John Brady
Question:343. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the plans to start construction on a development (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62706/25]
View answerHousing Provision
Questions (343)
Written answers
It is the clear focus of this Government to increase the supply of new build social and affordable homes. As such, the decision not to proceed with the contract award for Bundle 3 was not taken lightly and was made after much careful consideration of the costs involved and is ultimately the correct decision.
With support from the National Development Finance Agency, tenders are being prepared by the four local authorities, Dublin City Council with three sites and Kildare, Wicklow and Sligo with one site each, including the site mentioned, with the view to getting onsite by the middle of next year to deliver these much needed social homes.
As all of the Bundle 3 sites have full planning permission and certain construction preparation work such as site clearance, site investigations and surveys, preparation for utilities applications for diversions and connections, the discharge of planning conditions, preparation of conservation proposals have already been completed I am confident that any delays in the delivery of these homes will be minimised.
National Parks and Wildlife Service
Questions (344)
John Brady
Question:344. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the plans to purchase lands for the National Parks and Wildlife Service at the Glen of the Downs to expand the ancient woodland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62708/25]
View answerWritten answers
As set out in the Programme for Government, this Government recognises the importance of continuing to support the ongoing expansion and resourcing of our National Parks. To this end, the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) of my Department occasionally purchases land for strategic and conservation purposes. Such acquisitions are always carefully considered on a case by case basis and in line with public procurement requirements.
In light of the commercial sensitivity of these considerations and the strategic implications of bringing these considerations into the public domain, I am not in a position to comment on any individual sites that are offered for sale.
Local Authorities
Questions (345)
Charles Ward
Question:345. Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the amount of income Donegal receives as a top-up from central government each year since 2013, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62889/25]
View answerWritten answers
Central Government has traditionally provided non-programme funding to local authorities; in the form of an annual contribution towards meeting the cost of providing a reasonable level of service in their area. Up until 2014, this was in the form of a General Purpose Grant (GPG), and in 2015, it was replaced by Local Property Tax (LPT) allocations, which were linked, to the most part to the GPGs. The GPG paid to Donegal County Council in 2013 and 2014 was €31.1m and €22.7m respectively. There was a decrease in 2014 due to the transfer of water-related services from local authorities to the new entity, Irish Water.
Under the LPT allocation model, every local authority has a minimum level of funding available to it, known as the baseline. If the estimated LPT yield in a local authority area is lower than an authority’s baseline, the authority is topped-up or equalised to that baseline by the Exchequer. The equalisation provided to Donegal from 2013 to 2026 is as set out in table below;
|
Year |
Net Equalisation Funding |
|
2026 |
€17.2m |
|
2025 |
€17.3m |
|
2024 |
€17.6m |
|
2023 |
€16.7m |
|
2022 |
€13.9m |
|
2021 |
€13.9m |
|
2020 |
€14.1m |
|
2019 |
€14.1m |
|
2018 |
€14.2m |
|
2017 |
€14.3m |
|
2016 |
€12.1m |
|
2015 |
€11.7m |
It should be noted that in the years up to, and including, 2022, all local authorities contributed 20% of overall yield towards equalisation, and the figures in the table above are net of Donegal's contribution. From 2023 onwards, all equalisation comes from the exchequer.
Donegal's equalisation funding of €17.2m in 2026, will bring the LPT allocation up to it's baseline level of €27.4m and it is worth noting that this is the highest equalisation funding of any authority. Donegal will receive an additional €1.5m due to its decision to vary LPT upwards by 15%, bringing its total LPT allocation in 2026 to almost €29m.
Social Welfare Schemes
Questions (346)
Roderic O'Gorman
Question:346. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Social Protection whether funding exists to cover the cost for a deaf person who wishes to use an Irish sign language interpreter to engage with a TD or local elected official; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62313/25]
View answerWritten answers
Under the Irish Sign Language Act 2017, the State recognises the right of Irish Sign Language users to use Irish Sign Language as their native language and the corresponding duty on all public bodies to provide Irish Sign Language users with free interpretation when availing of, or seeking to access, statutory entitlements and services.
