Wednesday, 24 Jan 2024

Written Answers Nos. 148-167

Departmental Staff

Questions (148)

Ged Nash

Question:

148. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Social Protection to provide figures for the number of staff directly employed in her Department who work from home/remotely as part of their working week; the percentage of staff on an overall basis who work from home at least one day a week; the number of working hours on average per week that staff in her Department work from home; the gender breakdown of those who avail of the opportunity to work from home/remotely; if they will provide the figures for 2022 and 2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3245/24]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

My Department's formal Blended Working Policy offers a varied attendance model from the minimum office attendance being one day per week, right up to full-time office attendance, in line with business requirements, individual suitability and workstation requirements. There is an annual application process. Approved Blended Working arrangements under the 2024 application process will become operational on the 29th January 2024.

The number of staff within my Department who work from home/remotely as part of their working week was 3,997 at end of year 2022, and 4,118 at end of year 2023. The reminder work from the office full-time.

The percentage of staff on an overall basis who work from home at least one day a week was 58% at end of year 2022, and 58% at end of year 2023.

The average hours of attendance are in line with DPENDR's Circular Revision of Working Hours in the Civil Service, 14/2022, noting the average working hours is 7 hours daily for full time staff.

Given the numbers of staff in DSP, the varying work patterns including shorter working year and family friendly arrangements, we do not collate information on the average working hours for staff who had an agreed blended working arrangement in 2022 and 2023. Blended working is approved, managed and monitored on the basis on number of days working remotely per week and is strictly subject to the business needs of the Department and the individual office - which can vary.

My Department uses the blended working application form, provided and administered for the Civil Service by the National Shared Services Office (NSSO), which does not record gender. DSP's gender breakdown across the Department as published in the DSP Gender Pay Report 2022 was, female 69% and male 31%, and in the DSP Gender Pay Gap Report 2023 was, female 68.73% and male 31.27%.

Departmental Staff

Questions (149)

Ged Nash

Question:

149. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Social Protection to provide figures for the number of staff directly employed in agencies and bodies directly under her aegis who work from home/remotely as part of their working week; the percentage of staff on an overall basis who work from home at least one day a week; the number of working hours on average per week that staff in relevant agencies and bodies work from home; the gender breakdown of those who avail of the opportunity to work from home/remotely; if she will provide the figures for 2022 and 2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3263/24]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

The Agencies and Bodies under my aegis are Citizens Information Board and the Pensions Authority. The tables below highlight the position in both organisations.

Citizens Information Board

	2022	2023
No. of staff working remotely	77	78
% of staff at least 1 day per week remotely	96%	95%
Average working hours remote per week	19.11	19.33
Gender breakdown of those availing of remote working	96% of all Female employees96% of all Male employees	94% of all female employees96% of all male employees

Pensions Authority

	2022	2023
No. of staff working remotely	85	83
% of staff at least 1 day per week remotely	99%	99%
Average working hours remote per week	28	28
Gender breakdown of those availing of remote working	100% of female employees99% of male employees	100% of female employees99% of male employees

Pensions Reform

Questions (150)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

Question:

150. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Social Protection for an update on the proposed auto enrolment scheme. [3306/24]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

The introduction of a pensions auto-enrolment system is a Programme for Government commitment, and a key priority for me as Minister for Social Protection.

Since the publication of 'The Design Principles for Ireland’s Automatic Enrolment Retirement Savings System' in 2022, officials in my Department have been singularly focused on the implementation of the AE system, with the aim of having the first enrolments commencing in the latter half of this year. A dedicated project team is leading out on this work, which includes drafting the necessary legislation that will underpin it, designing the organisational structures and the technical system to operate it, and communicating this landmark reform to stakeholders and the public.

