Written Answers Nos. 500-520
500. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of times he has met with representatives from An Bord Pleanála since he took office; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36231/25]
View answerAn Coimisiún Pleanála (the Board) is the national independent statutory body with responsibility for the determination of planning appeals and direct applications for strategic infrastructure and other developments under the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, and certain other Acts.
I have met with officials from An Coimisiún Pleanála once since taking up my role as Minster for Housing, Local Government and Heritage. I intend to meet with the new Governing Board in the coming weeks.
501. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the steps his Department is taking to reduce the rate of vacancy among social houses across the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36232/25]
View answerThe management and maintenance of local authority housing stock, including pre-letting repairs to vacant properties, is a matter for each individual local authority under Section 58 of the Housing Act 1966. Local authorities also have a legal obligation to ensure all their tenanted properties are compliant with the provisions of the Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) Regulations 2019.
My Department provides annual funding support to local authorities in preparing vacant units for re-let under the Voids Programme. This funding is provided to support local authorities in their efforts to manage their housing stock efficiently and is in addition to funding from the local authorities own resources.
The emphasis of the programme is on those refurbishment works necessary to comply with the Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) Regulations 2019 to ensure quick turnaround and re-letting times. Future works should be deferred and carried out under planned maintenance over the lifecycle of the asset. Where a local authority chooses to do works over and above those which are necessary to comply with the rental standards it can impact re-let times and result in additional costs for the local authority.
The Programme for Government commits to the introduction of a new Voids Programme, with a view to further improve turnaround times of vacant social housing units. This is being developed in my Department.
502. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he is aware of An Bord Pleanála refusing planning permission due to population targets potentially being exceeded by the proposed residential development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36233/25]
View answerAn Coimisiún Pleanála is the national independent statutory body with responsibility for the determination of planning appeals and direct applications for strategic infrastructure and other developments under the Planning and Development Act 2024, the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended) and certain other Acts.
Under section 30 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended the Minister shall not exercise any power or control in relation to any particular case(s) with which a planning authority or the Board is or may be concerned. As such, my Department does not have any information in relation to the issue raised.
Section 86 of the Planning and Development Act 2024 sets out the various matters which planning authorities and the Commission shall have regard to when performing any function under Part 4 of that Act, including the determination of planning permissions. It consolidates various obligations that were contained in a number of sections of the Act of 2000. It ensures that regard is had to the relevant plans and policies in place and to the principles of proper planning and sustainable development for both land-based development and maritime development.
Under section 86(7) of the Act of 2024, a planning authority or the Commission cannot refuse planning permission for the reason only that the housing growth target in a settlement’s housing development strategy has already been reached.
Under Section 86(8) of that Act, where the grant of planning permission by a planning authority or the Commission would cause a settlement’s housing growth target to be exceeded, it may grant permission subject to the following criteria being met.
Firstly, that the grant of permission would be consistent with the objectives relating to that settlement specified in the relevant development plan and consistent with any objectives specified in an urban area plan, priority area plan or coordinated area plan relating to that settlement.
Secondly, having regard to the size of the settlement, the planning authority or the Commission considers that the number of other planning permissions already granted in respect of development or proposed development that would cause the settlement’s housing growth target to be exceeded does not undermine the underlying purpose of that housing growth target, and the grant of the permission would not otherwise be inappropriate.
Arrangements have been put in place by all bodies under the aegis of my Department to facilitate the provision of information directly to members of the Oireachtas. This provides a speedy, efficient and cost effective system to address queries directly to the relevant bodies. The contact email address for An Coimisiún Pleanála in this regard is Oireachtasqueries@pleanala.ie.
503. Deputy John Clendennen asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to advise when the new Countryside Forum for Nature is to hold its first meeting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36240/25]
View answerThe National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) of my Department is currently engaging with potential stakeholder groups that will be invited to participate in a soon-to-be established Countryside Forum for Nature. The purpose of this Forum is to engage with, and to take on board the views of, a cross section of relevant and appropriate stakeholder interests. Once the membership of the Forum has been agreed, it is intended that Terms of Reference for the Forum will be drafted by the NPWS for discussion at a first meeting of the Forum in early Autumn.