The Act assigns responsibilities to the Minister for Social Protection in relation to the funding of a scheme of accreditation for ISL interpreters (Section 7) and the provision of funds to facilitate ISL users with access to specific events, services and other activities, as specified in guidelines (Section 9).
I assigned the implementation of this important responsibility to the Citizens Information Board (CIB), the statutory body under the aegis of my Department, which in turn assigned delivery to its relevant funded company, the Sign Language Interpreting Service (SLIS).
I was delighted to see the commencement of the "ISL Voucher Scheme" in October 2023.
Under the scheme vouchers are available to applicants for ISL interpretation for a variety of activities, such as private medical appointments, private legal meetings, educational and training courses, and events with family, friends and the community. Engagement with a TD or local elected official is covered under the Voucher Scheme.
All applications for vouchers can be made through the SLIS website, slis.ie/.
Departmental Schemes
Questions (347)
Barry Heneghan
Question:347. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will provide an update on the implementation of the cost of disability report recommendations, including any new measures being introduced in Budget 2026 to address the extra living costs faced by people with disabilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62188/25]
View answerWritten answers
In the Programme for Government we have committed to introducing a permanent Annual Cost of Disability Support Payment with a view to incrementally increasing this payment.
We know that addressing the cost of disability is not a question of income support alone. The delivery of and access to services are also key. We need all of the Departments and agencies of Government to work together to address the issue in a comprehensive way.
That is why the Taoiseach set up a Cabinet Committee on Disability and a dedicated programme office within his own Department.
In addition, the recently published National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People 2025-2030 takes a whole-of-Government approach and includes a commitment to establish a Strategic Focus Network on the Cost of Disability, led by my Department.
The work of this network, which will include people with disabilities and their advocates, will inform the approach we will be taking in delivering on this Programme for Government commitment.
Officials in my Department have started to have meetings with stakeholder groups with a view to bringing a proposal to Government in the first half of next year.
Budget 2026 contains significant measures to support disabled people. These measures include:
• a €10 increase in the weekly rates of payment, bringing the personal rates of payment to €254 per week from January;
• a Christmas bonus double payment to all persons getting a long-term disability payment, to be paid in December 2025;
• the highest ever increases in the Child Support Payment – an increase of €16 to €78 for children aged 12 or over, and of €8 to €58 for children under 12;
• a €20 increase in the rate of Domiciliary Care Allowance bringing the rate to €380 per month;
• a €5 increase in the Fuel allowance, bring it to €38 per week from January 2026;
• people moving from Disability Allowance or Blind Pension to take up work will be able to retain their Fuel Allowance payment for five years. The Back to Work Family Dividend is also being extended to this group, where they have children;
• from January, extending the Wage Subsidy Scheme to people who acquire a disability while in employment and increasing the rates paid from April;
• increase the Earnings Disregard for Carer’s Allowance by €375 to €1,000 for a single person and by €750 to €2,000 for a couple from July 2026. The income limit for Carer’s Benefit will also increase by €375 to €1,000 per week from July 2026.
The Budget 2026 allocation of €3.8 billion to the Department of Children, Disability and Equality for disability services in 2026, represents another significant investment to ensure people with disabilities receive the right support, at the right time, in the right place.
Question No. 348 answered with Question No. 131.
Social Welfare Code
Questions (349)
Richard Boyd Barrett
Question:349. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Questions Nos.1151 and 1152 of 4 November 2025, to confirm that there is no strategic policy in place at Departmental level to bring down household costs and environmental impact of households benefitting from the additional needs payment for the purchase of white goods, by promoting the purchase of goods with better energy ratings, and approving additional needs payments in respect of those goods, given that they may have a higher upfront cost. [62357/25]
View answerReply not received from Department.