A number of major milestones will be reached early this year, including the publication of the AE Bill with initiation of the passage of this legislation through the Oireachtas immediately thereafter. In addition, the second phase of a procurement exercise for outsourced administration services will take place in the coming weeks. Paralleling this work, a procurement exercise for outsourced investment management services is at an advanced stage of development. Additionally, the first phase of a three-phased multichannel communications strategy is being rolled out. Following on from this awareness raising phase, there will then be an information phase and a launch phase later this year.

In implementing this policy of strategic national importance, the Department is being assisted by the Office of Parliamentary Counsel and the Office of the Attorney General in terms of the drafting of the legislation. The cooperation of the Revenue Commissioners and the Departments of Finance and Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform with regard to the putting in place of the administrative and operational processes is critically important.

Social Welfare Benefits

Questions (151)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

Question:

151. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Social Protection the actual number and the percentage of working family payment claimants, respectively who are also claiming the one parent family payment. [3307/24]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

Working Family Payment (WFP) is a weekly in-work support which provides an income support for employees on low earnings with children. To qualify for Working Family Payment, the customer must be working a minimum of 38 hours per fortnight in ongoing insurable employment and have at least one qualified child who normally resides with them.

There are currently 5,631 Working Family Payment claimants who are also claiming One Parent Family Payment which is 12.4% of Working Family Payment claimants.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Social Welfare Benefits

Questions (152)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

Question:

152. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Social Protection the percentage of claimants over each of the past five years of claimants who lose the working family payment due to the claimant moving from the one parent family payment to the jobseeker’s transitional payment when their youngest child reaches seven years of age. [3308/24]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

Working Family Payment (WFP) is a weekly in-work support which provides an income support for employees on low earnings with children. To qualify for Working Family Payment, the customer must be working a minimum of 38 hours per fortnight in ongoing insurable employment and have at least one qualified child who normally resides with them.

Working Family Payment customers are eligible to receive One Parent Family Payment once they satisfy the qualifying conditions for both schemes. When One Parent Family ceases due to the qualified child reaching the age of 7, the rate of Working Family Payment is automatically increased to reflect this change in circumstances.

Working Family Payment is not compatible with any jobseeker schemes. Therefore, a customer may not claim Jobseekers Transitional Payment alongside WFP. The Department contacts customers and they can choose to remain on a higher rate of Working Family Payment or move onto Jobseekers Transitional Payment.

The number of claimants that cease their WFP claim and move to Jobseekers Transitional Payment is not readily available. The Department will investigate if a report to capture this information can be developed in the future.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Social Welfare Appeals

Questions (153)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

Question:

153. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Social Protection for a breakdown of the average wait time for a decision on an appeal, for each social welfare payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3309/24]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

The Social Welfare Appeals Office is an Office of the Department of Social Protection which is responsible for determining appeals against decisions in relation to social welfare entitlements. Appeals Officers are independent in their decision making functions.

Significant efforts and resources have been devoted to reforming the appeal process in recent years.

Further improvements in appeals processing times are a priority for the Chief Appeals Officer. A significant Appeals Modernisation Project is currently underway the goal of which is to streamline and enhance the end-to-end appeals process for the customer, the Social Welfare Appeals Office and business areas across the Department. As part of this project a new IT system went live on the 6th November 2023. The new system has significantly reduced the time taken to register and acknowledge appeals lodged with the Appeals Office and in time will reduce the overall average processing times. Additional staff were assigned to the office as part of the project to assist with the preparation for and transition to the new IT system and the establishment of new procedures.

The table below shows a breakdown of the average processing times for all appeals by scheme, which were decided on a summary basis and by oral hearing, for the period 1st January 2023 to 31st December 2023.

