Tuesday, 18 Feb 2025

Written Answers Nos. 551-570

Visa Applications

Ceisteanna (551, 552)

Carol Nolan

Ceist:

551. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Justice the number of immigration visas processed by his Department from 2022 to date, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6025/25]

Carol Nolan

Ceist:

552. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Justice the total number of all visas processed by his Department from 2022 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6026/25]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Justice

I propose to take Questions Nos. 551 and 552 together.

I can advise the Deputy that any visa required national that wishes to enter the State, and remain, for up to 90 days must have a Type C Short Stay Visa. A visa required national that wishes to reside in the State for longer than 90 days must have a Type D Long Stay Visa. My Department publishes information online regarding the number visa applications received, visa decisions issued and the nationality of visa applicants, from 2017 to 2024. This information is here: https://data.gov.ie/organization/department-of-justice

The table below details the number of Type C Short Stay visa applications received and the first instance decisions made.

Table1: Type C Short Stay visa applications received and first instance decisions made in 2022, 2023, 2024 to 12 February 2025.

Year	Type C Applications Received	Type C First Instance Decisions
2022	76,025	72,170
2023	103,890	99,500
2024	131,803	124,354
2025 (12/02/2025)	12,994	12,883
Total	324,712	308,907

* Please note all statistics may change subject to data cleansing.

The table below details the number of Type D Long Stay visa applications received and the first instance decisions made.

Table 2: Type D Long Stay visa applications received and first instance decisions in 2022, 2023, 2024 to 12 February 2025.

Year	Type D Applications Received	Type D First Instance Decisions
2022	59,707	55,892
2023	62,766	58,537
2024	69,884	62,490
2025 (12/02/2025)	5,734	8,175
Total	198,091	185,094

* Please note all statistics may change subject to data cleansing.

Question No. 552 answered with Question No. 551.

An Garda Síochána

Ceisteanna (553)

Alan Kelly

Ceist:

553. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Justice further to Parliamentary Question No. 198 of 6 February 2025, to provide additional clarity as to when precisely his Department was alerted to the potential dangers arising in respect of defective leather pistol holsters previously on issue to members of An Garda Síochána; and if his Department was made aware more than two years earlier than the November 2022 dateline contained in his response. [6042/25]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Justice

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 procurement and deployment of equipment.

As advised in correspondence issued to the Deputy on 13 February 2025, the holsters referred to in Parliamentary Question No. 198 of 6 February 2025 were first referenced in correspondence to the Department in August 2020.

An Garda Síochána

Ceisteanna (554)

Alan Kelly

Ceist:

554. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Justice if he can state with complete and absolute certainty that all leather pistol holsters (details supplied) have been surrendered by those previously issued with them in An Garda Síochána and that no such defective holsters are retained by individual Garda members currently. [6043/25]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Justice

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 procurement and deployment of equipment.

The Garda authorities informed my Department, in correspondence dated March 2023, that the type of holster referred to was no longer in circulation within An Garda Síochána.

Garda authorities have further informed me that a new firearms accessories tender began in August 2019 and following the evaluation of samples, a contract was awarded in September 2020 which resulted in the introduction of the current King Cobra EVO5 Hip Holsters for both the Walther and Sig Sauer Pistols.

I understand that a phased roll-out programme commenced and the change from leather hip holsters to polymer hip holsters occurred over a period of approximately 18 months. The Assistant Commissioner responsible for the Garda National Crime and Security Intelligence Service (GNCSIS), which has governance over firearms within An Garda Síochána, has received confirmation from all Divisions that all leather hip holster have now been replaced with polymer hip holsters. Polymer Holsters were given to Firearms Training Instructors to facilitate the roll-out and changeover at the various ranges nationwide.

I am further informed that once a Garda was trained in the use of the new polymer holsters, they surrendered their old leather holsters and were issued with the new holster. There was a requirement to sign an issue sheet at the ranges for receipt of the replacement holster.

Finally, I am informed that when all retired leather holsters were returned to Firearms Stores by Firearms Training Instructors, arrangements were then made for all obsolete leather holsters to be shredded.