Departmental Schemes
Questions (350)
James O'Connor
Question:350. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Social Protection the provisions in Budget 2026 to address the cost of disability. [61904/25]
View answerWritten answers
The Government recognises the significant additional costs that disabled people can face in their daily lives and is committed improving outcomes for disabled people.
Budget 2026 contains significant measures to support disabled people. These measures include:
• a €10 increase in the weekly rates of payment, bringing the personal rates of payment to €254 per week from January;
• Christmas bonus - double payment to all persons getting a long-term disability payment to be paid in December 2025;
• the highest ever increases in the Child Support Payment – an increase of €16 to €78 for children aged 12 or over, and of €8 to €58 for children under 12;
• a €20 increase in the rate of Domiciliary Care Allowance;
• a €5 increase in the Fuel Allowance, bringing it to €38 per week from January 2026;
• people moving from Disability Allowance or Blind Pension to take up work will be able to retain their Fuel Allowance payment for five years. The Back to Work Family Dividend is also being extended to this group, where they have children;
• extending the Wage Subsidy Scheme to people who acquire a disability while in employment and increasing its rates from April;
• increase the Earnings Disregard for Carer’s Allowance by €375 to €1,000 for a single person and by €750 to €2,000 for a couple from July 2026;
• the income limit for Carer’s Benefit will increase by €375 to €1,000 per week from July 2026.
The Budget 2026 allocation of €3.8 billion to the Department of Children, Disability and Equality for disability services in 2026, represents another significant investment to ensure people with disabilities receive the right support, at the right time, in the right place.
This is the first of this Government’s five Budgets. We are at the start of a five-year programme for Government and not everything can be done in year one. In the Programme for Government, we have committed to introducing a permanent Annual Cost of Disability Support Payment with a view to incrementally increasing this payment.
We know that addressing the cost of disability is not a question of income support alone. The delivery of and access to services are also key. We need all of the Departments and agencies of Government to work together to address the issue in a comprehensive way.
The recently published National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People 2025-2030 takes a whole-of-Government approach and includes a commitment to establish a Strategic Focus Network on the Cost of Disability, led by my Department.
The work of this network, which will include people with disabilities and their advocates, will inform the approach we will be taking in delivering on this Programme for Government commitment.
Officials in my Department have started to have meetings with stakeholder groups with a view to bringing a proposal to Government in the first half of next year.
Social Welfare Benefits
Questions (351)
Peter Roche
Question:351. Deputy Peter Roche asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will outline any plans to review and improve the financial and social supports available to foster carers, including measures relating to allowances, pension entitlements, and access to additional benefits such as the back to school clothing and footwear allowance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62409/25]
View answerWritten answers
Matters relating to foster carers, including foster care allowance, 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 already provides a range of measures to recognise caring periods outside of paid employment, such as PRSI credits, Homemaking Disregards, and HomeCaring Periods which 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. If they are not in receipt of Child Benefit, they can still qualify for the Homemaker’s Scheme or HomeCaring Periods provided the caring periods are confirmed by Tusla. Foster carers can register for up to 20 years caring periods for children under the age of 12, or for children over the age of 12 in the case of a child who requires full-time nursing care.
Since January 2024, long-term carer's contributions can be awarded to a person who has cared for an incapacitated person or persons requiring full-time care 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, or 10 years, required for eligibility.
Foster carers who have cared for an incapacitated dependent or dependents for over 20 years also benefit from this provision.
These measures assist foster carers to access the State pension system and recognise the years spent caring for children in the same way as biological or adoptive parents, while ensuring that the system remains sustainable.
Any future changes to State Pension system would have to be considered in the overall policy and budgetary context, including the sustainability of the Social Insurance Fund.
In relation to the Back-to-School Clothing and Footwear Allowance, in June 2025, I was really pleased to announce that Back-to-School Clothing and Footwear Allowance eligibility was 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.