504. Deputy John Clendennen asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans to address anomalies in wildlife legislation relating the size of fox snares and the use of crow decoys; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36241/25]
View answerThe National Parks and Wildlife Service of my Department is currently undertaking an important project to update wildlife legislation. This includes the Wildlife Act 1976, the Wildlife (Amendment) Act 2000, the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011 and significant regulations made under these provisions. The project is examining closely the effectiveness of our legislation in protecting wildlife and regulating activities that adversely impact on wildlife and biodiversity.
This is a complex undertaking, and will be carried out in a number of phases.
Many aspects of wildlife legislation are being examined as part of this project and this includes issues in relation to snares and the use of decoys. A first phase of public consultation was held in 2024 and my Department is carefully considering all submissions received on these and other issues. A key focus of the initial phase of the legislation update will be on strengthening the enforcement of wildlife crime and on addressing legislative anomalies.
In relation to the Wildlife Acts, it is anticipated that two new Wildlife Bills will be published arising from this work. I expect to finalise and submit the general scheme of the first Bill to Government for approval in the first half of 2026.
505. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection the cost of implementing a pension scheme for foster carers registered with the State and currently providing care to foster children; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36001/25]
View answerMatters relating to foster care are the responsibility of my colleague, the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality.
This Government acknowledges the important role that carers, including foster carers, play and remains fully committed to supporting them. The State Pension (Contributory) system provides a range of measures to recognise caring periods outside of paid employment, such as PRSI credits, Homemaking Disregards, and HomeCaring Periods to recognise caring periods of up to 20 years outside of paid employment in the calculation of a payment rate.
Foster carers are entitled to benefit from these measures on the same basis as other carers and parents. They may qualify if they are in receipt of Child Benefit. If they are not in receipt of Child Benefit, they can still qualify for Homemaker’s Scheme or HomeCaring Periods provided the caring periods are confirmed by Tusla.
Despite these measures, some long-term carers of incapacitated dependents may still face barriers in accessing the State Pension (Contributory), particularly in meeting the minimum requirement of 10 years' paid contributions.
Since January 2024, long-term carer's contributions can be awarded to a person who has cared for an incapacitated person for a period of 20 years or more. These contributions are treated the same as paid contributions for State Pension (Contributory) entitlement only and can be used to fill any gaps in a person's contribution record, including satisfying the minimum 520 contributions required for eligibility.
Foster carers who have cared for an incapacitated dependent or dependents for over 20 years also benefit from this provision.
The Department does not hold data on the number of foster carers who would have sufficient social insurance contributions to qualify for the State Pension (Contributory), credited contributions and other related information. It is, therefore, not possible to provide a cost for pension access to foster carers within the State Pension system operated by my Department. It also not possible for my Department to cost a stand-alone pension scheme for foster carers as such scheme would not be a social protection measure.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.Matters relating to foster care are the responsibility of my colleague, the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality.
This Government acknowledges the important role that carers, including foster carers, play and remains fully committed to supporting them. The State Pension (Contributory) system provides a range of measures to recognise caring periods outside of paid employment, such as PRSI credits, Homemaking Disregards, and HomeCaring Periods to recognise caring periods of up to 20 years outside of paid employment in the calculation of a payment rate.
Foster carers are entitled to benefit from these measures on the same basis as other carers and parents. They may qualify if they are in receipt of Child Benefit. If they are not in receipt of Child Benefit, they can still qualify for Homemaker’s Scheme or HomeCaring Periods provided the caring periods are confirmed by Tusla.
Despite these measures, some long-term carers of incapacitated dependents may still face barriers in accessing the State Pension (Contributory), particularly in meeting the minimum requirement of 10 years' paid contributions.
Since January 2024, long-term carer's contributions can be awarded to a person who has cared for an incapacitated person for a period of 20 years or more. These contributions are treated the same as paid contributions for State Pension (Contributory) entitlement only and can be used to fill any gaps in a person's contribution record, including satisfying the minimum 520 contributions required for eligibility.
