Written Answers Nos. 97-116
97. Deputy John Connolly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the funding available within his Department to provide financial support to local authorities to purchase lands for their use as cemeteries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14482/25]
View answerThe funding system that applies to local authorities is a complex one, as authorities derive their income from a variety of local sources including commercial rates, Local Property Tax (LPT), charges for goods and services and funding from Central Government. My Department does not provide specific funding to local authorities for the purpose outlined in the question.
My colleague, the Minister for Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, has responsibility for policy and legislation in relation to local authority burial grounds, while the operation of those burial grounds is for local authorities.
98. Deputy John Connolly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the level of funding provided to every local authority for the provision of emergency accommodation in 2024 and 2025, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14483/25]
View answerMy Department does not fund any homeless service directly but provides funding to housing authorities towards the operational costs of homeless accommodation and related services. Under the funding arrangements, housing authorities must provide at least 10% of the cost of any funded service from their own resources. Furthermore, housing authorities may also incur additional expenditure on homeless related services outside of the Exchequer funding arrangements that apply. Therefore, the exact amounts spent by housing authorities on homeless services are a matter for those authorities.
Exchequer funding for homeless services is provided through my Department to housing authorities on a regional basis. The funding provided to each of the homeless regions in 2024, and to date in 2025 is set out below:
|
Exchequer funding provided to homeless regions |
|
|
|
Region |
2024 |
2025 |
|
Dublin |
€283,060,150 |
€37,920,450 |
|
Mid East |
€13,290,477 |
€1,260,018 |
|
Midlands |
€6,675,651 |
€546,062 |
|
Mid West |
€15,714,000 |
€2,600,650 |
|
North East |
€8,909,800 |
€463,350 |
|
North West |
€3,493,500 |
€321,000 |
|
South East |
€9,624,951 |
€1,445,513 |
|
South West |
€28,215,261 |
€2,690,065 |
|
West |
€16,016,164 |
€2,384,500 |
Financial reports from each of the homeless regions for previous years, are available on my Department's website at the link below. These financial reports include detail of emergency accommodation facilities in each region and the expenditure incurred on these services.
www.housing.gov.ie/housing/homelessness/other/homelessness-data.
99. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when a decision will issue to Sligo County Council on a submission made to the 2024 – 2026 Multi Annual Rural Water Programme (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14561/25]
View answerI can confirm that in November 2024 funding was approved under my Department’s Multi-annual Rural Water Programme 2024-2026 for the project mentioned in the details supplied.
My Department confirmed this approval in writing directly to Sligo County Council and advised that the project should now commence and be delivered to completion as quickly as possible.
For progress updates on individual projects, each local authority has a Rural Water Liaison Officer who is best placed to provide this information. The officer can be contacted at the local authority offices – Sligo County Council in this instance.
100. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if additional funding is being provided to his Department this year due to additional expenditure arising following storm Éowyn; if additional funding is provided, the programmes and schemes that will benefit from this additional expenditure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14585/25]
View answerMy Department undertakes the Lead Government Department role, as set out in the Strategic Emergency Management (SEM) Framework (2017), in relation to the coordination of national level responses to severe weather and flooding emergencies, where warranted. My Department's National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management undertakes this role and works closely with local authority Severe Weather Assessment Teams and Met Éireann.
Local authorities are designated as the lead agencies for coordinating a response to flooding and severe weather emergencies. All local authorities have an established Severe Weather Assessment Team in place, monitoring Met Éireann weather warnings, High Tide Advisories and the European Flood Awareness System (EFAS) advisory warnings. Local authorities also have Severe Weather/ Flood Plans in place to support the response to weather emergencies.
Since 2009, my Department has made financial support of over €100 million available to assist local authorities in meeting the unbudgeted costs of clean-up and necessary immediate works, including for exceptional overtime payments, the hire of plant and heavy machinery, the purchase of materials required for the clean-up and the hire of contractors associated with significant severe weather emergency events.
This is in recognition of the exceptional nature of the activities carried out by local authorities in responding to these types of emergencies and the fact that the costs of these un-programmed activities could not be foreseen in annual expenditure planning. This practice is considered a vital enabler to underpin a rapid response by local authorities.
In the context of Storm Éowyn and the exceptional nature of the response activities carried out by local authorities, clearly the costs of these activities were not budgeted for within existing resources. As always, my Department, in consultation with the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation, will work with local authorities over the coming months, as they coordinate recovery and restoration works.