Social Welfare Eligibility
Questions (352)
Ken O'Flynn
Question:352. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Social Protection if his department has examined how existing maternity and illness benefit schemes could be extended or adapted to provide income support to workers who experience pregnancy loss; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62424/25]
View answerWritten answers
Pregnancy loss is a tragedy and the difficulties that parents and families experience as a result cannot be overstated. The Government recognises the need to support parents who find themselves in these tragic circumstances.
The Department of Children, Disability and Equality has legal and policy responsibility for the introduction and extension of family-related leaves. The Department of Social Protection has responsibility for the associated benefits.
Under Section 47 of the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005, a woman may qualify for Maternity Benefit in the event of a stillbirth or miscarriage. As defined in the Civil Registration Act 2004, a stillbirth is recognised as a loss occurring from the 24th week of pregnancy or where the baby weighs at least 400 grammes. In such cases, the woman is entitled to 26 weeks of Maternity Leave and Benefit, provided she satisfies the relevant contribution conditions. An additional 16 weeks unpaid leave is also available in these cases.
My Department also provides income supports to individuals unable to work due to illness or disability. Eligibility is based on the impact of the condition on a person’s capacity to work, rather than the specific nature of the illness. Illness Benefit is the main short-term support for those temporarily unable to work due to illness.
Departmental Budgets
Questions (353)
Louise O'Reilly
Question:353. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Social Protection whether the €10 million euro allocated towards the relaxation of the carer’s means test comes under €1,152 million for 'Key policy adjustments' or from the €390 million 'increase in pension and illness, disability, carers scheme recipients'; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62428/25]
View answerWritten answers
The report quoted as part of the question was published by the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitilisation and is the responsibility of the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitilisation to address. The Minister for Social Protection cannot comment on a report published by another Minister. Officials in the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitilisation have indicated that they will answer the question, if and when it is re-submitted.
Departmental Budgets
Questions (354)
Louise O'Reilly
Question:354. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Social Protection whether funding for new recipients of the carer’s allowance, who would not have qualified under the current income disregards but who will qualify on foot of the budget 2026 measure, is allocated from the €390 million 'increase in pension and illness, disability, carers scheme recipients' or elsewhere; and the amount he plans to allocate to this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62429/25]
View answerWritten answers
The report quoted as part of the question was published by the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitilisation and is the responsibility of the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitilisation to address. The Minister for Social Protection cannot comment on a report published by another Minister. Officials in the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitilisation have indicated that they will answer the question, if and when it is re-submitted.
Social Welfare Payments
Questions (355)
Louise O'Reilly
Question:355. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Social Protection for a breakdown of the estimated 30,000 additional recipients across the pension, illness, disability and carers schemes respectively, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62430/25]
View answerWritten answers
The report quoted as part of the question was published by the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitilisation and is the responsibility of the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitilisation to address. The Minister for Social Protection cannot comment on a report published by another Minister. Officials in the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitilisation have indicated that they will answer the question, if and when it is re-submitted.
Pension Provisions
Questions (356)
Louise O'Reilly
Question:356. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Social Protection for a breakdown of the 30,000 additional pension and IDC recipients across the numbers resulting from changes to schemes announced as Budget 2026 measures versus the numbers resulting from demographic changes. [62431/25]
View answerAwaiting reply from Department.
Pension Provisions
Questions (357)
Louise O'Reilly
Question:357. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Social Protection the provisions that have been made to ensure that agencies, organisations and charities funded by his Department will be able to meet their obligations under the new AE scheme. [62455/25]
View answerAwaiting reply from Department.
Social Insurance
Questions (358)
Barry Heneghan
Question:358. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will consider introducing a voluntary higher PRSI contribution option for self-employed workers under Class S, which would allow them to qualify for illness benefit in the same way as PAYE employees; if his Department has examined the feasibility or cost implications of extending illness benefit coverage to self-employed persons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62585/25]
View answerWritten answers
Illness benefit is the primary short term income support provided by my Department to those who are unable to work due to illness of any type and who are covered by social insurance. Eligibility for illness benefit depends on the person’s PRSI record and class. The person must have made the required number of contributions under class A, E, H or P to qualify. In general, self-employed people make PRSI contributions at class S which does not provide entitlement to illness benefit.