Foster carers who have cared for an incapacitated dependent or dependents for over 20 years also benefit from this provision.
The Department does not hold data on the number of foster carers who would have sufficient social insurance contributions to qualify for the State Pension (Contributory), credited contributions and other related information. It is, therefore, not possible to provide a cost for pension access to foster carers within the State Pension system operated by my Department. It also not possible for my Department to cost a stand-alone pension scheme for foster carers as such scheme would not be a social protection measure.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
506. Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Social Protection if parents of Irish babies born through surrogacy can avail of the newborn baby grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35206/25]
View answerThe Government was delighted to introduce a new baby grant of €280 as part of Budget 2025. This new payment will assist parents and adoptive parents with the costs associated with new babies and newly adopted children. It will provide additional financial support to a family to ensure adequate resources and that the material needs of a child are met.
The Newborn Baby Grant is a once-off payment paid to the qualified person, provided that person did not become so qualified on a date later than one month after the birth of the child, or, in the case of adoption, one month after the day of placement of the qualified child, and as long as the date of birth or the date of placement of that qualified child falls on or after 1 December 2024.
Currently, in accordance with Section 220 (1) of the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005, a qualified person shall be deemed to be a person with whom a qualified child normally resides. The qualified person must therefore satisfy normal residency with the qualified child in line with Regulation 159 of the Social Welfare (Consolidated Claims, Payments and Control) Regulations 2007.
To receive Child Benefit in Ireland, and subsequently, the Newborn Baby Grant, the qualified person must also be habitually resident in the State.
These conditions apply equally to all applicants for the Newborn Baby Grant, irrespective of the circumstances of the child’s birth. There are no specific conditions or restrictions with regards to children born through surrogacy. However, if the Deputy is aware of a particular case, could I ask that he bring it to the attention of my Officials.
I trust this clarifies matters for the Deputy.
507. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection if a decision on an appeal for a person (details supplied) will be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35243/25]
View answerThe Social Welfare Appeals Office is a service 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 an Appeals Officer, having fully considered all of the available evidence, has decided to allow the appeal of the person concerned by way of a summary decision. The person concerned will be notified of the Appeals Officer’s decision in the coming days.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
508. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Social Protection his views on matters raised in correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35252/25]
View answerThe Jobseeker's Pay-Related Benefit scheme was introduced at the end of March this year. This new social insurance-based income support has replaced the Jobseeker's Benefit scheme for people who have become fully unemployed since the commencement of the scheme on 31 March and who meet the statutory conditions for the scheme.
The legislation underpinning the scheme provides that specific categories of atypical workers are not included under the Jobseeker's Pay-Related Benefit scheme and will continue to be supported under the Jobseeker's Benefit scheme. This includes people who are working on a part-time, casual, short-time or seasonal basis, including those whose employment involves a recurring pattern of employment and unemployment reflecting the academic year. The conditions for the Jobseeker’s Pay-Related Benefit scheme are not designed to provide in-work support on a recurring and intermittent basis.
The rate of payment a person receives under Jobseeker's Benefit is based on earnings in the Governing Contribution Year which is two year's prior the year of the person's claim. There is no change to the income supports to which such persons are entitled and they continue to receive their jobseeker's payment on the same terms as was previously the case.
It is open to the individual referred to in the correspondence from the Deputy to apply for the means-tested Jobseeker's Allowance if it may be more financially beneficial for them to do so. In addition, under 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. Further information on these supports is available on the Government's website.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the deputy.
509. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of children currently residing in IPAS accommodation who are eligible for child benefit as opposed to the DEA; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35291/25]
View answerChild Benefit is a monthly payment made to families with children up to the age of 16 years. Currently, the payment continues to be paid in respect of children until their 19th birthday where they are in full-time education or have a disability.
To receive Child Benefit in Ireland, parents must be habitually resident in the State. Applicants for International Protection do not satisfy the Habitual Residence Condition and are therefore not eligible for Child Benefit.
