John Paul O'Shea
Ceist:571. Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Justice for an update on a citizenship application (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6176/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraCitizenship Applications
Ceisteanna (571)
Freagraí scríofa
The naturalisation application from the person referred to by the Deputy continues 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 person 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: IMoireachtasmail@justice.ie, which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Question process.
Departmental Appointments
Ceisteanna (572)
John Paul O'Shea
Ceist:572. Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Justice the status of an application for re-appointment as a member of the Cork Prison visiting committee on behalf of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6179/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The work undertaken by Prison Visiting Committees provides an invaluable perspective on our prisons and the experiences of those in their care, and ensures important issues are highlighted.
The Report on a Review of Prison Visiting Committees, completed in 2023, makes a series of recommendations, including that a public competition to select members is the appropriate approach to take in appointing candidates to committees in the future.
My officials are currently examining the options available to implement this recommendation, and re-appointments are being considered in that context.
My officials will be in contact with the applicant in due course.
Proposed Legislation
Ceisteanna (573)
Roderic O'Gorman
Ceist:573. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Justice for an update on the proposed extension of licensing laws as progressed by the previous Government; if his Department is continuing to progress this legislation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6202/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Programme for Government commits to updating our licensing laws and work on this will be progressed as part of the Government’s Legislative Programme which the Government Chief Whip will publish in the near future.
Departmental Properties
Ceisteanna (574, 575)
Holly Cairns
Ceist:574. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Justice to provide details of the empty buildings, by county, in his Department’s portfolio; the value of the property; the length of time they have lain empty; and the physical status of each building, in tabular form. [6235/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraHolly Cairns
Ceist:575. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Justice to provide details of undeveloped sites, by county, in his Department’s portfolio; the value of the property; the length of time they have lain undeveloped; and the reason for the lack of development, in tabular form. [6253/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 574 and 575 together.
My Department owns three properties that are currently vacant - a house on the land at Thornton Hall in Kilsallaghan, Co. Dublin, the old Cork Prison site and Westview House in Cork City.
The Westview House property in Cork City is under the Probation Service and has been largely vacant since 2019 apart from some ad hoc use to conduct remote interviews for international protection. An independent valuation of the property was undertaken in September 2024 which valued the property at €1.6 million.
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 very poor physical state and unsuitable for use in its current form. There is no current valuation of the site independent of the new prison.
The 160 acre site at Thornton Hall was purchased by the State in January 2005 for a new prison development that did not proceed at that time. A new Working Group has been established to consider future prison capacity needs and to make recommendations on the numbers and types of prison capacity needed out to 2035. This group will also make recommendations on the future use of the site at Thornton Hall. The Department of Justice has made the Thornton Hall site available to other agencies while retaining some of the site for any future prison needs.
The most recent valuation of the Thornton site was carried out in 2022 and valued the site at €6.5M based on its current agricultural use and includes the valuation of the Thornton Hall house at €800,000. The site at Thornton Hall has been used by a farmer in recent years and a portion of the site is currently being developed by the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to accommodate people applying for International Protection. Responsibility for international protection accommodation will, in the coming months, return to a newly titled Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration. More information in relation to this project can be found at the following link - https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/3c8dc-thornton-hall/.
Question No. 575 answered with Question No. 574.
An Garda Síochána
Ceisteanna (576)
Alan Kelly
Ceist:576. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Justice the ages of the boats currently being used by Garda water unit; and the average lifespan of those boats in use, in tabular form. [6267/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
In accordance with the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for managing and controlling generally the administration and business of An Garda Síochána.
While the Garda Commissioner is operationally responsible for the allocation of Garda resources, I engage regularly with him to ensure our Gardaí have the resources they need.
The Garda Water Unit is a national resource based at Santry Garda Station, Dublin Metropolitan Region and Garycastle, Athlone, Co. Westmeath and is under the direction and control of Assistant Commissioner, Organised and Serious Crime.
I am informed that the unit provides a full dive and marine capability throughout the State and responds to requests for assistance from within An Garda Síochána and relevant agencies.
The unit presently has two patrol boats, four rigid inflatable boats (RIB’s) and six inflatable boats.