Self-employed contributors pay class S PRSI at a rate of 4.2%. This is 11.25 percentage points lower than the combined employer and employee contribution of 15.45% made in respect of employed contributors. However, self-employed contributors do have access to over 90% of benefits available to employed contributors. The only benefits that class S PRSI does not provide access to are health and safety benefit, illness benefit and occupational injuries benefits.
The cost of extending illness benefit to the self-employed was considered as part of the last Actuarial Review of the Social Insurance Fund as at 31 December 2020 which was published in March 2023. The review found that if the benefit was extended to all self-employed contributors from 2024, the annual cost to the Social insurance Fund would be around €87 million by the end of 2030.
The Programme for Government includes an action to explore the option of giving self-employed workers access to illness benefit by means of making a higher PRSI contribution. My Department has commenced work in this regard. This work includes analysis and assessments of potential costings and the appropriate PRSI rates required in those contexts.
Any changes to the current system would need to be considered in an overall policy and budgetary context.
Social Insurance
Questions (359)
Malcolm Byrne
Question:359. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Social Protection the full range of services covered by those paying category K PRSI. [62616/25]
View answerWritten answers
The PRSI rate applicable for social insurance contributions paid at class K is 4.2%. Contributions at this class do not give rise to a right to any benefits available under the Social Insurance Fund.
There are two subclasses of class K. Subclass K1 applies to specific public office holders, such as the President, the Attorney General, the judiciary and members of the Houses of the Oireachtas, with an income of over €5,200 a year. This charge on these public office holders was brought in Budget 2011 as a solidarity measure to contribute to social insurance at a time when extensive curtailment of social insurance entitlements to private sector employees was introduced.
The remaining subclass, K9, applies to the additional income of three categories of contributors.
• Pre-1995 civil and public servants who pay PRSI at a lower/modified rate (referred to as modified rate contributors) who have either or both self-employed earned and unearned income.
• Employed contributors who have unearned self-employed income only.
• Occupational pensioners who are under State pensionable age (currently 66 years) who have unearned self-employed income only.
Self-employed earned income may be, for example, from a profession or trade. Self-employed unearned income may be, for example, rental or investment income. The Class K charges on the specified income of these categories of contributors were introduced in 2013 and 2014 to broaden the social insurance base without providing additional entitlement to social insurance benefits.
It should be noted that class K contributors may establish entitlement to social insurance benefits based on income(s) other than what is applicable under this class. For example, employees pay class A PRSI on their employment income which entitles them to all of the social insurance benefits available.
Departmental Properties
Questions (360)
Paul Lawless
Question:360. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of vacant and derelict buildings in County Mayo owned by his Department that are vacant or rented, by the region/towns location of the buildings, in tabular form. [62679/25]
View answerWritten answers
The Department of Social Protection does not have any vacant or derelict buildings in County Mayo.
All properties occupied by my department are owned or leased by the Office of Public Works (OPW), with the exception of the Department's headquarters, Áras Mhic Dhiarmada, Store Street, Dublin 1, which is held by the Minister on behalf of the Social Insurance Fund.
Immigration Policy
Questions (361)
John Lahart
Question:361. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to continue to expand or extend the Humanitarian Admissions Programme; his views in relation to the history of the operation of the programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62415/25]
View answerWritten answers
Between 2021 and 2024, Ireland welcomed over 700 people who were refugees from Afghanistan through the Irish Refugee Protection Programme's (IRPP) Afghan Programme.
Within the remit of IRPP, a Humanitarian Admissions Programme prioritises at-risk individuals such as human rights defenders, women’s rights activists, LGBTQ+ individuals, judiciary and journalists. The Humanitarian Admissions Programme has been in place since 2021.