Appeal Processing Times by Scheme 1 January 2023– 31 December 2023

	Average processing times (weeks)Summary Decisions	Average processingtimes (weeks)Oral Hearings
Blind Pension	19.7	58.6
Back To Work Family Dividend	31.8	-
Carer’s Allowance	15.9	23.8
Carer’s Benefit	14.4	21.8
Carer's Support Grant	15.2	18.6
Child Benefit	29.1	47.7
Deserted Wife’s Benefit	31.1	43.0
Disability Allowance	15.7	24.8
Disablement Pension	9.2	-
Domiciliary Care Allowance	19.2	25.7
Farm Assist	21.0	79.2
Guardian's Payment (Contributory)	18.6	26.5
Guardian's Payment (Non-Con)	21.6	-
Illness Benefit	17.7	97.7
Insurability of Employment	19.4	100.3
Invalidity Pension	15.5	21.5
Jobseeker's Allowance (Means)	17.1	28.4
Jobseeker's Allowance (Payments)	18.0	29.6
Jobseeker's Benefit	15.3	16.9
Jobseeker's Benefit O65	18.2	-
Jobseeker's Benefit Self Employed	18.2	-
Jobseeker's Transitional	15.9	72.6
Liable Relatives	-	-
Maternity Benefit	14.7	39.5
Occupational Injury Benefit	26.9	32.2
One Parent Family Payment	17.1	42.0
Pandemic Unemployment Payment	59.5	101.7
Partial Capacity Benefit	17.3	29.5
Parents Benefit	17.1	-
Paternity Benefit	13.7	-
State Pension (Contributory)	21.8	60.9
State Pension (Non-Contributory)	23.1	43.6
Supplementary Welfare Allowance	16.6	32.0
Treatment Benefit	19.6	-
Widow/Widower's Pension (Contributory)	15.6	-
Widow/Widower's Pension (Non-Contributory)	21.6	20.0
Widowed Parent Grant	7.0	-
Working Family Payment	40.2	184.9
All Appeals	17.6	29.2

I trust this clarifies matters the matter for the Deputy.

Social Welfare Eligibility

Questions (154)

Paul McAuliffe

Question:

154. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Social Protection to review the qualified adult case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3321/24]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

The spouse of the person concerned is in receipt of a State Pension (contributory) payment from my Department which includes an Increase for a Qualified Adult for the person concerned.

An increase for a qualified adult is a means-tested payment, payable to a claimant whose spouse, civil partner or cohabitant is being wholly or mainly maintained by them, and where that qualified adult’s personal means from any source does not exceed a means test income limit.

Where a qualified adult has weekly means of less than €100, the maximum rate of IQA is payable. Where their weekly means are over €100 and not more than €310, a tapering reduced rate of IQA is payable. If the qualified adult has means of more than €310 per week, this exceeds the means limit and there is no entitlement to an IQA payment.

As part of my Department’s commitment to ensuring that claimants are receiving their full and correct entitlements, ongoing reviews of all means-tested payments are carried out.

Following a recent review of this allowance, the person concerned was assessed with means of €327.90 per week. It was decided that there is no longer an entitlement to this allowance from 11 January 2024 as their weekly means exceeds the statutory limit of €310.00 per week. The spouse of the person concerned was notified of this decision on 8 January 2024 and informed of their right to review and to appeal.I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.

Irish Sign Language

Questions (155)

Neasa Hourigan

Question:

155. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Social Protection the percentage of social media videos posted on her Departmental social media accounts or the social media accounts of public bodies and agencies that operate under her remit, that included closed captioning/subtitling and Irish sign language translations between 1 January 2023 and 31 December 2023, inclusive. [3371/24]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

Between 01 January 2023 and 31 December 2023, 100% of the videos posted on the Department's social media channels included subtitles. Of the bodies and agencies that operate under the remit of my Department, 100% of videos posted on social media included subtitles.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Departmental Schemes

Questions (156)

Neasa Hourigan

Question:

156. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide an update on the implementation of the recommendations outlined in the Review of the Reasonable Accommodation Fund and the Disability Awareness Support Scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3376/24]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

My Department provides a wide range of income and employment supports to assist jobseekers and employees with disabilities, and their employers. These supports include the Reasonable Accommodation Fund and the Disability Awareness Support Scheme.