I am informed that a well-serviced boat can be expected to be operational for a time period in the region of twenty years. I am advised by Garda authorities that the equipment fitted is regularly serviced and upgraded when necessary, meaning some boats are in operation for longer than twenty years, and some require replacement before that.
The two Garda Water Unit patrol boats are in use from 2000 and 2006 respectively. The Rigid Inflatable Boats were allocated to the Garda Water Unit in 2007 and are due to be replaced in the near future. The six inflatable boats are in use from 2009 to 2012 and will be replaced when no longer serviceable for GWU needs.
|
Name |
Number |
|
Patrol Boats |
2 |
|
Rigid Inflatable Boats |
4 |
|
Inflatable boats |
6 |
An Garda Síochána
Ceisteanna (577)
Alan Kelly
Ceist:577. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Justice the transport budget allocation to An Garda Síochána in 2024 and to date in 2025, in tabular form. [6269/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
In accordance with the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for managing and controlling generally the administration and business of An Garda Síochána.
While the Garda Commissioner is operationally responsible for the allocation of Garda resources, I engage regularly with him to ensure our Gardaí have the resources they need.
I am informed that the total 2024 Garda transport budget was €31.2m which represents an increase of 9.5% since 2020. The 2024 figures included €10 million towards capital purchases and €21.23 million in maintenance running expenses.
The 2025 budget is €32.2m, an increase of just over 3% on 2024 which includes a further €10 million towards capital purchases and €22.23 million for maintenance and running expenses.
The Government will invest in every aspect of our justice system to ensure that it is modern, efficient and response to the needs of all our people.
|
Garda Transport budget (€000) |
|||
|
Item |
2020 |
2024 |
2025 |
|
1. Maintenance and Running Expenses |
19,504 |
21,228 |
22,228 |
|
2. Purchases - Capital |
9,000 |
10,000 |
10,000 |
|
3. Miscellaneous |
50 |
50 |
50 |
An Garda Síochána
Ceisteanna (578)
Alan Kelly
Ceist:578. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Justice the estimated full-year costs if the number of horses within Garda mounted unit increased to 31. [6270/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I have requested the information sought by the Deputy from the Garda authorities. Unfortunately, the information was not received in time. I will contact the Deputy directly once the information is to hand.
An Garda Síochána
Ceisteanna (579)
Alan Kelly
Ceist:579. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Justice the number of inspections carried out by Gardaí within the Tipperary division on pubs, clubs, and so on, to ensure full compliance with intoxicating liquor laws in 2024; and the number of those premises found to be in breach of intoxicating liquor laws in 2024, in tabular form. [6271/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
In accordance with the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the general management and administration of An Garda Síochána, including liquor licensing inspections. As Minister, I have no role in these matters.
I am informed by An Garda Síochána that 861 inspections were carried out in the Clare/Tipperary Division during 2024. During this period, 14 breaches were recorded.
An Garda Síochána
Ceisteanna (580)
Alan Kelly
Ceist:580. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Justice the Garda divisions that currently have a Garda community relations van, in tabular form. [6272/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
In accordance with the Garda Síochána Act 2005, as amended, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for managing and controlling the administration and business of An Garda Síochána. Further, the allocation of Garda resources is a matter for the Commissioner, in light of identified operational demands. This includes responsibility for the allocation of Garda vehicles among the various Garda divisions.
As Minister, I have no role in these matters. I am assured, however, that Garda management keeps the distribution of resources under continual review in the context of crime trends and policing priorities so as to ensure their optimum use.
The table below has been provided to me by Garda management.
Community Relations vans in the Garda fleet by Division on 31 January 2025
|
Division |
Vans |
|
Clare/Tipperary |
1 |
|
DMR East |
1 |
|
DMR North |
1 |
|
DMR North Central |
1 |
|
Galway |
1 |
|
Garda Bureau Community Engagement |
1 |
|
Kerry |
2 |
|
Meath/Westmeath |
1 |
|
Sligo/Leitrim |
1 |
|
Waterford |
1 |
An Garda Síochána
Ceisteanna (581)
Alan Kelly
Ceist:581. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Justice the amount An Garda Síochána spent on hiring external quantity surveyors to carry out work on its behalf in 2024 and to date in 2025, in tabular form. [6273/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
In accordance with the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána. As Minister, I have no role in these matters.
