Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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309. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the competencies that will be transferred to his Department from other departments, and the timeframe within which these transfers will take place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21956/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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The Programme for Government includes a number of commitments that are being progressed and will lead to changes in the structure and responsibilities of my Department.

Responsibility for integration, International Protection Accommodation Services (IPAS), and the Ukraine Division will transfer to my Department from the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth. This transfer will take effect today, 1 May, and will include the transfer of all staff, approximately 340 people, alongside a substantial budget transfer of approximately €2.1 billion. As the Department of Justice has existing responsibility for immigration and migration and the processing of applications for international protection, this transfer will underpin a more cohesive and strategic approach to migration and integration.

Other transfers of functions relate to the incoming transfer of the National Cyber Security Centre and related policy staff from the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications. 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 Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media. Work to give effect to these commitments is being prioritised.

The implementation of the transfer of functions is guided by the Transfer of Functions Guidelines and Best Practice Handbook developed by the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform. This is available online at .