It should be noted that funding the repair of public infrastructure is undertaken by the relevant Department in line with its sectoral responsibility. Capital costs associated with infrastructural damage, for example damage to the roads network and coastal protection infrastructure (where necessary), are funded under relevant sectoral arrangements.
101. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will provide an update on the review for a humanitarian assistance scheme application for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14236/25]
View answerThe Humanitarian Assistance Scheme (HAS), administered by my department through the Community Welfare Service (CWS), was activated on 23 January 2025 to assist householders affected across the country by Storm Éowyn.
Stage 1 of HAS is available to people who need immediate humanitarian support while they are without power and/or water. Payments under Stage 1 are not income tested and applications paid have generally been to meet the additional cost of food, in the context of people being unable to either refrigerate or cook food while they had no power.
The scheme does not provide a general compensation payment for damage or losses incurred as a consequence of a weather event. It does not cover damage or losses that are reasonably expected to be covered by insurance policies, this includes spoiled food in a freezer etc., nor does it cover commercial, agricultural, or business losses.
According to the records of the Department, the person concerned applied for a HAS payment on 18/02/2025. Their claim was disallowed on the basis that they claimed for the replacement of freezer items on their application form which is not covered under HAS. A letter advising the person concerned of this outcome and affording them the option of seeking a review of the decision issued to them in writing.
Following your Parliamentary Question, a Review Officer contacted and reviewed the claim of the person concerned. In considering every circumstance of the case and some further clarifications the Review Officer has awarded a payment towards the additional costs of food incurred as a result of the power outages due to Storm Éowyn. The person concerned has been notified of this outcome and will receive payment in 2 – 3 days.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
102. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason the blind pension is means-tested and counted as taxable income; the reason is it removed when visually impaired people earn over a certain amount; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14306/25]
View answerMy Department provides a suite of income supports for those unable to work due to illness or disability. These include insurance-based schemes, based on Pay Related Social Insurance (PRSI) contributions, and means-tested social assistance schemes.
The primary social assistance scheme for people who are blind or visually impaired is the Blind Pension, which is a means-tested payment payable to those aged between 18 and 66. Blind Pension is the only income support payment designed to cater for a specific disability.
As of end of January 2025 there were 916 recipients of Blind Pension. Estimated expenditure on Blind Pension for 2025 is expected to be almost €13 million.
Eligibility for Blind Pension requires that a person’s vision is impaired to such an extent that they cannot perform any work for which eyesight is essential or cannot continue in their ordinary occupation. The scheme is designed to support recipients to avail of opportunities to pursue their own employment ambitions, be that self-employment or insurable employment.
The earnings disregard for recipients of Blind Pension has increased by almost 38% since Budget 2021, from €120 to €165 currently. A person can earn up to €165 a week and keep their payment in full. Earnings between €165 and €375 from employment are assessed at 50%, and any earnings over €375 are fully assessed as means. This means that a person can earn up to €517.60 a week and keep a small portion of their payment and keep their secondary benefits.
Means-testing of Blind Pension is a statutory requirement under social welfare legislation. The means test plays a critical role in determining if an income need arises as a consequence of a particular contingency - be that illness, caring, unemployment or disability.
Applying a means-test not only ensures that the recipient has an income need but also that scarce resources are targeted at those who need them most.
By its nature, the means test takes account of the income a person or couple has in terms of cash, property - other than the family home - and capital. It does not take account of a person’s expenditure. In line with most social assistance payments, deductions permitted for Blind Pension include PRSI, union dues and pension contributions.
A review of means testing in the Department is underway. The outcome of the review will be used to inform decisions regarding any further changes to means testing. Any changes to means testing arrangements will have to be considered in an overall policy and budgetary context.
Blind Pension is a taxable social welfare payment. The taxation treatment of social welfare payments is a matter for the Minister for Finance.
I trust that this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
103. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Social Protection for an update on the humanitarian assistance scheme application by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14337/25]
View answerThe Humanitarian Assistance Scheme (HAS), administered by my department through the Community Welfare Service (CWS), was activated on 23 January 2025 to assist householders affected across the country by Storm Éowyn.
Humanitarian assistance is available in three stages.
Stage 1 of the HAS is available to people while they are directly impacted by the storm. It targets people who need immediate supports. This stage of humanitarian assistance is to help people with the essentials of life – food, water, shelter and warmth.
Stage 1 of HAS is available to people who need immediate humanitarian support while they are without power and/or water. Payments under Stage 1 are not income tested and applications paid have generally been to meet the additional cost of food, in the context of people being unable to either refrigerate or cook food while they had no power.