Applicants for International Protection, who are awaiting a decision on their application, are offered accommodation by the International Protection Accommodation Services (IPAS) of the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration. Those who accept such accommodation are provided with material reception conditions, including food and health services together with other facilities and services designed to ensure their needs are met while seeking the protection of the State.
My Department administer the Daily Expenses Allowance which is paid to international protection applicants who reside in accommodation provided by the International Protection Accommodation Services, in order to meet incidental, personal expenses. As of May, of this year, there were 6,832 children residing in IPAS-provided accommodation in respect of whom daily expenses allowance is being paid.
I trust this clarifies matters for the Deputy.
510. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Social Protection the reasons for the persistent delays in processing applications for the domiciliary care allowance; to provide the current average waiting time for new applications; to detail the measures being taken to reduce backlogs and improve processing efficiency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35293/25]
View answerMy Department is committed to providing a quality service to all of its customers. This includes ensuring that applications are processed and that decisions on entitlement are made as quickly as possible.
Domiciliary Care Allowance (DCA) new claim processing activity is prioritised on an ongoing basis with particular focus on processing times, to ensure a timely service to applicants.
The average processing time for DCA new applications is currently 6 weeks from date of receipt.
Applicants are advised to provide as much detail and relevant information as possible at application stage, including any available additional documentary evidence that is relevant in their child's case, to ensure that all information / documentary evidence is available for consideration in the decision and assessment process, so that an appropriate decision on entitlement may be made at the earliest possible date.
An online DCA application service has recently been introduced on MyWelfare and this will assist with the management of application processing times, in accordance with all available resources. However, it must also be acknowledged that the objective to process applications quickly must be balanced with factors such as the complex nature of Deciding Officer’s decisions, including the competing demand to ensure that application decisions are consistent, well reasoned and of high quality and made in accordance with the legislative provisions and the general principles of fair procedures.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
511. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Social Protection if he has examined the repercussions that the National Minimum Wage Act 2000 will have on carers (details supplied); if he plans plan to communicate this change to carers and advise them of the repercussions it may have on their ability to claim carer’s allowance or carer’s benefit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35396/25]
View answerThe Department of Social Protection provides a range of income supports to carers, which includes Carer’s Allowance, Carer’s Benefit, Domiciliary Care Allowance, and the Carer’s Support Grant. The combined spending on these payments is estimated at over €1.9 billion in 2025.
The main objective of these carer payments is to provide income support to those whose earning ability is greatly impacted by their caring responsibilities, ensuring ongoing care for those in need.
A primary qualifying condition for these payments is that the applicant provides full-time care and attention to a person in need of such care. The person being cared for must be so incapacitated as to require full-time care and attention and be likely to require this level of care and attention for at least 12 months.
A carer is regarded as providing full-time care and attention where the number of hours providing such care is not less than 35 hours in a period of seven consecutive days, and care is provided on any five days, whether consecutive or not, within a period of seven consecutive days.
To support carers staying connected to the workforce and to support broader social inclusion, carers may engage in employment, education or training for up to 18.5 hours per week, while still being regarded as being in a position to provide full-time care and continue to receive their full payment. During this time of employment, education or training, adequate provision must be made for the care of the relevant person.
Both the full-time care and attention requirement and the 18.5-hour limitation are set out in the respective legislative provisions of the Carer’s Allowance, Carer’s Benefit and Carer’s Support Grant schemes.
Carers must notify the Department of any change in their circumstances. The quickest way of informing the Department is through MyWelfare, by selecting the ‘Manage my Claim’ option.
Under Section 8 of the National Minimum Wage Act 2000, time spent travelling between an employee's place of residence and their place of work is not included in the definition of "working hours" for the employee's pay reference period. People are not generally paid for the time spent travelling to and from their place of employment. Where people do not have a fixed place of work or where travel is part of their job, different arrangements may be in place.
I trust that this clarifies the issue for the Deputy.
512. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Social Protection to list all the public services contracts worth €10 million or more, which have been granted by himself or the forerunner for his Department, or other State bodies in the past five years; the value of each contract; the length of term of each; the expiration date of each contract; and whether any contract was discontinued during its term and for what reason. [35491/25]
View answerProcurement is closely monitored across my Department and service contracts are only engaged in following a rigorous assessment of need and where the required competencies do not exist in-house. My Department has a robust Governance process in place to ensure it remains within the annual budgets allocated by the Department of Finance. The Department’s Project Governance Committee (PGC), (chaired by the Secretary General) approves and monitors all procurements over €55,000.
Details requested by the Deputy are set out below.
|
Contract Award Date |
Contract Name |
Expected Duration of Contract, including possible Extensions (Years) |
Contract Value Excl. VAT |
Contract End Date |
|
08/01/2025 |
CRS Modernisation Project - Lot 1 (IT platform supporting PPSN allocation and management and interfacing with Revenue) |
4 |
€13,994,473 |
09/01/2027 |
|
02/07/2024 |
The provision of electricity supply to Government Departments and Security Services |
3 |
€10,231,694 |
30/09/2027 |
|
30/08/2024 |
Storage Infrastructure Devices including Target Hardware Devices (IT hardware) |
5 |
€16,500,000 |
30/09/2027 |
|
30/08/2024 |
Expansion of current SAN and Back-Up devices (IT hardware) |
5 |
€13,500,000 |
30/09/2027 |
|
03/09/2024 |
The Provision of Security Services (Static officers at public offices and Intreo centres) |
4 |
€16,775,240 |
30/09/2026 |
|
09/10/2024 |
A Managed Service for the Provision and Operation of the Automatic Enrolment Retirement Savings Scheme |
15 |
€149,805,851 |
09/10/2034 |
|
01/02/2024 |
Media Strategy, Planning & Buying (information and communication campaigns) |
4 |
€32,000,000 |
01/02/2026 |
|
29/04/2024 |
The Supply of the Implementation, Production, Personalisatin and Distribution of the Public Services Card and provision of associated services. |
6 |
€24,000,000 |
31/05/2027 |
|
24/02/2023 |
The Provision of Commercial Cleaning Services to DSP offices nationwide |
4 |
€11,382,114 |
02/08/2025 |
|
24/10/2022 |
The provision of an Intreo Partners National Employment Service - Lot 2 & Lot 03 |
6 |
€78,600,000 |
24/10/2027 |
|
01/10/2022 |
The provision of an Intreo Partners National Employment Service - Lot 1 |
6 |
€63,900,000 |
19/10/2027 |
|
16/08/2022 |
The provision of an Intreo Partners Local Area Employment Service - Dublin City |
6 |
€15,400,000 |
01/09/2026 |
|
16/08/2022 |
The provision of an Intreo Partners Local Area Employment Service - Dublin North West |
6 |
€11,300,000 |
01/09/2026 |
|
16/08/2022 |
The provision of an Intreo Partners Local Area Employment Service - Mid-Leinster |
6 |
€13,300,000 |
01/09/2026 |
|
16/08/2022 |
The provision of an Intreo Partners Local Area Employment Service - West 1 |
6 |
€10,500,000 |
01/09/2026 |
|
16/08/2022 |
The provision of an Intreo Partners Local Area Employment Service - South East 1 |
6 |
€11,600,000 |
01/09/2026 |
|
16/08/2022 |
The provision of an Intreo Partners Local Area Employment Service - North East 2 |
6 |
€13,800,000 |
01/09/2026 |
|
16/08/2022 |
The provision of an Intreo Partners Local Area Employment Service - Mid-West |
6 |
€16,800,000 |
01/09/2026 |
|
16/08/2022 |
The provision of an Intreo Partners Local Area Employment Service - Cork |
6 |
€15,700,000 |
01/09/2026 |
|
25/03/2022 |
The provision of ICT Resources to work for the DSP Analytics Community |
4 |
€12,432,000 |
25/03/2026 |
|
01/09/2021 |
ICT support for the Department's Release and Environments Management (REM) Team (Lot 1). |
4 |
€11,880,000 |
31/08/2025 |
No Contract was discontinued during its term.