An Garda Síochána

Ceisteanna (555, 556, 557, 583)

Alan Kelly

Ceist:

555. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Justice if he or his Department were aware of the servicing and repair of privately owned firearms being undertaken by Garda armourer personnel attached to the Garda firearms stores section in 2018, where such firearms were belonging to a hunt and pony club based in the Kildare area and where the cost of such servicing and repair was defrayed by public funds. [6044/25]

Alan Kelly

Ceist:

556. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Justice if his Department approved the purchase and importation of firearm component parts into the State as contained in Importation licence J 11 2018. [6045/25]

Alan Kelly

Ceist:

557. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Justice if he was informed by the Garda Commissioner, in line with the commissioners statutory obligations under section 41 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 that the firearm component parts contained in Importation licence J 11 2018 related to the service and repair of privately owned firearms belonging to a hunt and pony club rather than official Garda firearms. [6046/25]

Alan Kelly

Ceist:

583. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Justice if his office was made aware of hundreds of non-official, non-Garda firearms being discarded by An Garda Síochána’s firearms stores section in a poorly secured steel container within the confines of Garda Headquarters prior to the Garda firearms stores section being transferred under the management of the Garda National Technical Bureau in September 2019. [6350/25]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Justice

I propose to take Questions Nos. 555, 556, 557 and 583 together.

The Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of Garda business under Section 26 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended). This includes all operational matters, such as the handling, service and repair of firearms. As Minister I have no role in these matters.

The Department of Justice was made aware of matters related to those raised by the Deputy through correspondence received in August 2020. As that correspondence is subject to an investigation, I am not in a position to comment in detail but will set out the facts available.

The Firearms Unit in the Department of Justice processes applications for all importation licences of firearms and ammunition and export licences to EU Member States. Individuals apply for an import license under Section 17(1) of the Firearms Act 1925-2023 and An Garda Síochána apply under Section 17(8). The import licence referred to by the Deputy was processed and issued by the Department in July 2018. I have not received a section 41 in relation to these matters.

Question No. 556 answered with Question No. 555.

Question No. 557 answered with Question No. 555.

Departmental Inquiries

Ceisteanna (558)

Alan Kelly

Ceist:

558. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Justice the total number of DNA non-submissions, broken down by sample type, that is, intelligence, evidential or intimate samples, that occurred subsequent to the commencement of the 2019 DNA Inquiry that is, from 3 April 2019 to date; and the full extent of the impact of each such non-submission in regard to the investigation of crime and the infringement of the data protection and human rights of the donor and of the victim. [6048/25]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Justice

I have requested the information sought by the Deputy from the Garda authorities. Regrettably, this was not available in time and I will write to the Deputy once the information is to hand.

Ministerial Responsibilities

Ceisteanna (559)

Matt Carthy

Ceist:

559. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice to clarify, regarding comments he made on a television programme (details supplied) on Monday, 12 February 2025 that parts of Dublin were not safe, the specific Garda districts within the Dublin Metropolitan Region he was referring to; what actions he is taking to address the concerns for public safety that he referred to; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6055/25]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Justice

The Government is committed to the principle that people should be safe and feel safe, wherever they are in Ireland. As a large city, Dublin experiences many of the same challenges faced by the vast majority of capital cities, and while generally safe, different parts of the city can be unsafe at certain moments, particularly at night. With regard to safety in Dublin City Centre, the Garda Commissioner has put significant additional resources into high visibility policing in Dublin city centre and he has assured me that will continue. Of the 599 Gardaí who attested last year, 372 were allocated to stations across Dublin. As of the end of December 2024, there are 3,809 Gardaí working in Dublin. Of those, 1,381 are assigned to DMR North Central and South Central and police the inner city. There are also 513 Garda staff working in the DMR, which is a very significant increase of over 40% since 2020. The unprecedented allocation of €2.48 billion in Budget 2025 has provided An Garda Síochána with the resources it needs to provide high visibility policing, including a boosted overtime budget of €150 million, an increase of 13%. Under Operation Citizen, uniform Gardaí members perform high visibility patrols on foot and on bike, and respond to reports of crime in Dublin city centre. The Gardaí deployed on Operation Citizen are drawn from Store Street and Pearse Street Garda stations, using the Gardaí who are best placed to provide an effective policing service, bringing their local knowledge. Other Garda Operations taking place in Dublin to deter crime and anti-social behaviour include: Operation Saul which aims to provide a safe environment for commuters using public transport services; Operation Táirge targeting Retail Theft; and Operation Tara tackling street level drug-dealing. On a strategic level Local Community Safety Partnerships (LCSPs) are rolling out nationally and include residents, local councillors, community representatives (including representatives of young people, older people, and new and minority communities), business and education representatives and a range of public services including the HSE, Tusla, An Garda Síochána and the local authority. The Dublin North Inner City Community Safety Partnership published a community safety plan for the area for 2023-2026, which contains 50 actions across five priority areas aimed at enhancing safety in the area.