The scheme does not provide a general compensation payment for damage or losses incurred as a consequence of a weather event. It does not cover damage or losses that are reasonably expected to be covered by insurance policies, this includes spoiled food in a freezer etc., nor does it cover commercial, agricultural, or business losses.
According to the records of the Department, the person concerned applied for a HAS payment to assist with the additional costs incurred as a result of Storm Éowyn. Their HAS stage 1 payment has been processed and they have been awarded a payment towards the additional costs of food, accommodation and fuel incurred due to the power outages as a result of Storm Éowyn. The person concerned has been notified of this outcome of their claim and payment will be issued to their nominated bank account in 2 – 3 working days.
I hope this clarifies the matter.
104. Deputy Frankie Feighan asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will examine a case where, in the assessment of income and savings query by his Department and a review of a spouse’s pension allowance, a credit union loan was not assessed for this couple based in County Leitrim (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14350/25]
View answerThe Increase for Qualified Adult (IQA) allowance is a means-tested payment, payable to a claimant whose spouse, civil partner or cohabitant is being wholly or mainly maintained by them, and where that qualified adult’s personal means from any source does not exceed a means test income limit.
Where a qualified adult has weekly means of up to €100, the maximum rate of IQA is payable. Where their weekly means are over €100 and not more than €310, a tapering reduced rate of IQA is payable. If the qualified adult has means of more than €310 per week, this exceeds the means limit and there is no entitlement to an IQA payment. Where property or assets are held jointly, the qualified adult's means are assessed as half of the total amount. The family home is not included in the means assessment.
As part of my Department’s commitment to ensuring that claimants are receiving their full and correct entitlements, ongoing reviews of all means tested payments are carried out. In the case of an IQA allowance on State Pension (contributory), the primary claimant is contacted by my Department to notify them that their continuing entitlement to the means tested IQA payment is being examined. A questionnaire is required to be completed to include details of the means of their qualified adult.
A review questionnaire issued to the person concerned on 15 January 2025. Following the review, a decision letter issued on 27 February 2025 to advise that the IQA allowance would be reduced from €184.20 to €109.00 per week with effect from 21 March 2025 based on the new means test. A copy of the means included in the review was included with the letter.
If a person has shares and savings in the credit union greater than the amount of their outstanding credit union loan balance, then only the difference between the loan amount and the savings is assessable. The corollary of this is that where the outstanding loan balance is greater than the shares and savings balance, then there is no impact on the means assessment (i.e., no means are added). In this case, as the outstanding loan amount balance was greater than the share and savings account balance, the assessable amount from the credit union was nil.
The UK pension rate included in the means used the euro exchange rate on the date of the review. While the exchange rate may vary, so too can the value of other means such as bank balances. Means assessments conducted as part of original award decisions and any subsequent reviews are assessed on a fixed date which act as a representation of the qualified adult’s typical means.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
105. Deputy Edward Timmins asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will request his staff to reopen the appeal of a person (details supplied) who’s application for carer’s benefit has been rejected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14355/25]
View answerThe Social Welfare Appeals Office is an Office of the Department of Social Protection which is responsible for determining appeals against decisions in relation to social welfare entitlements. Appeals Officers are independent in their decision making functions.
I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that the person concerned applied for Carer’s Benefit on 27th November 2023 and the Department refused the claim on 13th December 2023 determining that the appellant did not satisfy the employment condition set out in legislation.
The Social Welfare Appeals Office has confirmed to me that the person in question appealed that decision. An Appeals Officer examined the information provided with the original application and the grounds of appeal. The appellant’s employer had confirmed that the appellant was working under the required hours. She had not established with substantive evidence the requirement set out in legislation that she was engaged in remunerative employment for a minimum of 16 hours per week, for at least 8 weeks in the relevant 26 week period. Accordingly the appeal was disallowed.
The appellant subsequently requested a review of the Appeals Officer’s decision under Section 318 of the Social Welfare Consolidation Act, 2005. A review under Section 318 provides that the Chief Appeals Officer may, at any time, revise any decision of an appeals officer, where it appears to the Chief Appeals Officer that the decision was erroneous by reason of some mistake having been made in relation to the law or the facts.
The Chief Appeals Officer examined the governing legislation, Section 100(1) of the Social Welfare Consolidation Act, as amended, in their decision. Section 100(5) of that Act gives the detail about the hours required.