Details of contracts awarded by my Department are published quarterly on Gov.ie here: https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-social-protection/collections/procurement-contracts-awarded/
Details relating to the agencies are listed below.
Pensions Council
Nil
Pensions Authority
Nil
Citizens Information Boards
Nil
The Social Welfare Tribunal
Nil
513. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Social Protection whether the back-to-school clothing and footwear allowance will be means-tested with regard to foster care families; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35495/25]
View answer540. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection to consider removing the means test as a qualifying criteria for foster carers to access the back-to-school allowance, given the unique circumstances of the children they care for; the annual cost for all children in care to receive this allowance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36007/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 513 and 540 together.
This Government acknowledges the important role that carers, including foster carers, play and remains fully committed to supporting them. That is why I was really pleased to announce that Back-to-School Clothing and Footwear Allowance eligibility is being extended to include children for whom Foster Care Allowance is being paid.
The Back-to-School Clothing and Footwear Allowance scheme provides a once-off payment to eligible families to assist with the costs of clothing and footwear when children start or return to school each autumn. The scheme operates from June to September each year.
In order to qualify for Back-to-School Clothing and Footwear Allowance, an applicant must satisfy a number of qualifying conditions, one of which requires the applicant’s household income to be within the relevant income limits. The income limits for the scheme are increased annually as part of the budget process.
The Weekly Household Income Limits for 2025 are:
|
No. of Children |
Income Limit |
|
1 child |
€694.00 |
|
2 children |
€756.00 |
|
3 children |
€818.00 |
|
4 children* |
€880.00 |
* Limit is increased by €62 for each additional child.
The household income includes weekly social protection payments, gross income from employment, minus employees PRSI and a €20 travel allowance and any other income the household may have.
Any income from Working Family Payment, Child Benefit, Rent Supplement, Back to Work Family Dividend, Guardian’s Payments, Domiciliary Care Allowance, Blind Welfare Allowance, Foster Care Allowance, Higher Level Education grants is not assessable. Rehabilitative employment (up to €165 per week) is also not assessable.
Matters relating to foster care are the responsibility of my colleague, the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality, whose Department has overseen a significant increase in investment in foster care supports, including a 21% increase to the rates of the foster care allowance. The rates have been increased to €400 per week for children aged under 12, and €425 per week for those over 12. In 2025, this means that foster carers will receive an additional €3,900 in allowances.
In addition, Budget 2025 set out further investment and support towards children in foster care, including funding which will be used to provide an Initial Placement Payment at the beginning of each initial foster care placement from 2025. Provision has also been made for additional mileage support for foster carers who have significant travel responsibilities for children in their care.
It is expected some 2,300 children in foster care will now be eligible for the Back-to-School Clothing and Footwear Allowance and I encourage foster care families to apply for the allowance.
I have no plans amend the eligibility criteria or to remove the income test for the Back-to-School Clothing and Footwear scheme at this time.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
514. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason services from a company (details supplied) are not covered by the free travel pass; whether there are plans to extend the free travel pass to this provider; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35508/25]
View answerThe Free Travel scheme provides free travel on the main public and private transport services for those eligible under the scheme.
The Free Travel Scheme is available to all persons aged over 66 and those under the age of 66 on certain qualified payments, who are living legally and permanently in the State. The scheme permits those who are eligible to travel for free on most CIE public transport services, Local Link, LUAS and a range of transport services offered by private transport operators countrywide.
The transport operator concerned made contact with my Department in 2020 in relation to bringing its Dublin Airport to Dublin City Centre route into the Free Travel scheme. Such requests by transport operators to join the free travel scheme are received periodically, with payment rates negotiated based on surveys of free travel usage. However, at that time, the continuing impact of Covid-19 measures and restrictions on transport service provision made any survey outcomes in that operating environment unlikely to reflect true free travel usage in more normal times.
In the first quarter of 2023, when surveys re-commenced following the end of the COVID 19 restrictions, my Department made contact with the transport operator concerned regarding the process involved in bringing the above named route into the scheme. My Department has not had any further engagement with this transport operator since.