The Reasonable Accommodation Fund provides financial support for people with disabilities and for employers to help make their workplaces more accessible. The Disability Awareness Support Scheme provides funding for disability awareness training for employees.

I published a review of these schemes last autumn. The review recommends combining the two schemes into a single flexible scheme, simplifying systems and processes, providing approval in principle, and promoting the reformed scheme.

It also recommends increasing funding, extending workplace needs assessments, and job coaching to new recruits and all existing employees, increasing the number of support hours eligible for funding, providing support for blended working, and opening the scheme to other employers, for example the voluntary and community sector.

My Department is currently working to operationalise these recommendations and I expect to launch a reformed scheme towards the end of Q1 2024.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Legislative Programme

Questions (157)

Patrick Costello

Question:

157. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Justice why the historical disregard legislation is absent from the spring legislative programme; and the timeline for the introduction of legislation for this Programme for Government legislation. [3099/24]

Written answers

Minister for Justice

The Victorian-era laws that were repealed by the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act 1993 caused immeasurable harm to generations of gay and bisexual men, criminalising and stigmatizing them simply because of their sexual orientation.

I am deeply conscious that people who were criminalised by these laws, and their families, are hopeful that a disregard scheme can be put in place in the near future and I want to reassure them that I am absolutely committed to doing so.

As the Deputy may be aware, the final report of the Working Group examining the feasibility of a scheme to disregard certain historic convictions related to consensual sexual activity between men was published in June last year.  

The report contains 95 recommendations regarding the introduction of a statutory scheme to enable the disregard of relevant criminal convictions. It includes recommendations on the offences to include in the scheme, the eligibility standards, the application process to be followed, and how to address cases where there may be a lack of available background records relating to a relevant conviction.

My Department is examining how to give effect to the report’s recommendations in a manner that ensures the best outcomes for all concerned. 

This includes seeking legal advice to ensure that the envisaged statutory disregard scheme is legally and constitutionally sound in all respects. 

As regards a timeline for progressing the necessary legislation, in recent months I advised the House that I aim to publish the relevant Heads of a Bill in 2024.  That fully remains my intention.

 

Peace Commissioners

Questions (158)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

Question:

158. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Justice if applications to become a justice of the peace can be accepted by email or if there is an online mechanism for application; and if her Department will consider one if not already in place. [3103/24]

Written answers

Minister for Justice

A Peace Commissioner (formerly known as Justice of the Peace) is appointed and may be removed from that appointment by the Minister for Justice under section 88 of the Courts of Justice Act 1924. The office of Peace Commissioner is an honorary one for which there is no remuneration or compensation by way of fees or expenses for their services. A person who wishes to be considered for the position of Peace Commissioner can make an application to my Department, or a third party may nominate an individual for the position. The application and/or nomination can be sent by email to [e-mail] or alternatively by post to Office of the Minister for Justice, 51 St. Stephen’s Green, Dublin 2 D02 HK52.The Deputy may wish to note that my Department is currently updating the Roll (Register) of Peace Commissioners and has commenced a review of the Peace Commissioner appointment process in its entirety. In that context, consideration is also being given to making the Roll of Peace Commissioners available online.

Sentencing Policy

Questions (159)

Patrick Costello

Question:

159. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Justice what measures have been taken to reduce the number of people serving a custodial sentence of 12 months or less in line with the priority commitment since the publication of the Review of Policy Options for Prison and Penal Reform in August 2022; and if any measures were taken, if these measures have resulted in any reduction. [3116/24]

Written answers

Minister for Justice

The Programme for Government contains a broad range of policies and proposals that represent a coherent approach to enhancing and sustaining a more just and safe society, with a specific commitment to review policy options for prison and penal reform.  

In respect of delivering on this commitment, the Government approved the Review of Policy Options for Prison and Penal Reform 2022-2024 in August 2022.