The unprecedented allocation of over €2.48 billion for 2025 to An Garda Síochána demonstrates the Government's commitment to ensuring An Garda Síochána has provision for the equipment, technology, facilities, fleet and personnel it needs to carry out its vital policing work.
I am informed that Garda Estate Management has not spent any money engaging external quantity surveyors in 2024 or to date in 2025.
Personal Injury Claims
Ceisteanna (582)
Pádraig Rice
Ceist:582. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Justice the date on which he plans to seek the approval of both Houses of the Oireachtas to amend the personal injuries guidelines, following the Judicial Council’s support for the draft second edition of the guidelines; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6325/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Personal Injuries Guidelines are drawn up by the Judicial Council which is independent in its functions.
The Judicial Council has conducted a review of the Guidelines and submitted draft amendments of the Guidelines to me in accordance with section 7 of the Judicial Council Act 2019. As required by the Act I will shortly be laying the draft amendments before the Houses after which a resolution proposing the draft amendments can be considered by the Houses.
Question No. 583 answered with Question No. 555.
Departmental Programmes
Ceisteanna (584)
Barry Heneghan
Ceist:584. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Justice for an update on an application by a club (details supplied) for the immigrant investor programme funding and to urgently support the redevelopment of club grounds. [6418/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
At the outset, it is important to note that, as Minister, I do not comment on individual Immigrant Investor Programme (IIP) applications.
Since the closure of the programme, the IIP Unit has continued to process and submit applications to the Evaluation Committee for consideration and recommendation. At present, there are approximately 100 Immigrant Investor Programme project proposals undergoing, or awaiting, such consideration.
My Department’s IIP Unit is committed to ensuring that all applications will be examined on their own merits and will endeavour to conclude all decisions in a timely manner.
The IIP Unit of my Department communicates with projects seeking to benefit from investments made in connection with an IIP application in relation to how the terms of the programme apply to their particular project. The Unit also engages with projects and monitors them for their compliance with the IIP requirements.
I can advise you that further details concerning the processing of outstanding IIP applications is published on the Immigration Service Delivery website of my Department, including an FAQ document. Both can be accessed at the following link: www.irishimmigration.ie/processing-of-iip-applications-on-hand-following-the-closure-of-the-programme/
Court Sittings
Ceisteanna (585)
Pádraig Mac Lochlainn
Ceist:585. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Justice if his attention has been drawn to the significant delays in the Donegal court system; if plans have been made to address this problem; if he has considered appointing an additional judge for Donegal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6420/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As the Deputy will be aware, under the provisions of the Courts Service Act 1998, management of the courts is the responsibility of the Courts Service, which is independent in exercising its functions. Furthermore, the scheduling of individual court cases and the allocation of court business are entirely matters for the Presidents of the Courts and the presiding judges who are, under the Constitution, independent in the exercise of their judicial functions.
It is, however, a priority for my Department to ensure that the courts are resourced to administer justice efficiently and effectively. To this end, the Government endeavours to fill judicial vacancies at the earliest opportunity.
Specifically in relation to the courts in Donegal, I can advise the Deputy that in the District Court, there is currently one judge permanently assigned to District 1, Donegal, and another judge permanently assigned to District 2, which encompasses Counties Leitrim, Sligo and parts of Donegal. In the Circuit Court, one judge is permanently assigned to the Northern Circuit, which encompasses Counties Donegal, Cavan, Monaghan and Leitrim.
As of 31 January 2025, both Courts also have 28 moveable judges each, which the Presidents of the Circuit and District Court assign to hear cases across the country, based on local demand and with flexibility.
Following the publication in February 2023 of the Report of the Judicial Planning Working Group (JPWG), the previous Government committed to a historic increase in judicial numbers to improve access to justice. The report recommended appointing 44 additional judges in two phases across the Court of Appeal, High, Circuit, and District Courts.
A first phase of 24 additional judges was approved and appointed throughout 2023. Specifically, this comprised eight extra judges for the District Court, eight for the Circuit Court, six for the High Court and two for the Court of Appeal.