Any private transport operator can apply to participate in the Free Travel scheme and can determine which routes they operate to include. However, there is no obligation on them to do so. Neither I, as Minister, nor the Department can require any private transport operator to participate in the scheme.
It is open to the transport operator to make contact with my officials in the Free Travel scheme area if they wish to participate in the scheme.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
515. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Social Protection to outline the basis upon which a commercial bus operator can be covered by the free travel pass, including the main criteria that must be met by the operator; and to identify the agency, Department or Minister that is responsible for making the decision. [35509/25]
View answerThe Free Travel scheme provides free travel on the main public and private transport services for those eligible under the scheme.
The Free Travel Scheme is available to all persons aged over 66 and those under the age of 66 on certain qualified payments, who are living legally and permanently in the State. The scheme permits those who are eligible to travel for free on most CIE public transport services, Local Link, LUAS and a range of transport services offered by private transport operators countrywide.
Any private transport operator can apply to participate in the Free Travel scheme and can determine which routes they operate to include. However, there is no obligation on them to do so. Neither I, as Minister, nor the Department can require any private transport operator to participate in the scheme.
It is open to the transport operator to make contact with my officials in the Free Travel scheme area if they wish to participate in the scheme.
To be eligible to join the Free Travel scheme, the transport operator must submit a signed declaration that they hold the following documentation:
• A current Tax Clearance Certificate.
• A National/International Road Passenger Transport Operator’s Licence as issued by the Department of Transport.
• A Regular Service Licence as issued by the National Transport Authority for all the transport operator’s routes in the Free Travel Scheme.
• PSV licences in respect of each of the vehicles on which the travel operator carries Free Travel passengers.
• Insurance policies which indemnify the Minister for Social Protection against any claims, causes or actions arising out of any accident involving Free Travel passengers while embarking, travelling on or disembarking from the travel operator’s vehicles.
• A Public Liability Insurance Certificate.
• Fares structures and timetables.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
516. Deputy Jen Cummins asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) was denied carer’s allowance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35593/25]
View answerThe Social Welfare Appeals Office is a service 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 an Appeals Officer, having fully considered all of the available evidence, has decided to disallow the appeal of the person concerned by way of a summary decision. The appeal was disallowed as the appellant was not providing the statutory minimum of 35 hours of care per week at the time of application. Decisions must be based on the circumstances at that point in time.
As the appellant now states she is providing 35 hours of care, she may wish to submit a fresh application to Carer's Allowance Section.
The appellant will be notified of the Appeals Officer’s decision in the coming days.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
517. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Social Protection the parental leave entitlements for surrogate parents (details supplied). [35597/25]
View answer533. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Social Protection if the same paid parental leave rights can be claimed by persons (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35746/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 517 and 533 together.
My colleague the Minister for Health has lead responsibility for the Health (Assisted Human Reproduction) Act 2024. This complex and far-reaching legislation encompasses the regulation for the first time of a wide range of practices undertaken in this jurisdiction, including domestic altruistic surrogacy, but also provides for the regulation of future surrogacy arrangements undertaken by Irish residents in other jurisdictions. In addition, the legislation allows for the recognition of parentage arising from past domestic and international surrogacy arrangements.
My Department is responsible for the administration and payment of a range of benefits that support parents of newborn and young babies. Entitlement to these benefits follows on from employees having an entitlement to the corresponding leave. The legislation governing the different forms of leave is a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality.
Maternity Leave and Benefit are provided for under the Maternity Protection Act 1994 and 2004. Under the provisions of this legislation, Maternity Leave and Benefit is payable to the birth mother of a child who meets the relevant conditions of the scheme. Surrogacy is not recognised under the Maternity Protection Act 1994 and 2004, and as such Maternity Benefit is not currently payable to intended parents through surrogacy.
Similar arrangements apply in respect of Adoptive Leave and individuals who become parents via surrogacy are currently not entitled to claim Adoptive Benefit.
Paternity Leave and Benefit are provided for under the Paternity Leave and Benefit Act of 2016. Under this legislation, Paternity Leave and Benefit is payable to relevant parents who meet the relevant conditions and are on Paternity Leave from their employment.
