A well-functioning justice system is a cornerstone of Ireland’s social and economic development. The sector plays a central role in maintaining public safety, protecting our security, ensuring access to justice, and enabling communities and businesses to thrive. As Ireland’s population grows and the National Planning Framework drives more compact urban development and strengthened rural communities, the requirement for high visibility policing, effective criminal sanctions and secure prison capacity, accessible efficient courts, robust fair and effective immigration systems and resilient cyber security structures continues to increase.

Over the past number of years, the scale and complexity of the Justice sector’s work has increased considerably. The Department now oversees one of the broadest portfolios in the public service. In addition to its established responsibilities for the security of the State, policing, prisons, courts, many aspects of regulation and immigration, the sector has also taken on significant related responsibilities, including cyber security and international protection accommodation. These expanded responsibilities require a more ambitious and coordinated approach to long-term capital planning.

Major programmes of modernisation are under way right across the sector. In line with international trends, policing in Ireland is developing capacity to meet the demands of a more complex operating environment, supported by large-scale technology investment, the introduction of new digital and evidential capabilities, and the delivery of modern Garda stations and specialist facilities for an expanding workforce. The Irish Prison Service is implementing an accelerated programme to increase capacity and modernise an ageing estate, ensuring safer, more secure and more rehabilitative environments. The Courts Service is driving substantial digitisation to improve user experience, reduce backlogs, enhance efficiency and strengthen its regional infrastructure. The Department and its agencies are also advancing critical digitalisation programmes to meet upcoming EU obligations, strengthen cyber resilience, improve digital services and enhance cross-agency information sharing.

P.24 The Gambling Regulator of Ireland (GRAI) will continue to develop its tools to underpin its regulatory and licensing functions, enabling more effective oversight of the gambling sector and stronger consumer protection.

Alongside these major initiatives, the Department is supporting digital transformation across its portfolio and agencies. The Legal Aid Board will be supported to modernise its systems which will simplify applications and enhance access for clients and practitioners. The Gambling Regulator of Ireland (GRAI) will continue to develop its tools to underpin its regulatory and licensing functions, enabling more effective oversight of the gambling sector and stronger consumer protection.