Following an impact assessment of the first phase of appointments on court business, Government approval was secured on 22 October 2024 for the implementation of the recommended second phase of another 20 extra judges (two for the Court of Appeal and six each for the High, Circuit and District Courts).
As outlined in the current Programme for Government, this Government is committed to continue this work in order to meet the growing demands on the justice system and ensure timely access to justice. Later this year I plan to introduce legislation to increase the number of judges by 20 in line with JPWG recommendations. This will see a further 6 judges appointed in District, Circuit and High Courts and 2 additional judges in the Court of Appeal.
The Working Group further recommended that a formal judicial resource-planning model should be put in place in the medium-term to assess judicial resource requirements across all courts, and work is underway in my Department and the Courts Service to establish such a model.
Departmental Meetings
Ceisteanna (586)
Darren O'Rourke
Ceist:586. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his predecessor spoke formally with his US counterpart in 2024. [5481/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I understand that my predecessor did not speak formally with his US counterpart in 2024.
However, there is regular engagement between the administrations on agriculture and food matters. My Department has a full time attaché in Washington DC, and Bord Bia also has a presence in the US.
Fishing Industry
Ceisteanna (587)
Fionntán Ó Súilleabháin
Ceist:587. Deputy Fionntán Ó Súilleabháin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will review the case of a person (details supplied). [5533/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I understand that the Deputy is referring to the situation that arose following a private commercial transaction between two contracting parties to purchase a vessel. The core issue here relates to the safety and safety certification of the vessel purchased, which is the responsibility of the Department of Transport. While I sympathise with the purchaser's difficult situation, my Department has no function in relation to the safety certification of fishing vessels, or matters arising in relation to their stability. It is also not possible for my Department to compensate the purchaser of the vessel using the European Maritime Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF), as the nature of the compensation being sought is incompatible with the EU regulation governing the use of this fund (Regulation (EU) 2021/1139).
Departmental Funding
Ceisteanna (588)
Carol Nolan
Ceist:588. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department or bodies under the aegis of his Department received funding support for projects of any kind from the United States of America International Development for the period 2016 to date in 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5642/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
My Department, and bodies under the aegis of my Department, did not receive any funding support for projects of any kind from the United States Agency for International Development for the period 2016 to date in 2025.
Agriculture Schemes
Ceisteanna (589)
Michael Fitzmaurice
Ceist:589. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a suckler farmer who is in BISS and has cattle but is not in any other scheme can qualify for a grant for a generator under TAMS or any other scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5691/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Backup PTO generators are available for grant aid under the Targeted Agriculture Modernisation Scheme (TAMS 3). Farmers may apply for these generators under the Dairy Equipment Scheme (DES), Organic Capital Investment Scheme (OCIS), Young Farmers Capital Investment Scheme (YFCIS) and Women Farmers Capital Investment Scheme (WFCIS).
While backup PTO generators are included as an investment item in the DES scheme, the investment is open to all farmers who declare the minimum eligibility requirement of five hectares under the Basic Income Support for Sustainability (BISS) Scheme in the year of application, or preceding year. There is no requirement to be milking cows to be eligible for backup PTO generators under the scheme.
Agriculture Schemes
Ceisteanna (590)
Frankie Feighan
Ceist:590. Deputy Frankie Feighan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of the payments for ACRES 2024 given a number of farmers in Sligo and Leitrim have yet to receive any payment for 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5695/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I can confirm that a total of 42,128 of ACRES participants, representing just under 78% of active participating herds, have now received their 2024 advance payments, totalling €181.75m.
Almost 88% of Leitrim 2024 advance claims, and almost 86% of Sligo 2024 advance claims, have been paid. There are currently 293 herd owners in Leitrim and 301 herd owners in Sligo awaiting their 2024 ACRES advance payment.
There are several reasons for the delay in making payments to the remaining participants, with the main categories being:
• Contract and ownership / partnership cases.
• Issues with scorecards (incorrect score, scorecards not submitted, alignment of scorecards.)
• Basic Income Support for Sustainability Scheme (BISS) errors.
• Alignment of ACRES contract details with the latest BISS information.
My Department is communicating with these participants by email and phone daily, and continues to work to expedite payments. ACRES payment runs to participants in both Tranches will continue on a regular basis as cases pass all required validation checks.