Pádraig O'Sullivan (Cork North-Central, Fianna Fail)
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299. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the resourcing of immigration services in this State; the number of immigration officers employed by the State; the resources attributed to their office and are adequately resourced to carry out their duties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21836/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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I understand the Deputy has clarified with my Department that he is seeking the number of immigration officers working in the Border Management Unit (BMU) of my Department and the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB).

The BMU is responsible for frontline Immigration at Dublin Airport only. Other airports and other ports of entry are the responsibility of the GNIB.

I can advise the Deputy, as of 28 April 2025, there are 180 Immigration Control Officers of various grades in the BMU at Dublin Airport, excluding staff on unpaid leave, such as career breaks; the staffing levels in this unit are kept under constant review.

PublicJobs, on behalf of my Department, launched a new competition for Immigration Control Officers which closed for applications on 14 April. The competition will allow for a panel of suitable candidates to be formed in order to fill vacancies as they arise.

As the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the deployment of Garda members throughout the State. The GNIB is responsible for the prevention, detection and investigation of illegal immigration, including the enforcement of deportation orders.

The Garda Commissioner has advised me that as of February 2025, the total number of Gardaí attached to the GNIB is 94. In addition to the members of GNIB, there are Gardaí who are certified Immigration Officers deployed across the country who fulfil immigration functions as the need arises.