Carol Nolan (Offaly, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

549. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality what specific policy areas of his department are to be covered under the remit of Home Affairs, and also Migration; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6020/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Department of Justice currently has lead responsibility for public policy in respect of the security of the State and public safety, including the prevention and detection of crime, the criminal justice system, the administration of justice, the management of inward migration and international protection processes, the provision of important regulatory services and ongoing reform of civil and criminal law.

The Programme for Government commits to bringing responsibility for integration and international protection/Ukraine accommodation back to the Department from the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, while the National Cyber Security Centre will be transferred from the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications. These changes are designed to make the Department's work more coherent and they align with its existing responsibilities in the areas of migration and security.

In addition, responsibility for matters related to property services will transfer to the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage while censorship will transfer to the Department of Arts, Media, Communications, Culture and Sport.

My Department is working closely together with the other Departments involved to implement the transfer of functions as soon as possible. The effective date for the transfer will be determined by a Transfer of Function Order under the Ministers and Secretaries (Amendment) Act 1939 which will require the prior approval of Government. As a result of these changes, the organisation will be renamed the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration. The Department operates a functional organisational model which will be further developed with the addition of these new responsibilities.