This review seeks to find the balance between ensuring that people who commit serious crimes receive a punishment and a period of incarceration proportionate to that crime, while at the same time acknowledging that, in many instances, community-based sanctions are more appropriate in diverting offenders away from future criminal activity and that they have a role to play in addressing criminality, reducing reoffending and providing protection to the public, while holding the individual accountable.

The Department has commissioned researchers to engage with the District Court on the operation of the Criminal Justice (Community Service) (Amendment) Act 2011 and to produce a report on judicial insights and perspectives on the 2011 Act. The outcomes of this report will be considered in detail in the context the aforementioned Review of Policy Options for Prison and Penal Reform. 

Further, the Department has undertaken a policy review of the previously published General Scheme of the Criminal Justice (Community Sanctions) Bill 2014. Following on from this, I expect to bring a revised General Scheme to Government in due course.

Immigration Policy

Questions (160, 161)

Michael McNamara

Question:

160. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Justice how many files were prepared for the DPP in respect of suspected offences contrary to section 11 of the Immigration Act 2004 in 2023. [3209/24]

Michael McNamara

Question:

161. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Justice how many prosecutions in respect of alleged offences contrary to section 11 of the Immigration Act 2004 in 2023. [3210/24]

Written answers

Minister for Justice

I propose to take Questions Nos. 160 and 161 together.

As the Deputy will be aware, the prosecution of offences in these instances are a matter for An Garda Síochána and the Director of Public Prosecutions, who are independent in the exercise of their functions in this regard; as Minister I have no role in such prosecutions.

Question No. 161 answered with Question No. 160.

Departmental Staff

Questions (162)

Ged Nash

Question:

162. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Justice to provide figures for the number of staff directly employed in her Department who work from home/remotely as part of their working week; the percentage of staff on an overall basis who work from home at least one day a week; the number of working hours on average per week that staff in her Department work from home; the gender breakdown of those who avail of the opportunity to work from home/remotely; if they will provide the figures for 2022 and 2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3242/24]

Written answers

Minister for Justice

In May 2022, my Department launched its formal blended working policy, which is closely aligned to the Blended Working Framework for the Civil Service. 

The policy indicates a minimum requirement for staff whose role has been deemed suitable for blended working to attend at the office on 2 days per week, to ensure team connectivity and collaboration. However, given the diverse nature of the work undertaken by my Department, the number of days that staff are required to attend the office depends on the business needs of each area.  

While some roles can be performed to a high standard on a blended basis, a significant number of roles are not deemed suitable for blended working due to the requirement for full-time, on-site presence, in order to provide services to the public or discharge the other functions of such roles.

My Department is a client of the National Shared Services Office (NSSO). I regret it is not possible to provide all the detail requested by the Deputy but, based on the NSSO data as of 22 January 2024, the total number of staff employed directly by my Department is 1,928. Of these 1,158 or 60% are currently approved for a form of blended working. The number of people approved for blended working at 31 December 2023 and 2022 was 1,129 and 1,048 respectively.

My Department keeps its Blended Working Policy under review and will take into account the experience to date and any improvements or changes that may need to be made to ensure the policy continues to operate effectively for staff and the public.  

Departmental Staff

Questions (163)

Ged Nash

Question:

163. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Justice to provide figures for the number of staff directly employed in agencies and bodies directly under her aegis who work from home/remotely as part of their working week; the percentage of staff on an overall basis who work from home at least one day a week; the number of working hours on average per week that staff in relevant agencies and bodies work from home; the gender breakdown of those who avail of the opportunity to work from home/remotely; if she will provide the figures for 2022 and 2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3260/24]

Written answers

Minister for Justice

The information requested is currently being compiled and I will write to the Deputy directly once the information is to hand.

Immigration Policy

Questions (164)

Michael McNamara

Question:

164. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Justice how many persons fingerprints were checked against the Schengen Information System in 2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3267/24]

Written answers

Minister for Justice

As the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible under section 26 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended) for the management and administration of Garda business. This includes all operational policing matters and the maintenance of Garda IT systems. As Minister, I have no role in these independent functions. 

