data Protection Commission. The appointment completes the process to expand the number of commissioners to three. As the responsibilities and scope of the DPC continue to grow, the three commissioners will now lead and manage this key regulatory body. Improvements to international judicial cooperation Bilateral agreements between Ireland and the UAE on extradition and mutual legal assistance (MLA) in criminal matters entered into force on 18 May 2025. The bilateral MLA and extradition treaties will ensure that criminals cannot evade the law. They will also serve to mitigate the harm caused by any perception that criminals can evade the law and benefit from the ill-gotten gains of criminal activity abroad, which itself diminishes the trust and confidence of citizens in the rule of law. Omagh Inquiry In April 2025, I signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Chairman of the Omagh Bombing Inquiry on matters relating to the disclosure of materials to the Inquiry. This is a truly important step to delivering on the commitment in the Programme for Government, to \u201cplay our full part in legacy processes\u2026including facilitating and supporting the Omagh Inquiry\u201d. That is in the best interests of the victims\u2019 families and survivors. In November, I implemented measures to further support the operation of the Memorandum of Understanding including signing Regulations under section 2B of the Data Protection Act 1988 to support the disclosure of personal data to the Inquiry by my Department. Independent Expert In September, following extensive work at official and political levels, the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and I announced the appointment of Fleur Ravensbergen as the Independent Expert to conduct a scoping and engagement exercise on whether there is a basis for a formal process of paramilitary group transition to disbandment in Northern Ireland. This appointment was made in line with recommendations by the Independent Reporting Commission. I look forward to receiving the report on the outcome of this exercise in the Autumn next year. Family Justice The ongoing reform of the Family Justice system, for the benefit of families and children, is another of my key priorities. On 28 April, I hosted my first meeting of the Family Justice Development Forum and I look forward to the next one planned for 19 January. This was followed in May by the publication of the Review of the Operation of the In Camera Rule in Family Law Proceedings. The review, a key action in the Family Justice Strategy, was conducted by a team from University College Cork and Trinity College Dublin and is an important piece of research which details the perspectives of many stakeholders regarding the current understanding and operation of the in camera rule in family law proceedings. Importantly, it includes the views of those who have been parties in such proceedings. Officials from my Department are currently engaging with a variety of stakeholders and working on a policy paper regarding how some of the recommendations made in the report could be implemented. In August of this year I published two tenders for the provision of new family law services aimed at making our system more transparent and better for children. The first is for a Private Family Law Reporting Project to provide transparency for the public and increase awareness and understanding of family law proceedings while ensuring that children\u2019s and parents\u2019 right to privacy is upheld. I am pleased to say that the Child Law Project has been contracted to deliver the three year project and work on it has commenced. The second is for a service to provide a new and innovative way to hear children\u2019s voices in private family law proceedings. The Children\u2019s Court Advocate Pilot Project will initially be established in Waterford and Clonmel, ensuring that all children to whom guardianship, custody or access applications relate can have the opportunity to be informed about the proceedings relating to them and have their voice heard without any cost to families. In October this year I launched a social media campaign to promote a culture of paying child maintenance. This was a recommendation in the Review of the Enforcement of Child Maintenance Orders. Work on implementing the other recommendations in the review is ongoing with child maintenance guidelines and an accompanying calculator due to be launched in January. In November I hosted a stakeholder event where the OECD and the World Justice Project released the preliminary findings of my Department\u2019s first Legal Needs Survey. The survey forms part of a project Ireland is participating in to develop people-centred justice services to enhance access to justice, including in family justice. I look forward to the full findings being published in 2026. Civil Reform I obtained Government approval to prepare a General Scheme of a Civil Reform Bill. The Civil Reform Bill is a key implementation measure of the Kelly Report of the Review of the Administration of Civil Justice. As part of the Bill, it is my intention to introduce provisions which will codify the existing law on judicial review by placing it on a statutory basis. The measures should achieve greater transparency in the law and lead to a more streamlined review process. Key reforms should ensure that the system cannot be misused on purely technical grounds, that the public interest is placed at the heart of judicial review, costs are reduced where possible and litigants have sufficient standing to properly challenge decisions. Given the significant challenges currently facing our State in terms of housing shortages, energy deficits, inadequate water supplies and climate change, all of which are exacerbated by the demands of a rising population, we can no longer delay on reform of the judicial review system. I am confident that the Bill will remove weaknesses in the current law, eliminate impediments to progress and deliver reform for the public benefit. I am also confident that measures in the Bill preserve the right of the citizen to ensure that public bodies act lawfully and are accountable for their decisions. General Scheme of the Criminal Law and Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2025 In May, I secured Government approval to progress the General Scheme of the Criminal Law and Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2025, which inter alia significantly expands the courts' powers to conduct criminal proceedings remotely, provides for the digitalisation of court documents in such proceedings, criminalises the exploitative practice of seeking sex in lieu of rent, amends the law on disclosure of counselling records in sexual offence trials, and empowers the Garda\u00ed to direct the removal of face coverings in certain public order situations. The Bill also incorporates legislative amendments to the Criminal Justice (Community Service) Act 1983 and the Criminal Justice (Community Service) (Amendment) Act 2011 to provide that the limit of community service hours be increased from 240 up to 480 hours. This action also includes the requirement for the judiciary to consider community service be mandatory where considering a custodial sentence of up to 2 years or less. It is anticipated that the Bill will be published this year. Prisons and penal reform A multi-year building programme is progressing at several key sites across the prison estate. To accelerate delivery, agreement has been secured for six major projects to bypass the first approval gate of the Infrastructure Guidelines. This decision is expected to bring forward delivery timelines on those six projects by 12 to 18 months, while freeing up internal capacity within IPS to advance the wider programme. This acceleration reflects the priority placed by Government on strengthening the prison system\u2019s resilience and providing safe, secure and humane accommodation. In April, I approved the publication of the 'Community Service - New Directions Implementation Plan 2025-2027 by the Probation Service. This plan sets out commitments to drive the delivery and support the increased use of Community Service as a robust and meaningful alternative to imprisonment. Engagement with the Judiciary, imbedding the principles of desistence, restorative justice and social justice, and increasing the visibility and accessibility of Community Service are part of this plan. The CAST pilot project is a partnership pilot between An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na and the Mental Health Services, HSE and Mid-West Community Healthcare which is currently being trialled in the Limerick Garda Division. This has resulted in multiple diversions from arrest and subsequent detentions under Section 12 of the Mental Health Act 2001 to the benefit of individual patients and increased public safety. Electronic Monitoring My Department is leading a cross-agency project to introduce electronic monitoring for specific categories of individuals, as committed to in the Programme for Government, and in line with existing legal provisions. Existing legislation, including the Bail Act 1997, as amended, the Criminal Justice Act 2006, as amended and the Sex Offender Act 2001, as amended, provide for electronic monitoring, in certain circumstances. I had committed to the publication of a Request for Tender (RFT) for the provision of an electronic monitoring service provider by the end of 2025. This Request for Tender has now been published with a closing date of the 16 January 2026 at 5pm. My Department is tendering for an EM service provider for a 12-month pilot phase, which will focus on individuals on temporary release nationally and those admitted to bail in a pilot area. It is proposed to utilise 30 to 50 electronic tags during this phase. This is expected to provided capacity to electronic monitor between 90 and 150 people in a year, but exact numbers monitored will depend on a range of factors including individuals\u2019 lengths of time on bail or on TR, and individuals\u2019 personal circumstances, including ongoing suitability and compliance with conditions. The pilot approach will allow for processes and procedures to be tested before a wider scale national rollout, while also supporting the agencies involved to build capability and knowledge of the EM system. Insights from the pilot will inform any future national rollout and procurement. The pilot is expected to be operational in 2026, I have secured funding of \u20ac2.1m in Budget 2026 for the project to allow for staffing, procurement, and other set up costs. Sectoral Investment Plan for Justice I have secured Cabinet approval for the Sectoral Investment Plan for Justice under the recent National Development Plan (NDP) Review. The National Development Plan Review is the largest ever capital investment plan in the history of the State. The funding allocation of \u20ac2.18 billion will support major capital projects in the Justice sector from 2026-2030, an increase of over \u20ac800 million on the previous NDP in 2021. The Sectoral Investment Plan for Justice was published on 4 December 2025. The plan sets out the strategic investment priorities over the next five years and outlines key capital projects that will be delivered to keep our people and communities safe. This record funding boost for capital development is essential and will deliver a wide range of vital major projects across the justice sector.", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2025-12-10/pq_259", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2025-12-10/259/" }, { "date": "2026-02-19", "question_number": 450, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "International Protection", "asked_by": "Ken O'Flynn", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "450. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of final negative international protection decisions issued in each of the years 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025; the number of deportation orders signed in each year; and the number executed; and whether additional resources have been allocated to enforcement capacity in 2026. [13865/26]", "answer": "Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration I am fully committed to ensuring that Ireland\u2019s International Protection system is robust, and rules based, and that our borders are protected. The enforcement aspects of our laws, including deportation orders, are also an essential requirement for the system to work effectively and to ensure that there is confidence in the application of our legislation in this area. The number of International Protection applications have been rising over the past number of years, reaching 18,500 in 2024. In 2025, application numbers reduced by approximately a third. There has been a significantly increased investment into the international protection system to improve efficiencies and throughput as well as enhancing the application, interview and decision-making process for applicants. In 2025, the International Protection Office (IPO) delivered over 20,200 first decisions compared to approximately 14,100 in 2024, a 44% increase. The International Protection Appeals Tribunal (IPAT) more than doubled the number of appeals closed from 3,100 in 2024 to nearly 6,300 in 2025. My Department continues to focus on preparing for the EU Migration and Asylum Pact in advance of June 2026. The Pact will provide a fair, sustainable and efficient asylum procedure. This will be achieved through convergence in asylum practices across the EU including standardised processing times for decisions: six months for a standard procedure, three months for accelerated and border procedures and two months for processing applicants who have applied for protection elsewhere in Europe. The new International Protection Bill 2026 will give effect to the measures of the EU Migration and Asylum Pact. Enactment of the Bill and commencement of the Act is required by 12 June 2026. Table 1 below provides a yearly breakdown of IP applications made from 2022 to 2025. Table 1 Year of Application Total 2022 13,643 2023 13,271 2024 18,553 2025 13,160 Table 2 below shows all international protection first instance decisions made from 2022 to 2025 broken down by those granted either Refugee Status (RS), Subsidiary Protection (SP) or Permission to Remain (PTR) and those refused. Please note that there is not a direct correlation between the year an application was made and the year the decision issued. Table 2 First instance decisions 2022 2023 2024 2025 Granted (RS, SP, PTR) 3,537 (71.70%) 3,236 (36.72%) 3,909 (27.80%) 3,737 (18.61%) Refused / withdrew / inadmissible/ Dormant 1,396 (28.30%) 5,577 (63.28%) 10,152 (72.20%) 16,504 (81.39%) All applicants refused international protection have a right to appeal to the IPAT, who must then consider if the earlier IPO determinations on refugee status and subsidiary protection should be affirmed, or set aside. Table 3 below details International Protection appeal decisions from 2022 to 2025. Table 3 International Protection Appeals Tribunal Decisions Issued Year Decision Total Decision % Granted/Set Aside Refused/Affirmed Granted/Set Aside Refused/Affirmed 2022 496 804 1300 38.20% 61.80% 2023 446 1136 1582 28.20% 71.80% 2024 819 2051 2870 28.50% 71.50% 2025 1488 4016 5504 27.00% 73.00% Table 4 below shows applications to IPAT that were either withdrawn or deemed withdrawn from 2022 to 2025. Table 4 Year Withdrawn/Deemed Withdrawn 2022 266 2023 113 2024 211 2025 511 Deportations are costly and complex to enforce. It is the preferred option to return people voluntarily and my Department has a voluntary return programme to assist people to return prior to the issuance of a deportation order. A person can only avail of voluntary return before a deportation order is issued and I have increased resources into this programme to enable individuals who wish to return before a deportation order is issued to them. If a person does not remove themselves from the State following the issuance of a deportation order, they will be removed, and my Department has taken action to significantly improve immigration enforcement measures and increase removals. The number of deportation orders signed in 2024 (2,403) increased by 180% compared to 2023 (857). In 2025, 4,700 deportation orders were signed, an increase of 96% compared to 2024. My Department also secured a charter contract in November 2024 in order to add capacity to the State to enforce a greater number of deportations. In 2025, five deportation charter flights were organised and 182 people were removed from the State, along with 185 people who were deported by commercial flights. The enforcement of deportation orders is an operational matter for the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB), and my Department works closely with the GNIB to progress arrangements for the removal of people subject to deportation orders. As Ireland does not operate routine exit checks at Irish borders, it is not possible to confirm in all instances that a person has departed the State. A person is only recorded as being deported when their deportation has been enforced by An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na or when officials have been provided with evidence that they have left Ireland. While over 300 of the people subject to deportation orders above have confirmed they have left the State independently since 2020, it is the case that a significantly larger number of individuals who were subject to deportation orders have left the State without notifying the relevant authorities. I am informed that the GNIB has reviewed a large sample of cases of people subject to deportation orders; their inquiries suggest a very significant number of these individuals have left the State. Tables 5 and 6 below detail the number of deportation orders signed and effected from 2022 to 2025. Table 5. Deportation orders signed from 2022 to 2025 Year 2022 2023 2024 2025 Deportation orders signed 549 859 2,403 4,700 Table 6. Deportation Enforcement 2022 to 2025 Year 2022 2023 2024 2025 Enforced Deportations 24 51 134 185 Removed by Charter N/A N/A N/A 182 Otherwise Confirmed Deportation (1) 93 28 28 67 Total Deportations 117 79 162 434 Other Removals (2) 39 24 26 61 Number of Voluntary Returns 91 215 934 1,616 Total Removed 247 318 1,122 2,111 * During the COVID- 19 Pandemic there was a moratorium on deportations. This was effective during the latter part of 2020, 2021 and for the first 8 months of 2022. During the moratorium only people who whose presence in Ireland would be contrary to the public interest were deported. This moratorium was lifted in July 2022. 1. Otherwise confirmed deportations is where it has been confirmed a person has left the state following receipt of a deportation order without being escorted. 2. Other removals include Dublin III Transfer Orders of International Protection applicants to another EU State and EU Removal Orders for the return of EU Citizens under the Free Movement Regulations (these orders are made on grounds of criminality) and people who are deemed inadmissible under the International Protection Act. Please note, all figures provided are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing. The resources required for the effective operation of the end-to-end International Protection system, including removals, is kept under review and additional resources will be deployed within the system as is appropriate and necessary.", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2026-02-19/pq_450", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2026-02-19/450/" }, { "date": "2026-02-17", "question_number": 913, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na", "asked_by": "Alan Kelly", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "913. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration further to Parliamentary Question No. 154 of 26 March 2025, the breakdown, by year and month of each section 41 referral from the Garda Commissioner, in tabular form. [12418/26]", "answer": "Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration On 2 April 2025, I commenced the Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024 which repealed the Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na Act 2005 in its entirety. Section 41 of the Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na Act 2005 was repealed and replaced by section 36 of the Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024. These sections provide a duty for the Commissioner to keep the Minister, and the Secretary General of my Department informed about significant developments. The table below sets out the number of written reports submitted under section 41 of the Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na Act 2005, and section 36 of the Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024, by month and year, between 2016 and to date in 2026. It is, however, important to note that neither section requires every such communication to be made in writing. Month 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 January 2 2 5 2 February 2 1 6 3 March 3 5 2 1 1 April 2 3 2 3 May 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 June 1 1 2 3 3 1 July 2 1 2 2 5 August 1 1 1 1 2 2 September 1 2 1 October 1 1 1 2 1 4 1 November 3 1 December 2 1 2 1 1 Total 9 5 0 1 1 13 11 19 29 21 0", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2026-02-17/pq_913", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2026-02-17/913/" }, { "date": "2026-03-25", "question_number": 217, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "Departmental Policies", "asked_by": "Cathal Crowe", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "217. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the main policy achievements of his Department since 22 January 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23081/26]", "answer": "Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration I am proud of the considerable progress by my Department on a broad range of policy, operational and legislative initiatives since my appointment as Minister in January 2025. I look forward to continuing this work on my priorities, in line with the commitments set out in the Programme for Government. I was pleased to recently publish the new Statement of Strategy for my Department for 2025\u20132028. The Strategy aligns with the Programme for Government, sets out my Department\u2019s strategic direction to 2028 and will further the work towards our shared vision of a safe, fair and inclusive Ireland. Some of the achievements of my Department since January 2025 are set out below. Garda Recruitment and Operations My first priority as Minister for Justice is to get more Garda\u00ed out onto our streets preventing the commission of crime through high visibility patrols. Increased recruitment and appropriate civilianisation where possible are vital to achieving this as is modern technology and equipment and active management of Garda resources. The Programme for Government commits to recruiting at least 5,000 Garda\u00ed in the coming five years. As we strengthen An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na, we will see more Garda\u00ed visible in our communities tackling and preventing crime. In 2025, 794 new recruits were welcomed into the Garda College in Templemore. This is the highest number recruited since 2018. This includes an intake of 223 trainees in November, the largest single intake in over a decade. This positive trend has continued, with 215 recruits commencing their training in February 2026, the first of four intakes planned for this year. Recruitment into An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na is now gathering real momentum. New Garda recruits are already making an impact in their communities and the ongoing recruitment of new Garda\u00ed will see further progress in increasing Garda numbers across the State. The work completed by the An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na Recruitment Training Capacity Group in 2025 has supported the increase in numbers. The Garda Training Review Group, which is currently examining the future training capacity needs for An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na, will, I expect, further support the Government\u2019s Garda recruitment commitments. I have also introduced the Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na (Powers) Bill and the Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na (Recording Devices) (Amendment) Bill, which will provide additional powers to An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na in relation to search warrants and use of facial recognition technology in certain circumstances. Both Bills are progressing through the Houses of the Oireachtas. Domestic, Sexual, and Gender-Based Violence Strategy Combatting all forms of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence (DSGBV) has been a central priority for me since taking office. An allocation of almost \u20ac80 million was secured through Budget 2026 to fund initiatives aimed at tackling DSGBV, an increase of 18% (\u20ac12.2 million) from 2025. In June 2025, I published the final implementation plan of the five-year \u2018Zero Tolerance\u2019 National DSGBV Strategy setting out the delivery targets and collective action to end 2026. The plan contains 95 specific actions across the four pillars of the Istanbul Convention. There is a strong emphasis on delivery, collective responsibility, and meaningful outcomes. I will shortly publish a progress report on implementation in 2025. Amongst the key deliverables are actions already underway in respect of significant legislative reform including: \u2022 Prioritising the drafting of the Guardianship of Infants (Amendment) Bill that will, in certain situations, allow for the removal of guardianship rights from individuals convicted of killing the other parent or guardian of their child; \u2022 Limiting the disclosure of counselling records in rape and sexual assault cases. \u2022 Banning sex for rent under the Criminal Law and Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2025; \u2022 Introducing the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences, Domestic Violence, and International Instruments) Bill 2025 which will introduce the Domestic Violence Register of Judgments, bringing greater transparency and accountability for serious offenders; \u2022 Changing the threshold from a subjective to an objective test for establishing consent in rape and sexual assault cases; \u2022 Establishing the necessary legislative basis to provide for Operation Encompass, which will enable An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na to share information with schools when a child has been exposed to domestic violence. As part of the Zero Tolerance Strategy, Government committed to doubling domestic violence accommodation capacity in Ireland by the end of 2026 from 141 to 282 family units. By the end of 2026, it is envisaged to have 94 safe homes and 193 refuge units completed, bringing total safe accommodation to 287, with 50 further refuge units under construction. I am continuing to work with Cuan, my Department and the Department of Housing to ensure we are exhausting all measures to increase the pace of delivery for this much needed additional capacity. Immigration It is also a central priority for me to ensure that our immigration system is robust and rules based. My Department has taken action to significantly improve immigration enforcement measures and increase removals. This includes the renewed use of chartered deportation and removal flights. In 2025, 4,700 deportation orders were signed, an increase of 96% compared to 2024, while 2,111 people had their departure confirmed under various mechanisms (i.e. enforced deportation, voluntary return etc.), an increase of 88% compared to 2024. In keeping with the Government commitment to significantly enhance the delivery of public services digitally, phase one of my Department's Immigration Customer Service Portal, which enables applicants to check their immigration application status, book first-time registration appointments, and submit queries, has been operational since October 2024. Since the launch of the Portal more than 285,000 customers have registered, with over 243,000 queries resolved and in excess of 147,000 registration appointments made. International Protection In 2025, the International Protection Office (IPO) delivered over 20,200 first decisions compared to approximately 14,100 in 2024, a 44% increase. The International Protection Appeals Tribunal (IPAT) more than doubled the number of appeals closed from 3,100 in 2024 to nearly 6,300 in 2025. In January this year, the International Protection Bill 2026 was published, which will replace the International Protection Act 2015. It is the most comprehensive reform of immigration law in the history of the State and will implement the EU Migration and Asylum Pact. The Bill has been passed by the D\u00e1il and has progressed through Second Stage and Committee Stage in the Seanad, with Report and Final Stages scheduled for this week. The Pact is a new EU framework to manage migration and asylum for the long-term. The overall objective of the Pact is to provide a fair, sustainable and efficient asylum procedure. These important changes include streamlining the decisions process, streamlining the returns process, a new \u2018Border procedure\u2019 with a three-month time limit for decisions, and new institutional arrangements for international protection decisions and appeals. A phased transition that mirrors elements of the Pact is currently underway. Ultimately, improved, faster processing will result in decreasing annual costs by reducing the time an applicant remains in the system. International Protection Accommodation Since taking back responsibility for international protection accommodation in May of 2025, my Department has focused on speeding up applications, reducing the growth in the accommodation system, and applying new procedures, including improved value for money. While current levels of applications are reduced since the end of 2024, application numbers remain well above pre-2022 levels. There were over 13,000 applications in 2025 and pressure on accommodation systems remains high. As part of the strategy to reduce reliance on commercial providers, we have purchased Citywest, renovated other State accommodation, brought on stream modular solutions, all of which contributed to boosting State-owned bed numbers from 900 spaces in early 2024 to over 4,000 today. The purchase of Citywest is central to Ireland\u2019s ability to meet its obligations under the EU Asylum and Migration Pact. The project has been recognised at EU level as an example of best practice, demonstrating accelerated delivery of a fit-for-purpose screening and border facility at scale. The Department is reviewing contracts and improvement in standards, governance, compliance and the introduction of a new rate card model is driving costs down for new and renewed contracts, already saving over \u20ac83 million across 147 contracts since May 2025. Commencement of Policing, Security, and Community Safety Act On 2 April 2025, I was pleased to commence the landmark Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024. As a result, the following bodies were established: \u2022 The new Garda Board \u2022 The Policing and Community Safety Authority (replacing the existing Policing Authority and Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na Inspectorate) \u2022 Fiosr\u00fa \u2013 the Office of the Police Ombudsman \u2022 The Office of the Independent Examiner of Security Legislation \u2022 The National Office for Community Safety The Act strengthens and consolidates independent, external oversight of An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na; makes community safety a whole of government and multi-agency responsibility and enhances the internal governance of An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na by establishing a new non-executive board which is a corporate governance standard across the public and private sectors. Community Safety The National Office for Community Safety established in April 2025 is a central coordinating body to the new whole of government, collaborative, problem-solving approach to community safety as envisaged by the Commission for the Future of Policing in Ireland (CoFPI). Last June, I signed regulations to allow for Local Community Safety Partnerships to begin their work across the country. These regulations allow for a total of 36 Local Community Safety Partnerships to be established across every Local Authority. At a local level, community safety partnerships will play a major role in enhancing community safety nationwide in collaboration with An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na, local residents, businesses and state agencies. As of 20 March 2026, members to 35 of these Safety Partnerships have been appointed and 34 are fully operational having held inaugural meetings and elected their Chair and Vice Chair. It is expected that all Safety Partnerships will be operational in the first half of the year. Having launched a call in April last for applications under the Community Safety Fund 2025, I was pleased to announce in October grants totalling \u20ac4.4 million from the proceeds of crime, seized by the Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB) and An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na, into 42 local projects focused on enhancing community safety. I have also secured an additional \u20ac2.5 million in Budget 2026 to support the the establishment of all 36 Local Community Safety Partnerships across the country, alongside increasing the size of the Community Safety Fund to \u20ac4.75 million. Youth Justice The Government\u2019s focus on youth diversion and interventions is a keystone in the Youth Justice Strategy, which is a forward-thinking plan designed to address the unique challenges faced by young people in Ireland. At its core, the Strategy emphasises early intervention, prevention, family support, and community engagement. It includes key objectives aimed at promoting positive behavioural change, and it is only by targeting this behaviour that we can break the cycle of offending by young people. YDPs work with young people at risk of crime and anti-social behaviour to divert them away from criminal behaviour and towards better life outcomes. A key intervention under this Strategy is the network of Youth Diversion Projects (YDPs) which work with young people at risk of crime and anti-social behaviour to divert them away from criminal behaviour and towards better life outcomes. Last November, I was pleased to announce with Minister of State, Niall Collins TD, that the State\u2019s network of Youth Diversion Projects (YDPs) has been successfully rolled out nationwide, making these critical interventions available to young people at risk of engaging in criminal activity no matter where they live in Ireland. Criminal Assets Bureau The Proceeds of Crime and Related Matters Bill 2025, approved by Cabinet last July, represents the most significant update to Ireland\u2019s civil asset forfeiture laws since their introduction in 1996. The Bill strengthens the State\u2019s ability to identify, freeze and confiscate assets linked to serious and organised crime. The Bill strengthens CAB\u2019s investigative powers, with new provisions to freeze bank accounts when there is a reasonable suspicion that it is being used to hold proceeds of crime. To address the risk of funds being moved quickly or hidden, a direction can be given to a financial institution to freeze an account for up to seven days. The Bill passed report and final stages in D\u00e1il \u00c9ireann on 17 December 2025. Transfers of responsibilities Responsibility for integration, International Protection Accommodation Services (IPAS), and the Ukraine Division transferred to my Department from the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, and Equality on 1 May 2025. This transfer includes the transfer of all staff, approximately 340 people, alongside a substantial budget transfer of approximately \u20ac2.1 billion. As my Department had existing responsibility for immigration and migration and the processing of applications for international protection, this transfer underpins a more cohesive and strategic approach to migration and integration. The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) also transferred to my Department from the Department of the Environment, Communications and Climate on 2 June 2025. The NCSC is the lead government agency on cyber security. Responsibility for the Irish Film Classification Office (IFCO) transferred from my Department on 1 August to the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport. This transfer was carried out in line with the Programme for Government and aligns the work of IFCO with the Department responsible for culture. Ahead of the transfer, my Department completed a Periodic Critical Review of IFCO which had a focus on the ongoing business case for the entity, its performance, efficiency, effectiveness, and governance arrangements. The report from the review was published ahead of the transfer. Responsibility for the Property Services Regulatory Authority (PSRA), as well as the Property Services Appeal Board, also transferred from my Department on 1 August to the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. Cyber Security Ireland\u2019s 2025 National Cyber Risk Assessment published in December 2025, set out a detailed cyber security focused assessment providing a strategic view of the systemic cyber risks facing the State, its Critical National Infrastructure (CNI), and the supply chain ecosystem upon which these services rely. It is also the foundation for Ireland\u2019s third National Cyber Security Strategy. Work is well advanced in my Department on Ireland\u2019s third National Cyber Security Strategy 2030. The Strategy will give rise to a series of measures to build cyber security capability in the State, including in research, development, skills and training. It will also set out the commitment in the Programme for Government 2025 to build a Cyber Security Research Centre of Excellence and providing targeted grant funding for SMEs to improve their cyber security. Ireland is currently transposing the NIS2 Directive via the National Cyber Security Bill. The drafting of the Bill is at an advanced stage and is expected to be published later this year. It will include measures to ensure providers of critical services take measures to increase their cyber resilience and to protect themselves against cyber security incidents. The Bill also establishes the National Cyber Security Strategy as an executive office of my Department and provides the NCSC with additional powers and responsibilities to monitor, detect and respond to cyber security incidents in the State. Establishment of the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland In March 2025, I established the independent Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI). The GRAI is responsible for a new streamlined, simplified, and coherent licensing framework which reflects the nature of modern gambling in the State and for a robust regulatory regime to regulate gambling in-person and online that will replace the existing, fragmented systems which date back to 1929. The regulatory powers of the GRAI take into account the harms associated with problem gambling and provide safeguards to protect people from those harms, including children, those vulnerable to problem gambling, and those affected by problem gambling. The GRAI will establish and maintain a National Gambling Exclusion Register, funded through licence fees, and establish a Social Impact Fund, financed by a levy on the industry, to support services to treat gambling addiction and fund public education and awareness raising programmes. The GRAI is planning to commence licensing operations in 2026 as part of a phased stand-up of their functions under the Gambling Regulation Act 2024. Data Protection Commission On 17 September 2025, the Government appointed a third Commissioner for Data Protection, with the appointment taking effect from 13 October 2025, for a five-year term. This follows the appointment of two new Commissioners for Data Protection in February 2024. In 2022 the Government approved commencement of a process to increase the number of commissioners. A review was undertaken by the Department of Justice which took account of the evolving organisational structure, governance and business needs of the Data Protection Commission. The appointment completes the process to expand the number of commissioners to 3. As the responsibilities and scope of the DPC continue to grow, the 3 commissioners will now lead and manage this key regulatory body. Improvements to international judicial cooperation Bilateral agreements between Ireland and the United Arab Emirates on extradition and mutual legal assistance (MLA) in criminal matters entered into force on 18 May 2025. The bilateral MLA and extradition treaties will ensure that criminals cannot evade the law. They will also serve to mitigate the harm caused by any perception that criminals can evade the law and benefit from the ill-gotten gains of criminal activity abroad, which itself diminishes the trust and confidence of citizens in the rule of law. Omagh Inquiry Last April, I signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Chairman of the Omagh Bombing Inquiry on matters relating to the disclosure of materials to the Inquiry. This is a truly important step to delivering on the commitment in the Programme for Government, to \u201cplay our full part in legacy processes\u2026including facilitating and supporting the Omagh Inquiry\u201d. That is in the best interests of the victims\u2019 families and survivors . In November, I implemented measures to further support the operation of the Memorandum of Understanding including signing Regulations under section 2B of the Data Protection Act 1988 to support the disclosure of personal data to the Inquiry by my Department. On 13 March 2026, I published the International Co-operation (Omagh Bombing Inquiry) Bill. The Bill is designed to enable the taking of oral testimony before the Irish courts for the purposes of the Omagh Bombing Inquiry. The publication of the Bill is another important step in delivering on the commitment to facilitate and support the Inquiry. Independent Expert In September, following extensive work at official and political levels, the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and I announced the appointment of Fleur Ravensbergen as the Independent Expert to conduct a scoping and engagement exercise on whether there is a basis for a formal process of paramilitary group transition to disbandment in Northern Ireland. This appointment was made in line with recommendations by the Independent Reporting Commission. I look forward to receiving the report on the outcome of this exercise in the Autumn of this year. Family Justice The ongoing reform of the Family Justice system, for the benefit of families and children, is another of my key priorities. Work has commenced on the implementation of the Family Courts Act 2024. The Act introduces changes to the current delivery of family justice, including the introduction of specialist family law judges assigned and operating within new family court divisions. I intend to shortly bring an implementation plan to Government, with publication expected shortly afterwards. Last May, I published the Review of the Operation of the In Camera Rule in Family Law Proceedings. The review, a key action in the Family Justice Strategy, was conducted by a team from University College Cork and Trinity College Dublin and is an important piece of research which details the perspectives of many stakeholders regarding the current understanding and operation of the in-camera rule in family law proceedings. Importantly, it includes the views of those who have been parties in such proceedings. Officials from my Department are currently engaging with a variety of stakeholders and working on a policy paper regarding how some of the recommendations made in the report could be implemented. Last August, I published two tenders for the provision of new family law services aimed at making our system more transparent and better for children. The first is for a Private Family Law Reporting Project to provide transparency for the public and increase awareness and understanding of family law proceedings while ensuring that children\u2019s and parents\u2019 right to privacy is upheld. I am pleased to say that the Child Law Project has been contracted to deliver the three-year project and work on it has commenced. The second is for a service to provide a new and innovative way to hear children\u2019s voices in private family law proceedings. The Children\u2019s Court Advocate Pilot Project will initially be established in Waterford and Clonmel, ensuring that all children to whom guardianship, custody or access applications relate can have the opportunity to be informed about the proceedings relating to them and have their voice heard without any cost to families. In February 2026, I launched a new online child maintenance calculator to help parents in coming to arrangements on child maintenance payments. The launch of the calculator follows on from the publication of Ireland\u2019s first set of Child Maintenance Guidelines earlier this year. The development of the guidelines was a key recommendation of the 2024 Review of the Enforcement of Child Maintenance Orders. Civil Reform In January, I published the General Scheme of the Civil Reform Bill. The Civil Reform Bill is a key measure that will see the implementation of the Review of the Administration of Civil Justice, also known as the Kelly Report, which was published in October 2020. The Report made over 90 recommendations aimed at improving access to justice for all by making it quicker, more efficient and more cost effective. As part of the Bill, it is my intention to introduce provisions which will codify the existing law on judicial review by placing it on a statutory basis. The measures should achieve greater transparency in the law and lead to a more streamlined review process. Key reforms should ensure that the system cannot be misused on purely technical grounds, that the public interest is placed at the heart of judicial review, costs are reduced where possible and litigants have sufficient standing to properly challenge decisions. Given the significant challenges currently facing our State in terms of housing shortages, energy deficits, inadequate water supplies and climate change, all of which are exacerbated by the demands of a rising population, we can no longer delay on reform of the judicial review system. I am confident that the Bill will remove weaknesses in the current law, eliminate impediments to progress and deliver reform for the public benefit. I am also confident that measures in the Bill preserve the right of the citizen to ensure that public bodies act lawfully and are accountable for their decisions. Judicial numbers The Courts and Civil law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2025 was enacted in December 2025 to provide for an increase in the maximum numbers of judges in the District Court, the Circuit Court, the High Court and the Court of Appeal. The Act provides for a total increase in judicial numbers of 21, delivering on Programme for Government commitments. General Scheme of the Criminal Law and Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2026 In December 2025, I secured Government approval to publish the Criminal Law and Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2026 which was subsequently presented to D\u00e1il \u00c9ireann on 9 January 2026. The D\u00e1il Second Stage debate took place on 22 January. The Bill responds to a range of pressing challenges for the justice system. Among other provisions, the Bill includes measures to: \u2022 criminalise the highly exploitative behaviour commonly known as \u2018sex for rent\u2019; \u2022 amend legislation relating to disclosure of counselling records in sexual assault trials; \u2022 encourage greater use of community service orders as an alternative to imprisonment in suitable cases; \u2022 remove the legal prohibition on the possession and use of incapacitant spray by prison officers; \u2022 allow the use of more advanced DNA analysis in missing persons cases; \u2022 further facilitate video link hearings in the criminal courts by enabling bail bonds and suspended sentence bonds to be taken by Garda\u00ed and prison officers respectively; \u2022 establish a permanent regulatory basis under which licenced premises may provide outdoor seating on public land; \u2022 provide for the refusal of bail for persons charged with offences relating to forced marriage or coercive control, and \u2022 empower the Chief Justice to delegate certain non-judicial functions to other members of the judiciary. In February, I secured further Government approval to introduce additional amendments to the Bill. These amendments concern, inter alia : \u2022 the establishment of an application-based legislative scheme for the disregard of certain historical convictions relating to consensual sexual activity between men; \u2022 further amendments to provide for a presumption of non-disclosure in relation to counselling notes and other sensitive personal records in sexual offence trials; \u2022 an amendment of the Prisons Act 2015 to provide that, where two years or less of the applicable prison term remains to be served, a person may be taken from prison for the purpose of effecting a deportation or removal order; \u2022 a further amendment to the Bail Act 1997 to provide for refusal of bail for persons charged with offences relating to witness intimidation or failure to comply with requirements under the Sex Offenders Act 2001. This week, I also secured Government approval to introduce an additional amendment to the Miscellaneous Provisions Bill to provide for the use of Passenger Name Record data for intra-EU flights. Drafting of these amendments, along with a number of outstanding measures from the General Scheme of the Bill, is at an advanced stage and I intend to bring these provisions as amendments to the Bill as it progresses through the D\u00e1il. Prisons and penal reform A multi-year building programme is progressing at several key sites across the prison estate. To accelerate delivery, I sought and secured an exemption from the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation for six major projects (960 prison spaces) to move straight to Approval Gare 2- Pre Tender Approval of the Infrastructure Guidelines. This decision is expected to bring forward delivery timelines on those six projects by 12 to 18 months, while freeing up internal capacity within IPS to advance the wider programme. This acceleration reflects the priority placed by Government on strengthening the prison system\u2019s resilience and providing safe, secure and humane accommodation. This is part of the funded plan to deliver over 1,500 new spaces. In April 2025, I approved the publication of the Probation Service\u2019s 'Community Service - New Directions Implementation Plan 2025-2027. This plan sets out commitments to drive the delivery and support the increased use of Community Service as a robust and meaningful alternative to imprisonment. Engagement with the Judiciary, imbedding the principles of desistence, restorative justice and social justice, and increasing the visibility and accessibility of community service are part of this plan. A key recommendation of the High-Level Taskforce (HLTF) on mental health and addiction was the establishment of a Community Access Support Team (CAST) to divert those experiencing situational trauma or a mental health crisis away from the criminal justice system, and towards the healthcare system. The CAST project commenced in January 2025 and is a partnership pilot between An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na and the Mental Health Services of HSE Mid-West Community Healthcare which is currently being trialled in the Limerick Garda Division. This has resulted in multiple diversions from arrest and subsequent detentions under Section 12 of the Mental Health Act 2001 to the benefit of individual patients and increased public safety. Building Pathways Together: Criminal Justice Reintegration Through Employment Strategy 2025-2027 The Building Pathways Together employment strategy launched in November 2024 for implementation during the period 2025 to 2027. To date good progress has been made on implementation of the actions identified, including the establishment of a Criminal Justice Employers Network and Criminal Justice Employment Advisory Committee. Both groups met twice in 2025 and a joint meeting of the groups took place in March 2026 to progress the actions further.", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2026-03-25/pq_217", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2026-03-25/217/" }, { "date": "2026-03-03", "question_number": 682, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "International Protection", "asked_by": "Matt Carthy", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "682. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the average processing time of applications for international protection in the years 2020 to date in 2026, by quarter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17119/26]", "answer": "Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration In 2025, the International Protection Office (IPO) delivered over 20,200 first decisions compared to approximately 14,100 in 2024, a 44% increase. The International Protection Appeals Tribunal (IPAT) more than doubled the number of appeals closed from 3,100 in 2024 to nearly 6,300 in 2025. In 2026 the median processing time for IPO first instance decisions is currently 12 months (Accelerated cases are processed in 3 months, while standard cases are processed in 17 months). The median processing time for International Protection Appeals in is 11.5 months. The median processing time under the accelerated procedure is 7.2 months and 15.6 months for all other appeals. The table below shows the overall median processing time in months of applications for international protection in the years 2020 to 2025, by quarter. Year Quarter Median 2020 Qtr 1 16 2020 Qtr 2 17 2020 Qtr 3 19 2020 Qtr 4 20 2021 Qtr 1 22 2021 Qtr 2 27 2021 Qtr 3 23 2021 Qtr 4 22 2022 Qtr 1 26 2022 Qtr 2 22 2022 Qtr 3 13 2022 Qtr 4 9 2023 Qtr 1 10 2023 Qtr 2 12 2023 Qtr 3 14 2023 Qtr 4 16 2024 Qtr 1 16 2024 Qtr 2 17 2024 Qtr 3 15 2024 Qtr 4 15 2025 Qtr 1 14 2025 Qtr 2 14 2025 Qtr 3 14 2025 Qtr 4 14 Accelerated processing was introduced in November 2022, and it now applies to those from designated safe countries of origin, applicants who have received protection elsewhere in Europe and those from a country with a particularly high number of applications. The table below shows the median processing time in months of applications for international protection under the accelerated procedure in the years 2022 to 2025, by quarter. Accelerated Procedure Year Quarter Median 2022 Qtr 4 1 2023 Qtr 1 2 2023 Qtr 2 2 2023 Qtr 3 2 2023 Qtr 4 2 2024 Qtr 1 3 2024 Qtr 2 2 2024 Qtr 3 2 2024 Qtr 4 3 2025 Qtr 1 4 2025 Qtr 2 4 2025 Qtr 3 3 2025 Qtr 4 2 Please note figures are correct at time of issue and may be subject to data cleansing. All IPO first instance decisions other than Refugee Status grants can be appealed to the International Protection Appeals Tribunal (IPAT). The table below shows International Protection Appeals Tribunal median processing times in months for each quarter from 2020 to 2025. Year Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 2020 6 9 11 12 2021 15 16 13 14 2022 15 13 10 4 2023 6 6 6 7 2024 9 10 11 13 2025 14 15 16 15 Please note figures are correct at time of issue and may be subject to data cleansing. My Department continues to focus on preparing for the EU Migration and Asylum Pact in advance of June 2026. The Pact will provide a fair, sustainable and efficient asylum procedure. This will be achieved through convergence in asylum practices across the EU including standardised processing times for decisions: six months for a standard procedure, three months for accelerated and border procedures and two months for processing applicants who have applied for protection elsewhere in Europe. The new International Protection Bill 2026 will give effect to the measures of the EU Migration and Asylum Pact. Enactment of the Bill and commencement of the Act is required by 12 June 2026.", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2026-03-03/pq_682", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2026-03-03/682/" }, { "date": "2026-04-28", "question_number": 802, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "Legal Aid", "asked_by": "Ken O'Flynn", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "802. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the average cost per applicant of legal aid services provided to persons seeking international protection, in each year from 2019 to 2025, broken down by application stage and appeals stage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29651/26]", "answer": "Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration (Deputy Jim O'Callaghan) I propose to take Questions Nos. 802, 803 and 804 together. The Legal Aid Board (LAB) is the statutory, independent body responsible for the provision of civil legal aid and advice to persons of modest means. This includes the provision of legal aid and advice to international protection applicants. International protection applicants who meet the financial eligibility criteria can avail of the services of LAB. The Legal Aid Board: \u2022 provides legal assistance and advice in respect of their application. \u2022 advises applicants in relation to the completion of their International Protection Questionnaire (if not already completed) including any grounds that the applicant may wish to set out for the purpose of requesting that the Minister should give them permission to remain in the State. \u2022 assists the applicant in the preparation for the international protection interview and in preparing any written representations to the Minister. \u2022 in the case of a negative recommendation on their application, provides representation for the applicant in any appeal they may take to the International Protection Appeals Tribunal (IPAT). Detailed information on civil legal aid services and advice provided to international protection applicants can be found on the Legal Aid Board website at: www.legalaidboard.ie/en/our-services/legal-aid-services/services-for-international-protection-applicants/. Table 1 provides a breakdown of the annual expenditure from 2019 to 2025 in relation to the provision of legal aid and advice in international protection, as provided by the Legal Aid Board. LAB has indicated that the annual expenditure in this table does not include pay or operational costs as International Protection is one of many services provided by law centres and therefore the expenditure on International Protection cannot be extracted from the overall pay and operational costs for law centres. It is broken down by expenditure for private solicitors contracted through the Legal Aid Boards, Solicitors Panel for International Protection Matters and for barristers retained from the International Protection Barristers Sub panel as well as related service delivery costs such as expert medical reports, translations and interpreter services. It is also not possible to determine the average cost per applicant of legal aid services provided to persons seeking international protection, as the expenditure in table one does not include pay or operational costs. The Legal Aid Board also advise that it is not possible to provide a breakdown of expenditure by application stage as this information is not recorded in a manner which allows for the collation of data as requested and that case outcomes are not recorded in a manner which allows the data to be extracted along the lines sought by the Deputy. Table 1 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 \u20ac \u20ac \u20ac \u20ac \u20ac \u20ac \u20ac International Protection Counsel Fees 0 911 1,569 2,702 64,518 178,141 241,503 Medical Fees 56,365 33,539 34,183 52,814 83,258 176,092 116,446 Other Fees 1,063 304 1,857 344 385 83 385 Translations 37,322 130,387 10,763 56,986 55,172 121,700 132,577 Interpretation 236,934 143,368 116,628 541,627 1,326,651 1,319,805 1,145,784 Private Practitioners 1,251,105 935,398 823,873 1,412,658 2,600,253 3,902,575 4,953,527 TOTAL 1,582,789 1,243,907 988,873 2,067,130 4,130,236 5,698,396 6,590,222 Table 2 provides the total number of applications for legal services related to international protection since 2019. Table 2 Year Applications for legal services for international protection 2019 2,539 2020 1,174 2021 1,464 2022 6,858 2023 9,918 2024 11,689 2025 8,534 It should also be noted that the figures in table two relate to the year the application was received and not necessarily the year on which work on the file was completed.", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2026-04-28/pq_802", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2026-04-28/802/" }, { "date": "2026-04-28", "question_number": 803, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "Legal Aid", "asked_by": "Ken O'Flynn", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "803. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the total number of applicants for international protection who received legal aid services in each year from 2019 to 2025; the corresponding total expenditure, in order to establish the average cost per case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29652/26]", "answer": "Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration (Deputy Jim O'Callaghan) I propose to take Questions Nos. 802, 803 and 804 together. The Legal Aid Board (LAB) is the statutory, independent body responsible for the provision of civil legal aid and advice to persons of modest means. This includes the provision of legal aid and advice to international protection applicants. International protection applicants who meet the financial eligibility criteria can avail of the services of LAB. The Legal Aid Board: \u2022 provides legal assistance and advice in respect of their application. \u2022 advises applicants in relation to the completion of their International Protection Questionnaire (if not already completed) including any grounds that the applicant may wish to set out for the purpose of requesting that the Minister should give them permission to remain in the State. \u2022 assists the applicant in the preparation for the international protection interview and in preparing any written representations to the Minister. \u2022 in the case of a negative recommendation on their application, provides representation for the applicant in any appeal they may take to the International Protection Appeals Tribunal (IPAT). Detailed information on civil legal aid services and advice provided to international protection applicants can be found on the Legal Aid Board website at: www.legalaidboard.ie/en/our-services/legal-aid-services/services-for-international-protection-applicants/. Table 1 provides a breakdown of the annual expenditure from 2019 to 2025 in relation to the provision of legal aid and advice in international protection, as provided by the Legal Aid Board. LAB has indicated that the annual expenditure in this table does not include pay or operational costs as International Protection is one of many services provided by law centres and therefore the expenditure on International Protection cannot be extracted from the overall pay and operational costs for law centres. It is broken down by expenditure for private solicitors contracted through the Legal Aid Boards, Solicitors Panel for International Protection Matters and for barristers retained from the International Protection Barristers Sub panel as well as related service delivery costs such as expert medical reports, translations and interpreter services. It is also not possible to determine the average cost per applicant of legal aid services provided to persons seeking international protection, as the expenditure in table one does not include pay or operational costs. The Legal Aid Board also advise that it is not possible to provide a breakdown of expenditure by application stage as this information is not recorded in a manner which allows for the collation of data as requested and that case outcomes are not recorded in a manner which allows the data to be extracted along the lines sought by the Deputy. Table 1 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 \u20ac \u20ac \u20ac \u20ac \u20ac \u20ac \u20ac International Protection Counsel Fees 0 911 1,569 2,702 64,518 178,141 241,503 Medical Fees 56,365 33,539 34,183 52,814 83,258 176,092 116,446 Other Fees 1,063 304 1,857 344 385 83 385 Translations 37,322 130,387 10,763 56,986 55,172 121,700 132,577 Interpretation 236,934 143,368 116,628 541,627 1,326,651 1,319,805 1,145,784 Private Practitioners 1,251,105 935,398 823,873 1,412,658 2,600,253 3,902,575 4,953,527 TOTAL 1,582,789 1,243,907 988,873 2,067,130 4,130,236 5,698,396 6,590,222 Table 2 provides the total number of applications for legal services related to international protection since 2019. Table 2 Year Applications for legal services for international protection 2019 2,539 2020 1,174 2021 1,464 2022 6,858 2023 9,918 2024 11,689 2025 8,534 It should also be noted that the figures in table two relate to the year the application was received and not necessarily the year on which work on the file was completed.", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2026-04-28/pq_803", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2026-04-28/803/" }, { "date": "2026-04-28", "question_number": 804, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "Legal Aid", "asked_by": "Ken O'Flynn", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "804. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number and proportion of international protection applications supported by Legal Aid Board services that resulted in a grant of protection; a refusal; and a successful appeal, in each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29653/26]", "answer": "Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration (Deputy Jim O'Callaghan) I propose to take Questions Nos. 802, 803 and 804 together. The Legal Aid Board (LAB) is the statutory, independent body responsible for the provision of civil legal aid and advice to persons of modest means. This includes the provision of legal aid and advice to international protection applicants. International protection applicants who meet the financial eligibility criteria can avail of the services of LAB. The Legal Aid Board: \u2022 provides legal assistance and advice in respect of their application. \u2022 advises applicants in relation to the completion of their International Protection Questionnaire (if not already completed) including any grounds that the applicant may wish to set out for the purpose of requesting that the Minister should give them permission to remain in the State. \u2022 assists the applicant in the preparation for the international protection interview and in preparing any written representations to the Minister. \u2022 in the case of a negative recommendation on their application, provides representation for the applicant in any appeal they may take to the International Protection Appeals Tribunal (IPAT). Detailed information on civil legal aid services and advice provided to international protection applicants can be found on the Legal Aid Board website at: www.legalaidboard.ie/en/our-services/legal-aid-services/services-for-international-protection-applicants/. Table 1 provides a breakdown of the annual expenditure from 2019 to 2025 in relation to the provision of legal aid and advice in international protection, as provided by the Legal Aid Board. LAB has indicated that the annual expenditure in this table does not include pay or operational costs as International Protection is one of many services provided by law centres and therefore the expenditure on International Protection cannot be extracted from the overall pay and operational costs for law centres. It is broken down by expenditure for private solicitors contracted through the Legal Aid Boards, Solicitors Panel for International Protection Matters and for barristers retained from the International Protection Barristers Sub panel as well as related service delivery costs such as expert medical reports, translations and interpreter services. It is also not possible to determine the average cost per applicant of legal aid services provided to persons seeking international protection, as the expenditure in table one does not include pay or operational costs. The Legal Aid Board also advise that it is not possible to provide a breakdown of expenditure by application stage as this information is not recorded in a manner which allows for the collation of data as requested and that case outcomes are not recorded in a manner which allows the data to be extracted along the lines sought by the Deputy. Table 1 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 \u20ac \u20ac \u20ac \u20ac \u20ac \u20ac \u20ac International Protection Counsel Fees 0 911 1,569 2,702 64,518 178,141 241,503 Medical Fees 56,365 33,539 34,183 52,814 83,258 176,092 116,446 Other Fees 1,063 304 1,857 344 385 83 385 Translations 37,322 130,387 10,763 56,986 55,172 121,700 132,577 Interpretation 236,934 143,368 116,628 541,627 1,326,651 1,319,805 1,145,784 Private Practitioners 1,251,105 935,398 823,873 1,412,658 2,600,253 3,902,575 4,953,527 TOTAL 1,582,789 1,243,907 988,873 2,067,130 4,130,236 5,698,396 6,590,222 Table 2 provides the total number of applications for legal services related to international protection since 2019. Table 2 Year Applications for legal services for international protection 2019 2,539 2020 1,174 2021 1,464 2022 6,858 2023 9,918 2024 11,689 2025 8,534 It should also be noted that the figures in table two relate to the year the application was received and not necessarily the year on which work on the file was completed.", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2026-04-28/pq_804", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2026-04-28/804/" }, { "date": "2026-04-28", "question_number": 852, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "Departmental Policies", "asked_by": "Emer Currie", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "852. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the main policy achievements of his Department since 22 January 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30482/26]", "answer": "Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration I am proud of the considerable progress by my Department on a broad range of policy, operational and legislative initiatives since my appointment as Minister in January 2025. I look forward to continuing this work on my priorities, in line with the commitments set out in the Programme for Government. I was pleased to recently publish the new Statement of Strategy for my Department for 2025\u20132028. The Strategy aligns with the Programme for Government, sets out my Department\u2019s strategic direction to 2028 and will further the work towards our shared vision of a safe, fair and inclusive Ireland. Some of the achievements of my Department since January 2025 are set out below. Garda Recruitment and Operations My first priority as Minister for Justice is to get more Garda\u00ed out onto our streets preventing the commission of crime through high visibility patrols. Increased recruitment and appropriate civilianisation where possible are vital to achieving this as is modern technology and equipment and active management of Garda resources. The Programme for Government commits to recruiting at least 5,000 Garda\u00ed in the coming five years. As we strengthen An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na, we will see more Garda\u00ed visible in our communities tackling and preventing crime. In 2025, 794 new recruits were welcomed into the Garda College in Templemore. This is the highest number recruited since 2018. This includes an intake of 223 trainees in November, the largest single intake in over a decade. This positive trend has continued, with 215 recruits commencing their training in February 2026, the first of four intakes planned for this year. Recruitment into An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na is now gathering real momentum. New Garda recruits are already making an impact in their communities and the ongoing recruitment of new Garda\u00ed will see further progress in increasing Garda numbers across the State. The work completed by the An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na Recruitment Training Capacity Group in 2025 has supported the increase in numbers. The Garda Training Review Group, which is currently examining the future training capacity needs for An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na, will, I expect, further support the Government\u2019s Garda recruitment commitments. I have also introduced the Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na (Powers) Bill and the Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na (Recording Devices) (Amendment) Bill, which will provide additional powers to An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na in relation to search warrants and use of facial recognition technology in certain circumstances. Both Bills are progressing through the Houses of the Oireachtas. Domestic, Sexual, and Gender-Based Violence Strategy Combatting all forms of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence (DSGBV) has been a central priority for me since taking office. An allocation of almost \u20ac80 million was secured through Budget 2026 to fund initiatives aimed at tackling DSGBV, an increase of 18% (\u20ac12.2 million) from 2025. In June 2025, I published the final implementation plan of the five-year \u2018Zero Tolerance\u2019 National DSGBV Strategy setting out the delivery targets and collective action to end 2026. The plan contains 95 specific actions across the four pillars of the Istanbul Convention. There is a strong emphasis on delivery, collective responsibility, and meaningful outcomes. I will shortly publish a progress report on implementation in 2025. Amongst the key deliverables are actions already underway in respect of significant legislative reform including: \u2022 Prioritising the drafting of the Guardianship of Infants (Amendment) Bill that will, in certain situations, allow for the removal of guardianship rights from individuals convicted of killing the other parent or guardian of their child; \u2022 Limiting the disclosure of counselling records in rape and sexual assault cases. \u2022 Banning sex for rent under the Criminal Law and Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2025; \u2022 Introducing the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences, Domestic Violence, and International Instruments) Bill 2025 which will, inter alia, change the threshold from a subjective to an objective test for establishing consent in rape and sexual assault cases; \u2022 Introduce the Domestic Violence Register of Judgments in a standalone Bill, bringing greater transparency and accountability for serious offenders; \u2022 Establishing the necessary legislative basis to provide for Operation Encompass, which will enable An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na to share information with schools when a child has been exposed to domestic violence. As part of the Zero Tolerance Strategy, Government committed to doubling domestic violence accommodation capacity in Ireland by the end of 2026 from 141 to 282 family units. By the end of 2026, it is envisaged to have 94 safe homes and 193 refuge units completed, bringing total safe accommodation to 287, with 50 further refuge units under construction. I am continuing to work with Cuan, my Department and the Department of Housing to ensure we are exhausting all measures to increase the pace of delivery for this much needed additional capacity. Immigration It is also a central priority for me to ensure that our immigration system is robust and rules based. My Department has taken action to significantly improve immigration enforcement measures and increase removals. This includes the renewed use of chartered deportation and removal flights. In 2025, 4,700 deportation orders were signed, an increase of 96% compared to 2024, while 2,111 people had their departure confirmed under various mechanisms (i.e. enforced deportation, voluntary return etc.), an increase of 88% compared to 2024. In keeping with the Government commitment to significantly enhance the delivery of public services digitally, phase one of my Department's Immigration Customer Service Portal, which enables applicants to check their immigration application status, book first-time registration appointments, and submit queries, has been operational since October 2024. Since the launch of the Portal more than 285,000 customers have registered, with over 243,000 queries resolved and in excess of 147,000 registration appointments made. International Protection In 2025, the International Protection Office (IPO) delivered over 20,200 first decisions compared to approximately 14,100 in 2024, a 44% increase. The International Protection Appeals Tribunal (IPAT) more than doubled the number of appeals closed from 3,100 in 2024 to nearly 6,300 in 2025. In January this year, the International Protection Bill 2026 was published, which will replace the International Protection Act 2015. It is the most comprehensive reform of immigration law in the history of the State and will implement the EU Migration and Asylum Pact. The Bill was signed into law on 22 April 2026. The Pact is a new EU framework to manage migration and asylum for the long-term. The overall objective of the Pact is to provide a fair, sustainable and efficient asylum procedure. These important changes include streamlining the decisions process, streamlining the returns process, a new \u2018Border procedure\u2019 with a three-month time limit for decisions, and new institutional arrangements for international protection decisions and appeals. A phased transition that mirrors elements of the Pact is currently underway. Ultimately, improved, faster processing will result in decreasing annual costs by reducing the time an applicant remains in the system. State Owned Accommodation I am committed to reforming Ireland\u2019s international protection system to ensure its efficiency and robustness. A stable and sustainable accommodation network is a central element of that reform and a key PfG commitment. State-owned centres are part of the Government\u2019s long-term plan to reduce the reliance on private accommodation providers resulting in better value for money of public funds and a more efficient international protection system. The purchase of the Citywest Hotel last year June was a significant step in achieving this. The viability of other properties that could be utilised as state-owned accommodation is currently being accessed. Commencement of Policing, Security, and Community Safety Act On 2 April 2025, I was pleased to commence the landmark Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024. As a result, the following bodies were established: \u2022 The new Garda Board \u2022 The Policing and Community Safety Authority (replacing the existing Policing Authority and Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na Inspectorate) \u2022 Fiosr\u00fa \u2013 the Office of the Police Ombudsman \u2022 The Office of the Independent Examiner of Security Legislation \u2022 The National Office for Community Safety The Act strengthens and consolidates independent, external oversight of An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na; makes community safety a whole of government and multi-agency responsibility and enhances the internal governance of An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na by establishing a new non-executive board which is a corporate governance standard across the public and private sectors. Community Safety The National Office for Community Safety established in April 2025 is a central coordinating body to the new whole of government, collaborative, problem-solving approach to community safety as envisaged by the Commission for the Future of Policing in Ireland (CoFPI). Last June, I signed regulations to allow for Local Community Safety Partnerships to begin their work across the country. These regulations provide for a total of 36 Local Community Safety Partnerships to be established across every Local Authority. At a local level, community safety partnerships will play a major role in enhancing community safety nationwide in collaboration with An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na, local residents, businesses and state agencies. I secured an additional \u20ac2.5 million in Budget 2026 to support the establishment of all 36 Local Community Safety Partnerships across the country. As of 20 March 2026, members have been appointed to 35 of these Safety Partnerships and 34 are fully operational having held inaugural meetings and elected their Chair and Vice Chair. It is expected that all Safety Partnerships will be operational in the first half of the year. I was pleased on 13 April to launch a call for applications under the Community Safety Fund 2026 (CSF). This annual fund allows for the proceeds of crime, seized by the Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB) and An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na, to be redirected into local projects that support and enhance community safety. This year\u2019s fund totalling \u20ac4.75 million is a significant increase since the initial allocation of \u20ac2 million in 2022. In 2025, grants totalling \u20ac4.4 million were provided for 42 projects through the CSF. Youth Justice The Government\u2019s focus on youth diversion and interventions is a keystone in the Youth Justice Strategy, which is a forward-thinking plan designed to address the unique challenges faced by young people in Ireland. At its core, the Strategy emphasises early intervention, prevention, family support, and community engagement. It includes key objectives aimed at promoting positive behavioural change, and it is only by targeting this behaviour that we can break the cycle of offending by young people. YDPs work with young people at risk of crime and anti-social behaviour to divert them away from criminal behaviour and towards better life outcomes. A key intervention under this Strategy is the network of Youth Diversion Projects (YDPs) which work with young people at risk of crime and anti-social behaviour to divert them away from criminal behaviour and towards better life outcomes. Last November, I was pleased to announce with Minister of State, Niall Collins TD, that the State\u2019s network of Youth Diversion Projects (YDPs) has been successfully rolled out nationwide, making these critical interventions available to young people at risk of engaging in criminal activity no matter where they live in Ireland. Criminal Assets Bureau The Proceeds of Crime and Related Matters Bill 2025, approved by Cabinet last July, represents the most significant update to Ireland\u2019s civil asset forfeiture laws since their introduction in 1996. The Bill strengthens the State\u2019s ability to identify, freeze and confiscate assets linked to serious and organised crime. The Bill strengthens CAB\u2019s investigative powers, with new provisions to freeze bank accounts when there is a reasonable suspicion that it is being used to hold proceeds of crime. To address the risk of funds being moved quickly or hidden, a direction can be given to a financial institution to freeze an account for up to seven days. The Bill passed report and final stages in D\u00e1il \u00c9ireann in December 2025 and is currently progressing through the Seanad. Transfers of responsibilities Responsibility for integration, International Protection Accommodation Services (IPAS), and the Ukraine Division transferred to my Department from the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, and Equality on 1 May 2025. This transfer includes the transfer of all staff, approximately 340 people, alongside a substantial budget transfer of approximately \u20ac2.1 billion. As my Department had existing responsibility for immigration and migration and the processing of applications for international protection, this transfer underpins a more cohesive and strategic approach to migration and integration. The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) also transferred to my Department from the Department of the Environment, Communications and Climate on 2 June 2025. The NCSC is the lead government agency on cyber security. Responsibility for the Irish Film Classification Office (IFCO) transferred from my Department on 1 August to the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport. This transfer was carried out in line with the Programme for Government and aligns the work of IFCO with the Department responsible for culture. Ahead of the transfer, my Department completed a Periodic Critical Review of IFCO which had a focus on the ongoing business case for the entity, its performance, efficiency, effectiveness, and governance arrangements. The report from the review was published ahead of the transfer. Responsibility for the Property Services Regulatory Authority (PSRA), as well as the Property Services Appeal Board, also transferred from my Department on 1 August to the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. Cyber Security Ireland\u2019s 2025 National Cyber Risk Assessment published in December 2025, set out a detailed cyber security focused assessment providing a strategic view of the systemic cyber risks facing the State, its Critical National Infrastructure (CNI), and the supply chain ecosystem upon which these services rely. It is also the foundation for Ireland\u2019s third National Cyber Security Strategy. Work is well advanced in my Department on Ireland\u2019s third National Cyber Security Strategy 2030. The Strategy will give rise to a series of measures to build cyber security capability in the State, including in research, development, skills and training. It will also set out the commitment in the Programme for Government 2025 to build a Cyber Security Research Centre of Excellence and providing targeted grant funding for SMEs to improve their cyber security. Ireland is currently transposing the NIS2 Directive via the National Cyber Security Bill. The drafting of the Bill is at an advanced stage and is expected to be published later this year. It will include measures to ensure providers of critical services take measures to increase their cyber resilience and to protect themselves against cyber security incidents. The Bill also establishes the National Cyber Security Strategy as an executive office of my Department and provides the NCSC with additional powers and responsibilities to monitor, detect and respond to cyber security incidents in the State. Establishment of the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland In March 2025, I established the independent Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI). The GRAI is responsible for a new streamlined, simplified, and coherent licensing framework which reflects the nature of modern gambling in the State and for a robust regulatory regime to regulate gambling in-person and online that will replace the existing, fragmented systems which date back to 1929. The regulatory powers of the GRAI take into account the harms associated with problem gambling and provide safeguards to protect people from those harms, including children, those vulnerable to problem gambling, and those affected by problem gambling. The GRAI will establish and maintain a National Gambling Exclusion Register, funded through licence fees, and establish a Social Impact Fund, financed by a levy on the industry, to support services to treat gambling addiction and fund public education and awareness raising programmes. The GRAI is commencing licensing operations in 2026 as part of a phased stand-up of their functions under the Gambling Regulation Act 2024. Data Protection Commission On 17 September 2025, the Government appointed a third Commissioner for Data Protection, with the appointment taking effect from 13 October 2025, for a five-year term. This follows the appointment of two new Commissioners for Data Protection in February 2024. The appointment completes the process to expand the number of commissioners to 3. As the responsibilities and scope of the DPC continue to grow, the 3 commissioners will now lead and manage this key regulatory body. Improvements to international judicial cooperation Bilateral agreements between Ireland and the United Arab Emirates on extradition and mutual legal assistance (MLA) in criminal matters entered into force on 18 May 2025. The bilateral MLA and extradition treaties will ensure that criminals cannot evade the law. They will also serve to mitigate the harm caused by any perception that criminals can evade the law and benefit from the ill-gotten gains of criminal activity abroad, which itself diminishes the trust and confidence of citizens in the rule of law. Omagh Inquiry Last April, I signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Chairman of the Omagh Bombing Inquiry on matters relating to the disclosure of materials to the Inquiry. This is a truly important step to delivering on the commitment in the Programme for Government, to \u201cplay our full part in legacy processes\u2026including facilitating and supporting the Omagh Inquiry\u201d. That is in the best interests of the victims\u2019 families and survivors . In November, I implemented measures to further support the operation of the Memorandum of Understanding including signing Regulations under section 2B of the Data Protection Act 1988 to support the disclosure of personal data to the Inquiry by my Department. On 13 March 2026, I published the International Co-operation (Omagh Bombing Inquiry) Bill. The Bill is designed to enable the taking of oral testimony before the Irish courts for the purposes of the Omagh Bombing Inquiry. The publication of the Bill is another important step in delivering on the commitment to facilitate and support the Inquiry. Independent Expert In September, following extensive work at official and political levels, the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and I announced the appointment of Fleur Ravensbergen as the Independent Expert to conduct a scoping and engagement exercise on whether there is a basis for a formal process of paramilitary group transition to disbandment in Northern Ireland. This appointment was made in line with recommendations by the Independent Reporting Commission. I look forward to receiving the report on the outcome of this exercise in the Autumn of this year. Family Justice The ongoing reform of the Family Justice system, for the benefit of families and children, is another of my key priorities. Work has commenced on the implementation of the Family Courts Act 2024. The Act introduces changes to the current delivery of family justice, including the introduction of specialist family law judges assigned and operating within new family court divisions. Just last week, I announced details of the Implementation Plan for the Family Justice Act that will result in some of the most significant reforms of the family justice system in the history of the State. Last May, I published the Review of the Operation of the In Camera Rule in Family Law Proceedings. The review, a key action in the Family Justice Strategy, was conducted by a team from University College Cork and Trinity College Dublin and is an important piece of research which details the perspectives of many stakeholders regarding the current understanding and operation of the in-camera rule in family law proceedings. Importantly, it includes the views of those who have been parties in such proceedings. Officials from my Department are currently engaging with a variety of stakeholders and working on a policy paper regarding how some of the recommendations made in the report could be implemented. Last August, I published two tenders for the provision of new family law services aimed at making our system more transparent and better for children. The first is for a Private Family Law Reporting Project to provide transparency for the public and increase awareness and understanding of family law proceedings while ensuring that children\u2019s and parents\u2019 right to privacy is upheld. I am pleased to say that the Child Law Project has been contracted to deliver the three-year project and work on it has commenced. The second is for a service to provide a new and innovative way to hear children\u2019s voices in private family law proceedings. The Children\u2019s Court Advocate Pilot Project will initially be established in Waterford and Clonmel, ensuring that all children to whom guardianship, custody or access applications relate can have the opportunity to be informed about the proceedings relating to them and have their voice heard without any cost to families. In February 2026, I launched a new online child maintenance calculator to help parents in coming to arrangements on child maintenance payments. The launch of the calculator follows on from the publication of Ireland\u2019s first set of Child Maintenance Guidelines earlier this year. The development of the guidelines was a key recommendation of the 2024 Review of the Enforcement of Child Maintenance Orders. Civil Reform In January, I published the General Scheme of the Civil Reform Bill. The Civil Reform Bill is a key measure that will see the implementation of the Review of the Administration of Civil Justice, also known as the Kelly Report, which was published in October 2020. The Report made over 90 recommendations aimed at improving access to justice for all by making it quicker, more efficient and more cost effective. As part of the Bill, it is my intention to introduce provisions which will codify the existing law on judicial review by placing it on a statutory basis. The measures should achieve greater transparency in the law and lead to a more streamlined review process. Key reforms should ensure that the system cannot be misused on purely technical grounds, that the public interest is placed at the heart of judicial review, costs are reduced where possible and litigants have sufficient standing to properly challenge decisions. Given the significant challenges currently facing our State in terms of housing shortages, energy deficits, inadequate water supplies and climate change, all of which are exacerbated by the demands of a rising population, we can no longer delay on reform of the judicial review system. I am confident that the Bill will remove weaknesses in the current law, eliminate impediments to progress and deliver reform for the public benefit. I am also confident that measures in the Bill preserve the right of the citizen to ensure that public bodies act lawfully and are accountable for their decisions. Judicial numbers The Courts and Civil law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2025 was enacted in December 2025 to provide for an increase in the maximum numbers of judges in the District Court, the Circuit Court, the High Court and the Court of Appeal. The Act provides for a total increase in judicial numbers of 21, delivering on Programme for Government commitments. General Scheme of the Criminal Law and Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2026 In December 2025, I secured Government approval to publish the Criminal Law and Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2026 which was subsequently presented to D\u00e1il \u00c9ireann on 9 January 2026. The D\u00e1il Second Stage debate took place on 22 January. The Bill responds to a range of pressing challenges for the justice system. Among other provisions, the Bill includes measures to: \u2022 criminalise the highly exploitative behaviour commonly known as \u2018sex for rent\u2019; \u2022 amend legislation relating to disclosure of counselling records in sexual assault trials; \u2022 encourage greater use of community service orders as an alternative to imprisonment in suitable cases; \u2022 remove the legal prohibition on the possession and use of incapacitant spray by prison officers; \u2022 allow the use of more advanced DNA analysis in missing persons cases; \u2022 further facilitate video link hearings in the criminal courts by enabling bail bonds and suspended sentence bonds to be taken by Gardai and prison officers respectively; \u2022 establish a permanent regulatory basis under which licenced premises may provide outdoor seating on public land; \u2022 provide for the refusal of bail for persons charged with offences relating to forced marriage or coercive control, and \u2022 empower the Chief Justice to delegate certain non-judicial functions to other members of the judiciary. In February, I secured further Government approval to introduce additional amendments to the Bill. These amendments concern, inter alia : \u2022 the establishment of an application-based legislative scheme for the disregard of certain historical convictions relating to consensual sexual activity between men; \u2022 further amendments to provide for a presumption of non-disclosure in relation to counselling notes and other sensitive personal records in sexual offence trials; \u2022 an amendment of the Prisons Act 2015 to provide that, where two years or less of the applicable prison term remains to be served, a person may be taken from prison for the purpose of effecting a deportation or removal order; \u2022 a further amendment to the Bail Act 1997 to provide for refusal of bail for persons charged with offences relating to witness intimidation or failure to comply with requirements under the Sex Offenders Act 2001. Last month, I also secured Government approval to introduce an additional amendment to the Miscellaneous Provisions Bill to provide for the use of Passenger Name Record data for intra-EU flights. Drafting of these amendments, along with a number of outstanding measures from the General Scheme of the Bill, is at an advanced stage and I intend to bring these provisions as amendments to the Bill as it progresses through the D\u00e1il. Prisons and penal reform A multi-year building programme is progressing at several key sites across the prison estate. To accelerate delivery, I sought and secured an exemption from the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation for six major projects (960 prison spaces) to move straight to Approval Gate 2 - Pre-Tender Approval of the Infrastructure Guidelines. This decision is expected to bring forward delivery timelines on those six projects by 12 to 18 months, while freeing up internal capacity within IPS to advance the wider programme. This acceleration reflects the priority placed by Government on strengthening the prison system\u2019s resilience and providing safe, secure and humane accommodation. This is part of the funded plan to deliver over 1,500 new spaces.", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2026-04-28/pq_852", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2026-04-28/852/" }, { "date": "2026-04-14", "question_number": 1959, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "Deportation Orders", "asked_by": "Peadar T\u00f3ib\u00edn", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "1959. Deputy Peadar T\u00f3ib\u00edn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of persons with a valid deportation order signed that are still in Ireland; the number currently still in State provided accommodation; and the reason they are being provided with accommodation when they no longer have any entitlement to be in Ireland. [23797/26]", "answer": "Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration It is a central priority for me that Ireland\u2019s immigration system is robust and rules based. The enforcement aspects of our laws, including deportation orders, are an essential requirement for the system to work effectively and to ensure that there is confidence in the application of our legislation in this area. Deportations are costly and complex to enforce. It is the preferred option to return people voluntarily and my Department has a voluntary return programme to assist people to return before a deportation order is issued. If a person does not remove themselves from the State following the issuance of a deportation order, they will be removed, and my Department has taken action to significantly improve immigration enforcement measures and increase removals. The number of deportation orders signed in 2024 (2,403) increased by 180% compared to 2023 (857). In 2025, 4,700 deportation orders were signed, an increase of 96% compared to 2024. In 2024, 1,122 people departed from the State under various mechanisms (i.e. enforced deportation, voluntary return etc.). In 2025, 2,111 people had their departure confirmed through these pathways, an increase of 88% compared to 2024. In 2025, six charter flight operations removed 205 people from the State. Of these, five operations to non-EU destinations removed 182 people who were subject to deportation orders and one operation removed 23 EU citizens on grounds of criminality. Two charter operations to date in 2026 have seen the removal of 96 people from the State, including 33 EU citizens who were removed on grounds of criminality. Further charter operations will be conducted throughout the year. The enforcement of deportation orders is an operational matter for the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB), and my Department works closely with the GNIB to progress arrangements for the removal of people subject to deportation orders. If a person issued with a deportation order does not leave the State independently then they are required to present to the GNIB in accordance with the conditions of their deportation order. As Ireland does not operate routine exit checks at Irish borders, it is not possible to confirm in all instances that a person has departed the State. A person is only recorded as being deported when their deportation has been enforced by An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na or when officials have been provided with evidence that they have left Ireland. While over 300 of the people subject to deportation orders above have confirmed they have left the State independently since 2020, it is the case that a significantly larger number of individuals who were subject to Deportation orders have left the State without notifying the relevant authorities. I am informed that the Garda National Immigration Bureau has reviewed a large sample of cases of people subject to deportation orders; their inquiries suggest a very significant number of these individuals have left the State. The number of people resident in the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) centres who have been refused permission to remain in the State is a small proportion of the total IPAS resident group of over 33,000 people. Currently, there are approximately 650 people subject to deportation orders residing in IPAS accommodation. This number fluctuates regularly as people leave Ireland under the relevant return pathways, and as new orders are made. Some people subject to deportation orders may have the enforcement of their order suspended due to legal proceedings or due to personal circumstances such as health grounds. Others will be in the process of arranging to leave the State as outlined above. The tables below detail the number of deportation orders signed, as well as the number enforced, from 2021 to 2025. Table 1. Deportation orders signed from 2021 to 2025 Year 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 Deportation orders signed 33 549 859 2,403 4,700 *Please note, figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing. Table 2. Deportation Enforcement 2021 to 2025 Year 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 Enforced Deportations 5 24 51 134 185 Removed by Charter N/A N/A N/A N/A 182 Otherwise Confirmed Deportation (1) 33 93 28 28 67 Total Deportations 38 117 79 162 434 Other Removals (2) 46 39 24 26 61 Number of Voluntary Returns 132 91 215 934 1,616 Total Removed 216 247 318 1,122 2,111 *Please note, figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing. ** During the COVID- 19 Pandemic there was a moratorium on deportations. This was effective during the latter part of 2020, 2021 and for the first 8 months of 2022. During the moratorium only people who whose presence in Ireland would be contrary to the public interest were deported. This moratorium was lifted in July 2022. 1. Otherwise confirmed deportations is where it has been confirmed a person has left the state following receipt of a deportation order without being escorted. 2. Other removals include Dublin III Transfer Orders of International Protection applicants to another EU State and EU Removal Orders for the return of EU Citizens under the Free Movement Regulations (these orders are made on grounds of criminality) and people who are deemed inadmissible under the International Protection Act.", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2026-04-14/pq_1959", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2026-04-14/1959/" }, { "date": "2026-05-14", "question_number": 50, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "Departmental Functions", "asked_by": "Catherine Callaghan", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "50. Deputy Catherine Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration for an update on his work to date in the area of home affairs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35475/26]", "answer": "Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration The Deputy will appreciate that my Department is responsible for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration. It is not the practice of my Department to split out \"Home Affairs\" as a distinct area of its work. As such, I have detailed below some of my Department's key achievements across its entire remit, since January 2025. I am proud of the considerable progress by my Department on a broad range of policy, operational and legislative initiatives since my appointment as Minister in January 2025. I look forward to continuing this work on my priorities, in line with the commitments set out in the Programme for Government. I was pleased to recently publish the new Statement of Strategy for my Department for 2025\u20132028. The Strategy aligns with the Programme for Government, sets out my Department\u2019s strategic direction to 2028 and will further the work towards our shared vision of a safe, fair and inclusive Ireland. Garda Recruitment and Operations My first priority as Minister for Justice is to get more Garda\u00ed out onto our streets preventing the commission of crime through high visibility patrols. Increased recruitment and appropriate civilianisation where possible are vital to achieving this as is modern technology and equipment and active management of Garda resources. The Programme for Government commits to recruiting at least 5,000 Garda\u00ed in the coming five years. As we strengthen An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na, we will see more Garda\u00ed visible in our communities tackling and preventing crime. Recruitment into An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na has gathered real momentum. In 2025, 794 new recruits were welcomed into the Garda College in Templemore. This is the highest number recruited since 2018. Over 200 trainee Gardai entered Templemore last week, bringing the total number of current trainees to over 600. Earlier this week An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na launched their latest recruitment drive. This competition will help to ensure that we maintain the steady pipeline of new recruits. New Garda recruits are already making an impact in their communities and the ongoing recruitment of new Garda\u00ed will see further progress in increasing Garda numbers across the State. The work completed by the An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na Recruitment Training Capacity Group in 2025 has supported the increase in numbers. The Garda Training Review Group, which is currently examining the future training capacity needs for An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na, will, I expect, further support the Government\u2019s Garda recruitment commitments. I have also introduced the Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na (Powers) Bill and the Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na (Recording Devices) (Amendment) Bill, which will provide additional powers to An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na in relation to search warrants and use of facial recognition technology in certain circumstances. Both Bills are progressing through the Houses of the Oireachtas. Domestic, Sexual, and Gender-Based Violence Strategy Combatting all forms of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence (DSGBV) has been a central priority for me since taking office. An allocation of almost \u20ac80 million was secured through Budget 2026 to fund initiatives aimed at tackling DSGBV, an increase of 18% (\u20ac12.2 million) from 2025. In June 2025, I published the final implementation plan of the five-year \u2018Zero Tolerance\u2019 National DSGBV Strategy setting out the delivery targets and collective action to end 2026. The plan contains 95 specific actions across the four pillars of the Istanbul Convention. There is a strong emphasis on delivery, collective responsibility, and meaningful outcomes. I will shortly publish a progress report on implementation in 2025. Amongst the key deliverables are actions already underway in respect of significant legislative reform including: \u2022 Prioritising the drafting of the Guardianship of Infants (Amendment) Bill that will, in certain situations, allow for the removal of guardianship rights from individuals convicted of killing the other parent or guardian of their child; \u2022 Limiting the disclosure of counselling records in rape and sexual assault cases. \u2022 Banning sex for rent under the Criminal Law and Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2025; \u2022 Introducing the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences, Domestic Violence, and International Instruments) Bill 2025 which will, inter alia, change the threshold from a subjective to an objective test for establishing consent in rape and sexual assault cases; \u2022 Introduce the Domestic Violence Register of Judgments in a standalone Bill, bringing greater transparency and accountability for serious offenders; \u2022 Establishing the necessary legislative basis to provide for Operation Encompass, which will enable An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na to share information with schools when a child has been exposed to domestic violence. As part of the Zero Tolerance Strategy, Government committed to doubling domestic violence accommodation capacity in Ireland by the end of 2026 from 141 to 282 family units. By the end of 2026, it is envisaged to have 94 safe homes and 193 refuge units completed, bringing total safe accommodation to 287, with 50 further refuge units under construction. I am continuing to work with Cuan, my Department and the Department of Housing to ensure we are exhausting all measures to increase the pace of delivery for this much needed additional capacity. Immigration It is also a central priority for me to ensure that our immigration system is robust and rules based. My Department has taken action to significantly improve immigration enforcement measures and increase removals. This includes the renewed use of chartered deportation and removal flights. In 2025, 4,700 deportation orders were signed, an increase of 96% compared to 2024, while 2,111 people had their departure confirmed under various mechanisms (i.e. enforced deportation, voluntary return etc.), an increase of 88% compared to 2024. In keeping with the Government commitment to significantly enhance the delivery of public services digitally, phase one of my Department's Immigration Customer Service Portal, which enables applicants to check their immigration application status, book first-time registration appointments, and submit queries, has been operational since October 2024. Since the launch of the Portal more than 285,000 customers have registered, with over 243,000 queries resolved and in excess of 147,000 registration appointments made. International Protection In 2025, the International Protection Office (IPO) delivered over 20,200 first decisions compared to approximately 14,100 in 2024, a 44% increase. The International Protection Appeals Tribunal (IPAT) more than doubled the number of appeals closed from 3,100 in 2024 to nearly 6,300 in 2025. In January this year, the International Protection Bill 2026 was published, which will replace the International Protection Act 2015. It is the most comprehensive reform of immigration law in the history of the State and will implement the EU Migration and Asylum Pact. The Bill was signed into law on 22 April 2026. The Pact is a new EU framework to manage migration and asylum for the long-term. The overall objective of the Pact is to provide a fair, sustainable and efficient asylum procedure. These important changes include streamlining the decisions process, streamlining the returns process, a new \u2018Border procedure\u2019 with a three-month time limit for decisions, and new institutional arrangements for international protection decisions and appeals. A phased transition that mirrors elements of the Pact is currently underway. Ultimately, improved, faster processing will result in decreasing annual costs by reducing the time an applicant remains in the system. State Owned Accommodation I am committed to reforming Ireland\u2019s international protection system to ensure its efficiency and robustness. A stable and sustainable accommodation network is a central element of that reform and a key PfG commitment. State-owned centres are part of the Government\u2019s long-term plan to reduce the reliance on private accommodation providers resulting in better value for money of public funds and a more efficient international protection system. The purchase of the Citywest Hotel last year June was a significant step in achieving this. The viability of other properties that could be utilised as state-owned accommodation is currently being accessed. Commencement of Policing, Security, and Community Safety Act On 2 April 2025, I was pleased to commence the landmark Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024. As a result, the following bodies were established: \u2022 The new Garda Board \u2022 The Policing and Community Safety Authority (replacing the existing Policing Authority and Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na Inspectorate) \u2022 Fiosr\u00fa \u2013 the Office of the Police Ombudsman \u2022 The Office of the Independent Examiner of Security Legislation \u2022 The National Office for Community Safety The Act strengthens and consolidates independent, external oversight of An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na; makes community safety a whole of government and multi-agency responsibility and enhances the internal governance of An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na by establishing a new non-executive board which is a corporate governance standard across the public and private sectors. Community Safety The National Office for Community Safety established in April 2025 is a central coordinating body to the new whole of government, collaborative, problem-solving approach to community safety as envisaged by the Commission for the Future of Policing in Ireland (CoFPI). Last June, I signed regulations to allow for Local Community Safety Partnerships to begin their work across the country. These regulations provide for a total of 36 Local Community Safety Partnerships to be established across every Local Authority. At a local level, community safety partnerships will play a major role in enhancing community safety nationwide in collaboration with An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na, local residents, businesses and state agencies. I secured an additional \u20ac2.5 million in Budget 2026 to support the establishment of all 36 Local Community Safety Partnerships across the country. As of 20 March 2026, members have been appointed to 35 of these Safety Partnerships and 34 are fully operational having held inaugural meetings and elected their Chair and Vice Chair. It is expected that all Safety Partnerships will be operational in the first half of the year. I was pleased on 13 April to launch a call for applications under the Community Safety Fund 2026 (CSF). This annual fund allows for the proceeds of crime, seized by the Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB) and An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na, to be redirected into local projects that support and enhance community safety. This year\u2019s fund totalling \u20ac4.75 million is a significant increase since the initial allocation of \u20ac2 million in 2022. In 2025, grants totalling \u20ac4.4 million were provided for 42 projects through the CSF. Youth Justice The Government\u2019s focus on youth diversion and interventions is a keystone in the Youth Justice Strategy, which is a forward-thinking plan designed to address the unique challenges faced by young people in Ireland. At its core, the Strategy emphasises early intervention, prevention, family support, and community engagement. It includes key objectives aimed at promoting positive behavioural change, and it is only by targeting this behaviour that we can break the cycle of offending by young people. YDPs work with young people at risk of crime and anti-social behaviour to divert them away from criminal behaviour and towards better life outcomes. A key intervention under this Strategy is the network of Youth Diversion Projects (YDPs) which work with young people at risk of crime and anti-social behaviour to divert them away from criminal behaviour and towards better life outcomes. In November 2025, I was pleased to announce with Minister of State, Niall Collins TD, that the State\u2019s network of Youth Diversion Projects (YDPs) has been successfully rolled out nationwide, making these critical interventions available to young people at risk of engaging in criminal activity no matter where they live in Ireland. Criminal Assets Bureau The Proceeds of Crime and Related Matters Bill 2025, approved by Cabinet last July, represents the most significant update to Ireland\u2019s civil asset forfeiture laws since their introduction in 1996. The Bill strengthens the State\u2019s ability to identify, freeze and confiscate assets linked to serious and organised crime. The Bill strengthens CAB\u2019s investigative powers, with new provisions to freeze bank accounts when there is a reasonable suspicion that it is being used to hold proceeds of crime. To address the risk of funds being moved quickly or hidden, a direction can be given to a financial institution to freeze an account for up to seven days. The Bill passed report and final stages in D\u00e1il \u00c9ireann in December 2025 and is currently progressing through the Seanad. Transfers of responsibilities Responsibility for integration, International Protection Accommodation Services (IPAS), and the Ukraine Division transferred to my Department from the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, and Equality on 1 May 2025. This transfer includes the transfer of all staff, approximately 340 people, alongside a substantial budget transfer of approximately \u20ac2.1 billion. As my Department had existing responsibility for immigration and migration and the processing of applications for international protection, this transfer underpins a more cohesive and strategic approach to migration and integration. The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) also transferred to my Department from the Department of the Environment, Communications and Climate on 2 June 2025. The NCSC is the lead government agency on cyber security. Responsibility for the Irish Film Classification Office (IFCO) transferred from my Department on 1 August to the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport. This transfer was carried out in line with the Programme for Government and aligns the work of IFCO with the Department responsible for culture. Ahead of the transfer, my Department completed a Periodic Critical Review of IFCO which had a focus on the ongoing business case for the entity, its performance, efficiency, effectiveness, and governance arrangements. The report from the review was published ahead of the transfer. Responsibility for the Property Services Regulatory Authority (PSRA), as well as the Property Services Appeal Board, also transferred from my Department on 1 August to the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. Cyber Security Ireland\u2019s 2025 National Cyber Risk Assessment published in December 2025, set out a detailed cyber security focused assessment providing a strategic view of the systemic cyber risks facing the State, its Critical National Infrastructure (CNI), and the supply chain ecosystem upon which these services rely. It is also the foundation for Ireland\u2019s third National Cyber Security Strategy. Work is well advanced in my Department on Ireland\u2019s third National Cyber Security Strategy 2030. The Strategy will give rise to a series of measures to build cyber security capability in the State, including in research, development, skills and training. It will also set out the commitment in the Programme for Government 2025 to build a Cyber Security Research Centre of Excellence and providing targeted grant funding for SMEs to improve their cyber security. Ireland is currently transposing the NIS2 Directive via the National Cyber Security Bill. The drafting of the Bill is at an advanced stage and is expected to be published later this year. It will include measures to ensure providers of critical services take measures to increase their cyber resilience and to protect themselves against cyber security incidents. The Bill also establishes the National Cyber Security Strategy as an executive office of my Department and provides the NCSC with additional powers and responsibilities to monitor, detect and respond to cyber security incidents in the State. Establishment of the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland In March 2025, I established the independent Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI). The GRAI is responsible for a new streamlined, simplified, and coherent licensing framework which reflects the nature of modern gambling in the State and for a robust regulatory regime to regulate gambling in-person and online that will replace the existing, fragmented systems which date back to 1929. The regulatory powers of the GRAI take into account the harms associated with problem gambling and provide safeguards to protect people from those harms, including children, those vulnerable to problem gambling, and those affected by problem gambling. The GRAI will establish and maintain a National Gambling Exclusion Register, funded through licence fees, and establish a Social Impact Fund, financed by a levy on the industry, to support services to treat gambling addiction and fund public education and awareness raising programmes. The GRAI is commencing licensing operations in 2026 as part of a phased stand-up of their functions under the Gambling Regulation Act 2024. Data Protection Commission On 17 September 2025, the Government appointed a third Commissioner for Data Protection, with the appointment taking effect from 13 October 2025, for a five-year term. This follows the appointment of two new Commissioners for Data Protection in February 2024. The appointment completes the process to expand the number of commissioners to 3. As the responsibilities and scope of the DPC continue to grow, the 3 commissioners will now lead and manage this key regulatory body. Improvements to international judicial cooperation Bilateral agreements between Ireland and the United Arab Emirates on extradition and mutual legal assistance (MLA) in criminal matters entered into force on 18 May 2025. The bilateral MLA and extradition treaties will ensure that criminals cannot evade the law. They will also serve to mitigate the harm caused by any perception that criminals can evade the law and benefit from the ill-gotten gains of criminal activity abroad, which itself diminishes the trust and confidence of citizens in the rule of law. Omagh Inquiry In April 2025, I signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Chairman of the Omagh Bombing Inquiry on matters relating to the disclosure of materials to the Inquiry. This is a truly important step to delivering on the commitment in the Programme for Government, to \u201cplay our full part in legacy processes\u2026including facilitating and supporting the Omagh Inquiry\u201d. That is in the best interests of the victims\u2019 families and survivors . In November, I implemented measures to further support the operation of the Memorandum of Understanding including signing Regulations under section 2B of the Data Protection Act 1988 to support the disclosure of personal data to the Inquiry by my Department. On 13 March 2026, I published the International Co-operation (Omagh Bombing Inquiry) Bill. The Bill is designed to enable the taking of oral testimony before the Irish courts for the purposes of the Omagh Bombing Inquiry. The Bill has passed all stages in D\u00e1il \u00c9ireann and is currently progressing through the Seanad. The Bill is another important step in delivering on the commitment to facilitate and support the Inquiry. Independent Expert In September, following extensive work at official and political levels, the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and I announced the appointment of Fleur Ravensbergen as the Independent Expert to conduct a scoping and engagement exercise on whether there is a basis for a formal process of paramilitary group transition to disbandment in Northern Ireland. This appointment was made in line with recommendations by the Independent Reporting Commission. I look forward to receiving the report on the outcome of this exercise in the Autumn of this year. Family Justice The ongoing reform of the Family Justice system, for the benefit of families and children, is another of my key priorities. Work has commenced on the implementation of the Family Courts Act 2024. The Act introduces changes to the current delivery of family justice, including the introduction of specialist family law judges assigned and operating within new family court divisions. I recently announced details of the Implementation Plan for the Family Justice Act that will result in some of the most significant reforms of the family justice system in the history of the State. Last May, I published the Review of the Operation of the In Camera Rule in Family Law Proceedings. The review, a key action in the Family Justice Strategy, was conducted by a team from University College Cork and Trinity College Dublin and is an important piece of research which details the perspectives of many stakeholders regarding the current understanding and operation of the in-camera rule in family law proceedings. Importantly, it includes the views of those who have been parties in such proceedings. Officials from my Department are currently engaging with a variety of stakeholders and working on a policy paper regarding how some of the recommendations made in the report could be implemented. Last August, I published two tenders for the provision of new family law services aimed at making our system more transparent and better for children. The first is for a Private Family Law Reporting Project to provide transparency for the public and increase awareness and understanding of family law proceedings while ensuring that children\u2019s and parents\u2019 right to privacy is upheld. I am pleased to say that the Child Law Project has been contracted to deliver the three-year project and work on it has commenced. The second is for a service to provide a new and innovative way to hear children\u2019s voices in private family law proceedings. The Children\u2019s Court Advocate Pilot Project will initially be established in Waterford and Clonmel, ensuring that all children to whom guardianship, custody or access applications relate can have the opportunity to be informed about the proceedings relating to them and have their voice heard without any cost to families. In February 2026, I launched a new online child maintenance calculator to help parents in coming to arrangements on child maintenance payments. The launch of the calculator follows on from the publication of Ireland\u2019s first set of Child Maintenance Guidelines earlier this year. The development of the guidelines was a key recommendation of the 2024 Review of the Enforcement of Child Maintenance Orders. Civil Reform In January, I published the General Scheme of the Civil Reform Bill. The Civil Reform Bill is a key measure that will see the implementation of the Review of the Administration of Civil Justice, also known as the Kelly Report, which was published in October 2020. The Report made over 90 recommendations aimed at improving access to justice for all by making it quicker, more efficient and more cost effective. As part of the Bill, it is my intention to introduce provisions which will codify the existing law on judicial review by placing it on a statutory basis. The measures should achieve greater transparency in the law and lead to a more streamlined review process. Key reforms should ensure that the system cannot be misused on purely technical grounds, that the public interest is placed at the heart of judicial review, costs are reduced where possible and litigants have sufficient standing to properly challenge decisions. Given the significant challenges currently facing our State in terms of housing shortages, energy deficits, inadequate water supplies and climate change, all of which are exacerbated by the demands of a rising population, we can no longer delay on reform of the judicial review system. I am confident that the Bill will remove weaknesses in the current law, eliminate impediments to progress and deliver reform for the public benefit. I am also confident that measures in the Bill preserve the right of the citizen to ensure that public bodies act lawfully and are accountable for their decisions. Judicial numbers The Courts and Civil law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2025 was enacted in December 2025 to provide for an increase in the maximum numbers of judges in the District Court, the Circuit Court, the High Court and the Court of Appeal. The Act provides for a total increase in judicial numbers of 21, delivering on Programme for Government commitments. General Scheme of the Criminal Law and Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2026 In December 2025, I secured Government approval to publish the Criminal Law and Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2026 which was subsequently presented to D\u00e1il \u00c9ireann on 9 January 2026. The D\u00e1il Second Stage debate took place on 22 January. The Bill responds to a range of pressing challenges for the justice system. Among other provisions, the Bill includes measures to: \u2022 criminalise the highly exploitative behaviour commonly known as \u2018sex for rent\u2019; \u2022 amend legislation relating to disclosure of counselling records in sexual assault trials; \u2022 encourage greater use of community service orders as an alternative to imprisonment in suitable cases; \u2022 remove the legal prohibition on the possession and use of incapacitant spray by prison officers; \u2022 allow the use of more advanced DNA analysis in missing persons cases; \u2022 further facilitate video link hearings in the criminal courts by enabling bail bonds and suspended sentence bonds to be taken by Gardai and prison officers respectively; \u2022 establish a permanent regulatory basis under which licenced premises may provide outdoor seating on public land; \u2022 provide for the refusal of bail for persons charged with offences relating to forced marriage or coercive control, and \u2022 empower the Chief Justice to delegate certain non-judicial functions to other members of the judiciary. In February, I secured further Government approval to introduce additional amendments to the Bill. These amendments concern, inter alia : \u2022 the establishment of an application-based legislative scheme for the disregard of certain historical convictions relating to consensual sexual activity between men; \u2022 further amendments to provide for a presumption of non-disclosure in relation to counselling notes and other sensitive personal records in sexual offence trials; \u2022 an amendment of the Prisons Act 2015 to provide that, where two years or less of the applicable prison term remains to be served, a person may be taken from prison for the purpose of effecting a deportation or removal order; \u2022 a further amendment to the Bail Act 1997 to provide for refusal of bail for persons charged with offences relating to witness intimidation or failure to comply with requirements under the Sex Offenders Act 2001. In March, I also secured Government approval to introduce an additional amendment to the Miscellaneous Provisions Bill to provide for the use of Passenger Name Record data for intra-EU flights. Drafting of these amendments, along with a number of outstanding measures from the General Scheme of the Bill, is at an advanced stage and I intend to bring these provisions as amendments to the Bill as it progresses through the D\u00e1il. Prisons and penal reform A multi-year building programme is progressing at several key sites across the prison estate. To accelerate delivery, I sought and secured an exemption from the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation for six major projects (960 prison spaces) to move straight to Approval Gate 2 - Pre-Tender Approval of the Infrastructure Guidelines. This decision is expected to bring forward delivery timelines on those six projects by 12 to 18 months, while freeing up internal capacity within IPS to advance the wider programme. This acceleration reflects the priority placed by Government on strengthening the prison system\u2019s resilience and providing safe, secure and humane accommodation. This is part of the funded plan to deliver over 1,500 new spaces. In April 2025, I approved the publication of the Probation Service\u2019s 'Community Service - New Directions' Implementation Plan 2025-2027. This plan sets out commitments to drive the delivery and support the increased use of Community Service as a robust and meaningful alternative to imprisonment. Engagement with the Judiciary, imbedding the principles of desistence, restorative justice and social justice, and increasing the visibility and accessibility of community service are part of this plan. A key recommendation of the High-Level Taskforce (HLTF) on mental health and addiction was the establishment of a Community Access Support Team (CAST) to divert those experiencing situational trauma or a mental health crisis away from the criminal justice system, and towards the healthcare system. The CAST project commenced in January 2025 and is a partnership pilot between An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na and the Mental Health Services of HSE Mid-West Community Healthcare which is currently being trialled in the Limerick Garda Division. This has resulted in multiple diversions from arrest and subsequent detentions under Section 12 of the Mental Health Act 2001 to the benefit of individual patients and increased public safety. Building Pathways Together: Criminal Justice Reintegration Through Employment Strategy 2025-2027 The Building Pathways Together employment strategy launched in November 2024 for implementation during the period 2025 to 2027. To date good progress has been made on implementation of the actions identified, including the establishment of a Criminal Justice Employers Network and Criminal Justice Employment Advisory Committee. Both groups met twice in 2025 and a joint meeting of the groups took place in March 2026 to progress the actions further. Through a commitment in the Strategy a fourth round of the KickStart Fund has been confirmed for roll out in 2026 and Pobal will administer the fund on behalf of my Department, the Probation Service and the Irish Prison Service. The Fund\u2019s objective is to support new and existing social enterprises to create meaningful jobs for people with criminal convictions as a stepping stone to mainstream employment. It is anticipated that the Programme will open for applications in Q2 2026.", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2026-05-14/pq_50", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2026-05-14/50/" }, { "date": "2026-05-06", "question_number": 676, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "Deportation Orders", "asked_by": "Ken O'Flynn", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "676. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the total number of persons currently recorded as subject to an active deportation order and whose departure from the State has not been confirmed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32927/26]", "answer": "Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration I propose to take Questions Nos. 676 and 678 together. It is a central priority for me that Ireland\u2019s immigration system is robust and rules based. The enforcement aspects of our laws, including deportation orders, are an essential requirement for the system to work effectively and to ensure that there is confidence in the application of our legislation in this area. Deportations are costly and complex to enforce. It is the preferred option to return people voluntarily and my Department has a voluntary return programme to assist people to return prior to the issuance of a deportation order. A person can only avail of voluntary return before a deportation order is issued and I have increased resources into this programme to enable individuals who wish to return before a deportation order is issued to them. If a person does not remove themselves from the State following the issuance of a deportation order, they will be removed, and my Department has taken action to significantly improve immigration enforcement measures and increase removals. The number of deportation orders signed in 2024 (2,403) increased by 180% compared to 2023 (857). In 2025, 4,700 deportation orders were signed, an increase of 96% compared to 2024.1,513 deportation orders have been signed up to 01 May 2026. In 2024, 1,122 people departed from the State under various mechanisms (i.e. enforced deportation, voluntary return etc.). In 2025, 2,111 people had their departure confirmed through these pathways, an increase of 88% compared to 2024. Up to 01 May 2026, 728 people have departed the State through these pathways. In 2025, six charter flight operations removed 205 people from the State. Of these, five operations to non-EU destinations removed 182 people who were subject to deportation orders and one operation removed 23 EU citizens on grounds of criminality. Two charter operations to date in 2026 have seen the removal of 96 people from the State, including 33 EU citizens who were removed on grounds of criminality. The tables below detail the number of deportation orders signed, as well as the number enforced, from 2020 to 01 May 2026. Table 1. Deportation orders signed from 2020 to 01 May 2026 Year 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 (up to 01 May) Deportation orders signed 598 33 549 859 2,403 4,700 1,513 *Please note, figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing. Table 2. Deportation Enforcement 2020 to 01 May 2026 Year 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 (up to 01 May) Enforced Deportations 42 5 24 51 134 185 96 Removed by Charter N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 182 62 Otherwise Confirmed Deportation (1) 97 33 93 28 28 67 21 Total Deportations 139 38 117 79 162 434 179 Other Removals (2) 40 46 39 24 26 61 52 Number of Voluntary Returns 201 132 91 215 934 1,616 497 Total Removed 380 216 247 318 1,122 2,111 728 *Please note, figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing. ** During the COVID- 19 Pandemic there was a moratorium on deportations. This was effective during the latter part of 2020, 2021 and for the first 8 months of 2022. During the moratorium only people who whose presence in Ireland would be contrary to the public interest were deported. This moratorium was lifted in July 2022. *** A deportation order effected in any year may relate to an order signed in a previous year. 1. Otherwise confirmed deportations is where it has been confirmed a person has left the state following receipt of a deportation order without being escorted. 2. Other removals include Dublin III Transfer Orders of International Protection applicants to another EU State and EU Removal Orders for the return of EU Citizens under the Free Movement Regulations (these orders are made on grounds of criminality) and people who are deemed inadmissible under the International Protection Act. The enforcement of deportation orders is an operational matter for the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB), and my Department works closely with the GNIB to progress arrangements for the removal of people subject to deportation orders. If a person issued with a deportation order does not leave the State independently then they are required to present to the GNIB in accordance with the conditions of their deportation order. It is the case that a significant number of individuals who were subject to deportation orders have left the State without notifying the relevant authorities; however, as there are no routine exit checks at Irish borders, it is not possible to definitely provide the number of people who have or have not complied with an order. I am, however, informed that the GNIB has reviewed a large sample of cases of people subject to deportation orders; their inquiries suggest a very significant number of these individuals have left the State. The nature and extent of these checks are a matter for An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na.", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2026-05-06/pq_676", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2026-05-06/676/" }, { "date": "2026-05-06", "question_number": 678, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "Deportation Orders", "asked_by": "Ken O'Flynn", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "678. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration further to Parliamentary Question No. 834 of 28 April 2026, the number of persons subject to deportation orders that were identified as having left the State following the Garda National Immigration Bureau sample review; the size of the sample reviewed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32929/26]", "answer": "Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration I propose to take Questions Nos. 676 and 678 together. It is a central priority for me that Ireland\u2019s immigration system is robust and rules based. The enforcement aspects of our laws, including deportation orders, are an essential requirement for the system to work effectively and to ensure that there is confidence in the application of our legislation in this area. Deportations are costly and complex to enforce. It is the preferred option to return people voluntarily and my Department has a voluntary return programme to assist people to return prior to the issuance of a deportation order. A person can only avail of voluntary return before a deportation order is issued and I have increased resources into this programme to enable individuals who wish to return before a deportation order is issued to them. If a person does not remove themselves from the State following the issuance of a deportation order, they will be removed, and my Department has taken action to significantly improve immigration enforcement measures and increase removals. The number of deportation orders signed in 2024 (2,403) increased by 180% compared to 2023 (857). In 2025, 4,700 deportation orders were signed, an increase of 96% compared to 2024.1,513 deportation orders have been signed up to 01 May 2026. In 2024, 1,122 people departed from the State under various mechanisms (i.e. enforced deportation, voluntary return etc.). In 2025, 2,111 people had their departure confirmed through these pathways, an increase of 88% compared to 2024. Up to 01 May 2026, 728 people have departed the State through these pathways. In 2025, six charter flight operations removed 205 people from the State. Of these, five operations to non-EU destinations removed 182 people who were subject to deportation orders and one operation removed 23 EU citizens on grounds of criminality. Two charter operations to date in 2026 have seen the removal of 96 people from the State, including 33 EU citizens who were removed on grounds of criminality. The tables below detail the number of deportation orders signed, as well as the number enforced, from 2020 to 01 May 2026. Table 1. Deportation orders signed from 2020 to 01 May 2026 Year 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 (up to 01 May) Deportation orders signed 598 33 549 859 2,403 4,700 1,513 *Please note, figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing. Table 2. Deportation Enforcement 2020 to 01 May 2026 Year 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 (up to 01 May) Enforced Deportations 42 5 24 51 134 185 96 Removed by Charter N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 182 62 Otherwise Confirmed Deportation (1) 97 33 93 28 28 67 21 Total Deportations 139 38 117 79 162 434 179 Other Removals (2) 40 46 39 24 26 61 52 Number of Voluntary Returns 201 132 91 215 934 1,616 497 Total Removed 380 216 247 318 1,122 2,111 728 *Please note, figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing. ** During the COVID- 19 Pandemic there was a moratorium on deportations. This was effective during the latter part of 2020, 2021 and for the first 8 months of 2022. During the moratorium only people who whose presence in Ireland would be contrary to the public interest were deported. This moratorium was lifted in July 2022. *** A deportation order effected in any year may relate to an order signed in a previous year. 1. Otherwise confirmed deportations is where it has been confirmed a person has left the state following receipt of a deportation order without being escorted. 2. Other removals include Dublin III Transfer Orders of International Protection applicants to another EU State and EU Removal Orders for the return of EU Citizens under the Free Movement Regulations (these orders are made on grounds of criminality) and people who are deemed inadmissible under the International Protection Act. The enforcement of deportation orders is an operational matter for the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB), and my Department works closely with the GNIB to progress arrangements for the removal of people subject to deportation orders. If a person issued with a deportation order does not leave the State independently then they are required to present to the GNIB in accordance with the conditions of their deportation order. It is the case that a significant number of individuals who were subject to deportation orders have left the State without notifying the relevant authorities; however, as there are no routine exit checks at Irish borders, it is not possible to definitely provide the number of people who have or have not complied with an order. I am, however, informed that the GNIB has reviewed a large sample of cases of people subject to deportation orders; their inquiries suggest a very significant number of these individuals have left the State. The nature and extent of these checks are a matter for An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na.", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2026-05-06/pq_678", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2026-05-06/678/" }, { "date": "2026-06-10", "question_number": 188, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "Deportation Orders", "asked_by": "Matt Carthy", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "188. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of people issued with a deportation order and the number of persons deported by the State, respectively, in each of the past five years, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44578/26]", "answer": "Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration It is a central priority for me that Ireland\u2019s immigration system is robust and rules based. The enforcement aspects of our laws, including deportation orders, are an essential requirement for the system to work effectively and to ensure that there is confidence in the application of our legislation in this area. Deportations are costly and complex to enforce. It is the preferred option to return people voluntarily and my Department has a voluntary return programme to assist people to return prior to the issuance of a deportation order. A person can only avail of voluntary return before a deportation order is issued and I have increased resources into this programme to enable individuals who wish to return before a deportation order is issued to them. If a person does not remove themselves from the State following the issuance of a deportation order, they will be removed, and my Department has taken action to significantly improve immigration enforcement measures and increase removals. The number of deportation orders signed in 2024 (2,403) increased by 180% compared to 2023 (857). In 2025, 4,700 deportation orders were signed, an increase of 96% compared to 2024. 2,108 deportation orders have been signed up to 05 June 2026. In 2024, 1,122 people departed from the State under various mechanisms (i.e. enforced deportation, voluntary return etc.). In 2025, 2,111 people had their departure confirmed through these pathways, an increase of 88% compared to 2024. Up to 05 June 2026, 977 people have departed the State through these pathways. In 2025, six charter flight operations removed 205 people from the State. Of these, five operations to non-EU destinations removed 182 people who were subject to deportation orders and one operation removed 23 EU citizens on grounds of criminality. Three charter operations to date in 2026 have seen the removal of 130 people from the State, including 67 EU citizens who were removed on grounds of criminality. The tables below detail the number of deportation orders signed, as well as the number enforced, from 2020 to 05 June 2026. Table 1. Deportation orders signed from 2020 to 05 June 2026 Year 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 (up to 05 June) Deportation orders signed 598 33 549 859 2,403 4,700 2,108 *Please note, figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing. Table 2. Deportation Enforcement 2020 to 05 June 2026 Y e ar 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 (up to 05 June) Enforced Deportations 42 5 24 51 134 185 123 Removed by Charter N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 182 62 Otherwise Confirmed Deportation (1) 97 33 93 28 28 67 30 Total Deportations 139 38 117 79 162 434 215 Other Removals (2) 40 46 39 24 26 61 92 Number of Voluntary Returns 201 132 91 215 934 1,616 670 Total Removed 380 216 247 318 1,122 2,111 977 *Please note, figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing. ** During the COVID- 19 Pandemic there was a moratorium on deportations. This was effective during the latter part of 2020, 2021 and for the first 8 months of 2022. During the moratorium only people who whose presence in Ireland would be contrary to the public interest were deported. This moratorium was lifted in July 2022. *** A deportation order effected in any year may relate to an order signed in a previous year. 1. Otherwise confirmed deportations is where it has been confirmed a person has left the state following receipt of a deportation order without being escorted. 2. Other removals include Dublin III Transfer Orders of International Protection applicants to another EU State and EU Removal Orders for the return of EU Citizens under the Free Movement Regulations (these orders are made on grounds of criminality) and people who are deemed inadmissible under the International Protection Act. The enforcement of deportation orders is an operational matter for the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB), and my Department works closely with the GNIB to progress arrangements for the removal of people subject to deportation orders. If a person issued with a deportation order does not leave the State independently then they are required to present to the GNIB in accordance with the conditions of their deportation order. It is the case that a significant number of individuals who were subject to deportation orders have left the State without notifying the relevant authorities; however, as there are no routine exit checks at Irish borders, it is not possible to definitely provide the number of people who have or have not complied with an order. I am, however, informed that the GNIB has reviewed a large sample of cases of people subject to deportation orders; their inquiries suggest a very significant number of these individuals have left the State.", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2026-06-10/pq_188", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2026-06-10/188/" }, { "date": "2026-06-09", "question_number": 1396, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "Visa Applications", "asked_by": "Barry Ward", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "1396. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the position regarding the longest processing time for a join family visa for 2025 and to date in 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43066/26]", "answer": "Minister of State at the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration I propose to take Questions Nos. 1396, 1397, 1398, 1399, 1400, 1401, 1402 and 1403 together. I can advise the Deputy that on 26 November 2025, Minister O'Callaghan and I published the review of the non-EEA Family Reunification Policy, which has remained largely unchanged since 2013, and sets out how Irish citizens and most non-EEA Irish residents may apply to bring non-EEA family members to live with them in Ireland. The revised Policy includes a number of changes, the majority of which took effect for new applications from 26 November, with longer term measures to be introduced as soon as operational considerations allow. The revised policy can be accessed on my Department\u2019s website at the following link: (www.assets.gov.ie/static/documents/f88cb36e/Revised_Family_Reunification_Policy.pdf). Applications made before 26 November 2025 are assessed under the previous policy, which is available at the following link: (www.irishimmigration.ie/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Policy-document-on-Non-EEA-family-reunification.pdf) . I can advise the Deputy that my Department currently operates seven overseas Visa Offices in addition to the Visa Office in Dublin. These are located in Abuja, Beijing, London, Moscow, Ankara, Abu Dhabi and New Delhi. In addition, staff of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade process certain visa applications in Irish Embassies abroad under delegated authority from my Department. The current processing times of applications for join family visas varies depending on the circumstances when the application is made. If a non-EEA national is moving to Ireland because they have been granted a Critical Skills Employment Permit they can apply for join family visas at the same time as their own employment visa. When these visas are applied for together, they are processed in tandem and are typically completed in under eight weeks. My Department aims to process join family visa applications made in other circumstances within 12 months. I can assure the Deputy the majority of join family visas receive a first instance decision within the 12 month business target. The business target reflects the detailed and often complex assessment that is required to be carried out in relation to applications for family reunification. In 2025 the average processing time for all types of Join Family visa applications was 113 days. I understand that extended wait times can be frustrating for applicants, and I want to assure anyone who has made an application for a visa that my Department is doing everything possible to progress these applications as quickly as possible. In this context, the ongoing Immigration Service Delivery (ISD) modernisation programme is designed to support a more efficient, transparent and accessible immigration system. The recent establishment of dedicated teams for Application Submission and Join Family Case Processing are intended to help streamline workflows, reduce duplication and strengthen expertise, thereby improving the service delivery for join family visa applications. Processing times and decisions at the Dublin Visa Office and the Overseas Visa Offices can be checked at the following link: https://www.irishimmigration.ie/visa-decisions/ My Department does not compile statistics in a manner which would identify individual applications as having been processed in the longest or shortest time period. The tables below detail the requested figures in relation to join family visa applications and appeals. Table 1. Join Family visa applications granted at first instance 2023 - 2026 (up to 31/05). Year Join Family (Irish nat.)(de facto partner) Join Family (Irish nat.)(other) Join Family (Irish nat.)(spouse) Join Family (Non-EEA nat.)(de facto partner) Join Family (Non-EEA nat.)(other) Join Family (Non-EEA nat.)(spouse) Join Family (UK nat.) Join Family (de facto partner CSEP/HA) 2022 32 384 546 35 7,256 7,464 32 66 2023 12 501 581 18 7,355 6,700 11 70 2024 18 567 500 51 8,426 7,700 28 63 2025 29 431 533 36 6,927 6,643 52 97 2026 (Up to 31/05/2026) 12 157 269 <5 1,225 1,316 8 21 * Please note, figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing. * A decision made in a particular year may relate to an application received in a previous year. * The Department does not release figures where there are less than 5, as there is a possibility that a person may be identifiable by releasing such information. Table 2. Join Family visa applications refused at first instance 2023 - 2026 (up to 31/05). Year Join Family (Irish nat.)(de facto partner) Join Family (Irish nat.)(other) Join Family (Irish nat.)(spouse) Join Family (Non-EEA nat.)(de facto partner) Join Family (Non-EEA nat.)(other) Join Family (Non-EEA nat.)(spouse) Join Family (UK nat.) Join Family (de facto partner CSEP/HA) 2022 37 378 279 16 444 325 87 8 2023 17 364 394 16 533 416 59 24 2024 7 194 185 12 457 438 41 13 2025 26 119 122 22 367 250 83 25 2026 (Up to 31/05/2026) 8 32 26 7 135 85 22 <5 * Please note, figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing. * A decision made in a particular year may relate to an application received in a previous year. * The Department does not release figures where there are less than 5, as there is a possibility that a person may be identifiable by releasing such information. Table 3. Join Family visa appeals lodged 2023 - 2026 (up to 31/05). Year Join Family (Irish nat.)(de facto partner) Join Family (Irish nat.)(other) Join Family (Irish nat.)(spouse) Join Family (Non-EEA nat.)(de facto partner) Join Family (Non-EEA nat.)(other) Join Family (Non-EEA nat.)(spouse) Join Family (UK nat.) Join Family (de facto partner CSEP/HA) 2022 22 199 200 13 245 200 61 <5 2023 11 190 263 9 267 228 34 12 2024 <5 130 152 6 223 215 28 8 2025 8 52 75 8 158 110 36 8 2026 (Up to 31/05/2026) 6 10 15 <5 55 38 22 <5 * Please note, figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing. * A decision made in a particular year may relate to an application received in a previous year. * The Department does not release figures where there are less than 5, as there is a possibility that a person may be identifiable by releasing such information. Table 4. Join Family visa applications granted at appeal 2023 - 2026 (up to 31/05). Year Join Family (Irish nat.)(de facto partner) Join Family (Irish nat.)(other) Join Family (Irish nat.)(spouse) Join Family (Non-EEA nat.)(de facto partner) Join Family (Non-EEA nat.)(other) Join Family (Non-EEA nat.)(spouse) Join Family (UK nat.) Join Family (de facto partner CSEP/HA) 2022 19 108 149 7 117 115 36 <5 2023 6 63 137 8 87 97 16 9 2024 <5 59 109 <5 83 112 10 <5 2025 <5 99 188 <5 139 173 <5 <5 2026 (Up to 31/05/2026) <5 8 11 0 9 13 <5 0 * Please note, figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing. * A decision made in a particular year may relate to an application received in a previous year. * The Department does not release figures where there are less than 5, as there is a possibility that a person may be identifiable by releasing such information. Table 5. Join Family visa applications refused at appeal 2023 - 2026 (up to 31/05). Year Join Family (Irish nat.)(de facto partner) Join Family (Irish nat.)(other) Join Family (Irish nat.)(spouse) Join Family (Non-EEA nat.)(de facto partner) Join Family (Non-EEA nat.)(other) Join Family (Non-EEA nat.)(spouse) Join Family (UK nat.) Join Family (de facto partner CSEP/HA) 2022 <5 67 49 5 63 44 25 0 2023 <5 55 28 <5 46 26 12 <5 2024 <5 32 26 <5 68 22 8 <5 2025 0 46 14 <5 55 37 <5 <5 2026 (Up to 31/05/2026) 0 14 <5 0 11 7 0 0 * Please note, figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing. * A decision made in a particular year may relate to an application received in a previous year. * The Department does not release figures where there are less than 5, as there is a possibility that a person may be identifiable by releasing such information.", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2026-06-09/pq_1396", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2026-06-09/1396/" }, { "date": "2026-06-09", "question_number": 1397, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "Visa Applications", "asked_by": "Barry Ward", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "1397. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the position regarding the shortest processing time for a join family visa for 2025 and to date in 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43067/26]", "answer": "Minister of State at the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration I propose to take Questions Nos. 1396, 1397, 1398, 1399, 1400, 1401, 1402 and 1403 together. I can advise the Deputy that on 26 November 2025, Minister O'Callaghan and I published the review of the non-EEA Family Reunification Policy, which has remained largely unchanged since 2013, and sets out how Irish citizens and most non-EEA Irish residents may apply to bring non-EEA family members to live with them in Ireland. The revised Policy includes a number of changes, the majority of which took effect for new applications from 26 November, with longer term measures to be introduced as soon as operational considerations allow. The revised policy can be accessed on my Department\u2019s website at the following link: (www.assets.gov.ie/static/documents/f88cb36e/Revised_Family_Reunification_Policy.pdf). Applications made before 26 November 2025 are assessed under the previous policy, which is available at the following link: (www.irishimmigration.ie/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Policy-document-on-Non-EEA-family-reunification.pdf) . I can advise the Deputy that my Department currently operates seven overseas Visa Offices in addition to the Visa Office in Dublin. These are located in Abuja, Beijing, London, Moscow, Ankara, Abu Dhabi and New Delhi. In addition, staff of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade process certain visa applications in Irish Embassies abroad under delegated authority from my Department. The current processing times of applications for join family visas varies depending on the circumstances when the application is made. If a non-EEA national is moving to Ireland because they have been granted a Critical Skills Employment Permit they can apply for join family visas at the same time as their own employment visa. When these visas are applied for together, they are processed in tandem and are typically completed in under eight weeks. My Department aims to process join family visa applications made in other circumstances within 12 months. I can assure the Deputy the majority of join family visas receive a first instance decision within the 12 month business target. The business target reflects the detailed and often complex assessment that is required to be carried out in relation to applications for family reunification. In 2025 the average processing time for all types of Join Family visa applications was 113 days. I understand that extended wait times can be frustrating for applicants, and I want to assure anyone who has made an application for a visa that my Department is doing everything possible to progress these applications as quickly as possible. In this context, the ongoing Immigration Service Delivery (ISD) modernisation programme is designed to support a more efficient, transparent and accessible immigration system. The recent establishment of dedicated teams for Application Submission and Join Family Case Processing are intended to help streamline workflows, reduce duplication and strengthen expertise, thereby improving the service delivery for join family visa applications. Processing times and decisions at the Dublin Visa Office and the Overseas Visa Offices can be checked at the following link: https://www.irishimmigration.ie/visa-decisions/ My Department does not compile statistics in a manner which would identify individual applications as having been processed in the longest or shortest time period. The tables below detail the requested figures in relation to join family visa applications and appeals. Table 1. Join Family visa applications granted at first instance 2023 - 2026 (up to 31/05). Year Join Family (Irish nat.)(de facto partner) Join Family (Irish nat.)(other) Join Family (Irish nat.)(spouse) Join Family (Non-EEA nat.)(de facto partner) Join Family (Non-EEA nat.)(other) Join Family (Non-EEA nat.)(spouse) Join Family (UK nat.) Join Family (de facto partner CSEP/HA) 2022 32 384 546 35 7,256 7,464 32 66 2023 12 501 581 18 7,355 6,700 11 70 2024 18 567 500 51 8,426 7,700 28 63 2025 29 431 533 36 6,927 6,643 52 97 2026 (Up to 31/05/2026) 12 157 269 <5 1,225 1,316 8 21 * Please note, figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing. * A decision made in a particular year may relate to an application received in a previous year. * The Department does not release figures where there are less than 5, as there is a possibility that a person may be identifiable by releasing such information. Table 2. Join Family visa applications refused at first instance 2023 - 2026 (up to 31/05). Year Join Family (Irish nat.)(de facto partner) Join Family (Irish nat.)(other) Join Family (Irish nat.)(spouse) Join Family (Non-EEA nat.)(de facto partner) Join Family (Non-EEA nat.)(other) Join Family (Non-EEA nat.)(spouse) Join Family (UK nat.) Join Family (de facto partner CSEP/HA) 2022 37 378 279 16 444 325 87 8 2023 17 364 394 16 533 416 59 24 2024 7 194 185 12 457 438 41 13 2025 26 119 122 22 367 250 83 25 2026 (Up to 31/05/2026) 8 32 26 7 135 85 22 <5 * Please note, figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing. * A decision made in a particular year may relate to an application received in a previous year. * The Department does not release figures where there are less than 5, as there is a possibility that a person may be identifiable by releasing such information. Table 3. Join Family visa appeals lodged 2023 - 2026 (up to 31/05). Year Join Family (Irish nat.)(de facto partner) Join Family (Irish nat.)(other) Join Family (Irish nat.)(spouse) Join Family (Non-EEA nat.)(de facto partner) Join Family (Non-EEA nat.)(other) Join Family (Non-EEA nat.)(spouse) Join Family (UK nat.) Join Family (de facto partner CSEP/HA) 2022 22 199 200 13 245 200 61 <5 2023 11 190 263 9 267 228 34 12 2024 <5 130 152 6 223 215 28 8 2025 8 52 75 8 158 110 36 8 2026 (Up to 31/05/2026) 6 10 15 <5 55 38 22 <5 * Please note, figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing. * A decision made in a particular year may relate to an application received in a previous year. * The Department does not release figures where there are less than 5, as there is a possibility that a person may be identifiable by releasing such information. Table 4. Join Family visa applications granted at appeal 2023 - 2026 (up to 31/05). Year Join Family (Irish nat.)(de facto partner) Join Family (Irish nat.)(other) Join Family (Irish nat.)(spouse) Join Family (Non-EEA nat.)(de facto partner) Join Family (Non-EEA nat.)(other) Join Family (Non-EEA nat.)(spouse) Join Family (UK nat.) Join Family (de facto partner CSEP/HA) 2022 19 108 149 7 117 115 36 <5 2023 6 63 137 8 87 97 16 9 2024 <5 59 109 <5 83 112 10 <5 2025 <5 99 188 <5 139 173 <5 <5 2026 (Up to 31/05/2026) <5 8 11 0 9 13 <5 0 * Please note, figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing. * A decision made in a particular year may relate to an application received in a previous year. * The Department does not release figures where there are less than 5, as there is a possibility that a person may be identifiable by releasing such information. Table 5. Join Family visa applications refused at appeal 2023 - 2026 (up to 31/05). Year Join Family (Irish nat.)(de facto partner) Join Family (Irish nat.)(other) Join Family (Irish nat.)(spouse) Join Family (Non-EEA nat.)(de facto partner) Join Family (Non-EEA nat.)(other) Join Family (Non-EEA nat.)(spouse) Join Family (UK nat.) Join Family (de facto partner CSEP/HA) 2022 <5 67 49 5 63 44 25 0 2023 <5 55 28 <5 46 26 12 <5 2024 <5 32 26 <5 68 22 8 <5 2025 0 46 14 <5 55 37 <5 <5 2026 (Up to 31/05/2026) 0 14 <5 0 11 7 0 0 * Please note, figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing. * A decision made in a particular year may relate to an application received in a previous year. * The Department does not release figures where there are less than 5, as there is a possibility that a person may be identifiable by releasing such information.", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2026-06-09/pq_1397", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2026-06-09/1397/" }, { "date": "2026-06-09", "question_number": 1398, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "Visa Applications", "asked_by": "Barry Ward", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "1398. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to outline the process behind the assessment and approval of a join family visa; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43068/26]", "answer": "Minister of State at the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration I propose to take Questions Nos. 1396, 1397, 1398, 1399, 1400, 1401, 1402 and 1403 together. I can advise the Deputy that on 26 November 2025, Minister O'Callaghan and I published the review of the non-EEA Family Reunification Policy, which has remained largely unchanged since 2013, and sets out how Irish citizens and most non-EEA Irish residents may apply to bring non-EEA family members to live with them in Ireland. The revised Policy includes a number of changes, the majority of which took effect for new applications from 26 November, with longer term measures to be introduced as soon as operational considerations allow. The revised policy can be accessed on my Department\u2019s website at the following link: (www.assets.gov.ie/static/documents/f88cb36e/Revised_Family_Reunification_Policy.pdf). Applications made before 26 November 2025 are assessed under the previous policy, which is available at the following link: (www.irishimmigration.ie/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Policy-document-on-Non-EEA-family-reunification.pdf) . I can advise the Deputy that my Department currently operates seven overseas Visa Offices in addition to the Visa Office in Dublin. These are located in Abuja, Beijing, London, Moscow, Ankara, Abu Dhabi and New Delhi. In addition, staff of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade process certain visa applications in Irish Embassies abroad under delegated authority from my Department. The current processing times of applications for join family visas varies depending on the circumstances when the application is made. If a non-EEA national is moving to Ireland because they have been granted a Critical Skills Employment Permit they can apply for join family visas at the same time as their own employment visa. When these visas are applied for together, they are processed in tandem and are typically completed in under eight weeks. My Department aims to process join family visa applications made in other circumstances within 12 months. I can assure the Deputy the majority of join family visas receive a first instance decision within the 12 month business target. The business target reflects the detailed and often complex assessment that is required to be carried out in relation to applications for family reunification. In 2025 the average processing time for all types of Join Family visa applications was 113 days. I understand that extended wait times can be frustrating for applicants, and I want to assure anyone who has made an application for a visa that my Department is doing everything possible to progress these applications as quickly as possible. In this context, the ongoing Immigration Service Delivery (ISD) modernisation programme is designed to support a more efficient, transparent and accessible immigration system. The recent establishment of dedicated teams for Application Submission and Join Family Case Processing are intended to help streamline workflows, reduce duplication and strengthen expertise, thereby improving the service delivery for join family visa applications. Processing times and decisions at the Dublin Visa Office and the Overseas Visa Offices can be checked at the following link: https://www.irishimmigration.ie/visa-decisions/ My Department does not compile statistics in a manner which would identify individual applications as having been processed in the longest or shortest time period. The tables below detail the requested figures in relation to join family visa applications and appeals. Table 1. Join Family visa applications granted at first instance 2023 - 2026 (up to 31/05). Year Join Family (Irish nat.)(de facto partner) Join Family (Irish nat.)(other) Join Family (Irish nat.)(spouse) Join Family (Non-EEA nat.)(de facto partner) Join Family (Non-EEA nat.)(other) Join Family (Non-EEA nat.)(spouse) Join Family (UK nat.) Join Family (de facto partner CSEP/HA) 2022 32 384 546 35 7,256 7,464 32 66 2023 12 501 581 18 7,355 6,700 11 70 2024 18 567 500 51 8,426 7,700 28 63 2025 29 431 533 36 6,927 6,643 52 97 2026 (Up to 31/05/2026) 12 157 269 <5 1,225 1,316 8 21 * Please note, figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing. * A decision made in a particular year may relate to an application received in a previous year. * The Department does not release figures where there are less than 5, as there is a possibility that a person may be identifiable by releasing such information. Table 2. Join Family visa applications refused at first instance 2023 - 2026 (up to 31/05). Year Join Family (Irish nat.)(de facto partner) Join Family (Irish nat.)(other) Join Family (Irish nat.)(spouse) Join Family (Non-EEA nat.)(de facto partner) Join Family (Non-EEA nat.)(other) Join Family (Non-EEA nat.)(spouse) Join Family (UK nat.) Join Family (de facto partner CSEP/HA) 2022 37 378 279 16 444 325 87 8 2023 17 364 394 16 533 416 59 24 2024 7 194 185 12 457 438 41 13 2025 26 119 122 22 367 250 83 25 2026 (Up to 31/05/2026) 8 32 26 7 135 85 22 <5 * Please note, figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing. * A decision made in a particular year may relate to an application received in a previous year. * The Department does not release figures where there are less than 5, as there is a possibility that a person may be identifiable by releasing such information. Table 3. Join Family visa appeals lodged 2023 - 2026 (up to 31/05). Year Join Family (Irish nat.)(de facto partner) Join Family (Irish nat.)(other) Join Family (Irish nat.)(spouse) Join Family (Non-EEA nat.)(de facto partner) Join Family (Non-EEA nat.)(other) Join Family (Non-EEA nat.)(spouse) Join Family (UK nat.) Join Family (de facto partner CSEP/HA) 2022 22 199 200 13 245 200 61 <5 2023 11 190 263 9 267 228 34 12 2024 <5 130 152 6 223 215 28 8 2025 8 52 75 8 158 110 36 8 2026 (Up to 31/05/2026) 6 10 15 <5 55 38 22 <5 * Please note, figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing. * A decision made in a particular year may relate to an application received in a previous year. * The Department does not release figures where there are less than 5, as there is a possibility that a person may be identifiable by releasing such information. Table 4. Join Family visa applications granted at appeal 2023 - 2026 (up to 31/05). Year Join Family (Irish nat.)(de facto partner) Join Family (Irish nat.)(other) Join Family (Irish nat.)(spouse) Join Family (Non-EEA nat.)(de facto partner) Join Family (Non-EEA nat.)(other) Join Family (Non-EEA nat.)(spouse) Join Family (UK nat.) Join Family (de facto partner CSEP/HA) 2022 19 108 149 7 117 115 36 <5 2023 6 63 137 8 87 97 16 9 2024 <5 59 109 <5 83 112 10 <5 2025 <5 99 188 <5 139 173 <5 <5 2026 (Up to 31/05/2026) <5 8 11 0 9 13 <5 0 * Please note, figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing. * A decision made in a particular year may relate to an application received in a previous year. * The Department does not release figures where there are less than 5, as there is a possibility that a person may be identifiable by releasing such information. Table 5. Join Family visa applications refused at appeal 2023 - 2026 (up to 31/05). Year Join Family (Irish nat.)(de facto partner) Join Family (Irish nat.)(other) Join Family (Irish nat.)(spouse) Join Family (Non-EEA nat.)(de facto partner) Join Family (Non-EEA nat.)(other) Join Family (Non-EEA nat.)(spouse) Join Family (UK nat.) Join Family (de facto partner CSEP/HA) 2022 <5 67 49 5 63 44 25 0 2023 <5 55 28 <5 46 26 12 <5 2024 <5 32 26 <5 68 22 8 <5 2025 0 46 14 <5 55 37 <5 <5 2026 (Up to 31/05/2026) 0 14 <5 0 11 7 0 0 * Please note, figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing. * A decision made in a particular year may relate to an application received in a previous year. * The Department does not release figures where there are less than 5, as there is a possibility that a person may be identifiable by releasing such information.", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2026-06-09/pq_1398", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2026-06-09/1398/" }, { "date": "2026-06-09", "question_number": 1399, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "Visa Applications", "asked_by": "Barry Ward", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "1399. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the position regarding the number of join family visa applications that were processed in each of the years 2023, 2024, 2025 and to date in 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43069/26]", "answer": "Minister of State at the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration I propose to take Questions Nos. 1396, 1397, 1398, 1399, 1400, 1401, 1402 and 1403 together. I can advise the Deputy that on 26 November 2025, Minister O'Callaghan and I published the review of the non-EEA Family Reunification Policy, which has remained largely unchanged since 2013, and sets out how Irish citizens and most non-EEA Irish residents may apply to bring non-EEA family members to live with them in Ireland. The revised Policy includes a number of changes, the majority of which took effect for new applications from 26 November, with longer term measures to be introduced as soon as operational considerations allow. The revised policy can be accessed on my Department\u2019s website at the following link: (www.assets.gov.ie/static/documents/f88cb36e/Revised_Family_Reunification_Policy.pdf). Applications made before 26 November 2025 are assessed under the previous policy, which is available at the following link: (www.irishimmigration.ie/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Policy-document-on-Non-EEA-family-reunification.pdf) . I can advise the Deputy that my Department currently operates seven overseas Visa Offices in addition to the Visa Office in Dublin. These are located in Abuja, Beijing, London, Moscow, Ankara, Abu Dhabi and New Delhi. In addition, staff of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade process certain visa applications in Irish Embassies abroad under delegated authority from my Department. The current processing times of applications for join family visas varies depending on the circumstances when the application is made. If a non-EEA national is moving to Ireland because they have been granted a Critical Skills Employment Permit they can apply for join family visas at the same time as their own employment visa. When these visas are applied for together, they are processed in tandem and are typically completed in under eight weeks. My Department aims to process join family visa applications made in other circumstances within 12 months. I can assure the Deputy the majority of join family visas receive a first instance decision within the 12 month business target. The business target reflects the detailed and often complex assessment that is required to be carried out in relation to applications for family reunification. In 2025 the average processing time for all types of Join Family visa applications was 113 days. I understand that extended wait times can be frustrating for applicants, and I want to assure anyone who has made an application for a visa that my Department is doing everything possible to progress these applications as quickly as possible. In this context, the ongoing Immigration Service Delivery (ISD) modernisation programme is designed to support a more efficient, transparent and accessible immigration system. The recent establishment of dedicated teams for Application Submission and Join Family Case Processing are intended to help streamline workflows, reduce duplication and strengthen expertise, thereby improving the service delivery for join family visa applications. Processing times and decisions at the Dublin Visa Office and the Overseas Visa Offices can be checked at the following link: https://www.irishimmigration.ie/visa-decisions/ My Department does not compile statistics in a manner which would identify individual applications as having been processed in the longest or shortest time period. The tables below detail the requested figures in relation to join family visa applications and appeals. Table 1. Join Family visa applications granted at first instance 2023 - 2026 (up to 31/05). Year Join Family (Irish nat.)(de facto partner) Join Family (Irish nat.)(other) Join Family (Irish nat.)(spouse) Join Family (Non-EEA nat.)(de facto partner) Join Family (Non-EEA nat.)(other) Join Family (Non-EEA nat.)(spouse) Join Family (UK nat.) Join Family (de facto partner CSEP/HA) 2022 32 384 546 35 7,256 7,464 32 66 2023 12 501 581 18 7,355 6,700 11 70 2024 18 567 500 51 8,426 7,700 28 63 2025 29 431 533 36 6,927 6,643 52 97 2026 (Up to 31/05/2026) 12 157 269 <5 1,225 1,316 8 21 * Please note, figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing. * A decision made in a particular year may relate to an application received in a previous year. * The Department does not release figures where there are less than 5, as there is a possibility that a person may be identifiable by releasing such information. Table 2. Join Family visa applications refused at first instance 2023 - 2026 (up to 31/05). Year Join Family (Irish nat.)(de facto partner) Join Family (Irish nat.)(other) Join Family (Irish nat.)(spouse) Join Family (Non-EEA nat.)(de facto partner) Join Family (Non-EEA nat.)(other) Join Family (Non-EEA nat.)(spouse) Join Family (UK nat.) Join Family (de facto partner CSEP/HA) 2022 37 378 279 16 444 325 87 8 2023 17 364 394 16 533 416 59 24 2024 7 194 185 12 457 438 41 13 2025 26 119 122 22 367 250 83 25 2026 (Up to 31/05/2026) 8 32 26 7 135 85 22 <5 * Please note, figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing. * A decision made in a particular year may relate to an application received in a previous year. * The Department does not release figures where there are less than 5, as there is a possibility that a person may be identifiable by releasing such information. Table 3. Join Family visa appeals lodged 2023 - 2026 (up to 31/05). Year Join Family (Irish nat.)(de facto partner) Join Family (Irish nat.)(other) Join Family (Irish nat.)(spouse) Join Family (Non-EEA nat.)(de facto partner) Join Family (Non-EEA nat.)(other) Join Family (Non-EEA nat.)(spouse) Join Family (UK nat.) Join Family (de facto partner CSEP/HA) 2022 22 199 200 13 245 200 61 <5 2023 11 190 263 9 267 228 34 12 2024 <5 130 152 6 223 215 28 8 2025 8 52 75 8 158 110 36 8 2026 (Up to 31/05/2026) 6 10 15 <5 55 38 22 <5 * Please note, figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing. * A decision made in a particular year may relate to an application received in a previous year. * The Department does not release figures where there are less than 5, as there is a possibility that a person may be identifiable by releasing such information. Table 4. Join Family visa applications granted at appeal 2023 - 2026 (up to 31/05). Year Join Family (Irish nat.)(de facto partner) Join Family (Irish nat.)(other) Join Family (Irish nat.)(spouse) Join Family (Non-EEA nat.)(de facto partner) Join Family (Non-EEA nat.)(other) Join Family (Non-EEA nat.)(spouse) Join Family (UK nat.) Join Family (de facto partner CSEP/HA) 2022 19 108 149 7 117 115 36 <5 2023 6 63 137 8 87 97 16 9 2024 <5 59 109 <5 83 112 10 <5 2025 <5 99 188 <5 139 173 <5 <5 2026 (Up to 31/05/2026) <5 8 11 0 9 13 <5 0 * Please note, figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing. * A decision made in a particular year may relate to an application received in a previous year. * The Department does not release figures where there are less than 5, as there is a possibility that a person may be identifiable by releasing such information. Table 5. Join Family visa applications refused at appeal 2023 - 2026 (up to 31/05). Year Join Family (Irish nat.)(de facto partner) Join Family (Irish nat.)(other) Join Family (Irish nat.)(spouse) Join Family (Non-EEA nat.)(de facto partner) Join Family (Non-EEA nat.)(other) Join Family (Non-EEA nat.)(spouse) Join Family (UK nat.) Join Family (de facto partner CSEP/HA) 2022 <5 67 49 5 63 44 25 0 2023 <5 55 28 <5 46 26 12 <5 2024 <5 32 26 <5 68 22 8 <5 2025 0 46 14 <5 55 37 <5 <5 2026 (Up to 31/05/2026) 0 14 <5 0 11 7 0 0 * Please note, figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing. * A decision made in a particular year may relate to an application received in a previous year. * The Department does not release figures where there are less than 5, as there is a possibility that a person may be identifiable by releasing such information.", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2026-06-09/pq_1399", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2026-06-09/1399/" }, { "date": "2026-06-09", "question_number": 1400, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "Visa Applications", "asked_by": "Barry Ward", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "1400. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the position regarding the number of join family visa applications that were granted in each of the years 2023, 2024, 2025 and to date in 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43070/26]", "answer": "Minister of State at the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration I propose to take Questions Nos. 1396, 1397, 1398, 1399, 1400, 1401, 1402 and 1403 together. I can advise the Deputy that on 26 November 2025, Minister O'Callaghan and I published the review of the non-EEA Family Reunification Policy, which has remained largely unchanged since 2013, and sets out how Irish citizens and most non-EEA Irish residents may apply to bring non-EEA family members to live with them in Ireland. The revised Policy includes a number of changes, the majority of which took effect for new applications from 26 November, with longer term measures to be introduced as soon as operational considerations allow. The revised policy can be accessed on my Department\u2019s website at the following link: (www.assets.gov.ie/static/documents/f88cb36e/Revised_Family_Reunification_Policy.pdf). Applications made before 26 November 2025 are assessed under the previous policy, which is available at the following link: (www.irishimmigration.ie/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Policy-document-on-Non-EEA-family-reunification.pdf) . I can advise the Deputy that my Department currently operates seven overseas Visa Offices in addition to the Visa Office in Dublin. These are located in Abuja, Beijing, London, Moscow, Ankara, Abu Dhabi and New Delhi. In addition, staff of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade process certain visa applications in Irish Embassies abroad under delegated authority from my Department. The current processing times of applications for join family visas varies depending on the circumstances when the application is made. If a non-EEA national is moving to Ireland because they have been granted a Critical Skills Employment Permit they can apply for join family visas at the same time as their own employment visa. When these visas are applied for together, they are processed in tandem and are typically completed in under eight weeks. My Department aims to process join family visa applications made in other circumstances within 12 months. I can assure the Deputy the majority of join family visas receive a first instance decision within the 12 month business target. The business target reflects the detailed and often complex assessment that is required to be carried out in relation to applications for family reunification. In 2025 the average processing time for all types of Join Family visa applications was 113 days. I understand that extended wait times can be frustrating for applicants, and I want to assure anyone who has made an application for a visa that my Department is doing everything possible to progress these applications as quickly as possible. In this context, the ongoing Immigration Service Delivery (ISD) modernisation programme is designed to support a more efficient, transparent and accessible immigration system. The recent establishment of dedicated teams for Application Submission and Join Family Case Processing are intended to help streamline workflows, reduce duplication and strengthen expertise, thereby improving the service delivery for join family visa applications. Processing times and decisions at the Dublin Visa Office and the Overseas Visa Offices can be checked at the following link: https://www.irishimmigration.ie/visa-decisions/ My Department does not compile statistics in a manner which would identify individual applications as having been processed in the longest or shortest time period. The tables below detail the requested figures in relation to join family visa applications and appeals. Table 1. Join Family visa applications granted at first instance 2023 - 2026 (up to 31/05). Year Join Family (Irish nat.)(de facto partner) Join Family (Irish nat.)(other) Join Family (Irish nat.)(spouse) Join Family (Non-EEA nat.)(de facto partner) Join Family (Non-EEA nat.)(other) Join Family (Non-EEA nat.)(spouse) Join Family (UK nat.) Join Family (de facto partner CSEP/HA) 2022 32 384 546 35 7,256 7,464 32 66 2023 12 501 581 18 7,355 6,700 11 70 2024 18 567 500 51 8,426 7,700 28 63 2025 29 431 533 36 6,927 6,643 52 97 2026 (Up to 31/05/2026) 12 157 269 <5 1,225 1,316 8 21 * Please note, figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing. * A decision made in a particular year may relate to an application received in a previous year. * The Department does not release figures where there are less than 5, as there is a possibility that a person may be identifiable by releasing such information. Table 2. Join Family visa applications refused at first instance 2023 - 2026 (up to 31/05). Year Join Family (Irish nat.)(de facto partner) Join Family (Irish nat.)(other) Join Family (Irish nat.)(spouse) Join Family (Non-EEA nat.)(de facto partner) Join Family (Non-EEA nat.)(other) Join Family (Non-EEA nat.)(spouse) Join Family (UK nat.) Join Family (de facto partner CSEP/HA) 2022 37 378 279 16 444 325 87 8 2023 17 364 394 16 533 416 59 24 2024 7 194 185 12 457 438 41 13 2025 26 119 122 22 367 250 83 25 2026 (Up to 31/05/2026) 8 32 26 7 135 85 22 <5 * Please note, figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing. * A decision made in a particular year may relate to an application received in a previous year. * The Department does not release figures where there are less than 5, as there is a possibility that a person may be identifiable by releasing such information. Table 3. Join Family visa appeals lodged 2023 - 2026 (up to 31/05). Year Join Family (Irish nat.)(de facto partner) Join Family (Irish nat.)(other) Join Family (Irish nat.)(spouse) Join Family (Non-EEA nat.)(de facto partner) Join Family (Non-EEA nat.)(other) Join Family (Non-EEA nat.)(spouse) Join Family (UK nat.) Join Family (de facto partner CSEP/HA) 2022 22 199 200 13 245 200 61 <5 2023 11 190 263 9 267 228 34 12 2024 <5 130 152 6 223 215 28 8 2025 8 52 75 8 158 110 36 8 2026 (Up to 31/05/2026) 6 10 15 <5 55 38 22 <5 * Please note, figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing. * A decision made in a particular year may relate to an application received in a previous year. * The Department does not release figures where there are less than 5, as there is a possibility that a person may be identifiable by releasing such information. Table 4. Join Family visa applications granted at appeal 2023 - 2026 (up to 31/05). Year Join Family (Irish nat.)(de facto partner) Join Family (Irish nat.)(other) Join Family (Irish nat.)(spouse) Join Family (Non-EEA nat.)(de facto partner) Join Family (Non-EEA nat.)(other) Join Family (Non-EEA nat.)(spouse) Join Family (UK nat.) Join Family (de facto partner CSEP/HA) 2022 19 108 149 7 117 115 36 <5 2023 6 63 137 8 87 97 16 9 2024 <5 59 109 <5 83 112 10 <5 2025 <5 99 188 <5 139 173 <5 <5 2026 (Up to 31/05/2026) <5 8 11 0 9 13 <5 0 * Please note, figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing. * A decision made in a particular year may relate to an application received in a previous year. * The Department does not release figures where there are less than 5, as there is a possibility that a person may be identifiable by releasing such information. Table 5. Join Family visa applications refused at appeal 2023 - 2026 (up to 31/05). Year Join Family (Irish nat.)(de facto partner) Join Family (Irish nat.)(other) Join Family (Irish nat.)(spouse) Join Family (Non-EEA nat.)(de facto partner) Join Family (Non-EEA nat.)(other) Join Family (Non-EEA nat.)(spouse) Join Family (UK nat.) Join Family (de facto partner CSEP/HA) 2022 <5 67 49 5 63 44 25 0 2023 <5 55 28 <5 46 26 12 <5 2024 <5 32 26 <5 68 22 8 <5 2025 0 46 14 <5 55 37 <5 <5 2026 (Up to 31/05/2026) 0 14 <5 0 11 7 0 0 * Please note, figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing. * A decision made in a particular year may relate to an application received in a previous year. * The Department does not release figures where there are less than 5, as there is a possibility that a person may be identifiable by releasing such information.", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2026-06-09/pq_1400", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2026-06-09/1400/" }, { "date": "2026-06-09", "question_number": 1401, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "Visa Applications", "asked_by": "Barry Ward", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "1401. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the position regarding the number of join family visa applications that were refused in each of the years 2023, 2024, 2025 and to date in 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43071/26]", "answer": "Minister of State at the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration I propose to take Questions Nos. 1396, 1397, 1398, 1399, 1400, 1401, 1402 and 1403 together. I can advise the Deputy that on 26 November 2025, Minister O'Callaghan and I published the review of the non-EEA Family Reunification Policy, which has remained largely unchanged since 2013, and sets out how Irish citizens and most non-EEA Irish residents may apply to bring non-EEA family members to live with them in Ireland. The revised Policy includes a number of changes, the majority of which took effect for new applications from 26 November, with longer term measures to be introduced as soon as operational considerations allow. The revised policy can be accessed on my Department\u2019s website at the following link: (www.assets.gov.ie/static/documents/f88cb36e/Revised_Family_Reunification_Policy.pdf). Applications made before 26 November 2025 are assessed under the previous policy, which is available at the following link: (www.irishimmigration.ie/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Policy-document-on-Non-EEA-family-reunification.pdf) . I can advise the Deputy that my Department currently operates seven overseas Visa Offices in addition to the Visa Office in Dublin. These are located in Abuja, Beijing, London, Moscow, Ankara, Abu Dhabi and New Delhi. In addition, staff of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade process certain visa applications in Irish Embassies abroad under delegated authority from my Department. The current processing times of applications for join family visas varies depending on the circumstances when the application is made. If a non-EEA national is moving to Ireland because they have been granted a Critical Skills Employment Permit they can apply for join family visas at the same time as their own employment visa. When these visas are applied for together, they are processed in tandem and are typically completed in under eight weeks. My Department aims to process join family visa applications made in other circumstances within 12 months. I can assure the Deputy the majority of join family visas receive a first instance decision within the 12 month business target. The business target reflects the detailed and often complex assessment that is required to be carried out in relation to applications for family reunification. In 2025 the average processing time for all types of Join Family visa applications was 113 days. I understand that extended wait times can be frustrating for applicants, and I want to assure anyone who has made an application for a visa that my Department is doing everything possible to progress these applications as quickly as possible. In this context, the ongoing Immigration Service Delivery (ISD) modernisation programme is designed to support a more efficient, transparent and accessible immigration system. The recent establishment of dedicated teams for Application Submission and Join Family Case Processing are intended to help streamline workflows, reduce duplication and strengthen expertise, thereby improving the service delivery for join family visa applications. Processing times and decisions at the Dublin Visa Office and the Overseas Visa Offices can be checked at the following link: https://www.irishimmigration.ie/visa-decisions/ My Department does not compile statistics in a manner which would identify individual applications as having been processed in the longest or shortest time period. The tables below detail the requested figures in relation to join family visa applications and appeals. Table 1. Join Family visa applications granted at first instance 2023 - 2026 (up to 31/05). Year Join Family (Irish nat.)(de facto partner) Join Family (Irish nat.)(other) Join Family (Irish nat.)(spouse) Join Family (Non-EEA nat.)(de facto partner) Join Family (Non-EEA nat.)(other) Join Family (Non-EEA nat.)(spouse) Join Family (UK nat.) Join Family (de facto partner CSEP/HA) 2022 32 384 546 35 7,256 7,464 32 66 2023 12 501 581 18 7,355 6,700 11 70 2024 18 567 500 51 8,426 7,700 28 63 2025 29 431 533 36 6,927 6,643 52 97 2026 (Up to 31/05/2026) 12 157 269 <5 1,225 1,316 8 21 * Please note, figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing. * A decision made in a particular year may relate to an application received in a previous year. * The Department does not release figures where there are less than 5, as there is a possibility that a person may be identifiable by releasing such information. Table 2. Join Family visa applications refused at first instance 2023 - 2026 (up to 31/05). Year Join Family (Irish nat.)(de facto partner) Join Family (Irish nat.)(other) Join Family (Irish nat.)(spouse) Join Family (Non-EEA nat.)(de facto partner) Join Family (Non-EEA nat.)(other) Join Family (Non-EEA nat.)(spouse) Join Family (UK nat.) Join Family (de facto partner CSEP/HA) 2022 37 378 279 16 444 325 87 8 2023 17 364 394 16 533 416 59 24 2024 7 194 185 12 457 438 41 13 2025 26 119 122 22 367 250 83 25 2026 (Up to 31/05/2026) 8 32 26 7 135 85 22 <5 * Please note, figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing. * A decision made in a particular year may relate to an application received in a previous year. * The Department does not release figures where there are less than 5, as there is a possibility that a person may be identifiable by releasing such information. Table 3. Join Family visa appeals lodged 2023 - 2026 (up to 31/05). Year Join Family (Irish nat.)(de facto partner) Join Family (Irish nat.)(other) Join Family (Irish nat.)(spouse) Join Family (Non-EEA nat.)(de facto partner) Join Family (Non-EEA nat.)(other) Join Family (Non-EEA nat.)(spouse) Join Family (UK nat.) Join Family (de facto partner CSEP/HA) 2022 22 199 200 13 245 200 61 <5 2023 11 190 263 9 267 228 34 12 2024 <5 130 152 6 223 215 28 8 2025 8 52 75 8 158 110 36 8 2026 (Up to 31/05/2026) 6 10 15 <5 55 38 22 <5 * Please note, figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing. * A decision made in a particular year may relate to an application received in a previous year. * The Department does not release figures where there are less than 5, as there is a possibility that a person may be identifiable by releasing such information. Table 4. Join Family visa applications granted at appeal 2023 - 2026 (up to 31/05). Year Join Family (Irish nat.)(de facto partner) Join Family (Irish nat.)(other) Join Family (Irish nat.)(spouse) Join Family (Non-EEA nat.)(de facto partner) Join Family (Non-EEA nat.)(other) Join Family (Non-EEA nat.)(spouse) Join Family (UK nat.) Join Family (de facto partner CSEP/HA) 2022 19 108 149 7 117 115 36 <5 2023 6 63 137 8 87 97 16 9 2024 <5 59 109 <5 83 112 10 <5 2025 <5 99 188 <5 139 173 <5 <5 2026 (Up to 31/05/2026) <5 8 11 0 9 13 <5 0 * Please note, figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing. * A decision made in a particular year may relate to an application received in a previous year. * The Department does not release figures where there are less than 5, as there is a possibility that a person may be identifiable by releasing such information. Table 5. Join Family visa applications refused at appeal 2023 - 2026 (up to 31/05). Year Join Family (Irish nat.)(de facto partner) Join Family (Irish nat.)(other) Join Family (Irish nat.)(spouse) Join Family (Non-EEA nat.)(de facto partner) Join Family (Non-EEA nat.)(other) Join Family (Non-EEA nat.)(spouse) Join Family (UK nat.) Join Family (de facto partner CSEP/HA) 2022 <5 67 49 5 63 44 25 0 2023 <5 55 28 <5 46 26 12 <5 2024 <5 32 26 <5 68 22 8 <5 2025 0 46 14 <5 55 37 <5 <5 2026 (Up to 31/05/2026) 0 14 <5 0 11 7 0 0 * Please note, figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing. * A decision made in a particular year may relate to an application received in a previous year. * The Department does not release figures where there are less than 5, as there is a possibility that a person may be identifiable by releasing such information.", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2026-06-09/pq_1401", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2026-06-09/1401/" }, { "date": "2026-06-09", "question_number": 1402, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "Visa Applications", "asked_by": "Barry Ward", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "1402. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the position regarding the number of join family visa application refusals that were successfully appealed in each of the years 2023, 2024, 2025 and to date in 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43072/26]", "answer": "Minister of State at the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration I propose to take Questions Nos. 1396, 1397, 1398, 1399, 1400, 1401, 1402 and 1403 together. I can advise the Deputy that on 26 November 2025, Minister O'Callaghan and I published the review of the non-EEA Family Reunification Policy, which has remained largely unchanged since 2013, and sets out how Irish citizens and most non-EEA Irish residents may apply to bring non-EEA family members to live with them in Ireland. The revised Policy includes a number of changes, the majority of which took effect for new applications from 26 November, with longer term measures to be introduced as soon as operational considerations allow. The revised policy can be accessed on my Department\u2019s website at the following link: (www.assets.gov.ie/static/documents/f88cb36e/Revised_Family_Reunification_Policy.pdf). Applications made before 26 November 2025 are assessed under the previous policy, which is available at the following link: (www.irishimmigration.ie/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Policy-document-on-Non-EEA-family-reunification.pdf) . I can advise the Deputy that my Department currently operates seven overseas Visa Offices in addition to the Visa Office in Dublin. These are located in Abuja, Beijing, London, Moscow, Ankara, Abu Dhabi and New Delhi. In addition, staff of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade process certain visa applications in Irish Embassies abroad under delegated authority from my Department. The current processing times of applications for join family visas varies depending on the circumstances when the application is made. If a non-EEA national is moving to Ireland because they have been granted a Critical Skills Employment Permit they can apply for join family visas at the same time as their own employment visa. When these visas are applied for together, they are processed in tandem and are typically completed in under eight weeks. My Department aims to process join family visa applications made in other circumstances within 12 months. I can assure the Deputy the majority of join family visas receive a first instance decision within the 12 month business target. The business target reflects the detailed and often complex assessment that is required to be carried out in relation to applications for family reunification. In 2025 the average processing time for all types of Join Family visa applications was 113 days. I understand that extended wait times can be frustrating for applicants, and I want to assure anyone who has made an application for a visa that my Department is doing everything possible to progress these applications as quickly as possible. In this context, the ongoing Immigration Service Delivery (ISD) modernisation programme is designed to support a more efficient, transparent and accessible immigration system. The recent establishment of dedicated teams for Application Submission and Join Family Case Processing are intended to help streamline workflows, reduce duplication and strengthen expertise, thereby improving the service delivery for join family visa applications. Processing times and decisions at the Dublin Visa Office and the Overseas Visa Offices can be checked at the following link: https://www.irishimmigration.ie/visa-decisions/ My Department does not compile statistics in a manner which would identify individual applications as having been processed in the longest or shortest time period. The tables below detail the requested figures in relation to join family visa applications and appeals. Table 1. Join Family visa applications granted at first instance 2023 - 2026 (up to 31/05). Year Join Family (Irish nat.)(de facto partner) Join Family (Irish nat.)(other) Join Family (Irish nat.)(spouse) Join Family (Non-EEA nat.)(de facto partner) Join Family (Non-EEA nat.)(other) Join Family (Non-EEA nat.)(spouse) Join Family (UK nat.) Join Family (de facto partner CSEP/HA) 2022 32 384 546 35 7,256 7,464 32 66 2023 12 501 581 18 7,355 6,700 11 70 2024 18 567 500 51 8,426 7,700 28 63 2025 29 431 533 36 6,927 6,643 52 97 2026 (Up to 31/05/2026) 12 157 269 <5 1,225 1,316 8 21 * Please note, figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing. * A decision made in a particular year may relate to an application received in a previous year. * The Department does not release figures where there are less than 5, as there is a possibility that a person may be identifiable by releasing such information. Table 2. Join Family visa applications refused at first instance 2023 - 2026 (up to 31/05). Year Join Family (Irish nat.)(de facto partner) Join Family (Irish nat.)(other) Join Family (Irish nat.)(spouse) Join Family (Non-EEA nat.)(de facto partner) Join Family (Non-EEA nat.)(other) Join Family (Non-EEA nat.)(spouse) Join Family (UK nat.) Join Family (de facto partner CSEP/HA) 2022 37 378 279 16 444 325 87 8 2023 17 364 394 16 533 416 59 24 2024 7 194 185 12 457 438 41 13 2025 26 119 122 22 367 250 83 25 2026 (Up to 31/05/2026) 8 32 26 7 135 85 22 <5 * Please note, figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing. * A decision made in a particular year may relate to an application received in a previous year. * The Department does not release figures where there are less than 5, as there is a possibility that a person may be identifiable by releasing such information. Table 3. Join Family visa appeals lodged 2023 - 2026 (up to 31/05). Year Join Family (Irish nat.)(de facto partner) Join Family (Irish nat.)(other) Join Family (Irish nat.)(spouse) Join Family (Non-EEA nat.)(de facto partner) Join Family (Non-EEA nat.)(other) Join Family (Non-EEA nat.)(spouse) Join Family (UK nat.) Join Family (de facto partner CSEP/HA) 2022 22 199 200 13 245 200 61 <5 2023 11 190 263 9 267 228 34 12 2024 <5 130 152 6 223 215 28 8 2025 8 52 75 8 158 110 36 8 2026 (Up to 31/05/2026) 6 10 15 <5 55 38 22 <5 * Please note, figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing. * A decision made in a particular year may relate to an application received in a previous year. * The Department does not release figures where there are less than 5, as there is a possibility that a person may be identifiable by releasing such information. Table 4. Join Family visa applications granted at appeal 2023 - 2026 (up to 31/05). Year Join Family (Irish nat.)(de facto partner) Join Family (Irish nat.)(other) Join Family (Irish nat.)(spouse) Join Family (Non-EEA nat.)(de facto partner) Join Family (Non-EEA nat.)(other) Join Family (Non-EEA nat.)(spouse) Join Family (UK nat.) Join Family (de facto partner CSEP/HA) 2022 19 108 149 7 117 115 36 <5 2023 6 63 137 8 87 97 16 9 2024 <5 59 109 <5 83 112 10 <5 2025 <5 99 188 <5 139 173 <5 <5 2026 (Up to 31/05/2026) <5 8 11 0 9 13 <5 0 * Please note, figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing. * A decision made in a particular year may relate to an application received in a previous year. * The Department does not release figures where there are less than 5, as there is a possibility that a person may be identifiable by releasing such information. Table 5. Join Family visa applications refused at appeal 2023 - 2026 (up to 31/05). Year Join Family (Irish nat.)(de facto partner) Join Family (Irish nat.)(other) Join Family (Irish nat.)(spouse) Join Family (Non-EEA nat.)(de facto partner) Join Family (Non-EEA nat.)(other) Join Family (Non-EEA nat.)(spouse) Join Family (UK nat.) Join Family (de facto partner CSEP/HA) 2022 <5 67 49 5 63 44 25 0 2023 <5 55 28 <5 46 26 12 <5 2024 <5 32 26 <5 68 22 8 <5 2025 0 46 14 <5 55 37 <5 <5 2026 (Up to 31/05/2026) 0 14 <5 0 11 7 0 0 * Please note, figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing. * A decision made in a particular year may relate to an application received in a previous year. * The Department does not release figures where there are less than 5, as there is a possibility that a person may be identifiable by releasing such information.", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2026-06-09/pq_1402", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2026-06-09/1402/" }, { "date": "2026-06-09", "question_number": 1403, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "Visa Applications", "asked_by": "Barry Ward", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "1403. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the position regarding the number of join family visa application refusals that were unsuccessfully appealed in each of the years 2023, 2024, 2025 and to date in 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43073/26]", "answer": "Minister of State at the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration I propose to take Questions Nos. 1396, 1397, 1398, 1399, 1400, 1401, 1402 and 1403 together. I can advise the Deputy that on 26 November 2025, Minister O'Callaghan and I published the review of the non-EEA Family Reunification Policy, which has remained largely unchanged since 2013, and sets out how Irish citizens and most non-EEA Irish residents may apply to bring non-EEA family members to live with them in Ireland. The revised Policy includes a number of changes, the majority of which took effect for new applications from 26 November, with longer term measures to be introduced as soon as operational considerations allow. The revised policy can be accessed on my Department\u2019s website at the following link: (www.assets.gov.ie/static/documents/f88cb36e/Revised_Family_Reunification_Policy.pdf). Applications made before 26 November 2025 are assessed under the previous policy, which is available at the following link: (www.irishimmigration.ie/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Policy-document-on-Non-EEA-family-reunification.pdf) . I can advise the Deputy that my Department currently operates seven overseas Visa Offices in addition to the Visa Office in Dublin. These are located in Abuja, Beijing, London, Moscow, Ankara, Abu Dhabi and New Delhi. In addition, staff of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade process certain visa applications in Irish Embassies abroad under delegated authority from my Department. The current processing times of applications for join family visas varies depending on the circumstances when the application is made. If a non-EEA national is moving to Ireland because they have been granted a Critical Skills Employment Permit they can apply for join family visas at the same time as their own employment visa. When these visas are applied for together, they are processed in tandem and are typically completed in under eight weeks. My Department aims to process join family visa applications made in other circumstances within 12 months. I can assure the Deputy the majority of join family visas receive a first instance decision within the 12 month business target. The business target reflects the detailed and often complex assessment that is required to be carried out in relation to applications for family reunification. In 2025 the average processing time for all types of Join Family visa applications was 113 days. I understand that extended wait times can be frustrating for applicants, and I want to assure anyone who has made an application for a visa that my Department is doing everything possible to progress these applications as quickly as possible. In this context, the ongoing Immigration Service Delivery (ISD) modernisation programme is designed to support a more efficient, transparent and accessible immigration system. The recent establishment of dedicated teams for Application Submission and Join Family Case Processing are intended to help streamline workflows, reduce duplication and strengthen expertise, thereby improving the service delivery for join family visa applications. Processing times and decisions at the Dublin Visa Office and the Overseas Visa Offices can be checked at the following link: https://www.irishimmigration.ie/visa-decisions/ My Department does not compile statistics in a manner which would identify individual applications as having been processed in the longest or shortest time period. The tables below detail the requested figures in relation to join family visa applications and appeals. Table 1. Join Family visa applications granted at first instance 2023 - 2026 (up to 31/05). Year Join Family (Irish nat.)(de facto partner) Join Family (Irish nat.)(other) Join Family (Irish nat.)(spouse) Join Family (Non-EEA nat.)(de facto partner) Join Family (Non-EEA nat.)(other) Join Family (Non-EEA nat.)(spouse) Join Family (UK nat.) Join Family (de facto partner CSEP/HA) 2022 32 384 546 35 7,256 7,464 32 66 2023 12 501 581 18 7,355 6,700 11 70 2024 18 567 500 51 8,426 7,700 28 63 2025 29 431 533 36 6,927 6,643 52 97 2026 (Up to 31/05/2026) 12 157 269 <5 1,225 1,316 8 21 * Please note, figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing. * A decision made in a particular year may relate to an application received in a previous year. * The Department does not release figures where there are less than 5, as there is a possibility that a person may be identifiable by releasing such information. Table 2. Join Family visa applications refused at first instance 2023 - 2026 (up to 31/05). Year Join Family (Irish nat.)(de facto partner) Join Family (Irish nat.)(other) Join Family (Irish nat.)(spouse) Join Family (Non-EEA nat.)(de facto partner) Join Family (Non-EEA nat.)(other) Join Family (Non-EEA nat.)(spouse) Join Family (UK nat.) Join Family (de facto partner CSEP/HA) 2022 37 378 279 16 444 325 87 8 2023 17 364 394 16 533 416 59 24 2024 7 194 185 12 457 438 41 13 2025 26 119 122 22 367 250 83 25 2026 (Up to 31/05/2026) 8 32 26 7 135 85 22 <5 * Please note, figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing. * A decision made in a particular year may relate to an application received in a previous year. * The Department does not release figures where there are less than 5, as there is a possibility that a person may be identifiable by releasing such information. Table 3. Join Family visa appeals lodged 2023 - 2026 (up to 31/05). Year Join Family (Irish nat.)(de facto partner) Join Family (Irish nat.)(other) Join Family (Irish nat.)(spouse) Join Family (Non-EEA nat.)(de facto partner) Join Family (Non-EEA nat.)(other) Join Family (Non-EEA nat.)(spouse) Join Family (UK nat.) Join Family (de facto partner CSEP/HA) 2022 22 199 200 13 245 200 61 <5 2023 11 190 263 9 267 228 34 12 2024 <5 130 152 6 223 215 28 8 2025 8 52 75 8 158 110 36 8 2026 (Up to 31/05/2026) 6 10 15 <5 55 38 22 <5 * Please note, figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing. * A decision made in a particular year may relate to an application received in a previous year. * The Department does not release figures where there are less than 5, as there is a possibility that a person may be identifiable by releasing such information. Table 4. Join Family visa applications granted at appeal 2023 - 2026 (up to 31/05). Year Join Family (Irish nat.)(de facto partner) Join Family (Irish nat.)(other) Join Family (Irish nat.)(spouse) Join Family (Non-EEA nat.)(de facto partner) Join Family (Non-EEA nat.)(other) Join Family (Non-EEA nat.)(spouse) Join Family (UK nat.) Join Family (de facto partner CSEP/HA) 2022 19 108 149 7 117 115 36 <5 2023 6 63 137 8 87 97 16 9 2024 <5 59 109 <5 83 112 10 <5 2025 <5 99 188 <5 139 173 <5 <5 2026 (Up to 31/05/2026) <5 8 11 0 9 13 <5 0 * Please note, figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing. * A decision made in a particular year may relate to an application received in a previous year. * The Department does not release figures where there are less than 5, as there is a possibility that a person may be identifiable by releasing such information. Table 5. Join Family visa applications refused at appeal 2023 - 2026 (up to 31/05). Year Join Family (Irish nat.)(de facto partner) Join Family (Irish nat.)(other) Join Family (Irish nat.)(spouse) Join Family (Non-EEA nat.)(de facto partner) Join Family (Non-EEA nat.)(other) Join Family (Non-EEA nat.)(spouse) Join Family (UK nat.) Join Family (de facto partner CSEP/HA) 2022 <5 67 49 5 63 44 25 0 2023 <5 55 28 <5 46 26 12 <5 2024 <5 32 26 <5 68 22 8 <5 2025 0 46 14 <5 55 37 <5 <5 2026 (Up to 31/05/2026) 0 14 <5 0 11 7 0 0 * Please note, figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing. * A decision made in a particular year may relate to an application received in a previous year. * The Department does not release figures where there are less than 5, as there is a possibility that a person may be identifiable by releasing such information.", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2026-06-09/pq_1403", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2026-06-09/1403/" }, { "date": "2026-07-28", "question_number": 2435, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "Deportation Orders", "asked_by": "John Clendennen", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "2435. Deputy John Clendennen asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the measures being taken to address the acknowledged difficulty in determining whether persons subject to deportation orders have left the State without notifying authorities; whether consideration has been given to establishing a more systematic exit-recording arrangement at ports and airports; the timeline for the introduction of any entry-exit information system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58774/26]", "answer": "Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration I propose to take Questions Nos. 2437, 2435 and 2436 together. It is a central priority for me that Ireland\u2019s immigration system is robust and rules based. The enforcement aspects of our laws, including deportation orders, are an essential requirement for the system to work effectively and to ensure that there is confidence in the application of our legislation in this area. Deportations are costly and complex to enforce. It is the preferred option to return people voluntarily and my Department has a voluntary return programme to assist people to return prior to the issuance of a deportation order. A person can only avail of voluntary return before a deportation order is issued and I have increased resources into this programme to enable individuals who wish to return before a deportation order is issued to them. If a person does not remove themselves from the State following the issuance of a deportation order, they will be removed, and my Department has taken action to significantly improve immigration enforcement measures and increase removals. The number of deportation orders signed in 2024 (2,403) increased by 180% compared to 2023 (857). In 2025, 4,700 deportation orders were signed, an increase of 96% compared to 2024. 2,650 deportation orders have been signed up to 24 July 2026. In 2024, 1,122 people departed from the State under various mechanisms (i.e. enforced deportation, voluntary return etc.). In 2025, 2,111 people had their departure confirmed through these pathways, an increase of 88% compared to 2024. Up to 24 July 2026, 1,294 people have departed the State through these pathways. Tables 1 and 2 below detail the number of deportation orders signed, as well as the number enforced, from 2020 up to 24 July 2026. Table 1 Year 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 (up to 24 July) Deportation orders signed 598 33 549 859 2,403 4,700 2,650 *Please note, figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing. Table 2. Deportation Enforcement 2020 to 24 July 2026 Year 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 (up to 24 July) Enforced Deportations 42 5 24 51 134 185 148 Removed by Charter N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 182 104 Otherwise Confirmed Deportation (1) 97 33 93 28 28 67 45 Total Deportations 139 38 117 79 162 434 297 Other Removals (2) 40 46 39 24 26 61 102 Number of Voluntary Returns 201 132 91 215 934 1,616 895 Total Removed 380 216 247 318 1,122 2,111 1,294 *Please note, figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing. ** During the COVID- 19 Pandemic there was a moratorium on deportations. This was effective during the latter part of 2020, 2021 and for the first 8 months of 2022. During the moratorium only people who whose presence in Ireland would be contrary to the public interest were deported. This moratorium was lifted in July 2022. *** A deportation order effected in any year may relate to an order signed in a previous year. 1. Otherwise confirmed deportations is where it has been confirmed a person has left the state following receipt of a deportation order without being escorted. 2. Other removals include Dublin III Transfer Orders of International Protection applicants to another EU State and EU Removal Orders for the return of EU Citizens under the Free Movement Regulations (these orders are made on grounds of criminality) and people who are deemed inadmissible under the International Protection Act. The enforcement of deportation orders is an operational matter for the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB), and my Department works closely with the GNIB to progress arrangements for the removal of people subject to deportation orders. If a person issued with a deportation order does not leave the State independently then they are required to present to the GNIB in accordance with the conditions of their deportation order. Each deportation order is accompanied by a letter or notice that informs the person of their obligations and requirements, including the obligation to present to the GNIB at a particular time and date. Other requirements are outlined in the letter, such as the requirement to reside at their address pending their removal and the requirement to co-operate with the GNIB and produce any travel document to facilitate their removal from the State. Any person who is the subject to a deportation order is ineligible for social assistance payments and a range of other public services such as accommodation. It is the case that a significant number of individuals who were subject to deportation orders have left the State without notifying the relevant authorities; as there are no routine exit checks at Irish borders, it is not possible to definitely provide the number of people who have or have not complied with an order. I am, however, informed that the GNIB has reviewed a large sample of cases of people subject to deportation orders; their inquiries suggest a very significant number of these individuals have left the State. It should be noted that individuals also comply with their deportation order and leave the State independently, and provide evidence of their departure to my Department such as flight tickets, boarding passes, the bio-data page of their passport and a re-entry stamp in their passport with the passport number clearly shown. Information on the number and percentage of deportation orders that have resulted in an enforced deportation is not readily available. This would involve the manual examination of a large number of files requiring a disproportionate expenditure of staff resources. Implementing effective border security arrangements is a priority for me, and the Programme for Government commits to developing a comprehensive border security strategy, including the use of technology to support border screening. This work is underway and will, among other things, consider international developments in this regard, such as the development and roll-out of Exit-Entry Systems in the Schengen area and other jurisdictions. Introducing such checks would have significant operational and practical implications, particularly in light of the land border and the operation of the Common Travel Area, and will require careful consideration in that context.", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2026-07-28/pq_2435", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2026-07-28/2435/" }, { "date": "2026-07-28", "question_number": 2436, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "Deportation Orders", "asked_by": "John Clendennen", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "2436. Deputy John Clendennen asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number and percentage of deportation orders signed in each of the years 2021 to 2025 and to date in 2026 that, as of the latest available date, have resulted in an enforced deportation, a charter removal or a confirmed independent departure; the number in each annual cohort that remain outstanding, provided in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58791/26]", "answer": "Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration I propose to take Questions Nos. 2437, 2435 and 2436 together. It is a central priority for me that Ireland\u2019s immigration system is robust and rules based. The enforcement aspects of our laws, including deportation orders, are an essential requirement for the system to work effectively and to ensure that there is confidence in the application of our legislation in this area. Deportations are costly and complex to enforce. It is the preferred option to return people voluntarily and my Department has a voluntary return programme to assist people to return prior to the issuance of a deportation order. A person can only avail of voluntary return before a deportation order is issued and I have increased resources into this programme to enable individuals who wish to return before a deportation order is issued to them. If a person does not remove themselves from the State following the issuance of a deportation order, they will be removed, and my Department has taken action to significantly improve immigration enforcement measures and increase removals. The number of deportation orders signed in 2024 (2,403) increased by 180% compared to 2023 (857). In 2025, 4,700 deportation orders were signed, an increase of 96% compared to 2024. 2,650 deportation orders have been signed up to 24 July 2026. In 2024, 1,122 people departed from the State under various mechanisms (i.e. enforced deportation, voluntary return etc.). In 2025, 2,111 people had their departure confirmed through these pathways, an increase of 88% compared to 2024. Up to 24 July 2026, 1,294 people have departed the State through these pathways. Tables 1 and 2 below detail the number of deportation orders signed, as well as the number enforced, from 2020 up to 24 July 2026. Table 1 Year 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 (up to 24 July) Deportation orders signed 598 33 549 859 2,403 4,700 2,650 *Please note, figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing. Table 2. Deportation Enforcement 2020 to 24 July 2026 Year 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 (up to 24 July) Enforced Deportations 42 5 24 51 134 185 148 Removed by Charter N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 182 104 Otherwise Confirmed Deportation (1) 97 33 93 28 28 67 45 Total Deportations 139 38 117 79 162 434 297 Other Removals (2) 40 46 39 24 26 61 102 Number of Voluntary Returns 201 132 91 215 934 1,616 895 Total Removed 380 216 247 318 1,122 2,111 1,294 *Please note, figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing. ** During the COVID- 19 Pandemic there was a moratorium on deportations. This was effective during the latter part of 2020, 2021 and for the first 8 months of 2022. During the moratorium only people who whose presence in Ireland would be contrary to the public interest were deported. This moratorium was lifted in July 2022. *** A deportation order effected in any year may relate to an order signed in a previous year. 1. Otherwise confirmed deportations is where it has been confirmed a person has left the state following receipt of a deportation order without being escorted. 2. Other removals include Dublin III Transfer Orders of International Protection applicants to another EU State and EU Removal Orders for the return of EU Citizens under the Free Movement Regulations (these orders are made on grounds of criminality) and people who are deemed inadmissible under the International Protection Act. The enforcement of deportation orders is an operational matter for the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB), and my Department works closely with the GNIB to progress arrangements for the removal of people subject to deportation orders. If a person issued with a deportation order does not leave the State independently then they are required to present to the GNIB in accordance with the conditions of their deportation order. Each deportation order is accompanied by a letter or notice that informs the person of their obligations and requirements, including the obligation to present to the GNIB at a particular time and date. Other requirements are outlined in the letter, such as the requirement to reside at their address pending their removal and the requirement to co-operate with the GNIB and produce any travel document to facilitate their removal from the State. Any person who is the subject to a deportation order is ineligible for social assistance payments and a range of other public services such as accommodation. It is the case that a significant number of individuals who were subject to deportation orders have left the State without notifying the relevant authorities; as there are no routine exit checks at Irish borders, it is not possible to definitely provide the number of people who have or have not complied with an order. I am, however, informed that the GNIB has reviewed a large sample of cases of people subject to deportation orders; their inquiries suggest a very significant number of these individuals have left the State. It should be noted that individuals also comply with their deportation order and leave the State independently, and provide evidence of their departure to my Department such as flight tickets, boarding passes, the bio-data page of their passport and a re-entry stamp in their passport with the passport number clearly shown. Information on the number and percentage of deportation orders that have resulted in an enforced deportation is not readily available. This would involve the manual examination of a large number of files requiring a disproportionate expenditure of staff resources. Implementing effective border security arrangements is a priority for me, and the Programme for Government commits to developing a comprehensive border security strategy, including the use of technology to support border screening. This work is underway and will, among other things, consider international developments in this regard, such as the development and roll-out of Exit-Entry Systems in the Schengen area and other jurisdictions. Introducing such checks would have significant operational and practical implications, particularly in light of the land border and the operation of the Common Travel Area, and will require careful consideration in that context.", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2026-07-28/pq_2436", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2026-07-28/2436/" }, { "date": "2026-07-28", "question_number": 2437, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "Deportation Orders", "asked_by": "John Clendennen", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "2437. Deputy John Clendennen asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the procedures used to confirm that a person subject to a deportation order has independently left the State; the State bodies, airlines, foreign authorities or international databases from which confirmation may be obtained; whether confirmation is systematically recorded against the relevant deportation order; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58792/26]", "answer": "Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration I propose to take Questions Nos. 2437, 2435 and 2436 together. It is a central priority for me that Ireland\u2019s immigration system is robust and rules based. The enforcement aspects of our laws, including deportation orders, are an essential requirement for the system to work effectively and to ensure that there is confidence in the application of our legislation in this area. Deportations are costly and complex to enforce. It is the preferred option to return people voluntarily and my Department has a voluntary return programme to assist people to return prior to the issuance of a deportation order. A person can only avail of voluntary return before a deportation order is issued and I have increased resources into this programme to enable individuals who wish to return before a deportation order is issued to them. If a person does not remove themselves from the State following the issuance of a deportation order, they will be removed, and my Department has taken action to significantly improve immigration enforcement measures and increase removals. The number of deportation orders signed in 2024 (2,403) increased by 180% compared to 2023 (857). In 2025, 4,700 deportation orders were signed, an increase of 96% compared to 2024. 2,650 deportation orders have been signed up to 24 July 2026. In 2024, 1,122 people departed from the State under various mechanisms (i.e. enforced deportation, voluntary return etc.). In 2025, 2,111 people had their departure confirmed through these pathways, an increase of 88% compared to 2024. Up to 24 July 2026, 1,294 people have departed the State through these pathways. Tables 1 and 2 below detail the number of deportation orders signed, as well as the number enforced, from 2020 up to 24 July 2026. Table 1 Year 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 (up to 24 July) Deportation orders signed 598 33 549 859 2,403 4,700 2,650 *Please note, figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing. Table 2. Deportation Enforcement 2020 to 24 July 2026 Year 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 (up to 24 July) Enforced Deportations 42 5 24 51 134 185 148 Removed by Charter N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 182 104 Otherwise Confirmed Deportation (1) 97 33 93 28 28 67 45 Total Deportations 139 38 117 79 162 434 297 Other Removals (2) 40 46 39 24 26 61 102 Number of Voluntary Returns 201 132 91 215 934 1,616 895 Total Removed 380 216 247 318 1,122 2,111 1,294 *Please note, figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing. ** During the COVID- 19 Pandemic there was a moratorium on deportations. This was effective during the latter part of 2020, 2021 and for the first 8 months of 2022. During the moratorium only people who whose presence in Ireland would be contrary to the public interest were deported. This moratorium was lifted in July 2022. *** A deportation order effected in any year may relate to an order signed in a previous year. 1. Otherwise confirmed deportations is where it has been confirmed a person has left the state following receipt of a deportation order without being escorted. 2. Other removals include Dublin III Transfer Orders of International Protection applicants to another EU State and EU Removal Orders for the return of EU Citizens under the Free Movement Regulations (these orders are made on grounds of criminality) and people who are deemed inadmissible under the International Protection Act. The enforcement of deportation orders is an operational matter for the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB), and my Department works closely with the GNIB to progress arrangements for the removal of people subject to deportation orders. If a person issued with a deportation order does not leave the State independently then they are required to present to the GNIB in accordance with the conditions of their deportation order. Each deportation order is accompanied by a letter or notice that informs the person of their obligations and requirements, including the obligation to present to the GNIB at a particular time and date. Other requirements are outlined in the letter, such as the requirement to reside at their address pending their removal and the requirement to co-operate with the GNIB and produce any travel document to facilitate their removal from the State. Any person who is the subject to a deportation order is ineligible for social assistance payments and a range of other public services such as accommodation. It is the case that a significant number of individuals who were subject to deportation orders have left the State without notifying the relevant authorities; as there are no routine exit checks at Irish borders, it is not possible to definitely provide the number of people who have or have not complied with an order. I am, however, informed that the GNIB has reviewed a large sample of cases of people subject to deportation orders; their inquiries suggest a very significant number of these individuals have left the State. It should be noted that individuals also comply with their deportation order and leave the State independently, and provide evidence of their departure to my Department such as flight tickets, boarding passes, the bio-data page of their passport and a re-entry stamp in their passport with the passport number clearly shown. Information on the number and percentage of deportation orders that have resulted in an enforced deportation is not readily available. This would involve the manual examination of a large number of files requiring a disproportionate expenditure of staff resources. Implementing effective border security arrangements is a priority for me, and the Programme for Government commits to developing a comprehensive border security strategy, including the use of technology to support border screening. This work is underway and will, among other things, consider international developments in this regard, such as the development and roll-out of Exit-Entry Systems in the Schengen area and other jurisdictions. Introducing such checks would have significant operational and practical implications, particularly in light of the land border and the operation of the Common Travel Area, and will require careful consideration in that context.", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2026-07-28/pq_2437", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2026-07-28/2437/" }, { "date": "2026-07-16", "question_number": 425, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na", "asked_by": "Matt Carthy", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "425. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the current training capacity of the Garda Training College and the capacity in each of the past five years, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54646/26]", "answer": "Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration Getting more Garda\u00ed on our streets to prevent and detect crime and to ensure that people are safe and feel safe, is my first priority as Minister. This Government is committed to ensuring that An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na has the resources it needs and Budget 2026 provides unprecedented funding of \u20ac2.74 billion to the organisation to support it, including in relation to recruitment and staffing. Overall, just under 800 trainees entered the Garda College in 2025, the highest number since 2018. Following two attestations this year, 360 probationer Garda\u00ed have been assigned across the country. 223 and 215 trainees entered the college in intakes in November of last year and February this year so I expect to see in excess of 200 Garda\u00ed attesting in each of the two remaining attestations this year, which includes one at the end of July. The number of Garda\u00ed available to the Commissioner will continue to increase over the coming months as trainees currently in Templemore complete their training and attest from the Garda College. We are now regularly seeing groups of over 200 trainees entering Templemore. The most recent intake of 201 trainees on 4 May was the fourth intake in a row with 200 or more recruits entering the college. The most recent recruitment competition, which closed on 3 June 2026, attracted over 4,000 applications and reflects a strong and steady interest in a career in An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na. It should be noted that the Garda College is also the primary training facility in the State for serving Garda\u00ed and this is reflected in the capacity of the college. Work is under way to increase capacity in the short term with the support of the Office of Public Works and it is anticipated that additional capacity will become available this year. The Garda Training Review Group has been established to identify delivery options to increase the scale and capacity of high-quality education, training and continuous professional development in An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na. This includes consideration for the establishment of a second Garda training college and providing for Garda trainees to undergo part of their training in regionally based Universities or Technological Universities and will help ensure that the skills needs of the organisation are met over the next decade. A former Secretary General is Chair of the Group with senior officials representing the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration, An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na, the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, the Office of Public Works and the Higher Education Authority. The following data outlines the intakes to the college from 2021 to May 2026. Year Intake No. of Trainees 2021 Intake 211 147 2021 Intake 212 73 2021 Intake 213 114 2021 Intake 214 46 2022 Intake 221 24 2022 Intake 222 92 2023 Intake 231 135 2023 Intake 232 154 2023 Intake 233 174 2023 Intake 234 174 2023 Intake 235 109 2024 Intake 241 186 2024 Intake 242 157 2024 Intake 243 125 2024 Intake 244 162 2025 Intake 251 201 2025 Intake 252 170 2025 Intake 253 200 2025 Intake 254 223 2025 Intake 255 215 2026 Intake 261 215 2026 Intake 262 201 Total intake 3297", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2026-07-16/pq_425", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2026-07-16/425/" }, { "date": "2026-09-23", "question_number": 123, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "Immigration Status", "asked_by": "Matt Carthy", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "123. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of persons found to be unlawfully present in the State due to overstaying a visa or residence permission in each of the past five years; the number who were required to leave the State; the number made subject to deportation orders; the number whose subsequent applications for visas, residence permissions, citizenship or re-entry were refused, in whole or in part, on the basis of previous non-compliance with immigration permissions. [67600/26]", "answer": "Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration It is a central priority for me that Ireland's immigration system is robust and rules-based. Effective enforcement of our immigration laws, including the implementation of deportation orders, is essential to maintaining confidence in the integrity of the system and ensuring that our legislation is applied consistently. Any person who is, or becomes, illegally resident in the State is issued with a Notification of Intention to Deport under section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999, as amended. This notification is also sent to the person's legal representative (a solicitor or barrister), where one is known. The notification advises the individual of the options available to them at that point. The person must choose one of the following options within 15 working days of the issuance of the notification: \u2022 Leave the State voluntarily; \u2022 Consent to deportation; or \u2022 Submit written representations outlining why a Deportation Order should not be made against them. Where a person does not leave the State following the issuance of a deportation order, enforcement action may be required. In recent years, my Department has taken significant steps to strengthen immigration enforcement and increase the number of removals carried out. The number of deportation orders signed in 2024 (2,403) represented an increase of 180% compared with 2023 (857). In 2025, a total of 4,700 deportation orders were signed, a further increase of 96% on the 2024 figure. As of 18 September 2026, 3,381 deportation orders had been signed. Table 2: Deportation Orders Signed, 2021-2026 Year 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 (18/09/26) Deportation orders signed 33 549 857 2,403 4,700 3,381 * Please note, figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing. * During the COVID- 19 Pandemic there was a moratorium on deportations. This was effective during the latter part of 2020, 2021 and for the first 8 months of 2022. During the moratorium only people who whose presence in Ireland would be contrary to the public interest were deported. This moratorium was lifted in July 2022. In 2025, six charter flight operations removed 205 people from the State. Of these, five operations to non-EU destinations removed 182 people who were subject to deportation orders and one operation removed 23 EU citizens on grounds of criminality. In 2026 to date, six charter flights have removed 221 people. The table below details the number of deportations, removals and voluntary returns from 2021 to 18 September 2026. Table 2. Deportation Enforcement 2021 to 2026 Year Enforced Deportations Otherwise Confirmed Deportations (1) Total Deportations Other Removals (2) Voluntary Returns Total Removed 2021 5 33 38 46 132 216 2022 24 93 117 39 91 247 2023 51 28 79 24 215 318 2024 134 28 162 26 934 1,122 2025 367 67 434 61 1,616 2,111 2026 (18/09/26) 284 72 356 119 1,202 1,677 * Please note, figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing. * During the COVID-19 Pandemic there was a moratorium on deportations. This was effective during the latter part of 2020, 2021 and for the first 8 months of 2022. During the moratorium only people who whose presence in Ireland would be contrary to the public interest were deported. This moratorium was lifted in July 2022. * A deportation effected in a particular year may relate to a Deportation Order signed in a previous year. 1. Otherwise confirmed deportations is where it has been confirmed a person has left the state following receipt of a deportation order without being escorted. 2. Other removals include Dublin III Transfer Orders of International Protection applicants to another EU State and EU Removal Orders for the return of EU Citizens under the Free Movement Regulations (these orders are made on grounds of criminality) and people who are deemed inadmissible under the International Protection Act. The enforcement of deportation orders is an operational matter for the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB), and my Department works closely with the GNIB to facilitate the removal of individuals who are subject to deportation orders. Where a person does not leave the State voluntarily, they are required to present to the GNIB in accordance with the conditions attached to their deportation order. The number of enforced deportations has increased by 19% compared with the same period in 2025, rising from 235 to 282. In addition, the number of EU removals carried out on grounds of criminality has increased by 500% for the same period in 2025, rising from 19 to 114 over the same period. It is also the case that a significant number of persons who are subject to deportation orders leave the State without notifying the relevant authorities. As there are no routine exit checks at Ireland's borders, it is not possible to determine definitively the number of individuals who have complied with a deportation order. However, I am informed that the GNIB has reviewed a substantial sample of such cases, and its inquiries indicate that a very significant proportion of these individuals have departed the State. Statistics are not maintained in a manner that allows for the extraction of data on the number of people who subsequently applied for visas, residence permissions, citizenship, or re-entry and were refused. Any person who is subject to a Deportation Order is required to leave the State and will not be granted any permission to remain in the State or a visa to return to the State unless that Deportation Order is revoked.", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2026-09-23/pq_123", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2026-09-23/123/" }, { "date": "2026-09-16", "question_number": 873, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "Deportation Orders", "asked_by": "Ken O'Flynn", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "873. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of deportation orders signed in each year from 2020 to 2025; the number of confirmed departures recorded by the Garda National Immigration Bureau in respect of persons subject to those orders in each of those years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [64816/26]", "answer": "Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration I propose to take Questions Nos. 873 and 875 together. It is a central priority for me that Ireland's immigration system is robust and rules-based. Effective enforcement of our immigration laws, including the implementation of deportation orders, is essential to maintaining confidence in the integrity of the system and ensuring that our legislation is applied consistently. Deportations are often costly and complex to carry out. Consequently, voluntary return is the preferred option wherever possible. My Department operates a voluntary return programme to assist individuals who wish to leave the State before a deportation order is issued. As access to this programme is only available prior to the making of a deportation order, I have increased the resources available to support those who choose to return voluntarily at an earlier stage. Where a person does not leave the State following the issuance of a deportation order, enforcement action may be required. In recent years, my Department has taken significant steps to strengthen immigration enforcement and increase the number of removals carried out. The number of deportation orders signed in 2024 (2,403) represented an increase of 180% compared with 2023 (857). In 2025, a total of 4,700 deportation orders were signed, a further increase of 96% on the 2024 figure. As of 11 September 2026, 3,190 deportation orders had been signed. Table 1: Deportation Orders Signed, 2020-2026 Year 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 (11/09/26) Deportation orders signed 598 33 549 857 2,403 4,700 3,190 * Please note, figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing. * During the COVID- 19 Pandemic there was a moratorium on deportations. This was effective during the latter part of 2020, 2021 and for the first 8 months of 2022. During the moratorium only people who whose presence in Ireland would be contrary to the public interest were deported. This moratorium was lifted in July 2022. In 2025, six charter flight operations removed 205 people from the State. Of these, five operations to non-EU destinations removed 182 people who were subject to deportation orders and one operation removed 23 EU citizens on grounds of criminality. Five charter operations to date in 2026 have seen the removal of 178 people from the State, including 67 EU citizens who were removed on grounds of criminality. The table below details the number of deportations, removals and voluntary returns from 2020 to 11 September 2026. Table 2. Deportation Enforcement 2020 to 2026 Year Enforced Deportations Otherwise Confirmed Deportations (1) Total Deportations Other Removals (2) Voluntary Returns Total Removed 2020 42 97 139 40 201 380 2021 5 33 38 46 132 216 2022 24 93 117 39 91 247 2023 51 28 79 24 215 318 2024 134 28 162 26 934 1,122 2025 367 67 434 61 1,616 2,111 2026 (11/09/26) 282 67 349 115 1,160 1,624 * Please note, figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing. * During the COVID-19 Pandemic there was a moratorium on deportations. This was effective during the latter part of 2020, 2021 and for the first 8 months of 2022. During the moratorium only people who whose presence in Ireland would be contrary to the public interest were deported. This moratorium was lifted in July 2022. * A deportation effected in a particular year may relate to a Deportation Order signed in a previous year. 1. Otherwise confirmed deportations is where it has been confirmed a person has left the state following receipt of a deportation order without being escorted. 2. Other removals include Dublin III Transfer Orders of International Protection applicants to another EU State and EU Removal Orders for the return of EU Citizens under the Free Movement Regulations (these orders are made on grounds of criminality) and people who are deemed inadmissible under the International Protection Act. The enforcement of deportation orders is an operational matter for the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB), and my Department works closely with the GNIB to facilitate the removal of individuals who are subject to deportation orders. Where a person does not leave the State voluntarily, they are required to present to the GNIB in accordance with the conditions attached to their deportation order. While my Department does not operate specific targets or performance indicators regarding the proportion of deportation orders that are ultimately enforced, I can advise the Deputy that the number of enforced deportations has increased by 20% compared with the same period in 2025, rising from 235 to 282. In addition, the number of EU removals carried out on grounds of criminality has increased by 511%, rising from 18 to 110 over the same period. It is also the case that a significant number of persons who are subject to deportation orders leave the State without notifying the relevant authorities. As there are no routine exit checks at Ireland's borders, it is not possible to determine definitively the number of individuals who have complied with a deportation order. However, I am informed that the GNIB has reviewed a substantial sample of such cases, and its inquiries indicate that a very significant proportion of these individuals have departed the State.", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2026-09-16/pq_873", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2026-09-16/873/" }, { "date": "2026-09-16", "question_number": 875, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "Deportation Orders", "asked_by": "Ken O'Flynn", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "875. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if his Department has set any target or performance indicator for the proportion of signed deportation orders that are enforced; if not, whether his Department will consider setting one; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [64811/26]", "answer": "Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration I propose to take Questions Nos. 873 and 875 together. It is a central priority for me that Ireland's immigration system is robust and rules-based. Effective enforcement of our immigration laws, including the implementation of deportation orders, is essential to maintaining confidence in the integrity of the system and ensuring that our legislation is applied consistently. Deportations are often costly and complex to carry out. Consequently, voluntary return is the preferred option wherever possible. My Department operates a voluntary return programme to assist individuals who wish to leave the State before a deportation order is issued. As access to this programme is only available prior to the making of a deportation order, I have increased the resources available to support those who choose to return voluntarily at an earlier stage. Where a person does not leave the State following the issuance of a deportation order, enforcement action may be required. In recent years, my Department has taken significant steps to strengthen immigration enforcement and increase the number of removals carried out. The number of deportation orders signed in 2024 (2,403) represented an increase of 180% compared with 2023 (857). In 2025, a total of 4,700 deportation orders were signed, a further increase of 96% on the 2024 figure. As of 11 September 2026, 3,190 deportation orders had been signed. Table 1: Deportation Orders Signed, 2020-2026 Year 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 (11/09/26) Deportation orders signed 598 33 549 857 2,403 4,700 3,190 * Please note, figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing. * During the COVID- 19 Pandemic there was a moratorium on deportations. This was effective during the latter part of 2020, 2021 and for the first 8 months of 2022. During the moratorium only people who whose presence in Ireland would be contrary to the public interest were deported. This moratorium was lifted in July 2022. In 2025, six charter flight operations removed 205 people from the State. Of these, five operations to non-EU destinations removed 182 people who were subject to deportation orders and one operation removed 23 EU citizens on grounds of criminality. Five charter operations to date in 2026 have seen the removal of 178 people from the State, including 67 EU citizens who were removed on grounds of criminality. The table below details the number of deportations, removals and voluntary returns from 2020 to 11 September 2026. Table 2. Deportation Enforcement 2020 to 2026 Year Enforced Deportations Otherwise Confirmed Deportations (1) Total Deportations Other Removals (2) Voluntary Returns Total Removed 2020 42 97 139 40 201 380 2021 5 33 38 46 132 216 2022 24 93 117 39 91 247 2023 51 28 79 24 215 318 2024 134 28 162 26 934 1,122 2025 367 67 434 61 1,616 2,111 2026 (11/09/26) 282 67 349 115 1,160 1,624 * Please note, figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing. * During the COVID-19 Pandemic there was a moratorium on deportations. This was effective during the latter part of 2020, 2021 and for the first 8 months of 2022. During the moratorium only people who whose presence in Ireland would be contrary to the public interest were deported. This moratorium was lifted in July 2022. * A deportation effected in a particular year may relate to a Deportation Order signed in a previous year. 1. Otherwise confirmed deportations is where it has been confirmed a person has left the state following receipt of a deportation order without being escorted. 2. Other removals include Dublin III Transfer Orders of International Protection applicants to another EU State and EU Removal Orders for the return of EU Citizens under the Free Movement Regulations (these orders are made on grounds of criminality) and people who are deemed inadmissible under the International Protection Act. The enforcement of deportation orders is an operational matter for the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB), and my Department works closely with the GNIB to facilitate the removal of individuals who are subject to deportation orders. Where a person does not leave the State voluntarily, they are required to present to the GNIB in accordance with the conditions attached to their deportation order. While my Department does not operate specific targets or performance indicators regarding the proportion of deportation orders that are ultimately enforced, I can advise the Deputy that the number of enforced deportations has increased by 20% compared with the same period in 2025, rising from 235 to 282. In addition, the number of EU removals carried out on grounds of criminality has increased by 511%, rising from 18 to 110 over the same period. It is also the case that a significant number of persons who are subject to deportation orders leave the State without notifying the relevant authorities. As there are no routine exit checks at Ireland's borders, it is not possible to determine definitively the number of individuals who have complied with a deportation order. However, I am informed that the GNIB has reviewed a substantial sample of such cases, and its inquiries indicate that a very significant proportion of these individuals have departed the State.", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2026-09-16/pq_875", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2026-09-16/875/" }, { "date": "2026-09-07", "question_number": 2413, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "Immigration Policy", "asked_by": "Peadar T\u00f3ib\u00edn", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "2413. Deputy Peadar T\u00f3ib\u00edn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the total annual expenditure incurred by the State in respect of legal representation for applicants for international protection and other immigration-related matters in each year from 2020 to date, including payments made by the Legal Aid Board, the International Protection Appeals Tribunal and for his Department. [62238/26]", "answer": "Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration It is a central priority for me that Ireland\u2019s immigration system is robust and rules based. In 2025, the International Protection Office (IPO) delivered over 20,200 first instance decisions compared to approximately 14,100 in 2024: a 44% increase. IPAT more than doubled the number of appeals closed from 3,100 in 2024 to nearly 6,300 in 2025. This year, as of 30 August, IPAT has already closed 6,190 appeals and is on track to significantly exceed the number of appeals closed in 2025. As the Deputy will be aware, the International Protection Act 2026 gives effect to the EU Migration and Asylum Pact and came into effect on 12 June 2026. The Pact provides a fair, sustainable and efficient asylum procedure. This will be achieved through convergence in asylum practices across the EU including standardised processing times for decisions: six months for a standard procedure, three months for accelerated and border procedures and two months for processing applicants who have applied for protection elsewhere in Europe. Having a common system across the EU ensures that all applicants are treated the same in every Member State with no incentive to move from one to another. If Ireland had not opted into the Pact, it is likely that we would face higher levels of secondary movement, slower processing and a less efficient returns system. This would result in applicants staying in the system for much longer, at much greater cost to the State, in terms of the provision of accommodation and other supports. My Department can only provide information on spend for the Department. The expenditure for the Chief State Solicitor's Office does not fall within my remit. The table below details department spend on court costs and legal expenses related to international protection from 2020 to the end of June 2026. Court costs typically cover Judicial Review settlements whereby the Department reimburses the State Claims Agency. In addition, legal expenses cover advice on and review of immigration cases. 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026* Court Costs and Legal Expenses 9,343,961 10,360,684 9,325,197 9,411,189 10,589,924 14,766,795 7,342,494 *To end of June 2026 The Legal Aid Board (LAB) is the statutory, independent body responsible for the provision of civil legal aid and advice to persons of modest means. This includes the provision of legal aid and advice to international protection applicants. International protection applicants who meet the financial eligibility criteria may avail of the services of LAB. The Legal Aid Board: - Provides legal assistance and advice in respect of their application. - Advises applicants in relation to the completion of their International Protection Questionnaire (if not already completed) including any grounds that the applicant may wish to set out for the purpose of requesting that the Minister should give them permission to remain in the State. - Assists the applicant in the preparation for the international protection interview and in preparing any written representations to the Minister. - In the case of a negative recommendation on their application, provides representation for the applicant in any appeal they may take to the International Protection Appeals Tribunal (IPAT). Detailed information on civil legal aid services and advice provided to international protection applicants can be found on the Legal Aid Board website at: www.legalaidboard.ie/en/our-services/legal-aid-services/services-for-international-protection-applicants/. The Legal Aid Board has advised that it is not possible to provide a breakdown of expenditure by application stage as this information is not recorded in a manner which allows for the collation of data as requested along the lines sought by the Deputy. As such, it is not possible for LAB to provide a breakdown of expenditure for international protection and immigration related judicial review and other court proceedings. In Table 1, the LAB have provided a breakdown of the annual expenditure from 2020 to 2026 YTD in relation to the provision of legal aid and advice in international protection. They have indicated that the annual expenditure in this table does not include pay or operational costs, as International Protection is one of many services provided by law centres and therefore the expenditure on International Protection cannot be extracted from the overall pay and operational costs for law centres. The table is broken down by expenditure for private solicitors contracted through the Legal Aid Board\u2019s Solicitors Panel for International Protection Matters and for barristers retained from the International Protection Barristers Sub-panel, as well as related service delivery costs such as expert medical reports, translations and interpreter services. Table 1 - 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 YTD \u20ac \u20ac \u20ac \u20ac \u20ac \u20ac \u20ac International Protection Counsel Fees 911 1,569 2,702 64,518 178,141 241,503 161,675 Medical Fees 33,539 34,183 52,814 83,258 176,092 116,446 50,495 Other Fees 304 1,857 344 385 83 385 86 Translations 130,387 10,763 56,986 55,172 121,700 132,577 62,003 Interpretation 143,368 116,628 541,627 1,326,651 1,319,805 1,145,784 772,151 Private Practitioners 935,398 823,873 1,412,658 2,600,253 3,902,575 4,953,527 2,849,916 TOTAL 1,243,907 988,873 2,067,131 4,130,237 5,698,396 6,590,222 3,896,326 All data is correct at time of issue and may be subject to data cleansing.", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2026-09-07/pq_2413", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2026-09-07/2413/" }, { "date": "2020-03-05", "question_number": 409, "chamber": "33rd D\u00e1il", "topic": "Migrant Integration", "asked_by": "Joe O'Brien", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "409. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the annual budget specifically dedicated to migrant integration including for the Office for the Promotion of Migrant Integration and its previous incarnations since the establishment of the junior ministry with a migrant integration remit in 2007. [3343/20]", "answer": "Minister of State at the Department of Justice and Equality I wish to inform the Deputy that service provision to migrants is mainstreamed across all Government Departments. As part of the Transformation Process in the Department of Justice and Equality, the work of the Office of the Promotion of Migrant Integration is now being carried out within the Civil Justice and Equality Policy function, with funding streams administered collaboratively across the Civil Justice and Equality Functions. The table below sets out the budget allocation for each year from 2007 to 2020* in respect of funding for migrant integration, including funding under the Office for the Promotion of Migrant Integration and its previous incarnations, in the Department of Justice and Equality. 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 \u20ac1.784m \u20ac9.293m \u20ac5.165m \u20ac5.464m \u20ac3.638m \u20ac2.502m \u20ac2.344m 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 \u20ac2.312m \u20ac2.346m \u20ac2.445m \u20ac3.831m \u20ac3.951m \u20ac5.222m \u20ac4.804m My Department operates a number of funding schemes in the area of migrant integration, which includes the integration of refugees. The expenditure also includes expenditure incurred by the Irish Refugee Protection Programme for integration of resettled and relocated refugees. A number of funding programmes are administered by my Department, including a National Funding Programme to Promote Integration of Migrants (a scheme for grants spread over 3 years), a small grants scheme (maximum grant of \u20ac5,000 per project) under the Communities Integration Fund, larger grants for multi-annual projects using funding from European sources, including the Asylum Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF) and the European Social Fund (ESF). * Expenditure from 2007 to 2016 relates to the full expenditure of the Office for the Promotion of Migrant Integration.", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2020-03-05/pq_409", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2020-03-05/409/" }, { "date": "2020-10-01", "question_number": 256, "chamber": "33rd D\u00e1il", "topic": "Asylum Seekers", "asked_by": "Carol Nolan", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "256. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Justice the number of minors who have sought asylum after they arrived unannounced at ports or airports from 2011 to date; the ages of the applicants; the outcomes of such applications for asylum; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28072/20]", "answer": "Minister for Justice TUSLA, the Child and Family Agency has statutory responsibility for the care of any unaccompanied minors in the State. If an unaccompanied minor indicates that they wish to apply for international protection, they are referred to TUSLA, either by the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) at the airport/port of entry, or by staff at the International Protection Office (IPO) of my Department. TUSLA will then conduct a Best Interest of the Child assessment. Only after that assessment has been completed and it is decided that it is in the best interest of the child, will they bring the unaccompanied minor to the IPO to make an application on their behalf. Specific arrangements will be made by the IPO in conjunction with TUSLA for the processing of the application. TUSLA will support the minor throughout the process, including attending at their interview. All applications for international protection made on behalf of unaccompanied minors are prioritised by the IPO for processing, and the IPO has specially trained caseworkers to process these applications. The table below sets out the number of applications for asylum (2011 \u2013 2016 inclusive) and for international protection (2017 \u2013 end August 2020) made by TUSLA - Child and Family Agency on behalf of unaccompanied minors. Year Age Group 0 -13 Age Group 14 - 17 Total 2011 2 24 26 2012 1 22 23 2013 2 18 20 2014 2 28 30 2015 1 32 33 2016 0 34 34 2017 3 28 31 2018 0 17 17 2019 2 47 49 2020 to end August 0 18 18 Total 13 268 281 The figures above may be subject to data cleansing. Final decisions in respect of unaccompanied minors for a protection status for the years 2011 - 2020 (end August) are set out in the table below. Year No. of Decisions * 2011 10 2012 11 2013 27 2014 20 2015 24 2016 36 2017 16 2018 18 2019 50 2020 21 Total 233 * These figures relate to the year in which the decision was made and not to the year in which the application was made.", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2020-10-01/pq_256", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2020-10-01/256/" }, { "date": "2022-03-09", "question_number": 145, "chamber": "33rd D\u00e1il", "topic": "International Protection", "asked_by": "Peadar T\u00f3ib\u00edn", "answered_by": "Children", "question_type": "written", "question": "145. Deputy Peadar T\u00f3ib\u00edn asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of refugees admitted into Ireland in each year since 2011, by country in tabular form [13283/22]", "answer": "Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth I am not currently in a position to supply details for refugees admitted between 2011 and 2014 but I will revert to the Deputy with that information. The table below sets out the number of refugees brought into Ireland through the Irish Refugee Protection Programme (IRPP) which was established in 2015. A total of 3,320 people have been brought in through IRPP since 2015. Please find the breakdown of their country of nationality, by year, below: 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 Iraq 27 63 23 5 19 7 Syria 136 531 771 604 764 195 92 Irish born 15 11 9 19 2 Palestine 10 1 Libya 1 Afghanistan 13 Myanmar 2 Total 163 619 807 618 802 197 114 In addition to the 3,320 persons outlined in the table above, I can also inform the Deputy that there were 404 Afghans arrivals in 2021 and 29 Afghans in 2022 in Ireland through IRPP as Humanitarian aid cases. The Irish Refugee Protection Programme Humanitarian Admission Programme (IHAP) administered by the Department of Justice is a further channel for admitting refugees to Ireland and that Department can supply details for this scheme.", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2022-03-09/pq_145", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2022-03-09/145/" }, { "date": "2016-07-12", "question_number": 126, "chamber": "32nd D\u00e1il", "topic": "Emigration Data", "asked_by": "John Deasy", "answered_by": "Taoiseach", "question_type": "written", "question": "126. Deputy John Deasy asked the Taoiseach the number of Irish nationals who emigrated each year from 2006 to 2015, inclusive; and the number of Irish nationals who have returned to live here since the start of 2011. [20707/16]", "answer": "Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach Statistics on migration are included in the CSO's annual Population and Migration Estimates release. The principal source of information for the estimation of annual migration flows published by the Central Statistics Office, incorporating both emigration and immigration, is the Quarterly National Household Survey (QNHS); the published estimates are classified by sex, broad age group, origin and destination, and nationality. The latest release was published in August 2015 and includes data for the years ending April 2011 \u2013 April 2015 inclusive. Table 1 shows the number of Irish migrants for each year 2006-2015 inclusive. It is estimated that there were 304,800 Irish emigrants for the period 2006-2015 inclusive. It is estimated that there were 79,600 Irish immigrants over the period 2011-2015 inclusive. Table 1 - Estimated Irish migrants (persons), 2006 - 2015 1 Year ending April Irish Immigrants Irish Emigrants Net Migration 2006 18,900 15,300 3,600 2007 30,700 12,900 17,800 2008 23,800 13,100 10,700 2009 23,000 19,200 3,800 2010 17,900 28,900 -11,000 2011 19,600 42,000 -22,400 2012 20,600 46,500 -25,900 2013 15,700 50,900 -35,200 2014 11,600 40,700 -29,100 2015 12,100 35,300 -23,200 1 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015 are preliminary and are subject to revision following publication of final data from Census 2016. Source: Population and Migration Estimates, Central Statistics Office.';", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2016-07-12/pq_126", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2016-07-12/126/" }, { "date": "2024-07-23", "question_number": 1585, "chamber": "33rd D\u00e1il", "topic": "International Protection", "asked_by": "Robert Troy", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "1585. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Justice the number of persons seeking international protection who were returned in each year under the Dublin Convention since its adoption, in tabular form. [32924/24]", "answer": "Minister for Justice I can advise the Deputy that the State is required to examine the application of anyone who presents at the borders of the State, or is in the State, and indicates that they wish to make an application for international protection. This is in accordance with our obligations under international and EU asylum law and the Government takes those commitments very seriously. My Department is taking all necessary steps to manage the international protection process fairly, efficiently and effectively, as part of the broader Government response, while ensuring the integrity of Ireland's rules-based immigration system is maintained. Regulation (EU) No 604/2013 (Dublin III Regulations), came into force on 19 July 2013, and lays down the criteria and mechanisms for determining which EU country is responsible for examining an asylum application. The Dublin Regulation is based on the principle that the first Member State to facilitate entry to the EU should be responsible for examining the protection application. In practice, and in keeping with the experience of other Member States, effective implementation of the Dublin Regulation is challenging. Member States have found significant problems with the Dublin Regulation, including the lack of consistent implementation across the Member States and that shortcomings with the design of the Regulation makes it difficult to achieve its main objectives. One of the major benefits for Ireland of the new EU Migration and Asylum Pact, which the D\u00e1il and Seanad have agreed to opt into, is that it replaces the Dublin III Regulation with a more efficient and streamlined process. The Asylum and Migration Management Regulation (AMMR) which will replace the Dublin III Regulation, provides, inter alia, for streamlined criteria and reduced timeframes for determining the Member State responsible for determining an asylum application as well as revised rules on transferring responsibility and addressing evasion. This will significantly improve the current Dublin system by reducing the administrative burden on the Member States seeking to transfer a person to the Member State. It will also extend the period by which a transfer must be carried out from 18 months to 3 years, thereby seeking to address evasion of the process by absconding. Legislation will now be drafted to repeal and replace the International Protection Act 2015. The table below details all Dublin iii Transfers from the State since 2015 to 17th June 2024. Figures before this time are not available. Transfers to the UK under the Dublin Regulation ceased in end 2020 following the UK's withdrawal from the EU. Year Dublin iii Transfers 2015 19 2016 42 2017 56 2018 22 2019 30 2020 15 2021 4 2022 3 2023 3 2024* 6 *To 17 June 2024. **Figures correct at time of issue and may be subject to data cleansing. A decision to transfer made under the Dublin III Regulations expires after six months. This extends to 18 months if the applicant has absconded. If an appeal is launched, a Dublin III decision expires six months from the date the appeal decision is given.", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2024-07-23/pq_1585", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2024-07-23/1585/" }, { "date": "2018-07-24", "question_number": 957, "chamber": "32nd D\u00e1il", "topic": "Garda Deployment", "asked_by": "Kathleen Funchion", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "957. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of garda\u00ed by rank attached to the immigration unit in the Carlow division for each year from 2009 to date, in tabular form. [34415/18]", "answer": "Minister for Justice and Equality I propose to take Questions Nos. 957, 985, 1029, 1072, 1110, 1154 and 1191 together. As the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution of personnel and I, as Minister, have no direct role in the matter. Garda management keeps this distribution under review in the context of crime trends and policing priorities to ensure optimum use is made of the resources. For the Deputy's information, the following table, received from the Garda authorities, presents the latest data for the Garda National Immigration Bureau which forms part of the Garda Special Crime Operations. It is important to note that this is a national unit which supports the immigration-related work of all the Garda Divisions across the Country and the strength of the Bureau is consequently not broken down by Division. Garda National Immigration Bureau 2009-2018 Year Garda Sergeant Inspector SU CS Total 31/12/2009 164 22 5 2 1 194 31/12/2010 154 19 5 2 1 181 31/12/2011 149 17 5 2 1 174 31/12/2012 134 15 5 2 1 157 31/12/2013 126 15 3 1 1 146 31/12/2014 120 12 3 1 1 137 31/12/2015 105 9 2 2 1 119 31/12/2016 99 9 4 2 1 115 31/12/2017 102 15 2 2 1 122 31/05/2018 98 14 2 2 1 117", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2018-07-24/pq_957", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2018-07-24/957/" }, { "date": "2018-07-24", "question_number": 985, "chamber": "32nd D\u00e1il", "topic": "Garda Deployment", "asked_by": "Peadar T\u00f3ib\u00edn", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "985. Deputy Peadar T\u00f3ib\u00edn asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of garda\u00ed by rank attached to the immigration unit, in the Meath division in each of the years 2009 to 2017 and to date in 2018, in tabular form. [34443/18]", "answer": "Minister for Justice and Equality I propose to take Questions Nos. 957, 985, 1029, 1072, 1110, 1154 and 1191 together. As the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution of personnel and I, as Minister, have no direct role in the matter. Garda management keeps this distribution under review in the context of crime trends and policing priorities to ensure optimum use is made of the resources. For the Deputy's information, the following table, received from the Garda authorities, presents the latest data for the Garda National Immigration Bureau which forms part of the Garda Special Crime Operations. It is important to note that this is a national unit which supports the immigration-related work of all the Garda Divisions across the Country and the strength of the Bureau is consequently not broken down by Division. Garda National Immigration Bureau 2009-2018 Year Garda Sergeant Inspector SU CS Total 31/12/2009 164 22 5 2 1 194 31/12/2010 154 19 5 2 1 181 31/12/2011 149 17 5 2 1 174 31/12/2012 134 15 5 2 1 157 31/12/2013 126 15 3 1 1 146 31/12/2014 120 12 3 1 1 137 31/12/2015 105 9 2 2 1 119 31/12/2016 99 9 4 2 1 115 31/12/2017 102 15 2 2 1 122 31/05/2018 98 14 2 2 1 117", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2018-07-24/pq_985", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2018-07-24/985/" }, { "date": "2018-07-24", "question_number": 1029, "chamber": "32nd D\u00e1il", "topic": "Garda Deployment", "asked_by": "Louise O'Reilly", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "1029. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of garda\u00ed by rank attached to the immigration unit in the Dublin northern metropolitan region for each year from 2009 to date, in tabular form. [34517/18]", "answer": "Minister for Justice and Equality I propose to take Questions Nos. 957, 985, 1029, 1072, 1110, 1154 and 1191 together. As the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution of personnel and I, as Minister, have no direct role in the matter. Garda management keeps this distribution under review in the context of crime trends and policing priorities to ensure optimum use is made of the resources. For the Deputy's information, the following table, received from the Garda authorities, presents the latest data for the Garda National Immigration Bureau which forms part of the Garda Special Crime Operations. It is important to note that this is a national unit which supports the immigration-related work of all the Garda Divisions across the Country and the strength of the Bureau is consequently not broken down by Division. Garda National Immigration Bureau 2009-2018 Year Garda Sergeant Inspector SU CS Total 31/12/2009 164 22 5 2 1 194 31/12/2010 154 19 5 2 1 181 31/12/2011 149 17 5 2 1 174 31/12/2012 134 15 5 2 1 157 31/12/2013 126 15 3 1 1 146 31/12/2014 120 12 3 1 1 137 31/12/2015 105 9 2 2 1 119 31/12/2016 99 9 4 2 1 115 31/12/2017 102 15 2 2 1 122 31/05/2018 98 14 2 2 1 117", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2018-07-24/pq_1029", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2018-07-24/1029/" }, { "date": "2018-07-24", "question_number": 1072, "chamber": "32nd D\u00e1il", "topic": "Garda Deployment", "asked_by": "Kathleen Funchion", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "1072. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of garda\u00ed by rank attached to the immigration unit in the Kilkenny division in each of the years 2009 to 2017 and to date in 2018, in tabular form. [34784/18]", "answer": "Minister for Justice and Equality I propose to take Questions Nos. 957, 985, 1029, 1072, 1110, 1154 and 1191 together. As the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution of personnel and I, as Minister, have no direct role in the matter. Garda management keeps this distribution under review in the context of crime trends and policing priorities to ensure optimum use is made of the resources. For the Deputy's information, the following table, received from the Garda authorities, presents the latest data for the Garda National Immigration Bureau which forms part of the Garda Special Crime Operations. It is important to note that this is a national unit which supports the immigration-related work of all the Garda Divisions across the Country and the strength of the Bureau is consequently not broken down by Division. Garda National Immigration Bureau 2009-2018 Year Garda Sergeant Inspector SU CS Total 31/12/2009 164 22 5 2 1 194 31/12/2010 154 19 5 2 1 181 31/12/2011 149 17 5 2 1 174 31/12/2012 134 15 5 2 1 157 31/12/2013 126 15 3 1 1 146 31/12/2014 120 12 3 1 1 137 31/12/2015 105 9 2 2 1 119 31/12/2016 99 9 4 2 1 115 31/12/2017 102 15 2 2 1 122 31/05/2018 98 14 2 2 1 117", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2018-07-24/pq_1072", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2018-07-24/1072/" }, { "date": "2018-07-24", "question_number": 1110, "chamber": "32nd D\u00e1il", "topic": "Garda Deployment", "asked_by": "Louise O'Reilly", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "1110. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of garda\u00ed by rank attached to the immigration unit in the Mayo division in each of the years 2009 to 2017 and to date in 2018, in tabular form. [34822/18]", "answer": "Minister for Justice and Equality I propose to take Questions Nos. 957, 985, 1029, 1072, 1110, 1154 and 1191 together. As the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution of personnel and I, as Minister, have no direct role in the matter. Garda management keeps this distribution under review in the context of crime trends and policing priorities to ensure optimum use is made of the resources. For the Deputy's information, the following table, received from the Garda authorities, presents the latest data for the Garda National Immigration Bureau which forms part of the Garda Special Crime Operations. It is important to note that this is a national unit which supports the immigration-related work of all the Garda Divisions across the Country and the strength of the Bureau is consequently not broken down by Division. Garda National Immigration Bureau 2009-2018 Year Garda Sergeant Inspector SU CS Total 31/12/2009 164 22 5 2 1 194 31/12/2010 154 19 5 2 1 181 31/12/2011 149 17 5 2 1 174 31/12/2012 134 15 5 2 1 157 31/12/2013 126 15 3 1 1 146 31/12/2014 120 12 3 1 1 137 31/12/2015 105 9 2 2 1 119 31/12/2016 99 9 4 2 1 115 31/12/2017 102 15 2 2 1 122 31/05/2018 98 14 2 2 1 117", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2018-07-24/pq_1110", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2018-07-24/1110/" }, { "date": "2018-07-24", "question_number": 1154, "chamber": "32nd D\u00e1il", "topic": "Garda Deployment", "asked_by": "Denise Mitchell", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "1154. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of garda\u00ed attached to the immigration unit by rank the Dublin metropolitan region north, in each of the years since 2009 to date in 2018, in tabular form. [34949/18]", "answer": "Minister for Justice and Equality I propose to take Questions Nos. 957, 985, 1029, 1072, 1110, 1154 and 1191 together. As the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution of personnel and I, as Minister, have no direct role in the matter. Garda management keeps this distribution under review in the context of crime trends and policing priorities to ensure optimum use is made of the resources. For the Deputy's information, the following table, received from the Garda authorities, presents the latest data for the Garda National Immigration Bureau which forms part of the Garda Special Crime Operations. It is important to note that this is a national unit which supports the immigration-related work of all the Garda Divisions across the Country and the strength of the Bureau is consequently not broken down by Division. Garda National Immigration Bureau 2009-2018 Year Garda Sergeant Inspector SU CS Total 31/12/2009 164 22 5 2 1 194 31/12/2010 154 19 5 2 1 181 31/12/2011 149 17 5 2 1 174 31/12/2012 134 15 5 2 1 157 31/12/2013 126 15 3 1 1 146 31/12/2014 120 12 3 1 1 137 31/12/2015 105 9 2 2 1 119 31/12/2016 99 9 4 2 1 115 31/12/2017 102 15 2 2 1 122 31/05/2018 98 14 2 2 1 117", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2018-07-24/pq_1154", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2018-07-24/1154/" }, { "date": "2018-07-24", "question_number": 1191, "chamber": "32nd D\u00e1il", "topic": "Garda Deployment", "asked_by": "Martin Kenny", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "1191. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of garda\u00ed by rank attached to the immigration unit in the Sligo-Leitrim division in each of the years 2009 to 2017 and to date in 2018, in tabular form. [34990/18]", "answer": "Minister for Justice and Equality I propose to take Questions Nos. 957, 985, 1029, 1072, 1110, 1154 and 1191 together. As the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution of personnel and I, as Minister, have no direct role in the matter. Garda management keeps this distribution under review in the context of crime trends and policing priorities to ensure optimum use is made of the resources. For the Deputy's information, the following table, received from the Garda authorities, presents the latest data for the Garda National Immigration Bureau which forms part of the Garda Special Crime Operations. It is important to note that this is a national unit which supports the immigration-related work of all the Garda Divisions across the Country and the strength of the Bureau is consequently not broken down by Division. Garda National Immigration Bureau 2009-2018 Year Garda Sergeant Inspector SU CS Total 31/12/2009 164 22 5 2 1 194 31/12/2010 154 19 5 2 1 181 31/12/2011 149 17 5 2 1 174 31/12/2012 134 15 5 2 1 157 31/12/2013 126 15 3 1 1 146 31/12/2014 120 12 3 1 1 137 31/12/2015 105 9 2 2 1 119 31/12/2016 99 9 4 2 1 115 31/12/2017 102 15 2 2 1 122 31/05/2018 98 14 2 2 1 117", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2018-07-24/pq_1191", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2018-07-24/1191/" }, { "date": "2020-03-05", "question_number": 1110, "chamber": "33rd D\u00e1il", "topic": "Direct Provision Data", "asked_by": "Roderic O'Gorman", "answered_by": "Employment", "question_type": "written", "question": "1110. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the amount paid annually through the daily expenses allowance since 2000, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3292/20]", "answer": "Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection (Regina Doherty) Applicants for International Protection accommodated under the system of Direct Provision operated by the International Protection Accommodation Services (IPAS) of the Department of Justice and Equality are provided with full board accommodation and other facilities/services. The Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection administers the daily expenses allowance (DEA) which is paid to protection applicants who live in the direct provision system. The payment was previously known as direct provision allowance (DPA). The Government has provided \u20ac13.1 million for the allowance in 2020. The weekly rates of payment were increased in Budget 2019 from \u20ac21.60 per adult and per child to \u20ac38.80 per adult and to \u20ac29.80 per child. The tabular statement provides details of expenditure on daily expenses allowance since 2009. Expenditure figures for previous years are not available (as the allowance was accounted for as part of the basic supplementary welfare allowance scheme). Tabular Statement - Expenditure on Daily Expenses Allowance, 2009 \u2013 2020 Year DEA Expenditure 2009 \u20ac7.34m 2010 \u20ac6.62m 2011 \u20ac5.55m 2012 \u20ac3.80m 2013 \u20ac3.78m 2014 \u20ac3.63m 2015 \u20ac3.85m 2016 \u20ac3.99m 2017 \u20ac4.91m 2018 \u20ac6.36m 2019 \u20ac11.2m (provisional) 2020 \u20ac13.1m (estimate)", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2020-03-05/pq_1110", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2020-03-05/1110/" }, { "date": "2025-09-08", "question_number": 1597, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na", "asked_by": "Matt Carthy", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "1597. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of Garda\u00ed who resigned within five years of joining An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na in each of the past 10 years and to date in 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45644/25]", "answer": "Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration I am advised that a total of 398 Garda\u00ed resigned from An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na within five years of joining in the past ten years, as of 31 July 2025. There were none recorded in 2015. The breakdown for 2016 to 2025 is as follows: 2016 12 2017 8 2018 25 2019 36 2020 40 2021 59 2022 56 2023 66 2024 65 2025 (as of 31 July) 31 Grand Total 398 The number of Garda\u00ed who opt to resign is still low by any objective standard, with the resignation rate currently between 1% and 2%. According to An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na, its level of resignations is far below those experienced by UK police services, which is approximately 10%, and is far below those experienced by the private sector which is between 10% and 20%. In addition, police services in the US, New Zealand, and Canada have all reported an increase in resignations in excess of the Garda resignation rate in the last few years. There is still a strong interest in a career in An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na. The latest Garda recruitment campaign in February attracted 6,784 applicants and I am informed by the Garda Commissioner that there is a second competition opening in September. However, it is not a career that suits everyone and it is increasingly the case, especially in Ireland's very strong economy, that people may wish to change career. It is also the case that some Garda\u00ed rejoin again after leaving the organisation.", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2025-09-08/pq_1597", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2025-09-08/1597/" }, { "date": "2026-06-16", "question_number": 679, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "Asylum Applications", "asked_by": "Carol Nolan", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "679. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of asylum seeker applications received from persons originating in Judea, Samara or the Gaza Strip in each year from 2016 to date. [45514/26]", "answer": "Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration My Department takes all necessary steps to manage the international protection process efficiently and effectively, while ensuring the integrity of those processes is maintained at all times. It is not possible to provide a detailed breakdown of the specific area in a country from which international protection applicants originate. The following table shows the number of Palestinian nationals who have applied for international protection since 2016. Year 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026* Total Number of Applications from Palestinian nationals 19 23 42 34 12 11 37 118 955 173 81 1,505 *To 10 June 2026 Please note figures are correct at time of issue and may be subject to data cleansing.", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2026-06-16/pq_679", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2026-06-16/679/" }, { "date": "2017-01-17", "question_number": 181, "chamber": "32nd D\u00e1il", "topic": "Naturalisation Applications", "asked_by": "Ruth Coppinger", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "181. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the T\u00e1naiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of applications for naturalisation that have been applied for on behalf of persons under 18 years of age each year from 2005 to 2016 inclusive; and the number of these applications that were by persons born here. [1484/17]", "answer": "T\u00e1naiste and Minister for Justice and Equality I propose to take Questions Nos. 181 to 183, inclusive, together. I am informed by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the retrieval and compilation of the information requested by the Deputy for the period 2005 to 2009 would necessitate a disproportionate use of time and resources which could not be justified in circumstances where the priority is to deal with the cases on hand. Information can, however, be provided for the years 2010 to 2016 inclusive and is shown below. The number of applications for naturalisation received on behalf of persons under 18 years of age for the years 2010-2016 inclusive, and the number of these that were on behalf of persons born in the State, is as follows: Year 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 Total Applications on behalf of minors 1,654 3,108 5,776 6,261 4,140 2,455 2,224 25,618 Applications on behalf of minors born in the State 98 746 1,423 1,882 1,328 799 684 6,960 The number of certificates of naturalisation granted to persons under 18 years of age for the years 2010-2016 inclusive, and the number of these which were granted to persons born in the State, is as follows: Year 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 Total Certificates granted to minors 1,335 903 5,167 6,325 6,100 2,568 2,065 24,463 Certificates granted to minors born in the State 9 15 966 1,939 1,956 867 667 6,419 The total number of certificates of naturalisation issued in the years 2011 to 2016 inclusive was 104,891.", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2017-01-17/pq_181", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2017-01-17/181/" }, { "date": "2017-01-17", "question_number": 182, "chamber": "32nd D\u00e1il", "topic": "Naturalisation Applications", "asked_by": "Ruth Coppinger", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "182. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the T\u00e1naiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of certificates of naturalisation that were granted to persons under 18 years of age each year from 2005 to 2016 inclusive; and the number of these certificates that were issued to persons born here. [1485/17]", "answer": "T\u00e1naiste and Minister for Justice and Equality I propose to take Questions Nos. 181 to 183, inclusive, together. I am informed by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the retrieval and compilation of the information requested by the Deputy for the period 2005 to 2009 would necessitate a disproportionate use of time and resources which could not be justified in circumstances where the priority is to deal with the cases on hand. Information can, however, be provided for the years 2010 to 2016 inclusive and is shown below. The number of applications for naturalisation received on behalf of persons under 18 years of age for the years 2010-2016 inclusive, and the number of these that were on behalf of persons born in the State, is as follows: Year 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 Total Applications on behalf of minors 1,654 3,108 5,776 6,261 4,140 2,455 2,224 25,618 Applications on behalf of minors born in the State 98 746 1,423 1,882 1,328 799 684 6,960 The number of certificates of naturalisation granted to persons under 18 years of age for the years 2010-2016 inclusive, and the number of these which were granted to persons born in the State, is as follows: Year 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 Total Certificates granted to minors 1,335 903 5,167 6,325 6,100 2,568 2,065 24,463 Certificates granted to minors born in the State 9 15 966 1,939 1,956 867 667 6,419 The total number of certificates of naturalisation issued in the years 2011 to 2016 inclusive was 104,891.", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2017-01-17/pq_182", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2017-01-17/182/" }, { "date": "2017-01-17", "question_number": 183, "chamber": "32nd D\u00e1il", "topic": "Naturalisation Applications", "asked_by": "Ruth Coppinger", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "183. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the T\u00e1naiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the total number of certificates of naturalisation that were issued in the years 2011 to 2016 inclusive. [1486/17]", "answer": "T\u00e1naiste and Minister for Justice and Equality I propose to take Questions Nos. 181 to 183, inclusive, together. I am informed by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the retrieval and compilation of the information requested by the Deputy for the period 2005 to 2009 would necessitate a disproportionate use of time and resources which could not be justified in circumstances where the priority is to deal with the cases on hand. Information can, however, be provided for the years 2010 to 2016 inclusive and is shown below. The number of applications for naturalisation received on behalf of persons under 18 years of age for the years 2010-2016 inclusive, and the number of these that were on behalf of persons born in the State, is as follows: Year 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 Total Applications on behalf of minors 1,654 3,108 5,776 6,261 4,140 2,455 2,224 25,618 Applications on behalf of minors born in the State 98 746 1,423 1,882 1,328 799 684 6,960 The number of certificates of naturalisation granted to persons under 18 years of age for the years 2010-2016 inclusive, and the number of these which were granted to persons born in the State, is as follows: Year 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 Total Certificates granted to minors 1,335 903 5,167 6,325 6,100 2,568 2,065 24,463 Certificates granted to minors born in the State 9 15 966 1,939 1,956 867 667 6,419 The total number of certificates of naturalisation issued in the years 2011 to 2016 inclusive was 104,891.", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2017-01-17/pq_183", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2017-01-17/183/" }, { "date": "2018-02-20", "question_number": 236, "chamber": "32nd D\u00e1il", "topic": "Refugee Data", "asked_by": "John Lahart", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "236. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of Syrian refugees who have arrived here in each of the years since 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8280/18]", "answer": "Minister of State at the Department of Justice and Equality As the Deputy is aware, the Irish Refugee Protection Programme (IRPP) was established by Government Decision on 10 September 2015 in direct response to the humanitarian crisis that developed in Southern Europe as a consequence of mass migration from areas of conflict in the Middle East and Africa. Under this programme, the Government has pledged to accept a total of 4,000 persons into the State. Of these, 2,622 were to be by means of the EU relocation mechanism established by two EU Council Decisions in 2015 to assist Italy and Greece. It should be noted that Ireland voluntarily opted into the two EU Council Decisions on Relocation (2015/1523) and (2015/1601), which provided for the relocation of 160,000 asylum seekers from Italy and Greece throughout the EU. However, this mechanism was unable to deliver the numbers allocated under the relevant Council Decisions as insufficient numbers of asylum seekers were registered in both Greece and Italy. A further 1,040 persons were to come to Ireland under the UNHCR-led refugee resettlement programme, currently focussed on resettling refugees from Lebanon, and the balance through a variety of mechanisms. The following table lists the number of Syrian refugees who were brought to Ireland under the UNHCR-led refugee resettlement programme from the Lebanon in each year since 2011. It should be noted that 2011 pre-dates the establishment of the IRPP. These persons were granted refugee status before their arrival in Ireland. Hundreds more are also scheduled to arrive in 2018 under this mechanism. Year Number 2011 0 2012 0 2013 0 2014 89 2015 149 2016 335 2017 261 2018 0 Total 834 The following table lists persons who applied for Asylum/International Protection in Ireland, giving Syria as their country of origin. Since 2016, the majority of these have been relocated to Ireland from Greece under the EU relocation programme. Year Total Number of applications to IPO Number of Syrians admitted to the State under EU Council Decisions 2015/1523 and 2015/1601 2011 9 0 2012 15 0 2013 38 0 2014 25 0 2015 74 0 2016 244 190 2017 545 502 2018* 56 55 Total* 1,006* 747* * Figure as of 11 February 2018. Approximately two hundred more asylum seekers will arrive from Greece under the relocation mechanism in the coming weeks and months. In order to fill the shortfall left by the lower than anticipated numbers arriving under the relocation mechanism, I intend that Ireland will use the long established programme refugee mechanism in partnership with UNHCR, and I have already made additional pledges to that effect, as well as the new Family Reunification Humanitarian Admission Programme (FRHAP), in order to ensure that Ireland delivers on its commitment to accept 4,000 persons.", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2018-02-20/pq_236", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2018-02-20/236/" }, { "date": "2023-11-22", "question_number": 119, "chamber": "33rd D\u00e1il", "topic": "International Protection", "asked_by": "Pa Daly", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "119. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Justice the shortest, longest and average decision time for each step of the international protection process for the years 2013 to 2022 and to date in 2023, broken down by those on the safe countries list versus those that are not, in tabular form. [51349/23]", "answer": "Minister for Justice My Department is taking all necessary steps to manage the international protection process fairly and efficiently, as part of the broader Government response to this challenging issue. The number of international protection applications last year was 13,650, a significant increase on recent years. It represents a 186% increase on the number received in 2019, the most recent year in which application numbers were not impacted by Covid-19. In July this year, I published a report on the international protection modernisation programme for 2023 and 2024. This programme is implementing measures to improve efficiencies and throughput as well as improving the application, interview and decision-making process for applicants. This will give status to those who are entitled to international protection to rebuild their lives here, while also ensuring faster decision making in respect of those who do not meet the criteria. Already these reforms are having a significant impact with the median processing time for first-instance decisions reducing from 18 months in 2022 down to 15 months in 2023. The median processing times for appeals is also down from 15 months at the beginning of 2022 to five months in 2023. As part of this modernisation programme, I also signed a regulation in November 2022 to introduce an accelerated procedure for international protection applicants from designated safe countries of origin. These applicants now typically receive a first instance decision in less than three months, which is a significant reduction from a norm of 22 to 26 months early last year. Reforms to the international protection process will continue in 2024. Approximately \u20ac34m was allocated in budget 2024 to the International Protection Office (IPO) and the International Protection Appeals Tribunal (IPAT) to continue to scale up processing. The data the Deputy requested regarding application decision times is detailed in the attached document. It should be noted that in the very small number of cases with unusually long processing times, these are typically attributable to circumstances outside of the control of the Department. The reasons for such extended delays in processing can include an applicant who may have an ongoing Judicial Review, certain applicants may be uncontactable or missing, or may be a child with a separate application where a parent has already received a decision but contact has not been maintained with the Department, and some applicants may not be co-operating with the application process itself. Arrangements have been put in place to appropriately resolve such cases without further delay wherever feasible. 92% of cases decided in 2022 were processed in 3 years or less and 62% of cases decided in 2022 were processed in 2 years or less. Notes: - Statistics before 2017 are not easily available in the manner sought as data would have to be extracted from a number of legacy systems. With the introduction of the International Protection Act in 2016 and the creation of the International Protection Office a new database allows for easier collation of data in more recent years. - Figures shown are correct at time of issue and may be subject to data cleansing. IPO Application Process Times in Months IPO Determination Year 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 (up to 31st Oct) Mean Median Mean Median Mean Median Mean Median Mean Median Mean Median Mean Median Total 14 9 19 18 19 17 18 17 24 23 20 18 12 12 Accelerated Procedure . . . . . . . . . . 1 1 2 2 Standard Procedure 14 9 19 18 19 17 18 17 24 23 20 18 14 13 Shortest Processing Time 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Longest Processing Time 131 108 142 118 89 170 77 IPAT Application Process Times in Months IPAT Decision Year 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 (up to 31st Oct) Mean Median Mean Median Mean Median Mean Median Mean Median Mean Median Mean Median Total 7 5 7 6 7 6 10 9 14 13 12 10 7 5 Accelerated Procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 4 Accelerated IP Appeal . . . . 3 4 7 8 12 11 14 12 5 5 Dublin 111 . . 4 5 7 7 13 12 18 14 9 7 6 5 Inadmissible Appeal 3 3 4 3 5 4 7 7 20 18 5 3 3 3 Legacy - Asylum Appeal . . 13 13 . . . . . . . . . . SP Appeal - Legacy 10 9 10 8 12 9 11 8 25 26 17 17 20 20 Subsequent Appeal 2 2 5 5 5 3 6 5 10 8 8 4 23 5 Substantive IP Appeal 3 3 6 6 7 6 10 9 15 14 12 9 8 5 Substantive IP Appeal - Asylum only 5 5 7 8 11 11 12 9 12 10 9 6 12 6 Substantive IP Appeal - SP only 3 3 7 6 11 11 14 12 20 20 5 3 40 40 Shortest Processing Time 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 Longest Processing Time 30 44 41 37 43 53 65", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2023-11-22/pq_119", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2023-11-22/119/" }, { "date": "2024-01-17", "question_number": 1104, "chamber": "33rd D\u00e1il", "topic": "International Protection", "asked_by": "Carol Nolan", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "1104. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Justice the number of persons who claimed asylum or international protection at Dublin Airport for each year since 2011; the number of persons who have claimed asylum or international protection at an International Protection Office after having entered the State for each year from 2011 to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1493/24]", "answer": "Minister for Justice The State is required to examine the application of anyone who presents at the borders of the State, or is in the State, and indicates that they wish to make an application for international protection. This is in accordance with our obligations under international and EU asylum law. There is no obligation on an applicant to make an application for international protection at a designated port of entry. An applicant can lodge their initial application directly with the IPO after arrival in the State. A significant cohort are understood to be arriving in the state to make an International Protection Applications via the land border with Northern Ireland. It has long been the case that a small proportion of the travel within the CTA in both directions is used by people for irregular purposes. There is very good co-operation at operational level between the Border Management Unit (BMU), Garda National immigration Bureau (GNIB) and colleagues in the UK Border Force and Immigration Enforcement. A particular focus is on working to secure the external border of the CTA. In addition there are a number of ongoing operations, in co-operation with the UK, tackling abuses of the CTA by identifying illegal secondary movement patterns within the CTA and taking actions to disrupt such abuse. The table below provides the breakdown of the number of international protection applications recorded between 2017 and to end of 2023 by \u201cplace of application\u201d. IP Applications - Place of Application* - Year of Application IPO Airports Ports Other Total 2017 2,108 724 12 76 2,920 2018 2,211 1338 11 114 3,674 2019 2,277 2,384 9 112 4,782 2020 1,239 284 4 39 1,566 2021 2,101 513 9 25 2,648 2022 8,791 4,797 35 26 13,649 2023 10,350 2,873 14 40 13,277 * These figures are correct at time of issue, however, statistics may change due to data cleansing. Please note that although the Deputy has asked for figures from 2011 onwards, statistics pre-2017 are not easily available in the manner sought as data would have to be extracted from a number of legacy systems. With the introduction of the International Protection Act in 2016 and the creation of the International Protection Office a new database allows for easier collation of data in more recent years therefore we have provided figures from 2017 onwards only.", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2024-01-17/pq_1104", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2024-01-17/1104/" }, { "date": "2025-02-27", "question_number": 297, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "Social Welfare Payments", "asked_by": "Peadar T\u00f3ib\u00edn", "answered_by": "Social", "question_type": "written", "question": "297. Deputy Peadar T\u00f3ib\u00edn asked the Minister for Social Protection the total cost for each of the past ten years for the weekly social welfare payment given to international protection applicants; and the total cost of the additional needs payment claimed by international protection applicants for each of the past ten years. [8659/25]", "answer": "Minister for Social Protection (Deputy Dara Calleary) My Department administers the Daily Expenses Allowance on behalf of the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth. The allowance is paid to International Protection applicants who live in or are on a waiting list to move into accommodation provided by the International Protection Accommodation Services. The Daily Expenses Allowance was introduced in 2018, as a replacement for the Direct Provision Allowance. The current weekly rates of payment are \u20ac38.80 per adult and \u20ac29.80 per child. In December 2023 an increased rate of \u20ac113.80 per week for an adult was introduced where a person is unaccommodated and is on a waiting list for accommodation with the International Protection Accommodation Services. Table 1 shows the shows the annual expenditure for Direct Provision Allowance and Daily Expenses Allowance from 2015 -2024. Under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme, my department may make Additional Needs Payments to help meet essential expenses that a person cannot pay from their weekly income or from other personal and household resources. Entitlement only arises where a person can demonstrate that the expenditure is essential and that they have no means of funding the expenditure themselves. The statistical reporting for Additional Needs Payments was revised in 2022 and 2023, to extract more complete information, including identification of such payments to International Protection applicants. Table 2 shows the annual expenditure for Additional Needs Payments to International Protection applicants in receipt of daily expenses allowance from 2022-2024. Figures specifically relating to payments to International Protection applicants for previous years are not available. Tabular Statement Table 1- Annual expenditure for Direct Provision Allowance and Daily Expenses Allowance from 2015-2024 Year Expenditure 2015 \u20ac3.9 million 2016 \u20ac3.8 million 2017 \u20ac4.9 million 2018 \u20ac6.4 million 2019 \u20ac11.2 million 2020 \u20ac13.0 million 2021 \u20ac11.1 million 2022 \u20ac19.3 million 2023 \u20ac34.4 million 2024 (Provisional) \u20ac60.2 million Table 2- Annual Expenditure for Additional Needs Payments to International Protection applicants in receipt of Daily Expense Allowance from 2022-2024 Year Expenditure 2022 \u20ac1.2 million 2023 \u20ac1.8 million 2024 \u20ac4.6 million", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2025-02-27/pq_297", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2025-02-27/297/" }, { "date": "2016-12-13", "question_number": 99, "chamber": "32nd D\u00e1il", "topic": "Naturalisation Certificates", "asked_by": "Niall Collins", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "99. Deputy Niall Collins asked the T\u00e1naiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of persons granted citizenship here from 2000 to 2016 to date in tabular form (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39634/16]", "answer": "T\u00e1naiste and Minister for Justice and Equality I am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the number of persons that have been naturalised from 2000 to 2016 to date is 128,500 approximately. I am also informed that the retrieval and compilation of the information requested by the Deputy for the complete period in question would necessitate a disproportionate use of time and resources which could not be justified in circumstances where the priority is to deal with the cases on hand. In total 17,400 persons received certificates of naturalisation from 2000 to 2009. These figures are compiled from an older database which does not facilitate the aggregation of the data in the manner requested by the Deputy. The following table shows the breakdown by gender of minor and adult persons naturalised in the years 2010 to 2016 inclusive: Year 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 Total Total 6,319 10,799 25,110 24,243 21,103 13,565 9,938 111,077 Minor male 670 464 2,617 3,306 3,112 1,283 991 12,443 Minor female 665 439 2,550 3,019 2,988 1,285 972 11,918 Adult male 2,367 5,040 8,446 7,797 7,196 5,682 3,943 40,471 Adult female 2,617 4,856 11,497 10,121 7,807 5,315 4,032 46,245", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2016-12-13/pq_99", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2016-12-13/99/" }, { "date": "2024-01-17", "question_number": 1130, "chamber": "33rd D\u00e1il", "topic": "Deportation Orders", "asked_by": "Carol Nolan", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "1130. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Justice the number of persons, who having been issued with a notification of intention to deport, under section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 subsequently indicated their consent to a deportation order for each year from 2001 to date, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1691/24]", "answer": "Minister for Justice Deportation and removal processes are an essential part of any immigration system. Those who do not have a legal right to remain in this country must remove themselves from the State. I can advise the Deputy when a notification of the intention to deport is issued under Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999, a person has three options. The first option is to leave the jurisdiction before a deportation order is made, the second is to consent to a deportation order being made, and the third is to make representations to the Minister as to why they should not be deported. It is the case that many hundreds of individuals who were subject to deportation orders have left the State without notifying the relevant authorities. The GNIB has reviewed a large sample of the cases from last year who were subject to deportation orders. Their inquiries suggest a very significant number of these individuals have left the State. The specific information requested was not collated in the manner requested prior to 2013. The table below outlines the number of people that consented to a Deportation Order from 2013-2023*: 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 6 15 3 3 1 6 3 0 3 0 3 * Please note, figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing.", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2024-01-17/pq_1130", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2024-01-17/1130/" }, { "date": "2018-07-24", "question_number": 660, "chamber": "32nd D\u00e1il", "topic": "Garda Deployment", "asked_by": "Pearse Doherty", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "660. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of garda\u00ed attached to the immigration unit in the Donegal division in each of the years 2009 to 2017 and to date in 2018, by rank in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32626/18]", "answer": "Minister for Justice and Equality I propose to take Questions Nos. 660, 699, 730 and 799 together. As the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution of personnel and I, as Minister, have no direct role in the matter. Garda management keeps this distribution under review in the context of crime trends and policing priorities to ensure optimum use is made of the resources. For the Deputy's information the attached table, received from the Garda authorities, presents staffing numbers for the Garda National Immigration Bureau, which forms part of the Garda Special Crime Operations. It is important to note that this is a national unit which supports the immigration-related work of all the Garda Divisions across the Country and the strength of the Bureau is consequently not broken down by Division. Garda National Immigration Bureau 2009 - 2018 Year Garda Sergeant Inspector SU CS Total 31/12/2009 164 22 5 2 1 194 31/12/2010 154 19 5 2 1 181 31/12/2011 149 17 5 2 1 174 31/12/2012 134 15 5 2 1 157 31/12/2013 126 15 3 1 1 146 31/12/2014 120 12 3 1 1 137 31/12/2015 105 9 2 2 1 119 31/12/2016 99 9 4 2 1 115 31/12/2017 102 15 2 2 1 122 31/05/2018 98 14 2 2 1 117", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2018-07-24/pq_660", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2018-07-24/660/" }, { "date": "2018-07-24", "question_number": 699, "chamber": "32nd D\u00e1il", "topic": "Garda Deployment", "asked_by": "Se\u00e1n Crowe", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "699. Deputy Se\u00e1n Crowe asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of garda\u00ed attached to the immigration unit in the Dublin metropolitan region south division in each of the years 2009 to 2017 and to date in 2018, by rank, in tabular form. [32775/18]", "answer": "Minister for Justice and Equality I propose to take Questions Nos. 660, 699, 730 and 799 together. As the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution of personnel and I, as Minister, have no direct role in the matter. Garda management keeps this distribution under review in the context of crime trends and policing priorities to ensure optimum use is made of the resources. For the Deputy's information the attached table, received from the Garda authorities, presents staffing numbers for the Garda National Immigration Bureau, which forms part of the Garda Special Crime Operations. It is important to note that this is a national unit which supports the immigration-related work of all the Garda Divisions across the Country and the strength of the Bureau is consequently not broken down by Division. Garda National Immigration Bureau 2009 - 2018 Year Garda Sergeant Inspector SU CS Total 31/12/2009 164 22 5 2 1 194 31/12/2010 154 19 5 2 1 181 31/12/2011 149 17 5 2 1 174 31/12/2012 134 15 5 2 1 157 31/12/2013 126 15 3 1 1 146 31/12/2014 120 12 3 1 1 137 31/12/2015 105 9 2 2 1 119 31/12/2016 99 9 4 2 1 115 31/12/2017 102 15 2 2 1 122 31/05/2018 98 14 2 2 1 117", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2018-07-24/pq_699", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2018-07-24/699/" }, { "date": "2018-07-24", "question_number": 730, "chamber": "32nd D\u00e1il", "topic": "Garda Deployment", "asked_by": "Gerry Adams", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "730. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of garda\u00ed attached to the immigration unit by rank in the Louth division in each of the years 2009 to 2017 and to date in 2018, in tabular form. [32815/18]", "answer": "Minister for Justice and Equality I propose to take Questions Nos. 660, 699, 730 and 799 together. As the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution of personnel and I, as Minister, have no direct role in the matter. Garda management keeps this distribution under review in the context of crime trends and policing priorities to ensure optimum use is made of the resources. For the Deputy's information the attached table, received from the Garda authorities, presents staffing numbers for the Garda National Immigration Bureau, which forms part of the Garda Special Crime Operations. It is important to note that this is a national unit which supports the immigration-related work of all the Garda Divisions across the Country and the strength of the Bureau is consequently not broken down by Division. Garda National Immigration Bureau 2009 - 2018 Year Garda Sergeant Inspector SU CS Total 31/12/2009 164 22 5 2 1 194 31/12/2010 154 19 5 2 1 181 31/12/2011 149 17 5 2 1 174 31/12/2012 134 15 5 2 1 157 31/12/2013 126 15 3 1 1 146 31/12/2014 120 12 3 1 1 137 31/12/2015 105 9 2 2 1 119 31/12/2016 99 9 4 2 1 115 31/12/2017 102 15 2 2 1 122 31/05/2018 98 14 2 2 1 117", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2018-07-24/pq_730", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2018-07-24/730/" }, { "date": "2018-07-24", "question_number": 799, "chamber": "32nd D\u00e1il", "topic": "Garda Deployment", "asked_by": "Maurice Quinlivan", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "799. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of garda\u00ed attached to the immigration unit by rank in the Limerick city division in each of the years 2009 to 2017 and to date in 2018, in tabular form. [33070/18]", "answer": "Minister for Justice and Equality I propose to take Questions Nos. 660, 699, 730 and 799 together. As the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution of personnel and I, as Minister, have no direct role in the matter. Garda management keeps this distribution under review in the context of crime trends and policing priorities to ensure optimum use is made of the resources. For the Deputy's information the attached table, received from the Garda authorities, presents staffing numbers for the Garda National Immigration Bureau, which forms part of the Garda Special Crime Operations. It is important to note that this is a national unit which supports the immigration-related work of all the Garda Divisions across the Country and the strength of the Bureau is consequently not broken down by Division. Garda National Immigration Bureau 2009 - 2018 Year Garda Sergeant Inspector SU CS Total 31/12/2009 164 22 5 2 1 194 31/12/2010 154 19 5 2 1 181 31/12/2011 149 17 5 2 1 174 31/12/2012 134 15 5 2 1 157 31/12/2013 126 15 3 1 1 146 31/12/2014 120 12 3 1 1 137 31/12/2015 105 9 2 2 1 119 31/12/2016 99 9 4 2 1 115 31/12/2017 102 15 2 2 1 122 31/05/2018 98 14 2 2 1 117", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2018-07-24/pq_799", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2018-07-24/799/" }, { "date": "2025-07-29", "question_number": 1990, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "Prison Service", "asked_by": "Peadar T\u00f3ib\u00edn", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "1990. Deputy Peadar T\u00f3ib\u00edn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the cause of death of all those who died in prison, on temporary release from prison and who were unlawfully at large from prison in the past ten years. [41688/25]", "answer": "Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration (Deputy Jim O'Callaghan) I would firstly like to express my sympathies to the family and friends of each of those individuals who have died in prison custody. It is important to note that the Irish Prison Service only records the cause of death where the death occurred while the prisoner was within a prison. All deaths of prisoners within prisons are notified to An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na, who investigate where circumstances warrant, in addition to the inquest held in the Coroner's Court. The cause of death is determined by a jury on the basis of the information presented to the Coroner's Court. All prisoner deaths, including deaths that occur within one month of temporary release are subject to an independent investigation by the Office of the Inspector of Prisons. Finalised reports and any associated Prison Service Action Plan to address recommendations contained in the report are published in an anonymised form on the Gov.ie website and made available to the Coroner. In addition, the Irish Prison Service has a robust, internal review mechanism which assesses the circumstances of each prisoner death, highlights accountability and actions taken in relation to it, and outlines any lessons learned. The information sought by the Deputy on cause of death for those who have died in prison in the past 10 years is provided in the table below. I would advise the Deputy that the table does not, as outlined above, contain information on deaths that occurred while the prisoner was outside the prison either on temporary release, renewable temporary release, full temporary release or unlawfully at large within the community. Deaths in Custody 2015 to 21 July 2025 inclusive classified by cause of death as determined by Coroner Year Suicide Deceased took his/her own life Misadventure Natural Causes Open Narrative Verdict Unlawful Killing Inquest Pending Annual Total 2025 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 8 8 2024 0 0 0 4 0 1 0 17 22 2023 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 10 12 2022 2 0 1 5 0 0 0 12 20 2021 1 0 1 2 0 0 0 4 8 2020 2 0 0 4 0 0 0 2 8 2019 2 0 2 7 1 0 0 2 14 2018 2 0 3 4 0 0 0 0 9 2017 2 0 1 2 2 1 0 2 10 2016 2 1 0 1 0 1 0 0 5 2015 1 1 4 4 2 2 1 0 15 Total 14 2 12 35 5 5 1 57 131", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2025-07-29/pq_1990", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2025-07-29/1990/" }, { "date": "2025-12-09", "question_number": 591, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "International Protection", "asked_by": "Ken O'Flynn", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "591. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the formal procedures used by his Department during the initial interview and assessment of international protection applicants for recording information on applicants\u2019 education, qualifications, and previous occupations; the statutory or administrative basis for these procedures; whether these procedures were reviewed or updated at any point since 2018; and to provide the dates and outcomes of any such reviews in tabular form. [69187/25]", "answer": "Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration I propose to take Questions Nos. 591, 592, 593, 594, 595, 620, 621, 622, 623, 636, 637, 638 and 639 together. Applications for international protection are assessed as to whether the person in question has a well a well-founded fear for their safety in accordance with national, EU and international law. The education and qualifications held are not considered as part of this assessment. While immigration policy and operations are kept under constant review, there are no current plans to put in place an approach along the lines suggested by the Deputy. Labour market access permission for international protection applicants gives eligible applicants the opportunity to work and helps them to integrate into Irish society while providing for themselves and their families outside of the State\u2019s directly provided services and supports. It also helps people to plan and prepare for their future in Ireland if they receive a positive decision on their application for international protection. Under the European Communities (Reception Conditions) Regulations 2018 (S.I. No. 230 of 2018), people are eligible to apply for labour market access permission if: * They are an international protection applicant; and * They have waited at least 5 months from their \u201cApplication Received\u201d date for their first instance recommendation; and * They are cooperating with the international protection process \u2013 delays in receiving a recommendation must not be attributable to the applicant. Following that, a person will be issued a permission for labour market access if, at 6 months, they have not yet received a first instance recommendation. This permission is valid for 12 months and may be renewed until a final decision is made on the person's international protection application. The table below shows the number of labour market access permission applications made and granted from 2018 to date. The granting of a labour market access permission does not necessarily confirm that the applicant has found employment. - Applications made Applications granted 2018 2886 1910 2019 2671 1794 2020 2799 2355 2021 4525 3985 2022 8807 6372 2023 13322 10101 2024 17078 16998 2025* 21140 19114 *2025 is correct as of 3 December 2025. It should be noted that labour market access for international protection applicants is not an alternative to a work permit; it is intended to allow certain applicants to work while they await a decision on their asylum application. This is to ensure that those found in need of protection can begin rebuilding their lives here. It is not intended as an alternative route to the established pathways for legal migration for the purposes of employment. The employment permits system is managed through the operation of the Critical Skills Occupations List and the Ineligible Occupations List which determine employments that are either in high demand or are ineligible for consideration for an employment permit. Further information on these can be found on the Department of Enterprise Trade and Employment's website below: [ Occupations Lists and SOC - DETE ] The Programme for Government 2025 provides a commitment to developing a new Migration and Integration Strategy for Ireland, detailing how we intend to meet the demands and the opportunities facing our society and economy over the next decade. This strategy is being led by my Department but will be a whole-of-Government Strategy intended to ensure our approach to migration is planned and coherent and balances the huge value of migrants in our economy and our society, while also ensuring that our rules are enforced. As part of the preparatory work for this strategy, my Department is identifying gaps in the existing research and data in relevant areas including on the fiscal and social dimensions of migration and integration in Ireland in support of the developing Strategy.", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2025-12-09/pq_591", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2025-12-09/591/" }, { "date": "2025-12-09", "question_number": 592, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "International Protection", "asked_by": "Ken O'Flynn", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "592. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration whether any internal audits, risk assessments, internal-control reviews, or management reports since 2018 have raised concerns about the absence of consolidated data on the educational or professional backgrounds of residents in IPAS accommodation; if such concerns were raised, to outline the findings and any actions taken; and if no concerns were raised, to explain the rationale for not examining this issue, given its relevance to labour-market access and integration planning. [69188/25]", "answer": "Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration I propose to take Questions Nos. 591, 592, 593, 594, 595, 620, 621, 622, 623, 636, 637, 638 and 639 together. Applications for international protection are assessed as to whether the person in question has a well a well-founded fear for their safety in accordance with national, EU and international law. The education and qualifications held are not considered as part of this assessment. While immigration policy and operations are kept under constant review, there are no current plans to put in place an approach along the lines suggested by the Deputy. Labour market access permission for international protection applicants gives eligible applicants the opportunity to work and helps them to integrate into Irish society while providing for themselves and their families outside of the State\u2019s directly provided services and supports. It also helps people to plan and prepare for their future in Ireland if they receive a positive decision on their application for international protection. Under the European Communities (Reception Conditions) Regulations 2018 (S.I. No. 230 of 2018), people are eligible to apply for labour market access permission if: * They are an international protection applicant; and * They have waited at least 5 months from their \u201cApplication Received\u201d date for their first instance recommendation; and * They are cooperating with the international protection process \u2013 delays in receiving a recommendation must not be attributable to the applicant. Following that, a person will be issued a permission for labour market access if, at 6 months, they have not yet received a first instance recommendation. This permission is valid for 12 months and may be renewed until a final decision is made on the person's international protection application. The table below shows the number of labour market access permission applications made and granted from 2018 to date. The granting of a labour market access permission does not necessarily confirm that the applicant has found employment. - Applications made Applications granted 2018 2886 1910 2019 2671 1794 2020 2799 2355 2021 4525 3985 2022 8807 6372 2023 13322 10101 2024 17078 16998 2025* 21140 19114 *2025 is correct as of 3 December 2025. It should be noted that labour market access for international protection applicants is not an alternative to a work permit; it is intended to allow certain applicants to work while they await a decision on their asylum application. This is to ensure that those found in need of protection can begin rebuilding their lives here. It is not intended as an alternative route to the established pathways for legal migration for the purposes of employment. The employment permits system is managed through the operation of the Critical Skills Occupations List and the Ineligible Occupations List which determine employments that are either in high demand or are ineligible for consideration for an employment permit. Further information on these can be found on the Department of Enterprise Trade and Employment's website below: [ Occupations Lists and SOC - DETE ] The Programme for Government 2025 provides a commitment to developing a new Migration and Integration Strategy for Ireland, detailing how we intend to meet the demands and the opportunities facing our society and economy over the next decade. This strategy is being led by my Department but will be a whole-of-Government Strategy intended to ensure our approach to migration is planned and coherent and balances the huge value of migrants in our economy and our society, while also ensuring that our rules are enforced. As part of the preparatory work for this strategy, my Department is identifying gaps in the existing research and data in relevant areas including on the fiscal and social dimensions of migration and integration in Ireland in support of the developing Strategy.", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2025-12-09/pq_592", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2025-12-09/592/" }, { "date": "2025-12-09", "question_number": 593, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "International Protection", "asked_by": "Ken O'Flynn", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "593. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration whether his Department has benchmarked Ireland\u2019s data-collection practices on the educational and professional qualifications of international protection applicants against those used in comparable EU Member States; if so, to provide the results of that benchmarking exercise; if not, the reason benchmarking has not been undertaken; and whether he will now direct his Department to carry out such an exercise, including timelines for completion. [69189/25]", "answer": "Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration I propose to take Questions Nos. 591, 592, 593, 594, 595, 620, 621, 622, 623, 636, 637, 638 and 639 together. Applications for international protection are assessed as to whether the person in question has a well a well-founded fear for their safety in accordance with national, EU and international law. The education and qualifications held are not considered as part of this assessment. While immigration policy and operations are kept under constant review, there are no current plans to put in place an approach along the lines suggested by the Deputy. Labour market access permission for international protection applicants gives eligible applicants the opportunity to work and helps them to integrate into Irish society while providing for themselves and their families outside of the State\u2019s directly provided services and supports. It also helps people to plan and prepare for their future in Ireland if they receive a positive decision on their application for international protection. Under the European Communities (Reception Conditions) Regulations 2018 (S.I. No. 230 of 2018), people are eligible to apply for labour market access permission if: * They are an international protection applicant; and * They have waited at least 5 months from their \u201cApplication Received\u201d date for their first instance recommendation; and * They are cooperating with the international protection process \u2013 delays in receiving a recommendation must not be attributable to the applicant. Following that, a person will be issued a permission for labour market access if, at 6 months, they have not yet received a first instance recommendation. This permission is valid for 12 months and may be renewed until a final decision is made on the person's international protection application. The table below shows the number of labour market access permission applications made and granted from 2018 to date. The granting of a labour market access permission does not necessarily confirm that the applicant has found employment. - Applications made Applications granted 2018 2886 1910 2019 2671 1794 2020 2799 2355 2021 4525 3985 2022 8807 6372 2023 13322 10101 2024 17078 16998 2025* 21140 19114 *2025 is correct as of 3 December 2025. It should be noted that labour market access for international protection applicants is not an alternative to a work permit; it is intended to allow certain applicants to work while they await a decision on their asylum application. This is to ensure that those found in need of protection can begin rebuilding their lives here. It is not intended as an alternative route to the established pathways for legal migration for the purposes of employment. The employment permits system is managed through the operation of the Critical Skills Occupations List and the Ineligible Occupations List which determine employments that are either in high demand or are ineligible for consideration for an employment permit. Further information on these can be found on the Department of Enterprise Trade and Employment's website below: [ Occupations Lists and SOC - DETE ] The Programme for Government 2025 provides a commitment to developing a new Migration and Integration Strategy for Ireland, detailing how we intend to meet the demands and the opportunities facing our society and economy over the next decade. This strategy is being led by my Department but will be a whole-of-Government Strategy intended to ensure our approach to migration is planned and coherent and balances the huge value of migrants in our economy and our society, while also ensuring that our rules are enforced. As part of the preparatory work for this strategy, my Department is identifying gaps in the existing research and data in relevant areas including on the fiscal and social dimensions of migration and integration in Ireland in support of the developing Strategy.", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2025-12-09/pq_593", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2025-12-09/593/" }, { "date": "2025-12-09", "question_number": 594, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "International Protection", "asked_by": "Ken O'Flynn", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "594. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the reason his Department does not compile a consolidated administrative dataset on the education, qualifications, and professional backgrounds of persons residing in IPAS accommodation, despite this information being routinely provided during the international protection process; whether the Department has assessed the operational and policy impacts of this omission; and the steps he intends to take to correct this deficiency. [69190/25]", "answer": "Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration I propose to take Questions Nos. 591, 592, 593, 594, 595, 620, 621, 622, 623, 636, 637, 638 and 639 together. Applications for international protection are assessed as to whether the person in question has a well a well-founded fear for their safety in accordance with national, EU and international law. The education and qualifications held are not considered as part of this assessment. While immigration policy and operations are kept under constant review, there are no current plans to put in place an approach along the lines suggested by the Deputy. Labour market access permission for international protection applicants gives eligible applicants the opportunity to work and helps them to integrate into Irish society while providing for themselves and their families outside of the State\u2019s directly provided services and supports. It also helps people to plan and prepare for their future in Ireland if they receive a positive decision on their application for international protection. Under the European Communities (Reception Conditions) Regulations 2018 (S.I. No. 230 of 2018), people are eligible to apply for labour market access permission if: * They are an international protection applicant; and * They have waited at least 5 months from their \u201cApplication Received\u201d date for their first instance recommendation; and * They are cooperating with the international protection process \u2013 delays in receiving a recommendation must not be attributable to the applicant. Following that, a person will be issued a permission for labour market access if, at 6 months, they have not yet received a first instance recommendation. This permission is valid for 12 months and may be renewed until a final decision is made on the person's international protection application. The table below shows the number of labour market access permission applications made and granted from 2018 to date. The granting of a labour market access permission does not necessarily confirm that the applicant has found employment. - Applications made Applications granted 2018 2886 1910 2019 2671 1794 2020 2799 2355 2021 4525 3985 2022 8807 6372 2023 13322 10101 2024 17078 16998 2025* 21140 19114 *2025 is correct as of 3 December 2025. It should be noted that labour market access for international protection applicants is not an alternative to a work permit; it is intended to allow certain applicants to work while they await a decision on their asylum application. This is to ensure that those found in need of protection can begin rebuilding their lives here. It is not intended as an alternative route to the established pathways for legal migration for the purposes of employment. The employment permits system is managed through the operation of the Critical Skills Occupations List and the Ineligible Occupations List which determine employments that are either in high demand or are ineligible for consideration for an employment permit. Further information on these can be found on the Department of Enterprise Trade and Employment's website below: [ Occupations Lists and SOC - DETE ] The Programme for Government 2025 provides a commitment to developing a new Migration and Integration Strategy for Ireland, detailing how we intend to meet the demands and the opportunities facing our society and economy over the next decade. This strategy is being led by my Department but will be a whole-of-Government Strategy intended to ensure our approach to migration is planned and coherent and balances the huge value of migrants in our economy and our society, while also ensuring that our rules are enforced. As part of the preparatory work for this strategy, my Department is identifying gaps in the existing research and data in relevant areas including on the fiscal and social dimensions of migration and integration in Ireland in support of the developing Strategy.", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2025-12-09/pq_594", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2025-12-09/594/" }, { "date": "2025-12-09", "question_number": 595, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "International Protection", "asked_by": "Ken O'Flynn", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "595. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if his Department intends to introduce a standardised national survey of the educational and professional backgrounds of all persons residing in IPAS accommodation; if so, to set out the methodology, governance, and timeline; and if not, the reason the State continues to operate without consolidated information necessary for integration planning, labour-market access oversight, and public transparency. [69191/25]", "answer": "Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration I propose to take Questions Nos. 591, 592, 593, 594, 595, 620, 621, 622, 623, 636, 637, 638 and 639 together. Applications for international protection are assessed as to whether the person in question has a well a well-founded fear for their safety in accordance with national, EU and international law. The education and qualifications held are not considered as part of this assessment. While immigration policy and operations are kept under constant review, there are no current plans to put in place an approach along the lines suggested by the Deputy. Labour market access permission for international protection applicants gives eligible applicants the opportunity to work and helps them to integrate into Irish society while providing for themselves and their families outside of the State\u2019s directly provided services and supports. It also helps people to plan and prepare for their future in Ireland if they receive a positive decision on their application for international protection. Under the European Communities (Reception Conditions) Regulations 2018 (S.I. No. 230 of 2018), people are eligible to apply for labour market access permission if: * They are an international protection applicant; and * They have waited at least 5 months from their \u201cApplication Received\u201d date for their first instance recommendation; and * They are cooperating with the international protection process \u2013 delays in receiving a recommendation must not be attributable to the applicant. Following that, a person will be issued a permission for labour market access if, at 6 months, they have not yet received a first instance recommendation. This permission is valid for 12 months and may be renewed until a final decision is made on the person's international protection application. The table below shows the number of labour market access permission applications made and granted from 2018 to date. The granting of a labour market access permission does not necessarily confirm that the applicant has found employment. - Applications made Applications granted 2018 2886 1910 2019 2671 1794 2020 2799 2355 2021 4525 3985 2022 8807 6372 2023 13322 10101 2024 17078 16998 2025* 21140 19114 *2025 is correct as of 3 December 2025. It should be noted that labour market access for international protection applicants is not an alternative to a work permit; it is intended to allow certain applicants to work while they await a decision on their asylum application. This is to ensure that those found in need of protection can begin rebuilding their lives here. It is not intended as an alternative route to the established pathways for legal migration for the purposes of employment. The employment permits system is managed through the operation of the Critical Skills Occupations List and the Ineligible Occupations List which determine employments that are either in high demand or are ineligible for consideration for an employment permit. Further information on these can be found on the Department of Enterprise Trade and Employment's website below: [ Occupations Lists and SOC - DETE ] The Programme for Government 2025 provides a commitment to developing a new Migration and Integration Strategy for Ireland, detailing how we intend to meet the demands and the opportunities facing our society and economy over the next decade. This strategy is being led by my Department but will be a whole-of-Government Strategy intended to ensure our approach to migration is planned and coherent and balances the huge value of migrants in our economy and our society, while also ensuring that our rules are enforced. As part of the preparatory work for this strategy, my Department is identifying gaps in the existing research and data in relevant areas including on the fiscal and social dimensions of migration and integration in Ireland in support of the developing Strategy.", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2025-12-09/pq_595", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2025-12-09/595/" }, { "date": "2025-12-09", "question_number": 620, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "International Protection", "asked_by": "Ken O'Flynn", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "620. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if his Department intends to introduce a structured and standardised assessment of educational and professional qualifications for all residents in IPAS centres; the governance framework that would underpin such an assessment; the expected timelines for design and implementation; and the way the resulting data would support labour-market planning and policy oversight. [69561/25]", "answer": "Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration I propose to take Questions Nos. 591, 592, 593, 594, 595, 620, 621, 622, 623, 636, 637, 638 and 639 together. Applications for international protection are assessed as to whether the person in question has a well a well-founded fear for their safety in accordance with national, EU and international law. The education and qualifications held are not considered as part of this assessment. While immigration policy and operations are kept under constant review, there are no current plans to put in place an approach along the lines suggested by the Deputy. Labour market access permission for international protection applicants gives eligible applicants the opportunity to work and helps them to integrate into Irish society while providing for themselves and their families outside of the State\u2019s directly provided services and supports. It also helps people to plan and prepare for their future in Ireland if they receive a positive decision on their application for international protection. Under the European Communities (Reception Conditions) Regulations 2018 (S.I. No. 230 of 2018), people are eligible to apply for labour market access permission if: * They are an international protection applicant; and * They have waited at least 5 months from their \u201cApplication Received\u201d date for their first instance recommendation; and * They are cooperating with the international protection process \u2013 delays in receiving a recommendation must not be attributable to the applicant. Following that, a person will be issued a permission for labour market access if, at 6 months, they have not yet received a first instance recommendation. This permission is valid for 12 months and may be renewed until a final decision is made on the person's international protection application. The table below shows the number of labour market access permission applications made and granted from 2018 to date. The granting of a labour market access permission does not necessarily confirm that the applicant has found employment. - Applications made Applications granted 2018 2886 1910 2019 2671 1794 2020 2799 2355 2021 4525 3985 2022 8807 6372 2023 13322 10101 2024 17078 16998 2025* 21140 19114 *2025 is correct as of 3 December 2025. It should be noted that labour market access for international protection applicants is not an alternative to a work permit; it is intended to allow certain applicants to work while they await a decision on their asylum application. This is to ensure that those found in need of protection can begin rebuilding their lives here. It is not intended as an alternative route to the established pathways for legal migration for the purposes of employment. The employment permits system is managed through the operation of the Critical Skills Occupations List and the Ineligible Occupations List which determine employments that are either in high demand or are ineligible for consideration for an employment permit. Further information on these can be found on the Department of Enterprise Trade and Employment's website below: [ Occupations Lists and SOC - DETE ] The Programme for Government 2025 provides a commitment to developing a new Migration and Integration Strategy for Ireland, detailing how we intend to meet the demands and the opportunities facing our society and economy over the next decade. This strategy is being led by my Department but will be a whole-of-Government Strategy intended to ensure our approach to migration is planned and coherent and balances the huge value of migrants in our economy and our society, while also ensuring that our rules are enforced. As part of the preparatory work for this strategy, my Department is identifying gaps in the existing research and data in relevant areas including on the fiscal and social dimensions of migration and integration in Ireland in support of the developing Strategy.", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2025-12-09/pq_620", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2025-12-09/620/" }, { "date": "2025-12-09", "question_number": 621, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "International Protection", "asked_by": "Ken O'Flynn", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "621. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if his Department has conducted any policy review of the current labour-market access permission for international protection applicants, including the number of permissions issued, renewal rates, rates of employment uptake, and any assessment of barriers to labour-market entry; and if he will publish any internal policy papers or briefing notes prepared since 2020. [69562/25]", "answer": "Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration I propose to take Questions Nos. 591, 592, 593, 594, 595, 620, 621, 622, 623, 636, 637, 638 and 639 together. Applications for international protection are assessed as to whether the person in question has a well a well-founded fear for their safety in accordance with national, EU and international law. The education and qualifications held are not considered as part of this assessment. While immigration policy and operations are kept under constant review, there are no current plans to put in place an approach along the lines suggested by the Deputy. Labour market access permission for international protection applicants gives eligible applicants the opportunity to work and helps them to integrate into Irish society while providing for themselves and their families outside of the State\u2019s directly provided services and supports. It also helps people to plan and prepare for their future in Ireland if they receive a positive decision on their application for international protection. Under the European Communities (Reception Conditions) Regulations 2018 (S.I. No. 230 of 2018), people are eligible to apply for labour market access permission if: * They are an international protection applicant; and * They have waited at least 5 months from their \u201cApplication Received\u201d date for their first instance recommendation; and * They are cooperating with the international protection process \u2013 delays in receiving a recommendation must not be attributable to the applicant. Following that, a person will be issued a permission for labour market access if, at 6 months, they have not yet received a first instance recommendation. This permission is valid for 12 months and may be renewed until a final decision is made on the person's international protection application. The table below shows the number of labour market access permission applications made and granted from 2018 to date. The granting of a labour market access permission does not necessarily confirm that the applicant has found employment. - Applications made Applications granted 2018 2886 1910 2019 2671 1794 2020 2799 2355 2021 4525 3985 2022 8807 6372 2023 13322 10101 2024 17078 16998 2025* 21140 19114 *2025 is correct as of 3 December 2025. It should be noted that labour market access for international protection applicants is not an alternative to a work permit; it is intended to allow certain applicants to work while they await a decision on their asylum application. This is to ensure that those found in need of protection can begin rebuilding their lives here. It is not intended as an alternative route to the established pathways for legal migration for the purposes of employment. The employment permits system is managed through the operation of the Critical Skills Occupations List and the Ineligible Occupations List which determine employments that are either in high demand or are ineligible for consideration for an employment permit. Further information on these can be found on the Department of Enterprise Trade and Employment's website below: [ Occupations Lists and SOC - DETE ] The Programme for Government 2025 provides a commitment to developing a new Migration and Integration Strategy for Ireland, detailing how we intend to meet the demands and the opportunities facing our society and economy over the next decade. This strategy is being led by my Department but will be a whole-of-Government Strategy intended to ensure our approach to migration is planned and coherent and balances the huge value of migrants in our economy and our society, while also ensuring that our rules are enforced. As part of the preparatory work for this strategy, my Department is identifying gaps in the existing research and data in relevant areas including on the fiscal and social dimensions of migration and integration in Ireland in support of the developing Strategy.", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2025-12-09/pq_621", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2025-12-09/621/" }, { "date": "2025-12-09", "question_number": 622, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "International Protection", "asked_by": "Ken O'Flynn", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "622. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if his Department has engaged with the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment or the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science regarding the development of a cross-Government framework for recognising skills, qualifications and vocational experience of international protection applicants; and to detail any structured data-sharing arrangements, working groups or memoranda of understanding currently in place. [69563/25]", "answer": "Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration I propose to take Questions Nos. 591, 592, 593, 594, 595, 620, 621, 622, 623, 636, 637, 638 and 639 together. Applications for international protection are assessed as to whether the person in question has a well a well-founded fear for their safety in accordance with national, EU and international law. The education and qualifications held are not considered as part of this assessment. While immigration policy and operations are kept under constant review, there are no current plans to put in place an approach along the lines suggested by the Deputy. Labour market access permission for international protection applicants gives eligible applicants the opportunity to work and helps them to integrate into Irish society while providing for themselves and their families outside of the State\u2019s directly provided services and supports. It also helps people to plan and prepare for their future in Ireland if they receive a positive decision on their application for international protection. Under the European Communities (Reception Conditions) Regulations 2018 (S.I. No. 230 of 2018), people are eligible to apply for labour market access permission if: * They are an international protection applicant; and * They have waited at least 5 months from their \u201cApplication Received\u201d date for their first instance recommendation; and * They are cooperating with the international protection process \u2013 delays in receiving a recommendation must not be attributable to the applicant. Following that, a person will be issued a permission for labour market access if, at 6 months, they have not yet received a first instance recommendation. This permission is valid for 12 months and may be renewed until a final decision is made on the person's international protection application. The table below shows the number of labour market access permission applications made and granted from 2018 to date. The granting of a labour market access permission does not necessarily confirm that the applicant has found employment. - Applications made Applications granted 2018 2886 1910 2019 2671 1794 2020 2799 2355 2021 4525 3985 2022 8807 6372 2023 13322 10101 2024 17078 16998 2025* 21140 19114 *2025 is correct as of 3 December 2025. It should be noted that labour market access for international protection applicants is not an alternative to a work permit; it is intended to allow certain applicants to work while they await a decision on their asylum application. This is to ensure that those found in need of protection can begin rebuilding their lives here. It is not intended as an alternative route to the established pathways for legal migration for the purposes of employment. The employment permits system is managed through the operation of the Critical Skills Occupations List and the Ineligible Occupations List which determine employments that are either in high demand or are ineligible for consideration for an employment permit. Further information on these can be found on the Department of Enterprise Trade and Employment's website below: [ Occupations Lists and SOC - DETE ] The Programme for Government 2025 provides a commitment to developing a new Migration and Integration Strategy for Ireland, detailing how we intend to meet the demands and the opportunities facing our society and economy over the next decade. This strategy is being led by my Department but will be a whole-of-Government Strategy intended to ensure our approach to migration is planned and coherent and balances the huge value of migrants in our economy and our society, while also ensuring that our rules are enforced. As part of the preparatory work for this strategy, my Department is identifying gaps in the existing research and data in relevant areas including on the fiscal and social dimensions of migration and integration in Ireland in support of the developing Strategy.", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2025-12-09/pq_622", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2025-12-09/622/" }, { "date": "2025-12-09", "question_number": 623, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "International Protection", "asked_by": "Ken O'Flynn", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "623. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration his Department\u2019s data-governance policy regarding information collected from international protection applicants, including education, training, and work-history data submitted as part of permission-to-remain considerations; the reason this information is not recorded in a format that permits statistical analysis; and whether reforms to his Department\u2019s data-architecture are planned to improve transparency and policy evaluation. [69564/25]", "answer": "Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration I propose to take Questions Nos. 591, 592, 593, 594, 595, 620, 621, 622, 623, 636, 637, 638 and 639 together. Applications for international protection are assessed as to whether the person in question has a well a well-founded fear for their safety in accordance with national, EU and international law. The education and qualifications held are not considered as part of this assessment. While immigration policy and operations are kept under constant review, there are no current plans to put in place an approach along the lines suggested by the Deputy. Labour market access permission for international protection applicants gives eligible applicants the opportunity to work and helps them to integrate into Irish society while providing for themselves and their families outside of the State\u2019s directly provided services and supports. It also helps people to plan and prepare for their future in Ireland if they receive a positive decision on their application for international protection. Under the European Communities (Reception Conditions) Regulations 2018 (S.I. No. 230 of 2018), people are eligible to apply for labour market access permission if: * They are an international protection applicant; and * They have waited at least 5 months from their \u201cApplication Received\u201d date for their first instance recommendation; and * They are cooperating with the international protection process \u2013 delays in receiving a recommendation must not be attributable to the applicant. Following that, a person will be issued a permission for labour market access if, at 6 months, they have not yet received a first instance recommendation. This permission is valid for 12 months and may be renewed until a final decision is made on the person's international protection application. The table below shows the number of labour market access permission applications made and granted from 2018 to date. The granting of a labour market access permission does not necessarily confirm that the applicant has found employment. - Applications made Applications granted 2018 2886 1910 2019 2671 1794 2020 2799 2355 2021 4525 3985 2022 8807 6372 2023 13322 10101 2024 17078 16998 2025* 21140 19114 *2025 is correct as of 3 December 2025. It should be noted that labour market access for international protection applicants is not an alternative to a work permit; it is intended to allow certain applicants to work while they await a decision on their asylum application. This is to ensure that those found in need of protection can begin rebuilding their lives here. It is not intended as an alternative route to the established pathways for legal migration for the purposes of employment. The employment permits system is managed through the operation of the Critical Skills Occupations List and the Ineligible Occupations List which determine employments that are either in high demand or are ineligible for consideration for an employment permit. Further information on these can be found on the Department of Enterprise Trade and Employment's website below: [ Occupations Lists and SOC - DETE ] The Programme for Government 2025 provides a commitment to developing a new Migration and Integration Strategy for Ireland, detailing how we intend to meet the demands and the opportunities facing our society and economy over the next decade. This strategy is being led by my Department but will be a whole-of-Government Strategy intended to ensure our approach to migration is planned and coherent and balances the huge value of migrants in our economy and our society, while also ensuring that our rules are enforced. As part of the preparatory work for this strategy, my Department is identifying gaps in the existing research and data in relevant areas including on the fiscal and social dimensions of migration and integration in Ireland in support of the developing Strategy.", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2025-12-09/pq_623", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2025-12-09/623/" }, { "date": "2025-12-09", "question_number": 636, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "International Protection", "asked_by": "Ken O'Flynn", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "636. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if his Department has considered introducing a structured skills-and-qualifications assessment for all new arrivals into IPAS accommodation, including recording of highest education level, professional credentials, and vocational skills, as part of initial reception procedures; the governance arrangements that would apply to such an assessment; and the timeline for any policy decision on this matter. [69602/25]", "answer": "Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration I propose to take Questions Nos. 591, 592, 593, 594, 595, 620, 621, 622, 623, 636, 637, 638 and 639 together. Applications for international protection are assessed as to whether the person in question has a well a well-founded fear for their safety in accordance with national, EU and international law. The education and qualifications held are not considered as part of this assessment. While immigration policy and operations are kept under constant review, there are no current plans to put in place an approach along the lines suggested by the Deputy. Labour market access permission for international protection applicants gives eligible applicants the opportunity to work and helps them to integrate into Irish society while providing for themselves and their families outside of the State\u2019s directly provided services and supports. It also helps people to plan and prepare for their future in Ireland if they receive a positive decision on their application for international protection. Under the European Communities (Reception Conditions) Regulations 2018 (S.I. No. 230 of 2018), people are eligible to apply for labour market access permission if: * They are an international protection applicant; and * They have waited at least 5 months from their \u201cApplication Received\u201d date for their first instance recommendation; and * They are cooperating with the international protection process \u2013 delays in receiving a recommendation must not be attributable to the applicant. Following that, a person will be issued a permission for labour market access if, at 6 months, they have not yet received a first instance recommendation. This permission is valid for 12 months and may be renewed until a final decision is made on the person's international protection application. The table below shows the number of labour market access permission applications made and granted from 2018 to date. The granting of a labour market access permission does not necessarily confirm that the applicant has found employment. - Applications made Applications granted 2018 2886 1910 2019 2671 1794 2020 2799 2355 2021 4525 3985 2022 8807 6372 2023 13322 10101 2024 17078 16998 2025* 21140 19114 *2025 is correct as of 3 December 2025. It should be noted that labour market access for international protection applicants is not an alternative to a work permit; it is intended to allow certain applicants to work while they await a decision on their asylum application. This is to ensure that those found in need of protection can begin rebuilding their lives here. It is not intended as an alternative route to the established pathways for legal migration for the purposes of employment. The employment permits system is managed through the operation of the Critical Skills Occupations List and the Ineligible Occupations List which determine employments that are either in high demand or are ineligible for consideration for an employment permit. Further information on these can be found on the Department of Enterprise Trade and Employment's website below: [ Occupations Lists and SOC - DETE ] The Programme for Government 2025 provides a commitment to developing a new Migration and Integration Strategy for Ireland, detailing how we intend to meet the demands and the opportunities facing our society and economy over the next decade. This strategy is being led by my Department but will be a whole-of-Government Strategy intended to ensure our approach to migration is planned and coherent and balances the huge value of migrants in our economy and our society, while also ensuring that our rules are enforced. As part of the preparatory work for this strategy, my Department is identifying gaps in the existing research and data in relevant areas including on the fiscal and social dimensions of migration and integration in Ireland in support of the developing Strategy.", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2025-12-09/pq_636", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2025-12-09/636/" }, { "date": "2025-12-09", "question_number": 637, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "International Protection", "asked_by": "Ken O'Flynn", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "637. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if his Department has evaluated the extent to which international protection applicants with labour market access permission have skills that match labour shortages identified by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment; if any interdepartmental work has been undertaken to compare qualifications held by applicants with national skills gaps; and if he will report on the findings or planned next steps. [69603/25]", "answer": "Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration I propose to take Questions Nos. 591, 592, 593, 594, 595, 620, 621, 622, 623, 636, 637, 638 and 639 together. Applications for international protection are assessed as to whether the person in question has a well a well-founded fear for their safety in accordance with national, EU and international law. The education and qualifications held are not considered as part of this assessment. While immigration policy and operations are kept under constant review, there are no current plans to put in place an approach along the lines suggested by the Deputy. Labour market access permission for international protection applicants gives eligible applicants the opportunity to work and helps them to integrate into Irish society while providing for themselves and their families outside of the State\u2019s directly provided services and supports. It also helps people to plan and prepare for their future in Ireland if they receive a positive decision on their application for international protection. Under the European Communities (Reception Conditions) Regulations 2018 (S.I. No. 230 of 2018), people are eligible to apply for labour market access permission if: * They are an international protection applicant; and * They have waited at least 5 months from their \u201cApplication Received\u201d date for their first instance recommendation; and * They are cooperating with the international protection process \u2013 delays in receiving a recommendation must not be attributable to the applicant. Following that, a person will be issued a permission for labour market access if, at 6 months, they have not yet received a first instance recommendation. This permission is valid for 12 months and may be renewed until a final decision is made on the person's international protection application. The table below shows the number of labour market access permission applications made and granted from 2018 to date. The granting of a labour market access permission does not necessarily confirm that the applicant has found employment. - Applications made Applications granted 2018 2886 1910 2019 2671 1794 2020 2799 2355 2021 4525 3985 2022 8807 6372 2023 13322 10101 2024 17078 16998 2025* 21140 19114 *2025 is correct as of 3 December 2025. It should be noted that labour market access for international protection applicants is not an alternative to a work permit; it is intended to allow certain applicants to work while they await a decision on their asylum application. This is to ensure that those found in need of protection can begin rebuilding their lives here. It is not intended as an alternative route to the established pathways for legal migration for the purposes of employment. The employment permits system is managed through the operation of the Critical Skills Occupations List and the Ineligible Occupations List which determine employments that are either in high demand or are ineligible for consideration for an employment permit. Further information on these can be found on the Department of Enterprise Trade and Employment's website below: [ Occupations Lists and SOC - DETE ] The Programme for Government 2025 provides a commitment to developing a new Migration and Integration Strategy for Ireland, detailing how we intend to meet the demands and the opportunities facing our society and economy over the next decade. This strategy is being led by my Department but will be a whole-of-Government Strategy intended to ensure our approach to migration is planned and coherent and balances the huge value of migrants in our economy and our society, while also ensuring that our rules are enforced. As part of the preparatory work for this strategy, my Department is identifying gaps in the existing research and data in relevant areas including on the fiscal and social dimensions of migration and integration in Ireland in support of the developing Strategy.", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2025-12-09/pq_637", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2025-12-09/637/" }, { "date": "2025-12-09", "question_number": 638, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "International Protection", "asked_by": "Ken O'Flynn", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "638. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the data-management standards that govern information collected from international protection applicants at reception stage; the reason his Department does not collect or retain structured data on education and professional qualifications that would support evidence-based labour market policy and integration planning; and the planned reforms to data collection or reporting to address this gap. [69604/25]", "answer": "Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration I propose to take Questions Nos. 591, 592, 593, 594, 595, 620, 621, 622, 623, 636, 637, 638 and 639 together. Applications for international protection are assessed as to whether the person in question has a well a well-founded fear for their safety in accordance with national, EU and international law. The education and qualifications held are not considered as part of this assessment. While immigration policy and operations are kept under constant review, there are no current plans to put in place an approach along the lines suggested by the Deputy. Labour market access permission for international protection applicants gives eligible applicants the opportunity to work and helps them to integrate into Irish society while providing for themselves and their families outside of the State\u2019s directly provided services and supports. It also helps people to plan and prepare for their future in Ireland if they receive a positive decision on their application for international protection. Under the European Communities (Reception Conditions) Regulations 2018 (S.I. No. 230 of 2018), people are eligible to apply for labour market access permission if: * They are an international protection applicant; and * They have waited at least 5 months from their \u201cApplication Received\u201d date for their first instance recommendation; and * They are cooperating with the international protection process \u2013 delays in receiving a recommendation must not be attributable to the applicant. Following that, a person will be issued a permission for labour market access if, at 6 months, they have not yet received a first instance recommendation. This permission is valid for 12 months and may be renewed until a final decision is made on the person's international protection application. The table below shows the number of labour market access permission applications made and granted from 2018 to date. The granting of a labour market access permission does not necessarily confirm that the applicant has found employment. - Applications made Applications granted 2018 2886 1910 2019 2671 1794 2020 2799 2355 2021 4525 3985 2022 8807 6372 2023 13322 10101 2024 17078 16998 2025* 21140 19114 *2025 is correct as of 3 December 2025. It should be noted that labour market access for international protection applicants is not an alternative to a work permit; it is intended to allow certain applicants to work while they await a decision on their asylum application. This is to ensure that those found in need of protection can begin rebuilding their lives here. It is not intended as an alternative route to the established pathways for legal migration for the purposes of employment. The employment permits system is managed through the operation of the Critical Skills Occupations List and the Ineligible Occupations List which determine employments that are either in high demand or are ineligible for consideration for an employment permit. Further information on these can be found on the Department of Enterprise Trade and Employment's website below: [ Occupations Lists and SOC - DETE ] The Programme for Government 2025 provides a commitment to developing a new Migration and Integration Strategy for Ireland, detailing how we intend to meet the demands and the opportunities facing our society and economy over the next decade. This strategy is being led by my Department but will be a whole-of-Government Strategy intended to ensure our approach to migration is planned and coherent and balances the huge value of migrants in our economy and our society, while also ensuring that our rules are enforced. As part of the preparatory work for this strategy, my Department is identifying gaps in the existing research and data in relevant areas including on the fiscal and social dimensions of migration and integration in Ireland in support of the developing Strategy.", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2025-12-09/pq_638", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2025-12-09/638/" }, { "date": "2025-12-09", "question_number": 639, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "International Protection", "asked_by": "Ken O'Flynn", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "639. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the reason his Department does not maintain national-level anonymised data on the educational and professional qualifications of those residing in IPAS accommodation, given that such data is routinely collected by other EU member states for planning and integration purposes; and the steps he will take to bring Ireland into line with international best practice. [69605/25]", "answer": "Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration I propose to take Questions Nos. 591, 592, 593, 594, 595, 620, 621, 622, 623, 636, 637, 638 and 639 together. Applications for international protection are assessed as to whether the person in question has a well a well-founded fear for their safety in accordance with national, EU and international law. The education and qualifications held are not considered as part of this assessment. While immigration policy and operations are kept under constant review, there are no current plans to put in place an approach along the lines suggested by the Deputy. Labour market access permission for international protection applicants gives eligible applicants the opportunity to work and helps them to integrate into Irish society while providing for themselves and their families outside of the State\u2019s directly provided services and supports. It also helps people to plan and prepare for their future in Ireland if they receive a positive decision on their application for international protection. Under the European Communities (Reception Conditions) Regulations 2018 (S.I. No. 230 of 2018), people are eligible to apply for labour market access permission if: * They are an international protection applicant; and * They have waited at least 5 months from their \u201cApplication Received\u201d date for their first instance recommendation; and * They are cooperating with the international protection process \u2013 delays in receiving a recommendation must not be attributable to the applicant. Following that, a person will be issued a permission for labour market access if, at 6 months, they have not yet received a first instance recommendation. This permission is valid for 12 months and may be renewed until a final decision is made on the person's international protection application. The table below shows the number of labour market access permission applications made and granted from 2018 to date. The granting of a labour market access permission does not necessarily confirm that the applicant has found employment. - Applications made Applications granted 2018 2886 1910 2019 2671 1794 2020 2799 2355 2021 4525 3985 2022 8807 6372 2023 13322 10101 2024 17078 16998 2025* 21140 19114 *2025 is correct as of 3 December 2025. It should be noted that labour market access for international protection applicants is not an alternative to a work permit; it is intended to allow certain applicants to work while they await a decision on their asylum application. This is to ensure that those found in need of protection can begin rebuilding their lives here. It is not intended as an alternative route to the established pathways for legal migration for the purposes of employment. The employment permits system is managed through the operation of the Critical Skills Occupations List and the Ineligible Occupations List which determine employments that are either in high demand or are ineligible for consideration for an employment permit. Further information on these can be found on the Department of Enterprise Trade and Employment's website below: [ Occupations Lists and SOC - DETE ] The Programme for Government 2025 provides a commitment to developing a new Migration and Integration Strategy for Ireland, detailing how we intend to meet the demands and the opportunities facing our society and economy over the next decade. This strategy is being led by my Department but will be a whole-of-Government Strategy intended to ensure our approach to migration is planned and coherent and balances the huge value of migrants in our economy and our society, while also ensuring that our rules are enforced. As part of the preparatory work for this strategy, my Department is identifying gaps in the existing research and data in relevant areas including on the fiscal and social dimensions of migration and integration in Ireland in support of the developing Strategy.", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2025-12-09/pq_639", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2025-12-09/639/" }, { "date": "2026-01-13", "question_number": 1629, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "Departmental Data", "asked_by": "Paul Lawless", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "1629. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of deportation orders that have been issued to date in the State, in tabular form, for each of the past 10 years. [74117/25]", "answer": "Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration I propose to take Questions Nos. 1629 and 1630 together. It is a central priority for me that Ireland\u2019s immigration system is robust and rules based. The enforcement aspects of our laws, including deportation orders, are an essential requirement for the system to work effectively and to ensure that there is confidence in the application of our legislation in this area. Deportations are costly and complex to enforce. It is the preferred option to return people voluntarily and my Department has a voluntary return programme to assist people to return prior to the issuance of a deportation order. A person can only avail of voluntary return before a deportation order is issued and I have increased resources into this programme to enable individuals who wish to return before a deportation order is issued to them. If a person does not remove themselves from the State following the issuance of a deportation order, they will be removed, and my Department has taken action to significantly improve immigration enforcement measures and increase removals. The number of deportation orders signed in 2024 (2,403) increased by 180% compared to 2023 (857). In 2025, 4,700 deportation orders were signed, an increase of 96% compared to 2024. I understand the Deputy has agreed to limit the scope of his request to the last 5 years. Table 1 shows the number of deportation orders signed from 2021 to 2025. Table 1 Year 2021* 2022 2023 2024 2025 Deportation orders signed 33 549 859 2,403 4,700 *During the COVID- 19 Pandemic there was a moratorium on deportations. This was effective during the latter part of 2020, 2021 and for the first 8 months of 2022. During the moratorium only persons who whose presence in Ireland would be contrary to the public interest were deported. This moratorium was lifted in July 2022. **Please note, figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing. In 2024, 1,122 people departed from the State under various mechanisms (i.e. enforced deportation, voluntary return etc.). In 2025, 2,111 people had their departure confirmed through these pathways, an increase of 88% compared to 2024. In 2025, six charter flight operations removed 205 people from the State. Of these, five operations to non-EU destinations removed 182 people who were subject to deportation orders and one operation removed 23 EU citizens on grounds of criminality. Table 2 below shows the costs incurred of charter and commercial flights from 2021 up to 31 December 2025. The figure for commercial flights includes both the flight costs (often through hubs and long-distance) for removal operations completed and also the costs of returning accompanying escorts to Ireland when a one-way charter flight is used. Table 2: Costs for Charter and Commercial flights in 2021, 2022, 2023 2024 and 2025 - 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 Charter Flight costs N/A N/A N/A N/A \u20ac1,279,844 Commercial Flight costs (enforced returns) \u20ac428,131 \u20ac467,289 \u20ac494,829 \u20ac1,202,750 \u20ac1,525,731* *includes the return of escorts for one way charter operations. These are provisional costs as the invoicing process has not yet been completed. Since 2016 to the end of 2023, my Department was able to reclaim some costs of commercial flights under the European Union\u2019s Asylum Migration and Integration Fund. A new fund opened in 2024 and my Department continues to reclaim funding for commercial flight costs under this EU Fund (for deportation costs only) and will be reclaiming charter costs under this fund. A number of factors impact the costs associated with deportation operations. In particular, the costs for any particular deportation reflect the numbers travelling in each instance, the destination country, and if direct flights are not available the escorts and deportee transit through a hub airport. Furthermore, in some cases, a person may resist deportation and the Garda National Immigration Bureau risk assessment may give rise to the need for additional escorts.", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2026-01-13/pq_1629", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2026-01-13/1629/" }, { "date": "2026-01-13", "question_number": 1630, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "Departmental Data", "asked_by": "Paul Lawless", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "1630. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the total cost of deportations to the State, in tabular form, for each of the past 10 years. [74118/25]", "answer": "Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration I propose to take Questions Nos. 1629 and 1630 together. It is a central priority for me that Ireland\u2019s immigration system is robust and rules based. The enforcement aspects of our laws, including deportation orders, are an essential requirement for the system to work effectively and to ensure that there is confidence in the application of our legislation in this area. Deportations are costly and complex to enforce. It is the preferred option to return people voluntarily and my Department has a voluntary return programme to assist people to return prior to the issuance of a deportation order. A person can only avail of voluntary return before a deportation order is issued and I have increased resources into this programme to enable individuals who wish to return before a deportation order is issued to them. If a person does not remove themselves from the State following the issuance of a deportation order, they will be removed, and my Department has taken action to significantly improve immigration enforcement measures and increase removals. The number of deportation orders signed in 2024 (2,403) increased by 180% compared to 2023 (857). In 2025, 4,700 deportation orders were signed, an increase of 96% compared to 2024. I understand the Deputy has agreed to limit the scope of his request to the last 5 years. Table 1 shows the number of deportation orders signed from 2021 to 2025. Table 1 Year 2021* 2022 2023 2024 2025 Deportation orders signed 33 549 859 2,403 4,700 *During the COVID- 19 Pandemic there was a moratorium on deportations. This was effective during the latter part of 2020, 2021 and for the first 8 months of 2022. During the moratorium only persons who whose presence in Ireland would be contrary to the public interest were deported. This moratorium was lifted in July 2022. **Please note, figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing. In 2024, 1,122 people departed from the State under various mechanisms (i.e. enforced deportation, voluntary return etc.). In 2025, 2,111 people had their departure confirmed through these pathways, an increase of 88% compared to 2024. In 2025, six charter flight operations removed 205 people from the State. Of these, five operations to non-EU destinations removed 182 people who were subject to deportation orders and one operation removed 23 EU citizens on grounds of criminality. Table 2 below shows the costs incurred of charter and commercial flights from 2021 up to 31 December 2025. The figure for commercial flights includes both the flight costs (often through hubs and long-distance) for removal operations completed and also the costs of returning accompanying escorts to Ireland when a one-way charter flight is used. Table 2: Costs for Charter and Commercial flights in 2021, 2022, 2023 2024 and 2025 - 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 Charter Flight costs N/A N/A N/A N/A \u20ac1,279,844 Commercial Flight costs (enforced returns) \u20ac428,131 \u20ac467,289 \u20ac494,829 \u20ac1,202,750 \u20ac1,525,731* *includes the return of escorts for one way charter operations. These are provisional costs as the invoicing process has not yet been completed. Since 2016 to the end of 2023, my Department was able to reclaim some costs of commercial flights under the European Union\u2019s Asylum Migration and Integration Fund. A new fund opened in 2024 and my Department continues to reclaim funding for commercial flight costs under this EU Fund (for deportation costs only) and will be reclaiming charter costs under this fund. A number of factors impact the costs associated with deportation operations. In particular, the costs for any particular deportation reflect the numbers travelling in each instance, the destination country, and if direct flights are not available the escorts and deportee transit through a hub airport. Furthermore, in some cases, a person may resist deportation and the Garda National Immigration Bureau risk assessment may give rise to the need for additional escorts.", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2026-01-13/pq_1630", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2026-01-13/1630/" }, { "date": "2026-06-30", "question_number": 588, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "Departmental Data", "asked_by": "Gary Gannon", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "588. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of subject access requests received by his Department relating to immigration and international protection matters in each of the years from 2020 to 2025 and to date in 2026; the number completed within the statutory one-month timeframe; the number for which an extension was applied; the average processing time for completed requests, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49234/26]", "answer": "Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration My Department is committed to protecting the rights and privacy of all individuals in accordance with the EU General Data Protection Regulation, 2016/679 (GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018. Accordingly, my Department fully complies with Data Subject Access Requests (SARs). Within the Department, securing and managing personal data in accordance with GDPR principles is a priority and is governed by a comprehensive set of policies, procedures and systems. A Data Protection and Records Management Steering Group incudes senior personnel from across the Department to assist the Management Board and the Data Protection Officer in fulfilling their Data Protection responsibilities. The Department also has a network of data stewards in place that champion data protection awareness in each business unit and work with our Data Protection Support and Compliance Office to ensure the timely processing of all SARs. Please note that the Department tracks SARs by statutory deadline compliance and extensions applied and not by average processing times, therefore the requested data is unavailable. The figures for Subject Access Requests for immigration and International Protection related cases recorded by my Department in each of the years 2020 to 2025 and to 25 June 2026, are provided in the table below. These numbers are distinguished by number completed within the 30-day time limit and the number where extensions were applied for. Year SARs received* SARs issued on time SARs issued with extensions 2020 373 207 134 2021 535 283 197 2022 565 399 82 2023 941 744 145 2024 2419 2220 138 2025 2988 2514 349 01/01/2026 to 25/06/2026 1280 774 175 *Please note that not all SARs are completed, some may be withdrawn, refused or closed due to insufficient information with no contact from the data subject after requesting clarification.", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2026-06-30/pq_588", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2026-06-30/588/" }, { "date": "2026-07-28", "question_number": 2258, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "Vacant Properties", "asked_by": "Pa Daly", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "2258. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of publicly-owned buildings that were vacant on the latest date available, broken down by purpose and-or last previous use; the length of time each property has been vacant; the reason for vacancy in each case; the amount spent to maintain the property since it was first left vacant in each of the years 2020 to date, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56856/26]", "answer": "Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration My Department owns two buildings that are currently vacant \u2013 Westview House, Co. Cork and the Old Cork Prison. The Westview House property in Cork City has been largely vacant since 2019 apart from some ad hoc use to conduct remote interviews for international protection. The building had previously been used by the Probation Service and its future use is under consideration. Details regarding the costs to maintain Westview House from 2020 to present are provided in the table below: Year Amount \u20ac 2020 12,197 2021 11,239 2022 13,700 2023 18,443 2024 33,906 2025 9,754 2026 8,534 Total 107,773 The old Cork Prison site consists of a number of buildings including prisoner accommodation blocks, some of which date back to the 19th Century, a work and training area and staff mess. The facility closed in 2016 following the transfer of prisoners to a new facility built on a site adjacent to the former prison. The facility is in a derelict state and unsuitable for use in its current form. Details regarding the costs to maintain the Old Cork Prison from 2020 to present are provided in the table below: Year Amount \u20ac 2020 38,747 2021 42,473 2022 36,326 2023 35,236 2024 42,697 2025 30,447 2026 19,428 Total 245,353", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2026-07-28/pq_2258", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2026-07-28/2258/" }, { "date": "2025-11-26", "question_number": 226, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "International Protection", "asked_by": "Carol Nolan", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "226. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of international protection applicants who have come from the UK before applying for international protection in Ireland for each of the years 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022,2023, 2024 and to date 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [66351/25]", "answer": "Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration I propose to take Questions Nos. 226, 227, 228 and 229 together. My Department is taking all necessary steps to manage the international protection process efficiently and effectively, while ensuring the integrity of those processes is maintained at all times. There are a number of circumstances where a person might apply at the International Protection Office (IPO) without first applying at a port of entry. They may enter at an airport with valid documentation for example but choose not to apply at that time. Or they may apply having been in the State for a period previously, for example on foot of a different permission to remain. My Department\u2019s assessment, based on the experience of staff and others working in the field, and based on the material gathered at interviews, is that in a significant proportion of cases, those applying for the first time in the IPO have entered over the land border. Details on the route travelled to Ireland are recorded as part of the applicants file at the IPO, but are not stored in a manner which allows detailed data to be extracted in the manner sought by the Deputy. The below table provides a yearly breakdown of IP applications and the location the claim was made. Place of Application IPO % Airports % Ports % Other % Total 2019 2,278 47.63% 2,385 49.86% 9 0.19% 111 2.32% 4,783 2020 1,239 79.17% 284 18.15% 4 0.26% 38 2.43% 1,565 2021 2,102 79.41% 512 19.34% 9 0.34% 24 0.91% 2,647 2022 8,791 64.44% 4,796 35.16% 35 0.26% 20 0.15% 13,642 2023 10,378 78.21% 2859 21.54% 5 0.04% 28 0.21% 13,270 2024 16,626 89.60% 1,870 10.08% 12 0.06% 47 0.25% 18,555 2025* 10,176 87.58% 1,368 11.77% 32 0.27% 43 0.37% 11,619 *To 21st November 2025. Ireland and the United Kingdom (UK) share a long history and common interest in the effective operation of the Common Travel Area (CTA) and work together to prevent any abuses of the CTA. There is also significant operational cooperation between the Garda\u00ed, UK Border Force, UK policing services and the Police Service of Northern Ireland in relation to both immigration and criminal matters. This strong practical engagement and cooperation serves the mutual interests of both Ireland and the UK, and will continue. In relation to the inadmissibility process, the International Protection Act 2015, Section 21(2)(a) provides that an application for international protection is inadmissible where one or more of the following circumstances applies in relation to the person who is the subject of the application: \u2022 Another member State has granted refugee status or subsidiary protection status to the person; \u2022 A country other than a Member State is, in accordance with Section 21(15) of the 2015 Act, a first country of asylum for the person; \u2022 The person arrived in the State from a safe third country that is, in accordance with Subsection 17, a safe country for the person. Prior to the UK leaving the EU, returns to the UK were governed under the EU Regulations. The UK was the primary destination country for people transferred from Ireland under these Regulations. In 2019 of the 35 people transferred, 33 were sent to the UK, in 2020 of the 8 people transferred, 7 were to the UK. Following the withdrawal of the UK, a new arrangement for reciprocal returns of international protection applicants between Ireland and the UK was agreed. However a High Court judgment subsequently identified legal issues with the process concerning the designation in Irish law of safe third countries. The issues raised by the judgment were addressed by the Courts, Civil Law, Criminal Law and Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2024 and, following an analysis required as under the Act, I designated the UK as a safe third country for returns under S.I. No. 73/2025 - International Protection Act 2015 (Safe Third Country) Order 2025 with effect from 11 March 2025. Arrangements for re-operationalising the agreement, on foot of the re- designation of the UK as a safe third country, are being put in place in consultation with the UK. As no return orders were issued during the Covid pandemic and due to the litigation challenges outlined above, only one return order has been signed for a UK inadmissible applicant during this recent period.", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2025-11-26/pq_226", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2025-11-26/226/" }, { "date": "2025-11-26", "question_number": 227, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "International Protection", "asked_by": "Carol Nolan", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "227. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of inadmissible international protection decisions made under Section 21 of the International Protection Bill 2015 made by the IPO and IPAT for international protection applicants, by reason of having come from the UK for each of the years 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 and to date 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [66352/25]", "answer": "Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration I propose to take Questions Nos. 226, 227, 228 and 229 together. My Department is taking all necessary steps to manage the international protection process efficiently and effectively, while ensuring the integrity of those processes is maintained at all times. There are a number of circumstances where a person might apply at the International Protection Office (IPO) without first applying at a port of entry. They may enter at an airport with valid documentation for example but choose not to apply at that time. Or they may apply having been in the State for a period previously, for example on foot of a different permission to remain. My Department\u2019s assessment, based on the experience of staff and others working in the field, and based on the material gathered at interviews, is that in a significant proportion of cases, those applying for the first time in the IPO have entered over the land border. Details on the route travelled to Ireland are recorded as part of the applicants file at the IPO, but are not stored in a manner which allows detailed data to be extracted in the manner sought by the Deputy. The below table provides a yearly breakdown of IP applications and the location the claim was made. Place of Application IPO % Airports % Ports % Other % Total 2019 2,278 47.63% 2,385 49.86% 9 0.19% 111 2.32% 4,783 2020 1,239 79.17% 284 18.15% 4 0.26% 38 2.43% 1,565 2021 2,102 79.41% 512 19.34% 9 0.34% 24 0.91% 2,647 2022 8,791 64.44% 4,796 35.16% 35 0.26% 20 0.15% 13,642 2023 10,378 78.21% 2859 21.54% 5 0.04% 28 0.21% 13,270 2024 16,626 89.60% 1,870 10.08% 12 0.06% 47 0.25% 18,555 2025* 10,176 87.58% 1,368 11.77% 32 0.27% 43 0.37% 11,619 *To 21st November 2025. Ireland and the United Kingdom (UK) share a long history and common interest in the effective operation of the Common Travel Area (CTA) and work together to prevent any abuses of the CTA. There is also significant operational cooperation between the Garda\u00ed, UK Border Force, UK policing services and the Police Service of Northern Ireland in relation to both immigration and criminal matters. This strong practical engagement and cooperation serves the mutual interests of both Ireland and the UK, and will continue. In relation to the inadmissibility process, the International Protection Act 2015, Section 21(2)(a) provides that an application for international protection is inadmissible where one or more of the following circumstances applies in relation to the person who is the subject of the application: \u2022 Another member State has granted refugee status or subsidiary protection status to the person; \u2022 A country other than a Member State is, in accordance with Section 21(15) of the 2015 Act, a first country of asylum for the person; \u2022 The person arrived in the State from a safe third country that is, in accordance with Subsection 17, a safe country for the person. Prior to the UK leaving the EU, returns to the UK were governed under the EU Regulations. The UK was the primary destination country for people transferred from Ireland under these Regulations. In 2019 of the 35 people transferred, 33 were sent to the UK, in 2020 of the 8 people transferred, 7 were to the UK. Following the withdrawal of the UK, a new arrangement for reciprocal returns of international protection applicants between Ireland and the UK was agreed. However a High Court judgment subsequently identified legal issues with the process concerning the designation in Irish law of safe third countries. The issues raised by the judgment were addressed by the Courts, Civil Law, Criminal Law and Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2024 and, following an analysis required as under the Act, I designated the UK as a safe third country for returns under S.I. No. 73/2025 - International Protection Act 2015 (Safe Third Country) Order 2025 with effect from 11 March 2025. Arrangements for re-operationalising the agreement, on foot of the re- designation of the UK as a safe third country, are being put in place in consultation with the UK. As no return orders were issued during the Covid pandemic and due to the litigation challenges outlined above, only one return order has been signed for a UK inadmissible applicant during this recent period.", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2025-11-26/pq_227", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2025-11-26/227/" }, { "date": "2025-11-26", "question_number": 228, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "International Protection", "asked_by": "Carol Nolan", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "228. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the average processing time for inadmissible international protection decisions made under section 21 of the International Protection Bill 2015 by both the IPO and IPAT for applicants by reason of having come from the UK for each of the years 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 and to date in 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [66353/25]", "answer": "Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration I propose to take Questions Nos. 226, 227, 228 and 229 together. My Department is taking all necessary steps to manage the international protection process efficiently and effectively, while ensuring the integrity of those processes is maintained at all times. There are a number of circumstances where a person might apply at the International Protection Office (IPO) without first applying at a port of entry. They may enter at an airport with valid documentation for example but choose not to apply at that time. Or they may apply having been in the State for a period previously, for example on foot of a different permission to remain. My Department\u2019s assessment, based on the experience of staff and others working in the field, and based on the material gathered at interviews, is that in a significant proportion of cases, those applying for the first time in the IPO have entered over the land border. Details on the route travelled to Ireland are recorded as part of the applicants file at the IPO, but are not stored in a manner which allows detailed data to be extracted in the manner sought by the Deputy. The below table provides a yearly breakdown of IP applications and the location the claim was made. Place of Application IPO % Airports % Ports % Other % Total 2019 2,278 47.63% 2,385 49.86% 9 0.19% 111 2.32% 4,783 2020 1,239 79.17% 284 18.15% 4 0.26% 38 2.43% 1,565 2021 2,102 79.41% 512 19.34% 9 0.34% 24 0.91% 2,647 2022 8,791 64.44% 4,796 35.16% 35 0.26% 20 0.15% 13,642 2023 10,378 78.21% 2859 21.54% 5 0.04% 28 0.21% 13,270 2024 16,626 89.60% 1,870 10.08% 12 0.06% 47 0.25% 18,555 2025* 10,176 87.58% 1,368 11.77% 32 0.27% 43 0.37% 11,619 *To 21st November 2025. Ireland and the United Kingdom (UK) share a long history and common interest in the effective operation of the Common Travel Area (CTA) and work together to prevent any abuses of the CTA. There is also significant operational cooperation between the Garda\u00ed, UK Border Force, UK policing services and the Police Service of Northern Ireland in relation to both immigration and criminal matters. This strong practical engagement and cooperation serves the mutual interests of both Ireland and the UK, and will continue. In relation to the inadmissibility process, the International Protection Act 2015, Section 21(2)(a) provides that an application for international protection is inadmissible where one or more of the following circumstances applies in relation to the person who is the subject of the application: \u2022 Another member State has granted refugee status or subsidiary protection status to the person; \u2022 A country other than a Member State is, in accordance with Section 21(15) of the 2015 Act, a first country of asylum for the person; \u2022 The person arrived in the State from a safe third country that is, in accordance with Subsection 17, a safe country for the person. Prior to the UK leaving the EU, returns to the UK were governed under the EU Regulations. The UK was the primary destination country for people transferred from Ireland under these Regulations. In 2019 of the 35 people transferred, 33 were sent to the UK, in 2020 of the 8 people transferred, 7 were to the UK. Following the withdrawal of the UK, a new arrangement for reciprocal returns of international protection applicants between Ireland and the UK was agreed. However a High Court judgment subsequently identified legal issues with the process concerning the designation in Irish law of safe third countries. The issues raised by the judgment were addressed by the Courts, Civil Law, Criminal Law and Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2024 and, following an analysis required as under the Act, I designated the UK as a safe third country for returns under S.I. No. 73/2025 - International Protection Act 2015 (Safe Third Country) Order 2025 with effect from 11 March 2025. Arrangements for re-operationalising the agreement, on foot of the re- designation of the UK as a safe third country, are being put in place in consultation with the UK. As no return orders were issued during the Covid pandemic and due to the litigation challenges outlined above, only one return order has been signed for a UK inadmissible applicant during this recent period.", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2025-11-26/pq_228", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2025-11-26/228/" }, { "date": "2025-11-26", "question_number": 229, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "International Protection", "asked_by": "Carol Nolan", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "229. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of inadmissible international protection decisions made under section 21 of the International Protection Bill 2015, by reason of having come from the UK that have \u201ctimed out\u201d because the Department did not transfer or act on the decision within the time frame for removal permitted by law for each of the years 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 and to date in 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [66354/25]", "answer": "Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration I propose to take Questions Nos. 226, 227, 228 and 229 together. My Department is taking all necessary steps to manage the international protection process efficiently and effectively, while ensuring the integrity of those processes is maintained at all times. There are a number of circumstances where a person might apply at the International Protection Office (IPO) without first applying at a port of entry. They may enter at an airport with valid documentation for example but choose not to apply at that time. Or they may apply having been in the State for a period previously, for example on foot of a different permission to remain. My Department\u2019s assessment, based on the experience of staff and others working in the field, and based on the material gathered at interviews, is that in a significant proportion of cases, those applying for the first time in the IPO have entered over the land border. Details on the route travelled to Ireland are recorded as part of the applicants file at the IPO, but are not stored in a manner which allows detailed data to be extracted in the manner sought by the Deputy. The below table provides a yearly breakdown of IP applications and the location the claim was made. Place of Application IPO % Airports % Ports % Other % Total 2019 2,278 47.63% 2,385 49.86% 9 0.19% 111 2.32% 4,783 2020 1,239 79.17% 284 18.15% 4 0.26% 38 2.43% 1,565 2021 2,102 79.41% 512 19.34% 9 0.34% 24 0.91% 2,647 2022 8,791 64.44% 4,796 35.16% 35 0.26% 20 0.15% 13,642 2023 10,378 78.21% 2859 21.54% 5 0.04% 28 0.21% 13,270 2024 16,626 89.60% 1,870 10.08% 12 0.06% 47 0.25% 18,555 2025* 10,176 87.58% 1,368 11.77% 32 0.27% 43 0.37% 11,619 *To 21st November 2025. Ireland and the United Kingdom (UK) share a long history and common interest in the effective operation of the Common Travel Area (CTA) and work together to prevent any abuses of the CTA. There is also significant operational cooperation between the Garda\u00ed, UK Border Force, UK policing services and the Police Service of Northern Ireland in relation to both immigration and criminal matters. This strong practical engagement and cooperation serves the mutual interests of both Ireland and the UK, and will continue. In relation to the inadmissibility process, the International Protection Act 2015, Section 21(2)(a) provides that an application for international protection is inadmissible where one or more of the following circumstances applies in relation to the person who is the subject of the application: \u2022 Another member State has granted refugee status or subsidiary protection status to the person; \u2022 A country other than a Member State is, in accordance with Section 21(15) of the 2015 Act, a first country of asylum for the person; \u2022 The person arrived in the State from a safe third country that is, in accordance with Subsection 17, a safe country for the person. Prior to the UK leaving the EU, returns to the UK were governed under the EU Regulations. The UK was the primary destination country for people transferred from Ireland under these Regulations. In 2019 of the 35 people transferred, 33 were sent to the UK, in 2020 of the 8 people transferred, 7 were to the UK. Following the withdrawal of the UK, a new arrangement for reciprocal returns of international protection applicants between Ireland and the UK was agreed. However a High Court judgment subsequently identified legal issues with the process concerning the designation in Irish law of safe third countries. The issues raised by the judgment were addressed by the Courts, Civil Law, Criminal Law and Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2024 and, following an analysis required as under the Act, I designated the UK as a safe third country for returns under S.I. No. 73/2025 - International Protection Act 2015 (Safe Third Country) Order 2025 with effect from 11 March 2025. Arrangements for re-operationalising the agreement, on foot of the re- designation of the UK as a safe third country, are being put in place in consultation with the UK. As no return orders were issued during the Covid pandemic and due to the litigation challenges outlined above, only one return order has been signed for a UK inadmissible applicant during this recent period.", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2025-11-26/pq_229", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2025-11-26/229/" }, { "date": "2026-02-12", "question_number": 459, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "Departmental Data", "asked_by": "Emer Currie", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "459. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration for a dataset regarding the number of individuals that have become naturalised Irish citizens in the past ten years, broken down by nationality/country of origin; the number now resident in Ireland; the number that hold dual or multiple nationalities, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11239/26]", "answer": "Minister of State at the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration All applications for a certificate of naturalisation are assessed individually based on the provisions of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended. Applicants are required to have 5 years reckonable residence in the State prior to making an application, except for spouses of Irish nationals where the requirement is 3 years. In all cases, the final 12 months must be continuous residence in the State with up to 70 days allowed to facilitate foreign travel for business, family, or holiday purposes. Table 1 below shows the number of certificates of naturalisation that were issued in the last 10 years. In the attached document, the countries of origin of those issued a certificate are outlined. Any country of origin that is less than 10 has been amalgamated into \"Rest of the World\", this is to avoid possibly identifying any person. I can inform the Deputy that it is not possible to provide statistics on the number of naturalised Irish citizens who are currently resident in Ireland or who hold dual or multiple nationalities, as this information is not collected or maintained by my Department. Table 1: Certificates of Naturalisation issued 2016-2025. Year Certificates Issued 2016 10,002 2017 8,178 2018 8,208 2019 5,778 2020 5,465 2021 9,766 2022 13,596 2023 18,265 2024 24,068 2025 31,244 * Please note, all tables and figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing Citizenship Certs by nationality", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2026-02-12/pq_459", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2026-02-12/459/" }, { "date": "2026-04-30", "question_number": 376, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "Youth Services", "asked_by": "Emer Currie", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "376. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the sum spent on youth diversion programmes in Dublin from 2019 to 2025 and to date in 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31773/26]", "answer": "Minister of State at the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration (Deputy Niall Collins) I propose to take Questions Nos. 376 and 377 together. Since the enactment of the Children Act 2001, Ireland\u2019s approach has been to divert children from the criminal justice system with detention of children considered only as a last resort. This policy, which has been pursued by successive Governments, has been extremely successful. While there has been an approximate 25% increase in the population of 12- to 17-year-olds over the past ten years, the number or children coming to the attention of the Garda National Youth Diversion Bureau has remained steady, pointing to an actual reduction in youth offending. Between 2012 and 2022, there has been a drop in total criminal incidents involving children of 35% and a reduction of 31% in the number of children in detention over the past ten years. The budget allocation for Youth Justice measures has increased by 144% from 2020 to 2026 with a significant allocation of \u20ac7.3 million in additional core exchequer funding for Youth Justice measures announced as part of Budget 2026. There are currently 94 Youth Diversion Projects across the country that are funded by my Department. With these funds, these Projects employ dedicated Youth Justice workers who respond daily to the needs of young people across the country. Every young person in Ireland now has access to a youth diversion service. The Department also funds specialised Youth Justice Workers and Programmes in Youth Diversion Projects catering to Early Intervention, Family Support and Harder-to-Reach, serious and prolific young offenders. There are currently 30 Youth Diversion Projects in the Dublin area funded by my Department, with a total of over \u20ac15.8m allocated to these projects in 2026. With these funds, these Projects employ more than 200 dedicated Youth Justice Workers who respond daily to the needs of young people in Dublin. The below table provides the amount of funding allocated to Youth Diversion Projects in Dublin from 2019 - 2026. Dublin YDP Funding 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 Total \u20ac5,192,311 \u20ac5,764,707 \u20ac6,800,480 \u20ac10,357,469 \u20ac12,689,230 \u20ac13,658,555 \u20ac15,266,422 \u20ac15,822,371 The Department, in collaboration with the Probation Service, also operates a number of initiatives distinctly designed to address serious and prolific youth offending for those who may be deemed unsuitable for diversion, these are: the Greentown Programme, the Bail Supervision Scheme and targeted interventions for children who are harder to reach in terms of addressing prolific and serious offending. Please be advised the attached spreadsheet provides the number of young people engaged with Youth Diversion Projects in Dublin from 2019 - 2025. Please note, participant numbers are submitted by projects each year and these numbers are subject to change. youth diversion programmes in Dublin from 2019 to 2025", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2026-04-30/pq_376", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2026-04-30/376/" }, { "date": "2026-04-30", "question_number": 377, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "Youth Services", "asked_by": "Emer Currie", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "377. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the level of participation in youth diversion programmes in Dublin from 2019 to 2025 and to date in 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31774/26]", "answer": "Minister of State at the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration (Deputy Niall Collins) I propose to take Questions Nos. 376 and 377 together. Since the enactment of the Children Act 2001, Ireland\u2019s approach has been to divert children from the criminal justice system with detention of children considered only as a last resort. This policy, which has been pursued by successive Governments, has been extremely successful. While there has been an approximate 25% increase in the population of 12- to 17-year-olds over the past ten years, the number or children coming to the attention of the Garda National Youth Diversion Bureau has remained steady, pointing to an actual reduction in youth offending. Between 2012 and 2022, there has been a drop in total criminal incidents involving children of 35% and a reduction of 31% in the number of children in detention over the past ten years. The budget allocation for Youth Justice measures has increased by 144% from 2020 to 2026 with a significant allocation of \u20ac7.3 million in additional core exchequer funding for Youth Justice measures announced as part of Budget 2026. There are currently 94 Youth Diversion Projects across the country that are funded by my Department. With these funds, these Projects employ dedicated Youth Justice workers who respond daily to the needs of young people across the country. Every young person in Ireland now has access to a youth diversion service. The Department also funds specialised Youth Justice Workers and Programmes in Youth Diversion Projects catering to Early Intervention, Family Support and Harder-to-Reach, serious and prolific young offenders. There are currently 30 Youth Diversion Projects in the Dublin area funded by my Department, with a total of over \u20ac15.8m allocated to these projects in 2026. With these funds, these Projects employ more than 200 dedicated Youth Justice Workers who respond daily to the needs of young people in Dublin. The below table provides the amount of funding allocated to Youth Diversion Projects in Dublin from 2019 - 2026. Dublin YDP Funding 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 Total \u20ac5,192,311 \u20ac5,764,707 \u20ac6,800,480 \u20ac10,357,469 \u20ac12,689,230 \u20ac13,658,555 \u20ac15,266,422 \u20ac15,822,371 The Department, in collaboration with the Probation Service, also operates a number of initiatives distinctly designed to address serious and prolific youth offending for those who may be deemed unsuitable for diversion, these are: the Greentown Programme, the Bail Supervision Scheme and targeted interventions for children who are harder to reach in terms of addressing prolific and serious offending. Please be advised the attached spreadsheet provides the number of young people engaged with Youth Diversion Projects in Dublin from 2019 - 2025. Please note, participant numbers are submitted by projects each year and these numbers are subject to change. youth diversion programmes in Dublin from 2019 to 2025", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2026-04-30/pq_377", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2026-04-30/377/" }, { "date": "2026-04-14", "question_number": 2149, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na", "asked_by": "Ken O'Flynn", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "2149. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of Garda recruits entering Templemore in each year from 2020 to 2026; the number attested in each of those years; the number of Garda retirements and resignations annually over the same period. [26453/26]", "answer": "Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na has provided me with the table below which shows the number of Garda\u00ed who entered Templemore and the number of attested Garda from 2020 to 2026. The latest attestation ceremony took place on 6 February 2026. Intakes/Attestations 2020 \u2013 2026 as of February 2026 Year Intakes to phase 1 Total attested in year 2020 275 522 2021 380 148 2022 116 370 2023 746 388 2024 631 599 2025 794 619 2026 to date 215 167 An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na has also provided me with the table which shows the number of retirements and resignations annually over the same period. Retirements/Resignations 2020 to 2026 as of 28 February 2026 Year Retirements Resignations Total 2020 250 69 319 2021 293 93 386 2022 340 105 445 2023 319 167 486 2024 240 139 379 2025 218 141 359 2026 to date 25 32 57 These figures include Voluntary, Compulsory, Cost Neutral Early Retirements and all Resignation types.", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2026-04-14/pq_2149", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2026-04-14/2149/" }, { "date": "2022-03-31", "question_number": 326, "chamber": "33rd D\u00e1il", "topic": "International Protection", "asked_by": "Carol Nolan", "answered_by": "Children", "question_type": "written", "question": "326. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the costs incurred by International Protection Accommodation Services for taxis and private transport hire to transport international protection applicants to either a direct provision centre or emergency hotel accommodation following their arrival in the State from 2011 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17241/22]", "answer": "Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth The below table represents costs in relation to transport to reception centres, accommodation centres and emergency accommodation located throughout the State from 2011 to date. Year Cost 2011 \u20ac0.068m 2012 \u20ac0.071m 2013 \u20ac0.036m 2014 \u20ac0.046m 2015 \u20ac0.103m 2016 \u20ac0.129m 2017 \u20ac0.093m 2018 \u20ac0.182m 2019 \u20ac0.579m 2020 \u20ac0.479m 2021 \u20ac0.638m Total \u20ac2.424m", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2022-03-31/pq_326", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2022-03-31/326/" }, { "date": "2025-07-29", "question_number": 1945, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "Departmental Data", "asked_by": "Peadar T\u00f3ib\u00edn", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "1945. Deputy Peadar T\u00f3ib\u00edn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of persons arrested for attempts or threats of murder in each of the past ten years. [41144/25]", "answer": "Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration The Garda authorities have provided the following table which provides a count of arrests made each year for the 2015 to 2024 period whereby the originating incident type was either Murder Threat or Murder Attempt. Year Murder Attempt/Threat 2015 241 2016 276 2017 307 2018 404 2019 464 2020 701 2021 739 2022 711 2023 494 2024 592 Please note that all data is operational and may be subject to change.", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2025-07-29/pq_1945", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2025-07-29/1945/" }, { "date": "2025-09-08", "question_number": 1599, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na", "asked_by": "Matt Carthy", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "1599. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of Garda\u00ed who had previously resigned and rejoined the Garda\u00ed in each of the last 10 years and to date in 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45646/25]", "answer": "Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration The Garda authorities have provided the information in the table below on the number of Garda\u00ed who have rejoined the organisation in each of the last 10 years and to date in 2025: Year Number of Rejoiners 2015 1 2016 2 2017 0 2018 1 2019 0 2020 0 2021 1 2022 2 2023 1 2024 6 2025 to date 5 The benefits of former members re-joining the organisation are that they already understand the culture, systems, and expectations within An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na. The re-joiner process has been streamlined following the recent focus on retention. An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na believe that a smooth re-joining process makes the organisation more attractive to former members considering a return.", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2025-09-08/pq_1599", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2025-09-08/1599/" }, { "date": "2026-07-28", "question_number": 2405, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "International Protection", "asked_by": "Matt Carthy", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "2405. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the average processing time of applications and appeals for international protection, by quarter in each of the years 2020 to date in 2026, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58582/26]", "answer": "Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration My Department takes all necessary steps to manage the international protection process efficiently and effectively, while ensuring the integrity of those processes is maintained at all times. There has been a significant increase in investment into the international protection system over the last number of years which, combined with digitisation and process reengineering, has facilitated a major increase in processing capacity and demonstrates a strong commitment to reducing cases on hand. In 2025, the International Protection Office (IPO) delivered over 20,200 first decisions compared to approximately 14,100 in 2024, a 44% increase. The International Protection Appeals Tribunal (IPAT) more than doubled the number of appeals closed from 3,100 in 2024 to nearly 6,300 in 2025. This year as of 19th July, IPAT has already closed 5,218 appeals and is on track to significantly exceed the number of appeals closed in 2025. The requested data in relation to median processing times of international protection and appeals decisions is outlined in the tables below. Table 1. Median processing time in months for first instance international protection decisions from 2020 to 2026 (up to 30/06), by quarter. Year Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 2020 16 18 19 21 2021 21 27 22 22 2022 26 21 13 10 2023 11 12 14 16 2024 18 19 18 18 2025 17 16 17 17 2026 17 17 * Please note processing times in June 2026 were impacted by staff transitioning to processes under the International Protection Act 2026. * Figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing. Accelerated processing was introduced in November 2022, and it now applies to those from designated safe countries of origin, applicants who have received protection elsewhere in Europe and those from a country with a particularly high number of applications. Table 2. Median processing time in months for first instance international protection decisions under the accelerated procedure in the years 2020 to 2026 (up to 30/06), by quarter. Year Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 2022 - - - 1 2023 2 2 2 2 2024 3 2 3 3 2025 4 4 3 2 2026 3 2 * Figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing. Table 3. Median processing time in months for international protection appeals at the IPAT from 2020 to 2026 (up to 30/06), by quarter. Year Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 2020 6 9 11 12 2021 15 16 13 14 2022 15 13 10 4 2023 6 6 6 7 2024 9 10 11 13 2025 14 15 16 15 2026 11 16 * Figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing. Please note, figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing. As the Deputy will be aware, the International Protection Act 2026 entered into effect on 12 June 2026 and gives effect to the EU Migration and Asylum Pact. As part of these new measures a new international protection appeals body, the Tribunal for Asylum and Returns Appeals (TARA) was established on the 12 June which will process all appeals made under the International Protection 2026 Act. The establishment of TARA delivers on the Programme for Government commitment to \u2018Replace the International Protection Appeals Tribunal with a new, faster appeals system\u2019. IPAT will continue to process appeals arising under the International Protection Act 2015 (as amended).", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2026-07-28/pq_2405", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2026-07-28/2405/" }, { "date": "2018-12-11", "question_number": 484, "chamber": "32nd D\u00e1il", "topic": "Children in Care", "asked_by": "Denis Naughten", "answered_by": "Children", "question_type": "written", "question": "484. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of unaccompanied minors claiming asylum who have been taken into the care of the State in each year since 2009 and to date in 2018; the number reported missing in each year; the number who have been relocated; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52138/18]", "answer": "Minister for Children and Youth Affairs Separated children seeking asylum are defined as \u201cchildren under eighteen years of age who are outside their country of origin, who have applied for asylum and are separated from their parents or their legal/customary care giver\u201d. All children and young people in this service have an allocated Social Worker. All young people and young adults in the service who are entitled to Aftercare services have an allocated Aftercare Worker. Table 1 sets out the total number of referrals to the Tusla Separated Children Seeking Asylum Team and the number of those children taken into care, from 2009-2017 and to date in 2018. Table 1. Year Total Referrals to Tusla Separated Children Seeking Asylum Team Children Placed in Care 2009 203 126 2010 96 70 2011 99 66 2012 71 48 2013 120 62 2014 97 86 2015 109 82 2016 126 82 2017 175 111 2018 to date 111 63 Table 2 sets out the number of missing unaccompanied minors and the number of minors relocated/found. A child is deemed to be missing according to his or her individualised absence management plan. Going missing from care can include missing a curfew, or an unscheduled absence from a care placement, and does not always mean that a child has disappeared or run away. It is important to note that one child could be reported missing more than once. There should be no inference made about whether these children made applications for international protection or not. Some children went missing before they were interviewed by a social worker. Table 2. Year Number of children reported missing Number of children found 2009 50 12 2010 13 9 2011 8 2 2012 5 3 2013 5 3 2014 3 2 2015 10 5 2016 9 4 2017 8 5 2018 to date 10 4", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2018-12-11/pq_484", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2018-12-11/484/" }, { "date": "2025-07-29", "question_number": 2075, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "Prison Service", "asked_by": "R\u00e9ada Cronin", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "2075. Deputy R\u00e9ada Cronin asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of prisoners currently in Mountjoy Prison; the number of those in Mountjoy Prison from 2019 to 2024, in tabular form; if the current number of inmates constitutes overcrowding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42876/25]", "answer": "Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration The total number of male and female prisoners detained in Mountjoy Prison as at 23 July in each year from 2019 inclusive of this year is outlined in the table below. Prisoner population statistics are published on a daily basis and are available at: www.irishprisons.ie/information-centre/statistics-information/2015-daily-prisoner-population/ As at 23 July 2025, Mountjoy Male prison is operating at 126% capacity, Mountjoy Female is operating at 132% capacity and the Training Unit is operating at 100% capacity. I am acutely aware of capacity restraints in our prisons, and challenges faced by those who work and live in our prisons as a result. The Irish Prison Service must accept into custody all people committed to prison by the Courts. As such, the Irish Prison Service has no control over the numbers committed to custody at any given time. Action is being taken by the Irish Prison Service on a daily basis to manage overcrowding through a combination of inter-prison transfers where capacity is available and structured Temporary Release. Decisions in relation to temporary release are considered on a case by case basis and the safety of the public is paramount when those decisions are made. Since January 2022, capacity across the prison estate has been increased by more than 377 new spaces, with 126 delivered in 2024, 40 delivered to date in 2025 with plans to deliver a further 101 additional spaces by the end of this year. In line with Programme for Government commitments to deliver 1500 additional prison spaces, \u20ac495m has been allocated under the National Development Plan to the Irish Prison Service for 2026-2030. Projects are planned at Castlerea, Cloverhill, Mountjoy, Portlaoise, Wheatfield, Midlands, and D\u00f3chas prisons and at the Old Cork prison site. The capital allocation will also support work to commence on the development of a new prison at Thornton in North County Dublin. Table 1: Prisoners detained in Mountjoy Prison as at 23 July in each year from 2019 to 2025 23 July 2025 1,313 23 July 2024 1,175 24 July 2023 1,074 25 July 2022 894 23 July 2021 822 23 July 2020 776 23 July 2019 819", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2025-07-29/pq_2075", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2025-07-29/2075/" }, { "date": "2025-10-14", "question_number": 703, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "Courts Service", "asked_by": "Matt Carthy", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "703. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the total number of judges in each court in the years 2020 to date, in tabular form; the recommendations he has received with regard to increasing the size of the judiciary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54944/25]", "answer": "Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration In accordance with Articles 13.9 and 35.1 of the Constitution, judicial appointments are made by the President, acting on the advice of the Government. The number of Judges assigned to each jurisdiction, as set out in legislation, is provided in the table below. Year Jurisdiction Description Notes 2020 (170) Supreme Court (10) Chief Justice and 9 ordinary judges Court of Appeal (16) President and 15 ordinary judges High Court (40) President and 37 ordinary judges plus 2 additional judges 1 judge appointed chair of GSOC & 1 judge appointed to the LRC giving rise to the 2 additional posts. Circuit Court (40) President and 37 Ordinary Judges plus 2 Specialist Judges Part Six of the Personal Insolvency Act 2012 provided for the amendment of the Courts Acts to create a cadre of Specialist Judges of the Circuit Court. District Court (64) President plus 63 ordinary judges 2021 (176) Supreme Court (10) Chief Justice and 9 ordinary judges Court of Appeal (17) President and 15 ordinary judges plus 1 additional judge 1 judge appointed a Commissioner of the LRC giving rise to the additional post. High Court (45) President and 42 ordinary judges plus 2 additional judges 1 judge appointed chair of GSOC & 1 judge appointed a Commissioner of the LRC giving rise to the 2 additional posts. Circuit Court (40) President and 37 Ordinary Judges plus 2 Specialist Judges Part Six of the Personal Insolvency Act 2012 provided for the amendment of the Courts Acts to create a cadre of Specialist Judges of the Circuit Court. District Court (64) President plus 63 ordinary judges 2022 (173) Supreme Court (10) Chief Justice and 9 ordinary judges Court of Appeal (16) President and 15 ordinary judges 1 judge was appointed a Commissioner of the LRC in October 2020 for a five year term giving rise to an additional post. However, on 29 November 2022, the judge was appointed to the Supreme Court and decided to continue with his membership of the LRC as a Supreme Court Judge. As a result, the additional post in the Court of Appeal was lost. High Court (45) President and 42 ordinary judges plus 2* additional judges 1 judge was appointed chair of GSOC on 19 January 2022 giving rise to the additional post. * However, when that judge retired in June 2022 the additional post was lost. 1 judge appointed a Commissioner to the LRC giving rise to the additional post. Circuit Court (38) President and 37 ordinary judges District Court (64) President plus 63 ordinary judges 2023 (198) Supreme Court (11) Chief Justice and 9 ordinary judges plus 1 additional judge 1 judge was nominated to chair the Electoral Commission, thus creating an additional post. Court of Appeal (18) President and 17 ordinary judges High Court (51) President and 50 ordinary judges Circuit Court (46) President and 45 ordinary judges District Court (72) President plus 71 ordinary judges 2024 (198) Supreme Court (10) Chief Justice and 9 ordinary judges Court of Appeal (19) President and 18 ordinary judges High Court (51) President and 50 ordinary judges Circuit Court (46) President and 45 ordinary judges District Court (72) President plus 71 ordinary judges 2025 (198) Supreme Court (10) Chief Justice and 9 ordinary judges Court of Appeal (19) President and 18 ordinary judges High Court (51) President and 50 ordinary judges Circuit Court (46) President and 45 ordinary judges District Court (72) President plus 71 ordinary judges Special Criminal Courts The original Special Criminal Court was established in 1972 under Section 38 (1) of the Offences Against the State Act 1939. Article 38 3. (1) of the Constitution allows for the establishment of special courts in accordance with the law in cases where it is considered that the ordinary courts are inadequate to secure the effective administration of justice. Section 38 of the Offences against the State Act 1939 provides for the establishment of Special Criminal Courts. Section 38 of the 1939 Act also provides that the Government may, whenever they consider it necessary or desirable to do so, establish additional Special Criminal Courts as they think fit. A second Special Criminal Court was established by Government Order on 14 December 2004 and was brought into existence on 28 October 2015. The second Special Criminal Court has been operational since 25 April 2016. The Government, at its meeting of 19 July 2016, agreed to make appointments to the panel of judges assigned to Special Criminal Court No.1 (SCC No.1) and to Special Criminal Court No.2 (SCC No.2) so that each panel consisted of the same judges. This change took effect from 30 July 2016 and essentially created one pool of judges available to serve in both Special Criminal Courts allowing for greater flexibility and efficiency in the allocation of judges to SCC No.1 and SCC No.2. The Special Criminal Courts (No.1) and (No.2) currently consist of nineteen judges; eight from the High Court, four from the Circuit Court and seven from the District Court (the SCC has also consisted of 19 judges for the period in question 2020 \u2013 2025). In 2023, the Government approved and appointed an additional 24 judges as proposed by the Judicial Planning Working Group. Following an impact assessment of these appointments, Government approval was secured to increase judicial numbers by a further 20 judges in order to meet the growing demands on the justice system and to further reduce long waiting times across the courts. This second tranche of judicial appointments will involve two additional judges for the Court of Appeal and six each for the High, Circuit and District Courts. A further Government Decision, taken in July 2025, provided for the establishment of the Commission of Investigation into the Handling of Historical Child Sexual Abuse in Day and Boarding Schools, to be chaired by a current Court of Appeal judge. In order to prevent any diminution of operating strength, the Government Decision further provided for an increase of one additional ordinary judge of the Court of Appeal.", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2025-10-14/pq_703", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2025-10-14/703/" }, { "date": "2026-02-19", "question_number": 434, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "Legislative Measures", "asked_by": "James Geoghegan", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "434. Deputy James Geoghegan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if he will outline each section of enacted legislation, where the responsibility lies in the Minister to commence that section, that has not been commenced; if he will outline each section of enacted legislation which provides for the making of regulations by the Minister that have not been made by the Minister; if he will outline all sections of enacted legislation or secondary legislation which provide for the publication of guidelines by the Minister that have not been published, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13510/26]", "answer": "Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration The information requested in relation to enacted legislation that has not been commenced, for the timeline February 2020 to date, is provided in the table below. This includes sections of enacted legislation which provides for the making of regulations that have not yet been made. It has not been possible to provide details of legislation which contain a requirement to publish guidelines as this information is not readily available and compiling it would require a disproportionate use of resources. Title of Act Outstanding Provision(s) Is it intended to commence/activate this provision? Are there powers to make regulations but no such regulations have been made? Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2020 Section 32 - Execution of documents in counterpart No plans for commencement at this time Communications (Retention of Data) (Amendment) Act 2022 The Regulation making powers at the following sections have not yet been exercised: Section 12B(1) \u2013 Amend Schedule 2 of the Act Section 12F(1) - Prescribe certain retention periods or the form of certain reports Section 12F(2)(a) \u2013 Prescribe certain technical requirements on retaining/preserving data Section 12F(2)(b) \u2013 Prescribe criteria to regard when specifying a class of data by reference to a particular geographic area Section 12F(2)(c) \u2013 Procedures in relation to the operation of various provisions under S6 and S7 Section 12G \u2013 notification of data subjects* *In the case of Section 12G, where regulations are required, drafting has commenced. In all other cases, there are no plans to make regulations in the foreseeable future. Courts and Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2023 Section 16 inserts 51L into the Civil Liability Act, 1961 Section 51L(2) provides for regulations to be made specifying an index for periodic payments. Drafting of the necessary regulations is at an advanced stage Section 37 amends section 82(2)(a) and 82(2)(b) of the Bankruptcy Act 1988 Section 82(2) provides that the form and such other manner (than that provided by legislation) of the notice of filing may be prescribed by the Minister. It is not intended to make such regulations at this time. Section 50, 51, and 67 S.50, 51, 67 to be commenced when adopting Pre-Action Protocols for clinical negligence claims Section 70 - Amends S.48 of the International Protection Act 2015. This amendment would extend the period from 5 to 30 days during which a person may opt to voluntarily return to their country of origin. There are no immediate plans to commence this provision. Section 71 - Amends S.52 of the International Protection Act 2015 This section will be repealed by the International Protection Bill 2026 Section 100 Provides for immunity from suit for the Courts Service and its staff. Amendments may be required prior to commencement to align with provisions of the Court Proceedings (Delays) Act 2024 Section 124 No plans for commencement at this time, due to concerns about impact on champerty and maintenance, and implications for the financialization of litigation and the resultant risk of significant legal costs inflation Courts and Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2025 Section 9 Commencement of section 9 of the Courts and Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2025 will be considered in line with commencement of specific provisions in the Family Courts Act 2024, and a number of other pieces of legislation, at an appropriate time when the Family Courts are to be stood up. Section 10 - amending the Street and House to House Collections Act 1962 which currently refers to the Gaming and Lotteries Act 1956 to refer instead to the Gambling Regulation Act 2024. This will be commenced at the same time as the repeal of the 1956 Act. Court Proceedings (Delays) Act 2024 Full Act not commenced Arrangements to operationalise the requirements of the Act are currently being finalised Section 3(1)- The Minister may by regulations provide for any matter referred to in this Act as prescribed or to be prescribed. N/A- Act has not been commenced Counterfeiting Act 2021 Section 29 Commencement of section 29 is not necessary as this section has been given effect to by European Union (Counterfeiting of Euro) Regulations 2021 (S.I. No. 408/2021) Sections 15(1) and 15(2). These sections relate to the Central Bank making regulations following consultation with the Minister for Finance. Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Human Trafficking) Act 2024. Sections 20-36. Section 33(3) provides a regulation making power that relates to appeals of decisions of the National Referral Mechanism (NRM) Operation Committee. The NRM has not been commenced as work is underway to assess the impact of the EU Migration and Asylum Pact on the provisions Family Courts Act 2024 Act not yet commenced It is intended to commence the Family Courts Act 2024 on a phased basis in line with the implementation plan to stand up the Family Courts. Drafting of the first Commencement Order is underway. Gambling Regulation Act 2024 Section 6, 10, 15(1)(a) \u2013 (l), 40 (2)-(6), 41, 42, 81, 228 \u2013 270 Part 2, Chapters 3 and 4, Part 4 Chapters 1 and 2, Parts 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9. The Act has, to date, been partially commenced to allow for the establishment of the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI) and the commencement of its initial functions on 5 March 2025. As of 5 February 2026, a further order was made to commence key aspects of the Act which will enable the Authority to begin issuing and overseeing in-person and remote betting licences. The remaining provisions of the Act to be commenced will be done on a phased basis. The Act contains a significant number of regulation making powers which are intended to account for the rapidly changing nature of the gambling industry. While some of these powers may never be needed, their inclusion in the Act allows the Authority to adapt to any future developments within the industry and provides the legislation with a degree of flexibility to ensure its continued relevance Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na (Recording Devices) Act 2023 Sections 6,7,13-43 and 49 Section 3 regulation dependent on the drafting by AGS of appropriate codes of practice for Parts 2 to 6 Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na (Functions and Operational Areas) Act 2022 Full Act not commenced Regulations not made as yet. Kept under review. Section 9 Regulations drafted. Personal Insolvency (Amendment) Act 2024 Sections 4,8,9,11,12,15, and 16. These Sections allow for a 'confirmation of truth' to be used instead of a statutory declaration Work to progress these sections is being progressed in collaboration with the Insolvency Service. Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024 Sections 300, 302(c), (d), (e) and Schedule 1 as they relate to the repeal of section 38 of 20/2005. Sections 59(1), 212(7) and Section 45(2). Regulations not made as yet. Kept under review. Sex Offenders (Amendment) Act 2023 Sections 14(A), 14(b), 15, 16, 24, 25 and 30(2). These sections relate to electronic monitoring and the outcome of a pilot is awaited. Section 13 inserts section 14C giving the Minister power to make regulations in relation to risk assessment and management teams. No regulations made.", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2026-02-19/pq_434", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2026-02-19/434/" }, { "date": "2026-09-23", "question_number": 125, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "International Protection", "asked_by": "Peadar T\u00f3ib\u00edn", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "125. Deputy Peadar T\u00f3ib\u00edn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of international protection applicants who are currently employed in the State; whether his Department collects or has access to data on the employment status of persons residing in IPAS accommodation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [67247/26]", "answer": "Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration It is a central priority for me that Ireland\u2019s immigration system is robust and rules based. Labour market access permission for international protection applicants gives eligible applicants the opportunity to work and helps them to integrate into Irish society while providing for themselves and their families outside of the State\u2019s directly provided services and supports. It also helps people to plan and prepare for their future in Ireland if they receive a positive decision on their application for international protection. Under the European Communities (Reception Conditions) Regulations 2018 (S.I. No. 230 of 2018), people are eligible to apply for labour market access permission if: \u2022 They are an international protection applicant; and \u2022 They have waited at least 5 months from their \u201cApplication Received\u201d date for their first instance recommendation; and \u2022 They are cooperating with the international protection process \u2013 delays in receiving a First Instance recommendation within 6 months must not be attributed, or attributed in part, to the applicant \u2022 They have not received a final decision on their application. Following that, a person may be issued a permission for labour market access if, at 6 months, they have not yet received a first instance recommendation. This permission is valid for 12 months and may be renewed until a final decision is made on the person's international protection application. The permission allows a person to access both employment and self-employment. They may work for most employers, however they are not permitted to be employed in the Defence Forces, An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na, the Civil Service, the Public Service, or one of the other bodies listed in Schedule 6 of the European Communities (Reception Conditions) Regulations 2018. The granting of a labour market access permission does not necessarily confirm that the applicant has found employment. Statistics on the number of international protection applicants that have achieved employment are not available. My Department does not have information regarding the type of employment international protection applicants are engaged in. The table below shows the number of labour market access permission applications made and granted from 2020 to 21 September 2026. 1st time applications Renewal applications 1st time grants Renewal grants 2020 2,763 3,646 2,785 3,499 2021 1,749 4,647 1,825 4,863 2022 6,979 2,188 5,367 2,144 2023 9,384 3,938 8,465 2,473 2024 11,317 5,760 11,766 7,102 2025 9,272 13,273 10,886 12,862 2026* 4,996 10,449 5,373 10,684 * to 22 September. Data on IPAS Accommodation residents and their employment status is not collated in the manner requested by the Deputy.", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2026-09-23/pq_125", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2026-09-23/125/" }, { "date": "2026-09-16", "question_number": 891, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "Citizenship Applications", "asked_by": "Matt Carthy", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "891. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of persons granted Irish citizenship by naturalisation in each year from 2016 to date, by previous nationality; the number of applications received and refused for each nationality; the refusal rate in each case, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [65022/26]", "answer": "Minister of State at the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration All applications for a certificate of naturalisation are assessed individually based on the provisions of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended. A determination on whether an applicant satisfies the statutory criteria for naturalisation can only be made after an application is 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 draft legislation is intended to simultaneously strengthen the integrity of the naturalisation system and align Ireland more closely with processes in several other EU Member States. The figures requested by the Deputy are provided in the table below and in the files attached. My Department continues to register applications received in 2025 and the provided information is up to 30 September 2025. In the attached documents, any country of origin that is less than 10 has been amalgamated into \"Rest of the World\", this is to avoid possibly identifying any person. The number of refusals issued in the last 10 years is outlined in the below table. Given that almost all nationalities listed are 'less than 10' for each year, a nationality breakdown is not available. Year Refused 2016 488 2017 522 2018 1,252 2019 50 2020 8 2021 696 2022 404 2023 129 2024 187 2025 377", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2026-09-16/pq_891", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2026-09-16/891/" }, { "date": "2016-01-26", "question_number": 5, "chamber": "31st D\u00e1il", "topic": "Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements", "asked_by": "Miche\u00e1l Martin", "answered_by": "Taoiseach", "question_type": "oral", "question": "5. Deputy Miche\u00e1l Martin asked the Taoiseach the status of the European Union Council meeting on 30 November 2015, including discussions on the \u20ac3 billion plan for Turkey, the easing of visa restrictions, the status of Turkey's application to join the European Union, border security, the migrant situation, and the shooting of a Russian aircraft; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43506/15]", "answer": "The Taoiseach I reported to the House on 20 October on the detail on the outcome of the European Council meeting of 15 October. That meeting dealt with several issues of importance to the Union, with a particular focus on the complex challenge of migration. Also discussed at the meeting were the report of the five presidents, Completing Europe\u2019s Economic and Monetary Union, and the UK plans for a referendum on its EU membership, and it was agreed in both instances to return to the issues in December. The French President, Fran\u00e7ois Hollande, made a presentation in advance of the global Conference of Parties on climate change in Paris, and the European Council noted the publication of the international and independent report into the downing of flight MH17 over Ukraine. On Sunday, 29 November, EU Heads of State and Government held a meeting with the Prime Minister of Turkey. Co-operation with Turkey is central to the European Union\u2019s overall approach to tackling the migration crisis, and the meeting agreed a joint statement along with the European Union-Turkey joint action plan which had been negotiated by the European Commission over the previous weeks. The statement noted the European Union's agreement to provide an initial contribution of \u20ac3 billion over two years in support of the 2.2 million Syrian refugees in Turkey. Member states including Ireland will contribute to this fund once the final arrangements have been agreed. The statement also committed to strengthening relations between the European Union and Turkey, addressing common challenges through more structured, high-level dialogue and re-energising the accession process, on which the European Commission published its annual report on 10 November. The issues of visa liberalisation for Turkish citizens and border security, both of which are mentioned in the statement, are for Schengen member states to consider in the first instance. The action plan is intended to further support refugees and their host communities in Turkey and to strengthen co-operation in preventing irregular migration. Both the European Union and Turkey have set out their intentions under the plan, which includes financial support, resettling of refugees from Turkey to the European Union, law enforcement co-operation on smuggling, joint return operations, an improved legal framework, and compulsory registration and integration measures. It is important to emphasise that the commitments made by Turkey and the European Union in the joint action plan will have to be fulfilled. Progress on this is being very carefully monitored and will be reviewed by the European Council in due course. The shooting down of the Russian aircraft was not discussed at the European Council meeting in November. I had no scheduled bilateral meetings in the margins of the meeting of European Union Heads of State and Government with the Turkish Prime Minister on 29 November, although I did, of course, have informal exchanges with a number of colleagues. I last met Chancellor Merkel at the December European Council meeting. While I engaged with the Chancellor in the course of the Council meeting, we did not have a formal bilateral meeting. I did not raise retroactive recapitalisation of the Irish banks with her or with other counterparts at that meeting. I last held a formal bilateral meeting with Chancellor Merkel during my visit to Berlin on 3 July 2014, following her own visit to Dublin in March 2014. The British Government's proposals for EU membership were discussed most recently at the December European Council. This provided a welcome opportunity to have a collective discussion of the issue with all 28 EU Heads of State and Government and the Presidents of the EU institutions, framed by the earlier exchange of letters between the UK Prime Minister, David Cameron, and the President of the European Council, Donald Tusk. At that meeting, Mr. Cameron opened the discussion by outlining the four broad areas where he is seeking change and by explaining the complex domestic politics around the issue in the United Kingdom. I intervened in strong terms in the subsequent discussion to present the Irish point of view, which is, of course, well known to this House and in the United Kingdom and other member states. I spoke about the importance of the issue to Ireland, given the uniquely close political, social, economic and cultural ties between our countries. I also emphasised the significance of UK membership to the European Union as a whole and I stressed the importance of working together to find a mutually acceptable solution. Regarding the proposals themselves, Ireland is supportive of moves aimed at delivering more for our citizens. We share the United Kingdom\u2019s enthusiasm for sustained effort under the \"competitiveness\" heading. The issues here are the drivers of long-term prosperity for the citizens of the European Union. Under the \u201ceconomic governance\u201d and \u201csovereignty\u201d headings, although the details of the proposals remain to be clarified, we can also see where solutions might lie. In the immigration and free movement area, we can more than likely support the proposals, subject to the details, in regard to addressing fraud and abuse and changing the way in which child benefit is paid abroad. The idea of limiting access to in-work benefits is more difficult, and there is opposition to the proposal in its current form. However, I am hopeful that, with willingness and determination, a workable solution in this area can also be found. With regard to the debate itself, I was encouraged by the substantive and very constructive exchange of views about the four categories of reform proposed by Mr. Cameron, including the difficulties. There can be little doubt that this is a challenging and sensitive issue, but the atmosphere at the European Council meeting was very positive and there was willingness to find a way forward. Prime Minister Cameron, while not withdrawing his proposition about limiting access to in-work benefits, signalled his openness to alternative ideas that would have the same effect. We agreed, therefore, to work closely together in the period ahead, with a view to reaching agreement on a package of measures at the February European Council meeting. While the legal form and implications of the final package remain to be teased out, I welcome the fact that the Prime Minister is not pressing for early treaty change. We now await the emergence of detailed proposals from President Tusk, which are expected in early February. These will allow all member states to develop further their responses under each of the four headings and participate in intensive and collective preparatory work at senior official level leading up to the next European Council meeting, which I understand will take place on 11 February. The aim is to secure an agreement that is acceptable to all of us and will allow the Prime Minister to recommend and campaign vigorously for a vote to remain in the European Union. I met Prime Minister Cameron again in London yesterday and we had a further excellent discussion about the state of play. He updated me on his recent contacts with colleagues and I confirmed our strong support for a positive result. This issue has implications for all parts of Government policy. The whole of government has, therefore, been engaged in tracking the development of the debate and framing our contribution to the negotiations that are under way. The Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Minister of State with responsibility for European affairs have particular responsibilities in this respect, as do other Ministers in relevant sectors, supported by officials across Departments. In addition to the United Kingdom's relationship with the European Union, the ongoing migration and refugee crisis was the main item of discussion at the December European Council. Heads of State and Government took stock of what has been done so far and looked at further shaping and implementing a comprehensive EU approach. There was consensus that, while important agreements were reached over the course of 2015 to establish a comprehensive response to the crisis, implementation of the measures, notably as regards the so-called hotspots, relocation and returns, has been far too slow. The European Council agreed that member states and the EU institutions must work together urgently to address these deficiencies in the system. Work on this is being progressed by the Presidency, the European Commission and the High Representative, who will report on progress at the February meeting of the European Council. Regrettably, however, in the month since the December European Council, the position has not improved and the urgent need for progress is more marked than ever. Building on earlier conferences and summits, the European Council also emphasised the importance of working with regional partners in the western Balkans and Africa. Ireland has consistently called for an approach which addresses the root causes as well as the humanitarian challenges at European level. As I observed at the December meeting of the European Council, our immediate priority is to implement the resettlement and relocation proposals under which we have offered to accept 4,000 asylum seekers and refugees. In this context 176 Syrian refugees have already arrived in Ireland under the resettlement programme, with an additional 120 refugees due to arrive soon. While progress on relocation has been much slower, I am pleased that the first group of Syrian asylum seekers - a family of ten - arrived here recently under the relocation framework. Our decision to opt into the relocation and resettlement programme last year was in addition to the substantial additional financial support Ireland has provided towards assisting those affected by the Syrian crisis, the World Food Programme, to which we have agreed to double our allocation in the years ahead, and the Emergency Trust Fund for Africa, as well as the support provided by the Naval Service to humanitarian search and rescue operations in the Mediterranean, of which Deputies are well aware. The migration crisis will be a major ongoing challenge for the foreseeable future. I hope real progress will be made in the coming weeks and I look forward to discussing developments again with the other Heads of Government at the February European Council meeting. As I noted, much of the Council's time was spent on addressing the migration and refugee crisis and the EU-UK negotiations. However, a number of other agenda items were also discussed. Most notably, the European Council considered actions in the fight against terrorism, building on the decisions taken at its February meeting and in light of the appalling attacks in Paris and elsewhere. As outlined in my detailed statement to the House last week, there was also discussion of international developments, including the position in Syria, Ukraine and Libya, respectively, and a number of economic and financial issues, taking stock of discussions on the five presidents' report on economic and monetary union and developments in the Single Market following publication of the new strategy. Energy union and a forward-looking climate policy were discussed, following the very successful COP21 summit in Paris last year. An Ceann Comhairle I call Deputy Jonathan O'Brien who is substituting for Deputy Gerry Adams. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien As this is my first time substituting, I will need some guidance on timing and so forth. An Ceann Comhairle It is Question Time, which means Deputies should put questions. The Deputy should be as brief as possible. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien I will take a leaf out of Deputy Martin's book. The Taoiseach raised a number of points which I would like to discuss. I refer first to the proposed referendum on a British withdrawal from the European Union, also known as Brexit. Following the Taoiseach's meeting with Prime Minister Cameron yesterday, he expressed the view that all of Britain's demands for reform of the EU could be solved and referred to a number of these demands in his response. The next meeting of the European Council will take place on 18 and 19 February. The December European Council set itself the explicit objective of securing an agreement on mutually satisfactory solutions. The British Prime Minister indicated previously that he hoped to reach a deal on Britain's membership of the EU next month, which would clear the way for a referendum as early as this summer. However, in his remarks yesterday, Mr. Cameron seemed less sure of this. It is not necessary for me to outline the consequences of a British exit from the European Union for Ireland, especially the North. For eight decades, we have had a physical border between the two States and an economic, social, cultural and political border which has been the source of enormous dislocation and, at times, conflict. The Good Friday Agreement transformed the position, however, and the physical Border has become all but invisible. Nevertheless, much work remains to be done on the economic and political barriers between the Twenty-six Counties and Six Counties. Any move towards Brexit would be a retrograde step as it would create the potential for a return to border controls, which would have a highly detrimental impact on the economy of the Border counties. The adverse effects of a Brexit on the all-Ireland bodies established as part of the Good Friday Agreement also need to be taken into consideration. The outcome of the UK referendum on EU membership should not determine the fate of the North in respect of these matters. Has the Taoiseach sought an assurance from the British Government that the outcome of the referendum in the North alone will determine the relationship between this State and the Six Counties? The Taoiseach referred to some of the areas on which he believes compromise could be reached. Will he elaborate on these matters? The Taoiseach also referred to the refugee crisis and indicated that the discussions at the European Council meetings in Brussels in October, November and December, respectively, were very much focused on the issue of refugees. I take this opportunity to commend the work of the Naval Service, which successfully rescued a staggering 8,631 people during its humanitarian operations in the Mediterranean Sea in 2015. The extraordinary loss of life as refugees flee violence, war and poverty in the Middle East and north Africa has shocked and saddened all of us. Last year, 3,770 men, women and children died trying to cross the Mediterranean. We also saw the images of the three-year-old child on a Turkish beach. I acknowledge the tremendous work that the naval vessels carried out. There are no naval vessels in the region at the moment. Traditionally, the winter months see fewer refugees trying to make the dangerous journey. Unfortunately, some are still trying to make that journey. At least 43 people, including 17 children, drowned only last Friday when their boat collapsed off the Greek islands. According to the International Organization for Migration, over 100 refugees have drowned since the start of the year. That is more than the combined totals for January 2014 and 2015. It is estimated that almost 37,000 have arrived in Italy and Greece since the beginning of the year. There is no doubt we are seeing an unprecedented growth in the number of refugees trying to cross the Mediterranean. Are there any plans? When is it planned to send Irish naval vessels back out on humanitarian missions? I wish to come back in later, a Cheann Comhairle, because I have some other questions, but I know Deputy Martin is keen to get in. The Taoiseach I thank Deputy O'Brien for his questions. With regard to the Brexit business, I never understood why the title is as it is because British exit is not a positive term, if I can put it that way. It is actually a choice being made by the British electorate. I have heard some comments from the MP, Mr. Dodds, and the Northern Ireland First Minister, Ms Arlene Foster, with regard to comments I made in London yesterday. I am very much aware that the decision is one for the British electorate, for those in Northern Ireland, Scotland, England and Wales. However, it is not the same as the referendum on independence in Scotland because this country has an interest in it. It is a critical decision to be made by the British electorate in respect of the European Union, Britain and Ireland in the context of our relations with Northern Ireland. Deputy O'Brien has pointed out some of these details. Far be it from me to try to direct the British electorate or the electorate of the United Kingdom as to what way they should vote; it is their choice and their decision. However, it is important to note that there are significant numbers of Irish citizens living in Britain. Owing to the common travel area, many of them have been there for many years. Therefore, we have an interest in this. It is also important to note that \u20ac1 billion in trade is conducted across the Irish Sea every week. Britain is the biggest purchaser of food from Ireland, as we are of their produce. Many other issues arise from a common travel area. While we cannot direct the electorate on what to do when they go to vote, it is important that we set out how critical is this issue. I repeat that it is not for me to direct the British electorate, but it is important to state the importance of the decision to be made. People should be properly and fully informed. Deputy O'Brien pointed out a number of issues about cross-Border bodies and so on. For instance, we agreed fully that the Chancellor of the Exchequer should give the Northern Ireland Executive the right to reduce corporation tax rate in Northern Ireland to something approaching or the same as the corporate tax rate here. That would make the economic entity of Ireland, from a foreign direct investment point of view, an island attraction in its own right. To be honest, following the discussion I had with the Prime Minister, Mr. Cameron, yesterday, I am unsure whether it will be possible to conclude this set of agreements at the February meeting. There is progress to be made on all of the four issues. Progress can be made and I believe the matter can be concluded successfully. The UK Prime Minister has made it clear that it is his call regarding when he chooses to have a referendum. He said that if the deal is not clear enough or strong enough, he has time and can wait until some time before the end of 2017 to have a referendum. The European Council is where leaders discuss concessions, changes or reforms. We all support the Single Market, the digital market, getting rid of red tape in administration and the development of trade links with TTIP and other locations throughout the world where opportunities exist. It is important that all of Europe would benefit from the changes and reforms that are being made here. It is not a case of saying that we have considered all of this and we give particular concessions to any leader around the table. We are members of the European Union. I would like Britain to continue to remain a strong and central member of that because of the power and the opportunity that comes from having 500 million people in a trading bloc with enormous potential. I cannot say to Deputy O'Brien that it will be finished by the February meeting. Mr. Tusk, the President of the Council, will circulate his paper next week. It will deal with the discussions that have taken place following the December meeting, at which the UK Prime Minister, Mr. Cameron, tabled his four baskets, as it were, the issues of sovereignty, competitiveness, welfare and so on. In the meantime, we will continue to discuss the issue with colleagues in Brussels and Britain to see what progress might be made. This is connected with the migration issue as well. Let us suppose the current numbers were to continue and the UK held a referendum on continued British membership of the Union in June or July. That is the time of year when numbers would be heaviest, if migration continued across the Mediterranean. It is a matter for the British Prime Minister when he wants to call the referendum. The refugee crisis is taking up practically all the time at the meetings. It a really complicated and serious issue now. We get reports from the EU High Representative, Ms Mogherini. Some 1.2 million people have gone into south Lebanon, 25% of the Lebanese population is now Syrian and 1.2 million are in Jordan. The Prime Minister held a special event for the King of Jordan in respect of the camps there. The Union responded with a \u20ac3 billion initial fund in respect of Turkey, which has a little over 2 million refugees. Obviously, the numbers are exceptionally difficult to pin down. A great deal of work needs to be done from a European point of view on these hotspots in respect of registration and what we do if people turn up to the hotspots where people are registered and identified. Are they to stay there in camps that the countries concerned provide? Are they to dissipate throughout the countries of the Schengen area? These are extraordinary challenges. Yet, as Deputy O'Brien has pointed out, when we see the pictures of grossly over-laden and overloaded dinghies, ribs and other craft, we can see for ourselves the scale of what is involved. Let us imagine all of Connacht and all those right down through Munster to Cork walking to Dublin and trying to cross the Irish Sea in rickety boats or whatever. It is a human movement of enormous consequences. At the Holocaust commemorations which the Ceann Comhairle attended on Sunday, there were examples involving the MS St. Louis in 1938. The vessel went to America with 900 passengers who assumed they would be given visa entry but they were not. They had to come back again on another boat that went to Turkey and over 700 died. So many years on we have replications in some ways of what happened then. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien I asked about the role of the Naval Service. The Taoiseach The Minister for Defence, Deputy Coveney, has already said that it would be his intention to send a naval boat again. They rescued more than 8,500 men, women and children, and I think that gesture was appreciated by European leaders. If it is a case of making arrangements for that to happen, the Minister will do that. Deputy Miche\u00e1l Martin I thank the Taoiseach. He took 14 questions on the European Union together. In his reply he said he had not raised the issue of retrospective recapitalisation with German Chancellor, Angela Merkel, at the European Council, despite the fact that in 2012 he and the then T\u00e1naiste, Deputy Eamon Gilmore, were very clear that a game-changer of a meeting had occurred and that retrospective recapitalisation would apply to Ireland. At the time, the Minister for Finance, Deputy Noonan, and the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Howlin, claimed they could get up to \u20ac6 billion back for Ireland through retrospective recapitalisation. Given that the Taoiseach did not raise the issue with Chancellor Merkel or at the Council meeting, is that the final confirmation that the issue is off the table as far as the Government is concerned? Is it the case that the Government is no longer seeking a retrospective recapitalisation deal in respect of Ireland's bank debt? Can he confirm that in a later reply to me? With regard to the refugee crisis, it is accepted that the vast majority of refugees are leaving war-torn Syria and other locations because of conflict and war and because they want to seek a better life. I refer to the strengthening of relationships between Turkey and the European Union, notwithstanding the curbs on press freedom and the emergence of a more authoritarian regime in Turkey. What is the state of play in regard to the relationship between Turkey and the European Union in terms of its long-running application for membership, and the nature of the agreements that have been arrived at on the refugee crisis? Does the Taoiseach accept that the most effective way of dealing with the refugee crisis in the short term, apart from dealing with the source of the conflict in Syria and resolving the issues there, is to provide substantial resources to the refugee camps? The Taoiseach mentioned the major camps in Lebanon, Turkey and Jordan. Improving the quality of life for those in the camps in terms of education, work and so on could potentially stem the flow of migration to Europe. Nothing is available to assist in improving the quality of life for people in those camps. The Taoiseach said the refugee crisis had dominated the Council meetings. The recent rapes of and attacks on women in Cologne caused a lot of concern and distress. Was the issue raised at the meeting? Did the Taoiseach have any briefing on this and the potential implications for the process of integration and fully teasing out and evaluating the immigration crisis as it hits Europe? There are many far-reaching issues. I refer to the proposed referendum on whether Britain should remain within the European Union. The Taoiseach used a wonderful phrase, on which I commend the civil servants involved. He said the Irish point of view was well known in terms of the importance of the issue and the significance of Britain. I am not so sure it is well known, and I do not think the precise or specific details of the Government's view on the specific proposals that the British Government is putting on the table have ever been spelt out. In his reply, the Taoiseach referred to competitiveness, governance and sovereignty, immigration and free movement, welfare, in-work benefits and so on. What exactly is the British Government seeking in terms of welfare proposals? Is it solely concerned about welfare fraud? Is it looking for different rates of welfare to apply in host countries or for the welfare rates in one's own country to apply if one migrates to another EU country? I refer to EU citizens. What are the proposals around free movement across the European Union? The Taoiseach mentioned that in-work benefits would prove to be a difficult issue to resolve. Can he outline what exactly the British Government is looking for in that area? What are the potential implications for Irish citizens working across the European Union if the British Government gets its way on that? Can the Taoiseach outline specifically what it is looking for? Can the Taoiseach indicate specifically whether the British Government is seeking an accommodation for the City of London in terms of eurozone policy and access to the decision-making process within the eurozone area? Is it seeking an input into decisions that the eurozone would quite properly take for the eurozone area? The Taoiseach referred to his meeting with the British Prime Minister yesterday. Did he discuss the issue with him? The Taoiseach said the Irish Government was in broad agreement with the British Government on competitiveness. Have labour laws, labour market flexibilities and workers' rights featured in his discussions with the British Prime Minister, or is the British Government raising those issues on the agenda of the European Council and seeking changes to existing labour market rules and regulations? That is probably enough for the Taoiseach to be getting on with at this stage. I note the Taoiseach's comment that the legal form of the agreement is to fall short of treaty change, which in itself has implications for what is ultimately agreed. Notwithstanding the comments of Nigel Dodds, MP, and others, we are members of the European Union and therefore have every right to be involved in discussions when an existing member of the Union seeks to change the rules in order to maintain its membership. We want Britain to remain part of the European Union; it is in our best interests and that of the European Union. It is rather regrettable that Northern public representatives, in a very old-style way, seek to suggest that we be excluded from any discussions on the issue. I hope there will be some reflection on that from those protagonists. The Taoiseach I thank Deputy Martin. I answered his question on whether I had discussed retrospective recapitalisation. The answer was that I did not. Deputy Miche\u00e1l Martin Does that mean the issue will not be raised again? The Taoiseach The Deputy has raised this issue on many previous occasions and I have made the point that it is a testament to the resilience of the Irish people and the continued support of our EU partners that this country has returned to a position in which it is able to borrow money in a sustainable way and is not blocked from the markets that we were able to access previously. Having delivered on all of the commitments and exceeded targets over the three years of the programme, it was and remains a key priority of the Government to ease the bank burden on Irish taxpayers and clean up our banks as we make our way to economic recovery. In that sense, banks have been recapitalised and restructured. IBRC was liquidated and the promissory notes replaced with long-term bonds in order to dramatically reduce our market funding requirements. Interest rate reductions on our loans were achieved, not just here but in other places. Agreement was reached with our eurozone partners for the repayment of our EFSM and ESF loans to be extended by seven years. Those steps have had the effect of stabilising our financial system and reversing the outflows of deposits and other funds that have crippled this economy for quite a number of years. As regards recapitalisation, the European Stability Mechanism, ESM, a direct recapitalisation instrument, was agreed in principle in 2012. There is a limit of \u20ac60 billion on the total amount of ESM resources available for direct recapitalisation of institutions. Should the ESM use its direct recapitalisation instrument, it would, as a rule, acquire common shares in the beneficiary institution. Circumstances have improved dramatically since then, and the ESM is not the only option open to us to recover the money provided to recapitalise our banks. Investors are now willing to support Irish banks again and the market value of our investments has improved accordingly. Deputy Miche\u00e1l Martin They were always there. What I am speaking about is separate from those. The Taoiseach As I pointed out, and as the Minister for Finance has indicated, we expect to get all that money back for the taxpayer over the next period. Deputy Miche\u00e1l Martin That was always the case. The Taoiseach The option was there and the option is still there. The Government's overall objective regarding the State's investment is to maximise the return for the Irish taxpayer over time. In line with this objective, the Department of Finance has worked with AIB, where \u20ac20.8 billion was invested, on reconfiguring the capital structure. The Minister for Finance is working with the banks and the advisers to lay out a path that will see a return of cash to the State from AIB investments over time. This plan was approved by the Single Supervisory Mechanism last November, and following approval at AIB's EGM a first payment of \u20ac1.64 billion was made to the State on 17 December. This is only the start of the process, although it is an essential first step on the road to recovering value for the taxpayer. Regarding the Bank of Ireland investments, Deputy Martin is aware we have already made a net positive cash return from our investment in and our support for the bank, while we continue to hold, on behalf of the people, a valuable equity investment. The position was we had only one option. Deputy Miche\u00e1l Martin No, that is not true. The Taoiseach As the situation began to improve, we had two, and we expect to get all the money back. Deputy Miche\u00e1l Martin That is not true. The Taoiseach It is true, and Deputy Martin knows it. An Ceann Comhairle Through the Chair, please. Deputy Miche\u00e1l Martin AIB and Bank of Ireland were always going to be realised. I am talking about the debt outside of that. The Taoiseach It is true. An Ceann Comhairle I will call Deputy Martin back in. The Taoiseach There was \u20ac64 billion, \u20ac32 billion of which is gone, on Deputy Martin's back, down the black hole. Deputy Miche\u00e1l Martin We are talking about the retrospective debt outside of AIB and Bank of Ireland, which the Taoiseach said he would get back. An Ceann Comhairle I ask the Deputy to please respect the Chair. Deputy Miche\u00e1l Martin I am sorry. The Taoiseach never answers the question he is asked. The Taoiseach The Deputy raised a number of important issues about Turkey. Clearly, the European Union and Turkey must work together. The joint action plan agreed on 29 November is designed to assist Turkey in providing for refugees in its own territory and to prevent uncontrolled migration from there to the European Union. We are committed to working with Turkey on the \u20ac3 billion fund for supporting refugees from Syria based there. Implementation of this will be critical. Insufficient progress has been made and there is no question about this. When we spoke to other countries, Jordan and Lebanon stated they also need support. They raised a valid point on the camps. Some of them are enormous, as the Deputy is aware, and children's education, maternity facilities, hygiene facilities, food and nutrition are enormously complicated. We have no sense of the scale of what is happening in those camps. There have been some positive moves since 29 November. The Deputy mentioned pre-accession. Chapter 17 of the accession negotiations is about economic and monetary policy, and this has been opened with Turkey. The participation of the Turkish Foreign Minister in a good discussion with EU Foreign Ministers at the December Foreign Affairs Council was the start of this. Frans Timmermans, First Vice-President of the Commission, recently met the Turkish Ministers of Foreign Affairs, European Affairs and Justice to emphasise the need to speed up implementation of the joint action plan. Vice-President Mogherini and Commissioner Hahn also met the Turkish side, where the same need for implementation was underlined. Further close monitoring of this will be critical. As the Deputy understands, these are complicated discussions. The internal situation in Turkey is of a serious nature. The conflict between the Turkish Government and the Kurdistan Workers' Party restarted in July 2015, with 180 civilians killed in violence since then. There are clearly human rights concerns. Ireland strongly condemns the horrific suicide terrorist attacks which took place, the twin suicide bombings in Ankara on 10 October, which killed 102 people, and in Istanbul on 12 January, which killed ten people, including eight German tourists. The latest Commission progress report on the EU accession process noted a number of concerns, including with regard to significant shortcomings affecting the independence of the judiciary, freedom of assembly and freedom of expression, and we continue to raise these concerns, including most recently at the Council meeting in December. We and our European partners will continue this dialogue with Turkey. We did not have a detailed briefing on the incidents of sexual assault and abuse in Cologne, but they were of a very serious nature. I discussed this with the Minister-President of Bavaria, Mr. Seehofer, when I had occasion to meet him in recent weeks. This is regarded as a very serious issue in Germany, and the police authorities there are on a very clear alert. In respect of the issues raised about the UK Prime Minister and the case being put for the referendum, as I said to Deputy O'Brien, the paper in response has not yet been circulated by President Tusk. It is due early next week. We will see the detail of how he intends to respond and what input the European Commission might have. At the December meeting, President Juncker stated the Commission had views on a number of the elements attached to the four issues and he would like to make an input. The fundamental question is not about the restructuring of freedom of movement, although there are concerns about the Schengen Agreement and whether countries are in a position to police their borders, and the issue of the Dublin Convention is being reviewed in regard to where people might be sent back if they are to be sent back for whatever reason. This is an issue that is of some concern at present to countries. In regard to the issue of welfare, in Britain there appears to be a very strong view among people that for persons to draw benefit or benefit in work, they should make a contribution before they draw to make that a workable situation. This is a central issue that comes up very often in Britain, and it is an issue that is of concern to the Prime Minister. He has said on a number of occasions that he would like to see a number of options he has tabled being considered and that an outcome could be agreed on this. I do not know the detail of this yet because I assume President Tusk will respond to this in his paper. There will be very strong objections to any restriction on the free movement of people, and the opportunity to move from place to place comes with the Internal Market. In our case in Ireland, the common travel area between here and Britain and Northern Ireland allows for ease of doing business, commerce, trade and other activities. I believe the issue regarding the eurozone and other countries in the European Union which are not members of the eurozone is one that can be resolved. There are two currencies. In Britain there is sterling, we have the euro and there are various currencies in other countries outside the eurozone. This is an issue that can be resolved. With regard to the Deputy's final comments, we have been very forthright about being as open and generous as Fianna F\u00e1il was to the Northern Ireland Executive and Assembly. We have had joint trade missions to Singapore. We had personnel from Northern Ireland in Brussels during our Presidency in order that they would be fully informed on the advantages of what might be going through regarding the Common Agricultural Policy or Cohesion Fund money. In this regard, the practical arrangements on which we have worked so hard to get cross-Border activities in a range of sectors are ones on which we can build for the future. The referendum is a matter for the electorate in Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales and England, but we are all members of the European Union. Yesterday, when I spoke to more than 120 or 130 people in McCann FitzGerald in London, I made it perfectly clear that we have a real interest in this because the decision is so critical. McCann FitzGerald is one of the big Irish law firms and has been established in London for 30 years. These people are Irish citizens who will vote in the referendum. They understand the parallel, in that when we had to vote on the fiscal stability treaty people voted 60:40 in favour of the euro, the eurozone and the European Union. Essentially, it is a matter for those who go to vote in the United Kingdom to make their choice. We want to see Britain remain a central and strong member of the Union in the time ahead. It is of interest to Britain, it is of interest to Europe and it is certainly of interest to Ireland and Northern Ireland. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett Much as the Government wishes to trumpet its success, stability and the so-called turnaround of the economy, the issue of the odious debt heaped on the back of this country and its citizens, the terrible cost that has imposed on our economy and people and the threat it represents to the economy continues to return. Has the Taoiseach read the most recent report from the European Commission, which points to the risks of our very high debt levels which it says are high in the medium term and are very sensitive to any significant shocks in economic growth? Such shocks are, of course, being widely predicted. Has the Taoiseach read the European Commission's report? It is extremely concerned about our debt and our vulnerability to economic shocks. I just came from the finance committee, where Philip Lane, the Governor of the Central Bank, made precisely the same point as the European Commission is making. He said, when asked about the growth projections of this Government and the so-called \"fiscal space\", that we need to have a \"we may be wrong\" scenario. Those were his words. He talked in particular about the problem of our high level of debt and the risk that poses to us if we are wrong. Given the gathering clouds of possible international recession, are we not pursuing a very dangerous strategy, given our high levels of debt? That brings me to the last, linked question. This morning, the European Court of Auditors produced a report on the European Commission's handling of the Irish bailout. It is a very damning report because it says the European Commission got it badly wrong. It was charged with monitoring and giving warnings if there were problems in terms of people's budgets. The report quotes, for example, the very misguided and utterly wrong judgment of the European Commission in March 2008, when it said of the Irish economy, \"the risks attached to the budgetary projections are broadly neutral for 2008\". My God, did they get that wrong. The report from the auditors goes on to say the European Commission estimated the country's budgets to be much stronger than they turned out to be, and so on. They all said the European Commission was extremely bad at keeping records. They said there was no proper record-keeping of the post-crash programme teams, that there was no proper oversight of those programme teams and that alternative scenarios were not properly looked at in terms of burden-sharing on debt. This is the point and the question. What the auditors are now confirming is something that some of us have been saying since the very beginning, namely, that the EU itself was very significantly responsible for the failures that led to the crash and that it should have shared the burden. The Taoiseach promised before the last election that he would make it share the burden. He promised that we would burn the bondholders and that there would be burden-sharing. Now we have the European Court of Auditors saying Europe was asleep at the wheel months before the crash was about to hit and engulf the economy. Is this not the time, on the back of this report, to go back to our friends in Europe and say----- An Ceann Comhairle Will you stick to the questions that are on the Order Paper? Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett It is. An Ceann Comhairle We cannot have a general discussion here. This is not one of the questions on the Order Paper. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett The previous discussions have all been very general. An Ceann Comhairle Deputy Martin has seven questions and----- Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett I have two. An Ceann Comhairle Deputy O'Brien has two. You have one question. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett Two. An Ceann Comhairle Sorry, Deputy, you have one, Question No. 10, which is to do with the report on the European Council meetings. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett Yes, absolutely. An Ceann Comhairle This is an entirely separate subject from anything on the Order Paper. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett It is not; it is about the European Council meetings and whether----- An Ceann Comhairle No, it has nothing to do with the recent report----- Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett It absolutely does. From the European Commission----- An Ceann Comhairle Would you finish up, please? I want to try to get the others back in. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett You did not cut anybody else off. An Ceann Comhairle No, because you have only one question, Deputy. Would you stick to the questions on the Order Paper? That is my job. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett Everybody else ranged across four or five subjects----- An Ceann Comhairle They did not. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett They did. An Ceann Comhairle I am very careful about----- Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett -----from the Brexit to the European economy to the refugee crisis, and so on. Given this report, is the Taoiseach going to go back to the European Council and say now we have a European body itself saying that Europe was significantly responsible for failing to recognise the warning signals, which it was supposed to be monitoring, and that the programme management of the bailout may have been fundamentally flawed, should we now ask for debt writedown, given the vulnerability of our economy to debt and to shocks to the economy? Finally, and very briefly, did the Taoiseach raise with Prime Minister Cameron and President Hollande, in the face of this disastrous refugee crisis, the absolute folly and immorality of bombing Syria and making the situation worse and, in the case of Britain, its culpability for creating the conditions for the refugee crisis through the previous bombing of Iraq and the disastrous consequences that has had? As well as dealing with the----- An Ceann Comhairle Sorry, Deputy----- Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett -----human tragedy of millions of displaced people, should we not be calling out the utter folly and immorality of responding to this terrible crisis by bombing the countries that have been so devastated? An Ceann Comhairle Deputy Martin, would you like to put your supplementary question? We will then hear from Deputy O'Brien. Deputy Miche\u00e1l Martin In Question No. 9 I asked the Taoiseach whether he had spoken to Chancellor Merkel at the European Council meeting and whether he had discussed retrospective debt forgiveness for Ireland with her or with any other European leader. He said he did not. In his reply, he is now saying that the investment in AIB and Bank of Ireland and so on, which the previous Government made, was effective. It was always understood that the retrospective debt forgiveness was outside of those; it was in respect of losses in other banks. In 2012, when the game changer meeting was announced with Mario Monti and the then Commissioner and so on, it was understood that the option of selling AIB and Bank of Ireland was always there. The non-recoupable debt that was entered into was always the key point. The Taoiseach promised to burn the bondholders. The former T\u00e1naiste did it in more graphic terms when he said it was \"Frankfurt's way or Labour's way\". We know Jean-Claude Trichet said a bomb would go off and that it would be in Dublin that it would go off. He said that to the Minister for Finance, Deputy Noonan. The Minister confirmed that to the banking inquiry. The European Union's position that banks must not be allowed to fail, after Lehmann's, and that the bondholders must not be burned was, therefore, very clear. That was made clear to the previous Government and to this Government. On the debt issue, there was a decision in 2012 by the European Council. We were led to believe by the Taoiseach and the former T\u00e1naiste that this was a game changer of a decision, which would lead to a retrospective debt deal. The Ministers, Deputies Noonan and Howlin, had a press conference about it and said we could expect about \u20ac6 billion. We cannot dress it up or camouflage all of that by identifying AIB as the new route. That was always there as a route. Bank of Ireland was always there as a route, before any mention of a game changer. Is it now the Government's position that it is no longer seeking a retrospective debt deal? I just want a simple yes or no response to that. An Ceann Comhairle I call on Deputy O'Brien. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien Given the lack of time, I will let the Taoiseach respond to the questions. The Taoiseach Deputy Boyd Barrett asked about the European Court of Auditors report and the Commission's response. This is 120 pages long and obviously it will require some reading. Certainly, there was no self-criticism of the Commission's actions in the financial assistance programme. At the same time, the Court of Auditors noted specifically the unprecedented nature and extent of the financial crisis. In that context, it stated that the assistance programmes were mostly soundly based and that the Commission's capacities for dealing with the programmes improved over time. We were first out of that gap, as Deputy Martin will be well aware. It is fine and true to say that was always there in terms of the banks, but when the banks were deemed to be worthless one had no other option but to ask, \"How will we be able to recoup what the Irish taxpayer put into this?\" That is why \u20ac60 billion was put aside as an option under that facility. As the Deputy will be aware, matters have moved on strongly since then. Deputy Miche\u00e1l Martin So the Taoiseach is not seeking it. The Taoiseach I cannot see it being pursued now. It would require unanimity from around the table. The reflection of other countries on the progress made by Ireland, being the fastest growing economy for the past two years with our deficit to be wiped out by 2017-2018 and our debt falling towards European norms, puts us in a very different position from where we were only a few years ago. Deputy Boyd Barrett asked about the fiscal space. That is the sum of money that is available up to 2021. It is the amount of money the Department of Finance estimates will be available for expenditure increases and tax reductions in each budget. That is based, as Deputy Boyd Barrett will be aware, on an assessment of Ireland's compliance with the benchmarks that have been set for expenditure. It is a very important figure because, in the absence of measures to offset this, expenditure and tax commitments must be accommodated within the available fiscal space. At budget time, the Department of Finance estimated that there would be gross fiscal space over the next five budgets of \u20ac10.9 billion. In addition, the Department set out that if a decision is taken not to index the tax system, as was the case in 2016, an additional \u20ac2 billion in fiscal space would be available. That means that if one introduces a tax and raises money from it, one is entitled to spend that money. If the tax system is not indexed, that is counted, if one likes, as a tax which amounts to approximately \u20ac2 billion. Deputy Miche\u00e1l Martin It was \u20ac8.9 billion. The Department of Finance stated it was \u20ac8.9 billion. The Taoiseach However, one must remember that is the total amount of money that is available and it has to accommodate the cost each year of decisions taken by the Government, including the public capital plan----- Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett It is based on growth projections. The Taoiseach -----and the Lansdowne Road agreement. In addition, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform estimates that an average of \u20ac400 million of that fiscal space in each year - \u20ac2 billion over the next five budgets - is required to meet demographic and other costs that will arise. Taking those factors into account, the net fiscal space that was estimated at budget time was \u20ac8.6 billion. In line with the fiscal rules, the European Commission updates each member state's minimum medium-term objectives every three years and the updated medium-term objective to cover the period 2017-2019 is expected in the next week or two. Given the decline in the Irish debt ratio and other factors, it is likely that the minimum medium-term objective proposed by the Commission for Ireland might be slightly less stringent than was previously the case. The Department of Finance has estimated that a structural deficit of -0.5% of GDP rather than the current 0% of GDP is more likely but we will have to await the outcome of all those technical discussions as to what that actually will be. While there are many moving parts to it, a decision to adopt a less stringent medium-term objective would add an estimated \u20ac1.5 billion to the indicative fiscal space in total over the period 2017 to 2021 and that would increase the gross fiscal space from \u20ac10.9 billion to approximately \u20ac12.5 billion and the net fiscal space from \u20ac8.6 billion to \u20ac10 billion, all other things being equal. The Minister for Finance will spell out further details of that when he is given the updated review by the European Commission. Deputy Miche\u00e1l Martin That is getting ready for the manifesto.", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2016-01-26/pq_5", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2016-01-26/5/" }, { "date": "2016-01-26", "question_number": 8, "chamber": "31st D\u00e1il", "topic": "Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements", "asked_by": "Miche\u00e1l Martin", "answered_by": "Taoiseach", "question_type": "oral", "question": "8. Deputy Miche\u00e1l Martin asked the Taoiseach the agreed actions that are to be taken on European Union immigration, following the meeting of the European Union Council on 17 December 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1824/16]", "answer": "The Taoiseach I reported to the House on 20 October on the detail on the outcome of the European Council meeting of 15 October. That meeting dealt with several issues of importance to the Union, with a particular focus on the complex challenge of migration. Also discussed at the meeting were the report of the five presidents, Completing Europe\u2019s Economic and Monetary Union, and the UK plans for a referendum on its EU membership, and it was agreed in both instances to return to the issues in December. The French President, Fran\u00e7ois Hollande, made a presentation in advance of the global Conference of Parties on climate change in Paris, and the European Council noted the publication of the international and independent report into the downing of flight MH17 over Ukraine. On Sunday, 29 November, EU Heads of State and Government held a meeting with the Prime Minister of Turkey. Co-operation with Turkey is central to the European Union\u2019s overall approach to tackling the migration crisis, and the meeting agreed a joint statement along with the European Union-Turkey joint action plan which had been negotiated by the European Commission over the previous weeks. The statement noted the European Union's agreement to provide an initial contribution of \u20ac3 billion over two years in support of the 2.2 million Syrian refugees in Turkey. Member states including Ireland will contribute to this fund once the final arrangements have been agreed. The statement also committed to strengthening relations between the European Union and Turkey, addressing common challenges through more structured, high-level dialogue and re-energising the accession process, on which the European Commission published its annual report on 10 November. The issues of visa liberalisation for Turkish citizens and border security, both of which are mentioned in the statement, are for Schengen member states to consider in the first instance. The action plan is intended to further support refugees and their host communities in Turkey and to strengthen co-operation in preventing irregular migration. Both the European Union and Turkey have set out their intentions under the plan, which includes financial support, resettling of refugees from Turkey to the European Union, law enforcement co-operation on smuggling, joint return operations, an improved legal framework, and compulsory registration and integration measures. It is important to emphasise that the commitments made by Turkey and the European Union in the joint action plan will have to be fulfilled. Progress on this is being very carefully monitored and will be reviewed by the European Council in due course. The shooting down of the Russian aircraft was not discussed at the European Council meeting in November. I had no scheduled bilateral meetings in the margins of the meeting of European Union Heads of State and Government with the Turkish Prime Minister on 29 November, although I did, of course, have informal exchanges with a number of colleagues. I last met Chancellor Merkel at the December European Council meeting. While I engaged with the Chancellor in the course of the Council meeting, we did not have a formal bilateral meeting. I did not raise retroactive recapitalisation of the Irish banks with her or with other counterparts at that meeting. I last held a formal bilateral meeting with Chancellor Merkel during my visit to Berlin on 3 July 2014, following her own visit to Dublin in March 2014. The British Government's proposals for EU membership were discussed most recently at the December European Council. This provided a welcome opportunity to have a collective discussion of the issue with all 28 EU Heads of State and Government and the Presidents of the EU institutions, framed by the earlier exchange of letters between the UK Prime Minister, David Cameron, and the President of the European Council, Donald Tusk. At that meeting, Mr. Cameron opened the discussion by outlining the four broad areas where he is seeking change and by explaining the complex domestic politics around the issue in the United Kingdom. I intervened in strong terms in the subsequent discussion to present the Irish point of view, which is, of course, well known to this House and in the United Kingdom and other member states. I spoke about the importance of the issue to Ireland, given the uniquely close political, social, economic and cultural ties between our countries. I also emphasised the significance of UK membership to the European Union as a whole and I stressed the importance of working together to find a mutually acceptable solution. Regarding the proposals themselves, Ireland is supportive of moves aimed at delivering more for our citizens. We share the United Kingdom\u2019s enthusiasm for sustained effort under the \"competitiveness\" heading. The issues here are the drivers of long-term prosperity for the citizens of the European Union. Under the \u201ceconomic governance\u201d and \u201csovereignty\u201d headings, although the details of the proposals remain to be clarified, we can also see where solutions might lie. In the immigration and free movement area, we can more than likely support the proposals, subject to the details, in regard to addressing fraud and abuse and changing the way in which child benefit is paid abroad. The idea of limiting access to in-work benefits is more difficult, and there is opposition to the proposal in its current form. However, I am hopeful that, with willingness and determination, a workable solution in this area can also be found. With regard to the debate itself, I was encouraged by the substantive and very constructive exchange of views about the four categories of reform proposed by Mr. Cameron, including the difficulties. There can be little doubt that this is a challenging and sensitive issue, but the atmosphere at the European Council meeting was very positive and there was willingness to find a way forward. Prime Minister Cameron, while not withdrawing his proposition about limiting access to in-work benefits, signalled his openness to alternative ideas that would have the same effect. We agreed, therefore, to work closely together in the period ahead, with a view to reaching agreement on a package of measures at the February European Council meeting. While the legal form and implications of the final package remain to be teased out, I welcome the fact that the Prime Minister is not pressing for early treaty change. We now await the emergence of detailed proposals from President Tusk, which are expected in early February. These will allow all member states to develop further their responses under each of the four headings and participate in intensive and collective preparatory work at senior official level leading up to the next European Council meeting, which I understand will take place on 11 February. The aim is to secure an agreement that is acceptable to all of us and will allow the Prime Minister to recommend and campaign vigorously for a vote to remain in the European Union. I met Prime Minister Cameron again in London yesterday and we had a further excellent discussion about the state of play. He updated me on his recent contacts with colleagues and I confirmed our strong support for a positive result. This issue has implications for all parts of Government policy. The whole of government has, therefore, been engaged in tracking the development of the debate and framing our contribution to the negotiations that are under way. The Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Minister of State with responsibility for European affairs have particular responsibilities in this respect, as do other Ministers in relevant sectors, supported by officials across Departments. In addition to the United Kingdom's relationship with the European Union, the ongoing migration and refugee crisis was the main item of discussion at the December European Council. Heads of State and Government took stock of what has been done so far and looked at further shaping and implementing a comprehensive EU approach. There was consensus that, while important agreements were reached over the course of 2015 to establish a comprehensive response to the crisis, implementation of the measures, notably as regards the so-called hotspots, relocation and returns, has been far too slow. The European Council agreed that member states and the EU institutions must work together urgently to address these deficiencies in the system. Work on this is being progressed by the Presidency, the European Commission and the High Representative, who will report on progress at the February meeting of the European Council. Regrettably, however, in the month since the December European Council, the position has not improved and the urgent need for progress is more marked than ever. Building on earlier conferences and summits, the European Council also emphasised the importance of working with regional partners in the western Balkans and Africa. Ireland has consistently called for an approach which addresses the root causes as well as the humanitarian challenges at European level. As I observed at the December meeting of the European Council, our immediate priority is to implement the resettlement and relocation proposals under which we have offered to accept 4,000 asylum seekers and refugees. In this context 176 Syrian refugees have already arrived in Ireland under the resettlement programme, with an additional 120 refugees due to arrive soon. While progress on relocation has been much slower, I am pleased that the first group of Syrian asylum seekers - a family of ten - arrived here recently under the relocation framework. Our decision to opt into the relocation and resettlement programme last year was in addition to the substantial additional financial support Ireland has provided towards assisting those affected by the Syrian crisis, the World Food Programme, to which we have agreed to double our allocation in the years ahead, and the Emergency Trust Fund for Africa, as well as the support provided by the Naval Service to humanitarian search and rescue operations in the Mediterranean, of which Deputies are well aware. The migration crisis will be a major ongoing challenge for the foreseeable future. I hope real progress will be made in the coming weeks and I look forward to discussing developments again with the other Heads of Government at the February European Council meeting. As I noted, much of the Council's time was spent on addressing the migration and refugee crisis and the EU-UK negotiations. However, a number of other agenda items were also discussed. Most notably, the European Council considered actions in the fight against terrorism, building on the decisions taken at its February meeting and in light of the appalling attacks in Paris and elsewhere. As outlined in my detailed statement to the House last week, there was also discussion of international developments, including the position in Syria, Ukraine and Libya, respectively, and a number of economic and financial issues, taking stock of discussions on the five presidents' report on economic and monetary union and developments in the Single Market following publication of the new strategy. Energy union and a forward-looking climate policy were discussed, following the very successful COP21 summit in Paris last year. An Ceann Comhairle I call Deputy Jonathan O'Brien who is substituting for Deputy Gerry Adams. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien As this is my first time substituting, I will need some guidance on timing and so forth. An Ceann Comhairle It is Question Time, which means Deputies should put questions. The Deputy should be as brief as possible. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien I will take a leaf out of Deputy Martin's book. The Taoiseach raised a number of points which I would like to discuss. I refer first to the proposed referendum on a British withdrawal from the European Union, also known as Brexit. Following the Taoiseach's meeting with Prime Minister Cameron yesterday, he expressed the view that all of Britain's demands for reform of the EU could be solved and referred to a number of these demands in his response. The next meeting of the European Council will take place on 18 and 19 February. The December European Council set itself the explicit objective of securing an agreement on mutually satisfactory solutions. The British Prime Minister indicated previously that he hoped to reach a deal on Britain's membership of the EU next month, which would clear the way for a referendum as early as this summer. However, in his remarks yesterday, Mr. Cameron seemed less sure of this. It is not necessary for me to outline the consequences of a British exit from the European Union for Ireland, especially the North. For eight decades, we have had a physical border between the two States and an economic, social, cultural and political border which has been the source of enormous dislocation and, at times, conflict. The Good Friday Agreement transformed the position, however, and the physical Border has become all but invisible. Nevertheless, much work remains to be done on the economic and political barriers between the Twenty-six Counties and Six Counties. Any move towards Brexit would be a retrograde step as it would create the potential for a return to border controls, which would have a highly detrimental impact on the economy of the Border counties. The adverse effects of a Brexit on the all-Ireland bodies established as part of the Good Friday Agreement also need to be taken into consideration. The outcome of the UK referendum on EU membership should not determine the fate of the North in respect of these matters. Has the Taoiseach sought an assurance from the British Government that the outcome of the referendum in the North alone will determine the relationship between this State and the Six Counties? The Taoiseach referred to some of the areas on which he believes compromise could be reached. Will he elaborate on these matters? The Taoiseach also referred to the refugee crisis and indicated that the discussions at the European Council meetings in Brussels in October, November and December, respectively, were very much focused on the issue of refugees. I take this opportunity to commend the work of the Naval Service, which successfully rescued a staggering 8,631 people during its humanitarian operations in the Mediterranean Sea in 2015. The extraordinary loss of life as refugees flee violence, war and poverty in the Middle East and north Africa has shocked and saddened all of us. Last year, 3,770 men, women and children died trying to cross the Mediterranean. We also saw the images of the three-year-old child on a Turkish beach. I acknowledge the tremendous work that the naval vessels carried out. There are no naval vessels in the region at the moment. Traditionally, the winter months see fewer refugees trying to make the dangerous journey. Unfortunately, some are still trying to make that journey. At least 43 people, including 17 children, drowned only last Friday when their boat collapsed off the Greek islands. According to the International Organization for Migration, over 100 refugees have drowned since the start of the year. That is more than the combined totals for January 2014 and 2015. It is estimated that almost 37,000 have arrived in Italy and Greece since the beginning of the year. There is no doubt we are seeing an unprecedented growth in the number of refugees trying to cross the Mediterranean. Are there any plans? When is it planned to send Irish naval vessels back out on humanitarian missions? I wish to come back in later, a Cheann Comhairle, because I have some other questions, but I know Deputy Martin is keen to get in. The Taoiseach I thank Deputy O'Brien for his questions. With regard to the Brexit business, I never understood why the title is as it is because British exit is not a positive term, if I can put it that way. It is actually a choice being made by the British electorate. I have heard some comments from the MP, Mr. Dodds, and the Northern Ireland First Minister, Ms Arlene Foster, with regard to comments I made in London yesterday. I am very much aware that the decision is one for the British electorate, for those in Northern Ireland, Scotland, England and Wales. However, it is not the same as the referendum on independence in Scotland because this country has an interest in it. It is a critical decision to be made by the British electorate in respect of the European Union, Britain and Ireland in the context of our relations with Northern Ireland. Deputy O'Brien has pointed out some of these details. Far be it from me to try to direct the British electorate or the electorate of the United Kingdom as to what way they should vote; it is their choice and their decision. However, it is important to note that there are significant numbers of Irish citizens living in Britain. Owing to the common travel area, many of them have been there for many years. Therefore, we have an interest in this. It is also important to note that \u20ac1 billion in trade is conducted across the Irish Sea every week. Britain is the biggest purchaser of food from Ireland, as we are of their produce. Many other issues arise from a common travel area. While we cannot direct the electorate on what to do when they go to vote, it is important that we set out how critical is this issue. I repeat that it is not for me to direct the British electorate, but it is important to state the importance of the decision to be made. People should be properly and fully informed. Deputy O'Brien pointed out a number of issues about cross-Border bodies and so on. For instance, we agreed fully that the Chancellor of the Exchequer should give the Northern Ireland Executive the right to reduce corporation tax rate in Northern Ireland to something approaching or the same as the corporate tax rate here. That would make the economic entity of Ireland, from a foreign direct investment point of view, an island attraction in its own right. To be honest, following the discussion I had with the Prime Minister, Mr. Cameron, yesterday, I am unsure whether it will be possible to conclude this set of agreements at the February meeting. There is progress to be made on all of the four issues. Progress can be made and I believe the matter can be concluded successfully. The UK Prime Minister has made it clear that it is his call regarding when he chooses to have a referendum. He said that if the deal is not clear enough or strong enough, he has time and can wait until some time before the end of 2017 to have a referendum. The European Council is where leaders discuss concessions, changes or reforms. We all support the Single Market, the digital market, getting rid of red tape in administration and the development of trade links with TTIP and other locations throughout the world where opportunities exist. It is important that all of Europe would benefit from the changes and reforms that are being made here. It is not a case of saying that we have considered all of this and we give particular concessions to any leader around the table. We are members of the European Union. I would like Britain to continue to remain a strong and central member of that because of the power and the opportunity that comes from having 500 million people in a trading bloc with enormous potential. I cannot say to Deputy O'Brien that it will be finished by the February meeting. Mr. Tusk, the President of the Council, will circulate his paper next week. It will deal with the discussions that have taken place following the December meeting, at which the UK Prime Minister, Mr. Cameron, tabled his four baskets, as it were, the issues of sovereignty, competitiveness, welfare and so on. In the meantime, we will continue to discuss the issue with colleagues in Brussels and Britain to see what progress might be made. This is connected with the migration issue as well. Let us suppose the current numbers were to continue and the UK held a referendum on continued British membership of the Union in June or July. That is the time of year when numbers would be heaviest, if migration continued across the Mediterranean. It is a matter for the British Prime Minister when he wants to call the referendum. The refugee crisis is taking up practically all the time at the meetings. It a really complicated and serious issue now. We get reports from the EU High Representative, Ms Mogherini. Some 1.2 million people have gone into south Lebanon, 25% of the Lebanese population is now Syrian and 1.2 million are in Jordan. The Prime Minister held a special event for the King of Jordan in respect of the camps there. The Union responded with a \u20ac3 billion initial fund in respect of Turkey, which has a little over 2 million refugees. Obviously, the numbers are exceptionally difficult to pin down. A great deal of work needs to be done from a European point of view on these hotspots in respect of registration and what we do if people turn up to the hotspots where people are registered and identified. Are they to stay there in camps that the countries concerned provide? Are they to dissipate throughout the countries of the Schengen area? These are extraordinary challenges. Yet, as Deputy O'Brien has pointed out, when we see the pictures of grossly over-laden and overloaded dinghies, ribs and other craft, we can see for ourselves the scale of what is involved. Let us imagine all of Connacht and all those right down through Munster to Cork walking to Dublin and trying to cross the Irish Sea in rickety boats or whatever. It is a human movement of enormous consequences. At the Holocaust commemorations which the Ceann Comhairle attended on Sunday, there were examples involving the MS St. Louis in 1938. The vessel went to America with 900 passengers who assumed they would be given visa entry but they were not. They had to come back again on another boat that went to Turkey and over 700 died. So many years on we have replications in some ways of what happened then. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien I asked about the role of the Naval Service. The Taoiseach The Minister for Defence, Deputy Coveney, has already said that it would be his intention to send a naval boat again. They rescued more than 8,500 men, women and children, and I think that gesture was appreciated by European leaders. If it is a case of making arrangements for that to happen, the Minister will do that. Deputy Miche\u00e1l Martin I thank the Taoiseach. He took 14 questions on the European Union together. In his reply he said he had not raised the issue of retrospective recapitalisation with German Chancellor, Angela Merkel, at the European Council, despite the fact that in 2012 he and the then T\u00e1naiste, Deputy Eamon Gilmore, were very clear that a game-changer of a meeting had occurred and that retrospective recapitalisation would apply to Ireland. At the time, the Minister for Finance, Deputy Noonan, and the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Howlin, claimed they could get up to \u20ac6 billion back for Ireland through retrospective recapitalisation. Given that the Taoiseach did not raise the issue with Chancellor Merkel or at the Council meeting, is that the final confirmation that the issue is off the table as far as the Government is concerned? Is it the case that the Government is no longer seeking a retrospective recapitalisation deal in respect of Ireland's bank debt? Can he confirm that in a later reply to me? With regard to the refugee crisis, it is accepted that the vast majority of refugees are leaving war-torn Syria and other locations because of conflict and war and because they want to seek a better life. I refer to the strengthening of relationships between Turkey and the European Union, notwithstanding the curbs on press freedom and the emergence of a more authoritarian regime in Turkey. What is the state of play in regard to the relationship between Turkey and the European Union in terms of its long-running application for membership, and the nature of the agreements that have been arrived at on the refugee crisis? Does the Taoiseach accept that the most effective way of dealing with the refugee crisis in the short term, apart from dealing with the source of the conflict in Syria and resolving the issues there, is to provide substantial resources to the refugee camps? The Taoiseach mentioned the major camps in Lebanon, Turkey and Jordan. Improving the quality of life for those in the camps in terms of education, work and so on could potentially stem the flow of migration to Europe. Nothing is available to assist in improving the quality of life for people in those camps. The Taoiseach said the refugee crisis had dominated the Council meetings. The recent rapes of and attacks on women in Cologne caused a lot of concern and distress. Was the issue raised at the meeting? Did the Taoiseach have any briefing on this and the potential implications for the process of integration and fully teasing out and evaluating the immigration crisis as it hits Europe? There are many far-reaching issues. I refer to the proposed referendum on whether Britain should remain within the European Union. The Taoiseach used a wonderful phrase, on which I commend the civil servants involved. He said the Irish point of view was well known in terms of the importance of the issue and the significance of Britain. I am not so sure it is well known, and I do not think the precise or specific details of the Government's view on the specific proposals that the British Government is putting on the table have ever been spelt out. In his reply, the Taoiseach referred to competitiveness, governance and sovereignty, immigration and free movement, welfare, in-work benefits and so on. What exactly is the British Government seeking in terms of welfare proposals? Is it solely concerned about welfare fraud? Is it looking for different rates of welfare to apply in host countries or for the welfare rates in one's own country to apply if one migrates to another EU country? I refer to EU citizens. What are the proposals around free movement across the European Union? The Taoiseach mentioned that in-work benefits would prove to be a difficult issue to resolve. Can he outline what exactly the British Government is looking for in that area? What are the potential implications for Irish citizens working across the European Union if the British Government gets its way on that? Can the Taoiseach outline specifically what it is looking for? Can the Taoiseach indicate specifically whether the British Government is seeking an accommodation for the City of London in terms of eurozone policy and access to the decision-making process within the eurozone area? Is it seeking an input into decisions that the eurozone would quite properly take for the eurozone area? The Taoiseach referred to his meeting with the British Prime Minister yesterday. Did he discuss the issue with him? The Taoiseach said the Irish Government was in broad agreement with the British Government on competitiveness. Have labour laws, labour market flexibilities and workers' rights featured in his discussions with the British Prime Minister, or is the British Government raising those issues on the agenda of the European Council and seeking changes to existing labour market rules and regulations? That is probably enough for the Taoiseach to be getting on with at this stage. I note the Taoiseach's comment that the legal form of the agreement is to fall short of treaty change, which in itself has implications for what is ultimately agreed. Notwithstanding the comments of Nigel Dodds, MP, and others, we are members of the European Union and therefore have every right to be involved in discussions when an existing member of the Union seeks to change the rules in order to maintain its membership. We want Britain to remain part of the European Union; it is in our best interests and that of the European Union. It is rather regrettable that Northern public representatives, in a very old-style way, seek to suggest that we be excluded from any discussions on the issue. I hope there will be some reflection on that from those protagonists. The Taoiseach I thank Deputy Martin. I answered his question on whether I had discussed retrospective recapitalisation. The answer was that I did not. Deputy Miche\u00e1l Martin Does that mean the issue will not be raised again? The Taoiseach The Deputy has raised this issue on many previous occasions and I have made the point that it is a testament to the resilience of the Irish people and the continued support of our EU partners that this country has returned to a position in which it is able to borrow money in a sustainable way and is not blocked from the markets that we were able to access previously. Having delivered on all of the commitments and exceeded targets over the three years of the programme, it was and remains a key priority of the Government to ease the bank burden on Irish taxpayers and clean up our banks as we make our way to economic recovery. In that sense, banks have been recapitalised and restructured. IBRC was liquidated and the promissory notes replaced with long-term bonds in order to dramatically reduce our market funding requirements. Interest rate reductions on our loans were achieved, not just here but in other places. Agreement was reached with our eurozone partners for the repayment of our EFSM and ESF loans to be extended by seven years. Those steps have had the effect of stabilising our financial system and reversing the outflows of deposits and other funds that have crippled this economy for quite a number of years. As regards recapitalisation, the European Stability Mechanism, ESM, a direct recapitalisation instrument, was agreed in principle in 2012. There is a limit of \u20ac60 billion on the total amount of ESM resources available for direct recapitalisation of institutions. Should the ESM use its direct recapitalisation instrument, it would, as a rule, acquire common shares in the beneficiary institution. Circumstances have improved dramatically since then, and the ESM is not the only option open to us to recover the money provided to recapitalise our banks. Investors are now willing to support Irish banks again and the market value of our investments has improved accordingly. Deputy Miche\u00e1l Martin They were always there. What I am speaking about is separate from those. The Taoiseach As I pointed out, and as the Minister for Finance has indicated, we expect to get all that money back for the taxpayer over the next period. Deputy Miche\u00e1l Martin That was always the case. The Taoiseach The option was there and the option is still there. The Government's overall objective regarding the State's investment is to maximise the return for the Irish taxpayer over time. In line with this objective, the Department of Finance has worked with AIB, where \u20ac20.8 billion was invested, on reconfiguring the capital structure. The Minister for Finance is working with the banks and the advisers to lay out a path that will see a return of cash to the State from AIB investments over time. This plan was approved by the Single Supervisory Mechanism last November, and following approval at AIB's EGM a first payment of \u20ac1.64 billion was made to the State on 17 December. This is only the start of the process, although it is an essential first step on the road to recovering value for the taxpayer. Regarding the Bank of Ireland investments, Deputy Martin is aware we have already made a net positive cash return from our investment in and our support for the bank, while we continue to hold, on behalf of the people, a valuable equity investment. The position was we had only one option. Deputy Miche\u00e1l Martin No, that is not true. The Taoiseach As the situation began to improve, we had two, and we expect to get all the money back. Deputy Miche\u00e1l Martin That is not true. The Taoiseach It is true, and Deputy Martin knows it. An Ceann Comhairle Through the Chair, please. Deputy Miche\u00e1l Martin AIB and Bank of Ireland were always going to be realised. I am talking about the debt outside of that. The Taoiseach It is true. An Ceann Comhairle I will call Deputy Martin back in. The Taoiseach There was \u20ac64 billion, \u20ac32 billion of which is gone, on Deputy Martin's back, down the black hole. Deputy Miche\u00e1l Martin We are talking about the retrospective debt outside of AIB and Bank of Ireland, which the Taoiseach said he would get back. An Ceann Comhairle I ask the Deputy to please respect the Chair. Deputy Miche\u00e1l Martin I am sorry. The Taoiseach never answers the question he is asked. The Taoiseach The Deputy raised a number of important issues about Turkey. Clearly, the European Union and Turkey must work together. The joint action plan agreed on 29 November is designed to assist Turkey in providing for refugees in its own territory and to prevent uncontrolled migration from there to the European Union. We are committed to working with Turkey on the \u20ac3 billion fund for supporting refugees from Syria based there. Implementation of this will be critical. Insufficient progress has been made and there is no question about this. When we spoke to other countries, Jordan and Lebanon stated they also need support. They raised a valid point on the camps. Some of them are enormous, as the Deputy is aware, and children's education, maternity facilities, hygiene facilities, food and nutrition are enormously complicated. We have no sense of the scale of what is happening in those camps. There have been some positive moves since 29 November. The Deputy mentioned pre-accession. Chapter 17 of the accession negotiations is about economic and monetary policy, and this has been opened with Turkey. The participation of the Turkish Foreign Minister in a good discussion with EU Foreign Ministers at the December Foreign Affairs Council was the start of this. Frans Timmermans, First Vice-President of the Commission, recently met the Turkish Ministers of Foreign Affairs, European Affairs and Justice to emphasise the need to speed up implementation of the joint action plan. Vice-President Mogherini and Commissioner Hahn also met the Turkish side, where the same need for implementation was underlined. Further close monitoring of this will be critical. As the Deputy understands, these are complicated discussions. The internal situation in Turkey is of a serious nature. The conflict between the Turkish Government and the Kurdistan Workers' Party restarted in July 2015, with 180 civilians killed in violence since then. There are clearly human rights concerns. Ireland strongly condemns the horrific suicide terrorist attacks which took place, the twin suicide bombings in Ankara on 10 October, which killed 102 people, and in Istanbul on 12 January, which killed ten people, including eight German tourists. The latest Commission progress report on the EU accession process noted a number of concerns, including with regard to significant shortcomings affecting the independence of the judiciary, freedom of assembly and freedom of expression, and we continue to raise these concerns, including most recently at the Council meeting in December. We and our European partners will continue this dialogue with Turkey. We did not have a detailed briefing on the incidents of sexual assault and abuse in Cologne, but they were of a very serious nature. I discussed this with the Minister-President of Bavaria, Mr. Seehofer, when I had occasion to meet him in recent weeks. This is regarded as a very serious issue in Germany, and the police authorities there are on a very clear alert. In respect of the issues raised about the UK Prime Minister and the case being put for the referendum, as I said to Deputy O'Brien, the paper in response has not yet been circulated by President Tusk. It is due early next week. We will see the detail of how he intends to respond and what input the European Commission might have. At the December meeting, President Juncker stated the Commission had views on a number of the elements attached to the four issues and he would like to make an input. The fundamental question is not about the restructuring of freedom of movement, although there are concerns about the Schengen Agreement and whether countries are in a position to police their borders, and the issue of the Dublin Convention is being reviewed in regard to where people might be sent back if they are to be sent back for whatever reason. This is an issue that is of some concern at present to countries. In regard to the issue of welfare, in Britain there appears to be a very strong view among people that for persons to draw benefit or benefit in work, they should make a contribution before they draw to make that a workable situation. This is a central issue that comes up very often in Britain, and it is an issue that is of concern to the Prime Minister. He has said on a number of occasions that he would like to see a number of options he has tabled being considered and that an outcome could be agreed on this. I do not know the detail of this yet because I assume President Tusk will respond to this in his paper. There will be very strong objections to any restriction on the free movement of people, and the opportunity to move from place to place comes with the Internal Market. In our case in Ireland, the common travel area between here and Britain and Northern Ireland allows for ease of doing business, commerce, trade and other activities. I believe the issue regarding the eurozone and other countries in the European Union which are not members of the eurozone is one that can be resolved. There are two currencies. In Britain there is sterling, we have the euro and there are various currencies in other countries outside the eurozone. This is an issue that can be resolved. With regard to the Deputy's final comments, we have been very forthright about being as open and generous as Fianna F\u00e1il was to the Northern Ireland Executive and Assembly. We have had joint trade missions to Singapore. We had personnel from Northern Ireland in Brussels during our Presidency in order that they would be fully informed on the advantages of what might be going through regarding the Common Agricultural Policy or Cohesion Fund money. In this regard, the practical arrangements on which we have worked so hard to get cross-Border activities in a range of sectors are ones on which we can build for the future. The referendum is a matter for the electorate in Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales and England, but we are all members of the European Union. Yesterday, when I spoke to more than 120 or 130 people in McCann FitzGerald in London, I made it perfectly clear that we have a real interest in this because the decision is so critical. McCann FitzGerald is one of the big Irish law firms and has been established in London for 30 years. These people are Irish citizens who will vote in the referendum. They understand the parallel, in that when we had to vote on the fiscal stability treaty people voted 60:40 in favour of the euro, the eurozone and the European Union. Essentially, it is a matter for those who go to vote in the United Kingdom to make their choice. We want to see Britain remain a central and strong member of the Union in the time ahead. It is of interest to Britain, it is of interest to Europe and it is certainly of interest to Ireland and Northern Ireland. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett Much as the Government wishes to trumpet its success, stability and the so-called turnaround of the economy, the issue of the odious debt heaped on the back of this country and its citizens, the terrible cost that has imposed on our economy and people and the threat it represents to the economy continues to return. Has the Taoiseach read the most recent report from the European Commission, which points to the risks of our very high debt levels which it says are high in the medium term and are very sensitive to any significant shocks in economic growth? Such shocks are, of course, being widely predicted. Has the Taoiseach read the European Commission's report? It is extremely concerned about our debt and our vulnerability to economic shocks. I just came from the finance committee, where Philip Lane, the Governor of the Central Bank, made precisely the same point as the European Commission is making. He said, when asked about the growth projections of this Government and the so-called \"fiscal space\", that we need to have a \"we may be wrong\" scenario. Those were his words. He talked in particular about the problem of our high level of debt and the risk that poses to us if we are wrong. Given the gathering clouds of possible international recession, are we not pursuing a very dangerous strategy, given our high levels of debt? That brings me to the last, linked question. This morning, the European Court of Auditors produced a report on the European Commission's handling of the Irish bailout. It is a very damning report because it says the European Commission got it badly wrong. It was charged with monitoring and giving warnings if there were problems in terms of people's budgets. The report quotes, for example, the very misguided and utterly wrong judgment of the European Commission in March 2008, when it said of the Irish economy, \"the risks attached to the budgetary projections are broadly neutral for 2008\". My God, did they get that wrong. The report from the auditors goes on to say the European Commission estimated the country's budgets to be much stronger than they turned out to be, and so on. They all said the European Commission was extremely bad at keeping records. They said there was no proper record-keeping of the post-crash programme teams, that there was no proper oversight of those programme teams and that alternative scenarios were not properly looked at in terms of burden-sharing on debt. This is the point and the question. What the auditors are now confirming is something that some of us have been saying since the very beginning, namely, that the EU itself was very significantly responsible for the failures that led to the crash and that it should have shared the burden. The Taoiseach promised before the last election that he would make it share the burden. He promised that we would burn the bondholders and that there would be burden-sharing. Now we have the European Court of Auditors saying Europe was asleep at the wheel months before the crash was about to hit and engulf the economy. Is this not the time, on the back of this report, to go back to our friends in Europe and say----- An Ceann Comhairle Will you stick to the questions that are on the Order Paper? Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett It is. An Ceann Comhairle We cannot have a general discussion here. This is not one of the questions on the Order Paper. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett The previous discussions have all been very general. An Ceann Comhairle Deputy Martin has seven questions and----- Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett I have two. An Ceann Comhairle Deputy O'Brien has two. You have one question. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett Two. An Ceann Comhairle Sorry, Deputy, you have one, Question No. 10, which is to do with the report on the European Council meetings. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett Yes, absolutely. An Ceann Comhairle This is an entirely separate subject from anything on the Order Paper. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett It is not; it is about the European Council meetings and whether----- An Ceann Comhairle No, it has nothing to do with the recent report----- Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett It absolutely does. From the European Commission----- An Ceann Comhairle Would you finish up, please? I want to try to get the others back in. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett You did not cut anybody else off. An Ceann Comhairle No, because you have only one question, Deputy. Would you stick to the questions on the Order Paper? That is my job. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett Everybody else ranged across four or five subjects----- An Ceann Comhairle They did not. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett They did. An Ceann Comhairle I am very careful about----- Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett -----from the Brexit to the European economy to the refugee crisis, and so on. Given this report, is the Taoiseach going to go back to the European Council and say now we have a European body itself saying that Europe was significantly responsible for failing to recognise the warning signals, which it was supposed to be monitoring, and that the programme management of the bailout may have been fundamentally flawed, should we now ask for debt writedown, given the vulnerability of our economy to debt and to shocks to the economy? Finally, and very briefly, did the Taoiseach raise with Prime Minister Cameron and President Hollande, in the face of this disastrous refugee crisis, the absolute folly and immorality of bombing Syria and making the situation worse and, in the case of Britain, its culpability for creating the conditions for the refugee crisis through the previous bombing of Iraq and the disastrous consequences that has had? As well as dealing with the----- An Ceann Comhairle Sorry, Deputy----- Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett -----human tragedy of millions of displaced people, should we not be calling out the utter folly and immorality of responding to this terrible crisis by bombing the countries that have been so devastated? An Ceann Comhairle Deputy Martin, would you like to put your supplementary question? We will then hear from Deputy O'Brien. Deputy Miche\u00e1l Martin In Question No. 9 I asked the Taoiseach whether he had spoken to Chancellor Merkel at the European Council meeting and whether he had discussed retrospective debt forgiveness for Ireland with her or with any other European leader. He said he did not. In his reply, he is now saying that the investment in AIB and Bank of Ireland and so on, which the previous Government made, was effective. It was always understood that the retrospective debt forgiveness was outside of those; it was in respect of losses in other banks. In 2012, when the game changer meeting was announced with Mario Monti and the then Commissioner and so on, it was understood that the option of selling AIB and Bank of Ireland was always there. The non-recoupable debt that was entered into was always the key point. The Taoiseach promised to burn the bondholders. The former T\u00e1naiste did it in more graphic terms when he said it was \"Frankfurt's way or Labour's way\". We know Jean-Claude Trichet said a bomb would go off and that it would be in Dublin that it would go off. He said that to the Minister for Finance, Deputy Noonan. The Minister confirmed that to the banking inquiry. The European Union's position that banks must not be allowed to fail, after Lehmann's, and that the bondholders must not be burned was, therefore, very clear. That was made clear to the previous Government and to this Government. On the debt issue, there was a decision in 2012 by the European Council. We were led to believe by the Taoiseach and the former T\u00e1naiste that this was a game changer of a decision, which would lead to a retrospective debt deal. The Ministers, Deputies Noonan and Howlin, had a press conference about it and said we could expect about \u20ac6 billion. We cannot dress it up or camouflage all of that by identifying AIB as the new route. That was always there as a route. Bank of Ireland was always there as a route, before any mention of a game changer. Is it now the Government's position that it is no longer seeking a retrospective debt deal? I just want a simple yes or no response to that. An Ceann Comhairle I call on Deputy O'Brien. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien Given the lack of time, I will let the Taoiseach respond to the questions. The Taoiseach Deputy Boyd Barrett asked about the European Court of Auditors report and the Commission's response. This is 120 pages long and obviously it will require some reading. Certainly, there was no self-criticism of the Commission's actions in the financial assistance programme. At the same time, the Court of Auditors noted specifically the unprecedented nature and extent of the financial crisis. In that context, it stated that the assistance programmes were mostly soundly based and that the Commission's capacities for dealing with the programmes improved over time. We were first out of that gap, as Deputy Martin will be well aware. It is fine and true to say that was always there in terms of the banks, but when the banks were deemed to be worthless one had no other option but to ask, \"How will we be able to recoup what the Irish taxpayer put into this?\" That is why \u20ac60 billion was put aside as an option under that facility. As the Deputy will be aware, matters have moved on strongly since then. Deputy Miche\u00e1l Martin So the Taoiseach is not seeking it. The Taoiseach I cannot see it being pursued now. It would require unanimity from around the table. The reflection of other countries on the progress made by Ireland, being the fastest growing economy for the past two years with our deficit to be wiped out by 2017-2018 and our debt falling towards European norms, puts us in a very different position from where we were only a few years ago. Deputy Boyd Barrett asked about the fiscal space. That is the sum of money that is available up to 2021. It is the amount of money the Department of Finance estimates will be available for expenditure increases and tax reductions in each budget. That is based, as Deputy Boyd Barrett will be aware, on an assessment of Ireland's compliance with the benchmarks that have been set for expenditure. It is a very important figure because, in the absence of measures to offset this, expenditure and tax commitments must be accommodated within the available fiscal space. At budget time, the Department of Finance estimated that there would be gross fiscal space over the next five budgets of \u20ac10.9 billion. In addition, the Department set out that if a decision is taken not to index the tax system, as was the case in 2016, an additional \u20ac2 billion in fiscal space would be available. That means that if one introduces a tax and raises money from it, one is entitled to spend that money. If the tax system is not indexed, that is counted, if one likes, as a tax which amounts to approximately \u20ac2 billion. Deputy Miche\u00e1l Martin It was \u20ac8.9 billion. The Department of Finance stated it was \u20ac8.9 billion. The Taoiseach However, one must remember that is the total amount of money that is available and it has to accommodate the cost each year of decisions taken by the Government, including the public capital plan----- Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett It is based on growth projections. The Taoiseach -----and the Lansdowne Road agreement. In addition, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform estimates that an average of \u20ac400 million of that fiscal space in each year - \u20ac2 billion over the next five budgets - is required to meet demographic and other costs that will arise. Taking those factors into account, the net fiscal space that was estimated at budget time was \u20ac8.6 billion. In line with the fiscal rules, the European Commission updates each member state's minimum medium-term objectives every three years and the updated medium-term objective to cover the period 2017-2019 is expected in the next week or two. Given the decline in the Irish debt ratio and other factors, it is likely that the minimum medium-term objective proposed by the Commission for Ireland might be slightly less stringent than was previously the case. The Department of Finance has estimated that a structural deficit of -0.5% of GDP rather than the current 0% of GDP is more likely but we will have to await the outcome of all those technical discussions as to what that actually will be. While there are many moving parts to it, a decision to adopt a less stringent medium-term objective would add an estimated \u20ac1.5 billion to the indicative fiscal space in total over the period 2017 to 2021 and that would increase the gross fiscal space from \u20ac10.9 billion to approximately \u20ac12.5 billion and the net fiscal space from \u20ac8.6 billion to \u20ac10 billion, all other things being equal. The Minister for Finance will spell out further details of that when he is given the updated review by the European Commission. Deputy Miche\u00e1l Martin That is getting ready for the manifesto.", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2016-01-26/pq_8", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2016-01-26/8/" }, { "date": "2016-01-26", "question_number": 11, "chamber": "31st D\u00e1il", "topic": "Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements", "asked_by": "Miche\u00e1l Martin", "answered_by": "Taoiseach", "question_type": "oral", "question": "11. Deputy Miche\u00e1l Martin asked the Taoiseach if he has attended a meeting on the number of migrants that Ireland will receive from Syria and other war-torn countries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1959/16]", "answer": "The Taoiseach I reported to the House on 20 October on the detail on the outcome of the European Council meeting of 15 October. That meeting dealt with several issues of importance to the Union, with a particular focus on the complex challenge of migration. Also discussed at the meeting were the report of the five presidents, Completing Europe\u2019s Economic and Monetary Union, and the UK plans for a referendum on its EU membership, and it was agreed in both instances to return to the issues in December. The French President, Fran\u00e7ois Hollande, made a presentation in advance of the global Conference of Parties on climate change in Paris, and the European Council noted the publication of the international and independent report into the downing of flight MH17 over Ukraine. On Sunday, 29 November, EU Heads of State and Government held a meeting with the Prime Minister of Turkey. Co-operation with Turkey is central to the European Union\u2019s overall approach to tackling the migration crisis, and the meeting agreed a joint statement along with the European Union-Turkey joint action plan which had been negotiated by the European Commission over the previous weeks. The statement noted the European Union's agreement to provide an initial contribution of \u20ac3 billion over two years in support of the 2.2 million Syrian refugees in Turkey. Member states including Ireland will contribute to this fund once the final arrangements have been agreed. The statement also committed to strengthening relations between the European Union and Turkey, addressing common challenges through more structured, high-level dialogue and re-energising the accession process, on which the European Commission published its annual report on 10 November. The issues of visa liberalisation for Turkish citizens and border security, both of which are mentioned in the statement, are for Schengen member states to consider in the first instance. The action plan is intended to further support refugees and their host communities in Turkey and to strengthen co-operation in preventing irregular migration. Both the European Union and Turkey have set out their intentions under the plan, which includes financial support, resettling of refugees from Turkey to the European Union, law enforcement co-operation on smuggling, joint return operations, an improved legal framework, and compulsory registration and integration measures. It is important to emphasise that the commitments made by Turkey and the European Union in the joint action plan will have to be fulfilled. Progress on this is being very carefully monitored and will be reviewed by the European Council in due course. The shooting down of the Russian aircraft was not discussed at the European Council meeting in November. I had no scheduled bilateral meetings in the margins of the meeting of European Union Heads of State and Government with the Turkish Prime Minister on 29 November, although I did, of course, have informal exchanges with a number of colleagues. I last met Chancellor Merkel at the December European Council meeting. While I engaged with the Chancellor in the course of the Council meeting, we did not have a formal bilateral meeting. I did not raise retroactive recapitalisation of the Irish banks with her or with other counterparts at that meeting. I last held a formal bilateral meeting with Chancellor Merkel during my visit to Berlin on 3 July 2014, following her own visit to Dublin in March 2014. The British Government's proposals for EU membership were discussed most recently at the December European Council. This provided a welcome opportunity to have a collective discussion of the issue with all 28 EU Heads of State and Government and the Presidents of the EU institutions, framed by the earlier exchange of letters between the UK Prime Minister, David Cameron, and the President of the European Council, Donald Tusk. At that meeting, Mr. Cameron opened the discussion by outlining the four broad areas where he is seeking change and by explaining the complex domestic politics around the issue in the United Kingdom. I intervened in strong terms in the subsequent discussion to present the Irish point of view, which is, of course, well known to this House and in the United Kingdom and other member states. I spoke about the importance of the issue to Ireland, given the uniquely close political, social, economic and cultural ties between our countries. I also emphasised the significance of UK membership to the European Union as a whole and I stressed the importance of working together to find a mutually acceptable solution. Regarding the proposals themselves, Ireland is supportive of moves aimed at delivering more for our citizens. We share the United Kingdom\u2019s enthusiasm for sustained effort under the \"competitiveness\" heading. The issues here are the drivers of long-term prosperity for the citizens of the European Union. Under the \u201ceconomic governance\u201d and \u201csovereignty\u201d headings, although the details of the proposals remain to be clarified, we can also see where solutions might lie. In the immigration and free movement area, we can more than likely support the proposals, subject to the details, in regard to addressing fraud and abuse and changing the way in which child benefit is paid abroad. The idea of limiting access to in-work benefits is more difficult, and there is opposition to the proposal in its current form. However, I am hopeful that, with willingness and determination, a workable solution in this area can also be found. With regard to the debate itself, I was encouraged by the substantive and very constructive exchange of views about the four categories of reform proposed by Mr. Cameron, including the difficulties. There can be little doubt that this is a challenging and sensitive issue, but the atmosphere at the European Council meeting was very positive and there was willingness to find a way forward. Prime Minister Cameron, while not withdrawing his proposition about limiting access to in-work benefits, signalled his openness to alternative ideas that would have the same effect. We agreed, therefore, to work closely together in the period ahead, with a view to reaching agreement on a package of measures at the February European Council meeting. While the legal form and implications of the final package remain to be teased out, I welcome the fact that the Prime Minister is not pressing for early treaty change. We now await the emergence of detailed proposals from President Tusk, which are expected in early February. These will allow all member states to develop further their responses under each of the four headings and participate in intensive and collective preparatory work at senior official level leading up to the next European Council meeting, which I understand will take place on 11 February. The aim is to secure an agreement that is acceptable to all of us and will allow the Prime Minister to recommend and campaign vigorously for a vote to remain in the European Union. I met Prime Minister Cameron again in London yesterday and we had a further excellent discussion about the state of play. He updated me on his recent contacts with colleagues and I confirmed our strong support for a positive result. This issue has implications for all parts of Government policy. The whole of government has, therefore, been engaged in tracking the development of the debate and framing our contribution to the negotiations that are under way. The Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Minister of State with responsibility for European affairs have particular responsibilities in this respect, as do other Ministers in relevant sectors, supported by officials across Departments. In addition to the United Kingdom's relationship with the European Union, the ongoing migration and refugee crisis was the main item of discussion at the December European Council. Heads of State and Government took stock of what has been done so far and looked at further shaping and implementing a comprehensive EU approach. There was consensus that, while important agreements were reached over the course of 2015 to establish a comprehensive response to the crisis, implementation of the measures, notably as regards the so-called hotspots, relocation and returns, has been far too slow. The European Council agreed that member states and the EU institutions must work together urgently to address these deficiencies in the system. Work on this is being progressed by the Presidency, the European Commission and the High Representative, who will report on progress at the February meeting of the European Council. Regrettably, however, in the month since the December European Council, the position has not improved and the urgent need for progress is more marked than ever. Building on earlier conferences and summits, the European Council also emphasised the importance of working with regional partners in the western Balkans and Africa. Ireland has consistently called for an approach which addresses the root causes as well as the humanitarian challenges at European level. As I observed at the December meeting of the European Council, our immediate priority is to implement the resettlement and relocation proposals under which we have offered to accept 4,000 asylum seekers and refugees. In this context 176 Syrian refugees have already arrived in Ireland under the resettlement programme, with an additional 120 refugees due to arrive soon. While progress on relocation has been much slower, I am pleased that the first group of Syrian asylum seekers - a family of ten - arrived here recently under the relocation framework. Our decision to opt into the relocation and resettlement programme last year was in addition to the substantial additional financial support Ireland has provided towards assisting those affected by the Syrian crisis, the World Food Programme, to which we have agreed to double our allocation in the years ahead, and the Emergency Trust Fund for Africa, as well as the support provided by the Naval Service to humanitarian search and rescue operations in the Mediterranean, of which Deputies are well aware. The migration crisis will be a major ongoing challenge for the foreseeable future. I hope real progress will be made in the coming weeks and I look forward to discussing developments again with the other Heads of Government at the February European Council meeting. As I noted, much of the Council's time was spent on addressing the migration and refugee crisis and the EU-UK negotiations. However, a number of other agenda items were also discussed. Most notably, the European Council considered actions in the fight against terrorism, building on the decisions taken at its February meeting and in light of the appalling attacks in Paris and elsewhere. As outlined in my detailed statement to the House last week, there was also discussion of international developments, including the position in Syria, Ukraine and Libya, respectively, and a number of economic and financial issues, taking stock of discussions on the five presidents' report on economic and monetary union and developments in the Single Market following publication of the new strategy. Energy union and a forward-looking climate policy were discussed, following the very successful COP21 summit in Paris last year. An Ceann Comhairle I call Deputy Jonathan O'Brien who is substituting for Deputy Gerry Adams. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien As this is my first time substituting, I will need some guidance on timing and so forth. An Ceann Comhairle It is Question Time, which means Deputies should put questions. The Deputy should be as brief as possible. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien I will take a leaf out of Deputy Martin's book. The Taoiseach raised a number of points which I would like to discuss. I refer first to the proposed referendum on a British withdrawal from the European Union, also known as Brexit. Following the Taoiseach's meeting with Prime Minister Cameron yesterday, he expressed the view that all of Britain's demands for reform of the EU could be solved and referred to a number of these demands in his response. The next meeting of the European Council will take place on 18 and 19 February. The December European Council set itself the explicit objective of securing an agreement on mutually satisfactory solutions. The British Prime Minister indicated previously that he hoped to reach a deal on Britain's membership of the EU next month, which would clear the way for a referendum as early as this summer. However, in his remarks yesterday, Mr. Cameron seemed less sure of this. It is not necessary for me to outline the consequences of a British exit from the European Union for Ireland, especially the North. For eight decades, we have had a physical border between the two States and an economic, social, cultural and political border which has been the source of enormous dislocation and, at times, conflict. The Good Friday Agreement transformed the position, however, and the physical Border has become all but invisible. Nevertheless, much work remains to be done on the economic and political barriers between the Twenty-six Counties and Six Counties. Any move towards Brexit would be a retrograde step as it would create the potential for a return to border controls, which would have a highly detrimental impact on the economy of the Border counties. The adverse effects of a Brexit on the all-Ireland bodies established as part of the Good Friday Agreement also need to be taken into consideration. The outcome of the UK referendum on EU membership should not determine the fate of the North in respect of these matters. Has the Taoiseach sought an assurance from the British Government that the outcome of the referendum in the North alone will determine the relationship between this State and the Six Counties? The Taoiseach referred to some of the areas on which he believes compromise could be reached. Will he elaborate on these matters? The Taoiseach also referred to the refugee crisis and indicated that the discussions at the European Council meetings in Brussels in October, November and December, respectively, were very much focused on the issue of refugees. I take this opportunity to commend the work of the Naval Service, which successfully rescued a staggering 8,631 people during its humanitarian operations in the Mediterranean Sea in 2015. The extraordinary loss of life as refugees flee violence, war and poverty in the Middle East and north Africa has shocked and saddened all of us. Last year, 3,770 men, women and children died trying to cross the Mediterranean. We also saw the images of the three-year-old child on a Turkish beach. I acknowledge the tremendous work that the naval vessels carried out. There are no naval vessels in the region at the moment. Traditionally, the winter months see fewer refugees trying to make the dangerous journey. Unfortunately, some are still trying to make that journey. At least 43 people, including 17 children, drowned only last Friday when their boat collapsed off the Greek islands. According to the International Organization for Migration, over 100 refugees have drowned since the start of the year. That is more than the combined totals for January 2014 and 2015. It is estimated that almost 37,000 have arrived in Italy and Greece since the beginning of the year. There is no doubt we are seeing an unprecedented growth in the number of refugees trying to cross the Mediterranean. Are there any plans? When is it planned to send Irish naval vessels back out on humanitarian missions? I wish to come back in later, a Cheann Comhairle, because I have some other questions, but I know Deputy Martin is keen to get in. The Taoiseach I thank Deputy O'Brien for his questions. With regard to the Brexit business, I never understood why the title is as it is because British exit is not a positive term, if I can put it that way. It is actually a choice being made by the British electorate. I have heard some comments from the MP, Mr. Dodds, and the Northern Ireland First Minister, Ms Arlene Foster, with regard to comments I made in London yesterday. I am very much aware that the decision is one for the British electorate, for those in Northern Ireland, Scotland, England and Wales. However, it is not the same as the referendum on independence in Scotland because this country has an interest in it. It is a critical decision to be made by the British electorate in respect of the European Union, Britain and Ireland in the context of our relations with Northern Ireland. Deputy O'Brien has pointed out some of these details. Far be it from me to try to direct the British electorate or the electorate of the United Kingdom as to what way they should vote; it is their choice and their decision. However, it is important to note that there are significant numbers of Irish citizens living in Britain. Owing to the common travel area, many of them have been there for many years. Therefore, we have an interest in this. It is also important to note that \u20ac1 billion in trade is conducted across the Irish Sea every week. Britain is the biggest purchaser of food from Ireland, as we are of their produce. Many other issues arise from a common travel area. While we cannot direct the electorate on what to do when they go to vote, it is important that we set out how critical is this issue. I repeat that it is not for me to direct the British electorate, but it is important to state the importance of the decision to be made. People should be properly and fully informed. Deputy O'Brien pointed out a number of issues about cross-Border bodies and so on. For instance, we agreed fully that the Chancellor of the Exchequer should give the Northern Ireland Executive the right to reduce corporation tax rate in Northern Ireland to something approaching or the same as the corporate tax rate here. That would make the economic entity of Ireland, from a foreign direct investment point of view, an island attraction in its own right. To be honest, following the discussion I had with the Prime Minister, Mr. Cameron, yesterday, I am unsure whether it will be possible to conclude this set of agreements at the February meeting. There is progress to be made on all of the four issues. Progress can be made and I believe the matter can be concluded successfully. The UK Prime Minister has made it clear that it is his call regarding when he chooses to have a referendum. He said that if the deal is not clear enough or strong enough, he has time and can wait until some time before the end of 2017 to have a referendum. The European Council is where leaders discuss concessions, changes or reforms. We all support the Single Market, the digital market, getting rid of red tape in administration and the development of trade links with TTIP and other locations throughout the world where opportunities exist. It is important that all of Europe would benefit from the changes and reforms that are being made here. It is not a case of saying that we have considered all of this and we give particular concessions to any leader around the table. We are members of the European Union. I would like Britain to continue to remain a strong and central member of that because of the power and the opportunity that comes from having 500 million people in a trading bloc with enormous potential. I cannot say to Deputy O'Brien that it will be finished by the February meeting. Mr. Tusk, the President of the Council, will circulate his paper next week. It will deal with the discussions that have taken place following the December meeting, at which the UK Prime Minister, Mr. Cameron, tabled his four baskets, as it were, the issues of sovereignty, competitiveness, welfare and so on. In the meantime, we will continue to discuss the issue with colleagues in Brussels and Britain to see what progress might be made. This is connected with the migration issue as well. Let us suppose the current numbers were to continue and the UK held a referendum on continued British membership of the Union in June or July. That is the time of year when numbers would be heaviest, if migration continued across the Mediterranean. It is a matter for the British Prime Minister when he wants to call the referendum. The refugee crisis is taking up practically all the time at the meetings. It a really complicated and serious issue now. We get reports from the EU High Representative, Ms Mogherini. Some 1.2 million people have gone into south Lebanon, 25% of the Lebanese population is now Syrian and 1.2 million are in Jordan. The Prime Minister held a special event for the King of Jordan in respect of the camps there. The Union responded with a \u20ac3 billion initial fund in respect of Turkey, which has a little over 2 million refugees. Obviously, the numbers are exceptionally difficult to pin down. A great deal of work needs to be done from a European point of view on these hotspots in respect of registration and what we do if people turn up to the hotspots where people are registered and identified. Are they to stay there in camps that the countries concerned provide? Are they to dissipate throughout the countries of the Schengen area? These are extraordinary challenges. Yet, as Deputy O'Brien has pointed out, when we see the pictures of grossly over-laden and overloaded dinghies, ribs and other craft, we can see for ourselves the scale of what is involved. Let us imagine all of Connacht and all those right down through Munster to Cork walking to Dublin and trying to cross the Irish Sea in rickety boats or whatever. It is a human movement of enormous consequences. At the Holocaust commemorations which the Ceann Comhairle attended on Sunday, there were examples involving the MS St. Louis in 1938. The vessel went to America with 900 passengers who assumed they would be given visa entry but they were not. They had to come back again on another boat that went to Turkey and over 700 died. So many years on we have replications in some ways of what happened then. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien I asked about the role of the Naval Service. The Taoiseach The Minister for Defence, Deputy Coveney, has already said that it would be his intention to send a naval boat again. They rescued more than 8,500 men, women and children, and I think that gesture was appreciated by European leaders. If it is a case of making arrangements for that to happen, the Minister will do that. Deputy Miche\u00e1l Martin I thank the Taoiseach. He took 14 questions on the European Union together. In his reply he said he had not raised the issue of retrospective recapitalisation with German Chancellor, Angela Merkel, at the European Council, despite the fact that in 2012 he and the then T\u00e1naiste, Deputy Eamon Gilmore, were very clear that a game-changer of a meeting had occurred and that retrospective recapitalisation would apply to Ireland. At the time, the Minister for Finance, Deputy Noonan, and the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Howlin, claimed they could get up to \u20ac6 billion back for Ireland through retrospective recapitalisation. Given that the Taoiseach did not raise the issue with Chancellor Merkel or at the Council meeting, is that the final confirmation that the issue is off the table as far as the Government is concerned? Is it the case that the Government is no longer seeking a retrospective recapitalisation deal in respect of Ireland's bank debt? Can he confirm that in a later reply to me? With regard to the refugee crisis, it is accepted that the vast majority of refugees are leaving war-torn Syria and other locations because of conflict and war and because they want to seek a better life. I refer to the strengthening of relationships between Turkey and the European Union, notwithstanding the curbs on press freedom and the emergence of a more authoritarian regime in Turkey. What is the state of play in regard to the relationship between Turkey and the European Union in terms of its long-running application for membership, and the nature of the agreements that have been arrived at on the refugee crisis? Does the Taoiseach accept that the most effective way of dealing with the refugee crisis in the short term, apart from dealing with the source of the conflict in Syria and resolving the issues there, is to provide substantial resources to the refugee camps? The Taoiseach mentioned the major camps in Lebanon, Turkey and Jordan. Improving the quality of life for those in the camps in terms of education, work and so on could potentially stem the flow of migration to Europe. Nothing is available to assist in improving the quality of life for people in those camps. The Taoiseach said the refugee crisis had dominated the Council meetings. The recent rapes of and attacks on women in Cologne caused a lot of concern and distress. Was the issue raised at the meeting? Did the Taoiseach have any briefing on this and the potential implications for the process of integration and fully teasing out and evaluating the immigration crisis as it hits Europe? There are many far-reaching issues. I refer to the proposed referendum on whether Britain should remain within the European Union. The Taoiseach used a wonderful phrase, on which I commend the civil servants involved. He said the Irish point of view was well known in terms of the importance of the issue and the significance of Britain. I am not so sure it is well known, and I do not think the precise or specific details of the Government's view on the specific proposals that the British Government is putting on the table have ever been spelt out. In his reply, the Taoiseach referred to competitiveness, governance and sovereignty, immigration and free movement, welfare, in-work benefits and so on. What exactly is the British Government seeking in terms of welfare proposals? Is it solely concerned about welfare fraud? Is it looking for different rates of welfare to apply in host countries or for the welfare rates in one's own country to apply if one migrates to another EU country? I refer to EU citizens. What are the proposals around free movement across the European Union? The Taoiseach mentioned that in-work benefits would prove to be a difficult issue to resolve. Can he outline what exactly the British Government is looking for in that area? What are the potential implications for Irish citizens working across the European Union if the British Government gets its way on that? Can the Taoiseach outline specifically what it is looking for? Can the Taoiseach indicate specifically whether the British Government is seeking an accommodation for the City of London in terms of eurozone policy and access to the decision-making process within the eurozone area? Is it seeking an input into decisions that the eurozone would quite properly take for the eurozone area? The Taoiseach referred to his meeting with the British Prime Minister yesterday. Did he discuss the issue with him? The Taoiseach said the Irish Government was in broad agreement with the British Government on competitiveness. Have labour laws, labour market flexibilities and workers' rights featured in his discussions with the British Prime Minister, or is the British Government raising those issues on the agenda of the European Council and seeking changes to existing labour market rules and regulations? That is probably enough for the Taoiseach to be getting on with at this stage. I note the Taoiseach's comment that the legal form of the agreement is to fall short of treaty change, which in itself has implications for what is ultimately agreed. Notwithstanding the comments of Nigel Dodds, MP, and others, we are members of the European Union and therefore have every right to be involved in discussions when an existing member of the Union seeks to change the rules in order to maintain its membership. We want Britain to remain part of the European Union; it is in our best interests and that of the European Union. It is rather regrettable that Northern public representatives, in a very old-style way, seek to suggest that we be excluded from any discussions on the issue. I hope there will be some reflection on that from those protagonists. The Taoiseach I thank Deputy Martin. I answered his question on whether I had discussed retrospective recapitalisation. The answer was that I did not. Deputy Miche\u00e1l Martin Does that mean the issue will not be raised again? The Taoiseach The Deputy has raised this issue on many previous occasions and I have made the point that it is a testament to the resilience of the Irish people and the continued support of our EU partners that this country has returned to a position in which it is able to borrow money in a sustainable way and is not blocked from the markets that we were able to access previously. Having delivered on all of the commitments and exceeded targets over the three years of the programme, it was and remains a key priority of the Government to ease the bank burden on Irish taxpayers and clean up our banks as we make our way to economic recovery. In that sense, banks have been recapitalised and restructured. IBRC was liquidated and the promissory notes replaced with long-term bonds in order to dramatically reduce our market funding requirements. Interest rate reductions on our loans were achieved, not just here but in other places. Agreement was reached with our eurozone partners for the repayment of our EFSM and ESF loans to be extended by seven years. Those steps have had the effect of stabilising our financial system and reversing the outflows of deposits and other funds that have crippled this economy for quite a number of years. As regards recapitalisation, the European Stability Mechanism, ESM, a direct recapitalisation instrument, was agreed in principle in 2012. There is a limit of \u20ac60 billion on the total amount of ESM resources available for direct recapitalisation of institutions. Should the ESM use its direct recapitalisation instrument, it would, as a rule, acquire common shares in the beneficiary institution. Circumstances have improved dramatically since then, and the ESM is not the only option open to us to recover the money provided to recapitalise our banks. Investors are now willing to support Irish banks again and the market value of our investments has improved accordingly. Deputy Miche\u00e1l Martin They were always there. What I am speaking about is separate from those. The Taoiseach As I pointed out, and as the Minister for Finance has indicated, we expect to get all that money back for the taxpayer over the next period. Deputy Miche\u00e1l Martin That was always the case. The Taoiseach The option was there and the option is still there. The Government's overall objective regarding the State's investment is to maximise the return for the Irish taxpayer over time. In line with this objective, the Department of Finance has worked with AIB, where \u20ac20.8 billion was invested, on reconfiguring the capital structure. The Minister for Finance is working with the banks and the advisers to lay out a path that will see a return of cash to the State from AIB investments over time. This plan was approved by the Single Supervisory Mechanism last November, and following approval at AIB's EGM a first payment of \u20ac1.64 billion was made to the State on 17 December. This is only the start of the process, although it is an essential first step on the road to recovering value for the taxpayer. Regarding the Bank of Ireland investments, Deputy Martin is aware we have already made a net positive cash return from our investment in and our support for the bank, while we continue to hold, on behalf of the people, a valuable equity investment. The position was we had only one option. Deputy Miche\u00e1l Martin No, that is not true. The Taoiseach As the situation began to improve, we had two, and we expect to get all the money back. Deputy Miche\u00e1l Martin That is not true. The Taoiseach It is true, and Deputy Martin knows it. An Ceann Comhairle Through the Chair, please. Deputy Miche\u00e1l Martin AIB and Bank of Ireland were always going to be realised. I am talking about the debt outside of that. The Taoiseach It is true. An Ceann Comhairle I will call Deputy Martin back in. The Taoiseach There was \u20ac64 billion, \u20ac32 billion of which is gone, on Deputy Martin's back, down the black hole. Deputy Miche\u00e1l Martin We are talking about the retrospective debt outside of AIB and Bank of Ireland, which the Taoiseach said he would get back. An Ceann Comhairle I ask the Deputy to please respect the Chair. Deputy Miche\u00e1l Martin I am sorry. The Taoiseach never answers the question he is asked. The Taoiseach The Deputy raised a number of important issues about Turkey. Clearly, the European Union and Turkey must work together. The joint action plan agreed on 29 November is designed to assist Turkey in providing for refugees in its own territory and to prevent uncontrolled migration from there to the European Union. We are committed to working with Turkey on the \u20ac3 billion fund for supporting refugees from Syria based there. Implementation of this will be critical. Insufficient progress has been made and there is no question about this. When we spoke to other countries, Jordan and Lebanon stated they also need support. They raised a valid point on the camps. Some of them are enormous, as the Deputy is aware, and children's education, maternity facilities, hygiene facilities, food and nutrition are enormously complicated. We have no sense of the scale of what is happening in those camps. There have been some positive moves since 29 November. The Deputy mentioned pre-accession. Chapter 17 of the accession negotiations is about economic and monetary policy, and this has been opened with Turkey. The participation of the Turkish Foreign Minister in a good discussion with EU Foreign Ministers at the December Foreign Affairs Council was the start of this. Frans Timmermans, First Vice-President of the Commission, recently met the Turkish Ministers of Foreign Affairs, European Affairs and Justice to emphasise the need to speed up implementation of the joint action plan. Vice-President Mogherini and Commissioner Hahn also met the Turkish side, where the same need for implementation was underlined. Further close monitoring of this will be critical. As the Deputy understands, these are complicated discussions. The internal situation in Turkey is of a serious nature. The conflict between the Turkish Government and the Kurdistan Workers' Party restarted in July 2015, with 180 civilians killed in violence since then. There are clearly human rights concerns. Ireland strongly condemns the horrific suicide terrorist attacks which took place, the twin suicide bombings in Ankara on 10 October, which killed 102 people, and in Istanbul on 12 January, which killed ten people, including eight German tourists. The latest Commission progress report on the EU accession process noted a number of concerns, including with regard to significant shortcomings affecting the independence of the judiciary, freedom of assembly and freedom of expression, and we continue to raise these concerns, including most recently at the Council meeting in December. We and our European partners will continue this dialogue with Turkey. We did not have a detailed briefing on the incidents of sexual assault and abuse in Cologne, but they were of a very serious nature. I discussed this with the Minister-President of Bavaria, Mr. Seehofer, when I had occasion to meet him in recent weeks. This is regarded as a very serious issue in Germany, and the police authorities there are on a very clear alert. In respect of the issues raised about the UK Prime Minister and the case being put for the referendum, as I said to Deputy O'Brien, the paper in response has not yet been circulated by President Tusk. It is due early next week. We will see the detail of how he intends to respond and what input the European Commission might have. At the December meeting, President Juncker stated the Commission had views on a number of the elements attached to the four issues and he would like to make an input. The fundamental question is not about the restructuring of freedom of movement, although there are concerns about the Schengen Agreement and whether countries are in a position to police their borders, and the issue of the Dublin Convention is being reviewed in regard to where people might be sent back if they are to be sent back for whatever reason. This is an issue that is of some concern at present to countries. In regard to the issue of welfare, in Britain there appears to be a very strong view among people that for persons to draw benefit or benefit in work, they should make a contribution before they draw to make that a workable situation. This is a central issue that comes up very often in Britain, and it is an issue that is of concern to the Prime Minister. He has said on a number of occasions that he would like to see a number of options he has tabled being considered and that an outcome could be agreed on this. I do not know the detail of this yet because I assume President Tusk will respond to this in his paper. There will be very strong objections to any restriction on the free movement of people, and the opportunity to move from place to place comes with the Internal Market. In our case in Ireland, the common travel area between here and Britain and Northern Ireland allows for ease of doing business, commerce, trade and other activities. I believe the issue regarding the eurozone and other countries in the European Union which are not members of the eurozone is one that can be resolved. There are two currencies. In Britain there is sterling, we have the euro and there are various currencies in other countries outside the eurozone. This is an issue that can be resolved. With regard to the Deputy's final comments, we have been very forthright about being as open and generous as Fianna F\u00e1il was to the Northern Ireland Executive and Assembly. We have had joint trade missions to Singapore. We had personnel from Northern Ireland in Brussels during our Presidency in order that they would be fully informed on the advantages of what might be going through regarding the Common Agricultural Policy or Cohesion Fund money. In this regard, the practical arrangements on which we have worked so hard to get cross-Border activities in a range of sectors are ones on which we can build for the future. The referendum is a matter for the electorate in Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales and England, but we are all members of the European Union. Yesterday, when I spoke to more than 120 or 130 people in McCann FitzGerald in London, I made it perfectly clear that we have a real interest in this because the decision is so critical. McCann FitzGerald is one of the big Irish law firms and has been established in London for 30 years. These people are Irish citizens who will vote in the referendum. They understand the parallel, in that when we had to vote on the fiscal stability treaty people voted 60:40 in favour of the euro, the eurozone and the European Union. Essentially, it is a matter for those who go to vote in the United Kingdom to make their choice. We want to see Britain remain a central and strong member of the Union in the time ahead. It is of interest to Britain, it is of interest to Europe and it is certainly of interest to Ireland and Northern Ireland. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett Much as the Government wishes to trumpet its success, stability and the so-called turnaround of the economy, the issue of the odious debt heaped on the back of this country and its citizens, the terrible cost that has imposed on our economy and people and the threat it represents to the economy continues to return. Has the Taoiseach read the most recent report from the European Commission, which points to the risks of our very high debt levels which it says are high in the medium term and are very sensitive to any significant shocks in economic growth? Such shocks are, of course, being widely predicted. Has the Taoiseach read the European Commission's report? It is extremely concerned about our debt and our vulnerability to economic shocks. I just came from the finance committee, where Philip Lane, the Governor of the Central Bank, made precisely the same point as the European Commission is making. He said, when asked about the growth projections of this Government and the so-called \"fiscal space\", that we need to have a \"we may be wrong\" scenario. Those were his words. He talked in particular about the problem of our high level of debt and the risk that poses to us if we are wrong. Given the gathering clouds of possible international recession, are we not pursuing a very dangerous strategy, given our high levels of debt? That brings me to the last, linked question. This morning, the European Court of Auditors produced a report on the European Commission's handling of the Irish bailout. It is a very damning report because it says the European Commission got it badly wrong. It was charged with monitoring and giving warnings if there were problems in terms of people's budgets. The report quotes, for example, the very misguided and utterly wrong judgment of the European Commission in March 2008, when it said of the Irish economy, \"the risks attached to the budgetary projections are broadly neutral for 2008\". My God, did they get that wrong. The report from the auditors goes on to say the European Commission estimated the country's budgets to be much stronger than they turned out to be, and so on. They all said the European Commission was extremely bad at keeping records. They said there was no proper record-keeping of the post-crash programme teams, that there was no proper oversight of those programme teams and that alternative scenarios were not properly looked at in terms of burden-sharing on debt. This is the point and the question. What the auditors are now confirming is something that some of us have been saying since the very beginning, namely, that the EU itself was very significantly responsible for the failures that led to the crash and that it should have shared the burden. The Taoiseach promised before the last election that he would make it share the burden. He promised that we would burn the bondholders and that there would be burden-sharing. Now we have the European Court of Auditors saying Europe was asleep at the wheel months before the crash was about to hit and engulf the economy. Is this not the time, on the back of this report, to go back to our friends in Europe and say----- An Ceann Comhairle Will you stick to the questions that are on the Order Paper? Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett It is. An Ceann Comhairle We cannot have a general discussion here. This is not one of the questions on the Order Paper. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett The previous discussions have all been very general. An Ceann Comhairle Deputy Martin has seven questions and----- Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett I have two. An Ceann Comhairle Deputy O'Brien has two. You have one question. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett Two. An Ceann Comhairle Sorry, Deputy, you have one, Question No. 10, which is to do with the report on the European Council meetings. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett Yes, absolutely. An Ceann Comhairle This is an entirely separate subject from anything on the Order Paper. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett It is not; it is about the European Council meetings and whether----- An Ceann Comhairle No, it has nothing to do with the recent report----- Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett It absolutely does. From the European Commission----- An Ceann Comhairle Would you finish up, please? I want to try to get the others back in. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett You did not cut anybody else off. An Ceann Comhairle No, because you have only one question, Deputy. Would you stick to the questions on the Order Paper? That is my job. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett Everybody else ranged across four or five subjects----- An Ceann Comhairle They did not. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett They did. An Ceann Comhairle I am very careful about----- Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett -----from the Brexit to the European economy to the refugee crisis, and so on. Given this report, is the Taoiseach going to go back to the European Council and say now we have a European body itself saying that Europe was significantly responsible for failing to recognise the warning signals, which it was supposed to be monitoring, and that the programme management of the bailout may have been fundamentally flawed, should we now ask for debt writedown, given the vulnerability of our economy to debt and to shocks to the economy? Finally, and very briefly, did the Taoiseach raise with Prime Minister Cameron and President Hollande, in the face of this disastrous refugee crisis, the absolute folly and immorality of bombing Syria and making the situation worse and, in the case of Britain, its culpability for creating the conditions for the refugee crisis through the previous bombing of Iraq and the disastrous consequences that has had? As well as dealing with the----- An Ceann Comhairle Sorry, Deputy----- Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett -----human tragedy of millions of displaced people, should we not be calling out the utter folly and immorality of responding to this terrible crisis by bombing the countries that have been so devastated? An Ceann Comhairle Deputy Martin, would you like to put your supplementary question? We will then hear from Deputy O'Brien. Deputy Miche\u00e1l Martin In Question No. 9 I asked the Taoiseach whether he had spoken to Chancellor Merkel at the European Council meeting and whether he had discussed retrospective debt forgiveness for Ireland with her or with any other European leader. He said he did not. In his reply, he is now saying that the investment in AIB and Bank of Ireland and so on, which the previous Government made, was effective. It was always understood that the retrospective debt forgiveness was outside of those; it was in respect of losses in other banks. In 2012, when the game changer meeting was announced with Mario Monti and the then Commissioner and so on, it was understood that the option of selling AIB and Bank of Ireland was always there. The non-recoupable debt that was entered into was always the key point. The Taoiseach promised to burn the bondholders. The former T\u00e1naiste did it in more graphic terms when he said it was \"Frankfurt's way or Labour's way\". We know Jean-Claude Trichet said a bomb would go off and that it would be in Dublin that it would go off. He said that to the Minister for Finance, Deputy Noonan. The Minister confirmed that to the banking inquiry. The European Union's position that banks must not be allowed to fail, after Lehmann's, and that the bondholders must not be burned was, therefore, very clear. That was made clear to the previous Government and to this Government. On the debt issue, there was a decision in 2012 by the European Council. We were led to believe by the Taoiseach and the former T\u00e1naiste that this was a game changer of a decision, which would lead to a retrospective debt deal. The Ministers, Deputies Noonan and Howlin, had a press conference about it and said we could expect about \u20ac6 billion. We cannot dress it up or camouflage all of that by identifying AIB as the new route. That was always there as a route. Bank of Ireland was always there as a route, before any mention of a game changer. Is it now the Government's position that it is no longer seeking a retrospective debt deal? I just want a simple yes or no response to that. An Ceann Comhairle I call on Deputy O'Brien. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien Given the lack of time, I will let the Taoiseach respond to the questions. The Taoiseach Deputy Boyd Barrett asked about the European Court of Auditors report and the Commission's response. This is 120 pages long and obviously it will require some reading. Certainly, there was no self-criticism of the Commission's actions in the financial assistance programme. At the same time, the Court of Auditors noted specifically the unprecedented nature and extent of the financial crisis. In that context, it stated that the assistance programmes were mostly soundly based and that the Commission's capacities for dealing with the programmes improved over time. We were first out of that gap, as Deputy Martin will be well aware. It is fine and true to say that was always there in terms of the banks, but when the banks were deemed to be worthless one had no other option but to ask, \"How will we be able to recoup what the Irish taxpayer put into this?\" That is why \u20ac60 billion was put aside as an option under that facility. As the Deputy will be aware, matters have moved on strongly since then. Deputy Miche\u00e1l Martin So the Taoiseach is not seeking it. The Taoiseach I cannot see it being pursued now. It would require unanimity from around the table. The reflection of other countries on the progress made by Ireland, being the fastest growing economy for the past two years with our deficit to be wiped out by 2017-2018 and our debt falling towards European norms, puts us in a very different position from where we were only a few years ago. Deputy Boyd Barrett asked about the fiscal space. That is the sum of money that is available up to 2021. It is the amount of money the Department of Finance estimates will be available for expenditure increases and tax reductions in each budget. That is based, as Deputy Boyd Barrett will be aware, on an assessment of Ireland's compliance with the benchmarks that have been set for expenditure. It is a very important figure because, in the absence of measures to offset this, expenditure and tax commitments must be accommodated within the available fiscal space. At budget time, the Department of Finance estimated that there would be gross fiscal space over the next five budgets of \u20ac10.9 billion. In addition, the Department set out that if a decision is taken not to index the tax system, as was the case in 2016, an additional \u20ac2 billion in fiscal space would be available. That means that if one introduces a tax and raises money from it, one is entitled to spend that money. If the tax system is not indexed, that is counted, if one likes, as a tax which amounts to approximately \u20ac2 billion. Deputy Miche\u00e1l Martin It was \u20ac8.9 billion. The Department of Finance stated it was \u20ac8.9 billion. The Taoiseach However, one must remember that is the total amount of money that is available and it has to accommodate the cost each year of decisions taken by the Government, including the public capital plan----- Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett It is based on growth projections. The Taoiseach -----and the Lansdowne Road agreement. In addition, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform estimates that an average of \u20ac400 million of that fiscal space in each year - \u20ac2 billion over the next five budgets - is required to meet demographic and other costs that will arise. Taking those factors into account, the net fiscal space that was estimated at budget time was \u20ac8.6 billion. In line with the fiscal rules, the European Commission updates each member state's minimum medium-term objectives every three years and the updated medium-term objective to cover the period 2017-2019 is expected in the next week or two. Given the decline in the Irish debt ratio and other factors, it is likely that the minimum medium-term objective proposed by the Commission for Ireland might be slightly less stringent than was previously the case. The Department of Finance has estimated that a structural deficit of -0.5% of GDP rather than the current 0% of GDP is more likely but we will have to await the outcome of all those technical discussions as to what that actually will be. While there are many moving parts to it, a decision to adopt a less stringent medium-term objective would add an estimated \u20ac1.5 billion to the indicative fiscal space in total over the period 2017 to 2021 and that would increase the gross fiscal space from \u20ac10.9 billion to approximately \u20ac12.5 billion and the net fiscal space from \u20ac8.6 billion to \u20ac10 billion, all other things being equal. The Minister for Finance will spell out further details of that when he is given the updated review by the European Commission. Deputy Miche\u00e1l Martin That is getting ready for the manifesto.", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2016-01-26/pq_11", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2016-01-26/11/" }, { "date": "2016-01-26", "question_number": 13, "chamber": "31st D\u00e1il", "topic": "Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements", "asked_by": "Joe Higgins", "answered_by": "Taoiseach", "question_type": "oral", "question": "13. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Taoiseach to report on meetings regarding the refugee crisis and Ireland's commitment to aid during the European Union Council in December 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2802/16]", "answer": "The Taoiseach I reported to the House on 20 October on the detail on the outcome of the European Council meeting of 15 October. That meeting dealt with several issues of importance to the Union, with a particular focus on the complex challenge of migration. Also discussed at the meeting were the report of the five presidents, Completing Europe\u2019s Economic and Monetary Union, and the UK plans for a referendum on its EU membership, and it was agreed in both instances to return to the issues in December. The French President, Fran\u00e7ois Hollande, made a presentation in advance of the global Conference of Parties on climate change in Paris, and the European Council noted the publication of the international and independent report into the downing of flight MH17 over Ukraine. On Sunday, 29 November, EU Heads of State and Government held a meeting with the Prime Minister of Turkey. Co-operation with Turkey is central to the European Union\u2019s overall approach to tackling the migration crisis, and the meeting agreed a joint statement along with the European Union-Turkey joint action plan which had been negotiated by the European Commission over the previous weeks. The statement noted the European Union's agreement to provide an initial contribution of \u20ac3 billion over two years in support of the 2.2 million Syrian refugees in Turkey. Member states including Ireland will contribute to this fund once the final arrangements have been agreed. The statement also committed to strengthening relations between the European Union and Turkey, addressing common challenges through more structured, high-level dialogue and re-energising the accession process, on which the European Commission published its annual report on 10 November. The issues of visa liberalisation for Turkish citizens and border security, both of which are mentioned in the statement, are for Schengen member states to consider in the first instance. The action plan is intended to further support refugees and their host communities in Turkey and to strengthen co-operation in preventing irregular migration. Both the European Union and Turkey have set out their intentions under the plan, which includes financial support, resettling of refugees from Turkey to the European Union, law enforcement co-operation on smuggling, joint return operations, an improved legal framework, and compulsory registration and integration measures. It is important to emphasise that the commitments made by Turkey and the European Union in the joint action plan will have to be fulfilled. Progress on this is being very carefully monitored and will be reviewed by the European Council in due course. The shooting down of the Russian aircraft was not discussed at the European Council meeting in November. I had no scheduled bilateral meetings in the margins of the meeting of European Union Heads of State and Government with the Turkish Prime Minister on 29 November, although I did, of course, have informal exchanges with a number of colleagues. I last met Chancellor Merkel at the December European Council meeting. While I engaged with the Chancellor in the course of the Council meeting, we did not have a formal bilateral meeting. I did not raise retroactive recapitalisation of the Irish banks with her or with other counterparts at that meeting. I last held a formal bilateral meeting with Chancellor Merkel during my visit to Berlin on 3 July 2014, following her own visit to Dublin in March 2014. The British Government's proposals for EU membership were discussed most recently at the December European Council. This provided a welcome opportunity to have a collective discussion of the issue with all 28 EU Heads of State and Government and the Presidents of the EU institutions, framed by the earlier exchange of letters between the UK Prime Minister, David Cameron, and the President of the European Council, Donald Tusk. At that meeting, Mr. Cameron opened the discussion by outlining the four broad areas where he is seeking change and by explaining the complex domestic politics around the issue in the United Kingdom. I intervened in strong terms in the subsequent discussion to present the Irish point of view, which is, of course, well known to this House and in the United Kingdom and other member states. I spoke about the importance of the issue to Ireland, given the uniquely close political, social, economic and cultural ties between our countries. I also emphasised the significance of UK membership to the European Union as a whole and I stressed the importance of working together to find a mutually acceptable solution. Regarding the proposals themselves, Ireland is supportive of moves aimed at delivering more for our citizens. We share the United Kingdom\u2019s enthusiasm for sustained effort under the \"competitiveness\" heading. The issues here are the drivers of long-term prosperity for the citizens of the European Union. Under the \u201ceconomic governance\u201d and \u201csovereignty\u201d headings, although the details of the proposals remain to be clarified, we can also see where solutions might lie. In the immigration and free movement area, we can more than likely support the proposals, subject to the details, in regard to addressing fraud and abuse and changing the way in which child benefit is paid abroad. The idea of limiting access to in-work benefits is more difficult, and there is opposition to the proposal in its current form. However, I am hopeful that, with willingness and determination, a workable solution in this area can also be found. With regard to the debate itself, I was encouraged by the substantive and very constructive exchange of views about the four categories of reform proposed by Mr. Cameron, including the difficulties. There can be little doubt that this is a challenging and sensitive issue, but the atmosphere at the European Council meeting was very positive and there was willingness to find a way forward. Prime Minister Cameron, while not withdrawing his proposition about limiting access to in-work benefits, signalled his openness to alternative ideas that would have the same effect. We agreed, therefore, to work closely together in the period ahead, with a view to reaching agreement on a package of measures at the February European Council meeting. While the legal form and implications of the final package remain to be teased out, I welcome the fact that the Prime Minister is not pressing for early treaty change. We now await the emergence of detailed proposals from President Tusk, which are expected in early February. These will allow all member states to develop further their responses under each of the four headings and participate in intensive and collective preparatory work at senior official level leading up to the next European Council meeting, which I understand will take place on 11 February. The aim is to secure an agreement that is acceptable to all of us and will allow the Prime Minister to recommend and campaign vigorously for a vote to remain in the European Union. I met Prime Minister Cameron again in London yesterday and we had a further excellent discussion about the state of play. He updated me on his recent contacts with colleagues and I confirmed our strong support for a positive result. This issue has implications for all parts of Government policy. The whole of government has, therefore, been engaged in tracking the development of the debate and framing our contribution to the negotiations that are under way. The Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Minister of State with responsibility for European affairs have particular responsibilities in this respect, as do other Ministers in relevant sectors, supported by officials across Departments. In addition to the United Kingdom's relationship with the European Union, the ongoing migration and refugee crisis was the main item of discussion at the December European Council. Heads of State and Government took stock of what has been done so far and looked at further shaping and implementing a comprehensive EU approach. There was consensus that, while important agreements were reached over the course of 2015 to establish a comprehensive response to the crisis, implementation of the measures, notably as regards the so-called hotspots, relocation and returns, has been far too slow. The European Council agreed that member states and the EU institutions must work together urgently to address these deficiencies in the system. Work on this is being progressed by the Presidency, the European Commission and the High Representative, who will report on progress at the February meeting of the European Council. Regrettably, however, in the month since the December European Council, the position has not improved and the urgent need for progress is more marked than ever. Building on earlier conferences and summits, the European Council also emphasised the importance of working with regional partners in the western Balkans and Africa. Ireland has consistently called for an approach which addresses the root causes as well as the humanitarian challenges at European level. As I observed at the December meeting of the European Council, our immediate priority is to implement the resettlement and relocation proposals under which we have offered to accept 4,000 asylum seekers and refugees. In this context 176 Syrian refugees have already arrived in Ireland under the resettlement programme, with an additional 120 refugees due to arrive soon. While progress on relocation has been much slower, I am pleased that the first group of Syrian asylum seekers - a family of ten - arrived here recently under the relocation framework. Our decision to opt into the relocation and resettlement programme last year was in addition to the substantial additional financial support Ireland has provided towards assisting those affected by the Syrian crisis, the World Food Programme, to which we have agreed to double our allocation in the years ahead, and the Emergency Trust Fund for Africa, as well as the support provided by the Naval Service to humanitarian search and rescue operations in the Mediterranean, of which Deputies are well aware. The migration crisis will be a major ongoing challenge for the foreseeable future. I hope real progress will be made in the coming weeks and I look forward to discussing developments again with the other Heads of Government at the February European Council meeting. As I noted, much of the Council's time was spent on addressing the migration and refugee crisis and the EU-UK negotiations. However, a number of other agenda items were also discussed. Most notably, the European Council considered actions in the fight against terrorism, building on the decisions taken at its February meeting and in light of the appalling attacks in Paris and elsewhere. As outlined in my detailed statement to the House last week, there was also discussion of international developments, including the position in Syria, Ukraine and Libya, respectively, and a number of economic and financial issues, taking stock of discussions on the five presidents' report on economic and monetary union and developments in the Single Market following publication of the new strategy. Energy union and a forward-looking climate policy were discussed, following the very successful COP21 summit in Paris last year. An Ceann Comhairle I call Deputy Jonathan O'Brien who is substituting for Deputy Gerry Adams. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien As this is my first time substituting, I will need some guidance on timing and so forth. An Ceann Comhairle It is Question Time, which means Deputies should put questions. The Deputy should be as brief as possible. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien I will take a leaf out of Deputy Martin's book. The Taoiseach raised a number of points which I would like to discuss. I refer first to the proposed referendum on a British withdrawal from the European Union, also known as Brexit. Following the Taoiseach's meeting with Prime Minister Cameron yesterday, he expressed the view that all of Britain's demands for reform of the EU could be solved and referred to a number of these demands in his response. The next meeting of the European Council will take place on 18 and 19 February. The December European Council set itself the explicit objective of securing an agreement on mutually satisfactory solutions. The British Prime Minister indicated previously that he hoped to reach a deal on Britain's membership of the EU next month, which would clear the way for a referendum as early as this summer. However, in his remarks yesterday, Mr. Cameron seemed less sure of this. It is not necessary for me to outline the consequences of a British exit from the European Union for Ireland, especially the North. For eight decades, we have had a physical border between the two States and an economic, social, cultural and political border which has been the source of enormous dislocation and, at times, conflict. The Good Friday Agreement transformed the position, however, and the physical Border has become all but invisible. Nevertheless, much work remains to be done on the economic and political barriers between the Twenty-six Counties and Six Counties. Any move towards Brexit would be a retrograde step as it would create the potential for a return to border controls, which would have a highly detrimental impact on the economy of the Border counties. The adverse effects of a Brexit on the all-Ireland bodies established as part of the Good Friday Agreement also need to be taken into consideration. The outcome of the UK referendum on EU membership should not determine the fate of the North in respect of these matters. Has the Taoiseach sought an assurance from the British Government that the outcome of the referendum in the North alone will determine the relationship between this State and the Six Counties? The Taoiseach referred to some of the areas on which he believes compromise could be reached. Will he elaborate on these matters? The Taoiseach also referred to the refugee crisis and indicated that the discussions at the European Council meetings in Brussels in October, November and December, respectively, were very much focused on the issue of refugees. I take this opportunity to commend the work of the Naval Service, which successfully rescued a staggering 8,631 people during its humanitarian operations in the Mediterranean Sea in 2015. The extraordinary loss of life as refugees flee violence, war and poverty in the Middle East and north Africa has shocked and saddened all of us. Last year, 3,770 men, women and children died trying to cross the Mediterranean. We also saw the images of the three-year-old child on a Turkish beach. I acknowledge the tremendous work that the naval vessels carried out. There are no naval vessels in the region at the moment. Traditionally, the winter months see fewer refugees trying to make the dangerous journey. Unfortunately, some are still trying to make that journey. At least 43 people, including 17 children, drowned only last Friday when their boat collapsed off the Greek islands. According to the International Organization for Migration, over 100 refugees have drowned since the start of the year. That is more than the combined totals for January 2014 and 2015. It is estimated that almost 37,000 have arrived in Italy and Greece since the beginning of the year. There is no doubt we are seeing an unprecedented growth in the number of refugees trying to cross the Mediterranean. Are there any plans? When is it planned to send Irish naval vessels back out on humanitarian missions? I wish to come back in later, a Cheann Comhairle, because I have some other questions, but I know Deputy Martin is keen to get in. The Taoiseach I thank Deputy O'Brien for his questions. With regard to the Brexit business, I never understood why the title is as it is because British exit is not a positive term, if I can put it that way. It is actually a choice being made by the British electorate. I have heard some comments from the MP, Mr. Dodds, and the Northern Ireland First Minister, Ms Arlene Foster, with regard to comments I made in London yesterday. I am very much aware that the decision is one for the British electorate, for those in Northern Ireland, Scotland, England and Wales. However, it is not the same as the referendum on independence in Scotland because this country has an interest in it. It is a critical decision to be made by the British electorate in respect of the European Union, Britain and Ireland in the context of our relations with Northern Ireland. Deputy O'Brien has pointed out some of these details. Far be it from me to try to direct the British electorate or the electorate of the United Kingdom as to what way they should vote; it is their choice and their decision. However, it is important to note that there are significant numbers of Irish citizens living in Britain. Owing to the common travel area, many of them have been there for many years. Therefore, we have an interest in this. It is also important to note that \u20ac1 billion in trade is conducted across the Irish Sea every week. Britain is the biggest purchaser of food from Ireland, as we are of their produce. Many other issues arise from a common travel area. While we cannot direct the electorate on what to do when they go to vote, it is important that we set out how critical is this issue. I repeat that it is not for me to direct the British electorate, but it is important to state the importance of the decision to be made. People should be properly and fully informed. Deputy O'Brien pointed out a number of issues about cross-Border bodies and so on. For instance, we agreed fully that the Chancellor of the Exchequer should give the Northern Ireland Executive the right to reduce corporation tax rate in Northern Ireland to something approaching or the same as the corporate tax rate here. That would make the economic entity of Ireland, from a foreign direct investment point of view, an island attraction in its own right. To be honest, following the discussion I had with the Prime Minister, Mr. Cameron, yesterday, I am unsure whether it will be possible to conclude this set of agreements at the February meeting. There is progress to be made on all of the four issues. Progress can be made and I believe the matter can be concluded successfully. The UK Prime Minister has made it clear that it is his call regarding when he chooses to have a referendum. He said that if the deal is not clear enough or strong enough, he has time and can wait until some time before the end of 2017 to have a referendum. The European Council is where leaders discuss concessions, changes or reforms. We all support the Single Market, the digital market, getting rid of red tape in administration and the development of trade links with TTIP and other locations throughout the world where opportunities exist. It is important that all of Europe would benefit from the changes and reforms that are being made here. It is not a case of saying that we have considered all of this and we give particular concessions to any leader around the table. We are members of the European Union. I would like Britain to continue to remain a strong and central member of that because of the power and the opportunity that comes from having 500 million people in a trading bloc with enormous potential. I cannot say to Deputy O'Brien that it will be finished by the February meeting. Mr. Tusk, the President of the Council, will circulate his paper next week. It will deal with the discussions that have taken place following the December meeting, at which the UK Prime Minister, Mr. Cameron, tabled his four baskets, as it were, the issues of sovereignty, competitiveness, welfare and so on. In the meantime, we will continue to discuss the issue with colleagues in Brussels and Britain to see what progress might be made. This is connected with the migration issue as well. Let us suppose the current numbers were to continue and the UK held a referendum on continued British membership of the Union in June or July. That is the time of year when numbers would be heaviest, if migration continued across the Mediterranean. It is a matter for the British Prime Minister when he wants to call the referendum. The refugee crisis is taking up practically all the time at the meetings. It a really complicated and serious issue now. We get reports from the EU High Representative, Ms Mogherini. Some 1.2 million people have gone into south Lebanon, 25% of the Lebanese population is now Syrian and 1.2 million are in Jordan. The Prime Minister held a special event for the King of Jordan in respect of the camps there. The Union responded with a \u20ac3 billion initial fund in respect of Turkey, which has a little over 2 million refugees. Obviously, the numbers are exceptionally difficult to pin down. A great deal of work needs to be done from a European point of view on these hotspots in respect of registration and what we do if people turn up to the hotspots where people are registered and identified. Are they to stay there in camps that the countries concerned provide? Are they to dissipate throughout the countries of the Schengen area? These are extraordinary challenges. Yet, as Deputy O'Brien has pointed out, when we see the pictures of grossly over-laden and overloaded dinghies, ribs and other craft, we can see for ourselves the scale of what is involved. Let us imagine all of Connacht and all those right down through Munster to Cork walking to Dublin and trying to cross the Irish Sea in rickety boats or whatever. It is a human movement of enormous consequences. At the Holocaust commemorations which the Ceann Comhairle attended on Sunday, there were examples involving the MS St. Louis in 1938. The vessel went to America with 900 passengers who assumed they would be given visa entry but they were not. They had to come back again on another boat that went to Turkey and over 700 died. So many years on we have replications in some ways of what happened then. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien I asked about the role of the Naval Service. The Taoiseach The Minister for Defence, Deputy Coveney, has already said that it would be his intention to send a naval boat again. They rescued more than 8,500 men, women and children, and I think that gesture was appreciated by European leaders. If it is a case of making arrangements for that to happen, the Minister will do that. Deputy Miche\u00e1l Martin I thank the Taoiseach. He took 14 questions on the European Union together. In his reply he said he had not raised the issue of retrospective recapitalisation with German Chancellor, Angela Merkel, at the European Council, despite the fact that in 2012 he and the then T\u00e1naiste, Deputy Eamon Gilmore, were very clear that a game-changer of a meeting had occurred and that retrospective recapitalisation would apply to Ireland. At the time, the Minister for Finance, Deputy Noonan, and the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Howlin, claimed they could get up to \u20ac6 billion back for Ireland through retrospective recapitalisation. Given that the Taoiseach did not raise the issue with Chancellor Merkel or at the Council meeting, is that the final confirmation that the issue is off the table as far as the Government is concerned? Is it the case that the Government is no longer seeking a retrospective recapitalisation deal in respect of Ireland's bank debt? Can he confirm that in a later reply to me? With regard to the refugee crisis, it is accepted that the vast majority of refugees are leaving war-torn Syria and other locations because of conflict and war and because they want to seek a better life. I refer to the strengthening of relationships between Turkey and the European Union, notwithstanding the curbs on press freedom and the emergence of a more authoritarian regime in Turkey. What is the state of play in regard to the relationship between Turkey and the European Union in terms of its long-running application for membership, and the nature of the agreements that have been arrived at on the refugee crisis? Does the Taoiseach accept that the most effective way of dealing with the refugee crisis in the short term, apart from dealing with the source of the conflict in Syria and resolving the issues there, is to provide substantial resources to the refugee camps? The Taoiseach mentioned the major camps in Lebanon, Turkey and Jordan. Improving the quality of life for those in the camps in terms of education, work and so on could potentially stem the flow of migration to Europe. Nothing is available to assist in improving the quality of life for people in those camps. The Taoiseach said the refugee crisis had dominated the Council meetings. The recent rapes of and attacks on women in Cologne caused a lot of concern and distress. Was the issue raised at the meeting? Did the Taoiseach have any briefing on this and the potential implications for the process of integration and fully teasing out and evaluating the immigration crisis as it hits Europe? There are many far-reaching issues. I refer to the proposed referendum on whether Britain should remain within the European Union. The Taoiseach used a wonderful phrase, on which I commend the civil servants involved. He said the Irish point of view was well known in terms of the importance of the issue and the significance of Britain. I am not so sure it is well known, and I do not think the precise or specific details of the Government's view on the specific proposals that the British Government is putting on the table have ever been spelt out. In his reply, the Taoiseach referred to competitiveness, governance and sovereignty, immigration and free movement, welfare, in-work benefits and so on. What exactly is the British Government seeking in terms of welfare proposals? Is it solely concerned about welfare fraud? Is it looking for different rates of welfare to apply in host countries or for the welfare rates in one's own country to apply if one migrates to another EU country? I refer to EU citizens. What are the proposals around free movement across the European Union? The Taoiseach mentioned that in-work benefits would prove to be a difficult issue to resolve. Can he outline what exactly the British Government is looking for in that area? What are the potential implications for Irish citizens working across the European Union if the British Government gets its way on that? Can the Taoiseach outline specifically what it is looking for? Can the Taoiseach indicate specifically whether the British Government is seeking an accommodation for the City of London in terms of eurozone policy and access to the decision-making process within the eurozone area? Is it seeking an input into decisions that the eurozone would quite properly take for the eurozone area? The Taoiseach referred to his meeting with the British Prime Minister yesterday. Did he discuss the issue with him? The Taoiseach said the Irish Government was in broad agreement with the British Government on competitiveness. Have labour laws, labour market flexibilities and workers' rights featured in his discussions with the British Prime Minister, or is the British Government raising those issues on the agenda of the European Council and seeking changes to existing labour market rules and regulations? That is probably enough for the Taoiseach to be getting on with at this stage. I note the Taoiseach's comment that the legal form of the agreement is to fall short of treaty change, which in itself has implications for what is ultimately agreed. Notwithstanding the comments of Nigel Dodds, MP, and others, we are members of the European Union and therefore have every right to be involved in discussions when an existing member of the Union seeks to change the rules in order to maintain its membership. We want Britain to remain part of the European Union; it is in our best interests and that of the European Union. It is rather regrettable that Northern public representatives, in a very old-style way, seek to suggest that we be excluded from any discussions on the issue. I hope there will be some reflection on that from those protagonists. The Taoiseach I thank Deputy Martin. I answered his question on whether I had discussed retrospective recapitalisation. The answer was that I did not. Deputy Miche\u00e1l Martin Does that mean the issue will not be raised again? The Taoiseach The Deputy has raised this issue on many previous occasions and I have made the point that it is a testament to the resilience of the Irish people and the continued support of our EU partners that this country has returned to a position in which it is able to borrow money in a sustainable way and is not blocked from the markets that we were able to access previously. Having delivered on all of the commitments and exceeded targets over the three years of the programme, it was and remains a key priority of the Government to ease the bank burden on Irish taxpayers and clean up our banks as we make our way to economic recovery. In that sense, banks have been recapitalised and restructured. IBRC was liquidated and the promissory notes replaced with long-term bonds in order to dramatically reduce our market funding requirements. Interest rate reductions on our loans were achieved, not just here but in other places. Agreement was reached with our eurozone partners for the repayment of our EFSM and ESF loans to be extended by seven years. Those steps have had the effect of stabilising our financial system and reversing the outflows of deposits and other funds that have crippled this economy for quite a number of years. As regards recapitalisation, the European Stability Mechanism, ESM, a direct recapitalisation instrument, was agreed in principle in 2012. There is a limit of \u20ac60 billion on the total amount of ESM resources available for direct recapitalisation of institutions. Should the ESM use its direct recapitalisation instrument, it would, as a rule, acquire common shares in the beneficiary institution. Circumstances have improved dramatically since then, and the ESM is not the only option open to us to recover the money provided to recapitalise our banks. Investors are now willing to support Irish banks again and the market value of our investments has improved accordingly. Deputy Miche\u00e1l Martin They were always there. What I am speaking about is separate from those. The Taoiseach As I pointed out, and as the Minister for Finance has indicated, we expect to get all that money back for the taxpayer over the next period. Deputy Miche\u00e1l Martin That was always the case. The Taoiseach The option was there and the option is still there. The Government's overall objective regarding the State's investment is to maximise the return for the Irish taxpayer over time. In line with this objective, the Department of Finance has worked with AIB, where \u20ac20.8 billion was invested, on reconfiguring the capital structure. The Minister for Finance is working with the banks and the advisers to lay out a path that will see a return of cash to the State from AIB investments over time. This plan was approved by the Single Supervisory Mechanism last November, and following approval at AIB's EGM a first payment of \u20ac1.64 billion was made to the State on 17 December. This is only the start of the process, although it is an essential first step on the road to recovering value for the taxpayer. Regarding the Bank of Ireland investments, Deputy Martin is aware we have already made a net positive cash return from our investment in and our support for the bank, while we continue to hold, on behalf of the people, a valuable equity investment. The position was we had only one option. Deputy Miche\u00e1l Martin No, that is not true. The Taoiseach As the situation began to improve, we had two, and we expect to get all the money back. Deputy Miche\u00e1l Martin That is not true. The Taoiseach It is true, and Deputy Martin knows it. An Ceann Comhairle Through the Chair, please. Deputy Miche\u00e1l Martin AIB and Bank of Ireland were always going to be realised. I am talking about the debt outside of that. The Taoiseach It is true. An Ceann Comhairle I will call Deputy Martin back in. The Taoiseach There was \u20ac64 billion, \u20ac32 billion of which is gone, on Deputy Martin's back, down the black hole. Deputy Miche\u00e1l Martin We are talking about the retrospective debt outside of AIB and Bank of Ireland, which the Taoiseach said he would get back. An Ceann Comhairle I ask the Deputy to please respect the Chair. Deputy Miche\u00e1l Martin I am sorry. The Taoiseach never answers the question he is asked. The Taoiseach The Deputy raised a number of important issues about Turkey. Clearly, the European Union and Turkey must work together. The joint action plan agreed on 29 November is designed to assist Turkey in providing for refugees in its own territory and to prevent uncontrolled migration from there to the European Union. We are committed to working with Turkey on the \u20ac3 billion fund for supporting refugees from Syria based there. Implementation of this will be critical. Insufficient progress has been made and there is no question about this. When we spoke to other countries, Jordan and Lebanon stated they also need support. They raised a valid point on the camps. Some of them are enormous, as the Deputy is aware, and children's education, maternity facilities, hygiene facilities, food and nutrition are enormously complicated. We have no sense of the scale of what is happening in those camps. There have been some positive moves since 29 November. The Deputy mentioned pre-accession. Chapter 17 of the accession negotiations is about economic and monetary policy, and this has been opened with Turkey. The participation of the Turkish Foreign Minister in a good discussion with EU Foreign Ministers at the December Foreign Affairs Council was the start of this. Frans Timmermans, First Vice-President of the Commission, recently met the Turkish Ministers of Foreign Affairs, European Affairs and Justice to emphasise the need to speed up implementation of the joint action plan. Vice-President Mogherini and Commissioner Hahn also met the Turkish side, where the same need for implementation was underlined. Further close monitoring of this will be critical. As the Deputy understands, these are complicated discussions. The internal situation in Turkey is of a serious nature. The conflict between the Turkish Government and the Kurdistan Workers' Party restarted in July 2015, with 180 civilians killed in violence since then. There are clearly human rights concerns. Ireland strongly condemns the horrific suicide terrorist attacks which took place, the twin suicide bombings in Ankara on 10 October, which killed 102 people, and in Istanbul on 12 January, which killed ten people, including eight German tourists. The latest Commission progress report on the EU accession process noted a number of concerns, including with regard to significant shortcomings affecting the independence of the judiciary, freedom of assembly and freedom of expression, and we continue to raise these concerns, including most recently at the Council meeting in December. We and our European partners will continue this dialogue with Turkey. We did not have a detailed briefing on the incidents of sexual assault and abuse in Cologne, but they were of a very serious nature. I discussed this with the Minister-President of Bavaria, Mr. Seehofer, when I had occasion to meet him in recent weeks. This is regarded as a very serious issue in Germany, and the police authorities there are on a very clear alert. In respect of the issues raised about the UK Prime Minister and the case being put for the referendum, as I said to Deputy O'Brien, the paper in response has not yet been circulated by President Tusk. It is due early next week. We will see the detail of how he intends to respond and what input the European Commission might have. At the December meeting, President Juncker stated the Commission had views on a number of the elements attached to the four issues and he would like to make an input. The fundamental question is not about the restructuring of freedom of movement, although there are concerns about the Schengen Agreement and whether countries are in a position to police their borders, and the issue of the Dublin Convention is being reviewed in regard to where people might be sent back if they are to be sent back for whatever reason. This is an issue that is of some concern at present to countries. In regard to the issue of welfare, in Britain there appears to be a very strong view among people that for persons to draw benefit or benefit in work, they should make a contribution before they draw to make that a workable situation. This is a central issue that comes up very often in Britain, and it is an issue that is of concern to the Prime Minister. He has said on a number of occasions that he would like to see a number of options he has tabled being considered and that an outcome could be agreed on this. I do not know the detail of this yet because I assume President Tusk will respond to this in his paper. There will be very strong objections to any restriction on the free movement of people, and the opportunity to move from place to place comes with the Internal Market. In our case in Ireland, the common travel area between here and Britain and Northern Ireland allows for ease of doing business, commerce, trade and other activities. I believe the issue regarding the eurozone and other countries in the European Union which are not members of the eurozone is one that can be resolved. There are two currencies. In Britain there is sterling, we have the euro and there are various currencies in other countries outside the eurozone. This is an issue that can be resolved. With regard to the Deputy's final comments, we have been very forthright about being as open and generous as Fianna F\u00e1il was to the Northern Ireland Executive and Assembly. We have had joint trade missions to Singapore. We had personnel from Northern Ireland in Brussels during our Presidency in order that they would be fully informed on the advantages of what might be going through regarding the Common Agricultural Policy or Cohesion Fund money. In this regard, the practical arrangements on which we have worked so hard to get cross-Border activities in a range of sectors are ones on which we can build for the future. The referendum is a matter for the electorate in Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales and England, but we are all members of the European Union. Yesterday, when I spoke to more than 120 or 130 people in McCann FitzGerald in London, I made it perfectly clear that we have a real interest in this because the decision is so critical. McCann FitzGerald is one of the big Irish law firms and has been established in London for 30 years. These people are Irish citizens who will vote in the referendum. They understand the parallel, in that when we had to vote on the fiscal stability treaty people voted 60:40 in favour of the euro, the eurozone and the European Union. Essentially, it is a matter for those who go to vote in the United Kingdom to make their choice. We want to see Britain remain a central and strong member of the Union in the time ahead. It is of interest to Britain, it is of interest to Europe and it is certainly of interest to Ireland and Northern Ireland. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett Much as the Government wishes to trumpet its success, stability and the so-called turnaround of the economy, the issue of the odious debt heaped on the back of this country and its citizens, the terrible cost that has imposed on our economy and people and the threat it represents to the economy continues to return. Has the Taoiseach read the most recent report from the European Commission, which points to the risks of our very high debt levels which it says are high in the medium term and are very sensitive to any significant shocks in economic growth? Such shocks are, of course, being widely predicted. Has the Taoiseach read the European Commission's report? It is extremely concerned about our debt and our vulnerability to economic shocks. I just came from the finance committee, where Philip Lane, the Governor of the Central Bank, made precisely the same point as the European Commission is making. He said, when asked about the growth projections of this Government and the so-called \"fiscal space\", that we need to have a \"we may be wrong\" scenario. Those were his words. He talked in particular about the problem of our high level of debt and the risk that poses to us if we are wrong. Given the gathering clouds of possible international recession, are we not pursuing a very dangerous strategy, given our high levels of debt? That brings me to the last, linked question. This morning, the European Court of Auditors produced a report on the European Commission's handling of the Irish bailout. It is a very damning report because it says the European Commission got it badly wrong. It was charged with monitoring and giving warnings if there were problems in terms of people's budgets. The report quotes, for example, the very misguided and utterly wrong judgment of the European Commission in March 2008, when it said of the Irish economy, \"the risks attached to the budgetary projections are broadly neutral for 2008\". My God, did they get that wrong. The report from the auditors goes on to say the European Commission estimated the country's budgets to be much stronger than they turned out to be, and so on. They all said the European Commission was extremely bad at keeping records. They said there was no proper record-keeping of the post-crash programme teams, that there was no proper oversight of those programme teams and that alternative scenarios were not properly looked at in terms of burden-sharing on debt. This is the point and the question. What the auditors are now confirming is something that some of us have been saying since the very beginning, namely, that the EU itself was very significantly responsible for the failures that led to the crash and that it should have shared the burden. The Taoiseach promised before the last election that he would make it share the burden. He promised that we would burn the bondholders and that there would be burden-sharing. Now we have the European Court of Auditors saying Europe was asleep at the wheel months before the crash was about to hit and engulf the economy. Is this not the time, on the back of this report, to go back to our friends in Europe and say----- An Ceann Comhairle Will you stick to the questions that are on the Order Paper? Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett It is. An Ceann Comhairle We cannot have a general discussion here. This is not one of the questions on the Order Paper. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett The previous discussions have all been very general. An Ceann Comhairle Deputy Martin has seven questions and----- Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett I have two. An Ceann Comhairle Deputy O'Brien has two. You have one question. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett Two. An Ceann Comhairle Sorry, Deputy, you have one, Question No. 10, which is to do with the report on the European Council meetings. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett Yes, absolutely. An Ceann Comhairle This is an entirely separate subject from anything on the Order Paper. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett It is not; it is about the European Council meetings and whether----- An Ceann Comhairle No, it has nothing to do with the recent report----- Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett It absolutely does. From the European Commission----- An Ceann Comhairle Would you finish up, please? I want to try to get the others back in. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett You did not cut anybody else off. An Ceann Comhairle No, because you have only one question, Deputy. Would you stick to the questions on the Order Paper? That is my job. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett Everybody else ranged across four or five subjects----- An Ceann Comhairle They did not. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett They did. An Ceann Comhairle I am very careful about----- Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett -----from the Brexit to the European economy to the refugee crisis, and so on. Given this report, is the Taoiseach going to go back to the European Council and say now we have a European body itself saying that Europe was significantly responsible for failing to recognise the warning signals, which it was supposed to be monitoring, and that the programme management of the bailout may have been fundamentally flawed, should we now ask for debt writedown, given the vulnerability of our economy to debt and to shocks to the economy? Finally, and very briefly, did the Taoiseach raise with Prime Minister Cameron and President Hollande, in the face of this disastrous refugee crisis, the absolute folly and immorality of bombing Syria and making the situation worse and, in the case of Britain, its culpability for creating the conditions for the refugee crisis through the previous bombing of Iraq and the disastrous consequences that has had? As well as dealing with the----- An Ceann Comhairle Sorry, Deputy----- Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett -----human tragedy of millions of displaced people, should we not be calling out the utter folly and immorality of responding to this terrible crisis by bombing the countries that have been so devastated? An Ceann Comhairle Deputy Martin, would you like to put your supplementary question? We will then hear from Deputy O'Brien. Deputy Miche\u00e1l Martin In Question No. 9 I asked the Taoiseach whether he had spoken to Chancellor Merkel at the European Council meeting and whether he had discussed retrospective debt forgiveness for Ireland with her or with any other European leader. He said he did not. In his reply, he is now saying that the investment in AIB and Bank of Ireland and so on, which the previous Government made, was effective. It was always understood that the retrospective debt forgiveness was outside of those; it was in respect of losses in other banks. In 2012, when the game changer meeting was announced with Mario Monti and the then Commissioner and so on, it was understood that the option of selling AIB and Bank of Ireland was always there. The non-recoupable debt that was entered into was always the key point. The Taoiseach promised to burn the bondholders. The former T\u00e1naiste did it in more graphic terms when he said it was \"Frankfurt's way or Labour's way\". We know Jean-Claude Trichet said a bomb would go off and that it would be in Dublin that it would go off. He said that to the Minister for Finance, Deputy Noonan. The Minister confirmed that to the banking inquiry. The European Union's position that banks must not be allowed to fail, after Lehmann's, and that the bondholders must not be burned was, therefore, very clear. That was made clear to the previous Government and to this Government. On the debt issue, there was a decision in 2012 by the European Council. We were led to believe by the Taoiseach and the former T\u00e1naiste that this was a game changer of a decision, which would lead to a retrospective debt deal. The Ministers, Deputies Noonan and Howlin, had a press conference about it and said we could expect about \u20ac6 billion. We cannot dress it up or camouflage all of that by identifying AIB as the new route. That was always there as a route. Bank of Ireland was always there as a route, before any mention of a game changer. Is it now the Government's position that it is no longer seeking a retrospective debt deal? I just want a simple yes or no response to that. An Ceann Comhairle I call on Deputy O'Brien. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien Given the lack of time, I will let the Taoiseach respond to the questions. The Taoiseach Deputy Boyd Barrett asked about the European Court of Auditors report and the Commission's response. This is 120 pages long and obviously it will require some reading. Certainly, there was no self-criticism of the Commission's actions in the financial assistance programme. At the same time, the Court of Auditors noted specifically the unprecedented nature and extent of the financial crisis. In that context, it stated that the assistance programmes were mostly soundly based and that the Commission's capacities for dealing with the programmes improved over time. We were first out of that gap, as Deputy Martin will be well aware. It is fine and true to say that was always there in terms of the banks, but when the banks were deemed to be worthless one had no other option but to ask, \"How will we be able to recoup what the Irish taxpayer put into this?\" That is why \u20ac60 billion was put aside as an option under that facility. As the Deputy will be aware, matters have moved on strongly since then. Deputy Miche\u00e1l Martin So the Taoiseach is not seeking it. The Taoiseach I cannot see it being pursued now. It would require unanimity from around the table. The reflection of other countries on the progress made by Ireland, being the fastest growing economy for the past two years with our deficit to be wiped out by 2017-2018 and our debt falling towards European norms, puts us in a very different position from where we were only a few years ago. Deputy Boyd Barrett asked about the fiscal space. That is the sum of money that is available up to 2021. It is the amount of money the Department of Finance estimates will be available for expenditure increases and tax reductions in each budget. That is based, as Deputy Boyd Barrett will be aware, on an assessment of Ireland's compliance with the benchmarks that have been set for expenditure. It is a very important figure because, in the absence of measures to offset this, expenditure and tax commitments must be accommodated within the available fiscal space. At budget time, the Department of Finance estimated that there would be gross fiscal space over the next five budgets of \u20ac10.9 billion. In addition, the Department set out that if a decision is taken not to index the tax system, as was the case in 2016, an additional \u20ac2 billion in fiscal space would be available. That means that if one introduces a tax and raises money from it, one is entitled to spend that money. If the tax system is not indexed, that is counted, if one likes, as a tax which amounts to approximately \u20ac2 billion. Deputy Miche\u00e1l Martin It was \u20ac8.9 billion. The Department of Finance stated it was \u20ac8.9 billion. The Taoiseach However, one must remember that is the total amount of money that is available and it has to accommodate the cost each year of decisions taken by the Government, including the public capital plan----- Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett It is based on growth projections. The Taoiseach -----and the Lansdowne Road agreement. In addition, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform estimates that an average of \u20ac400 million of that fiscal space in each year - \u20ac2 billion over the next five budgets - is required to meet demographic and other costs that will arise. Taking those factors into account, the net fiscal space that was estimated at budget time was \u20ac8.6 billion. In line with the fiscal rules, the European Commission updates each member state's minimum medium-term objectives every three years and the updated medium-term objective to cover the period 2017-2019 is expected in the next week or two. Given the decline in the Irish debt ratio and other factors, it is likely that the minimum medium-term objective proposed by the Commission for Ireland might be slightly less stringent than was previously the case. The Department of Finance has estimated that a structural deficit of -0.5% of GDP rather than the current 0% of GDP is more likely but we will have to await the outcome of all those technical discussions as to what that actually will be. While there are many moving parts to it, a decision to adopt a less stringent medium-term objective would add an estimated \u20ac1.5 billion to the indicative fiscal space in total over the period 2017 to 2021 and that would increase the gross fiscal space from \u20ac10.9 billion to approximately \u20ac12.5 billion and the net fiscal space from \u20ac8.6 billion to \u20ac10 billion, all other things being equal. The Minister for Finance will spell out further details of that when he is given the updated review by the European Commission. Deputy Miche\u00e1l Martin That is getting ready for the manifesto.", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2016-01-26/pq_13", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2016-01-26/13/" }, { "date": "2016-04-26", "question_number": 229, "chamber": "32nd D\u00e1il", "topic": "Naturalisation Certificates", "asked_by": "Eamon Ryan", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "229. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 342 of 14 April 2016, the numbers for each of the countries for the top 20 nationalities that have been naturalised, for each of the years 2006 to 2015, inclusive. [8473/16]", "answer": "Minister for Justice and Equality I propose to take Questions Nos. 229 and 230 together. The following tables show the breakdown of (1) the numbers from the top twenty nationalities, that have been naturalised, for each of the years 2006 to 2015 inclusive and (2) the numbers from the top twenty European Union nationalities, that have been naturalised, for each of the years 2006 to 2015 inclusive. 1. The Top twenty nationalities granted naturalisation: - 2006 No. 2007 No. 2008 No. 2009 No. 2010 No. 2011 No. 2012 No. 2013 No. 2014 No. 2015 No. 1 Pakistan 220 Pakistan 195 Nigeria 319 Nigeria 439 Nigeria 979 Philippines 1,766 Nigeria 5,693 Nigeria 5,783 Nigeria 3,287 India 1,611 2 Nigeria 83 Nigeria 141 Pakistan 197 Philippines 410 Philippines 625 Nigeria 1,228 Philippines 3,847 India 3,011 India 2,939 Nigeria 1,360 3 Kosovo 81 India 114 India 163 India 334 India 434 India 955 India 2,623 Philippines 2,485 Philippines 2,184 Philippines 1,167 4 India 80 Russia 79 Russia 158 South Africa 315 South Africa 345 Bangladesh 702 Pakistan 1,292 Pakistan 1,805 Pakistan 1,244 Poland 1,161 5 Congo 54 Congo 60 China 113 Russia 246 Pakistan 291 Ukraine 445 Ukraine 819 Ukraine 695 Romania 1,029 Romania 901 6 Russia 41 USA 53 South Africa 108 Pakistan 195 Russia 249 Pakistan 434 China 800 China 656 Poland 939 Pakistan 733 7 Romania 43 Kosovo 42 Ukraine 103 USA 155 Bangladesh 231 South Africa 424 South Africa 707 Romania 564 China 576 China 474 8 USA 37 Romania 42 USA 91 Ukraine 149 China 219 China 418 Moldova 638 Moldova 552 South Africa 563 Brazil 393 9 Vietnam 37 South Africa 41 Zimbabwe 87 Bangladesh 144 Ukraine 200 Russia 306 Bangladesh 568 Poland 507 Ukraine 536 South Africa 369 10 Somalia 36 Sudan 40 Philippines 83 China 133 Sudan 159 Moldova 284 Russia 467 South Africa 488 Brazil 459 Latvia 328 11 China 27 China 37 Sudan 83 Sudan 117 Zimbabwe 144 Sudan 284 Romania 459 Iraq 417 Congo 422 Ukraine 323 12 Sudan 27 Ukraine 33 Congo 82 Romania 112 Romania 131 Zimbabwe 189 Sudan 420 Bangladesh 403 Moldova 356 USA 246 13 Bosnia 25 Iraq 32 Iraq 77 Zimbabwe 112 USA 122 Belarus 184 Poland 360 Russia 328 Russia 319 Congo 245 14 South Africa 25 Bosnia & Herzegovina 31 Romania 73 Congo 106 Congo 113 USA 151 Ghana 297 Congo 313 USA 304 Thailand 208 15 Hong Kong 22 Egypt 30 Moldova 67 Belarus 70 Moldova 111 Thailand 139 USA 263 Sudan 292 Thailand 274 Sudan 179 16 Angola 18 Somalia 29 Angola 61 Moldova 70 Belarus 101 Romania 138 Zimbabwe 260 Ghana 287 Sudan 253 Hungary 172 17 UK 22 Angola 28 Croatia 60 UK 57 UK 97 Congo 132 Iraq 250 Somalia 263 Latvia 225 Russia 154 18 Egypt 18 Philippines 28 UK 60 Malaysia 54 Egypt 87 Egypt 129 Egypt 248 Iran 255 Bangladesh 222 Malaysia 149 19 Libya 18 Vietnam 28 Kosovo 57 Croatia 53 Somalia 73 Turkey 122 Belarus 219 Algeria 253 Algeria 221 Bangladesh 141 20 Croatia 16 Hong Kong 27 Algeria 52 Australia 52 Malaysia 69 Malaysia 120 Thailand 209 Brazil 245 Ghana 218 Zimbabwe 133 2. Top European Union nationalities granted naturalisation: - 2006 No. 2007 No. 2008 No. 2009 No. 2010 No. 2011 No. 2012 No. 2013 No. 2014 No. 2015 No. 1 Romania 43 Romania 42 Romania 73 Romania 112 Romania 131 Romania 138 Romania 459 Romania 564 Romania 1,029 Poland 1,161 2 UK 22 UK 21 Croatia 60 UK 57 UK 97 UK 70 Poland 360 Poland 507 Poland 939 Romania 901 3 Croatia 16 Bulgaria 14 UK 60 Croatia 53 Croatia 63 Croatia 68 Croatia 119 Latvia 150 Latvia 225 Latvia 328 4 Poland 12 Croatia 9 Bulgaria 23 Bulgaria 37 Bulgaria 39 Bulgaria 45 Latvia 106 Bulgaria 83 Hungary 137 Hungary 172 5 Germany 5 Italy 4 Poland 9 Latvia 15 Poland 29 Latvia 25 Bulgaria 89 Lithuania 80 Lithuania 103 Lithuania 126 6 Latvia 4 Latvia 4 Latvia 8 Poland 13 Latvia 19 Poland 25 UK 85 Hungary 77 Bulgaria 100 Bulgaria 107 7 Portugal 2 Poland 4 Germany 6 Germany 9 Germany 17 Germany 22 Lithuania 45 Croatia 64 Croatia 67 UK 54 8 Czech Republic 3 Czech Republic 2 France 5 Lithuania 9 Lithuania 14 Lithuania 14 Hungary 38 UK 55 UK 51 Italy 38 9 France 1 Germany 2 Slovak Republic 3 Hungary 5 France 10 Estonia 7 Germany 17 Estonia 40 Estonia 43 Slovak Republic 36 10 Hungary 2 Czech Republic 2 Slovak Republic 5 The Netherlands 8 Italy 7 Slovak Republic 17 Slovak Republic 34 Slovak Republic 43 Germany 34 11 Cyprus 1 The Netherlands 2 Finland 4 Slovak Republic 8 Czech Republic 5 Estonia 16 Italy 21 Italy 35 Croatia 33 12 Portugal 1 Denmark 1 The Netherlands 4 Estonia 6 France 5 France 13 Czech Republic 13 Czech Republic 32 Czech Republic 30 13 Greece 1 Czech Republic 3 Czech Republic 5 Spain 4 Czech Republic 11 Portugal 13 Germany 26 Estonia 26 14 Italy 1 Estonia 2 Italy 5 Slovak Republic 3 Italy 11 Germany 11 France 24 France 25 15 Lithuania 1 Greece 2 Spain 3 Cyprus 2 The Netherlands 11 France 10 Spain 22 Spain 14 16 Spain 1 Italy 2 Greece 2 Finland 2 Portugal 8 Spain 9 Greece 17 Portugal 11 17 Malta 2 Portugal 2 Sweden 2 Greece 6 Greece 8 Sweden 9 Greece 8 18 Portugal 2 Austria 1 Austria 1 Spain 5 The Netherlands 6 The Netherlands 6 The Netherlands 7 19 Spain 2 Hungary 1 Hungary 1 Slovenia 2 Finland 4 Cyprus 4 Belgium 5 20 Belgium 1 The Netherlands 1 Sweden 2 Belgium 3 Portugal 4 Slovenia 2", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2016-04-26/pq_229", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2016-04-26/229/" }, { "date": "2016-04-26", "question_number": 230, "chamber": "32nd D\u00e1il", "topic": "Naturalisation Certificates", "asked_by": "Eamon Ryan", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "230. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the top 20 current European Union nationalities that have been naturalised, including the number per country per year, for each of the years 2006 to 2015, inclusive. [8474/16]", "answer": "Minister for Justice and Equality I propose to take Questions Nos. 229 and 230 together. The following tables show the breakdown of (1) the numbers from the top twenty nationalities, that have been naturalised, for each of the years 2006 to 2015 inclusive and (2) the numbers from the top twenty European Union nationalities, that have been naturalised, for each of the years 2006 to 2015 inclusive. 1. The Top twenty nationalities granted naturalisation: - 2006 No. 2007 No. 2008 No. 2009 No. 2010 No. 2011 No. 2012 No. 2013 No. 2014 No. 2015 No. 1 Pakistan 220 Pakistan 195 Nigeria 319 Nigeria 439 Nigeria 979 Philippines 1,766 Nigeria 5,693 Nigeria 5,783 Nigeria 3,287 India 1,611 2 Nigeria 83 Nigeria 141 Pakistan 197 Philippines 410 Philippines 625 Nigeria 1,228 Philippines 3,847 India 3,011 India 2,939 Nigeria 1,360 3 Kosovo 81 India 114 India 163 India 334 India 434 India 955 India 2,623 Philippines 2,485 Philippines 2,184 Philippines 1,167 4 India 80 Russia 79 Russia 158 South Africa 315 South Africa 345 Bangladesh 702 Pakistan 1,292 Pakistan 1,805 Pakistan 1,244 Poland 1,161 5 Congo 54 Congo 60 China 113 Russia 246 Pakistan 291 Ukraine 445 Ukraine 819 Ukraine 695 Romania 1,029 Romania 901 6 Russia 41 USA 53 South Africa 108 Pakistan 195 Russia 249 Pakistan 434 China 800 China 656 Poland 939 Pakistan 733 7 Romania 43 Kosovo 42 Ukraine 103 USA 155 Bangladesh 231 South Africa 424 South Africa 707 Romania 564 China 576 China 474 8 USA 37 Romania 42 USA 91 Ukraine 149 China 219 China 418 Moldova 638 Moldova 552 South Africa 563 Brazil 393 9 Vietnam 37 South Africa 41 Zimbabwe 87 Bangladesh 144 Ukraine 200 Russia 306 Bangladesh 568 Poland 507 Ukraine 536 South Africa 369 10 Somalia 36 Sudan 40 Philippines 83 China 133 Sudan 159 Moldova 284 Russia 467 South Africa 488 Brazil 459 Latvia 328 11 China 27 China 37 Sudan 83 Sudan 117 Zimbabwe 144 Sudan 284 Romania 459 Iraq 417 Congo 422 Ukraine 323 12 Sudan 27 Ukraine 33 Congo 82 Romania 112 Romania 131 Zimbabwe 189 Sudan 420 Bangladesh 403 Moldova 356 USA 246 13 Bosnia 25 Iraq 32 Iraq 77 Zimbabwe 112 USA 122 Belarus 184 Poland 360 Russia 328 Russia 319 Congo 245 14 South Africa 25 Bosnia & Herzegovina 31 Romania 73 Congo 106 Congo 113 USA 151 Ghana 297 Congo 313 USA 304 Thailand 208 15 Hong Kong 22 Egypt 30 Moldova 67 Belarus 70 Moldova 111 Thailand 139 USA 263 Sudan 292 Thailand 274 Sudan 179 16 Angola 18 Somalia 29 Angola 61 Moldova 70 Belarus 101 Romania 138 Zimbabwe 260 Ghana 287 Sudan 253 Hungary 172 17 UK 22 Angola 28 Croatia 60 UK 57 UK 97 Congo 132 Iraq 250 Somalia 263 Latvia 225 Russia 154 18 Egypt 18 Philippines 28 UK 60 Malaysia 54 Egypt 87 Egypt 129 Egypt 248 Iran 255 Bangladesh 222 Malaysia 149 19 Libya 18 Vietnam 28 Kosovo 57 Croatia 53 Somalia 73 Turkey 122 Belarus 219 Algeria 253 Algeria 221 Bangladesh 141 20 Croatia 16 Hong Kong 27 Algeria 52 Australia 52 Malaysia 69 Malaysia 120 Thailand 209 Brazil 245 Ghana 218 Zimbabwe 133 2. Top European Union nationalities granted naturalisation: - 2006 No. 2007 No. 2008 No. 2009 No. 2010 No. 2011 No. 2012 No. 2013 No. 2014 No. 2015 No. 1 Romania 43 Romania 42 Romania 73 Romania 112 Romania 131 Romania 138 Romania 459 Romania 564 Romania 1,029 Poland 1,161 2 UK 22 UK 21 Croatia 60 UK 57 UK 97 UK 70 Poland 360 Poland 507 Poland 939 Romania 901 3 Croatia 16 Bulgaria 14 UK 60 Croatia 53 Croatia 63 Croatia 68 Croatia 119 Latvia 150 Latvia 225 Latvia 328 4 Poland 12 Croatia 9 Bulgaria 23 Bulgaria 37 Bulgaria 39 Bulgaria 45 Latvia 106 Bulgaria 83 Hungary 137 Hungary 172 5 Germany 5 Italy 4 Poland 9 Latvia 15 Poland 29 Latvia 25 Bulgaria 89 Lithuania 80 Lithuania 103 Lithuania 126 6 Latvia 4 Latvia 4 Latvia 8 Poland 13 Latvia 19 Poland 25 UK 85 Hungary 77 Bulgaria 100 Bulgaria 107 7 Portugal 2 Poland 4 Germany 6 Germany 9 Germany 17 Germany 22 Lithuania 45 Croatia 64 Croatia 67 UK 54 8 Czech Republic 3 Czech Republic 2 France 5 Lithuania 9 Lithuania 14 Lithuania 14 Hungary 38 UK 55 UK 51 Italy 38 9 France 1 Germany 2 Slovak Republic 3 Hungary 5 France 10 Estonia 7 Germany 17 Estonia 40 Estonia 43 Slovak Republic 36 10 Hungary 2 Czech Republic 2 Slovak Republic 5 The Netherlands 8 Italy 7 Slovak Republic 17 Slovak Republic 34 Slovak Republic 43 Germany 34 11 Cyprus 1 The Netherlands 2 Finland 4 Slovak Republic 8 Czech Republic 5 Estonia 16 Italy 21 Italy 35 Croatia 33 12 Portugal 1 Denmark 1 The Netherlands 4 Estonia 6 France 5 France 13 Czech Republic 13 Czech Republic 32 Czech Republic 30 13 Greece 1 Czech Republic 3 Czech Republic 5 Spain 4 Czech Republic 11 Portugal 13 Germany 26 Estonia 26 14 Italy 1 Estonia 2 Italy 5 Slovak Republic 3 Italy 11 Germany 11 France 24 France 25 15 Lithuania 1 Greece 2 Spain 3 Cyprus 2 The Netherlands 11 France 10 Spain 22 Spain 14 16 Spain 1 Italy 2 Greece 2 Finland 2 Portugal 8 Spain 9 Greece 17 Portugal 11 17 Malta 2 Portugal 2 Sweden 2 Greece 6 Greece 8 Sweden 9 Greece 8 18 Portugal 2 Austria 1 Austria 1 Spain 5 The Netherlands 6 The Netherlands 6 The Netherlands 7 19 Spain 2 Hungary 1 Hungary 1 Slovenia 2 Finland 4 Cyprus 4 Belgium 5 20 Belgium 1 The Netherlands 1 Sweden 2 Belgium 3 Portugal 4 Slovenia 2", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2016-04-26/pq_230", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2016-04-26/230/" }, { "date": "2017-10-03", "question_number": 256, "chamber": "32nd D\u00e1il", "topic": "Refugee Resettlement Programme", "asked_by": "Catherine Martin", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "256. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the amount of extra funding being allocated to local authorities in advance of the Syrian resettlement programme; the areas to which funding is being allocated, for example, housing, English classes, rural development and community development by year and local authority, in tabular form; if this funding is coming from the European integration fund or another body; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41800/17]", "answer": "Minister of State at the Department of Justice and Equality I propose to takes Questions Nos. 256, 257 and 260 together. The implementation of the Irish Refugee Protection Programme, IRPP, for resettling Syrian refugees requires a high level of coordination among service delivery agencies at the local level, with support from the IRPP. The IRPP is embedded within the Office for the Promotion of Migrant Integration, OPMI. My Department is mobilising European Union Funding under the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund, AMIF, in support of these efforts. The Local Authority plays a critical role in ensuring the success of each resettlement through the implementation of a process carried out by an implementing partner with expertise in community integration and relevant supports, supported by funding provided through OPMI. To date OPMI have committed \u20ac2,531,008 in AMIF funding to assist with this vitally important work. Twelve local authorities have received grant funding in this regard, with three local authorities likely to conclude their grant allocation process before the end of the year. Currently, funding is provided for a period of up to 18 months ideally commencing prior to the arrival of refugees. The following table sets out the current position regarding grants to Local Authorities to assist in the resettlement of Syrian Refugees: Local Authority Grant Amount Clare \u20ac76,500 Cork \u20ac100,000 Galway \u20ac275,862 Kerry \u20ac100,000 Limerick \u20ac100,000 Mayo \u20ac275,862 Carlow \u20ac201,600 Donegal \u20ac299,662 Kilkenny \u20ac338,385 Sligo \u20ac204,117 Westmeath \u20ac199,020 Wexford \u20ac360,000 \u20ac2,531,008 The following Exchequer funding was provided by the OPMI to assist in the resettlement of refugees: County Council Clare County Council \u20ac147,525.00 Cork County Council \u20ac217,374.00 Kerry County Council \u20ac162,605.00 Kildare Volunteer Centre \u20ac39,300.71 Limerick Co. Council \u20ac153,300.00 Mayo County Council \u20ac2,500.00 Total \u20ac722,604.71 English classes for Syrian refugee resettlement programmes are provided by the local Education Training Board. Other mainstream services are provided to resettled Syrian refugees by the relevant bodies who have statutory responsibility such as, for example, in the areas of health and social protection. The OPMI supports the coordination of those activities and works closely with partners in an interagency coordination group chaired by the Local Authority. With respect to housing, the IRPP work closely with the relevant Local Authorities and the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government. In regard to education, the IRPP similarly work with the Department of Education and local education service providers. The IRPP also work closely with the HSE and local medical practitioners to endure medical cover when refugees are in EROCs or moving to the community. The following table sets out the total funds invested in community migrant integration programmes, by location and organisation/project, for the past three years 2017, 2016 and 2015, including amounts committed in 2017 that will be disbursed in subsequent years. While the location of each funded organisation/project is provided, it is not possible to break this down further by Local Authority as the relevant data is not held in this way, and numerous funded projects are delivered on a regional or nationwide basis. There are currently 14 projects approved under the National Funding Programme to promote the integration of migrants. Project objectives include: increasing mutual understanding between the host community and migrants; combatting racism and xenophobia; undertaking research on interculturalism; and promoting the integration of migrants into Irish society, particularly vulnerable or socially-excluded migrants. The Communities Integration Fund will fund 131 initiatives in 2017 by community organisations to promote integration in their local communities. The aim is to support communities across Ireland to play a greater role in promoting integration by providing practical support to facilitate social inclusion among the migrant population. There are a total of 20 projects receiving funding through the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund, AMIF, and five projects through the ESF Integration and Employment of Migrants, IEM, funding. In summary, the total funding to be provided by the Integration Unit, OPMI is as follows: - Communities Integration Fund - 2017 only - \u20ac515,234 ; - National Funding for the Promotion of Integration of Immigrants 2017 - 2020 is \u20ac1,097,890 . The above amounts are broken down each year as follows: 2017 2018 2019 2020 Total \u20ac736,067 \u20ac602,467 \u20ac492,767 \u20ac156,589 \u20ac1,987,890 The following is a more detailed breakdown of all funding together with the Key to the various Fund Names:- CIF: Community Integration Fund;- AMIF: Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund;- NFPII: National Funding to Promote Integration of Immigrants;- IEM: Integration and Employment of Migrants, (European Social Fund Programme for Employability, Inclusion and Learning);- ERF: European Refugee Fund. Funding Paid in 2017: Fund Area Organisation/Project Amount \u20ac AMIF Clare Clare Immigrant Support Centre Ltd 54000 AMIF Cork NASC 60000 AMIF Dublin Area Crosscare 74694.30 AMIF Dublin Area Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) Ltd. 53986.20 AMIF Dublin Inner City National College of Ireland 45000 IEM Dublin Area Business in the Community 577500 NFPII Dublin Area Business in the Community 66976 NFPII Dublin Area Localise Youth & Community Location Services 10833 AMIF Galway Galway City Partnership 60300 AMIF Kerry, Killarney & Tralee KASI 54000 IEM Kilkenny City and County County Kilkenny Leadership Partnership 107205 AMIF Laois Laois Partnership Company 45000 AMIF Limerick & Clare Kilmallock Performing Centre 50625 AMIF Limerick and mid-west region Doras Luimn\u00ed 70273.50 AMIF Limerick City Mary Immaculate College 90000 AMIF Mayo South West Mayo Development Company 79744.20 IEM Meath Cult\u00far Celebrating Diversity Ltd 98131 NFPII Meath Meath County Council 22000 AMIF Nationwide Football Association of Ireland 45021.83 AMIF Nationwide Irish Refugee Council 90000 AMIF Nationwide Spirasi 225000 AMIF Nationwide Irish Traveller Movement 45122.85 AMIF Nationwide Migrant Rights Centre of Ireland 75000 AMIF Nationwide Immigrant Council of Ireland 45000 IEM Nationwide New Communities Partnership 98713.50 IEM Nationwide Seetec 105000 NFPII Nationwide Third Age Foundation Ltd. 21000 NFPII Nationwide New Communities Partnership 22,027.49 AMIF South-East Region Edmund Rice 45000 Funding Paid in 2016 NFPII Dublin 12 The Caterers 1339.39 NFPII Dublin City Dublin City Council 77000 NFPII Dublin Area Business in the Community 516000 NFPII Dublin Area Localise Youth & Community Services 64886 NFPII Dublin South South Dublin County Council 146130.28 NFPII Meath Meath County Council 76780.98 NFPII Nationwide Holocaust Educational Trust 50000 NFPII Nationwide National HSE Community Games 34998 NFPII Nationwide New Communities Partnership 124932 NFPII Nationwide Sports Against Racism Ireland 10000 NFPII Nationwide Third Age Foundation Ltd. 105000 NFPII Nationwide UNHCR 5000.75 NFPII Wicklow, Arklow Polish Irish Educational 18000 Funding Paid in 2015 ERF Carlow St Catherine's Community Services Centre 36382 NFPII Cork Igbo Union Cork 3000 NFPII Dublin Area New Dubliners and the City Conference 684 NFPII Dublin City Dublin City Council 89200 ERF Dublin Area City of Dublin Education & Training Board (CDETB) 35860 ERF Dublin Area BeLonG To Youth Services Ltd. 18343 ERF Dublin Area Dublin Rape Crisis Centre 21938 NFPII Dublin Area Localise 32613 NFPII Dublin, Fingal Fingal County Council 40500 NFPII Dublin Area Business in the Community 389230 NFPII Dublin South South Dublin Council 53600 ERF Kerry KASI Ltd 41868 ERF Mayo Mayo Intercultural Action Limited 35585 NFPII Meath Meath County Council 32660 NFPII Nationwide HSE Community Games 17499 NFPII Nationwide Football Association of Ireland (Polska \u00c9ire) 20000 NFPII Nationwide Third Age Foundation 47000 NFPII Nationwide Show Racism the Red Card 50000 NFPII Nationwide Holocaust Education Trust Ireland 70000 NFPII Nationwide New Communities Partnership Citizenship Application Support Service (CASS) 35572 NFPII Nationwide UNHCR 5000 NFPII Nationwide Sports Against Racism Ireland 10000 NFPII Nationwide Yellow Flag Intercultural Schools Programme 25544 NFPII Nationwide Polska \u00c9ire 3355 NFPII Nationwide Youth Work Ireland 1449", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2017-10-03/pq_256", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2017-10-03/256/" }, { "date": "2017-10-03", "question_number": 257, "chamber": "32nd D\u00e1il", "topic": "Refugee Resettlement Programme", "asked_by": "Catherine Martin", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "257. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if extra funding is being provided to community groups in areas in which Syrian refugees are being resettled under the Syrian resettlement programme; the number of months in advance of and after the arrival of refugees funding is being allocated; the breakdown of funding by year, name of community group, type of community activity and local authority area, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41801/17]", "answer": "Minister of State at the Department of Justice and Equality I propose to takes Questions Nos. 256, 257 and 260 together. The implementation of the Irish Refugee Protection Programme, IRPP, for resettling Syrian refugees requires a high level of coordination among service delivery agencies at the local level, with support from the IRPP. The IRPP is embedded within the Office for the Promotion of Migrant Integration, OPMI. My Department is mobilising European Union Funding under the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund, AMIF, in support of these efforts. The Local Authority plays a critical role in ensuring the success of each resettlement through the implementation of a process carried out by an implementing partner with expertise in community integration and relevant supports, supported by funding provided through OPMI. To date OPMI have committed \u20ac2,531,008 in AMIF funding to assist with this vitally important work. Twelve local authorities have received grant funding in this regard, with three local authorities likely to conclude their grant allocation process before the end of the year. Currently, funding is provided for a period of up to 18 months ideally commencing prior to the arrival of refugees. The following table sets out the current position regarding grants to Local Authorities to assist in the resettlement of Syrian Refugees: Local Authority Grant Amount Clare \u20ac76,500 Cork \u20ac100,000 Galway \u20ac275,862 Kerry \u20ac100,000 Limerick \u20ac100,000 Mayo \u20ac275,862 Carlow \u20ac201,600 Donegal \u20ac299,662 Kilkenny \u20ac338,385 Sligo \u20ac204,117 Westmeath \u20ac199,020 Wexford \u20ac360,000 \u20ac2,531,008 The following Exchequer funding was provided by the OPMI to assist in the resettlement of refugees: County Council Clare County Council \u20ac147,525.00 Cork County Council \u20ac217,374.00 Kerry County Council \u20ac162,605.00 Kildare Volunteer Centre \u20ac39,300.71 Limerick Co. Council \u20ac153,300.00 Mayo County Council \u20ac2,500.00 Total \u20ac722,604.71 English classes for Syrian refugee resettlement programmes are provided by the local Education Training Board. Other mainstream services are provided to resettled Syrian refugees by the relevant bodies who have statutory responsibility such as, for example, in the areas of health and social protection. The OPMI supports the coordination of those activities and works closely with partners in an interagency coordination group chaired by the Local Authority. With respect to housing, the IRPP work closely with the relevant Local Authorities and the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government. In regard to education, the IRPP similarly work with the Department of Education and local education service providers. The IRPP also work closely with the HSE and local medical practitioners to endure medical cover when refugees are in EROCs or moving to the community. The following table sets out the total funds invested in community migrant integration programmes, by location and organisation/project, for the past three years 2017, 2016 and 2015, including amounts committed in 2017 that will be disbursed in subsequent years. While the location of each funded organisation/project is provided, it is not possible to break this down further by Local Authority as the relevant data is not held in this way, and numerous funded projects are delivered on a regional or nationwide basis. There are currently 14 projects approved under the National Funding Programme to promote the integration of migrants. Project objectives include: increasing mutual understanding between the host community and migrants; combatting racism and xenophobia; undertaking research on interculturalism; and promoting the integration of migrants into Irish society, particularly vulnerable or socially-excluded migrants. The Communities Integration Fund will fund 131 initiatives in 2017 by community organisations to promote integration in their local communities. The aim is to support communities across Ireland to play a greater role in promoting integration by providing practical support to facilitate social inclusion among the migrant population. There are a total of 20 projects receiving funding through the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund, AMIF, and five projects through the ESF Integration and Employment of Migrants, IEM, funding. In summary, the total funding to be provided by the Integration Unit, OPMI is as follows: - Communities Integration Fund - 2017 only - \u20ac515,234 ; - National Funding for the Promotion of Integration of Immigrants 2017 - 2020 is \u20ac1,097,890 . The above amounts are broken down each year as follows: 2017 2018 2019 2020 Total \u20ac736,067 \u20ac602,467 \u20ac492,767 \u20ac156,589 \u20ac1,987,890 The following is a more detailed breakdown of all funding together with the Key to the various Fund Names:- CIF: Community Integration Fund;- AMIF: Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund;- NFPII: National Funding to Promote Integration of Immigrants;- IEM: Integration and Employment of Migrants, (European Social Fund Programme for Employability, Inclusion and Learning);- ERF: European Refugee Fund. Funding Paid in 2017: Fund Area Organisation/Project Amount \u20ac AMIF Clare Clare Immigrant Support Centre Ltd 54000 AMIF Cork NASC 60000 AMIF Dublin Area Crosscare 74694.30 AMIF Dublin Area Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) Ltd. 53986.20 AMIF Dublin Inner City National College of Ireland 45000 IEM Dublin Area Business in the Community 577500 NFPII Dublin Area Business in the Community 66976 NFPII Dublin Area Localise Youth & Community Location Services 10833 AMIF Galway Galway City Partnership 60300 AMIF Kerry, Killarney & Tralee KASI 54000 IEM Kilkenny City and County County Kilkenny Leadership Partnership 107205 AMIF Laois Laois Partnership Company 45000 AMIF Limerick & Clare Kilmallock Performing Centre 50625 AMIF Limerick and mid-west region Doras Luimn\u00ed 70273.50 AMIF Limerick City Mary Immaculate College 90000 AMIF Mayo South West Mayo Development Company 79744.20 IEM Meath Cult\u00far Celebrating Diversity Ltd 98131 NFPII Meath Meath County Council 22000 AMIF Nationwide Football Association of Ireland 45021.83 AMIF Nationwide Irish Refugee Council 90000 AMIF Nationwide Spirasi 225000 AMIF Nationwide Irish Traveller Movement 45122.85 AMIF Nationwide Migrant Rights Centre of Ireland 75000 AMIF Nationwide Immigrant Council of Ireland 45000 IEM Nationwide New Communities Partnership 98713.50 IEM Nationwide Seetec 105000 NFPII Nationwide Third Age Foundation Ltd. 21000 NFPII Nationwide New Communities Partnership 22,027.49 AMIF South-East Region Edmund Rice 45000 Funding Paid in 2016 NFPII Dublin 12 The Caterers 1339.39 NFPII Dublin City Dublin City Council 77000 NFPII Dublin Area Business in the Community 516000 NFPII Dublin Area Localise Youth & Community Services 64886 NFPII Dublin South South Dublin County Council 146130.28 NFPII Meath Meath County Council 76780.98 NFPII Nationwide Holocaust Educational Trust 50000 NFPII Nationwide National HSE Community Games 34998 NFPII Nationwide New Communities Partnership 124932 NFPII Nationwide Sports Against Racism Ireland 10000 NFPII Nationwide Third Age Foundation Ltd. 105000 NFPII Nationwide UNHCR 5000.75 NFPII Wicklow, Arklow Polish Irish Educational 18000 Funding Paid in 2015 ERF Carlow St Catherine's Community Services Centre 36382 NFPII Cork Igbo Union Cork 3000 NFPII Dublin Area New Dubliners and the City Conference 684 NFPII Dublin City Dublin City Council 89200 ERF Dublin Area City of Dublin Education & Training Board (CDETB) 35860 ERF Dublin Area BeLonG To Youth Services Ltd. 18343 ERF Dublin Area Dublin Rape Crisis Centre 21938 NFPII Dublin Area Localise 32613 NFPII Dublin, Fingal Fingal County Council 40500 NFPII Dublin Area Business in the Community 389230 NFPII Dublin South South Dublin Council 53600 ERF Kerry KASI Ltd 41868 ERF Mayo Mayo Intercultural Action Limited 35585 NFPII Meath Meath County Council 32660 NFPII Nationwide HSE Community Games 17499 NFPII Nationwide Football Association of Ireland (Polska \u00c9ire) 20000 NFPII Nationwide Third Age Foundation 47000 NFPII Nationwide Show Racism the Red Card 50000 NFPII Nationwide Holocaust Education Trust Ireland 70000 NFPII Nationwide New Communities Partnership Citizenship Application Support Service (CASS) 35572 NFPII Nationwide UNHCR 5000 NFPII Nationwide Sports Against Racism Ireland 10000 NFPII Nationwide Yellow Flag Intercultural Schools Programme 25544 NFPII Nationwide Polska \u00c9ire 3355 NFPII Nationwide Youth Work Ireland 1449", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2017-10-03/pq_257", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2017-10-03/257/" }, { "date": "2017-10-03", "question_number": 260, "chamber": "32nd D\u00e1il", "topic": "Refugee Resettlement Programme", "asked_by": "Catherine Martin", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "260. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if his Department has engaged with community groups on the ground in local authority areas in preparation for the Syrian resettlement programme, refugee protection programme and other departmental programmes dealing with the Syrian refugee crisis; if his Department or local authorities are being encouraged to engage with community groups; if so, the means or resources through which it is engaging; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41806/17]", "answer": "Minister of State at the Department of Justice and Equality I propose to takes Questions Nos. 256, 257 and 260 together. The implementation of the Irish Refugee Protection Programme, IRPP, for resettling Syrian refugees requires a high level of coordination among service delivery agencies at the local level, with support from the IRPP. The IRPP is embedded within the Office for the Promotion of Migrant Integration, OPMI. My Department is mobilising European Union Funding under the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund, AMIF, in support of these efforts. The Local Authority plays a critical role in ensuring the success of each resettlement through the implementation of a process carried out by an implementing partner with expertise in community integration and relevant supports, supported by funding provided through OPMI. To date OPMI have committed \u20ac2,531,008 in AMIF funding to assist with this vitally important work. Twelve local authorities have received grant funding in this regard, with three local authorities likely to conclude their grant allocation process before the end of the year. Currently, funding is provided for a period of up to 18 months ideally commencing prior to the arrival of refugees. The following table sets out the current position regarding grants to Local Authorities to assist in the resettlement of Syrian Refugees: Local Authority Grant Amount Clare \u20ac76,500 Cork \u20ac100,000 Galway \u20ac275,862 Kerry \u20ac100,000 Limerick \u20ac100,000 Mayo \u20ac275,862 Carlow \u20ac201,600 Donegal \u20ac299,662 Kilkenny \u20ac338,385 Sligo \u20ac204,117 Westmeath \u20ac199,020 Wexford \u20ac360,000 \u20ac2,531,008 The following Exchequer funding was provided by the OPMI to assist in the resettlement of refugees: County Council Clare County Council \u20ac147,525.00 Cork County Council \u20ac217,374.00 Kerry County Council \u20ac162,605.00 Kildare Volunteer Centre \u20ac39,300.71 Limerick Co. Council \u20ac153,300.00 Mayo County Council \u20ac2,500.00 Total \u20ac722,604.71 English classes for Syrian refugee resettlement programmes are provided by the local Education Training Board. Other mainstream services are provided to resettled Syrian refugees by the relevant bodies who have statutory responsibility such as, for example, in the areas of health and social protection. The OPMI supports the coordination of those activities and works closely with partners in an interagency coordination group chaired by the Local Authority. With respect to housing, the IRPP work closely with the relevant Local Authorities and the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government. In regard to education, the IRPP similarly work with the Department of Education and local education service providers. The IRPP also work closely with the HSE and local medical practitioners to endure medical cover when refugees are in EROCs or moving to the community. The following table sets out the total funds invested in community migrant integration programmes, by location and organisation/project, for the past three years 2017, 2016 and 2015, including amounts committed in 2017 that will be disbursed in subsequent years. While the location of each funded organisation/project is provided, it is not possible to break this down further by Local Authority as the relevant data is not held in this way, and numerous funded projects are delivered on a regional or nationwide basis. There are currently 14 projects approved under the National Funding Programme to promote the integration of migrants. Project objectives include: increasing mutual understanding between the host community and migrants; combatting racism and xenophobia; undertaking research on interculturalism; and promoting the integration of migrants into Irish society, particularly vulnerable or socially-excluded migrants. The Communities Integration Fund will fund 131 initiatives in 2017 by community organisations to promote integration in their local communities. The aim is to support communities across Ireland to play a greater role in promoting integration by providing practical support to facilitate social inclusion among the migrant population. There are a total of 20 projects receiving funding through the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund, AMIF, and five projects through the ESF Integration and Employment of Migrants, IEM, funding. In summary, the total funding to be provided by the Integration Unit, OPMI is as follows: - Communities Integration Fund - 2017 only - \u20ac515,234 ; - National Funding for the Promotion of Integration of Immigrants 2017 - 2020 is \u20ac1,097,890 . The above amounts are broken down each year as follows: 2017 2018 2019 2020 Total \u20ac736,067 \u20ac602,467 \u20ac492,767 \u20ac156,589 \u20ac1,987,890 The following is a more detailed breakdown of all funding together with the Key to the various Fund Names:- CIF: Community Integration Fund;- AMIF: Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund;- NFPII: National Funding to Promote Integration of Immigrants;- IEM: Integration and Employment of Migrants, (European Social Fund Programme for Employability, Inclusion and Learning);- ERF: European Refugee Fund. Funding Paid in 2017: Fund Area Organisation/Project Amount \u20ac AMIF Clare Clare Immigrant Support Centre Ltd 54000 AMIF Cork NASC 60000 AMIF Dublin Area Crosscare 74694.30 AMIF Dublin Area Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) Ltd. 53986.20 AMIF Dublin Inner City National College of Ireland 45000 IEM Dublin Area Business in the Community 577500 NFPII Dublin Area Business in the Community 66976 NFPII Dublin Area Localise Youth & Community Location Services 10833 AMIF Galway Galway City Partnership 60300 AMIF Kerry, Killarney & Tralee KASI 54000 IEM Kilkenny City and County County Kilkenny Leadership Partnership 107205 AMIF Laois Laois Partnership Company 45000 AMIF Limerick & Clare Kilmallock Performing Centre 50625 AMIF Limerick and mid-west region Doras Luimn\u00ed 70273.50 AMIF Limerick City Mary Immaculate College 90000 AMIF Mayo South West Mayo Development Company 79744.20 IEM Meath Cult\u00far Celebrating Diversity Ltd 98131 NFPII Meath Meath County Council 22000 AMIF Nationwide Football Association of Ireland 45021.83 AMIF Nationwide Irish Refugee Council 90000 AMIF Nationwide Spirasi 225000 AMIF Nationwide Irish Traveller Movement 45122.85 AMIF Nationwide Migrant Rights Centre of Ireland 75000 AMIF Nationwide Immigrant Council of Ireland 45000 IEM Nationwide New Communities Partnership 98713.50 IEM Nationwide Seetec 105000 NFPII Nationwide Third Age Foundation Ltd. 21000 NFPII Nationwide New Communities Partnership 22,027.49 AMIF South-East Region Edmund Rice 45000 Funding Paid in 2016 NFPII Dublin 12 The Caterers 1339.39 NFPII Dublin City Dublin City Council 77000 NFPII Dublin Area Business in the Community 516000 NFPII Dublin Area Localise Youth & Community Services 64886 NFPII Dublin South South Dublin County Council 146130.28 NFPII Meath Meath County Council 76780.98 NFPII Nationwide Holocaust Educational Trust 50000 NFPII Nationwide National HSE Community Games 34998 NFPII Nationwide New Communities Partnership 124932 NFPII Nationwide Sports Against Racism Ireland 10000 NFPII Nationwide Third Age Foundation Ltd. 105000 NFPII Nationwide UNHCR 5000.75 NFPII Wicklow, Arklow Polish Irish Educational 18000 Funding Paid in 2015 ERF Carlow St Catherine's Community Services Centre 36382 NFPII Cork Igbo Union Cork 3000 NFPII Dublin Area New Dubliners and the City Conference 684 NFPII Dublin City Dublin City Council 89200 ERF Dublin Area City of Dublin Education & Training Board (CDETB) 35860 ERF Dublin Area BeLonG To Youth Services Ltd. 18343 ERF Dublin Area Dublin Rape Crisis Centre 21938 NFPII Dublin Area Localise 32613 NFPII Dublin, Fingal Fingal County Council 40500 NFPII Dublin Area Business in the Community 389230 NFPII Dublin South South Dublin Council 53600 ERF Kerry KASI Ltd 41868 ERF Mayo Mayo Intercultural Action Limited 35585 NFPII Meath Meath County Council 32660 NFPII Nationwide HSE Community Games 17499 NFPII Nationwide Football Association of Ireland (Polska \u00c9ire) 20000 NFPII Nationwide Third Age Foundation 47000 NFPII Nationwide Show Racism the Red Card 50000 NFPII Nationwide Holocaust Education Trust Ireland 70000 NFPII Nationwide New Communities Partnership Citizenship Application Support Service (CASS) 35572 NFPII Nationwide UNHCR 5000 NFPII Nationwide Sports Against Racism Ireland 10000 NFPII Nationwide Yellow Flag Intercultural Schools Programme 25544 NFPII Nationwide Polska \u00c9ire 3355 NFPII Nationwide Youth Work Ireland 1449", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2017-10-03/pq_260", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2017-10-03/260/" }, { "date": "2019-07-23", "question_number": 1025, "chamber": "32nd D\u00e1il", "topic": "Work Permits Applications Data", "asked_by": "Robert Troy", "answered_by": "Business", "question_type": "written", "question": "1025. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the number of businesses that have been approved as trusted partners for the application of work permits; the way in which a business qualifies to be a trusted partner; and the timeframe for processing an application for both trusted partner and non-trusted partners. [33934/19]", "answer": "Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation I propose to take Questions Nos. 1025, 1038, 1039, 1041 and 1052 together. The Employment Permits section of my Department informs me that there are currently 1,017 registered Trusted Partners. The objective of the Trusted Partner initiative is to ease the administrative burden on employers in expansion mode/start-ups and regular users of the employment permits system. A Trusted Partner employer will have reduced paperwork for permit applications and a faster turnaround in processing permit applications. My officials consider a number of criteria when assessing Trusted Partner applications including that the employer should be a regular user of the employment permit system or is in expansion mode. If an employer expects to become a regular user of the employment permits system they should provide a business case outlining the reasons why the company will become a regular user in the near future, for example upcoming expansion of the business; an expected increase to their workforce or a schedule of recruitment of new employees. All other information required to become a Trusted Partner is included in the checklist document that my officials have produced in order to assist with applications for the Trusted Partner Initiative. The checklist document, if followed, should result in the granting of Trusted Partner status. The checklist is available here - https://dbei.gov.ie/en/Publications/Publication-files/Trusted-Partner-Registration-Checklist.pdf. An application to register as a Trusted Partner can be made online at the following link - https://epos.djei.ie/EPOSOnlineportal#/app/findFormAssistant. The Employment Permits section is working to reduce the current waiting times of approx. three weeks for Trusted Partner applications which account for 71% of total applications and approx. fourteen weeks for Standard applications, accounting for 29% of applications. As the economy improves and we approach full employment my Department has experienced a high volume of employment permit applications which has led to delays in processing applications. At the end of June 2019 there was an 11% increase in the amount of applications received (9,106 applications received) over the same period in 2018. At the same time there has been a 36% increase in the amount of applications processed (9,140 applications processed) compared to the same period last year, clearly demonstrating that productivity is improving. It should be noted that June 2019 was the busiest month for processing applications in more than 11 years. To reduce processing times, the Employment Permits section has introduced a number of operational changes, streamlined processes and implemented ICT solutions. Additional staffing resources have also been assigned to the section and a fast track training programme has been devised and implemented. In addition an independent Business Process Reengineering Review for the Employment Permits section will commence shortly as a first step in the development of a new IT processing system which will take advantage of all the new technologies available, including full digitisation. I can assure the Deputy that all available resources are being deployed with the aim of reducing processing times. My officials have been proactively engaging with customers to notify them of current delays through email, meetings and regular updates on the Employment Permits section of my Department\u2019s website. There is no specific funding allocation for the Employment Permits section. Funding is met from within the Department\u2019s overall administration budget. My Department does not hold the requested information regarding average processing times for employment permits processed by other EU states. There is no statistical breakdown by economic sector for applications that are in the processing queue as all permit applications remain in the processing queue until reached for processing at which stage the appropriate economic sector is assigned. However I have attached the 2019 to date monthly breakdown of applications awaiting decision. All other statistics requested by the Deputy are attached. 2019 Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun TOTAL Number of Applications Received 1,172 1,358 1,213 1,575 2,047 1,741 9,106 Number of Applications Processed 1,738 1,399 1,437 1,272 1,539 1,755 9,140 2019 End Jan 2019 End Feb 2019 End Mar 2019 End Apr 2019 End May 2019 End Jun 2019 Total Number of Applications in the processing queue at the end of each Month that are not fully processed 2,183 (includes 398 applications at various stages of processing) 2,167 (includes 441 applications at various stages of processing) 1,928 (includes 419 applications at various stages of processing) 2,264 (includes 458 applications at various stages of processing) 2,666 (includes 542 applications at various stages of processing) 2,754 (includes 669 applications at various stages of processing) Total applications for Employment Permits 2016 - 2019 Year Applications Received Average Processing Times (Business Days) 2019 9,142 (first half of year) 36 Days 2018 16,768 38 Days 2017 13,333 26 Days 2016 11,317 22 days Please find below the number of persons by Civil Service grade working in the Employment Permits section of my Department in each of the years 2014 to 2018 and to date in 2019, in tabular form. 26/12/2014 25/12/2015 30/12/2016 29/12/2017 28/12/2018 19/07/2019 Grade Seat Count FTE Seat Count FTE Seat Count FTE Seat Count FTE Seat Count FTE Seat Count FTE PO 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 AP 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 HEO 3 2.5 3 2.5 1 0.5 3 2.5 3 2.5 3 2.5 EO 4 4 5 5 5 5 9 8 8 7.5 8 7.5 SO 4 3 3 2 4 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 CO 14 13.1 12 11.6 17 16.8 21 19.3 21 20.1 25 24.1 Total 27 24.6 25 23.1 29 27.3 35 31.8 34 32.1 38 36.1", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2019-07-23/pq_1025", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2019-07-23/1025/" }, { "date": "2019-07-23", "question_number": 1038, "chamber": "32nd D\u00e1il", "topic": "Work Permits Applications Data", "asked_by": "Robert Troy", "answered_by": "Business", "question_type": "written", "question": "1038. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the number of applications for work permits received in each month to date in 2019; the number of applications that were fully processed at the end of each month; and the number that were not fully processed by the end of each month in tabular form. [34626/19]", "answer": "Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation I propose to take Questions Nos. 1025, 1038, 1039, 1041 and 1052 together. The Employment Permits section of my Department informs me that there are currently 1,017 registered Trusted Partners. The objective of the Trusted Partner initiative is to ease the administrative burden on employers in expansion mode/start-ups and regular users of the employment permits system. A Trusted Partner employer will have reduced paperwork for permit applications and a faster turnaround in processing permit applications. My officials consider a number of criteria when assessing Trusted Partner applications including that the employer should be a regular user of the employment permit system or is in expansion mode. If an employer expects to become a regular user of the employment permits system they should provide a business case outlining the reasons why the company will become a regular user in the near future, for example upcoming expansion of the business; an expected increase to their workforce or a schedule of recruitment of new employees. All other information required to become a Trusted Partner is included in the checklist document that my officials have produced in order to assist with applications for the Trusted Partner Initiative. The checklist document, if followed, should result in the granting of Trusted Partner status. The checklist is available here - https://dbei.gov.ie/en/Publications/Publication-files/Trusted-Partner-Registration-Checklist.pdf. An application to register as a Trusted Partner can be made online at the following link - https://epos.djei.ie/EPOSOnlineportal#/app/findFormAssistant. The Employment Permits section is working to reduce the current waiting times of approx. three weeks for Trusted Partner applications which account for 71% of total applications and approx. fourteen weeks for Standard applications, accounting for 29% of applications. As the economy improves and we approach full employment my Department has experienced a high volume of employment permit applications which has led to delays in processing applications. At the end of June 2019 there was an 11% increase in the amount of applications received (9,106 applications received) over the same period in 2018. At the same time there has been a 36% increase in the amount of applications processed (9,140 applications processed) compared to the same period last year, clearly demonstrating that productivity is improving. It should be noted that June 2019 was the busiest month for processing applications in more than 11 years. To reduce processing times, the Employment Permits section has introduced a number of operational changes, streamlined processes and implemented ICT solutions. Additional staffing resources have also been assigned to the section and a fast track training programme has been devised and implemented. In addition an independent Business Process Reengineering Review for the Employment Permits section will commence shortly as a first step in the development of a new IT processing system which will take advantage of all the new technologies available, including full digitisation. I can assure the Deputy that all available resources are being deployed with the aim of reducing processing times. My officials have been proactively engaging with customers to notify them of current delays through email, meetings and regular updates on the Employment Permits section of my Department\u2019s website. There is no specific funding allocation for the Employment Permits section. Funding is met from within the Department\u2019s overall administration budget. My Department does not hold the requested information regarding average processing times for employment permits processed by other EU states. There is no statistical breakdown by economic sector for applications that are in the processing queue as all permit applications remain in the processing queue until reached for processing at which stage the appropriate economic sector is assigned. However I have attached the 2019 to date monthly breakdown of applications awaiting decision. All other statistics requested by the Deputy are attached. 2019 Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun TOTAL Number of Applications Received 1,172 1,358 1,213 1,575 2,047 1,741 9,106 Number of Applications Processed 1,738 1,399 1,437 1,272 1,539 1,755 9,140 2019 End Jan 2019 End Feb 2019 End Mar 2019 End Apr 2019 End May 2019 End Jun 2019 Total Number of Applications in the processing queue at the end of each Month that are not fully processed 2,183 (includes 398 applications at various stages of processing) 2,167 (includes 441 applications at various stages of processing) 1,928 (includes 419 applications at various stages of processing) 2,264 (includes 458 applications at various stages of processing) 2,666 (includes 542 applications at various stages of processing) 2,754 (includes 669 applications at various stages of processing) Total applications for Employment Permits 2016 - 2019 Year Applications Received Average Processing Times (Business Days) 2019 9,142 (first half of year) 36 Days 2018 16,768 38 Days 2017 13,333 26 Days 2016 11,317 22 days Please find below the number of persons by Civil Service grade working in the Employment Permits section of my Department in each of the years 2014 to 2018 and to date in 2019, in tabular form. 26/12/2014 25/12/2015 30/12/2016 29/12/2017 28/12/2018 19/07/2019 Grade Seat Count FTE Seat Count FTE Seat Count FTE Seat Count FTE Seat Count FTE Seat Count FTE PO 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 AP 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 HEO 3 2.5 3 2.5 1 0.5 3 2.5 3 2.5 3 2.5 EO 4 4 5 5 5 5 9 8 8 7.5 8 7.5 SO 4 3 3 2 4 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 CO 14 13.1 12 11.6 17 16.8 21 19.3 21 20.1 25 24.1 Total 27 24.6 25 23.1 29 27.3 35 31.8 34 32.1 38 36.1", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2019-07-23/pq_1038", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2019-07-23/1038/" }, { "date": "2019-07-23", "question_number": 1039, "chamber": "32nd D\u00e1il", "topic": "Work Permits Applications Data", "asked_by": "Robert Troy", "answered_by": "Business", "question_type": "written", "question": "1039. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the steps being taken to increase the speed at which work permits are being issued; the number of outstanding work permits at the end of each of the first six months of 2019 that remain to be processed by sector in tabular form. [34627/19]", "answer": "Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation I propose to take Questions Nos. 1025, 1038, 1039, 1041 and 1052 together. The Employment Permits section of my Department informs me that there are currently 1,017 registered Trusted Partners. The objective of the Trusted Partner initiative is to ease the administrative burden on employers in expansion mode/start-ups and regular users of the employment permits system. A Trusted Partner employer will have reduced paperwork for permit applications and a faster turnaround in processing permit applications. My officials consider a number of criteria when assessing Trusted Partner applications including that the employer should be a regular user of the employment permit system or is in expansion mode. If an employer expects to become a regular user of the employment permits system they should provide a business case outlining the reasons why the company will become a regular user in the near future, for example upcoming expansion of the business; an expected increase to their workforce or a schedule of recruitment of new employees. All other information required to become a Trusted Partner is included in the checklist document that my officials have produced in order to assist with applications for the Trusted Partner Initiative. The checklist document, if followed, should result in the granting of Trusted Partner status. The checklist is available here - https://dbei.gov.ie/en/Publications/Publication-files/Trusted-Partner-Registration-Checklist.pdf. An application to register as a Trusted Partner can be made online at the following link - https://epos.djei.ie/EPOSOnlineportal#/app/findFormAssistant. The Employment Permits section is working to reduce the current waiting times of approx. three weeks for Trusted Partner applications which account for 71% of total applications and approx. fourteen weeks for Standard applications, accounting for 29% of applications. As the economy improves and we approach full employment my Department has experienced a high volume of employment permit applications which has led to delays in processing applications. At the end of June 2019 there was an 11% increase in the amount of applications received (9,106 applications received) over the same period in 2018. At the same time there has been a 36% increase in the amount of applications processed (9,140 applications processed) compared to the same period last year, clearly demonstrating that productivity is improving. It should be noted that June 2019 was the busiest month for processing applications in more than 11 years. To reduce processing times, the Employment Permits section has introduced a number of operational changes, streamlined processes and implemented ICT solutions. Additional staffing resources have also been assigned to the section and a fast track training programme has been devised and implemented. In addition an independent Business Process Reengineering Review for the Employment Permits section will commence shortly as a first step in the development of a new IT processing system which will take advantage of all the new technologies available, including full digitisation. I can assure the Deputy that all available resources are being deployed with the aim of reducing processing times. My officials have been proactively engaging with customers to notify them of current delays through email, meetings and regular updates on the Employment Permits section of my Department\u2019s website. There is no specific funding allocation for the Employment Permits section. Funding is met from within the Department\u2019s overall administration budget. My Department does not hold the requested information regarding average processing times for employment permits processed by other EU states. There is no statistical breakdown by economic sector for applications that are in the processing queue as all permit applications remain in the processing queue until reached for processing at which stage the appropriate economic sector is assigned. However I have attached the 2019 to date monthly breakdown of applications awaiting decision. All other statistics requested by the Deputy are attached. 2019 Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun TOTAL Number of Applications Received 1,172 1,358 1,213 1,575 2,047 1,741 9,106 Number of Applications Processed 1,738 1,399 1,437 1,272 1,539 1,755 9,140 2019 End Jan 2019 End Feb 2019 End Mar 2019 End Apr 2019 End May 2019 End Jun 2019 Total Number of Applications in the processing queue at the end of each Month that are not fully processed 2,183 (includes 398 applications at various stages of processing) 2,167 (includes 441 applications at various stages of processing) 1,928 (includes 419 applications at various stages of processing) 2,264 (includes 458 applications at various stages of processing) 2,666 (includes 542 applications at various stages of processing) 2,754 (includes 669 applications at various stages of processing) Total applications for Employment Permits 2016 - 2019 Year Applications Received Average Processing Times (Business Days) 2019 9,142 (first half of year) 36 Days 2018 16,768 38 Days 2017 13,333 26 Days 2016 11,317 22 days Please find below the number of persons by Civil Service grade working in the Employment Permits section of my Department in each of the years 2014 to 2018 and to date in 2019, in tabular form. 26/12/2014 25/12/2015 30/12/2016 29/12/2017 28/12/2018 19/07/2019 Grade Seat Count FTE Seat Count FTE Seat Count FTE Seat Count FTE Seat Count FTE Seat Count FTE PO 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 AP 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 HEO 3 2.5 3 2.5 1 0.5 3 2.5 3 2.5 3 2.5 EO 4 4 5 5 5 5 9 8 8 7.5 8 7.5 SO 4 3 3 2 4 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 CO 14 13.1 12 11.6 17 16.8 21 19.3 21 20.1 25 24.1 Total 27 24.6 25 23.1 29 27.3 35 31.8 34 32.1 38 36.1", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2019-07-23/pq_1039", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2019-07-23/1039/" }, { "date": "2019-07-23", "question_number": 1041, "chamber": "32nd D\u00e1il", "topic": "Work Permits Applications Data", "asked_by": "Robert Troy", "answered_by": "Business", "question_type": "written", "question": "1041. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the number of persons by Civil Service grade working in the employment permits section of her Department in each of the years 2014 to 2018 and to date in 2019, in tabular form; and the annual funding allocation to the section in 2019. [34629/19]", "answer": "Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation I propose to take Questions Nos. 1025, 1038, 1039, 1041 and 1052 together. The Employment Permits section of my Department informs me that there are currently 1,017 registered Trusted Partners. The objective of the Trusted Partner initiative is to ease the administrative burden on employers in expansion mode/start-ups and regular users of the employment permits system. A Trusted Partner employer will have reduced paperwork for permit applications and a faster turnaround in processing permit applications. My officials consider a number of criteria when assessing Trusted Partner applications including that the employer should be a regular user of the employment permit system or is in expansion mode. If an employer expects to become a regular user of the employment permits system they should provide a business case outlining the reasons why the company will become a regular user in the near future, for example upcoming expansion of the business; an expected increase to their workforce or a schedule of recruitment of new employees. All other information required to become a Trusted Partner is included in the checklist document that my officials have produced in order to assist with applications for the Trusted Partner Initiative. The checklist document, if followed, should result in the granting of Trusted Partner status. The checklist is available here - https://dbei.gov.ie/en/Publications/Publication-files/Trusted-Partner-Registration-Checklist.pdf. An application to register as a Trusted Partner can be made online at the following link - https://epos.djei.ie/EPOSOnlineportal#/app/findFormAssistant. The Employment Permits section is working to reduce the current waiting times of approx. three weeks for Trusted Partner applications which account for 71% of total applications and approx. fourteen weeks for Standard applications, accounting for 29% of applications. As the economy improves and we approach full employment my Department has experienced a high volume of employment permit applications which has led to delays in processing applications. At the end of June 2019 there was an 11% increase in the amount of applications received (9,106 applications received) over the same period in 2018. At the same time there has been a 36% increase in the amount of applications processed (9,140 applications processed) compared to the same period last year, clearly demonstrating that productivity is improving. It should be noted that June 2019 was the busiest month for processing applications in more than 11 years. To reduce processing times, the Employment Permits section has introduced a number of operational changes, streamlined processes and implemented ICT solutions. Additional staffing resources have also been assigned to the section and a fast track training programme has been devised and implemented. In addition an independent Business Process Reengineering Review for the Employment Permits section will commence shortly as a first step in the development of a new IT processing system which will take advantage of all the new technologies available, including full digitisation. I can assure the Deputy that all available resources are being deployed with the aim of reducing processing times. My officials have been proactively engaging with customers to notify them of current delays through email, meetings and regular updates on the Employment Permits section of my Department\u2019s website. There is no specific funding allocation for the Employment Permits section. Funding is met from within the Department\u2019s overall administration budget. My Department does not hold the requested information regarding average processing times for employment permits processed by other EU states. There is no statistical breakdown by economic sector for applications that are in the processing queue as all permit applications remain in the processing queue until reached for processing at which stage the appropriate economic sector is assigned. However I have attached the 2019 to date monthly breakdown of applications awaiting decision. All other statistics requested by the Deputy are attached. 2019 Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun TOTAL Number of Applications Received 1,172 1,358 1,213 1,575 2,047 1,741 9,106 Number of Applications Processed 1,738 1,399 1,437 1,272 1,539 1,755 9,140 2019 End Jan 2019 End Feb 2019 End Mar 2019 End Apr 2019 End May 2019 End Jun 2019 Total Number of Applications in the processing queue at the end of each Month that are not fully processed 2,183 (includes 398 applications at various stages of processing) 2,167 (includes 441 applications at various stages of processing) 1,928 (includes 419 applications at various stages of processing) 2,264 (includes 458 applications at various stages of processing) 2,666 (includes 542 applications at various stages of processing) 2,754 (includes 669 applications at various stages of processing) Total applications for Employment Permits 2016 - 2019 Year Applications Received Average Processing Times (Business Days) 2019 9,142 (first half of year) 36 Days 2018 16,768 38 Days 2017 13,333 26 Days 2016 11,317 22 days Please find below the number of persons by Civil Service grade working in the Employment Permits section of my Department in each of the years 2014 to 2018 and to date in 2019, in tabular form. 26/12/2014 25/12/2015 30/12/2016 29/12/2017 28/12/2018 19/07/2019 Grade Seat Count FTE Seat Count FTE Seat Count FTE Seat Count FTE Seat Count FTE Seat Count FTE PO 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 AP 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 HEO 3 2.5 3 2.5 1 0.5 3 2.5 3 2.5 3 2.5 EO 4 4 5 5 5 5 9 8 8 7.5 8 7.5 SO 4 3 3 2 4 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 CO 14 13.1 12 11.6 17 16.8 21 19.3 21 20.1 25 24.1 Total 27 24.6 25 23.1 29 27.3 35 31.8 34 32.1 38 36.1", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2019-07-23/pq_1041", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2019-07-23/1041/" }, { "date": "2019-07-23", "question_number": 1052, "chamber": "32nd D\u00e1il", "topic": "Work Permits Applications Data", "asked_by": "Robert Troy", "answered_by": "Business", "question_type": "written", "question": "1052. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the number of applications for work permits received in each of the years 2016 to 2018 and to date in 2019; the average processing time, that is, average number of weeks for applications to be processed in each year and to date in 2019; and the EU average number of weeks it takes to process applications by member state in tabular form. [34641/19]", "answer": "Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation I propose to take Questions Nos. 1025, 1038, 1039, 1041 and 1052 together. The Employment Permits section of my Department informs me that there are currently 1,017 registered Trusted Partners. The objective of the Trusted Partner initiative is to ease the administrative burden on employers in expansion mode/start-ups and regular users of the employment permits system. A Trusted Partner employer will have reduced paperwork for permit applications and a faster turnaround in processing permit applications. My officials consider a number of criteria when assessing Trusted Partner applications including that the employer should be a regular user of the employment permit system or is in expansion mode. If an employer expects to become a regular user of the employment permits system they should provide a business case outlining the reasons why the company will become a regular user in the near future, for example upcoming expansion of the business; an expected increase to their workforce or a schedule of recruitment of new employees. All other information required to become a Trusted Partner is included in the checklist document that my officials have produced in order to assist with applications for the Trusted Partner Initiative. The checklist document, if followed, should result in the granting of Trusted Partner status. The checklist is available here - https://dbei.gov.ie/en/Publications/Publication-files/Trusted-Partner-Registration-Checklist.pdf. An application to register as a Trusted Partner can be made online at the following link - https://epos.djei.ie/EPOSOnlineportal#/app/findFormAssistant. The Employment Permits section is working to reduce the current waiting times of approx. three weeks for Trusted Partner applications which account for 71% of total applications and approx. fourteen weeks for Standard applications, accounting for 29% of applications. As the economy improves and we approach full employment my Department has experienced a high volume of employment permit applications which has led to delays in processing applications. At the end of June 2019 there was an 11% increase in the amount of applications received (9,106 applications received) over the same period in 2018. At the same time there has been a 36% increase in the amount of applications processed (9,140 applications processed) compared to the same period last year, clearly demonstrating that productivity is improving. It should be noted that June 2019 was the busiest month for processing applications in more than 11 years. To reduce processing times, the Employment Permits section has introduced a number of operational changes, streamlined processes and implemented ICT solutions. Additional staffing resources have also been assigned to the section and a fast track training programme has been devised and implemented. In addition an independent Business Process Reengineering Review for the Employment Permits section will commence shortly as a first step in the development of a new IT processing system which will take advantage of all the new technologies available, including full digitisation. I can assure the Deputy that all available resources are being deployed with the aim of reducing processing times. My officials have been proactively engaging with customers to notify them of current delays through email, meetings and regular updates on the Employment Permits section of my Department\u2019s website. There is no specific funding allocation for the Employment Permits section. Funding is met from within the Department\u2019s overall administration budget. My Department does not hold the requested information regarding average processing times for employment permits processed by other EU states. There is no statistical breakdown by economic sector for applications that are in the processing queue as all permit applications remain in the processing queue until reached for processing at which stage the appropriate economic sector is assigned. However I have attached the 2019 to date monthly breakdown of applications awaiting decision. All other statistics requested by the Deputy are attached. 2019 Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun TOTAL Number of Applications Received 1,172 1,358 1,213 1,575 2,047 1,741 9,106 Number of Applications Processed 1,738 1,399 1,437 1,272 1,539 1,755 9,140 2019 End Jan 2019 End Feb 2019 End Mar 2019 End Apr 2019 End May 2019 End Jun 2019 Total Number of Applications in the processing queue at the end of each Month that are not fully processed 2,183 (includes 398 applications at various stages of processing) 2,167 (includes 441 applications at various stages of processing) 1,928 (includes 419 applications at various stages of processing) 2,264 (includes 458 applications at various stages of processing) 2,666 (includes 542 applications at various stages of processing) 2,754 (includes 669 applications at various stages of processing) Total applications for Employment Permits 2016 - 2019 Year Applications Received Average Processing Times (Business Days) 2019 9,142 (first half of year) 36 Days 2018 16,768 38 Days 2017 13,333 26 Days 2016 11,317 22 days Please find below the number of persons by Civil Service grade working in the Employment Permits section of my Department in each of the years 2014 to 2018 and to date in 2019, in tabular form. 26/12/2014 25/12/2015 30/12/2016 29/12/2017 28/12/2018 19/07/2019 Grade Seat Count FTE Seat Count FTE Seat Count FTE Seat Count FTE Seat Count FTE Seat Count FTE PO 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 AP 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 HEO 3 2.5 3 2.5 1 0.5 3 2.5 3 2.5 3 2.5 EO 4 4 5 5 5 5 9 8 8 7.5 8 7.5 SO 4 3 3 2 4 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 CO 14 13.1 12 11.6 17 16.8 21 19.3 21 20.1 25 24.1 Total 27 24.6 25 23.1 29 27.3 35 31.8 34 32.1 38 36.1", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2019-07-23/pq_1052", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2019-07-23/1052/" }, { "date": "2020-07-29", "question_number": 259, "chamber": "33rd D\u00e1il", "topic": "Direct Provision System", "asked_by": "Martin Kenny", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "259. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the date upon which each direct provision centre or emergency accommodation centre contract expires. [20324/20]", "answer": "Minister for Justice and Equality I propose to take Questions Nos. 259 and 262 together. The International Protection Procurement Services (IPPS) unit of the Immigration Service Delivery function of my Department is responsible for the procurement, contract management, inspection and payments functions associated with the accommodation provided to persons seeking international protection. The two tables below list the contract dates of both the Commercial and State-owned accommodation centres. Commercial Centres Contract Start and End dates Centre Address County From To Ashbourne House Glounthane Cork 11/12/2019 28/04/2020 Atlantic House Railway Square, Tramore Waterford 30/06/2020 29/06/2022 Atlantic Lodge Dromneavane, Kenmare Kerry 12/02/2020 11/02/2022 Balseskin St. Margaret's Road, Finglas, Dublin 11 Dublin 15/07/2019 01/07/2023 Birchwood House Ballytruckle Road Waterford 08/11/2019 07/11/2021 Bridgewater House Main Street, Carrick On Suir Tipperary 05/12/2019 04/12/2021 Carrig (Rock Centre) Ballinamore, Co.Leitrim Leitrim 04/11/2019 01/11/2020 Carroll Village Clonbrassil Street, Dundalk Louth 11/01/2020 08/01/2021 Clare Lodge Summer Hill, Ennis Clare 05/12/2019 04/12/2021 Clonakilty Lodge Dunmore Road, Clonakilty Cork 12/02/2020 11/02/2022 Dublin Central Inn 95-98 Talbot Street, Dublin 1 Dublin 06/04/2020 04/04/2021 Eglinton, Salthill The Promenade, Salthill Galway 23/05/2019 30/12/2020 Eyre Powell Main Street, Newbridge Kildare 02/04/2019 01/04/2021 Glenvera Hotel Wellington Road Cork 05/03/2019 02/03/2020 Globe House Chapel Hill, Sligo Town Sligo 02/04/2019 01/04/2021 Grand Hotel Abbey Street, Co.Wicklow Wicklow 03/12/2019 30/11/2020 Great Western Frenchville Lane, Eyre Square Galway 15/07/2020 29/12/2020 Griffin House Lower Gerald Griffin Street Limerick 23/03/2020 21/03/2021 Hanratty's Hotel Glentworth Street Limerick 25/05/2020 03/01/2021 The Hazel Hotel Skirteen, Monasterevin Kildare 25/07/2019 24/07/2021 Hibernian Hotel Main Street, Abbeyleix Laois 05/02/2020 04/02/2022 King Thomond Hotel Bog Road, Lisdoonvarna Clare 09/03/2020 06/03/2022 Linden House New Road, Killarney Kerry 12/02/2020 11/01/2022 Marian Hostel High Street, Tullamore Offaly 17/02/2020 16/02/2022 Millstreet & Davis Lane Millstreet Cork 12/02/2020 11/02/2022 Montague Emo, Portlaoise Laois 09/05/2019 08/05/2021 Mosney Mosney Meath 09/12/2018 07/12/2022 Ocean View The Esplande, Tramore Waterford 13/11/2018 11/11/2020 Richmond Court Richmond Street Longford 20/12/2019 19/12/2021 Riverside Apts Shannon Street, Borrisokane Tipperary 01/10/2019 28/09/2020 Rosslare Port Lodge Ballygillane Big, Rosslare Habour Wexford 28/02/2020 25/02/2021 Skellig Accom Centre O'Connell Street, Cahirciveen Kerry 18/03/2020 16/03/2021 St. Patricks Drumgoask, Monaghan Monaghan 20/06/2019 17/06/2020 Temple Horseleap, Moate Westmeath 24/10/2019 23/10/2021 The Old Convent Abbey Street, Ballyhaunis Mayo 09/01/2019 25/06/2019 Towers Hotel Ninth Lock Road, Clondalkin, Dublin 22 Dublin 16/07/2019 07/09/2020 Viking House Coffee House Lane Waterford 17/03/2019 18/09/2019 State Centres Management Contract Start and End Dates Centre Address County From To Athlone Lissywoolen, Ballymahon Road, Athlone Westmeath 25/11/2019 24/11/2020 Atlas Kilarney Deerpark Road, Killarney Kerry 10/11/2019 09/11/2020 Atlas Tralee McCowan's Lane, Tralee Kerry 10/11/2019 09/11/2020 Johnston Marina Dingle Road, Tralee Kerry 10/11/2019 09/11/2020 Kinsale Road Kinsale Road, Co. Cork Cork 25/11/2019 24/11/2020 Knockalisheen Limerick Road, Meelick Clare 25/11/2019 24/11/2020 Park Lodge Park Road, Killarney Kerry 10/11/2019 09/11/2020 Where a contract for a centre is shown as having passed its expiry date, it is awaiting verification under an ongoing procurement process, and has been rolled over in the interim. In relation to Emergency Accommodation, my Department is using hotels and guesthouses to meet current demand for accommodation services for protection applicants as there is insufficient capacity within our accommodation portfolio presently. These premises are contracted on short term contracts (3 months) which are evaluated and renewed if required on expiry. The last renewal date for emergency contracts was on 19 July 2020 and they will be reassessed before the 3 month expiry of those rollover contracts on 10 October 2020. Due to commercial sensitivities and to protect the right to anonymity of our residents, the Department does not divulge which hotels and guesthouses it is utilising for emergency purposes.", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2020-07-29/pq_259", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2020-07-29/259/" }, { "date": "2020-07-29", "question_number": 262, "chamber": "33rd D\u00e1il", "topic": "Direct Provision System", "asked_by": "Eoin \u00d3 Broin", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "262. Deputy Eoin \u00d3 Broin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the date on which each direct provision centre or emergency centre contract expires. [19264/20]", "answer": "Minister for Justice and Equality I propose to take Questions Nos. 259 and 262 together. The International Protection Procurement Services (IPPS) unit of the Immigration Service Delivery function of my Department is responsible for the procurement, contract management, inspection and payments functions associated with the accommodation provided to persons seeking international protection. The two tables below list the contract dates of both the Commercial and State-owned accommodation centres. Commercial Centres Contract Start and End dates Centre Address County From To Ashbourne House Glounthane Cork 11/12/2019 28/04/2020 Atlantic House Railway Square, Tramore Waterford 30/06/2020 29/06/2022 Atlantic Lodge Dromneavane, Kenmare Kerry 12/02/2020 11/02/2022 Balseskin St. Margaret's Road, Finglas, Dublin 11 Dublin 15/07/2019 01/07/2023 Birchwood House Ballytruckle Road Waterford 08/11/2019 07/11/2021 Bridgewater House Main Street, Carrick On Suir Tipperary 05/12/2019 04/12/2021 Carrig (Rock Centre) Ballinamore, Co.Leitrim Leitrim 04/11/2019 01/11/2020 Carroll Village Clonbrassil Street, Dundalk Louth 11/01/2020 08/01/2021 Clare Lodge Summer Hill, Ennis Clare 05/12/2019 04/12/2021 Clonakilty Lodge Dunmore Road, Clonakilty Cork 12/02/2020 11/02/2022 Dublin Central Inn 95-98 Talbot Street, Dublin 1 Dublin 06/04/2020 04/04/2021 Eglinton, Salthill The Promenade, Salthill Galway 23/05/2019 30/12/2020 Eyre Powell Main Street, Newbridge Kildare 02/04/2019 01/04/2021 Glenvera Hotel Wellington Road Cork 05/03/2019 02/03/2020 Globe House Chapel Hill, Sligo Town Sligo 02/04/2019 01/04/2021 Grand Hotel Abbey Street, Co.Wicklow Wicklow 03/12/2019 30/11/2020 Great Western Frenchville Lane, Eyre Square Galway 15/07/2020 29/12/2020 Griffin House Lower Gerald Griffin Street Limerick 23/03/2020 21/03/2021 Hanratty's Hotel Glentworth Street Limerick 25/05/2020 03/01/2021 The Hazel Hotel Skirteen, Monasterevin Kildare 25/07/2019 24/07/2021 Hibernian Hotel Main Street, Abbeyleix Laois 05/02/2020 04/02/2022 King Thomond Hotel Bog Road, Lisdoonvarna Clare 09/03/2020 06/03/2022 Linden House New Road, Killarney Kerry 12/02/2020 11/01/2022 Marian Hostel High Street, Tullamore Offaly 17/02/2020 16/02/2022 Millstreet & Davis Lane Millstreet Cork 12/02/2020 11/02/2022 Montague Emo, Portlaoise Laois 09/05/2019 08/05/2021 Mosney Mosney Meath 09/12/2018 07/12/2022 Ocean View The Esplande, Tramore Waterford 13/11/2018 11/11/2020 Richmond Court Richmond Street Longford 20/12/2019 19/12/2021 Riverside Apts Shannon Street, Borrisokane Tipperary 01/10/2019 28/09/2020 Rosslare Port Lodge Ballygillane Big, Rosslare Habour Wexford 28/02/2020 25/02/2021 Skellig Accom Centre O'Connell Street, Cahirciveen Kerry 18/03/2020 16/03/2021 St. Patricks Drumgoask, Monaghan Monaghan 20/06/2019 17/06/2020 Temple Horseleap, Moate Westmeath 24/10/2019 23/10/2021 The Old Convent Abbey Street, Ballyhaunis Mayo 09/01/2019 25/06/2019 Towers Hotel Ninth Lock Road, Clondalkin, Dublin 22 Dublin 16/07/2019 07/09/2020 Viking House Coffee House Lane Waterford 17/03/2019 18/09/2019 State Centres Management Contract Start and End Dates Centre Address County From To Athlone Lissywoolen, Ballymahon Road, Athlone Westmeath 25/11/2019 24/11/2020 Atlas Kilarney Deerpark Road, Killarney Kerry 10/11/2019 09/11/2020 Atlas Tralee McCowan's Lane, Tralee Kerry 10/11/2019 09/11/2020 Johnston Marina Dingle Road, Tralee Kerry 10/11/2019 09/11/2020 Kinsale Road Kinsale Road, Co. Cork Cork 25/11/2019 24/11/2020 Knockalisheen Limerick Road, Meelick Clare 25/11/2019 24/11/2020 Park Lodge Park Road, Killarney Kerry 10/11/2019 09/11/2020 Where a contract for a centre is shown as having passed its expiry date, it is awaiting verification under an ongoing procurement process, and has been rolled over in the interim. In relation to Emergency Accommodation, my Department is using hotels and guesthouses to meet current demand for accommodation services for protection applicants as there is insufficient capacity within our accommodation portfolio presently. These premises are contracted on short term contracts (3 months) which are evaluated and renewed if required on expiry. The last renewal date for emergency contracts was on 19 July 2020 and they will be reassessed before the 3 month expiry of those rollover contracts on 10 October 2020. Due to commercial sensitivities and to protect the right to anonymity of our residents, the Department does not divulge which hotels and guesthouses it is utilising for emergency purposes.", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2020-07-29/pq_262", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2020-07-29/262/" }, { "date": "2020-11-11", "question_number": 189, "chamber": "33rd D\u00e1il", "topic": "Leave to Remain", "asked_by": "Pa Daly", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "189. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Justice the monthly number of applications, approvals and refusals for permission to remain since the commencement of the International Protection Act 2015 in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35649/20]", "answer": "Minister for Justice Since the International Protection Act 2015 (the 2015 Act) commenced on 31 December 2016, the International Protection Office has carried out the function of considering Permission to Remain (under section 49 of the 2015 Act), in respect of those applicants who have been refused international protection at first instance. Table 1 provides the applications made for the years 2017-2019 and to end September 2020 as well as those cases that were on hand in the former Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner at the commencement date and which were transitioned to the new body for processing. The figures provided are those available as of 10 November 2020. Table 1: Applications for International Protection Applications for international protection Month Application Transition cases pre- 2017 2017 2018 2019 2020 Jan 246 162 312 411 306 Feb 247 221 288 344 246 Mar 226 214 375 368 177 Apr 266 171 221 344 30 May 245 294 219 385 16 Jun 321 212 234 383 41 Jul 318 179 301 445 107 Aug 416 217 327 414 118 Sep 450 334 365 668 173 Oct 379 311 377 436 Nov 543 297 309 289 Dec 605 308 346 294 Grand Total 4262 2920 3674 4781 1214 Table 2 \u2013 Decisions to grant permission to remain at first instance for the years 2017-2019 and to end September 2020 Grants Year Decision Month Decision 2017 2018 2019 2020 (up to 30.09.2020) Jan 20 8 15 Feb 25 3 16 Mar 13 30 11 Apr 14 35 May 16 53 Jun 1 4 31 Jul 3 20 35 29 Aug 4 22 19 28 Sep 4 10 13 35 Oct 12 20 15 Nov 34 20 8 Dec 8 14 16 Grand Total 66 198 266 134 Table 3 \u2013 Decisions to refuse permission to remain at first instance for the years 2017-2019 and to end September 2020 Refusals Year Decision Month Decision 2017 2018 2019 2020 (up to 30.09.2020) Jan 117 109 229 Feb 130 21 242 Mar 144 164 147 Apr 2 170 194 May 46 216 218 Jun 60 154 201 18 Jul 95 137 225 204 Aug 120 147 175 189 Sep 143 132 198 144 Oct 135 161 199 Nov 146 190 231 Dec 84 129 147 Grand Total 831 1827 2082 1173 Table 4: Decisions to grant permission to remain following a review for the years 2017-2019 and to end September 2020 PTR Review Grants 2017 to 30.09.2020* Year Decision Month Decision 2018 2019 2020 (up to 30.09.2020) Jan 2 14 Feb 14 24 Mar 13 10 Apr 1 16 May 6 Jun 28 Jul 38 1 Aug 14 27 Sep 9 30 Oct 19 6 Nov 9 4 Dec 20 Grand Total 29 170 106 Table 5 : Decisions to refuse permission to remain following a review for the years 2017-2019 and to end September 2020 PTR Review Refusals 2017 to 30.09.2020* Year Decision Month Decision 2018 2019 2020 (up to 30.09.2020) Jan 7 86 Feb 65 55 Mar 2 37 Apr 4 16 May 38 8 Jun 16 75 Jul 26 55 Aug 50 97 Sep 15 44 37 Oct 53 61 Nov 37 43 Dec 59 60 Grand Total 298 533 215", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2020-11-11/pq_189", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2020-11-11/189/" }, { "date": "2020-11-10", "question_number": 585, "chamber": "33rd D\u00e1il", "topic": "International Protection", "asked_by": "Pa Daly", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "585. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Justice the monthly number of refusals for permission to remain by total figures; and the number of years each applicant who was refused has been within the international protection system. [34531/20]", "answer": "Minister for Justice My Department looks at all international protection applications made in the State on a case by case basis in accordance with the legislation, the International Protection Act 2015. If an applicant fails in their International Protection claim, they may seek humanitarian leave to remain. Each consideration takes into account a number of factors as set out in section 49 of the Act. Since the International Protection Act 2015 commenced on 31 December 2016, the International Protection Office has carried out the function of considering Permission to Remain (under section 49 of the 2015 Act), in respect of those applicants who have been refused international protection at first instance. The statistics below are correct as of 6 November 2020, but may be subject to data cleansing. Table 1 Refusal of Permission to Remain Year Decision Month Decision 2017 2018 2019 2020 to end September Grand Total Jan 117 109 229 Feb 130 21 242 Mar 144 164 147 Apr 2 170 194 May 46 216 218 Jun 60 154 201 18 Jul 95 137 225 204 Aug 120 147 175 189 Sep 143 132 198 144 Oct 135 161 199 Nov 146 190 231 Dec 84 129 147 Grand Total 831 1827 2082 1173 5913 Table 2 below sets out by date the number of persons refused permission to remain following a review of a negative permission to remain decision. It should be noted that there were no permission to remain reviews completed during 2017. Table 2 * Year Decision Month Decision 2018 2019 2020 to end September Grand Total Jan 7 86 Feb 65 55 Mar 2 37 Apr 4 16 May 38 8 Jun 16 75 Jul 26 55 Aug 50 97 Sep 15 44 37 Oct 53 61 Nov 37 43 Dec 59 60 Grand Total 298 533 215 1046 * Persons in this table are included in table 1 . Table 3 below shows the number of years each applicant has been within the international protection system. These figures include decisions made under Table 2 (PTR Review decisions). Table 3 Number of years from date of application to date of permission to remain refusal No. of applicants 0 1395 1 2510 2 1788 3 744 4 391 5 106 6 7 7 4 8 6 9 3 10 4 12 1 Grand Total 6959 As can be seen from the figures in Table 3, over 92% of all refusals to remain (including reviews of earlier refusal decisions) are considered within 3 years of the date of application. The length of time stated in the table is not the time taken from application to the issuing of a first instance decision rather the total time an application is in the process. This can include time in respect of an appeal, where an applicant has appealed a first instance recommendation in respect of their international protection application and where an applicant may also have challenged a decision by way of Judicial Review, which can significantly increase the processing times to final decision stage of an application.", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2020-11-10/pq_585", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2020-11-10/585/" }, { "date": "2022-03-01", "question_number": 300, "chamber": "33rd D\u00e1il", "topic": "Arts Council", "asked_by": "Colm Burke", "answered_by": "Tourism", "question_type": "written", "question": "300. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the number of bursaries and grants provided by the Arts Council by county in 2021; the amount of funding envisaged for 2022, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10972/22]", "answer": "Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media I propose to take Questions Nos. 299 and 300 together. This year, I allocated \u20ac130m to the Arts Council. This compares with an allocation of \u20ac65m in 2017. The table below shows the allocations in each of the years. Year Allocation to the Arts Council 2017 \u20ac65.15m 2018 \u20ac68.213m 2019 \u20ac75.002m 2020 \u20ac105.002m 2021 \u20ac130.046m 2022 \u20ac130.046m I have been advised by the Arts Council of the following number and recorded expenditure that was made in 2021 towards bursaries and grants. This is tabulated overall and by county in 2021 both for arts organisations and individual awards. The 2021 figures will be not be finalised until the publication of the Annual Report and Financial Statement for the Arts Council. The Arts Council estimate that its expenditure in 2022 for bursaries and grants will be in the region of \u20ac112 million. Table 2 Fiscal Year 2021 Totals of Applications Received Individuals Organisations No of Applications Received 6,894 1,599 No of Awards Made 2,710 1,219 Amounts Awarded (\u20ac) \u20ac27,013,112 \u20ac83,547,514 Table 3 Breakdown by County - Organisation Awards 2021 No of Applications Received No of Awards Made Amounts Awarded (\u20ac) Carlow 20 16 1,455,867 Cavan 15 12 365,500 Clare 35 28 878,090 Cork 182 146 7,759,722 Derry 3 3 28,830 Donegal 43 31 1,624,749 Dublin 512 378 41,826,618 Galway 148 118 6,503,101 Kerry 54 37 1,418,336 Kildare 22 18 968,927 Kilkenny 32 28 2,274,030 Laois 13 8 379,100 Leitrim 11 11 575,605 Limerick 80 65 4,093,028 Longford 16 14 512,686 Louth 41 31 1,182,527 Mayo 41 32 914,341 Meath 29 18 1,037,178 Monaghan 16 15 910,537 Offaly 13 12 349,600 Roscommon 10 10 320,812 Sligo 28 24 1,493,182 Tipperary 38 28 750,936 Tyrone 1 0 - Waterford 49 37 1,682,182 Westmeath 9 6 204,888 Wexford 24 19 2,245,580 Wicklow 30 19 628,925 Data not available 81 55 1,162,639 Totals 1599 1219 83,547,514.41 Table 4 Breakdown by County - Individual Awards 2021 No of Applications Received No of Awards Made Amounts Awarded (\u20ac) Antrim 10 3 31,990 Armagh 2 1 4,060 Carlow 52 26 255,203 Cavan 60 16 127,979 Clare 189 56 390,034 Cork 761 297 3,339,641 Derry 3 0 - Donegal 173 60 581,903 Down 11 2 25,000 Dublin 2403 1040 10,815,685 Fermanagh 7 1 5,000 Galway 498 211 1,804,931 Kerry 147 48 574,244 Kildare 177 63 518,962 Kilkenny 100 42 406,962 Laois 32 11 76,129 Leitrim 70 30 224,628 Limerick 208 89 842,246 Longford 26 10 121,340 Louth 92 38 329,644 Mayo 135 48 337,432 Meath 153 50 537,892 Monaghan 45 14 87,610 Offaly 33 9 130,720 Roscommon 59 23 163,252 Sligo 151 62 488,640 Tipperary 102 43 396,883 Tyrone 2 2 19,750 Waterford 102 30 238,072 Westmeath 63 25 234,901 Wexford 151 67 550,350 Wicklow 271 97 1,393,959 Data not available 606 196 1,958,069.99 Totals 6894 2710 27,013,111.54 In addition, there was expenditure on the following awards/schemes, Aosd\u00e1na - \u20ac3.5m approx. in 2021 Artist in the Community \u2013 \u20ac350k allocated in budget 2021 Beyond Borders \u2013 \u20ac150k allocated in budget for 2021 Culture Night \u2013 \u20ac500k allocated in budget for 2021 College of Education Residencies \u2013 100k allocated in budget for 2021", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2022-03-01/pq_300", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2022-03-01/300/" }, { "date": "2022-03-01", "question_number": 553, "chamber": "33rd D\u00e1il", "topic": "Direct Provision System", "asked_by": "Peadar T\u00f3ib\u00edn", "answered_by": "Children", "question_type": "written", "question": "553. Deputy Peadar T\u00f3ib\u00edn asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will list the direct provision centres currently operating in the State; the number of persons residing in each; and the number residing in each centre in each of the past five years in tabular form [11545/22]", "answer": "Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth Thank you for your query, Deputy. Please find both tables as requested. Table 1 is a list of direct provision centres currently operating in the State - 45 direct provision centres and the National Reception Centre in Balseskin. The figures for residents are the latest available from 20 February 2022. Table 2 you can find the number residing in each centre as of 31 December for 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021. Some of these centres were not operational for the full five years and thus have a zero occupancy recorded where that is the case. Table 1 Centre 20/02/2022 National Reception Centre, Balseskin 455 King Thomond 111 Knockalisheen 210 Clare Lodge 36 Ashbourne Hse 91 Davis Lane 56 Kinsale Road 266 Glenvera 102 Millstreet 209 Clonakilty Lodge 82 Port Road Apartments 258 The Towers 195 Central Inn 87 Eglinton 158 Great Western House 126 Dominic St Apartments 124 Atlas House (Killarney) 63 Atlas House (Tralee) 90 Atlantic Lodge 56 Johnston Marina 74 Linden House 61 Park Lodge 38 Hazel 96 Eyrepowell 119 Hibernian 47 Montague 183 Carraig Accommodation Centre 104 Hanratty's 97 Griffin House 67 Richmond Court 64 The Old Convent 230 Mosney 656 St. Patrick's 241 Marian Hostel 102 Globe House 164 Bridgewater House 129 Riverside 89 Atlantic House 75 Ocean View 89 Birchwood 124 Viking House 57 The Grand Hotel 83 Temple Accommodation 98 Athlone 251 Rosslare Port Lodge 75 Carroll Village 85 Total 6273 Table 2 Centre 31/12/2017 30/12/2018 29/12/2019 27/12/2020 26/12/2021 Currently Open/Closed Balseskin 315 289 440 274 461 Open King Thomond 0 116 126 125 110 Open Knockalisheen 240 244 242 200 209 Open Clare Lodge 0 0 24 51 34 Open Ashbourne Hse 93 93 96 88 89 Open Davis Lane 0 54 57 55 56 Open Kinsale Road 251 276 284 271 273 Open Glenvera 110 122 123 96 91 Open Millstreet 235 274 296 279 202 Open Clonakilty Lodge 100 107 102 96 89 Open Port Road Apartments 0 0 0 0 252 Open The Towers 213 243 240 206 172 Open Central Inn 0 0 0 72 90 Open Georgian Court 84 0 0 0 0 Closed Hatch Hall 167 225 0 0 0 Closed Eglinton 186 198 194 142 143 Open Great Western House 156 160 157 92 129 Open Dominic St Apartments 0 0 0 102 121 Open Atlas House (Killarney) 76 82 90 84 56 Open Atlas House (Tralee) 96 97 98 92 84 Open Atlantic Lodge 0 92 94 38 47 Open Johnston Marina 82 83 79 74 72 Open Linden House 25 55 60 72 58 Open Park Lodge 41 41 43 36 37 Open Hazel 0 123 121 74 94 Open Eyrepowell 83 84 140 118 119 Open Hibernian 0 51 53 46 43 Open Montague 194 202 202 175 186 Open Carraig Accommodation Centre 0 0 28 110 105 Open Hanratty's 117 115 117 86 94 Open Griffin House 0 0 0 65 67 Open Mount Trenchard 83 82 75 0 0 Closed Richmond Court 75 78 80 69 63 Open The Old Convent 236 233 227 209 211 Open Mosney 602 652 621 638 666 Open St. Patrick's 160 170 256 225 238 Open Marian Hostel 0 0 0 101 98 Open Globe House 205 215 196 184 168 Open Bridgewater House 111 145 150 120 123 Open Riverside 0 0 73 83 87 Open Atlantic House 82 82 82 79 73 Open Ocean View 94 100 102 90 87 Open Birchwood 141 151 151 128 119 Open Viking House 80 81 81 75 56 Open The Grand Hotel 0 76 96 85 81 Open Temple Accommodation 0 71 115 109 98 Open Athlone 260 274 290 255 247 Open Rosslare Port Lodge 0 0 0 90 69 Open Watergate House 58 0 0 0 0 Closed Carroll Village 45 60 71 90 85 Open Lake House Bed and Breakfast 0 18 23 0 0 Closed Closkeys 0 4 11 0 0 Closed The Central Hotel 0 0 34 116 91 Closed Portsalon House 0 0 21 22 0 Closed Travel Lodge 0 0 70 0 0 Closed The Ballsbridge Hotel 0 0 100 0 0 Closed Maldron Hotel 0 0 13 0 0 Closed Maldron Hotel 0 0 3 0 0 Closed Clayton Hotel 0 0 85 0 0 Closed Clayton Hotel 0 0 81 0 0 Closed Leitrim Lodge 0 0 20 6 10 Closed The Fiddler's Elbow 0 0 8 0 0 Closed Lake View, Ballytrain 0 0 26 11 0 Closed The East End Hotel 0 0 73 0 0 Closed Ciuin House 0 0 33 0 0 Closed Maldron Hotel 0 0 34 0 0 Closed Dunkerrin Arms 0 0 20 0 0 Closed Barnawee Bridge B&B 0 0 19 0 0 Closed The Gallery Bed and Breakfast 0 0 16 0 0 Closed Hotel Rosslare 0 0 50 0 0 Closed Total 5096 5918 6912 6004 6253 Deputy I trust this information satisfies your query.", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2022-03-01/pq_553", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2022-03-01/553/" }, { "date": "2022-05-17", "question_number": 600, "chamber": "33rd D\u00e1il", "topic": "Citizenship Applications", "asked_by": "Jim O'Callaghan", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "600. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice the number of applications for citizenship received by Irish Naturalisation and Immigration service monthly in each of the years from 2017 to 2022, in tabular form; the applications processed by the service monthly in tabular form; the length of time it took to process these applications per year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24414/22]", "answer": "Minister for Justice I propose to take Questions Nos. 600 and 601 together. I am deeply conscious of how important the granting of naturalisation is to those who apply for it and my Department continued to accept and process citizenship applications throughout the pandemic and during all levels of public health restrictions. All applications for a certificate of naturalisation are processed and assessed individually in accordance with the provisions of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended. Processing times have been extended due to the combined impact of the 2019 High Court judgment in the Jones case and the necessary health and safety related restrictions imposed as a result of the Covid-19 disruption. My Department has also been unable to hold in-person citizenship ceremonies during this time. However, I'm pleased to say that, subject to public health guidelines, my Department intends to host in-person citizenship ceremonies in June and December of this year in Killarney. The citizenship application process is reviewed on an ongoing basis to continually improve customer service quality. Feedback from applicants is taken on board and, as a result, a much more simplified, customer-focused and streamlined mechanism for applicants to provide their proofs of residence has recently been introduced. To further speed up the processing of applications, a number of digitisation measures have also been introduced to increase efficiency in the process, including eTax clearance, eVetting and online payments. The end result of the digitisation process will be to free up more staff to focus on processing applications in a timely and efficient manner, to improve service to our customers and reduce waiting times. Additional staff have also been assigned to the citizenship team. Since the beginning of this year, new applicants for citizenship no longer have to submit their original passport with their application. Instead, they can provide a full certified colour copy of their entire passport, including the front and back covers. This change in practice is welcomed by our customers and is also freeing up valuable staff time that up to now has been engaged in returning passports to applicants. The average processing time will vary depending on the number of applications being received and the individual complexities of each case. The average processing time in 2022 is 19 months and it is hoped that with the continued introduction of enhanced digital processing measures and the ongoing improvements to service delivery that the trend in the average processing time should fall. The information requested by the Deputy is set out in the following three tables. Year Number of applications received Number of Applications decided Average Processing Time (Months) 2017 11,777 9,190 7 2018 12,868 11,139 10 2019 12,307 9,319 12 2020 10,775 5,143 13 2021 11,981 11,512 23 2022 5,034 5,510 19 Applications by Year and month of application received: Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Total 2017 877 1,082 1,142 963 1,184 1,026 906 892 872 953 1,029 851 11,777 2018 990 1,062 943 1,000 1,248 1,094 988 973 1,100 1,212 1,209 1,049 12,868 2019 1,128 1,340 1,375 1,063 1,060 864 951 782 959 1,044 885 856 12,307 2020 1,143 1,224 1,326 199 256 571 928 893 1,127 1,244 956 888 10,755 2021 725 981 1,021 940 1,078 1,050 1,038 957 1,235 1,361 1,286 1,034 11,981 2022 870 1,226 1,581 1,357 5,034 Applications by Year and month of application decided: Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Total 2017 720 940 2,066 78 338 419 492 1,132 2,296 84 368 257 9,190 2018 306 1,485 2,289 1,705 410 408 847 1,207 782 1,147 441 112 11,139 2019 131 238 2,033 393 606 357 383 107 52 25 3,845 1,149 9,319 2020 3,924 171 43 2 2 66 79 75 152 568 33 28 5,143 2021 39 628 1,201 1,344 1,046 860 610 574 433 1,497 1,870 1,410 11,512 2022 357 1,073 1,590 1,824 664 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 5,510", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2022-05-17/pq_600", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2022-05-17/600/" }, { "date": "2022-05-17", "question_number": 601, "chamber": "33rd D\u00e1il", "topic": "Citizenship Applications", "asked_by": "Jim O'Callaghan", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "601. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice the current target of the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service to process citizenship applications; if additional resources will be allocated to reduce processing times; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24415/22]", "answer": "Minister for Justice I propose to take Questions Nos. 600 and 601 together. I am deeply conscious of how important the granting of naturalisation is to those who apply for it and my Department continued to accept and process citizenship applications throughout the pandemic and during all levels of public health restrictions. All applications for a certificate of naturalisation are processed and assessed individually in accordance with the provisions of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended. Processing times have been extended due to the combined impact of the 2019 High Court judgment in the Jones case and the necessary health and safety related restrictions imposed as a result of the Covid-19 disruption. My Department has also been unable to hold in-person citizenship ceremonies during this time. However, I'm pleased to say that, subject to public health guidelines, my Department intends to host in-person citizenship ceremonies in June and December of this year in Killarney. The citizenship application process is reviewed on an ongoing basis to continually improve customer service quality. Feedback from applicants is taken on board and, as a result, a much more simplified, customer-focused and streamlined mechanism for applicants to provide their proofs of residence has recently been introduced. To further speed up the processing of applications, a number of digitisation measures have also been introduced to increase efficiency in the process, including eTax clearance, eVetting and online payments. The end result of the digitisation process will be to free up more staff to focus on processing applications in a timely and efficient manner, to improve service to our customers and reduce waiting times. Additional staff have also been assigned to the citizenship team. Since the beginning of this year, new applicants for citizenship no longer have to submit their original passport with their application. Instead, they can provide a full certified colour copy of their entire passport, including the front and back covers. This change in practice is welcomed by our customers and is also freeing up valuable staff time that up to now has been engaged in returning passports to applicants. The average processing time will vary depending on the number of applications being received and the individual complexities of each case. The average processing time in 2022 is 19 months and it is hoped that with the continued introduction of enhanced digital processing measures and the ongoing improvements to service delivery that the trend in the average processing time should fall. The information requested by the Deputy is set out in the following three tables. Year Number of applications received Number of Applications decided Average Processing Time (Months) 2017 11,777 9,190 7 2018 12,868 11,139 10 2019 12,307 9,319 12 2020 10,775 5,143 13 2021 11,981 11,512 23 2022 5,034 5,510 19 Applications by Year and month of application received: Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Total 2017 877 1,082 1,142 963 1,184 1,026 906 892 872 953 1,029 851 11,777 2018 990 1,062 943 1,000 1,248 1,094 988 973 1,100 1,212 1,209 1,049 12,868 2019 1,128 1,340 1,375 1,063 1,060 864 951 782 959 1,044 885 856 12,307 2020 1,143 1,224 1,326 199 256 571 928 893 1,127 1,244 956 888 10,755 2021 725 981 1,021 940 1,078 1,050 1,038 957 1,235 1,361 1,286 1,034 11,981 2022 870 1,226 1,581 1,357 5,034 Applications by Year and month of application decided: Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Total 2017 720 940 2,066 78 338 419 492 1,132 2,296 84 368 257 9,190 2018 306 1,485 2,289 1,705 410 408 847 1,207 782 1,147 441 112 11,139 2019 131 238 2,033 393 606 357 383 107 52 25 3,845 1,149 9,319 2020 3,924 171 43 2 2 66 79 75 152 568 33 28 5,143 2021 39 628 1,201 1,344 1,046 860 610 574 433 1,497 1,870 1,410 11,512 2022 357 1,073 1,590 1,824 664 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 5,510", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2022-05-17/pq_601", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2022-05-17/601/" }, { "date": "2023-10-25", "question_number": 139, "chamber": "33rd D\u00e1il", "topic": "Asylum Seekers", "asked_by": "Peadar T\u00f3ib\u00edn", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "139. Deputy Peadar T\u00f3ib\u00edn asked the Minister for Justice how many asylum applicants have failed the asylum application process in each of the past five years and to date in 2023; and how many of this cohort have left Ireland and-or have been removed from Ireland in the corresponding timeframe. [46801/23]", "answer": "Minister for Justice My Department takes all necessary steps to manage the international protection process efficiently and effectively, while ensuring the integrity of those processes is maintained at all times. The data in the table below show the latest statistics on decisions made. Latest Decision Made per Applicant for International Protection from 2019 to September 2023* Decision Year Refugee Status (RS) Grants Subsidiary Protection (SP) Grants Permission to Remain (PTR) (1st Instance and Final Decision) Refusal All (RS, SP & PTR) Total Decisions 2019 951 163 427 1068 2609 2020 1032 153 316 616 2117 2021 1105 95 1148 16 2364 2022 1926 95 2851 1140 6012 2023 (up to 30.09.2023) 1967 136 861 903 3867 Total 6981 642 5603 3743 16969 Table 1 * \u2013Latest decision made per applicant for International Protection/Asylum from 2019 to September 2023. Changes may occur due to data cleansing, permission revoked and if applicant appeals and a further final decision is made. There is no correlation between year of application and year decision is issued. It must also be acknowledged that those who do not have a legal right to remain in this country must return to their own country. A decision to effect a deportation order is taken following fair procedure and when the individual concerned has gone through all available avenues for appeal. The table below contains details of persons confirmed deported and those confirmed deported following unsuccessful International Protection applications. A person who has sought international protection is only subject to a deportation order when they have either not engaged with the application process or their case has been considered in detail and all available appeals processes have been exhausted. In the period 2018 until 30/09/2023 2,499 deportation orders were signed. During this period 232 people with deportation orders were escorted from the State. A further 206 people left after a deportation order was served on them. Some people who apply for international protection process avail of a voluntary return programme or are offered the possibility of voluntary returning. Since 2018 up until 30/09/2023, 201 people have left the State on voluntary return programmes offered by the Department of Justice and the IOM. - Deportation Orders Signed Enforced deportations People who left the state after a Deportation Order was issued People who availed of a voluntary return programme 2018 229 55 39 9 2019 835 115 68 29 2020 291 24 39 38 2021 0 2 15 9 2022 539 17 38 35 2023 605 19 7 81 Total 2499 232 206 201 It is also important to note that many individuals who withdraw from the international protection process or who are subject to a deportation orders leave the State without notifying the relevant authorities. This number in this particular category is difficult to quantify.", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2023-10-25/pq_139", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2023-10-25/139/" }, { "date": "2023-10-03", "question_number": 436, "chamber": "33rd D\u00e1il", "topic": "International Protection", "asked_by": "Cormac Devlin", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "436. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Justice to detail, in tabular form, the number of applications for international protection; the number approved; the number rejected; the number under appeal; the number awaiting processing, by month and gender, during the years 2020 to 2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42256/23]", "answer": "Minister for Justice The statistical information sought by the Deputy in relation to international protection applicants is set out in the tables in the attached. With regard to the statistical information requested for the number of applications for international protection approved and the number rejected; it has not been possible to collate the information requested in the time allowed. I will write to the Deputy directly when the information is to hand. My Department takes all necessary steps to manage the international protection process efficiently and effectively, while ensuring the integrity of those processes is maintained at all times. The number of International Protection applications last year was 13,651\u2013 a significant increase on recent years. This represents a 186% increase on the number received in 2019, the last year in which application numbers were not impacted by COVID-19. A further 8,906 applications have been received to date in 2023 (to 30th September). There were 16,566 applications pending at the International Protection Office on the 1st October 2023. There were an additional 2,387 appeals pending at the International Protection Appeals Tribunal on the 25th September 2023. Minister McEntee recently published a report on the International Protection Modernisation Programme for 2023 and 2024. The report set out a suite of reform measures and signals a goal to reach 1,000 decisions on International Protection applications per month by early next year. As part of this programme, a number of measures have been implemented to improve efficiencies and throughput. The IPO increased the number of applications processed from 2,462 in 2021 to 4,990 in 2022 \u2013 an increase of 102.7%. This year, to end September 2023, the IPO completed 6,417 first instance decisions, increasing even further the rate of decisions year on year. This represents a 31% increase compared to 2022 (year to date). The median processing time for first instance decisions in quarter two of 2023 was 12 months, a reduction from 18 months over the course of 2022. The median processing times for appeals in quarter two 2023 was just below 5 months, down from 15 months at the beginning of 2022. Currently fewer than 5% of people are waiting over two years for a first-instance decision, typically for reasons not in the IPO\u2019s control. As part of this programme, an accelerated procedure for international protection applicants from safe countries of origin was also introduced. Applicants from safe countries of origin now receive a first instance decision in less than 3 months , which is a significant reduction from a norm of 22 to 26 months early last year. For accelerated procedure only, the median processing time was only 9.5 weeks in August. These reforms are being supported with significant increased resources. Approximately \u20ac19m was allocated to the International Protection Office (IPO) and International Protection Appeals Tribunal (IPAT) and invested in human resources, infrastructure, technology and process engineering. The Deputy may also wish to know that my Department has created a website to provide a detailed overview of the International Protection process in Ireland which can be accessed at: www.gov.ie/en/campaigns/304ba-international-protection/ This site also provides detailed statistics and metrics in relation to processing of applications for protection. These statistics are published on a monthly basis. www.gov.ie/en/collection/48a28-international-protection-in-numbers/ The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 51 Dear Deputy, I refer to Parliamentary Question No. 436 which was for answer on 3rd October 2023 and which asked: In tabular form, the number of applications for international protection; the number approved; the number rejected; the number under appeal; the number awaiting processing, by month and gender, during the years 2020 to 2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. You will recall that at the time, I undertook to seek further statistical information requested and revert to you once the information was to hand. The response issued at the time stated: With regard to the statistical information requested for the number of applications for international protection approved and the number rejected; it has not been possible to collate the information requested in the time allowed. I will write to the Deputy directly when the information is to hand. The table below sets out the number of applications for international protection that were approved and rejected at first instance by the IPO for the years 2020 to 2023. Grant/refusal rate of people who apply for international protection to the IPO from 2020-2023 (End September) Year of Decision Refugee Status Grant Subsidiary Protections Grant Permission to Remain Grant Refuse All* Inadmissible Total Decisions 2020 437 85 202 1533 10 2267 2021 859 75 588 945 2 2469 2022 1388 70 2076 1363 93 4990 2023 1747 186 455 3892 139 6419 Total 4,431 416 3,321 7,733 244 16,145 *Refuse all indicates refusal of Refugee Status, Subsidiary Protection Status and Permission to Remain. The figures also include applications that have been withdrawn by the applicant/s.", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2023-10-03/pq_436", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2023-10-03/436/" }, { "date": "2023-12-05", "question_number": 392, "chamber": "33rd D\u00e1il", "topic": "International Protection", "asked_by": "Michael McNamara", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "392. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Justice how many applications for international protection were made in each month since February 2020; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53492/23]", "answer": "Minister for Justice I propose to take Questions Nos. 392 and 393 together. My Department is taking all necessary steps to manage the international protection process fairly, efficiently and effectively, as part of the broader Government response, while ensuring the integrity of Ireland's rules-based immigration system is maintained. The number of international protection applications last year was 13,650, a significant increase on recent years. It represents a 186% increase on the number received in 2019, the most recent year in which application numbers were not impacted by Covid-19. In July this year, I published a report on the international protection modernisation programme for 2023 and 2024. This programme is implementing measures to improve efficiencies and throughput as well as improving the application, interview and decision-making process for applicants. This will give status to those who are entitled to international protection to rebuild their lives here, while also ensuring faster decision making in respect of those who do not meet the criteria. Already these reforms are having a significant impact with the median processing time for first-instance decisions reducing from 18 months in 2022 down to 15 months in 2023. The median processing times for appeals is also down from 15 months at the beginning of 2022 to five months in 2023. As part of this modernisation programme, I also signed a regulation in November 2022 to introduce an accelerated procedure for international protection applicants from designated safe countries of origin. These applicants now typically receive a first instance decision in less than three months, which is a significant reduction from a norm of 22 to 26 months early last year. Reforms to the international protection process will continue in 2024. Approximately \u20ac34m was allocated in budget 2024 to the International Protection Office (IPO) and the International Protection Appeals Tribunal (IPAT) to continue to scale up processing. Please see below for data in relation to international protection applications made to the IPO since February 2020. Year Received Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Total 2020* 246 177 30 16 41 107 118 173 128 64 160 1260 2021 138 91 138 113 132 115 156 262 332 329 387 455 2648 2022 391 750 1032 1172 1543 1605 1266 1131 1060 1189 1313 1198 13650 2023** 1305 831 858 633 941 901 1029 1158 1249 1481 1464 0 11850 *February 2020 onwards ** To November 30 Please note, figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing. Please see below for data in relation to first instance decisions made by the IPO since February 2020. Year Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Grand Total 2020* 321 218 3 32 65 283 281 231 182 181 141 1938 2021 142 160 193 169 198 137 156 149 187 387 331 260 2469 2022 388 485 351 468 417 547 492 343 460 365 360 314 4990 2023** 519 604 786 627 737 719 812 792 826 851 1069 8342 *February 2020 onwards ** up to November 30, 2023 Please note, figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing.", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2023-12-05/pq_392", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2023-12-05/392/" }, { "date": "2023-12-05", "question_number": 393, "chamber": "33rd D\u00e1il", "topic": "International Protection", "asked_by": "Michael McNamara", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "393. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Justice how many first instance decisions were made by the IPO in each month since February 2020. [53493/23]", "answer": "Minister for Justice I propose to take Questions Nos. 392 and 393 together. My Department is taking all necessary steps to manage the international protection process fairly, efficiently and effectively, as part of the broader Government response, while ensuring the integrity of Ireland's rules-based immigration system is maintained. The number of international protection applications last year was 13,650, a significant increase on recent years. It represents a 186% increase on the number received in 2019, the most recent year in which application numbers were not impacted by Covid-19. In July this year, I published a report on the international protection modernisation programme for 2023 and 2024. This programme is implementing measures to improve efficiencies and throughput as well as improving the application, interview and decision-making process for applicants. This will give status to those who are entitled to international protection to rebuild their lives here, while also ensuring faster decision making in respect of those who do not meet the criteria. Already these reforms are having a significant impact with the median processing time for first-instance decisions reducing from 18 months in 2022 down to 15 months in 2023. The median processing times for appeals is also down from 15 months at the beginning of 2022 to five months in 2023. As part of this modernisation programme, I also signed a regulation in November 2022 to introduce an accelerated procedure for international protection applicants from designated safe countries of origin. These applicants now typically receive a first instance decision in less than three months, which is a significant reduction from a norm of 22 to 26 months early last year. Reforms to the international protection process will continue in 2024. Approximately \u20ac34m was allocated in budget 2024 to the International Protection Office (IPO) and the International Protection Appeals Tribunal (IPAT) to continue to scale up processing. Please see below for data in relation to international protection applications made to the IPO since February 2020. Year Received Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Total 2020* 246 177 30 16 41 107 118 173 128 64 160 1260 2021 138 91 138 113 132 115 156 262 332 329 387 455 2648 2022 391 750 1032 1172 1543 1605 1266 1131 1060 1189 1313 1198 13650 2023** 1305 831 858 633 941 901 1029 1158 1249 1481 1464 0 11850 *February 2020 onwards ** To November 30 Please note, figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing. Please see below for data in relation to first instance decisions made by the IPO since February 2020. Year Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Grand Total 2020* 321 218 3 32 65 283 281 231 182 181 141 1938 2021 142 160 193 169 198 137 156 149 187 387 331 260 2469 2022 388 485 351 468 417 547 492 343 460 365 360 314 4990 2023** 519 604 786 627 737 719 812 792 826 851 1069 8342 *February 2020 onwards ** up to November 30, 2023 Please note, figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing.", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2023-12-05/pq_393", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2023-12-05/393/" }, { "date": "2023-12-05", "question_number": 394, "chamber": "33rd D\u00e1il", "topic": "International Protection", "asked_by": "Michael McNamara", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "394. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Justice how many Notices of Appeal to the IPAT were lodged in each month since February 2020. [53494/23]", "answer": "Minister for Justice I propose to take Questions Nos. 394 and 395 together. My Department is taking all necessary steps to manage the international protection process fairly, efficiently and effectively, as part of the broader Government response, while ensuring the integrity of Ireland's rules-based immigration system is maintained. Both the International Protection Office (IPO) and the International Protection Appeals Tribunal (IPAT) are fully independent in determining whether or not to grant international protection applications. Each application is examined individually on its own merits, in line with national and international asylum law. The number of international protection applications last year was 13,650, a significant increase on recent years. It represents a 186% increase on the number received in 2019, the most recent year in which application numbers were not impacted by Covid-19. In July this year, I published a report on the international protection modernisation programme for 2023 and 2024. This programme is implementing measures to improve efficiencies and throughput as well as improving the application, interview and decision-making process for applicants. This will give status to those who are entitled to international protection to rebuild their lives here, while also ensuring faster decision making in respect of those who do not meet the criteria. Already these reforms are having a significant impact with the median processing time for first-instance decisions reducing from 18 months in 2022 down to 15 months in 2023. The median processing times for appeals is also down from 15 months at the beginning of 2022 to five months in 2023. As part of this modernisation programme, I also signed a regulation in November 2022 to introduce an accelerated procedure for international protection applicants from designated safe countries of origin. These applicants now typically receive a first instance decision in less than three months, which is a significant reduction from a norm of 22 to 26 months early last year. Reforms to the international protection process will continue in 2024. Approximately \u20ac34m was allocated in budget 2024 to the International Protection Office (IPO) and the International Protection Appeals Tribunal (IPAT) to continue to scale up processing. The International Protection Appeals Tribunal's (IPAT) operational capacity is also currently being significantly expanded to meet their increased caseload. Additional resources are being deployed through increasing the number of Tribunal members as well as further recruitment of administrative staff. The average processing times from appeal lodged in the International Protection Appeals Tribunal to decision issued at the end of October 2023 was 7.2 months down from 13.5 months at the end of November 2022. The tables attached detail appeals accepted and processed at the IPAT every month since February 2020 to 24 November 2023. Please note, there is no correlation between applications received in a particular year/month and first instance decisions issued in the corresponding time period. Appeals Accepted by the International Protection Appeals Tribunal Year Accepted Month Appeal Accepted 2020 2021 2022 2023 Jan 192 54 25 108 Feb 186 76 64 259 Mar 148 103 79 407 Apr 9 62 41 316 May 4 66 87 341 Jun 7 68 110 340 Jul 68 59 139 429 Aug 169 39 175 587 Sep 203 43 147 496 Oct 139 74 128 448 Nov 79 63 101 316 Dec 51 49 79 Grand Total 1255 756 1175 4047 Decisions Issued by the International Protection Appeals Tribunal Year Decision Issued Month Decision Issued 2020 2021 2022 2023 Jan 166 44 77 125 Feb 175 37 116 143 Mar 103 100 127 158 Apr 0 39 118 120 May 24 61 109 120 Jun 163 91 101 97 Jul 158 83 146 140 Aug 42 92 57 115 Sep 54 100 83 135 Oct 68 120 118 126 Nov 79 154 150 146 Dec 51 131 98 Grand Total 1083 1052 1300 1425", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2023-12-05/pq_394", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2023-12-05/394/" }, { "date": "2023-12-05", "question_number": 395, "chamber": "33rd D\u00e1il", "topic": "International Protection", "asked_by": "Michael McNamara", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "395. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Justice how many decisions of the IPAT were made in each month since February 2020. [53495/23]", "answer": "Minister for Justice I propose to take Questions Nos. 394 and 395 together. My Department is taking all necessary steps to manage the international protection process fairly, efficiently and effectively, as part of the broader Government response, while ensuring the integrity of Ireland's rules-based immigration system is maintained. Both the International Protection Office (IPO) and the International Protection Appeals Tribunal (IPAT) are fully independent in determining whether or not to grant international protection applications. Each application is examined individually on its own merits, in line with national and international asylum law. The number of international protection applications last year was 13,650, a significant increase on recent years. It represents a 186% increase on the number received in 2019, the most recent year in which application numbers were not impacted by Covid-19. In July this year, I published a report on the international protection modernisation programme for 2023 and 2024. This programme is implementing measures to improve efficiencies and throughput as well as improving the application, interview and decision-making process for applicants. This will give status to those who are entitled to international protection to rebuild their lives here, while also ensuring faster decision making in respect of those who do not meet the criteria. Already these reforms are having a significant impact with the median processing time for first-instance decisions reducing from 18 months in 2022 down to 15 months in 2023. The median processing times for appeals is also down from 15 months at the beginning of 2022 to five months in 2023. As part of this modernisation programme, I also signed a regulation in November 2022 to introduce an accelerated procedure for international protection applicants from designated safe countries of origin. These applicants now typically receive a first instance decision in less than three months, which is a significant reduction from a norm of 22 to 26 months early last year. Reforms to the international protection process will continue in 2024. Approximately \u20ac34m was allocated in budget 2024 to the International Protection Office (IPO) and the International Protection Appeals Tribunal (IPAT) to continue to scale up processing. The International Protection Appeals Tribunal's (IPAT) operational capacity is also currently being significantly expanded to meet their increased caseload. Additional resources are being deployed through increasing the number of Tribunal members as well as further recruitment of administrative staff. The average processing times from appeal lodged in the International Protection Appeals Tribunal to decision issued at the end of October 2023 was 7.2 months down from 13.5 months at the end of November 2022. The tables attached detail appeals accepted and processed at the IPAT every month since February 2020 to 24 November 2023. Please note, there is no correlation between applications received in a particular year/month and first instance decisions issued in the corresponding time period. Appeals Accepted by the International Protection Appeals Tribunal Year Accepted Month Appeal Accepted 2020 2021 2022 2023 Jan 192 54 25 108 Feb 186 76 64 259 Mar 148 103 79 407 Apr 9 62 41 316 May 4 66 87 341 Jun 7 68 110 340 Jul 68 59 139 429 Aug 169 39 175 587 Sep 203 43 147 496 Oct 139 74 128 448 Nov 79 63 101 316 Dec 51 49 79 Grand Total 1255 756 1175 4047 Decisions Issued by the International Protection Appeals Tribunal Year Decision Issued Month Decision Issued 2020 2021 2022 2023 Jan 166 44 77 125 Feb 175 37 116 143 Mar 103 100 127 158 Apr 0 39 118 120 May 24 61 109 120 Jun 163 91 101 97 Jul 158 83 146 140 Aug 42 92 57 115 Sep 54 100 83 135 Oct 68 120 118 126 Nov 79 154 150 146 Dec 51 131 98 Grand Total 1083 1052 1300 1425", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2023-12-05/pq_395", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2023-12-05/395/" }, { "date": "2024-01-23", "question_number": 95, "chamber": "33rd D\u00e1il", "topic": "Departmental Data", "asked_by": "Louise O'Reilly", "answered_by": "Taoiseach", "question_type": "written", "question": "95. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Taoiseach the self-employment rates among men, women, young people and migrants for each of the years 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023; and how this compares with the EU and OECD averages, in tabular form. [2820/24]", "answer": "Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach The exact information requested by the Deputy is not available. The Labour Force Survey (LFS) is a household survey which provides quarterly statistics on employment and unemployment and is the official source of labour market estimates in the State. The classification of employment status in LFS results is determined according to ILO (International Labour Organisation) concepts and definitions. Tables 1-3 below contain figures for numbers of persons self-employed in the State as well as self-employment rates broken down by sex, young persons and citizenship* for Q2 2018-Q2 2023. The self-employment rate has been calculated as the number of self-employed persons as a proportion of all those in employment. *The LFS does not identify whether a respondent is a migrant. However, the LFS does publish citizenship estimates; these figures are included in Table 3. The self-employment rate for all persons in Q2 2023 was 12.7% - for males it was 17.9%, for females 6.9%, for young persons 1.2% and for non-Irish citizens 8.6%. The methodology for estimating persons with a disability has been reviewed with the data currently being processed. Disability data will be available in early March. Numbers of self employed persons and rate of self-employment by sex, Q2 2018 - Q2 2023 Q2 2018 Q2 2019 Q2 2020 Q2 2021 Q2 2022 Q2 2023 Self-employed, 000s 250.1 242.2 229.0 229.3 259.7 248.6 In employment, 000s 1214.3 1241.4 1175.2 1263.2 1360.2 1386.1 Male Self-employed rate, % 20.6% 19.5% 19.5% 18.2% 19.1% 17.9% Self-employed, 000s 79.9 75.5 79.2 77.2 81.3 86.9 In employment, 000s 1035.4 1054.8 962.9 1085.9 1194.4 1256.9 Female Self-employed rate, % 7.7% 7.2% 8.2% 7.1% 6.8% 6.9% Self-employed, 000s 330.0 317.7 308.2 306.6 341.0 335.4 In employment, 000s 2249.7 2296.2 2138.1 2349.1 2554.6 2643.0 Total persons Self-employed rate, % 14.7% 13.8% 14.4% 13.1% 13.3% 12.7% Source: Labour Force Survey (LFS), Central Statistics Office, Ireland. Data may be subject to future revision. Data may be subject to sampling or other survey errors, which are greater in respect of smaller values or estimates of change. Reference period: q1=Jan-Mar,q2 Apr-Jun,q3=Jul-Sep,q4 Oct-Dec. Estimates for number of persons, where there are less than 30 persons in a cell, are too small to be considered reliable. These estimates are presented with an asterisk (*) in the relevant tables. Where there are 30-49 persons in a cell, estimates are considered to have a wider margin of error and should be treated with caution. These cells are presented with parentheses []. In the case of rates, these limits apply to the denominator used in generating the rate. In the case of annual changes, both the current year and the preceding year are taken into account when deciding whether the estimate should be suppressed or flagged as having a wider margin of error. Numbers of self employed persons aged 15-24 and rate of self-employment, Q2 2018 - Q2 2023 Q2 2018 Q2 2019 Q2 2020 Q2 2021 Q2 2022 Q2 2023 Self-employed, 000s * * * * * * In employment, 000s 242.4 248.2 191.1 249.7 318.0 321.1 Persons aged 15-24 Self-employed rate, % 1.4% 1.3% 2.6% 1.5% 1.3% 1.2% Self-employed, 000s 330.0 317.7 308.2 306.6 341.0 335.4 In employment, 000s 2249.7 2296.2 2138.1 2349.1 2554.6 2643.0 Total persons Self-employed rate, % 14.7% 13.8% 14.4% 13.1% 13.3% 12.7% Numbers of self employed persons aged 15-24 and rate of self-employment, Q2 2018 - Q2 2023 Q2 2018 Q2 2019 Q2 2020 Q2 2021 Q2 2022 Q2 2023 Self-employed, 000s * * * * * * In employment, 000s 242.4 248.2 191.1 249.7 318.0 321.1 Persons aged 15-24 Self-employed rate, % 1.4% 1.3% 2.6% 1.5% 1.3% 1.2% Self-employed, 000s 330.0 317.7 308.2 306.6 341.0 335.4 In employment, 000s 2249.7 2296.2 2138.1 2349.1 2554.6 2643.0 Total persons Self-employed rate, % 14.7% 13.8% 14.4% 13.1% 13.3% 12.7% Source: Labour Force Survey (LFS), Central Statistics Office, Ireland. Data may be subject to future revision. Data may be subject to sampling or other survey errors, which are greater in respect of smaller values or estimates of change. Reference period: q1=Jan-Mar,q2 Apr-Jun,q3=Jul-Sep,q4 Oct-Dec. Estimates for number of persons, where there are less than 30 persons in a cell, are too small to be considered reliable. These estimates are presented with an asterisk (*) in the relevant tables. Where there are 30-49 persons in a cell, estimates are considered to have a wider margin of error and should be treated with caution. These cells are presented with parentheses []. In the case of rates, these limits apply to the denominator used in generating the rate. In the case of annual changes, both the current year and the preceding year are taken into account when deciding whether the estimate should be suppressed or flagged as having a wider margin of error. Numbers of self employed persons of non-Irish citizenship and rate of self-employment, Q2 2018 - Q2 2018 Q2 2019 Q2 2020 Q2 2021 Q2 2022 Q2 2023 Self-employed, 000s 34.0 32.6 28.7 36.6 42.0 45.5 In employment, 000s 365.1 379.2 350.9 397.3 469.3 526.5 Non-Irish citizens Self-employed rate, % 9.3% 8.6% 8.2% 9.2% 8.9% 8.6% Self-employed, 000s 330.0 317.7 308.2 306.6 341.0 335.4 In employment, 000s 2249.7 2296.2 2138.1 2349.1 2554.6 2643.0 Total persons Self-employed rate, % 14.7% 13.8% 14.4% 13.1% 13.3% 12.7% Source: Labour Force Survey (LFS), Central Statistics Office, Ireland. Data may be subject to future revision. Data may be subject to sampling or other survey errors, which are greater in respect of smaller values or estimates of change. Reference period: q1=Jan-Mar,q2 Apr-Jun,q3=Jul-Sep,q4 Oct-Dec. Estimates for number of persons, where there are less than 30 persons in a cell, are too small to be considered reliable. These estimates are presented with an asterisk (*) in the relevant tables. Where there are 30-49 persons in a cell, estimates are considered to have a wider margin of error and should be treated with caution. These cells are presented with parentheses []. In the case of rates, these limits apply to the denominator used in generating the rate. In the case of annual changes, both the current year and the preceding year are taken into account when deciding whether the estimate should be suppressed or flagged as having a wider margin of error.", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2024-01-23/pq_95", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2024-01-23/95/" }, { "date": "2024-04-09", "question_number": 831, "chamber": "33rd D\u00e1il", "topic": "Asylum Applications", "asked_by": "Carol Nolan", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "831. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Justice the numbers who have applied for asylum in each month from January 2019 to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13766/24]", "answer": "Minister for Justice I can confirm that my Department takes all necessary steps to manage the international protection process efficiently and effectively, while ensuring the integrity of those processes is maintained at all times. Making sure that applications are processed quickly means those who need our protection are given the opportunity to re-build their life in Ireland in a timely manner. It also means that those who do not qualify, return to their country of origin. My Department have taken a significant number of measures to increase the capacity of the international protection system. In November 2022, I introduced an accelerated procedure for international protection applicants from designated safe countries of origin. These applicants now typically receive a first instance decision in less than three months, a significant reduction from a norm of 22 to 26 months in recent years. For the year up to 31 January 2024 the number of applications from safe countries has reduced by more than 50% compared to previous 12 month period. In July 2023, I published a report on the international protection modernisation programme for 2023 and 2024. This programme involved unparalleled investment in staff, panel members, re-engineered processes, and technology. We have implemented measures to improve efficiencies and throughput as well as enhancing the application, interview and decision-making process for applicants. One of the priority areas of focus has been to recruit both civil servants and panel members, to increase case processing. The International Protection Office now has over 400 staff, an increase of 95% over 2022. The IPO made 2,482 first instance determinations in 2021, 4323 in 2022, 9,000 in 2023 and are confident of delivering over 14,000 decisions this year. These reforms and increased staff numbers are having a significant impact with the median processing time for all first-instance decisions reducing from 18 months in 2022 down to 13 months in 2023. The median processing time for appeals was 5.5 months in 2023 down from 13.5 months at the start of 2022. Reforms to the international protection process will continue in 2024. Approximately \u20ac34m additional funding was allocated in Budget 2024 to the International Protection Office (IPO) and the International Protection Appeals Tribunal (IPAT) to continue to scale up processing. These measures, and all other aspects of the international protection modernisation programme will continue to be kept under review and improved on a continuous ongoing basis. The table below shows the numbers of applications for asylum received monthly from January 2019 to 31 March 2024. The increasing numbers of protection applications seen below highlight the importance of the EU Asylum and Migration Pact for Ireland. I recently secured Cabinet approval to seek the necessary approvals from the Houses of the Oireachtas to opt-in to the Pact. The overall objectives of the Pact is to create a fair, sustainable and efficient asylum procedure in ordinary times as well as in times of migratory pressure and crisis situations. It will harmonise asylum procedures across the EU, and speed up the processing of asylum applications so that people in need of our protection get it quickly and those who don\u2019t are returned to their country of origin efficiently. Applications received by month Year Jan Feb Mar April May June July August Sept Oct Nov Dec Total 2019 411 344 368 344 385 384 445 415 667 436 289 294 4782 2020 306 246 177 30 16 41 107 118 173 128 64 160 1,566 2021 138 91 138 113 132 115 156 262 332 329 387 455 2,648 2022 391 750 1,032 1,172 1,543 1,603 1,265 1,130 1,060 1,189 1,313 1,197 13,645 2023 1,304 831 858 633 941 901 1,028 1,158 1,248 1,481 1,463 1,426 13,272 2024* 1,773 1,569 1,821 5,163 *To 31 March 2024. *Please note, figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing.", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2024-04-09/pq_831", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2024-04-09/831/" }, { "date": "2025-05-20", "question_number": 692, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "Deportation Orders", "asked_by": "Matt Carthy", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "692. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice the number of enforced deportations with regard to unsuccessful applications for international protection in 2025 and in each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25795/25]", "answer": "Minister for Justice I propose to take Questions Nos. 692 and 695 to 698, inclusive, together. I can assure the Deputy that I am fully committed to ensuring that Ireland\u2019s International Protection system is robust and rules based. The enforcement aspects of our laws, including deportation orders, are an essential requirement for the system to work effectively and to ensure that our people have confidence in the application of our legislation in this area. My Department has taken action to significantly improve immigration enforcement measures and increase removals. The number of deportation orders signed in 2024 (2,403) increased by 180% compared to 2023 (857). This year 1,755 deportation orders have been signed up to 16 May 2025. Last year, 1,116 people departed from the State under various mechanisms (i.e. enforced deportation, voluntary return etc.), an increase of 252% compared to 2023 (317). This year 751 persons have had their departure confirmed through these pathways up to 16 May 2025. In 2025, two charter flight operations have removed 71 people who were subject to deportation orders from the State with a further 45 removed on commercial airlines. Further charter operations and removals on commercial aircraft will be conducted as the year progresses. A further 20 people have verified to my Department that they have left the State following a deportation order being issued to them. A deportation order is a legal order to leave the State. Any person who has been ordered to leave the State within the timeframe issued with the deportation order, and fails to do so is committing a criminal offence, and can be arrested without warrant if they come into contact with An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na. Such an order remains on the person\u2019s record permanently, unless revoked by the Minister for Justice \u2013 it means they may not enter Ireland again in future. It is the preferred option to return people voluntarily and my Department has a voluntary return programme to assist people to return prior to the issuance of a deportation order. It is important to note that a person can only avail of voluntary return before a deportation order is issued. As part of this process my Department makes arrangements for the person to leave the State or the person can organise their return independently. In both circumstances, my Department receives confirmation when the person has departed. It is the case that the majority of deportation orders signed, and removals completed, concern people who have been refused International Protection. Last year, 2,001 Deportation Orders were signed in respect of people refused International Protection, and 821 people who were refused International Protection were confirmed to have departed the State. Table 1 below details the number deportation orders which have been signed in respect of people who have been refused International Protection from 2020, up to 30 April 2025. Table 1 Year IP Deportation Orders Signed 2020 290 2021 0* 2022 541 2023 765 2024 2,001 2025 (to 30/04/2025) 1,039 Please note, figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing. * During the COVID- 19 Pandemic there was a moratorium on deportations. This was effective during the latter part of 2020, 2021 and for the first 8 months of 2022. During the moratorium only persons who whose presence in Ireland would be contrary to the public interest were deported. This moratorium was lifted in July 2022. Table 2 below details the number people who have been refused International Protection and who left the State independently after being issued a Deportation Order, as well as those who were escorted from the State by the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB), from 2020, up to 30 April 2025. Table 2 Year IP DO Confirmed(1) IP DO Enforced(2) Total 2020 20 15 35 2021 12 2 14 2022 11 12 23 2023 11 31 42 2024 18 109 127 2025 (to 30/04/2025) 12 98 110 *Please note, figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing. 1. People who are confirmed to have left the State independently after a deportation order has been made. 2. People escorted from Ireland by the Garda National Immigration Bureau. Table 3 below details the number people who were refused International Protection and who departed the State by way of Voluntary Return without being issued a deportation order, from 2020, up to 30 April 2025. Table 3 Year IP VR 2020 96 2021 60 2022 41 2023 108 2024 694 2025 (to 30/04/2025) 403", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2025-05-20/pq_692", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2025-05-20/692/" }, { "date": "2025-05-20", "question_number": 695, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "Deportation Orders", "asked_by": "Matt Carthy", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "695. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice the number of voluntary departures by unsuccessful international protection applicants subject to deportations orders in 2025 and in each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25806/25]", "answer": "Minister for Justice I propose to take Questions Nos. 692 and 695 to 698, inclusive, together. I can assure the Deputy that I am fully committed to ensuring that Ireland\u2019s International Protection system is robust and rules based. The enforcement aspects of our laws, including deportation orders, are an essential requirement for the system to work effectively and to ensure that our people have confidence in the application of our legislation in this area. My Department has taken action to significantly improve immigration enforcement measures and increase removals. The number of deportation orders signed in 2024 (2,403) increased by 180% compared to 2023 (857). This year 1,755 deportation orders have been signed up to 16 May 2025. Last year, 1,116 people departed from the State under various mechanisms (i.e. enforced deportation, voluntary return etc.), an increase of 252% compared to 2023 (317). This year 751 persons have had their departure confirmed through these pathways up to 16 May 2025. In 2025, two charter flight operations have removed 71 people who were subject to deportation orders from the State with a further 45 removed on commercial airlines. Further charter operations and removals on commercial aircraft will be conducted as the year progresses. A further 20 people have verified to my Department that they have left the State following a deportation order being issued to them. A deportation order is a legal order to leave the State. Any person who has been ordered to leave the State within the timeframe issued with the deportation order, and fails to do so is committing a criminal offence, and can be arrested without warrant if they come into contact with An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na. Such an order remains on the person\u2019s record permanently, unless revoked by the Minister for Justice \u2013 it means they may not enter Ireland again in future. It is the preferred option to return people voluntarily and my Department has a voluntary return programme to assist people to return prior to the issuance of a deportation order. It is important to note that a person can only avail of voluntary return before a deportation order is issued. As part of this process my Department makes arrangements for the person to leave the State or the person can organise their return independently. In both circumstances, my Department receives confirmation when the person has departed. It is the case that the majority of deportation orders signed, and removals completed, concern people who have been refused International Protection. Last year, 2,001 Deportation Orders were signed in respect of people refused International Protection, and 821 people who were refused International Protection were confirmed to have departed the State. Table 1 below details the number deportation orders which have been signed in respect of people who have been refused International Protection from 2020, up to 30 April 2025. Table 1 Year IP Deportation Orders Signed 2020 290 2021 0* 2022 541 2023 765 2024 2,001 2025 (to 30/04/2025) 1,039 Please note, figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing. * During the COVID- 19 Pandemic there was a moratorium on deportations. This was effective during the latter part of 2020, 2021 and for the first 8 months of 2022. During the moratorium only persons who whose presence in Ireland would be contrary to the public interest were deported. This moratorium was lifted in July 2022. Table 2 below details the number people who have been refused International Protection and who left the State independently after being issued a Deportation Order, as well as those who were escorted from the State by the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB), from 2020, up to 30 April 2025. Table 2 Year IP DO Confirmed(1) IP DO Enforced(2) Total 2020 20 15 35 2021 12 2 14 2022 11 12 23 2023 11 31 42 2024 18 109 127 2025 (to 30/04/2025) 12 98 110 *Please note, figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing. 1. People who are confirmed to have left the State independently after a deportation order has been made. 2. People escorted from Ireland by the Garda National Immigration Bureau. Table 3 below details the number people who were refused International Protection and who departed the State by way of Voluntary Return without being issued a deportation order, from 2020, up to 30 April 2025. Table 3 Year IP VR 2020 96 2021 60 2022 41 2023 108 2024 694 2025 (to 30/04/2025) 403", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2025-05-20/pq_695", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2025-05-20/695/" }, { "date": "2025-05-20", "question_number": 696, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "Deportation Orders", "asked_by": "Matt Carthy", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "696. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice the number of failed international protection applicants subject to deportation orders currently in the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25807/25]", "answer": "Minister for Justice I propose to take Questions Nos. 692 and 695 to 698, inclusive, together. I can assure the Deputy that I am fully committed to ensuring that Ireland\u2019s International Protection system is robust and rules based. The enforcement aspects of our laws, including deportation orders, are an essential requirement for the system to work effectively and to ensure that our people have confidence in the application of our legislation in this area. My Department has taken action to significantly improve immigration enforcement measures and increase removals. The number of deportation orders signed in 2024 (2,403) increased by 180% compared to 2023 (857). This year 1,755 deportation orders have been signed up to 16 May 2025. Last year, 1,116 people departed from the State under various mechanisms (i.e. enforced deportation, voluntary return etc.), an increase of 252% compared to 2023 (317). This year 751 persons have had their departure confirmed through these pathways up to 16 May 2025. In 2025, two charter flight operations have removed 71 people who were subject to deportation orders from the State with a further 45 removed on commercial airlines. Further charter operations and removals on commercial aircraft will be conducted as the year progresses. A further 20 people have verified to my Department that they have left the State following a deportation order being issued to them. A deportation order is a legal order to leave the State. Any person who has been ordered to leave the State within the timeframe issued with the deportation order, and fails to do so is committing a criminal offence, and can be arrested without warrant if they come into contact with An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na. Such an order remains on the person\u2019s record permanently, unless revoked by the Minister for Justice \u2013 it means they may not enter Ireland again in future. It is the preferred option to return people voluntarily and my Department has a voluntary return programme to assist people to return prior to the issuance of a deportation order. It is important to note that a person can only avail of voluntary return before a deportation order is issued. As part of this process my Department makes arrangements for the person to leave the State or the person can organise their return independently. In both circumstances, my Department receives confirmation when the person has departed. It is the case that the majority of deportation orders signed, and removals completed, concern people who have been refused International Protection. Last year, 2,001 Deportation Orders were signed in respect of people refused International Protection, and 821 people who were refused International Protection were confirmed to have departed the State. Table 1 below details the number deportation orders which have been signed in respect of people who have been refused International Protection from 2020, up to 30 April 2025. Table 1 Year IP Deportation Orders Signed 2020 290 2021 0* 2022 541 2023 765 2024 2,001 2025 (to 30/04/2025) 1,039 Please note, figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing. * During the COVID- 19 Pandemic there was a moratorium on deportations. This was effective during the latter part of 2020, 2021 and for the first 8 months of 2022. During the moratorium only persons who whose presence in Ireland would be contrary to the public interest were deported. This moratorium was lifted in July 2022. Table 2 below details the number people who have been refused International Protection and who left the State independently after being issued a Deportation Order, as well as those who were escorted from the State by the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB), from 2020, up to 30 April 2025. Table 2 Year IP DO Confirmed(1) IP DO Enforced(2) Total 2020 20 15 35 2021 12 2 14 2022 11 12 23 2023 11 31 42 2024 18 109 127 2025 (to 30/04/2025) 12 98 110 *Please note, figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing. 1. People who are confirmed to have left the State independently after a deportation order has been made. 2. People escorted from Ireland by the Garda National Immigration Bureau. Table 3 below details the number people who were refused International Protection and who departed the State by way of Voluntary Return without being issued a deportation order, from 2020, up to 30 April 2025. Table 3 Year IP VR 2020 96 2021 60 2022 41 2023 108 2024 694 2025 (to 30/04/2025) 403", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2025-05-20/pq_696", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2025-05-20/696/" }, { "date": "2025-05-20", "question_number": 697, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "Deportation Orders", "asked_by": "Matt Carthy", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "697. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice the process for tracking voluntary departures of people who are subject to deportations order following unsuccessful applications for international protection; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25808/25]", "answer": "Minister for Justice I propose to take Questions Nos. 692 and 695 to 698, inclusive, together. I can assure the Deputy that I am fully committed to ensuring that Ireland\u2019s International Protection system is robust and rules based. The enforcement aspects of our laws, including deportation orders, are an essential requirement for the system to work effectively and to ensure that our people have confidence in the application of our legislation in this area. My Department has taken action to significantly improve immigration enforcement measures and increase removals. The number of deportation orders signed in 2024 (2,403) increased by 180% compared to 2023 (857). This year 1,755 deportation orders have been signed up to 16 May 2025. Last year, 1,116 people departed from the State under various mechanisms (i.e. enforced deportation, voluntary return etc.), an increase of 252% compared to 2023 (317). This year 751 persons have had their departure confirmed through these pathways up to 16 May 2025. In 2025, two charter flight operations have removed 71 people who were subject to deportation orders from the State with a further 45 removed on commercial airlines. Further charter operations and removals on commercial aircraft will be conducted as the year progresses. A further 20 people have verified to my Department that they have left the State following a deportation order being issued to them. A deportation order is a legal order to leave the State. Any person who has been ordered to leave the State within the timeframe issued with the deportation order, and fails to do so is committing a criminal offence, and can be arrested without warrant if they come into contact with An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na. Such an order remains on the person\u2019s record permanently, unless revoked by the Minister for Justice \u2013 it means they may not enter Ireland again in future. It is the preferred option to return people voluntarily and my Department has a voluntary return programme to assist people to return prior to the issuance of a deportation order. It is important to note that a person can only avail of voluntary return before a deportation order is issued. As part of this process my Department makes arrangements for the person to leave the State or the person can organise their return independently. In both circumstances, my Department receives confirmation when the person has departed. It is the case that the majority of deportation orders signed, and removals completed, concern people who have been refused International Protection. Last year, 2,001 Deportation Orders were signed in respect of people refused International Protection, and 821 people who were refused International Protection were confirmed to have departed the State. Table 1 below details the number deportation orders which have been signed in respect of people who have been refused International Protection from 2020, up to 30 April 2025. Table 1 Year IP Deportation Orders Signed 2020 290 2021 0* 2022 541 2023 765 2024 2,001 2025 (to 30/04/2025) 1,039 Please note, figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing. * During the COVID- 19 Pandemic there was a moratorium on deportations. This was effective during the latter part of 2020, 2021 and for the first 8 months of 2022. During the moratorium only persons who whose presence in Ireland would be contrary to the public interest were deported. This moratorium was lifted in July 2022. Table 2 below details the number people who have been refused International Protection and who left the State independently after being issued a Deportation Order, as well as those who were escorted from the State by the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB), from 2020, up to 30 April 2025. Table 2 Year IP DO Confirmed(1) IP DO Enforced(2) Total 2020 20 15 35 2021 12 2 14 2022 11 12 23 2023 11 31 42 2024 18 109 127 2025 (to 30/04/2025) 12 98 110 *Please note, figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing. 1. People who are confirmed to have left the State independently after a deportation order has been made. 2. People escorted from Ireland by the Garda National Immigration Bureau. Table 3 below details the number people who were refused International Protection and who departed the State by way of Voluntary Return without being issued a deportation order, from 2020, up to 30 April 2025. Table 3 Year IP VR 2020 96 2021 60 2022 41 2023 108 2024 694 2025 (to 30/04/2025) 403", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2025-05-20/pq_697", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2025-05-20/697/" }, { "date": "2025-05-20", "question_number": 698, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "Deportation Orders", "asked_by": "Matt Carthy", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "698. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice the number of deportations orders with regard to unsuccessful applications for international protection made in 2025 and in each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25809/25]", "answer": "Minister for Justice I propose to take Questions Nos. 692 and 695 to 698, inclusive, together. I can assure the Deputy that I am fully committed to ensuring that Ireland\u2019s International Protection system is robust and rules based. The enforcement aspects of our laws, including deportation orders, are an essential requirement for the system to work effectively and to ensure that our people have confidence in the application of our legislation in this area. My Department has taken action to significantly improve immigration enforcement measures and increase removals. The number of deportation orders signed in 2024 (2,403) increased by 180% compared to 2023 (857). This year 1,755 deportation orders have been signed up to 16 May 2025. Last year, 1,116 people departed from the State under various mechanisms (i.e. enforced deportation, voluntary return etc.), an increase of 252% compared to 2023 (317). This year 751 persons have had their departure confirmed through these pathways up to 16 May 2025. In 2025, two charter flight operations have removed 71 people who were subject to deportation orders from the State with a further 45 removed on commercial airlines. Further charter operations and removals on commercial aircraft will be conducted as the year progresses. A further 20 people have verified to my Department that they have left the State following a deportation order being issued to them. A deportation order is a legal order to leave the State. Any person who has been ordered to leave the State within the timeframe issued with the deportation order, and fails to do so is committing a criminal offence, and can be arrested without warrant if they come into contact with An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na. Such an order remains on the person\u2019s record permanently, unless revoked by the Minister for Justice \u2013 it means they may not enter Ireland again in future. It is the preferred option to return people voluntarily and my Department has a voluntary return programme to assist people to return prior to the issuance of a deportation order. It is important to note that a person can only avail of voluntary return before a deportation order is issued. As part of this process my Department makes arrangements for the person to leave the State or the person can organise their return independently. In both circumstances, my Department receives confirmation when the person has departed. It is the case that the majority of deportation orders signed, and removals completed, concern people who have been refused International Protection. Last year, 2,001 Deportation Orders were signed in respect of people refused International Protection, and 821 people who were refused International Protection were confirmed to have departed the State. Table 1 below details the number deportation orders which have been signed in respect of people who have been refused International Protection from 2020, up to 30 April 2025. Table 1 Year IP Deportation Orders Signed 2020 290 2021 0* 2022 541 2023 765 2024 2,001 2025 (to 30/04/2025) 1,039 Please note, figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing. * During the COVID- 19 Pandemic there was a moratorium on deportations. This was effective during the latter part of 2020, 2021 and for the first 8 months of 2022. During the moratorium only persons who whose presence in Ireland would be contrary to the public interest were deported. This moratorium was lifted in July 2022. Table 2 below details the number people who have been refused International Protection and who left the State independently after being issued a Deportation Order, as well as those who were escorted from the State by the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB), from 2020, up to 30 April 2025. Table 2 Year IP DO Confirmed(1) IP DO Enforced(2) Total 2020 20 15 35 2021 12 2 14 2022 11 12 23 2023 11 31 42 2024 18 109 127 2025 (to 30/04/2025) 12 98 110 *Please note, figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing. 1. People who are confirmed to have left the State independently after a deportation order has been made. 2. People escorted from Ireland by the Garda National Immigration Bureau. Table 3 below details the number people who were refused International Protection and who departed the State by way of Voluntary Return without being issued a deportation order, from 2020, up to 30 April 2025. Table 3 Year IP VR 2020 96 2021 60 2022 41 2023 108 2024 694 2025 (to 30/04/2025) 403", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2025-05-20/pq_698", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2025-05-20/698/" }, { "date": "2025-07-29", "question_number": 1928, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "Grant Payments", "asked_by": "Albert Dolan", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "1928. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to provide the total number of grant payments issued by the Department in each of the past five years, along with the total value of those grant payments for each year, in tabular form; and to confirm whether these figures include all schemes and discretionary grant programmes administered directly by the Department or through its agencies. [41062/25]", "answer": "Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration My Department provides funding to a range of organisations including local authorities, State agencies and other bodies, and community and voluntary sector organisations through grant schemes and programmes. These organisations provide vital services in many areas across the justice sector including youth justice services, crime prevention, supporting victims of crime, migrant integration, and community safety. The information requested by the Deputy in relation to grant schemes and programmes administered by my Department is recorded in the tables below. This information includes all schemes and discretionary grant programmes administered by my Department and agencies in Vote 24. Department of Justice Funding Year Number of Payments Total Value of Grant Payments 2025 (YTD) 162 \u20ac32,938,205 2024 364 \u20ac45,466,329 2023 517 \u20ac42,313,374 2022 448 \u20ac36,328,430 2021 428 \u20ac27,945,182 2020 353 \u20ac21,439,278 Information relating to other funding provided by the Department and agencies is available by the total paid per organisation (grantees) per year, rather than the total number of payments. This information is set out below. International Protection and Integration Division Funding Year Number of Grantees Total Value of Grant Payments 2025 (YTD) 17 \u20ac1,009,179 2024 207 \u20ac8,751,638 2023 216 \u20ac5,192,347 2022 190 \u20ac3,848,357 2021 117 \u20ac1,030,735 2020 121 \u20ac1,124,654 Ukraine Funding Year Number of Grantees Total Value of Grant Payments 2025 (YTD) 3 \u20ac2,818,024 2024 3 \u20ac5,800,893 2023 3 \u20ac3,187,945 2022 4 \u20ac3,755,654 2021 - - 2020 - - Cuan Funding Year Number of Grantees Total Value of Grant Payments 2025 (YTD) 81 \u20ac54,450,386* 2024 81 \u20ac52,806,816 2023 - - 2022 - - 2021 - - 2020 - - *Provisional allocation Parole Board Funding Year Number of Grantees Total Value of Grant Payments 2025 (YTD) 0 0 2024 0 0 2023 1 \u20ac5,000 2022 0 0 2021 0 0 2020 0 0 Probation Service Funding Year Number of Grantees Total Value of Grant Payments 2025 (YTD) 60 \u20ac17,136,980.00 2024 60 \u20ac16,830,180.00 2023 60 \u20ac16,223,661.49 2022 60 \u20ac15,670,104.00 2021 60 \u20ac15,679,969.00 2020 60 \u20ac15,677,500.00 Information relating to all grant schemes and programmes administered by the Irish Prison Service is provided below. I am informed that the other agencies in the Justice Vote Group (Courts Service, Data Protection Commissioner, Fiosr\u00fa and the Policing and Community Safety Authority), do not administer any grant schemes or programmes. Irish Prison Service Funding Year Number of Grantees* Total Value of Grant Payments 2025 (YTD) 12 \u20ac1,563,088 2024 23 \u20ac3,557,879 2023 20 \u20ac3,424,018 2022 17 \u20ac2,836,989 2021 16 \u20ac2,787,095 2020 15 \u20ac2,647,452 * Information is provided by grantee per year (rather than number of payments by grantee per year) It has not been possible for An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na to provide the requested information in the time provided. Once this information is available, I will forward it to the Deputy directly.", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2025-07-29/pq_1928", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2025-07-29/1928/" }, { "date": "2025-07-29", "question_number": 1935, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "Departmental Data", "asked_by": "Peadar T\u00f3ib\u00edn", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "1935. Deputy Peadar T\u00f3ib\u00edn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of knives seized by garda\u00ed in each county in the State in each of the past five years, and to date in 2025. [41131/25]", "answer": "Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration I strongly condemn the use of knives to threaten, intimidate or harm others. I am committed to ensuring that communities are safe and tackling knife crime is an important element of that. There are no quick-fix solutions to tackling knife crime. Long term, evidence-based strategies are needed that address knife crime as part of a wider strategic response to anti-social behaviour, street violence, youth offending and domestic violence. There is, however, a comprehensive and robust legal framework in place in Ireland with respect to knife crime. Last year, legislation was introduced which increased the maximum penalty for the offences of possession of a knife with intent to cause injury, trespassing with a knife, and producing a knife to unlawfully intimidate another person, from five to seven years of imprisonment. In addition, the Government doubled the maximum penalty for assault causing harm to 10 years in 2023. The offence of assault causing serious harm already has a maximum penalty of life imprisonment. The below table, provided by the Garda authorities, outlines the number of knives that have been seized in each of years 2020 to 2024 by Garda division. Division 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 DMR East 76 51 55 46 47 DMR North Central 203 188 201 287 325 DMR North 151 126 211 187 188 DMR South Central 257 187 204 238 253 DMR South 134 93 83 113 84 DMR West 184 167 159 152 153 Kildare 73 45 57 60 57 Laois/Offaly 59 71 86 51 35 Meath/Westmeath 92 60 72 89 77 Waterford/Kilkenny/Carlow 117 100 110 129 75 Wexford/Wicklow 84 59 105 73 88 Donegal 46 40 42 55 49 Galway 84 70 105 93 82 Louth/Cavan/Monaghan 140 106 211 135 112 Mayo/Roscommon/Longford 65 47 61 54 52 Sligo/Leitrim 51 28 19 30 39 Clare/Tipperary 96 71 61 98 70 Cork City 172 118 129 100 126 Cork County 62 79 77 51 60 Kerry 28 35 39 39 44 Limerick 86 94 76 113 141 Total 2260 1835 2163 2193 2157 The further table below, provided by the Garda authorities, outlines the number of knives that have been seized in 2025 as of 30 June 2025 according to the new Garda Region/Division breakdown. Region/Division H1 2025 Dublin Region DMR East 28 DMR North Central 160 DMR North 115 DMR South Central 97 DMR South 63 DMR West 129 Eastern Region (NEW) Kildare/Carlow 35 Laois/Offaly 31 Meath/Westmeath 35 Waterford/Kilkenny 57 Wexford/Wicklow 46 North Western Region Donegal 38 Galway 53 Louth/Cavan/Monaghan 49 Mayo/Roscommon/Longford 31 Sligo/Leitrim 22 Southern Region (NEW) Clare/Tipperary 36 Cork City 40 Cork County 30 Kerry 35 Limerick 50 TOTAL 1180", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2025-07-29/pq_1935", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2025-07-29/1935/" }, { "date": "2025-07-29", "question_number": 1987, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "Departmental Data", "asked_by": "Paul Nicholas Gogarty", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "1987. Deputy Paul Nicholas Gogarty asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of convictions for sexual offences, by country of origin, in each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41641/25]", "answer": "Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration The management of the courts, operational matters and logistical functions are the responsibility of the judiciary and Courts Service, which are independent in exercising their functions under the Courts Service Act 1998 and given the separation of powers in the Constitution. The Courts Service has a dedicated email address for the provision of information to members of the Houses of the Oireachtas: oireachtasenquiries@courts.ie To be of assistance, I requested the information sought by the Deputy. Information related to the number of convictions for sexual offences is presented in the three tables. This has been provided by the Courts Service. Table 1: The number of persons & number of offences where convictions were recorded for Sexual Offences in the District Court for the years 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 & 2024 & Jan \u2013 May 2025 Table 2: The number of persons convicted in the Circuit Court for Sexual Offences for the period the years 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 & 2024 Table 3: The number of persons convicted in the Central Criminal Court for Sexual Offences, Rape & Attempted Rape for the period the years 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 & 2024 The Courts Service does not hold any information on the nationality of persons before the Courts as it is not a relevant factor in court proceedings. For this reason, the nationality of the accused is not supplied to the Courts by the Prosecutors. Table 1: Sexual Offences District Court convictions per year 2020 \u2013 2025 (May) Year No of Offences where convictions recorded in the District Court No of Persons Convicted in the District Court Jan - Dec 2020 68 53 Jan - Dec 2021 91 81 Jan - Dec 2022 88 79 Jan - Dec 2023 90 72 Jan - Dec 2024 112 99 Jan - May 2025 49 45 Note: Table 1: District Court convictions, it should be noted that Courts can only provide data in relation to where offence codes were used by. Prosecutors may have used uncoded free text offences and such offences would not be included in the data provided. Table 2 Number of persons convicted in the Circuit Court for Sexual Offences for the period the years 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 & 2024 Year Guilty Plea Guilty (Jury trial) Jan - Dec 2020 387 97 Jan - Dec 2021 834 90 Jan - Dec 2022 669 273 Jan - Dec 2023 987 296 Jan - Dec 2024 778 399 Table 3 Number of persons convicted in the Central Criminal Court for Sexual Offences, Rape & Attempted Rape for the period the years 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 & 2024 Year Guilty Plea Guilty (Jury Trial) Jan - Dec 2020 132 183 Jan - Dec 2021 315 160 Jan - Dec 2022 373 432 Jan - Dec 2023 332 1,266 Jan - Dec 2024 442 846 Note 2: Tables 2 & 3, information taken from the Court Service Annual Reports for each year.", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2025-07-29/pq_1987", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2025-07-29/1987/" }, { "date": "2025-07-15", "question_number": 729, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na", "asked_by": "Peter 'Chap' Cleere", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "729. Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the total number of female Garda\u00ed currently in the force, broken down by county, for the years 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 and to date in 2025, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39338/25]", "answer": "Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration The number of women in An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na has steadily increased over the past decade and the number of women serving as Superintendents, Inspectors and Sergeants has doubled in the organisation. In the latest open recruitment campaign, run by publicjobs and An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na, over 6,700 applications were received with 32% from women. I am informed by the Garda authorities that there are 4,093 female Garda\u00ed as of 30 June 2025. The below table shows the number of women serving in each Garda Division for the years 2020 to 2024 and to 30 June 2025. Information supplied is operational and subject to change. Divisions 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 DMR EAST 106 102 104 97 94 97 DMR NORTH 220 220 218 224 236 228 DMR NORTH CENTRAL 174 167 169 175 184 194 DMR SOUTH 129 128 125 137 136 139 DMR SOUTH CENTRAL 184 180 173 178 188 191 DMR WEST 229 213 215 215 213 206 DONEGAL 123 120 117 122 120 124 GALWAY 179 178 185 183 190 186 LOUTH / CAVAN / MONAGHAN 204 203 214 213 215 217 MAYO / ROSCOMMON / LONGFORD 188 182 178 177 173 178 SLIGO / LEITRIM 95 90 93 86 86 84 KILDARE/CARLOW 167 167 176 172 162 161 LAOIS / OFFALY 107 108 111 110 116 121 MEATH / WESTMEATH 174 162 168 165 167 169 WATERFORD/KILKENNY 162 164 165 174 188 191 WEXFORD / WICKLOW 181 184 195 186 189 186 CLARE / TIPPERARY 220 216 211 198 189 191 CORK CITY 194 201 205 197 201 194 CORK COUNTY 168 161 161 164 166 171 KERRY 100 100 101 99 99 100 LIMERICK 166 166 167 168 174 176 OTHER (HQ & NATIONAL BUREAU) 513 537 535 539 587 589 Totals 3983 3949 3986 3979 4073 4093", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2025-07-15/pq_729", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2025-07-15/729/" }, { "date": "2025-09-08", "question_number": 1618, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na", "asked_by": "M\u00e1ire Devine", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "1618. Deputy M\u00e1ire Devine asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration for the total number of emergency phone calls received by An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na relating to domestic, sexual, and gender based violence in 2022, 2023, and 2024, including but not limited, to coercive control, breach of interim barring order, breach of protection order, breach of barring order, breach of safety order, breach of emergency barring order and any incident type with an original CAD incident type of \u2018DVSA\u2019; by county, by year, in tabular form. [45754/25]", "answer": "Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration This Government is committed to combatting all forms of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence as a central priority. 