The father of a child born via surrogacy would be considered a relevant parent under the Paternity Leave and Benefit Act of 2016 and may have an entitlement to two weeks Paternity Leave and Benefit if they fulfil the relevant conditions and are on Paternity Leave from their employment. Paternity Benefit is currently paid at €289 per week.
Parent’s Leave and Benefit are governed by the Parent’s Leave and Benefit Act 2019. This legislation allows for nine weeks of leave and benefit, currently paid at €289 per week. Both intended parents of a child born through surrogacy may qualify as relevant parents under this act and may be entitled to claim Parent’s Leave and Benefit, if eligible.
The Programme for Government includes a commitment to the introduction of paid surrogacy leave. Officials from my Department, the Department of Children, Disability and Equality and the Department of Health are in discussions in relation to the possible implications arising from the surrogacy provisions in the Health (Assisted Human Reproduction) Act 2024.
I trust this clarifies the position.
518. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated full-year cost of increasing all headline weekly social protection payment to €300 per week, excluding disability allowance, invalidity pension, partial capacity, disablement pension and blind person’s pension; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35638/25]
View answerThe estimated cost of increasing all headline social protection rates to €300 per week, excluding any increase for Disability Allowance, Invalidity Pension, Partial Capacity Benefit, Disablement Pension and Blind Person's Pension, is €1.68 billion in a full year.
It should be noted that this costing includes a proportionate increase for qualified adults and for those on reduced rates of payment, where relevant.
The above costing is on a full year basis and is based on the estimated number of recipients in 2025. It should be noted that this costing is subject to change in the context of emerging trends and associated revision of the estimated numbers of recipients for 2025.
519. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated full-year cost of increasing disability, blind pensions and invalidity pension to €350 per week; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35639/25]
View answerThe estimated full-year cost of increasing Invalidity Pension from €249.50 to €350 per week, an increase of €100.50, is €305.2 million.
The estimated full-year cost of increasing Disability Allowance and Blind Pension from €244 to €350, an increase of €106, is €985.4 million.
It should be noted that these costings are subject to change in the context of emerging trends and the associated revision of the estimated numbers of recipients. It should also be noted that these costings include proportionate increases for qualified adults and for those on reduced rates of payment, where relevant.
520. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated full-year cost of restoring the pension age to 65 years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35640/25]
View answerIt is important to note that the State Pension age was never 65 years of age. The State Pension (Contributory) and State Pension (Non-Contributory) were never paid at 65 years of age.
Reducing the State Pension age to 65 years would increase pension related expenditure significantly. While my Department does not have a detailed actuarial analysis of this option, a high-level estimate of the cost of introducing State Pension payments at the age of 65 based on current State Pension (Contributory) and State Pension (Non-Contributory) rates of payment (€289.30 and €278 respectively) from 01/01/2025 is an additional €430million for one year only. Likely increases in both eligibility and payment rates would increase this additional cost considerably in subsequent years.
This high-level estimate is based on net costs for future State Pension (Contributory) and State Pension (Non-Contributory) qualifiers but does not include estimates for any changes to household benefits, free travel or fuel allowance costs. In addition, the figure takes no account of any additional costs to public sector pensions.
The "Benefit Payment for 65 year olds" was introduced to provide a benefit payment for people who are aged 65 and who are required to retire, or who chose to retire, without a requirement to sign on, engage in activation measures or be available for, and genuinely seeking work. This payment was designed specifically to bridge the gap for people who retire from employment or self-employment at 65 years of age but who do not qualify for the State Pension until age 66.
Following on from the recommendations of the Pensions Commission, the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment is introducing measures that allow, but do not compel, an employee to stay in employment until the State Pension age (66 years).
Demographic projections indicate significant increases in the number of future State Pension recipients which will impact on State Pension related expenditure. Clearly, reducing the State Pension age to 65 years of age would be very expensive and would require either considerable additional revenues, or, if introduced on a cost-neutral basis, very significant diversion of funds from elsewhere.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