100 (5) In this section “remunerative full-time employment” means remunerative employment for not less than 16 hours a week within the 8 weeks referred to in subsection (1)(a) or any period that may be prescribed under subsection (6), provided that where any 2 of those weeks are consecutive, the requirement in relation to those 2 weeks may be satisfied by an aggregate of not less than 32 hours in that fortnight.
She found that there was no scope in this legislation to allow for non-contracted hours to be applied in order to meet the required number of hours. She found that the Appeals Officer did not err in fact or in law in their decision and declined to revise the decision.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
106. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Social Protection if his Department has paid for the repair of any vehicles owned by asylum seekers or Ukrainian migrants; and if so, the total amount spent on this expenditure for each of the last five years. [14357/25]
View answerUnder the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme, my Department may make Additional Needs Payments to help meet essential expenses that a person cannot pay from their weekly income or other personal and household resources. The payment is available to anyone who needs it and qualifies, whether the person is currently receiving a social welfare payment or working on a low income.
The decision process involves consideration of the need presented and the ability of the person and their household to meet that need. This entails an assessment, as opposed to a specific means test, of an applicant’s weekly household income, their savings and investments, their outgoings and the type of assistance needed. Entitlement only arises where a person can demonstrate that the expenditure is essential and that they have no means of funding the expenditure themselves.
An Additional Needs Payment may be provided to assist with car repairs. In considering such an application, the assessment of the requirement would include investigation of the necessities for the use of the vehicle and whether alternative sources of transport are available to the person and their household, such as another family vehicle or public transport.
It is not possible to extract data solely related to Additional Needs Payments provided towards car repairs as this information is not recorded or collated.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
107. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Social Protection his plans to amend the Civil Registration Act 2004 and introduce a certificate formally recognising a pregnancy loss before 24 weeks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14358/25]
View answerThe Civil Registration Act 2004 allows for the registration of a stillborn child and the production of a certificate from the Register of Stillbirths. The definition of a stillborn child was most recently amended by The Civil Registration (Electronic Registration) Act 2024. The criteria for stillbirths is based on recommendations received from the Department of Health and the HSE. My Department will engage with them should they propose any future changes.
This new definition allows a child to be registered in the register of Stillbirths where the child has a gestational age of not less than 23 weeks. The Act also provides for additional criteria relating to stillbirths that are part of a multiple pregnancy.
The Deputy may be aware of a scheme in the UK, the 'Baby Loss Certificate' scheme which was introduced by the UK government as part of a response to an independent review, published in 2023, into early pregnancy loss. This is a commemorative certificate and is available upon request to parents who suffer an early loss pregnancy. The UK report recommends against establishing a formal system of registration as part of this process. The operation of the UK scheme is administered in the first instance at a hospital level, where the details of the pregnancy loss are recorded.
The introduction of a similar scheme in Ireland is largely a matter for my colleague the Minister for Health however I want to assure the Deputy that I and my officials are happy to engage as appropriate with that Department in relation to the important matter.
I hope this clarifies the matter for you.
108. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Social Protection when his Department officials last met with the Data Protection Commissioner to ensure the highest standards are being met by the Department, and all agencies under its remit, in terms of compliance with data protection legislation. [14448/25]
View answerMy Department's Data Protection Officer (DPO) and senior officials of his team meet with officials from the Data Protection Commission (DPC) twice a year. The last such meeting took place on November 5, 2024.
The DPO also attended the Supporting DPO Success conference, which was hosted by the DPC in Croke Park on November 29, 2024. This conference was aimed at supporting DPOs and their needs, focusing on providing practical, adaptable examples of GDPR compliance.
Data protection is taken very seriously in DSP. Staff members are regularly reminded of their obligations in relation to protection of personal data and of the penalties that are applicable in respect of any breach of them. More staff are assigned to data protection roles in this Department than in any other central Government Department.
My Department's DPO is not the DPO for the agencies under my Department's remit; the Citizens Information Board, the Pensions Authority and the Pensions Council. Each of these bodies is a data controller in its own right, is accountable under the GDPR for the processing of personal data it carries out, and each has appointed its own DPO.
109. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Social Protection if his Department allowed welfare officers or offices to pay for repairs to vehicles registered outside this country whilst here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14452/25]
View answerUnder the Supplementary Welfare Allowance (SWA) scheme, the Department may make an Additional Needs Payment (ANP) to help meet essential expenditure which an eligible person could not reasonably be expected to meet from their weekly income. This is an overarching term used to refer to Exceptional Needs Payments (ENPs) and Urgent Needs Payments (UNPs) and certain supplements to assist with ongoing or recurring costs that cannot be met from the customer’s own resources, and which are deemed to be necessary. ANPs are administered by Designated Persons (DPs) in the Community Welfare Service (CWS) considering the requirements of the legislation and all the relevant circumstances
All cases are considered on a case-by-case basis based on the need presenting. This entails an assessment, as opposed to a specific means test, of an applicant’s weekly household income, their savings and investments, their outgoings and the type of assistance needed. The assessment will also include any income that their spouse, civil partner, or cohabitant has. As part of the application process, a person must provide personal, financial, household, and other information in support of their claim to determine eligibility and to establish a need as considered necessary.
An ANP may be provided to assist with car repairs where a need has been established by a DP, however it is not possible to extract data solely related to ANPs provided towards car repairs and/or repairs to vehicles registered outside the country. Furthermore, under the eligibility criteria for an ANP, a person applying must be living in the State.
The Office of the Revenue Commissioners has responsibility for the rules and regulations regarding vehicle importation, registrations and exemptions in Ireland, including enforcement of customs controls, and my Department has no role in these matters.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
110. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will outline the full range of supports that his Department provides to Ukrainian war refugees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14459/25]
View answerOn 4th March 2022, the Council of the European Union unanimously adopted the implementing decision regarding the Temporary Protection Directive. This means that people arriving from Ukraine under the Temporary Directive can move through the EU as EU citizens. It also means that, subject to their accommodation arrangements, they have been granted the status to avail of all income supports and services from the Department of Social Protection on the same basis as Irish citizens.
Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BoTPs) who are resident in State provided Designated Accommodation Centre where meals and utilities are provided are disqualified from entitlement to social assistance payments such as Jobseekers Allowance, Disability Allowance and Carers Allowance. BoTPs who reside in Designated Accommodation Centres continue to have an entitlement to Child Benefit and to Additional Needs Payments if eligible. They may also be entitled to the BoTP weekly payment administered by my Department on behalf of the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, which is paid at the weekly rate of €38.80 per adult and €29.80 per child, subject to an income test.
If a Beneficiary of Temporary Protection leaves a Designated Accommodation Centre, they are entitled to apply for standard social protection assistance, subject to meeting the eligibility conditions.
The CSO publishes a regular series of releases called Arrivals from Ukraine in Ireland, which contains the latest published insights into Ireland’s response to the Ukraine crisis. This series provides data and analysis across a range of supports and services including employment and social protection data.
I trust this clarifies matters for the Deputy.
111. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection if additional funding is being provided to his Department this year due to additional expenditure arising following storm Éowyn; if additional funding is provided, the programmes and schemes that will benefit from this additional expenditure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14589/25]
View answerThe Humanitarian Assistance Scheme, administered by my department through the local Community Welfare Service, was activated on the 23rd January 2025 to assist householders affected across the country by Storm Éowyn.
The purpose of the Humanitarian Assistance Scheme is to provide financial support to people whose homes are damaged and who are not able to meet costs for essential needs, household items and, in some instances, structural repair.
The Humanitarian Assistance Scheme was approved by Government in November 2009 with a fund of €10 million made available. In October 2023, Government approved an additional €3 million in funding.
Up to Monday 24 March, the Community Welfare Service has registered 73,681 claims for Stage 1 of the Humanitarian Assistance Scheme, with 27,475 claims awarded totalling over €6.5 million being paid in respect of Storm Éowyn related claims. The scheme is demand-led with funding available to respond to the humanitarian needs arising under the scheme.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
112. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Justice the role of his Department in giving effect to the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance ‘Working Definition of Antisemitism'; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14255/25]
View answerThe Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth currently leads the work of Government on combatting antisemitism in Ireland, as part of its broader remit on anti-racism policy.
Officials in that Department are engaging with the Department of the Taoiseach and the Department of Foreign Affairs, as well as with representatives of the Jewish community in Ireland, to discuss how the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance's working definition of antisemitism can best be used as a tool to assist in addressing antisemitism in Ireland.
113. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Justice further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 686, 687 and 688 of 25 February 2025, when a response will issue to this Deputy as promised in his reply of one month ago; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14275/25]
View answerI understand that the Deputy refers to Parliamentary Questions 686, 687 and 688 of 20 February 2025 in relation to records pertaining to the former Deputy State Pathologist.
I can confirm that a substantive response to Parliamentary Questions 686, 687 and 688 of 20 February 2025 will be issued in the coming days.
114. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Justice if he or his Department officials discussed the introduction of new internal disciplinary measures for An Garda Síochána, which form part of the Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024, with any member(s) of the Garda Representative Association; and, if so, to outline the details of this discussion. [14277/25]
View answer125. Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Justice if he or his Department’s officials discussed the introduction of new internal disciplinary measures for an Garda Síochána, which form part of the Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024, with any member(s) of the Garda Representative Association or the Garda Síochána leadership team or civilian Garda leadership team; and if so, to outline the details of this discussion. [14372/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 114 and 125 together.
The Report of the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland (COFPI) recommended that the current system of Garda discipline be reviewed and replaced with a system that distinguishes more appropriately between misconduct and performance related issues.
The Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024 implements this recommendation by providing for Regulations to be made on the performance, conduct and standards of professional behaviour of Garda members. The Regulations were approved by Government at its meeting on 25 March and will come into operation at the same time as the Act is commenced on 2 April.
Detailed engagement has taken place on these draft Regulations with Garda management, other relevant agencies, and the Garda Associations, including the Garda Representative Association (GRA) to ensure their input in the drafting process. Their suggestions have been taken on board, insofar as possible. As the Deputy will appreciate, there is a diversity of views on certain issues which means that consensus on the approach will not always be achieved, so a balance must be struck in the overall approach. It is also to be noted that I am statutorily required to consult with the Garda Commissioner and the Police Ombudsman before I make the Conduct and Performance Regulations.
I have requested my officials to continue to engage with the representative associations, including the GRA and Garda management on the Regulations, and on the policies, procedures and training required in addition to the Regulations. I will also arrange to meet with the representative associations later in the year to review how the new regime is operating. I will be open, at that time, to considering any issues that emerge.
115. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Justice the number of high-end ‘bait bikes’ purchased for use by An Garda Síochána; the cost of each ‘bait bike’; and, of those ‘bait bikes’ purchased, the number currently in use. [14278/25]
View answer126. Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Justice the number of high-end ‘bait bikes’ that An Garda Síochána purchased in 2024 and to date in 2025; the totality of expenditure on these items; and if they have any other operational use. [14373/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 115 and 126 together.
Under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the administration and management of An Garda Síochána, including the allocation of Garda resources. As Minister, I have no role in such matters.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that no bikes were purchased for use as ‘bait bikes’ in 2024 or in 2025 to date by An Garda Síochána.
Bicycles that are utilised as ‘bait bikes’ in the possession of An Garda Síochána are subject of Police Property Applications made to the Courts as no owners could be identified.
An Garda Síochána has a range of operational measures to combat bicycle theft and to target those who engage in it. An Garda Síochána provides crime prevention information and awareness raising to the general public and bicycle retailers in relation to bicycle theft.
116. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Justice the tools, if any, used by his Department, and/or An Garda Síochána, to monitor social media accounts suspected of criminal intent, the use of terms which may cause public unrest, and other actions of ‘bad actors’. [14279/25]
View answerThe right to freedom of expression is protected under the Constitution,. However, people do not have the right to behave in a way that threatens public peace or causes others to fear for their safety. An Garda Síochána monitors activity, including on social media, where there is potential for breaches of public order. The rule of law, human rights and the principle of proportionality are respected at all times.
If the line between free speech and threatening or intimidating behaviour is crossed, there are a number of provisions in our laws that apply, and the Government has supported An Garda Síochána in the provision of resources and equipment.
The Programme for Government contains a number of other commitments in the areas of policing social media and cyber security, including to explore the possibility of requiring social media companies and online communication platforms to provide An Garda Síochána with information they have on their platforms relating to the supply of illegal drugs, and to develop a comprehensive strategy to combat the harms related to social media.
Within the wider area of online security, the Programme for Government commits to bring the National Centre for Cyber Security and the National Security Authority under the remit of the Department of Justice to ensure proper alignment of our national security infrastructure, and to deliver a new National Cybersecurity Strategy in 2025 and promote a centre of excellence for cyber security skills.
For reasons of operational and national security it would not be appropriate to disclose details of cyber security arrangements or any tools that may be deployed. However, I am informed by the Garda authorities that An Garda Síochána obtains information from the Internet using Open Source material. This information is utilised to identify, develop or corroborate other sources of intelligence for the purpose of the prevention, detection and investigation of criminal offences and for national security.
An Garda Síochána carry out all inquiries in accordance with law and in a proportionate manner, ensuring the constitutional and human rights of all are respected.