'Zero Tolerance,' the Third National Strategy on Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence (DSGBV), set out an ambitious programme of reform to achieve a society which does not accept DSGBV or the attitudes which underpin it. An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na prioritise and proactively respond to incidents of DSGBV. The nationwide roll out of Divisional Protective Service Units (DPSUs) ensures that when victims of crimes such as domestic abuse and sexual violence present to Garda\u00ed, they are met with a consistently high standard of specialist, sensitive, professional and expert assistance. There is now a DPSU in every Garda Division. An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na have provided the attached table which details the number of Domestic Abuse Calls reported from 2022 to 2024. Please note that this does not provide information specific to counties, but instead aligns with An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na\u2019s divisional boundaries. While this data demonstrates a steady increase in the reports to An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na, year-on-year and any increase in reports of domestic violence is deeply concerning, there has been significant work undertaken to support victims of DSGBV to come forward and report these matters, and seek the support they have a right to expect. My Department is continuing to work with agencies in the criminal justice system to strengthen trust and confidence in the system, so that victims will feel more assured in coming forward to report what has happened to them and have access to supports related to the nature of the harm they have experienced. Domestic Abuse Calls includes the following incidents: \u2022 Breach of Barring Order \u2022 Breach of Emergency Barring Order \u2022 Breach of Safety Order \u2022 Breach of Protection Order \u2022 Breach of Interim Barring Order \u2022 Domestic - No Offence Identified Or any incident type with a recorded \u2018Domestic Abuse\u2019 motive. And all CAD incidents of the type \u2018DVSA\u2019 or \u2018Domestic\u2019. Division 2022 2023 2024 Clare/Tipperary 2470 3020 3057 Cork City 2791 3104 3257 Cork County 1982 2262 2423 D.M.R. Eastern 1434 1472 1863 D.M.R. North Central 2016 2011 2170 D.M.R. Northern 4491 5003 5313 D.M.R. South Central 1754 1790 2069 D.M.R. Southern 3644 3782 4030 D.M.R. Western 5316 5459 6037 Donegal 1587 1904 2139 Galway 2249 2660 2961 Kerry 1545 1628 1439 Kildare/Carlow 3185 3424 4166 Laois/Offaly 1789 2011 2257 Limerick 3067 3387 3376 Louth/Cavan/Monaghan 3951 4226 4350 Mayo/Roscommon/Longford 2365 2591 2653 Meath/Westmeath 3031 3495 4054 Sligo/Leitrim 1045 1033 1142 Waterford/Kilkenny 2285 2597 2994 Wexford/Wicklow 2956 3308 3737 TOTAL 54953 60167 65487 *All figures are based on operational data taken from PULSE on the 27/08/2025 and are liable to change.", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2025-09-08/pq_1618", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2025-09-08/1618/" }, { "date": "2025-11-25", "question_number": 682, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "Departmental Data", "asked_by": "Alan Kelly", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "682. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the amount his Department and any body under his aegis have spent on the services of a company (details supplied), by year and organisation in the years 2020 to 1 November 2025, in tabular form. [66083/25]", "answer": "Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration I propose to take Questions Nos. 682, 683 and 690 together. Public procurement is governed by EU and national rules and my Department ensures that appropriate procedures are followed for procurement activity. Departments are obliged to ensure that public procurement is discharged in line with the standard accounting and procurement rules and that contract prices represent best value for money. My Department\u2019s policy and practise to use national procurement frameworks where they are available, including for external interpretation and translation services. The use of these frameworks helps to ensure that the aggregate purchasing power of the State is utilised to achieve value for money outcomes. My Department uses the Office of Government Procurement (OGP) Framework for Multi-Language Interpretation services. As stated in the OGP documentation for this framework, suppliers were chosen after an extensive quality of service evaluation carried out by a team of experienced interpretation services experts from across the public sector. Operational matters regarding the management of interpreters in court, including payment and training and the introduction and provision of quality assurance processes to assess interpreter performance is a matter for the Courts Service. As Minister, I have no role in these matters. I can confirm that my Department has not engaged the services of the Association of Translators and Interpreters Ireland during the time period specified. I am informed that the agencies under the aegis of my Department have also not engaged this company. Details of my Department and its agencies\u2019 expenditure on the services of Translation.ie are provided in the below tables. I am informed that it has not been possible for An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na or the Probation Service to supply the information requested within the timeline provided. I will forward this information directly to the Deputy when it is available. Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration Year Expenditure 2020 \u20ac154 2021 \u20ac406 2022 \u20ac2,726 2023 \u20ac2,990 2024 \u20ac110,060 2025* \u20ac142,322 Total \u20ac258,659 Courts Service of Ireland Year Expenditure 2020 \u20ac1,092,436 2021 \u20ac1,535,283 2022 \u20ac1,929,591 2023 \u20ac2,083,969 2024 \u20ac3,456,121 2025* \u20ac3,795,711 Total \u20ac13,893,112 Legal Aid Board Year Expenditure 2020 \u20ac300,572 2021 \u20ac158,775 2022 \u20ac647,064 2023 \u20ac1,243,541 2024 \u20ac418,772 2025* \u20ac9,551 Total \u20ac2,778,275 Fiosr\u00fa Year Expenditure 2020 \u20ac0 2021 \u20ac0 2022 \u20ac0 2023 \u20ac0 2024 \u20ac0 2025* \u20ac553 Total \u20ac553 Irish Prison Service Year Expenditure 2020 \u20ac4,972 2021 \u20ac906 2022 \u20ac0 2023 \u20ac0 2024 \u20ac0 2025* \u20ac0 Total \u20ac5,879 Parole Board Year Expenditure 2020 \u20ac0 2021 \u20ac0 2022 \u20ac0 2023 \u20ac346 2024 \u20ac282 2025* \u20ac713 Total \u20ac1,342 *To 01/11/2025", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2025-11-25/pq_682", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2025-11-25/682/" }, { "date": "2025-11-25", "question_number": 683, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "Departmental Data", "asked_by": "Alan Kelly", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "683. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the amount his Department and any body under his aegis have spent on the services of a company (details supplied), by year and organisation in the years 2020 to 1 November 2025, in tabular form. [66101/25]", "answer": "Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration I propose to take Questions Nos. 682, 683 and 690 together. Public procurement is governed by EU and national rules and my Department ensures that appropriate procedures are followed for procurement activity. Departments are obliged to ensure that public procurement is discharged in line with the standard accounting and procurement rules and that contract prices represent best value for money. My Department\u2019s policy and practise to use national procurement frameworks where they are available, including for external interpretation and translation services. The use of these frameworks helps to ensure that the aggregate purchasing power of the State is utilised to achieve value for money outcomes. My Department uses the Office of Government Procurement (OGP) Framework for Multi-Language Interpretation services. As stated in the OGP documentation for this framework, suppliers were chosen after an extensive quality of service evaluation carried out by a team of experienced interpretation services experts from across the public sector. Operational matters regarding the management of interpreters in court, including payment and training and the introduction and provision of quality assurance processes to assess interpreter performance is a matter for the Courts Service. As Minister, I have no role in these matters. I can confirm that my Department has not engaged the services of the Association of Translators and Interpreters Ireland during the time period specified. I am informed that the agencies under the aegis of my Department have also not engaged this company. Details of my Department and its agencies\u2019 expenditure on the services of Translation.ie are provided in the below tables. I am informed that it has not been possible for An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na or the Probation Service to supply the information requested within the timeline provided. I will forward this information directly to the Deputy when it is available. Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration Year Expenditure 2020 \u20ac154 2021 \u20ac406 2022 \u20ac2,726 2023 \u20ac2,990 2024 \u20ac110,060 2025* \u20ac142,322 Total \u20ac258,659 Courts Service of Ireland Year Expenditure 2020 \u20ac1,092,436 2021 \u20ac1,535,283 2022 \u20ac1,929,591 2023 \u20ac2,083,969 2024 \u20ac3,456,121 2025* \u20ac3,795,711 Total \u20ac13,893,112 Legal Aid Board Year Expenditure 2020 \u20ac300,572 2021 \u20ac158,775 2022 \u20ac647,064 2023 \u20ac1,243,541 2024 \u20ac418,772 2025* \u20ac9,551 Total \u20ac2,778,275 Fiosr\u00fa Year Expenditure 2020 \u20ac0 2021 \u20ac0 2022 \u20ac0 2023 \u20ac0 2024 \u20ac0 2025* \u20ac553 Total \u20ac553 Irish Prison Service Year Expenditure 2020 \u20ac4,972 2021 \u20ac906 2022 \u20ac0 2023 \u20ac0 2024 \u20ac0 2025* \u20ac0 Total \u20ac5,879 Parole Board Year Expenditure 2020 \u20ac0 2021 \u20ac0 2022 \u20ac0 2023 \u20ac346 2024 \u20ac282 2025* \u20ac713 Total \u20ac1,342 *To 01/11/2025", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2025-11-25/pq_683", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2025-11-25/683/" }, { "date": "2025-11-25", "question_number": 690, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "Departmental Data", "asked_by": "Darren O'Rourke", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "690. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the total value of all contracts awarded to a company (details supplied), and its consortium partners, for interpretation services in each of the past five years; the quality control and accountability mechanisms built into these contracts; and the penalties that apply to the provider in the event of substandard performance leading to a miscarriage of justice. [66227/25]", "answer": "Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration I propose to take Questions Nos. 682, 683 and 690 together. Public procurement is governed by EU and national rules and my Department ensures that appropriate procedures are followed for procurement activity. Departments are obliged to ensure that public procurement is discharged in line with the standard accounting and procurement rules and that contract prices represent best value for money. My Department\u2019s policy and practise to use national procurement frameworks where they are available, including for external interpretation and translation services. The use of these frameworks helps to ensure that the aggregate purchasing power of the State is utilised to achieve value for money outcomes. My Department uses the Office of Government Procurement (OGP) Framework for Multi-Language Interpretation services. As stated in the OGP documentation for this framework, suppliers were chosen after an extensive quality of service evaluation carried out by a team of experienced interpretation services experts from across the public sector. Operational matters regarding the management of interpreters in court, including payment and training and the introduction and provision of quality assurance processes to assess interpreter performance is a matter for the Courts Service. As Minister, I have no role in these matters. I can confirm that my Department has not engaged the services of the Association of Translators and Interpreters Ireland during the time period specified. I am informed that the agencies under the aegis of my Department have also not engaged this company. Details of my Department and its agencies\u2019 expenditure on the services of Translation.ie are provided in the below tables. I am informed that it has not been possible for An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na or the Probation Service to supply the information requested within the timeline provided. I will forward this information directly to the Deputy when it is available. Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration Year Expenditure 2020 \u20ac154 2021 \u20ac406 2022 \u20ac2,726 2023 \u20ac2,990 2024 \u20ac110,060 2025* \u20ac142,322 Total \u20ac258,659 Courts Service of Ireland Year Expenditure 2020 \u20ac1,092,436 2021 \u20ac1,535,283 2022 \u20ac1,929,591 2023 \u20ac2,083,969 2024 \u20ac3,456,121 2025* \u20ac3,795,711 Total \u20ac13,893,112 Legal Aid Board Year Expenditure 2020 \u20ac300,572 2021 \u20ac158,775 2022 \u20ac647,064 2023 \u20ac1,243,541 2024 \u20ac418,772 2025* \u20ac9,551 Total \u20ac2,778,275 Fiosr\u00fa Year Expenditure 2020 \u20ac0 2021 \u20ac0 2022 \u20ac0 2023 \u20ac0 2024 \u20ac0 2025* \u20ac553 Total \u20ac553 Irish Prison Service Year Expenditure 2020 \u20ac4,972 2021 \u20ac906 2022 \u20ac0 2023 \u20ac0 2024 \u20ac0 2025* \u20ac0 Total \u20ac5,879 Parole Board Year Expenditure 2020 \u20ac0 2021 \u20ac0 2022 \u20ac0 2023 \u20ac346 2024 \u20ac282 2025* \u20ac713 Total \u20ac1,342 *To 01/11/2025", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2025-11-25/pq_690", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2025-11-25/690/" }, { "date": "2025-11-18", "question_number": 824, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "Deportation Orders", "asked_by": "Ken O'Flynn", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "824. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of deportation orders issued in each of the past five years; the number actually enforced; and the measures in place to monitor persons who abscond or provide false identities. [63774/25]", "answer": "Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration It is a central priority for me that Ireland\u2019s immigration system is robust, and rules based. The enforcement aspects of our laws, including deportation orders, are an essential requirement for the system to work effectively and to ensure that there is confidence in the application of our legislation in this area. Deportations are costly and complex to enforce. It is the preferred option to return people voluntarily and my Department has a voluntary return programme to assist people to return prior to the issuance of a deportation order. A person can only avail of voluntary return before a deportation order is issued and I have increased resources into this programme to enable people who wish to return before a deportation order is issued to them. In 2024, 934 people left Ireland by way of voluntary return. This year 1,393 people have left Ireland by way of voluntary return up to 14 November 2025, which is an increase of 92% compared to the same period in 2024. A deportation order is a legal order to leave the State. If a person does not remove themselves from the State following the issuance of a deportation order, they will be removed, and my Department has taken action to significantly improve immigration enforcement measures and increase removals. The number of deportation orders signed in 2024 (2,403) increased by 180% compared to 2023 (857). This year 4,206 deportation orders have been signed up to 14 November 2025. So far in 2025, six charter flight operations have removed 205 people from the State. Of these, five operations to non-EU destinations removed 182 people who were subject to deportation orders and one operation removed 23 EU citizens on grounds of criminality. As Ireland does not operate routine exit checks at Irish borders, it is not possible to confirm in all instances that a person has departed. A person is only recorded as being deported when their deportation has been enforced by An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na or when officials have been provided with evidence that they have left Ireland. Accordingly, these figures do not take account of individuals whose departure has not been confirmed. The tables below detail information in relation to deportations in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025, up to 14 November 2025. Table 1. Deportation orders signed from 2020 to 14 November 2025 Year 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025* Deportation orders signed 598 33 549 859 2,403 4,206 * to 14/11/2025 Please note, figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing. Table 2. Deportation Enforcement 2020 to 14 November 2025 Year 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025* Enforced Deportations 42 5 24 51 134 155 Removed by Charter N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 182 Otherwise Confirmed Deportation (1) 97 33 93 28 28 49 Total Deportations 139 38 117 79 162 386 Other Removals (2) 40 46 39 24 26 50 Number of Voluntary Returns 201 132 91 215 934 1,393 Total Removed 380 216 247 318 1,122 1,829 * to 14/11/2025 ** * During the COVID- 19 Pandemic there was a moratorium on deportations. This was effective during the latter part of 2020, 2021 and for the first 8 months of 2022. During the moratorium only persons who whose presence in Ireland would be contrary to the public interest were deported. This moratorium was lifted in July 2022. Please note, figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing. 1. Otherwise confirmed deportations is where it has been confirmed a person has left the state following receipt of a deportation order without being escorted. 2. Other removals include Dublin III Transfer Orders of International Protection applicants to another EU State and EU Removal Orders for the return of EU Citizens under the Free Movement Regulations (these orders are made on grounds of criminality) and people who are deemed inadmissible under the International Protection Act. While over 300 of the people subject to deportation orders above have confirmed they have left the State independently since 2020, it is the case that a significantly larger number of individuals who were subject to Deportation Orders have left the State without notifying the relevant authorities. I am informed that the Garda National Immigration Bureau has reviewed a large sample of cases of persons subject to deportation orders; their inquiries suggest a very significant number of these individuals have left the State.", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2025-11-18/pq_824", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2025-11-18/824/" }, { "date": "2026-01-27", "question_number": 186, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "Deportation Orders", "asked_by": "Matt Carthy", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "186. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of people issued with a deportation order and the number of persons deported by the State, respectively, in each of the past five years, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6082/26]", "answer": "Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration It is a central priority for me that Ireland\u2019s immigration system is robust and rules based. The enforcement aspects of our laws, including deportation orders, are an essential requirement for the system to work effectively and to ensure that there is confidence in the application of our legislation in this area. Deportations are costly and complex to enforce. It is the preferred option to return people voluntarily and my Department has a voluntary return programme to assist people to return prior to the issuance of a deportation order. A person can only avail of voluntary return before a deportation order is issued and I have increased resources into this programme to enable individuals who wish to return before a deportation order is issued to them. If a person does not remove themselves from the State following the issuance of a deportation order, they will be removed, and my Department has taken action to significantly improve immigration enforcement measures and increase removals. The number of deportation orders signed in 2024 (2,403) increased by 180% compared to 2023 (857). In 2025, 4,700 deportation orders were signed, an increase of 96% compared to 2024. In 2024, 1,122 people departed from the State under various mechanisms (i.e. enforced deportation, voluntary return etc.). In 2025, 2,111 people had their departure confirmed through these pathways, an increase of 88% compared to 2024. In 2025, six charter flight operations removed 205 people from the State. Of these, five operations to non-EU destinations removed 182 people who were subject to deportation orders and one operation removed 23 EU citizens on grounds of criminality. The tables below detail the number of deportation orders signed and effected from 2020 to 2025. Table 1. Deportation orders signed from 2020 to 2025 Year 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 Deportation orders signed 598 33 549 859 2,403 4,700 *Please note, figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing. Table 2. Deportation Enforcement 2020 to 2025 Year 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 Enforced Deportations 42 5 24 51 134 185 Removed by Charter N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 182 Otherwise Confirmed Deportation (1) 97 33 93 28 28 67 Total Deportations 139 38 117 79 162 434 Other Removals (2) 40 46 39 24 26 61 Number of Voluntary Returns 201 132 91 215 934 1,616 Total Removed 380 216 247 318 1,122 2,111 *Please note, figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing. ** During the COVID- 19 Pandemic there was a moratorium on deportations. This was effective during the latter part of 2020, 2021 and for the first 8 months of 2022. During the moratorium only people who whose presence in Ireland would be contrary to the public interest were deported. This moratorium was lifted in July 2022. 1. Otherwise confirmed deportations is where it has been confirmed a person has left the state following receipt of a deportation order without being escorted. 2. Other removals include Dublin III Transfer Orders of International Protection applicants to another EU State and EU Removal Orders for the return of EU Citizens under the Free Movement Regulations (these orders are made on grounds of criminality) and people who are deemed inadmissible under the International Protection Act. As Ireland does not operate routine exit checks at Irish borders, it is not possible to confirm in all instances that a person has departed the State. A person is only recorded as being deported when their deportation has been enforced by An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na or when officials have been provided with evidence that they have left Ireland. While over 300 of the people subject to deportation orders above have confirmed they have left the State independently since 2020, it is the case that a significantly larger number of individuals who were subject to Deportation Orders have left the State without notifying the relevant authorities. I am informed that the Garda National Immigration Bureau has reviewed a large sample of cases of people subject to deportation orders; their inquiries suggest a very significant number of these individuals have left the State.", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2026-01-27/pq_186", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2026-01-27/186/" }, { "date": "2026-01-27", "question_number": 733, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "Departmental Data", "asked_by": "Paul Nicholas Gogarty", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "733. Deputy Paul Nicholas Gogarty asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the estimated number of failed international applicants without leave to remain who have voluntarily left Ireland between 1 January 2020 and 31 December 2025; the number who have been removed through legal processes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5858/26]", "answer": "Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration It is a central priority for me that Ireland\u2019s immigration system is robust and rules based and that if a person is not granted international protection or permission to remain, that they leave the State. The enforcement aspects of our laws, including deportation orders, are an essential requirement for the system to work effectively and to ensure that there is confidence in the application of our legislation in this area. Deportations are costly and complex to enforce. It is the preferred option to return people voluntarily and my Department has a voluntary return programme to assist people to return prior to the issuance of a deportation order. A person can only avail of voluntary return before a deportation order is issued and I have increased resources into this programme to enable individuals who wish to return before a deportation order is issued to them. Please below see data below with respect to voluntary returns. Table 1: Voluntary Returns (VR) from 2020 to 2025 Year 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 Non-International Protection VR 105 72 50 105 240 417 International Protection VR 96 60 41 108 694 1199 Total Number of Voluntary Returns 201 132 91 213 934 1616 If a person does not remove themselves from the State following the issuing of a deportation order, they will be removed, and my Department has taken action to significantly improve immigration enforcement measures and increase removals. The number of deportation orders signed in 2024 (2,403) increased by 180% compared to 2023 (857). In 2025, 4,700 deportation orders were signed, an increase of 96% compared to 2024. In 2024, 1,122 people departed from the State under various mechanisms (i.e. enforced deportation, voluntary return etc.). In 2025, 2,111 people had their departure confirmed through these pathways, an increase of 88% compared to 2024. In 2025, six charter flight operations removed 205 people from the State. Of these, five operations to non-EU destinations removed 182 people who were subject to deportation orders and one operation removed 23 EU citizens on grounds of criminality. The tables below detail the number of deportation orders signed and effected from 2020 to 2025. Table 3: Deportation orders signed from 2020 to 2025 Year 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 Deportation orders signed 598 33 549 859 2,403 4,700 *Please note, figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing. Table 4: Deportation Enforcement 2020 to 2025 Year 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 Enforced Deportations 42 5 24 51 134 185 Removed by Charter N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 182 Otherwise Confirmed Deportation (1) 97 33 93 28 28 67 Total Deportations 139 38 117 79 162 434 Other Removals (2) 40 46 39 24 26 61 Number of Voluntary Returns 201 132 91 215 934 1,616 Total Removed 380 216 247 318 1,122 2,111 *Please note, figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing. ** During the COVID- 19 Pandemic there was a moratorium on deportations. This was effective during the latter part of 2020, 2021 and for the first 8 months of 2022. During the moratorium only people who whose presence in Ireland would be contrary to the public interest were deported. This moratorium was lifted in July 2022. 1. Otherwise confirmed deportations is where it has been confirmed a person has left the state following receipt of a deportation order without being escorted. 2. Other removals include Dublin III Transfer Orders of International Protection applicants to another EU State and EU Removal Orders for the return of EU Citizens under the Free Movement Regulations (these orders are made on grounds of criminality) and people who are deemed inadmissible under the International Protection Act. As Ireland does not operate routine exit checks at Irish borders, it is not possible to confirm in all instances that a person has departed the State. A person is only recorded as being deported when their deportation has been enforced by An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na or when officials have been provided with evidence that they have left Ireland. While over 300 of the people subject to deportation orders above have confirmed they have left the State independently since 2020, it is the case that a significantly larger number of individuals who were subject to Deportation Orders have left the State without notifying the relevant authorities. I am informed that the Garda National Immigration Bureau has reviewed a large sample of cases of people subject to deportation orders; their inquiries suggest a very significant number of these individuals have left the State.", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2026-01-27/pq_733", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2026-01-27/733/" }, { "date": "2026-01-20", "question_number": 734, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "Deportation Orders", "asked_by": "Matt Carthy", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "734. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of persons deported by the State; the number issued with a deportation order respectively, in each of the past five years, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3890/26]", "answer": "Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration It is a central priority for me that Ireland\u2019s immigration system is robust and rules based. The enforcement aspects of our laws, including deportation orders, are an essential requirement for the system to work effectively and to ensure that there is confidence in the application of our legislation in this area. Deportations are costly and complex to enforce. It is the preferred option to return people voluntarily and my Department has a voluntary return programme to assist people to return prior to the issuance of a deportation order. A person can only avail of voluntary return before a deportation order is issued and I have increased resources into this programme to enable individuals who wish to return before a deportation order is issued to them. If a person does not remove themselves from the State following the issuance of a deportation order, they will be removed, and my Department has taken action to significantly improve immigration enforcement measures and increase removals. The number of deportation orders signed in 2024 (2,403) increased by 180% compared to 2023 (857). In 2025, 4,700 deportation orders were signed, an increase of 96% compared to 2024. In 2024, 1,122 people departed from the State under various mechanisms (i.e. enforced deportation, voluntary return etc.). In 2025, 2,111 people had their departure confirmed through these pathways, an increase of 88% compared to 2024. In 2025, six charter flight operations removed 205 people from the State. Of these, five operations to non-EU destinations removed 182 people who were subject to deportation orders and one operation removed 23 EU citizens on grounds of criminality. The tables below detail the number of deportation orders signed and effected from 2020 to 2025. Table 1. Deportation orders signed from 2020 to 2025 Year 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 Deportation orders signed 598 33 549 859 2,403 4,700 *Please note, figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing. Table 2. Deportation Enforcement 2020 to 2025 Year 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 Enforced Deportations 42 5 24 51 134 185 Removed by Charter N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 182 Otherwise Confirmed Deportation (1) 97 33 93 28 28 67 Total Deportations 139 38 117 79 162 434 Other Removals (2) 40 46 39 24 26 61 Number of Voluntary Returns 201 132 91 215 934 1,616 Total Removed 380 216 247 318 1,122 2,111 *Please note, figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing. ** During the COVID- 19 Pandemic there was a moratorium on deportations. This was effective during the latter part of 2020, 2021 and for the first 8 months of 2022. During the moratorium only people who whose presence in Ireland would be contrary to the public interest were deported. This moratorium was lifted in July 2022. 1. Otherwise confirmed deportations is where it has been confirmed a person has left the state following receipt of a deportation order without being escorted. 2. Other removals include Dublin III Transfer Orders of International Protection applicants to another EU State and EU Removal Orders for the return of EU Citizens under the Free Movement Regulations (these orders are made on grounds of criminality) and people who are deemed inadmissible under the International Protection Act. As Ireland does not operate routine exit checks at Irish borders, it is not possible to confirm in all instances that a person has departed the State. A person is only recorded as being deported when their deportation has been enforced by An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na or when officials have been provided with evidence that they have left Ireland. While over 300 of the people subject to deportation orders above have confirmed they have left the State independently since 2020, it is the case that a significantly larger number of individuals who were subject to Deportation Orders have left the State without notifying the relevant authorities. I am informed that the Garda National Immigration Bureau has reviewed a large sample of cases of people subject to deportation orders; their inquiries suggest a very significant number of these individuals have left the State.", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2026-01-20/pq_734", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2026-01-20/734/" }, { "date": "2026-04-21", "question_number": 640, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "Programme for Government", "asked_by": "John Paul O'Shea", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "640. Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the progress made on each of the individual Programme for Government commitments assigned to his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28662/26]", "answer": "Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration Delivering on the commitments laid out in the Programme for Government is a priority for me as Minister, my Department and my colleagues, Ministers of State Colm Brophy and Niall Collins. Working with them, I want to ensure that our justice system is modern, efficient, and responsive to the needs of all of our people. I want a justice system that serves the fundamental need of all people to feel safe and secure in their homes and in their communities. Last November, I was pleased to publish the Statement of Strategy for my Department for 2025\u20132028. The Strategy aligns with the Programme for Government, sets out my Department\u2019s strategic direction to 2028 and will further the work towards our shared vision of a safe, fair and inclusive Ireland. Some of my Department's achievements regarding commitments set out in the Programme for Government (PfG) since the formation of the Government are set out below: Garda Recruitment and Operations / Criminal Assets Bureau / PSCS Act 2024 \u2022 My first priority as Minister for Justice is to get more Garda\u00ed on our streets. High visibility policing is now in operation in Dublin, Cork and Limerick with more Garda\u00ed assigned throughout the country in both rural and urban areas. This has been made possible through increased Garda recruitment. In 2025, 794 new recruits were welcomed into the Garda College in Templemore. This is the highest number recruited since 2018. This includes an intake of 223 trainees in November, the largest single intake in over a decade. This positive trend has continued, with 215 recruits commencing their training in February 2026, the first of four intakes planned for this year. \u2022 The introduction of the Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na (Powers) Bill and the Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na (Recording Devices) (Amendment) Bill, which will provide additional powers to An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na in relation to search warrants and use of facial recognition technology in certain circumstances. Both Bills are progressing through the Houses of the Oireachtas. \u2022 Expanding the powers of the Criminal Asset Bureau (CAB). The Proceeds of Crime and Related Matters Bill 2025, approved by Cabinet last July, represents the most significant update to Ireland\u2019s civil asset forfeiture laws since their introduction in 1996. The Bill strengthens the State\u2019s ability to identify, freeze and confiscate assets linked to serious and organised crime. The Bill passed report and final stages in D\u00e1il \u00c9ireann in December 2025 and is currently progressing through the Seanad. \u2022 In April 2025, I was pleased to commence the landmark Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024, in line with the PfG. This established five new bodies (The new Garda Board, the Policing and Community Safety Authority (replacing the Policing Authority and Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na Inspectorate), Fiosr\u00fa \u2013 the Office of the Police Ombudsman, the Office of the Independent Examiner of Security Legislation and the National Office for Community Safety) and strengthens and consolidates independent, external oversight of An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na and makes community safety a whole of government and multi-agency responsibility. Community Safety / Anti-social Behaviour / Youth Diversion \u2022 I have secured an additional \u20ac2.5 million in Budget 2026 to support the establishment of a nationwide network of 36 Local Community Safety Partnerships, as well as increasing the size of the Community Safety Fund to \u20ac4.75 million. The CSF is aimed at reinvesting proceeds of crime into communities to improve community safety. \u2022 In respect of anti-social behaviour, legislation is being progressed through the Criminal Law and Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2025 that will reduce the minimum rank from Superintendent to Inspector for a Garda to apply for anti-social behaviour orders for children and adults respectively. \u2022 The Government\u2019s focus on youth diversion and interventions is a keystone in the Youth Justice Strategy. At its core, the Strategy emphasises early intervention, prevention, family support, and community engagement. It includes key objectives aligned with PfG commitments, aimed at promoting positive behavioural change, and it is only by targeting this behaviour that we can break the cycle of offending by young people. Prisons and Penal Policy / Electronic Monitoring \u2022 A multi-year building programme is progressing at several key sites across the prison estate. To accelerate delivery, I sought and secured an exemption from the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation for six major projects (960 prison spaces) to move straight to Approval Gate 2 of the Infrastructure Guidelines. This decision is expected to bring forward delivery timelines on those six projects by 12 to 18 months, while freeing up internal capacity within the Irish Prison Service to advance the wider programme. \u2022 My Department is leading a cross-agency project to introduce electronic monitoring for specific categories of individuals, as committed to in the PfG, and in line with existing legal provisions. The pilot is expected to be operational in 2026. I have secured funding of \u20ac2.1m in Budget 2026 for the project to allow for staffing, procurement, and other set up costs. A Modern Courts and Legal System \u2022 In January 2026, I published the General Scheme of the Civil Reform Bill. The Civil Reform Bill is a key measure that will see the implementation of the Review of the Administration of Civil Justice, also known as the Kelly Report, which was published in October 2020. I am confident that the Bill will remove weaknesses in the current law, eliminate impediments to progress and deliver reform for the public benefit. I am also confident that measures in the Bill preserve the right of the citizen to ensure that public bodies act lawfully and are accountable for their decisions. \u2022 In December 2025, I secured Government approval to publish the Criminal Law and Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2026 which was subsequently presented to D\u00e1il \u00c9ireann on 9 January 2026. The D\u00e1il Second Stage debate took place on 22 January. The Bill responds to a range of pressing challenges for the justice system. Among other provisions, the Bill includes measures to: \u2022 criminalise the highly exploitative behaviour commonly known as \u2018sex for rent\u2019; \u2022 amend legislation relating to disclosure of counselling records in sexual assault trials; \u2022 encourage greater use of community service orders as an alternative to imprisonment in suitable cases; \u2022 remove the legal prohibition on the possession and use of incapacitant spray by prison officers; \u2022 allow the use of more advanced DNA analysis in missing persons cases; \u2022 further facilitate video link hearings in the criminal courts by enabling bail bonds and suspended sentence bonds to be taken by Gardai and prison officers respectively; \u2022 establish a permanent regulatory basis under which licenced premises may provide outdoor seating on public land; \u2022 provide for the refusal of bail for persons charged with offences relating to forced marriage or coercive control; \u2022 empower the Chief Justice to delegate certain non-judicial functions to other members of the judiciary; \u2022 the establishment of an application-based legislative scheme for the disregard of certain historical convictions relating to consensual sexual activity between men; \u2022 an amendment of the Prisons Act 2015 to provide that, where two years or less of the applicable prison term remains to be served, a person may be taken from prison for the purpose of effecting a deportation or removal order; \u2022 a further amendment to the Bail Act 1997 to provide for refusal of bail for persons charged with offences relating to witness intimidation or failure to comply with requirements under the Sex Offenders Act 2001. \u2022 The ongoing reform of the Family Justice system, for the benefit of families and children, is another of my key priorities. Work has commenced on the implementation of the Family Courts Act 2024. The Act introduces changes to the current delivery of family justice, including the introduction of specialist family law judges assigned and operating within new family court divisions. I intend to shortly bring an implementation plan to Government, with publication expected shortly afterwards. \u2022 Last May, I published the Review of the Operation of the In Camera Rule in Family Law Proceedings. The review, a key action in the Family Justice Strategy, was conducted by a team from University College Cork and Trinity College Dublin and is an important piece of research which details the perspectives of many stakeholders regarding the current understanding and operation of the in-camera rule in family law proceedings. Importantly, it includes the views of those who have been parties in such proceedings. \u2022 Last August, I published two tenders for the provision of new family law services aimed at making our system more transparent and better for children. \u2022 In February 2026, I launched a new online child maintenance calculator to help parents in coming to arrangements on child maintenance payments. The launch of the calculator follows on from the publication of Ireland\u2019s first set of Child Maintenance Guidelines earlier this year. The development of the guidelines was a key recommendation of the 2024 Review of the Enforcement of Child Maintenance Orders Domestic, Sexual and Gender Based Violence \u2022 Combatting all forms of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence (DSGBV) has been of central priority for me since taking office. In June 2025, I published the final implementation plan of the five-year \u2018Zero Tolerance\u2019 National DSGBV Strategy setting out the delivery targets and collective action to end 2026. The plan builds on the DSGBV commitments set out in the PfG and contains 95 specific actions across the four pillars of the Istanbul Convention. There is a strong emphasis on delivery, collective responsibility, and meaningful outcomes. \u2022 As part of the Zero Tolerance Strategy, Government committed to doubling domestic violence accommodation capacity in Ireland by the end of 2026 from 141 to 282 family units. \u2022 By the end of 2026, it is envisaged that 94 safe homes and 193 refuge units will be completed, bringing total safe accommodation to 287, with 50 further refuge units under construction. I am continuing to work with Cuan, my Department and the Department of Housing to ensure we are exhausting all measures to increase the pace of delivery for this much needed additional capacity. Immigration / International Protection / Integration \u2022 I have taken action to significantly improve immigration enforcement measures and increase removals, in line with commitments set out in the PfG. This includes the renewed use of chartered deportation and removal flights. In 2025, 4,700 deportation orders were signed, an increase of 96% compared to 2024, while 2,111 people had their departure confirmed under various mechanisms (i.e. enforced deportation, voluntary return etc.), an increase of 88% compared to 2024. \u2022 In keeping with the PfG commitment to significantly enhance the delivery of public services digitally, phase one of my Department's Immigration Customer Service Portal, which enables applicants to check their immigration application status, book first-time registration appointments, and submit queries, has been operational since October 2024. Since the launch of the Portal more than 285,000 customers have registered, with over 243,000 queries resolved and in excess of 147,000 registration appointments made. \u2022 In 2025, the International Protection Office (IPO) delivered over 20,200 first decisions compared to approximately 14,100 in 2024, a 44% increase. The International Protection Appeals Tribunal (IPAT) more than doubled the number of appeals closed from 3,100 in 2024 to nearly 6,300 in 2025. \u2022 In January 2026, the International Protection Bill 2026 was published, which will replace the International Protection Act 2015 and will implement the EU Migration and Asylum Pact. Earlier this month, the Bill was passed by both Houses of the Oireachtas. The Pact is a new EU framework to manage migration and asylum for the long-term. The overall objective of the Pact is to provide a fair, sustainable and efficient asylum procedure. \u2022 Work on the publication of a new national Migration and Integration Strategy is ongoing as referenced in the PfG. In 2025, the Integration Fund was announced and awarded for the first time. The Integration fund is for projects supporting migrant integration in areas such as sport, education, employment, and culture. Results of the 2025 Integration Fund were announced in November of 2025, when 117 projects were awarded a total of \u20ac3.6m. Information the projects funded is available here: [ www.gov.ie/en/department-of-justice-home-affairs-and-migration/news/117-projects-to-be-funded-under-the-2025-integration-fund/ ] Plans for funding calls in 2026 are being drafted and will be announced publicly when they are finalised. Omagh Inquiry \u2022 Last April, I signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Chairman of the Omagh Bombing Inquiry on matters relating to the disclosure of materials to the Inquiry. This is a truly important step to delivering on the commitment in the PfG, to \u201cplay our full part in legacy processes\u2026including facilitating and supporting the Omagh Inquiry. On 13 March 2026, I published the International Co-operation (Omagh Bombing Inquiry) Bill. The Bill is designed to enable the taking of oral testimony before the Irish courts for the purposes of the Omagh Bombing Inquiry. Transfers of Responsibilities \u2022 In line with PfG commitments, responsibility for integration, International Protection Accommodation Services (IPAS), and the Ukraine Division transferred to my Department from the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, and Equality on 1 May 2025. This transfer includes the transfer of all staff, approximately 340 people, alongside a substantial budget transfer of approximately \u20ac2.1 billion. As my Department had existing responsibility for immigration and migration and the processing of applications for international protection, this transfer underpins a more cohesive and strategic approach to migration and integration. \u2022 The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) also transferred to my Department from the Department of the Environment, Communications and Climate on 2 June 2025. The NCSC is the lead government agency on cyber security. \u2022 Responsibility for the Irish Film Classification Office (IFCO) transferred from my Department on 1 August to the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport. This transfer was carried out in line with the Programme for Government and aligns the work of IFCO with the Department responsible for culture. Responsibility for the Property Services Regulatory Authority (PSRA), as well as the Property Services Appeal Board, also transferred from my Department on 1 August to the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2026-04-21/pq_640", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2026-04-21/640/" }, { "date": "2026-04-14", "question_number": 2010, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "Road Traffic Offences", "asked_by": "Michael Murphy", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "2010. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of mandatory intoxicant testing checkpoints conducted in each month of 2025, by county. [24345/26]", "answer": "Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration I propose to take Questions Nos. 2010, 2011 and 2012 together. The Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na under Section 33 of the Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024. As Minister, I play no role in these independent functions. An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na publishes quarterly updates to roads policing statistics, including the number of Mandatory Intoxication Test checkpoints. Reports are available at the following link: www.garda.ie/en/roads-policing/statistics/roads%20policing%20offences%20by%20region%20and%20division/ The below table is a breakdown per month and Garda Division of the number of roadside breath tests carried out at the scene of a Mandatory Intoxication Testing Checkpoint in 2025. Division Jan Feb Mar April May June July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec Clare/Tipperary 468 694 1147 1083 1121 948 634 1173 615 906 697 1437 Cork City 740 719 1024 820 1025 696 467 999 751 1228 566 1719 Cork County 875 976 1453 1272 1226 974 944 1444 1141 1160 931 1257 DMR East 274 270 244 661 391 294 198 265 200 385 460 247 DMR North Central 485 510 463 499 540 350 384 576 453 426 376 458 DMR North 193 315 808 532 488 493 347 308 345 203 238 556 DMR South Central 151 362 329 314 314 138 152 307 508 777 541 598 DMR South 742 721 1097 622 821 525 469 690 556 533 652 879 DMR West 412 479 359 281 304 229 165 389 183 208 43 124 Donegal 923 653 924 619 729 779 355 503 334 591 500 480 Galway 790 869 1331 1222 1194 912 943 1121 1036 1233 849 1291 Kerry 775 789 925 751 1070 662 680 1092 671 873 627 1071 Kildare/Carlow 1233 1605 2012 2160 1985 1452 865 1387 1067 1479 1177 1275 Laois/Offaly 527 1148 1288 1245 1455 694 436 1148 304 1099 735 2228 Limerick 117 221 155 172 196 205 117 185 187 176 263 426 Louth/Cavan/ Monaghan 409 759 804 405 539 549 374 556 407 662 293 1283 Mayo/Roscommon/ Longford 889 986 1335 1274 1455 1248 1037 1541 1269 1267 1060 1560 Meath/Westmeath 371 577 556 927 564 571 520 642 548 1038 566 947 Sligo/Leitrim 435 639 563 455 382 336 336 439 407 292 467 593 Waterford/Kilkenny 1103 1171 1601 1716 2071 1720 1192 1583 1214 1891 1149 1500 Wexford/Wicklow 482 690 1014 782 842 533 664 581 555 820 630 1023 The below table is a breakdown per quarter and Division of the number of roadside oral fluid(drug) tests carried out at the scene of a Mandatory Intoxication Testing Checkpoint in 2025. Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Clare/Tipperary 89 188 58 260 Cork City 45 60 68 68 Cork County 118 106 94 159 DMR East 35 79 31 84 DMR North Central 128 84 120 149 DMR North 109 66 54 77 DMR South Central 82 64 44 145 DMR South 88 44 46 71 DMR West 265 284 274 250 Donegal 103 105 33 44 Galway 87 179 125 160 Kerry 48 58 67 86 Kildare/Carlow 98 154 70 87 Laois/Offaly 30 92 101 94 Limerick 75 96 122 481 Louth/Cavan/Monaghan 46 20 20 73 Mayo/Roscommon/Longford 41 51 90 275 Meath/Westmeath 43 60 44 78 Sligo/Leitrim 151 219 127 192 Waterford/Kilkenny 105 237 136 135 Wexford/Wicklow 191 249 159 172 Below is a breakdown per quarter of the number of positive roadside oral fluid (drug) tests carried out at the scene of a Mandatory Intoxication Testing Checkpoint in 2025. Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 120 123 101 141 Figures are based on incidents which occurred from 1 January 2025 to 31 December 2025, inclusive. All information contained in these reports is based upon operational data from the PULSE system as was available on 1 April 2026 and is liable to change.", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2026-04-14/pq_2010", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2026-04-14/2010/" }, { "date": "2026-04-14", "question_number": 2011, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "Road Traffic Offences", "asked_by": "Michael Murphy", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "2011. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of roadside breath tests conducted in 2025, by month and county. [24346/26]", "answer": "Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration I propose to take Questions Nos. 2010, 2011 and 2012 together. The Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na under Section 33 of the Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024. As Minister, I play no role in these independent functions. An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na publishes quarterly updates to roads policing statistics, including the number of Mandatory Intoxication Test checkpoints. Reports are available at the following link: www.garda.ie/en/roads-policing/statistics/roads%20policing%20offences%20by%20region%20and%20division/ The below table is a breakdown per month and Garda Division of the number of roadside breath tests carried out at the scene of a Mandatory Intoxication Testing Checkpoint in 2025. Division Jan Feb Mar April May June July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec Clare/Tipperary 468 694 1147 1083 1121 948 634 1173 615 906 697 1437 Cork City 740 719 1024 820 1025 696 467 999 751 1228 566 1719 Cork County 875 976 1453 1272 1226 974 944 1444 1141 1160 931 1257 DMR East 274 270 244 661 391 294 198 265 200 385 460 247 DMR North Central 485 510 463 499 540 350 384 576 453 426 376 458 DMR North 193 315 808 532 488 493 347 308 345 203 238 556 DMR South Central 151 362 329 314 314 138 152 307 508 777 541 598 DMR South 742 721 1097 622 821 525 469 690 556 533 652 879 DMR West 412 479 359 281 304 229 165 389 183 208 43 124 Donegal 923 653 924 619 729 779 355 503 334 591 500 480 Galway 790 869 1331 1222 1194 912 943 1121 1036 1233 849 1291 Kerry 775 789 925 751 1070 662 680 1092 671 873 627 1071 Kildare/Carlow 1233 1605 2012 2160 1985 1452 865 1387 1067 1479 1177 1275 Laois/Offaly 527 1148 1288 1245 1455 694 436 1148 304 1099 735 2228 Limerick 117 221 155 172 196 205 117 185 187 176 263 426 Louth/Cavan/ Monaghan 409 759 804 405 539 549 374 556 407 662 293 1283 Mayo/Roscommon/ Longford 889 986 1335 1274 1455 1248 1037 1541 1269 1267 1060 1560 Meath/Westmeath 371 577 556 927 564 571 520 642 548 1038 566 947 Sligo/Leitrim 435 639 563 455 382 336 336 439 407 292 467 593 Waterford/Kilkenny 1103 1171 1601 1716 2071 1720 1192 1583 1214 1891 1149 1500 Wexford/Wicklow 482 690 1014 782 842 533 664 581 555 820 630 1023 The below table is a breakdown per quarter and Division of the number of roadside oral fluid(drug) tests carried out at the scene of a Mandatory Intoxication Testing Checkpoint in 2025. Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Clare/Tipperary 89 188 58 260 Cork City 45 60 68 68 Cork County 118 106 94 159 DMR East 35 79 31 84 DMR North Central 128 84 120 149 DMR North 109 66 54 77 DMR South Central 82 64 44 145 DMR South 88 44 46 71 DMR West 265 284 274 250 Donegal 103 105 33 44 Galway 87 179 125 160 Kerry 48 58 67 86 Kildare/Carlow 98 154 70 87 Laois/Offaly 30 92 101 94 Limerick 75 96 122 481 Louth/Cavan/Monaghan 46 20 20 73 Mayo/Roscommon/Longford 41 51 90 275 Meath/Westmeath 43 60 44 78 Sligo/Leitrim 151 219 127 192 Waterford/Kilkenny 105 237 136 135 Wexford/Wicklow 191 249 159 172 Below is a breakdown per quarter of the number of positive roadside oral fluid (drug) tests carried out at the scene of a Mandatory Intoxication Testing Checkpoint in 2025. Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 120 123 101 141 Figures are based on incidents which occurred from 1 January 2025 to 31 December 2025, inclusive. All information contained in these reports is based upon operational data from the PULSE system as was available on 1 April 2026 and is liable to change.", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2026-04-14/pq_2011", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2026-04-14/2011/" }, { "date": "2026-04-14", "question_number": 2012, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "Road Traffic Offences", "asked_by": "Michael Murphy", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "2012. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of roadside drug tests conducted in 2025; and the number returning positive results, by month and county [24347/26]", "answer": "Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration I propose to take Questions Nos. 2010, 2011 and 2012 together. The Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na under Section 33 of the Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024. As Minister, I play no role in these independent functions. An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na publishes quarterly updates to roads policing statistics, including the number of Mandatory Intoxication Test checkpoints. Reports are available at the following link: www.garda.ie/en/roads-policing/statistics/roads%20policing%20offences%20by%20region%20and%20division/ The below table is a breakdown per month and Garda Division of the number of roadside breath tests carried out at the scene of a Mandatory Intoxication Testing Checkpoint in 2025. Division Jan Feb Mar April May June July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec Clare/Tipperary 468 694 1147 1083 1121 948 634 1173 615 906 697 1437 Cork City 740 719 1024 820 1025 696 467 999 751 1228 566 1719 Cork County 875 976 1453 1272 1226 974 944 1444 1141 1160 931 1257 DMR East 274 270 244 661 391 294 198 265 200 385 460 247 DMR North Central 485 510 463 499 540 350 384 576 453 426 376 458 DMR North 193 315 808 532 488 493 347 308 345 203 238 556 DMR South Central 151 362 329 314 314 138 152 307 508 777 541 598 DMR South 742 721 1097 622 821 525 469 690 556 533 652 879 DMR West 412 479 359 281 304 229 165 389 183 208 43 124 Donegal 923 653 924 619 729 779 355 503 334 591 500 480 Galway 790 869 1331 1222 1194 912 943 1121 1036 1233 849 1291 Kerry 775 789 925 751 1070 662 680 1092 671 873 627 1071 Kildare/Carlow 1233 1605 2012 2160 1985 1452 865 1387 1067 1479 1177 1275 Laois/Offaly 527 1148 1288 1245 1455 694 436 1148 304 1099 735 2228 Limerick 117 221 155 172 196 205 117 185 187 176 263 426 Louth/Cavan/ Monaghan 409 759 804 405 539 549 374 556 407 662 293 1283 Mayo/Roscommon/ Longford 889 986 1335 1274 1455 1248 1037 1541 1269 1267 1060 1560 Meath/Westmeath 371 577 556 927 564 571 520 642 548 1038 566 947 Sligo/Leitrim 435 639 563 455 382 336 336 439 407 292 467 593 Waterford/Kilkenny 1103 1171 1601 1716 2071 1720 1192 1583 1214 1891 1149 1500 Wexford/Wicklow 482 690 1014 782 842 533 664 581 555 820 630 1023 The below table is a breakdown per quarter and Division of the number of roadside oral fluid(drug) tests carried out at the scene of a Mandatory Intoxication Testing Checkpoint in 2025. Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Clare/Tipperary 89 188 58 260 Cork City 45 60 68 68 Cork County 118 106 94 159 DMR East 35 79 31 84 DMR North Central 128 84 120 149 DMR North 109 66 54 77 DMR South Central 82 64 44 145 DMR South 88 44 46 71 DMR West 265 284 274 250 Donegal 103 105 33 44 Galway 87 179 125 160 Kerry 48 58 67 86 Kildare/Carlow 98 154 70 87 Laois/Offaly 30 92 101 94 Limerick 75 96 122 481 Louth/Cavan/Monaghan 46 20 20 73 Mayo/Roscommon/Longford 41 51 90 275 Meath/Westmeath 43 60 44 78 Sligo/Leitrim 151 219 127 192 Waterford/Kilkenny 105 237 136 135 Wexford/Wicklow 191 249 159 172 Below is a breakdown per quarter of the number of positive roadside oral fluid (drug) tests carried out at the scene of a Mandatory Intoxication Testing Checkpoint in 2025. Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 120 123 101 141 Figures are based on incidents which occurred from 1 January 2025 to 31 December 2025, inclusive. All information contained in these reports is based upon operational data from the PULSE system as was available on 1 April 2026 and is liable to change.", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2026-04-14/pq_2012", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2026-04-14/2012/" }, { "date": "2026-06-30", "question_number": 605, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "International Protection", "asked_by": "P\u00e1draig O'Sullivan", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "605. Deputy P\u00e1draig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of international protection applications lodged; the number of first instance decisions issued by the International Protection Office; the number of appeals determined by the International Protection Appeals Tribunal, in each of the years 2021 to 2025 and to date in 2026, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49505/26]", "answer": "Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration I am fully committed to ensuring that Ireland\u2019s International Protection system is robust, and rules based, and that our borders are protected. The number of International Protection applications have been rising over the past number of years, reaching 18,500 in 2024. In 2025, application numbers reduced by approximately a third. There has been a significantly increased investment into the international protection system to improve efficiencies and throughput as well as enhancing the application, interview and decision-making process for applicants. The International Protection Act 2026 gives effect to the EU Migration and Asylum Pact and came into effect on 12 June 2026. The Pact provides a fair, sustainable and efficient asylum procedure. This will be achieved through convergence in asylum practices across the EU including standardised processing times for decisions: six months for a standard procedure, three months for accelerated and border procedures and two months for processing applicants who have applied for protection elsewhere in Europe. The below table shows the number of applications for international protection made from 2021 to 2026. Year IP Applications 2021 to 2026* 2021 2,647 2022 13,642 2023 13,271 2024 18,553 2025 13,144 2026 5,814 *to 11 June The table below shows the number of international protection first instance decisions made from 2021 to 2026. First instance decisions 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026* Granted (RS, SP, PTR) 1,521 3,537 3,235 3,906 3,743 1,337 Percentage 61.78% 71.86% 36.79% 28.07% 18.55% 15.5% Refused / withdrew / inadmissible/ Dormant 941 1,385 5,558 10,010 16,434 7,290 Percentage 38.22% 28.14% 63.21% 71.93% 81.45% 84.5% Total first instance decisions 2,462 4,922 8,793 13,916 20,177 8,627 First instance decisions 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026* Granted (RS, SP, PTR) 1,521 3,537 3,235 3,906 3,743 1,337 Percentage 61.78% 71.86% 36.79% 28.07% 18.55% 15.5% Refused / withdrew / inadmissible/ Dormant 941 1,385 5,558 10,010 16,434 7,290 Percentage 38.22% 28.14% 63.21% 71.93% 81.45% 84.5% Total first instance decisions 2,462 4,922 8,793 13,916 20,177 8,627 *To 25 June All applicants refused international protection have a right to appeal to the International Protection Appeals Tribunal who must then consider if the earlier International Protection Office determinations on refugee status and subsidiary protection should be affirmed or set aside. The table below shows all the decisions made by the International Protection Appeals Tribunal from 2021 to 2026. Appeal decisions 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026* Granted/set aside 385 496 446 819 1,488 1,047 Percentage 36.60% 38.15% 28.19% 28.54% 27.03% 25.22% Refused/affirmed 667 804 1,136 2,051 4,016 3,104 Percentage 63.40% 61.85% 71.81% 71.46% 72.97% 74.78% Total 1,052 1,300 1,582 2,870 5,504 4,151 *To 21 June 2026 The table below shows the number of appeals withdrawn/ deemed withdrawn from 2021 to 2026. Year Withdrawn/Deemed Withdrawn 2021 148 2022 266 2023 113 2024 211 2025 511 2026* 240 To 21 June 2026 Please note, figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing.", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2026-06-30/pq_605", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2026-06-30/605/" }, { "date": "2026-07-01", "question_number": 49, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "Departmental Strategies", "asked_by": "Naoise \u00d3 Cear\u00fail", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "49. Deputy Naoise \u00d3 Cear\u00fail asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the progress made in 2026 in implementing the Statement of Strategy 2025-2028, including the way in which delivery is being measured and reported; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49771/26]", "answer": "Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration I was pleased to publish my Department's new Statement of Strategy for 2025\u20132028 at the end of last year. The Strategy aligns with the Programme for Government, sets out my Department\u2019s strategic direction to 2028 and will further the work towards our shared vision of a safe, fair and inclusive Ireland. My Department has further developed a Statement of Priorities for this year, drawn from the Strategy and ensuring focus on delivery of our key commitments for 2026. This will be updated each year during the lifetime of the Statement of Strategy. The Management Board, led by the Department's Secretary General, has a central leadership role in planning and overseeing the delivery of Departmental objectives, subject to my approval. The Management Board sets the strategic direction for the justice sector, oversees policy implementation, and manages the Department\u2019s resources. Each month, I chair my Department's 'MinMAC' meeting, which includes Ministers Brophy and Ardagh, the Department's Secretary General, Management Board and the Directors of a number of agencies. These meetings bring together the officials responsible for delivering Programme for Government commitments and provide oversight of the delivery of agreed priorities, in line with those commitments. Details of my Department\u2019s progress on the high level goals set out in our Statement of Strategy 2025-2028 is outlined below: Goal 1: Protecting our security Cyber Security Ireland is currently transposing the NIS2 Directive via the National Cyber Security Bill. The drafting of the Bill is at an advanced stage and is expected to be published later this year. It will include measures to ensure providers of critical services take measures to increase their cyber resilience and to protect themselves against cyber security incidents. The Bill also establishes the National Cyber Security Strategy as an executive office of my Department and provides the NCSC with additional powers and responsibilities to monitor, detect and respond to cyber security incidents in the State. Counter-terrorism Last June, I received Cabinet approval to strengthen Ireland\u2019s counter-terrorism laws with the publication of the Criminal Justice (Terrorist Offences) (Amendment) Bill 2025. The Terrorist Offences Bill will allow for the prosecution of a broader range of terrorist activities in light of the evolving nature of terrorism. These include terrorist acts with a cross-border element, and cyber-attacks where the aim is to cause widespread harm. The Bill will bring Ireland\u2019s counter-terrorism laws into line with those of other EU member states. This alignment will facilitate Ireland\u2019s participation in enhanced counter-terrorism networks across the EU, enabling An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na to tap into those networks to respond to both domestic and cross-border terrorist threats. The Bill is currently making its way through the Houses of the Oireachtas. Interception In January this year, I announced that the Government had approved my proposals to draft a new Communications (Interception and Lawful Access) Bill which will update and replace the Interception of Postal Packets and Telecommunications Messages (Regulation) Act 1993. Updating this longstanding legislation is essential to ensure that the law in this area can yield the intelligence that is vital to combat serious and organised crime and threats to the security of the State, including terrorism. The legislation will include a general principle that interception powers apply to all forms of communications, whether encrypted or not, and can be used to obtain either content data or related metadata, such as phone call or email time and date and the sender and receiver of a communication. There will also be a provision for the use of covert surveillance software to gain lawful access to electronic devices and networks for the investigation of serious crime and security threats. These technologies can play a legitimate role when used in a lawful manner that is consistent with respect for human rights. The legislation will set out robust legal safeguards. At present, the Minister for Justice has responsibility for authorising interception requests. In the new legislation, there will still be a role for the Minister but for the first time there will also be provision for judicial authorisation of interception requests. There will also be a requirement that agencies requesting an interception will have to outline any issues with regard to privileged material. Goal 2: Safe communities Strengthening the capacity and capabilities of An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na My first priority as Minister for Justice is to get more Garda\u00ed out onto our streets preventing the commission of crime through high visibility patrols. Increased recruitment and appropriate civilianisation where possible are vital to achieving this as is modern technology and equipment and active management of Garda resources. The Programme for Government commits to recruiting at least 5,000 Garda\u00ed over the lifetime of the Government, and we are very close to surpassing the previous record high of 14,600 Garda\u00ed from March 2020. As we strengthen An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na, we will see more Garda\u00ed visible in our communities tackling and preventing crime, and I am confident we will exceed 15,000 Garda\u00ed in the near future. Recruitment into An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na has gathered real momentum. In 2025, 794 new recruits were welcomed into the Garda College in Templemore. This is the highest number recruited since 2018. Over 200 trainee Gardai entered Templemore in May, bringing the total number of current trainees to over 600. An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na also recently held their latest recruitment drive which closed on 3 June, with over 4,000 applications received. This competition will help to ensure that we maintain the steady pipeline of new recruits. I also introduced the Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na (Powers) Bill and the Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na (Recording Devices) (Amendment) Bill, which will provide additional powers to An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na in relation to search warrants and use of facial recognition technology in certain circumstances. Both Bills are progressing through the Houses of the Oireachtas. The project to rollout Body Worn Cameras to all Garda\u00ed has progressed to procurement stage. Significant progress has been made on major developments of new garda stations in Portlaoise, Macroom, Clonmel, Bailieborough and Newcastle West. Community Safety The National Office for Community Safety established in April 2025 is a central coordinating body to the new whole of government, collaborative, problem-solving approach to community safety as envisaged by the Commission for the Future of Policing in Ireland (CoFPI). Last June, I signed regulations to allow for Local Community Safety Partnerships to begin their work across the country. These regulations provide for a total of 36 Local Community Safety Partnerships to be established across every Local Authority. At a local level, community safety partnerships will play a major role in enhancing community safety nationwide in collaboration with An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na, local residents, businesses and state agencies. I secured an additional \u20ac2.5 million in Budget 2026 to support the establishment of all 36 Local Community Safety Partnerships across the country. Members have been appointed to all 36 of these Safety Partnerships and the Partnerships are working to develop Local Community Safety Plans for their local areas. I was pleased on 13 April to launch a call for applications under the Community Safety Fund 2026 (CSF). This annual fund allows for the proceeds of crime, seized by the Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB) and An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na, to be redirected into local projects that support and enhance community safety. This year\u2019s fund totalling \u20ac4.75 million is a significant increase since the initial allocation of \u20ac2 million in 2022. In 2025, grants totalling \u20ac4.4 million were provided for 42 projects through the CSF. Domestic, Sexual, and Gender-Based Violence Strategy Combatting all forms of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence (DSGBV) has been a central priority for me since taking office. An allocation of almost \u20ac80 million was secured through Budget 2026 to fund initiatives aimed at tackling DSGBV, an increase of 18% (\u20ac12.2 million) from 2025. In June 2025, I published the final implementation plan of the five-year \u2018Zero Tolerance\u2019 National DSGBV Strategy setting out the delivery targets and collective action to end 2026. The plan contains 95 specific actions across the four pillars of the Istanbul Convention. There is a strong emphasis on delivery, collective responsibility, and meaningful outcomes. I will shortly publish a progress report on implementation in 2025. Amongst the key deliverables are actions already underway in respect of significant legislative reform including: \u2022 Prioritising the drafting of the Guardianship of Infants (Amendment) Bill that will, in certain situations, allow for the removal of guardianship rights from individuals convicted of killing the other parent or guardian of their child; \u2022 Limiting the disclosure of counselling records in rape and sexual assault cases. \u2022 Banning sex for rent under the Criminal Law and Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2025; \u2022 Introducing the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences, Domestic Violence, and International Instruments) Bill 2025 which will, inter alia, change the threshold from a subjective to an objective test for establishing consent in rape and sexual assault cases; \u2022 Introduce the Domestic Violence Register of Judgments, bringing greater transparency and accountability for serious offenders; \u2022 Establishing the necessary legislative basis to provide for Operation Encompass, which will enable An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na to share information with schools when a child has been exposed to domestic violence. As part of the Zero Tolerance Strategy, Government committed to doubling domestic violence accommodation capacity in Ireland by the end of 2026 from 141 to 282 family units. By the end of 2026, it is envisaged to have 94 safe homes and 193 refuge units completed, bringing total safe accommodation to 287, with 50 further refuge units under construction. I am continuing to work with Cuan, my Department and the Department of Housing to ensure we are exhausting all measures to increase the pace of delivery for this much needed additional capacity. Prisons and penal reform A multi-year building programme is progressing at several key sites across the prison estate. To accelerate delivery, I sought and secured an exemption from the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation for six major projects (960 prison spaces) to move straight to Approval Gate 2 - Pre-Tender Approval of the Infrastructure Guidelines. This decision is expected to bring forward delivery timelines on those six projects by 12 to 18 months, while freeing up internal capacity within IPS to advance the wider programme. This acceleration reflects the priority placed by Government on strengthening the prison system\u2019s resilience and providing safe, secure and humane accommodation. This is part of the funded plan to deliver over 1,500 new spaces. 106 new spaces were delivered in 2025, and 26 new spaces are now operational in the D\u00f3chas centre. A further 39 spaces will be delivered across the prison estate by year end, and a number of larger scale projects are expected to commence construction this year. In April 2025, I approved the publication of the Probation Service\u2019s 'Community Service - New Directions' Implementation Plan 2025-2027. This plan sets out commitments to drive the delivery and support the increased use of Community Service as a robust and meaningful alternative to imprisonment. Engagement with the Judiciary, imbedding the principles of desistence, restorative justice and social justice, and increasing the visibility and accessibility of community service are part of this plan. A key recommendation of the High-Level Taskforce (HLTF) on mental health and addiction was the establishment of a Community Access Support Team (CAST) to divert those experiencing situational trauma or a mental health crisis away from the criminal justice system, and towards the healthcare system. The CAST project commenced in January 2025 and is a partnership pilot between An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na and the Mental Health Services of HSE Mid-West Community Healthcare which is currently being trialled in the Limerick Garda Division. This has resulted in multiple diversions from arrest and subsequent detentions under Section 12 of the Mental Health Act 2001 to the benefit of individual patients and increased public safety. Goal 3: An effective and accessible justice system Family Justice The ongoing reform of the Family Justice system, for the benefit of families and children, is another of my key priorities. Work has commenced on the implementation of the Family Courts Act 2024. The Act introduces changes to the current delivery of family justice, including the introduction of specialist family law judges assigned and operating within new family court divisions. I recently announced details of the Implementation Plan for the Family Justice Act that will result in some of the most significant reforms of the family justice system in the history of the State. Last May, I published the Review of the Operation of the In Camera Rule in Family Law Proceedings. The review, a key action in the Family Justice Strategy, was conducted by a team from University College Cork and Trinity College Dublin and is an important piece of research which details the perspectives of many stakeholders regarding the current understanding and operation of the in-camera rule in family law proceedings. Importantly, it includes the views of those who have been parties in such proceedings. Officials from my Department are currently engaging with a variety of stakeholders and working on a policy paper regarding how some of the recommendations made in the report could be implemented. Last August, I published two tenders for the provision of new family law services aimed at making our system more transparent and better for children. The first is for a Private Family Law Reporting Project to provide transparency for the public and increase awareness and understanding of family law proceedings while ensuring that children\u2019s and parents\u2019 right to privacy is upheld. I am pleased to say that the Child Law Project has been contracted to deliver the three-year project and work on it has commenced. The second is for a service to provide a new and innovative way to hear children\u2019s voices in private family law proceedings. The Children\u2019s Court Advocate Pilot Project will initially be established in Waterford and Clonmel, ensuring that all children to whom guardianship, custody or access applications relate can have the opportunity to be informed about the proceedings relating to them and have their voice heard without any cost to families. In February 2026, I launched a new online child maintenance calculator to help parents in coming to arrangements on child maintenance payments. The launch of the calculator follows on from the publication of Ireland\u2019s first set of Child Maintenance Guidelines earlier this year. The development of the guidelines was a key recommendation of the 2024 Review of the Enforcement of Child Maintenance Orders. Civil Reform In January, I published the General Scheme of the Civil Reform Bill. The Civil Reform Bill is a key measure that will see the implementation of the Review of the Administration of Civil Justice, also known as the Kelly Report, which was published in October 2020. The Report made over 90 recommendations aimed at improving access to justice for all by making it quicker, more efficient and more cost effective. As part of the Bill, it is my intention to introduce provisions which will codify the existing law on judicial review by placing it on a statutory basis. The measures should achieve greater transparency in the law and lead to a more streamlined review process. Key reforms should ensure that the system cannot be misused on purely technical grounds, that the public interest is placed at the heart of judicial review, costs are reduced where possible and litigants have sufficient standing to properly challenge decisions. Given the significant challenges currently facing our State in terms of housing shortages, energy deficits, inadequate water supplies and climate change, all of which are exacerbated by the demands of a rising population, we can no longer delay on reform of the judicial review system. I am confident that the Bill will remove weaknesses in the current law, eliminate impediments to progress and deliver reform for the public benefit. I am also confident that measures in the Bill preserve the right of the citizen to ensure that public bodies act lawfully and are accountable for their decisions. Goal 4: A fair and firm immigration system Immigration It is also a central priority for me to ensure that our immigration system is robust and rules based. My Department has taken action to significantly improve immigration enforcement measures and increase removals. This includes the renewed use of chartered deportation and removal flights. In 2025, 4,700 deportation orders were signed, an increase of 96% compared to 2024, while 2,111 people had their departure confirmed under various mechanisms (i.e. enforced deportation, voluntary return etc.), an increase of 88% compared to 2024. To June 5 2026, 2,108 deportation orders have been signed, an increase of 9% on 2025. In keeping with the Government commitment to significantly enhance the delivery of public services digitally, phase one of my Department's Immigration Customer Service Portal, which enables applicants to check their immigration application status, book first-time registration appointments, and submit queries, has been operational since October 2024. Since the launch of the Portal more than 285,000 customers have registered, with over 243,000 queries resolved and in excess of 147,000 registration appointments made. International Protection In 2025, the International Protection Office (IPO) delivered over 20,200 first decisions compared to approximately 14,100 in 2024, a 44% increase. The International Protection Appeals Tribunal (IPAT) more than doubled the number of appeals closed from 3,100 in 2024 to nearly 6,300 in 2025. The EU Migration and Asylum Pact came into effect on June 12, 2026, as did the International Protection Act 2026. The Pact is a new EU framework to manage migration and asylum for the long-term. The overall objective of the Pact is to provide a fair, sustainable and efficient asylum procedure. New applicants are now required to attend Citywest Reception Centre for screening, which includes identity, criminality, health and vulnerability checks. Applicants are provided with legal counselling and may avail of free legal aid. They are triaged into the correct procedural pathway. The first interviews will take place before the end of June. Case processing will be more efficient through use of a new fully digital system, and cases will be decided quickly in the vast majority of cases. The new appeals body, TARA, is resourced to hear appeals within specific timelines, and immigration officers and the Garda National Immigration Bureau are prepared to return those whose application is unsuccessful or who do not have the right to remain during an appeal. Ultimately, improved, faster processing will result in decreasing annual costs by reducing the time an applicant remains in the system. State Owned Accommodation I am committed to reforming Ireland\u2019s international protection system to ensure its efficiency and robustness. A stable and sustainable accommodation network is a central element of that reform and a key PfG commitment. State-owned centres are part of the Government\u2019s long-term plan to reduce the reliance on private accommodation providers resulting in better value for money of public funds and a more efficient international protection system. The purchase of the Citywest Hotel last year June was a significant step in achieving this. The viability of other properties that could be utilised as state-owned accommodation is currently being accessed. A coherent and sustainable response to the ending of the Temporary Protection Directive On 26 May 2026, Government approved measures to support those displaced by the war in Ukraine to transition from Temporary Protection status in line with the EU Council recommendation for a co-ordinated approach to transition people out of Temporary Protection across the EU. Ireland intends to continue to support people fleeing the war in Ukraine who are Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection. Since the adoption of the Government Decision on 26 May 2026, significant progress has been made in implementing these measures. This includes the development of a new Temporary Permission Transition Scheme for eligible beneficiaries of temporary protection, phased withdrawal of state-contracted commercial accommodation in tandem with protections for those who have specific vulnerabilities, the development of voluntary return arrangements as well as strengthening of information and engagement supports through partners such as the Irish Red Cross and the International Organisation for Migration. Delivery of these measures is being overseen through established cross-Government governance structures. These include the Senior Officials Group on Justice, divisions within my department and through regular whole-of-government engagement, local authorities, the European Commission and other stakeholders. Progress is monitored on an ongoing basis, with implementation milestones and emerging risks kept under review to ensure that Ireland\u2019s response remains coordinated, sustainable and aligned with developments at EU level. Goal 5: Increasing our influence in Europe Presidency of the European Union My Department is committed to playing its part in delivering a successful Irish Presidency of the Council of the European Union, which begins today. This will be a significant undertaking for Ireland, particularly in the Justice and Home Affairs, and Transport, Telecommunications and Energy Councils, which we are preparing for at Government and Departmental levels. Ireland\u2019s policy programme for the Presidency was published on 10 June and sets out our ambitions for the six-month period. Priorities in my area of responsibility are centered around three themes which overlap significantly with my domestic priorities; advancing a fair, firm, rules-based approach to migration, asylum and returns; keeping Europe safe and secure; and the protection of fundamental rights and the rule of law and promotion of digitalisation. Delivery of these priorities is being overseen through internal monitoring structures and will be reported on at monthly meetings involving Ministers and the Management Board, as well as through interdepartmental coordination structures being led by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Improvements to international judicial cooperation Bilateral agreements between Ireland and the United Arab Emirates on extradition and mutual legal assistance (MLA) in criminal matters entered into force on 18 May 2025. The bilateral MLA and extradition treaties will ensure that criminals cannot evade the law. They will also serve to mitigate the harm caused by any perception that criminals can evade the law and benefit from the ill-gotten gains of criminal activity abroad, which itself diminishes the trust and confidence of citizens in the rule of law.", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2026-07-01/pq_49", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2026-07-01/49/" }, { "date": "2026-09-24", "question_number": 376, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "International Protection", "asked_by": "Gary Gannon", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "376. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to provide the recognition or appeal-success rate for international protection appeals to date in 2026, by year, nationality, application procedure; and whether an oral hearing was held and, where legally permissible, with an individual Tribunal member or Appeals Officer. [67711/26]", "answer": "Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration It is a central priority for me that Ireland\u2019s immigration system is robust and rules based. There has been a significant increase in investment in the international protection system over the last number of years which, combined with digitisation and process re-engineering, has facilitated a major increase in processing capacity and demonstrates a strong commitment to reducing cases on hand. In 2025, the International Protection Office (IPO) delivered over 20,200 first instance decisions compared to approximately 14,100 in 2024: a 44% increase. IPAT more than doubled the number of appeals closed from 3,100 in 2024 to nearly 6,300 in 2025. This year, as of 20 September, IPAT has already closed 6,693 appeals and is on track to significantly exceed the number of appeals closed in 2025. All applicants refused international protection have a right to appeal under the International Protection Act 2015 to the International Protection Appeals Tribunal who must then consider if the earlier International Protection Office determinations on refugee status and subsidiary protection should be affirmed or set aside. The table below shows appeal decisions by IPAT from 2022 to 20 September 2026. Appeal decisions 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026* Granted/set aside 496 446 819 1,488 1,670 Percentage 31.67% 26.31% 26.58% 24.74% 25.40% Refused / Affirmed / Withdrawn / Deemed Withdrawn 1,070 1,249 2,262 4,527 4,904 Percentage 68.33% 73.69% 73.42% 75.26% 74.60% Total 1,566 1,695 3,081 6,015 6,574 *to 20 September 2026 The table below shows IPAT Decisions by Country Of Nationality in 2025. Nationality Grand Total Granted/Set Aside Refused/Affirmed Set Aside % of Total Decisions Affirmed % of Total Decisions Georgia 1501 292 1209 19% 81% Nigeria 614 196 418 32% 68% Algeria 581 101 480 17% 83% South Africa 348 98 250 28% 72% Zimbabwe 265 154 111 58% 42% Somalia 162 118 44 73% 27% Botswana 162 71 91 44% 56% Egypt 128 10 118 8% 92% Albania 106 28 78 26% 74% Pakistan 96 29 67 30% 70% Other 594 177 417 30% 70% Total 4557 1274 3283 28% 72% Whether an appeal is determined on the papers or following an oral hearing depends primarily on whether the applicant is subject to the Accelerated Appeals Process provided for under the International Protection Act 2015. Applicants may submit reasons as to why they believe an oral hearing should be held in their case. Each such request is considered on a case-by-case basis. The table below sets out the number of decisions issued by IPAT following an oral hearing from 2022 to 20 September 2026. 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026* 1183 1141 1782 2665 3010 *To 20 September 2026 As the Deputy will be aware, the International Protection Act 2026 came into effect on 12 June 2026 and gives effect to the EU Migration and Asylum Pact. A new international protection appeals body, the Tribunal for Asylum and Returns Appeals (TARA) was established on June 12 to process all appeals received under the International Protection Act 2026. IPAT will continue to process appeals arising under the International Protection Act 2015 (as amended). TARA will determine appeals without an oral hearing, except where an Appeals Officer considers one necessary to ensure a full examination of the facts and points of law. Standardised processing timeframes apply across a wide range of protection and appeal pathways: Appeal Pathway Timeframe Standard Procedure 6 Months Accelerated Procedure 3 Months Border Procedure 3 Months AMMR (Applicants who previously applied for protection elsewhere in Europe) 2 Months There were 272 appeals currently pending with TARA and 69 appeals have been completed as of 20 September 2026, two of which followed an oral hearing. Please note, figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing.", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2026-09-24/pq_376", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2026-09-24/376/" }, { "date": "2026-09-07", "question_number": 2435, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "Departmental Data", "asked_by": "Peadar T\u00f3ib\u00edn", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "2435. Deputy Peadar T\u00f3ib\u00edn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of offences committed by persons under 18 years-of-age in each of the past five years, by county and offence type. [62362/26]", "answer": "Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration When a young person comes to the attention of An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na because of their alleged criminal or anti-social behaviour, they are required, under section 18 of the Children Act 2001, to be first considered for the Diversion Programme. The Garda Commissioner is responsible, by law, for the administration and management of Garda business, including the operation of the statutory Garda Youth Diversion Programme. The tables below have been provided by Garda authorities and provide data on the number of youth diversion referrals for persons aged 12-17 years from 2021 - 2025, by Garda Division, and the number of referrals by offence category. It should be noted that the \u2018Offence category\u2019 is in line with the categories provided in the Garda Youth Diversion Programme Monitoring Reports. The number of Youth Diversion referrals for persons aged 12 \u2013 17 years from 2021 - 2025 by Garda Division. Region/Division 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 Dublin Region 5,373 5,611 5,406 4,884 5,006 D.M.R. Western 1,677 1,837 1,614 1,512 1,436 D.M.R. Northern 1,291 1,295 1,297 1,291 1,472 D.M.R. Southern 999 1,026 1,033 993 998 D.M.R. North Central 493 594 729 479 473 D.M.R. Eastern 492 446 396 367 353 D.M.R. South Central 421 413 337 242 274 Eastern Region 3,464 3,529 3,815 3,079 3,089 Meath/Westmeath 771 745 1,023 848 779 Waterford/Kilkenny 860 810 923 750 634 Wexford/Wicklow 695 738 695 568 588 Kildare/Carlow 718 735 650 491 646 Laois/Offaly 420 501 524 422 442 North Western Region 2,662 2,738 2,766 2,275 2,044 Louth/Cavan/Monaghan 840 857 855 653 654 Galway 679 611 645 542 508 Mayo/Roscommon/Longford 537 586 570 459 408 Donegal 476 434 446 437 364 Sligo/Leitrim 130 250 250 184 110 Southern Region 3,347 3,572 3,557 3,022 2,776 Cork City 997 996 859 684 732 Limerick 691 861 775 654 683 Clare/Tipperary 656 647 841 727 634 Cork County 595 678 677 593 436 Kerry 408 390 405 364 291 Not Assigned Division 144 136 133 69 62 National Total 14,990 15,586 15,677 13,329 12,977 The number of referrals for persons aged 12 \u2013 17 years from 2021 - 2025 by offence category. Offence Category 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 Theft and Related Offences 3,297 4,680 4,944 4,202 3,769 Public Order Offences 3,017 2,611 2,263 1,899 1,820 Drugs 1,920 1,868 1,590 1,300 1,465 Traffic 1,439 1,490 1,596 1,569 1,820 Assault 1,450 1,464 1,581 1,290 1,271 Criminal Damage 1,375 1,329 1,388 1,152 1,061 Burglary 391 448 637 467 406 Weapons Offences 417 439 377 375 418 Sexual Offences 338 438 449 354 331 Fraud/Economic Crime 284 352 375 284 248 Robbery 168 213 233 183 121 Covid-19 666 <10 <10 <10 <10 Homicide 85 86 88 73 81 Drivers Under The Influence 38 36 42 25 35 Court Related Offences/Bail 32 34 30 33 34 Liquor Licensing 29 29 16 27 18 Harmful Communication <10 <10 18 49 40 Animals 11 16 18 14 <10 Domestic <10 14 10 <10 13 Gaming/Betting 11 13 <10 <10 <10 Escape/Prison <10 15 <10 <10 <10 Street Trading <10 <10 <10 12 <10 Wildlife Crime <10 <10 <10 <10 10 Other* 12 <10 13 <10 <10 Total 14,990 15,586 15,677 13,329 12,977 *\u2018Other\u2019 includes the following categories: Miscellaneous, Environmental Crime, Child Welfare/Tusla Notifications, Offences Against Computer Systems, Offences Against the State, Immigration and Passport Offences. Year is by the referral date created. Data on the PULSE system was correct as of 01/09/2026 and is operational and liable to change. Reporting is not provided for figures less than 10 and are therefore denoted as \u2018<10\u2019.", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2026-09-07/pq_2435", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2026-09-07/2435/" }, { "date": "2019-12-18", "question_number": 93, "chamber": "32nd D\u00e1il", "topic": "Visa Waiver Programme", "asked_by": "Se\u00e1n Haughey", "answered_by": "Foreign", "question_type": "written", "question": "93. Deputy Se\u00e1n Haughey asked the T\u00e1naiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of students who participated in the J1 visa programme in each of the years 2011 to 2018 and to date in 2019, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53529/19]", "answer": "T\u00e1naiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade The J1 visa programme, for Irish citizens to work and travel in the US, is managed by US-based sponsors and student travel agents in Ireland, under the authority of the Bureau for Educational and Cultural Affairs of the US Department of State. All figures related to the J1 programme are maintained by US authorities. Figures shared by the US Authorities with my Department laid out in tabular form below show data for the two most popular categories, the J1 \u201cSummer Work and Travel\u201d scheme and the \u201cCamp Counsellor\u201d scheme. Since 2011 uptake in the Camp Counsellor scheme has grown significantly, while the number of those taking part in the Summer Work and Travel programme has decreased. It should be noted that the numbers for 2019 are preliminary counts and as such, are subject to change. Numbers J1 Summer Work and Travel J1 Camp Counsellor 2011 6,670 549 2012 7,527 616 2013 8,167 637 2014 6,773 918 2015 7,001 1,114 2016 4,347 1,384 2017 4,190 1,683 2018 3,530 1,665 2019 3,392 1,673 Officials in my Department have met with the two largest J1 sponsors in Ireland, SAYIT and USIT, and have discussed the decline in the number of Irish citizens availing of the programme in recent years. Our Ambassador in Washington and his colleagues also regularly meet with the US-based sponsors to discuss encouragement of uptake of the programme.", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2019-12-18/pq_93", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2019-12-18/93/" }, { "date": "2020-12-08", "question_number": 455, "chamber": "33rd D\u00e1il", "topic": "Direct Provision System", "asked_by": "Peadar T\u00f3ib\u00edn", "answered_by": "Children", "question_type": "written", "question": "455. Deputy Peadar T\u00f3ib\u00edn asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the companies currently providing accommodation to the State for use as direct provision centres; and the sums paid to each of these companies in each of the past five years. [41499/20]", "answer": "Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth My Department currently has contracts in place for 48 accommodation centres, including management contracts for 6 State owned centres. The 48 centres comprise 45 accommodation centres for International Protection applicants, the National Reception Centre for International Protection applicants in Balseskin, Co. Dublin and 3 Emergency Reception and Orientation Centres (EROC) for refugees brought to Ireland under the Irish Refugee Protection Programme (IRPP). It should be noted that Mosney Accommodation Centre provides accommodation for both International Protection applicants and, in a separate block, for IRPP clients. It is our policy not to disclose financial information on individual contracts for the most recent two calendar years. It is not appropriate to provide the current individual contract values entered into by my Department as negotiations take place with a number of commercial entities on an on-going basis with a clear focus on achieving the best value for money in respect of each contract. It is not in the interests of yielding best value for the taxpayer that the details of current individual contracts are made available to other commercial bodies who are, or may be in the future, engaged in these negotiations. Contract information is published on an annual basis each January and the information for contracts in 2018 is currently being compiled for publication in January 2021. Details of payments made to contractors are published on http://www.ria.gov.ie/en/RIA/Pages/ContractValues . Our policy document on the release of financial information on contract values is also available on this webpage. The table below provides the names of each management company currently being utilised by my Department and the amount paid to each company in 2016 and 2017. Cells marked N/A indicate that this company is currently an Accommodation Centre contractor but was not contracted by my Department in the years for which financial data is available as per our policy. Company Amount Paid 2016 Amount Paid 2017 State Owned Centres - Management Company Campbell Catering Limited t/a Aramark Ireland Ltd \u20ac5,599,401.48 \u20ac6,505,708.98 Onsite Facilities Management Ltd \u20ac2,823,447.56 \u20ac3,185,452.45 Commercial Accommodation Centre Providers Atlantic Blue Ltd. \u20ac844,480.00 \u20ac916,216.00 Barlow Properties Ltd. \u20ac1,089,270.00 \u20ac1,107,890.00 Bideau Ltd. \u20ac1,220,870.00 \u20ac1,295,574.00 Birch Rentals Ltd. \u20ac1,278,076.80 \u20ac1,348,754.40 Bridgestock Care Ltd. \u20ac5,667,664.70 \u20ac5,563,704.19 Codelix Ltd N/A - Contracted from 24/02/2020 N/A Coziq Enterprises Ltd. N/A - Contracted from 06/04/2020 N/A D & A Pizzas Ltd \u20ac1,270,472.00 \u20ac1,426,040.00 Double EX Investments Ltd N/A - Contracted from 23/03/2020 N/A Double M Investments Ltd N/A - Contracted from 01/10/2019 N/A East Coast Catering (Ireland) \u20ac7,558,618.00 \u20ac6,776,683.00 Fazyard Ltd \u20ac5,448,576.00 \u20ac5,092,248.00 Flodale Ltd N/A - Contracted from 11/04/2019 N/A James White & Co Ltd N/A - Contracted from 12/03/2018 N/A Keldesso Ltd. N/A - Contracted from 05/08/2020 N/A Mapel Star Ltd \u20ac2,284,146.94 \u20ac2,404,680.76 Millstreet Equestrian Services Ltd \u20ac4,016,564.50 \u20ac3,530,970.00 Mint Horizon Ltd \u20ac961,004.16 \u20ac924,000.00 Mosney \u20ac7,406,472.10 \u20ac8,768,469.37 Ocean View Accommodation Ltd \u20ac704,340.00 \u20ac997,500.00 Oscar Dawn Ltd. \u20ac1,718,822.00 \u20ac1,821,820.00 Peachport Ltd \u20ac932,400.00 \u20ac833,112.00 Side Tracks Ltd. \u20ac1,770,579.00 \u20ac1,917,474.50 Stompool Investments Ltd \u20ac1,433,250.00 \u20ac1,602,790.00 Tattonward Ltd \u20ac1,971,028.65 \u20ac2,053,916.00 Townbe ULC N/A - Contracted from 30/04/2018 N/A Vesta Hotels ltd t/a Grand Hotel, Wicklow N/A - Contracted from 03/12/2019 N/A EROC Centre Providers Clonea Strand Hotel Ltd. \u20ac1,494,741.40 \u20ac1,493,156.00 Next Week & Co. N/A - Contracted from 15/12/2016 \u20ac2,960,556.00", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2020-12-08/pq_455", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2020-12-08/455/" }, { "date": "2025-06-24", "question_number": 677, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na", "asked_by": "Alan Kelly", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "677. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration when was the number of times the Garda Commissioner has reported to him matters under section 41 of the Garda Siochana Act 2005. [34520/25]", "answer": "Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration I propose to take Questions Nos. 677 and 678 together. Section 41 of the Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na Act 2005 included provisions that require the Garda Commissioner to provide information to the Minister for Justice on certain matters including: (a) matters relating to significant developments concerning\u2014 (i) the preservation of peace and public order in the State, (ii) the protection of life and property in the State, and (iii) the protection of the security of the State; (b) significant developments that might reasonably be expected to affect adversely public confidence in the Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na; (c) matters relevant to the accountability of the Government to the Houses of the Oireachtas; (d) any other matters that, in the Commissioner\u2019s opinion, should be brought to the Minister\u2019s attention. These provisions establish a statutory framework for the Commissioner to provide information to the Secretary General and the Minister. The Commissioner provides a wide range of information which may fall under these provisions. The table below outlines the number of reports submitted to Ministers for Justice under section 41 of the Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na Act 2005, by year, between 2016 and June 2025. Year Total 2016 9 2017 5 2018 0 2019 1 2020 1 2021 13 2022 11 2023 19 2024 29 2025 10 Total 98 On 2 April 2025, I commenced the Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024 which repealed the Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na Act 2005 in its entirety.", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2025-06-24/pq_677", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2025-06-24/677/" }, { "date": "2025-06-24", "question_number": 678, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na", "asked_by": "Alan Kelly", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "678. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of times a matter has been reported to a minister under section 41 of the Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na Act 2005 in each of the years 2016-2025 inclusive, in tabular form. [34521/25]", "answer": "Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration I propose to take Questions Nos. 677 and 678 together. Section 41 of the Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na Act 2005 included provisions that require the Garda Commissioner to provide information to the Minister for Justice on certain matters including: (a) matters relating to significant developments concerning\u2014 (i) the preservation of peace and public order in the State, (ii) the protection of life and property in the State, and (iii) the protection of the security of the State; (b) significant developments that might reasonably be expected to affect adversely public confidence in the Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na; (c) matters relevant to the accountability of the Government to the Houses of the Oireachtas; (d) any other matters that, in the Commissioner\u2019s opinion, should be brought to the Minister\u2019s attention. These provisions establish a statutory framework for the Commissioner to provide information to the Secretary General and the Minister. The Commissioner provides a wide range of information which may fall under these provisions. The table below outlines the number of reports submitted to Ministers for Justice under section 41 of the Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na Act 2005, by year, between 2016 and June 2025. Year Total 2016 9 2017 5 2018 0 2019 1 2020 1 2021 13 2022 11 2023 19 2024 29 2025 10 Total 98 On 2 April 2025, I commenced the Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024 which repealed the Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na Act 2005 in its entirety.", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2025-06-24/pq_678", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2025-06-24/678/" }, { "date": "2025-09-08", "question_number": 1583, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "Deportation Orders", "asked_by": "Ken O'Flynn", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "1583. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of deportation orders issued, executed, and left unenforced in each of the years since 2020; and whether the suspension of deportations during and after the COVID-19 pandemic has contributed to increased asylum applications. [45561/25]", "answer": "Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration I propose to take Questions Nos. 1583 and 1671 together. It is a central priority for me that Ireland\u2019s immigration system is robust and rules based. The enforcement aspects of our laws, including deportation orders, are an essential requirement for the system to work effectively and to ensure that there is confidence in the application of our legislation in this area. Deportations are costly and complex to enforce. It is the preferred option to return people voluntarily and my Department has a voluntary return programme to assist people to return prior to the issuance of a deportation order. A person can only avail of voluntary return before a deportation order is issued and I have increased resources into this programme to enable persons who wish to return before a deportation order is issued to them. In 2024, 934 people left Ireland by way of voluntary return. This year 1,121 people have left Ireland by way of voluntary return up to 05 September 2025, which is an increase of 158% compared to the same period in 2024. The COVID-19 Pandemic disrupted return operations across Europe and there was a moratorium on deportations in Ireland during the latter part of 2020, all of 2021 and for the first 8 months of 2022. During the moratorium only people whose presence in Ireland would be contrary to the public interest were deported. Since the lifting of the moratorium, removal operations have resumed and my Department has taken action to significantly improve immigration enforcement measures and increase removals. The number of deportation orders signed in 2024 (2,403) increased by 180% compared to 2023 (857). This year 2,846 deportation orders have been signed up to 5 September 2025. If a person does not remove themselves from the State following the issuance of a deportation order, they will be removed. So far this year three charter flight operations have removed 106 people who were subject to deportation orders from the State with a further 124 removed on commercial airlines. Further charter operations and removals on commercial aircraft will be conducted as the year progresses. So far in 2025, a total of 1,410 people departed from the State under various mechanisms (i.e. enforced deportation, voluntary return etc.). The tables below detail information in relation to deportation in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025 up to 5 September 2025. Table 1. Deportation orders signed from 2020 to 2025 Year 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025* Deportation orders signed 598 33 549 859 2,403 2,846 * to 05/09/2025 ** Please note, figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing. Table 2. Deportation Enforcement 2020 to 2025 Year 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025* Enforced Deportations 42 5 24 51 134 124 Removed by Charter N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 106 Otherwise Confirmed Deportations (1) 97 33 93 28 28 39 Total Deportations 139 38 117 79 162 269 * to 05/09/2025 * Please note, figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing.", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2025-09-08/pq_1583", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2025-09-08/1583/" }, { "date": "2025-09-08", "question_number": 1671, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "Deportation Orders", "asked_by": "Ken O'Flynn", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "1671. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of deportation orders issued in the past three years; the number enforced; and the obstacles preventing full enforcement of deportation orders. [46531/25]", "answer": "Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration I propose to take Questions Nos. 1583 and 1671 together. It is a central priority for me that Ireland\u2019s immigration system is robust and rules based. The enforcement aspects of our laws, including deportation orders, are an essential requirement for the system to work effectively and to ensure that there is confidence in the application of our legislation in this area. Deportations are costly and complex to enforce. It is the preferred option to return people voluntarily and my Department has a voluntary return programme to assist people to return prior to the issuance of a deportation order. A person can only avail of voluntary return before a deportation order is issued and I have increased resources into this programme to enable persons who wish to return before a deportation order is issued to them. In 2024, 934 people left Ireland by way of voluntary return. This year 1,121 people have left Ireland by way of voluntary return up to 05 September 2025, which is an increase of 158% compared to the same period in 2024. The COVID-19 Pandemic disrupted return operations across Europe and there was a moratorium on deportations in Ireland during the latter part of 2020, all of 2021 and for the first 8 months of 2022. During the moratorium only people whose presence in Ireland would be contrary to the public interest were deported. Since the lifting of the moratorium, removal operations have resumed and my Department has taken action to significantly improve immigration enforcement measures and increase removals. The number of deportation orders signed in 2024 (2,403) increased by 180% compared to 2023 (857). This year 2,846 deportation orders have been signed up to 5 September 2025. If a person does not remove themselves from the State following the issuance of a deportation order, they will be removed. So far this year three charter flight operations have removed 106 people who were subject to deportation orders from the State with a further 124 removed on commercial airlines. Further charter operations and removals on commercial aircraft will be conducted as the year progresses. So far in 2025, a total of 1,410 people departed from the State under various mechanisms (i.e. enforced deportation, voluntary return etc.). The tables below detail information in relation to deportation in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025 up to 5 September 2025. Table 1. Deportation orders signed from 2020 to 2025 Year 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025* Deportation orders signed 598 33 549 859 2,403 2,846 * to 05/09/2025 ** Please note, figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing. Table 2. Deportation Enforcement 2020 to 2025 Year 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025* Enforced Deportations 42 5 24 51 134 124 Removed by Charter N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 106 Otherwise Confirmed Deportations (1) 97 33 93 28 28 39 Total Deportations 139 38 117 79 162 269 * to 05/09/2025 * Please note, figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing.", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2025-09-08/pq_1671", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2025-09-08/1671/" }, { "date": "2025-11-18", "question_number": 749, "chamber": "34th D\u00e1il", "topic": "Departmental Staff", "asked_by": "George Lawlor", "answered_by": "Justice", "question_type": "written", "question": "749. Deputy George Lawlor asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of vacancies which arose at principal officer level for the years 2022, 2023, 2024 and to date in 2025 in his Department and agencies under the aegis of his Department; the number of these vacancies filled between internal and external methods; the number of vacancies each year at principal officer level filled by mobility; the number of internal competitions for principal officer grade run by his Department since 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63029/25]", "answer": "Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration My Department has run five internal competitions for the position of Principal Officer since 2010, in the years 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022 and 2024. The breakdown of information requested by the Deputy for my Department is set out in the table below. Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration* Principal Officer Vacancies (on 1st Jan each year) Vacancies filled internally Vacancies filled externally Vacancies filled by mobility 2022 13 4 8 1 2023 10 0 9 1 2024 3 0 3 0 2025 YTD 27 17 2 1 *Note: Figures supplied include the core Department and agencies in Justice Vote 24. For the time period in question, this includes: the Irish Film Classification Office; Insolvency Service of Ireland, Property Services Regulatory Authority, Legal Services Regulatory Authority, Judicial Council, Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland Dublin Coroner's Office, International Protection Appeals Tribunal; Cuan; Office of the Inspector of Prisons; Office of the State Pathologist; Parole Board; Private Security Authority; Probation Service; Forensic Science Ireland, Office of the Independent Examiner of Security Legislation, Criminal Assets Bureau and the Criminal Injuries Compensation Tribunal. I am informed that the information received from the remaining Vote 24 agencies and the agencies in the Justice Vote Group is presented in the table below. - Principal Officer Vacancies Vacancies filled internally Vacancies filled externally Vacancies filled by mobility An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na 2022 9 2 4 0 2023 8 3 1 0 2024 9 2 1 0 2025 YTD 10 1 5* 0 Courts Service of Ireland 2022 8 5 1 2 2023 9 7 1 1 2024 6 6 0 0 2025 YTD 5 3 0 1 Data Protection Commission 2022 9 0 9 0 2023 2 0 2 0 2024 1 3 1 1 2025 YTD 3 1 1 0 Fiosr\u00fa** 2022 1 0 0 0 2023 3 0 2 0 2024 2 0 1 1 2025 YTD 6 4 1 0 Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland 2022 0 0 0 0 2023 0 0 0 0 2024 3 0 3 0 2025 YTD 3 0 2 1 Irish Prison Service 2022 4 3 1 0 2023 1 1 0 0 2024 2 1 1 0 2025 YTD 2 1 0 1 Judicial Council 2022 1 0 1 0 2023 0 0 0 0 2024 0 0 0 0 2025 YTD 0 0 0 0 Legal Aid Board 2022 1 0 1 0 2023 1 0 0 0 2024 1 0 2 0 2025 YTD 2 1 1 0 Policing and Community Safety Authority (Incorporating the Policing Authority)*** 2022 0 0 0 0 2023 1\u2020 0 0 0 2024 1 1 0 0 2025 YTD 1 0 1 0 * 2 to commence before year end ** Fiosr\u00fa was established in April 2025 with a new Vote, replacing the functions of the Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na Ombudsman Commission *** The Policing and Community Safety Authority was established in April 2025, incorporating the functions of the Policing Authority and the Garda Inspectorate. \u2020 Position not filled in 2023", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2025-11-18/pq_749", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2025-11-18/749/" }, { "date": "2023-11-14", "question_number": 418, "chamber": "33rd D\u00e1il", "topic": "Ukraine War", "asked_by": "Carol Nolan", "answered_by": "Children", "question_type": "written", "question": "418. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the total costs of maintaining all asylum seekers in Ireland (excluding those from Ukraine) in each year from 2016 to 2022, including the cost of accommodation, allowances, assistance payments, health benefits, additional staffing and administration costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49398/23]", "answer": "Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth The total spend on International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) accommodation in 2022 was \u20ac356,554,000. There were 19,202 people in IPAS accommodation on 31 December 2022. At a year-end average of overall cost divided by the number of people residing in IPAS accommodation, the average annual figure for keeping an international protection applicant (IPA) in IPAS accommodation for one year was \u20ac18,568.59. The number of people who are resident in IPAS accommodation will vary day to day throughout the year as the number of daily arrivals increase on a cumulative basis. 2022 has seen a major increase in this respect, with 2023 seeing similar trends. Those seeking asylum in Ireland must make an application for international protection. While that claim is being examined by the International Protection Office, IPAS provides accommodation and related services to IPAs who wish to accept the offer of accommodation from the Irish State. Services for all International Protection applicants, including healthcare, are mainstreamed, and accessed through the same referral pathways as Irish citizens. Residents in accommodation centres access GP services within the local community, and mental health services are accessed through the same referral pathways as Irish citizens \u2013 that is, through primary care, GP referral and emergency services. IPAS liaise with the HSE in relation to how best to meet the health and related needs of International Protection applicants in IPAS centres, and the HSE Social Inclusion Outreach Team attend the centre regularly to provide healthcare assistance and arrange GP appointments for residents. A weekly personal allowance is also paid to each person. In 2021 this was increased to \u20ac38.80 for adults and \u20ac29.80 for children. Should an IPA require additional support, they can apply for an Additional Needs Payment. These are paid under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance which is administered by the Community Welfare Service (CWS) of the Department of Social Protection. An Additional Needs Payment application is reviewed by a Community Welfare Officer (CWO) who makes a decision based on the individual's circumstances. Each application is dealt with on a case by case basis. Please see in tabular format, the costs associated with accommodating IPAs, each year from 2016 to 2022. Year Expenditure Residents in IPAS accommodation at year end Average yearly cost per resident 2016 \u20ac64,134,000 4425 \u20ac14,493.55 2017 \u20ac67,359,000 5096 \u20ac13,218.01 2018 \u20ac77,993,000 6106 \u20ac12,773.17 2019 \u20ac129,408,000 7683 \u20ac16,843.42 2020 \u20ac183,215,000 6997 \u20ac26,184.79 2021 \u20ac190,856,000 7244 \u20ac26,346.77 2022 \u20ac356,554,000 19202 \u20ac18,568.59", "uri": "https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/question/2023-11-14/pq_418", "url": "https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2023-11-14/418/" } ]