The Schengen Information System (SIS) went live in Ireland on 15 March 2021, and enables An Garda Síochána to further improve the safety and security of the public with access to the most widely used, and largest, information sharing system for security and border management in Europe. 

On the 7 March 2023, the upgraded SIS entered into operation. The upgraded SIS is enhanced to include new categories of alerts, biometrics such as palm prints, fingerprints, and DNA records for missing persons, and additional tools to combat crime and terrorism. These upgrades aim to provide national authorities with more complete and reliable information to enhance security and border management in Europe.

An Garda Síochána has responsibility for system connectivity and international communications regarding SIS. The national SIRENE Bureau is located at Garda Headquarters and is supported by the National SIS Office, also located in Garda Headquarters.

To be of assistance, I have contacted the Garda authorities and have been informed that for 2023, there were 3,359 SIS Person Fingerprint searches against Ireland's National Automatic Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS). There were 1,033 SIS Person (Person Details) requests made against AFIS in 2023. 

Person Detail requests relate to the checking of a person's details against person details held on AFIS and, where a match occurs and it is lawful to do so, these fingerprints are then attached to the Irish SIS Alert and submitted to SIS.

Attaching fingerprints to an Irish SIS Alert and submitting the alert to SIS results in an automatic check against SIS AFIS at the point of creation.

All figures supplied are operational and subject to change and are correct as of 23 January 2024.

Immigration Policy

Questions (165)

Michael McNamara

Question:

165. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Justice how may "take back" requests pursuant to the Dublin III Regulation were made within time in 2023 to which no reply was received, to which member states the said requests were made; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3269/24]

Written answers

Minister for Justice

The information requested is currently being compiled and I will write to the Deputy directly once the information is to hand.

Immigration Policy

Questions (166)

Carol Nolan

Question:

166. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Justice further to Parliamentary Question No. 1103 of 17 January 2024, the number of SIS II information (termed ‘Alerts’) Ireland has sent and received on persons and objects, for example persons wanted by Member States for criminal purposes, missing persons and objects which have been stolen or are wanted as evidence for a judicial purpose during the period from 2018 to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3270/24]

Written answers

Minister for Justice

I have contacted the Garda authorities for the information requested, regrettably this was not available in time. I will write to the Deputy again once the information is to hand. 

Immigration Policy

Questions (167)

Mattie McGrath

Question:

167. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Justice the number of individuals who have arrived in Ireland at any port of entry, including Dublin Airport, without valid travel documents, despite presenting them at their point of departure, for each of the years 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, and to date in 2024; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3283/24]

Written answers

Minister for Justice

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 airports and other ports of entry are the responsibility of the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB). Data on this subject is not available in respect of such other ports of entry.

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 BMU and the GNIB are working closely with airlines on a range of measures to ensure that passengers have the appropriate travel documentation when boarding.

Immigration officials are available 24/7 to assist airlines with queries in relation to immigration matters. In addition to providing advice to airlines on specific queries, training is provided to airline ground staff on current travel documentation requirements to help them reduce the number of passengers boarding flights without correct documentation.

The Department has recorded a 34% reduction in 2023 in the number of persons arriving in the State without the correct documentation.

Figures for 2024 to-date are not yet available.

Dublin Airport:

Year	Total Arriving Passengers	Undocumented Arrivals
2018	15,634,300	895
2019	16,318,300	1579
2020	3,636,256	712
2021	4,118,027	2082
2022	13,930,041	4,968
2023	16,628,545	3,285

Section 2(1) of the Immigration Act 2003 places obligations on carriers to ensure that passengers travelling to the State are in possession of a valid travel document that establishes the person’s identity and nationality, and that they have the appropriate visa if required.

The Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) have 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 entry or transit visa.

In 2022, the GNIB issued 958 carrier liability fines. To end November 2023, GNIB issued 918 Career Liability fines. Each fine is €1,500, rising to €3,000 for each offence if it not paid in 28 days.