Additionally, the Report of the Dublin City Taskforce was launched in October last year, after it was appointed in May 2024 to take a holistic view of the measures required to rejuvenate Dublin City Centre, and improve its safety, public realm, and experience. The report recommended ten ‘Big Moves’ to this end, including the revitalization of O’Connell Street and its environs, establishing targeted and better located Services for vulnerable City Centre populations, and prioritising the total regeneration of social housing complexes. The Department of Taoiseach is overseeing the development of roadmap for implementation of the report.

The Government will continue to provide An Garda Síochána with the resources it needs to keep people safe in communities in Dublin.

Citizenship Applications

Ceisteanna (560)

Ryan O'Meara

Ceist:

560. Deputy Ryan O'Meara asked the Minister for Justice if, in the case of a person who has dual British and Swiss citizenship and has applied as sponsor for a family member of a UK national preclearance but is awaiting a decision, it is possible to cancel the application and reapply through the Swiss-national route for their family to join them in Ireland instead; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6061/25]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Justice

I can advise the Deputy that it is open to any applicant to withdraw their visa or preclearance application if they wish to apply for another an alterative visa. This request should be made directly to my Departments Digital Contact Centre (DCC).My Department’s DCC platform can be accessed at the following link: https://portal.irishimmigration.ie/en/ It would then be open to the applicant to make any other application which they deem better suits their circumstances.

Naturalisation Applications

Ceisteanna (561)

Cathal Crowe

Ceist:

561. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Justice when persons (details supplied) can expect to receive an outcome to their naturalisation applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6097/25]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Justice

The naturalisation applications from the persons referred to by the Deputy continue to be processed by my Department.

I understand the extended wait times can be frustrating for applicants, particularly considering the current processing times. I want to assure anyone who has an application for naturalisation submitted that the Citizenship Division of my Department is doing everything possible to progress applications as quickly as possible.

I expect that going forward, the vast majority of applicants will continue to receive a decision within one year, however, it is important to note 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 international checks can take a considerable amount of time and these are largely out of the control of the Immigration Service.

Citizenship Division have also 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. I am pleased to inform the Deputy that these changes are dramatically reducing processing times.

The length of time taken to process an application has dropped from 15 months in 2023, to 8 months in 2024.

The persons concerned can now directly check the status of their immigration application on the Immigration Service’s new Digital Contact Centre (DCC). They can register for, or log in to their existing account, at: https://portal.irishimmigration.ie/en/.

As an Oireachtas member, you can also request the status of individual immigration cases by e-mail, using the Oireachtas Mail facility at: [e-mail], which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Question process.

Residency Permits

Ceisteanna (562)

Richard Boyd Barrett

Ceist:

562. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Justice the options available to residents on a stamp 1G visa to legally remain in Ireland when their graduate work contracts fall short of the minimum two-year period to apply for a stamp 4. [6110/25]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Justice

I can inform the Deputy that where a non-EEA student has completed their studies in Ireland and gained an award at level 8 on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) or above, that person may qualify for a Stamp 1G for 12 months under the Third Level Graduate Programme. Where an individual receives an award at level 9 NFQ, they may qualify for a Stamp 1G for up to 24 months under the same programme, subject to the overall limit of 8 years on student conditions that applies.

This period on the Stamp 1G immigration permission is to provide the graduate and any prospective employer a longer opportunity to make an application for an employment permit. Matters relating to employment permits do not fall within the remit of the Immigration Service and is a matter for the Employment Permits Division of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment. Further information relating to employment permits can be found at www.enterprise.gov.ie.

If that application is successful, the graduate can register on a Stamp 1 immigration permission.

It is open to any person to apply for a change of immigration status if they meet the criteria for doing so. Detailed information on how to change immigration permission is available on the Immigration Service website at: www.irishimmigration.ie/registering-your-immigration-permission/changing-your-immigration-permission/

Employees residing in the State on a Stamp 1 or 1H permission are eligible for a Stamp 4 upgrade upon completion of 21 months from commencement of employment in the State on the basis of:

• A Critical Skills Employment Permit

• A Hosting Agreement as a Researcher

• A Multi-Site General Employment Permit as a Non-Consultant Hospital Doctor

Or, upon completion of 57 months from commencement of employment in the State on the basis of a General Employment Permit.

Further details are available on the Immigration Service website at www.irishimmigration.ie/update-to-eligibility-requirements-for-stamp-4-upgrades/

Citizenship Applications

Ceisteanna (563)

Robert Troy

Ceist:

563. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Justice if a paper form citizenship application can still be obtained; and if not, if all applications are required to go through the online portal. [6135/25]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Justice

Applicants are encouraged to submit their applications for naturalisation through my Departments Immigration Service Delivery online digital form, which can be accessed at https://inisonline.jahs.ie/user/login

Upon request, Citizenship Division can provide a paper application form. To submit such a request, applicants should contact Citizenship division through my Departments Digital Contact Centre (DCC), which can be accessed here: https://portal.irishimmigration.ie/en/

Once an application is submitted, applicants can also use the DCC to check the status of their immigration applications and raise any further related queries.

I wish to advise the Deputy that due to the administrative nature of paper-based applications, it will take longer to process than an online digital application.

Citizenship Division have taken a significant number of steps to speed up the process for applicants. These included introducing the online digital application, online payments, and the introduction of eVetting. I am pleased to inform the Deputy that these changes are dramatically reducing processing times.

The length of time taken to process an application has dropped from 15 months in 2023, to 8 months in 2024.

Detailed information on how to apply for naturalisation and other resources is also available on the Immigration Service website here: www.irishimmigration.ie/how-to-become-a-citizen/

My officials are happy to engage in relation to a specific case if you can send further details to [e-mail].

International Protection

Ceisteanna (564)

Peadar Tóibín

Ceist:

564. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Justice the number of additional staff were hired by the International Protection Appeals Tribunal in 2023 and in 2024; the number still working in their role; and the average cost of training a new staff member for these roles. [6142/25]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Justice

It has 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.

International Protection

Ceisteanna (565)

Peadar Tóibín

Ceist:

565. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Justice the number of additional staff were hired by the International Protection Office in 2023 and 2024; the number still working in their role; and the average cost of training a new staff member for these roles. [6143/25]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Justice

It has 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.

Question No. 566 answered with Question No. 513.

Question No. 567 answered with Question No. 513.

International Protection

Ceisteanna (568)

Peadar Tóibín

Ceist:

568. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Justice the average cost to the State to train each staff member in IPO or IPAT offices; the budget put in place for training new staff, in 2022, 2023, 2024 and the projected budget for 2025, and if he will make a statement on the matter and the issues involved (details supplied). [6150/25]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Justice

It has 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.

Asylum Seekers

Ceisteanna (569)

Carol Nolan

Ceist:

569. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Justice if his Department is developing any proposals to assist in the relocation of Palestinian citizens to Ireland; if so, if he has met with any Palestinian officials to discuss this matter; if he is developing any proposals to offer a bespoke asylum process for Palestinians; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6153/25]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Justice

The Irish Refugee Protection Programme deals with relocation schemes and is currently under the remit of the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth.

While a specific humanitarian admission programme in respect of Gaza does not exist, all existing immigration arrangements and programmes are open to the persons affected.

Under Section 15(1) of the International Protection Act 2015, a person who wishes to make a claim for international protection in Ireland must be at the frontier of the State or already be present in the State.

There is no provision in national law for making asylum applications while a person is outside the State.

More detailed information on the international protection application process can be found on the International Protection Office website at:

www.ipo.gov.ie/en/IPO/Pages/Assessment_of_Application

Details of the immigration pathways to travel to and enter the State are available on my Department’s website: www.irishimmigration.ie.

Control of Firearms

Ceisteanna (570)

John Paul O'Shea

Ceist:

570. Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Justice for an update on the establishment of a new permanent stakeholders forum for licensed firearms holders; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6175/25]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Justice

My Department holds meetings with individual firearms organisations on request and engages with various firearms stakeholders in other ways, while An Garda Síochána also meets with stakeholder organisations in respect of relevant matters.

The Firearms Consultative Panel (FCP) was a non-statutory forum comprising various firearms interest groups that last met in 2019. I am informed that a breakdown in relations between some of the major firearms interest groups represented on the panel meant that it was not possible for meetings to take place with all groups represented, in effect putting the FCP into abeyance.

As part of the consultation process around the work of the Firearms Expert Committee, the-then Minister of State and Department officials met with a number of firearms organisations.

One of the issues raised during the course of these engagements was the need for more regular and structured engagement between policymakers and firearms users and, notwithstanding the difficulties that arose in respect of the FCP, this matter is something that will be explored by my officials in the near future.