For 2025, a designated partner organisation, was appointed by the Department to support the admission of 50 individuals under the Humanitarian Admissions programme, using a community sponsorship framework.
While the number of admissions available under the 2025 Humanitarian Admissions Programme is limited to 50, the number of applications received far exceeded that and accordingly not all applications were successful.
While I appreciate that this will have caused disappointment to those who were unsuccessful or their families, all applications submitted to my Department for consideration by our designated partner organisation under the programme were subject to review by my officials to ensure a fair process.
The 2025 Humanitarian Admissions Programme was divided into two phases and Phase 1 has been completed. It is planned to complete the balance of the 50 pledged arrivals before the end of 2025.
At this time there are no plans in place to increase the number of spaces available under this programme. It is intended to facilitate the arrival of 50 Refugees from Afghanistan in 2026 under this programme.
An Garda Síochána
Questions (362)
Tom Brabazon
Question:362. Deputy Tom Brabazon asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the current Garda staffing levels at Raheny and Coolock Garda Stations; the way in which this compares to 2019 figures; and the plans for further increases to address the growing population in the area. [62343/25]
View answerWritten answers
The Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána under Section 33 of the Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024, which includes the distribution and stationing of Garda personnel throughout the State. As Minister, I have no role in these independent functions.
In the interest of transparency, An Garda Síochána publishes information in relation to the allocation of Garda staff nationally, including a breakdown of Garda divisions and stations in the Dublin Metropolitan Region. This can be found at the following link:
www.garda.ie/en/about-us/our-departments/human-resources-and-people-development/garda-hr-directorate/garda-strength-breakdown-2025/
The Deputy should select the most recently available date and then select the file titled ‘Garda Staff by Division and Station to the most recent date".
Departmental Reviews
Questions (363, 364, 366)
Ken O'Flynn
Question:363. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if he will consider establishing an independent review mechanism for historic or disputed cases of sudden or unexplained death, including those of (details supplied), to ensure transparency, accountability, and public confidence in the justice process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62366/25]
View answerKen O'Flynn
Question:364. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if his department has a formal process to support families who have long sought answers in unresolved cases, such as (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62367/25]
View answerKen O'Flynn
Question:366. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if he will intervene in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62387/25]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 363, 364 and 366 together.
Under Irish law, criminal investigations can only be carried out by An Garda Síochána, who submit a report to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP). The DPP decides whether a prosecution should proceed, and what crime will be prosecuted.
Under section 33 of the Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and control of the administration and business of An Garda Síochána which includes both detecting and investigating crime. Under section 34 of the Act, the Commissioner is independent in his functions.
A request for a review or re-examination of historic or unresolved cases can be forwarded by a victim or the family member of a victim to the Divisional Serious Incident Management Team who can undertake a peer review of any investigation.
Fiosrú - the Office of the Police Ombudsman - is the independent statutory body established to investigate complaints regarding the conduct of An Garda Síochána. Fiosrú, which succeeded GSOC, was given expanded powers under the Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024 and has been provided with additional resources.
The Independent Review Mechanism (IRM) that was in place from 2014 to 2016 considered 320 cases and made recommendations to the then Minister in relation to all of them. Given reforms of An Garda Síochána and of policing oversight and governance in the intervening years, I have no plans to establish an IRM at this time.
Question No. 364 answered with Question No. 363.
International Protection
Questions (365)
Richard Boyd Barrett
Question:365. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to respond to concerns that IPAS is providing an unsafe environment for residents at a centre (details supplied). [62380/25]
View answerWritten answers
While the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) cannot comment publicly on individual cases, I can advise the Deputy that officials are aware of this case.
All accommodation centres are subject to routine inspections and compliance checks during the lifetime of the contract, either by Department officials, HIQA, or through IPAS-commissioned inspections. These inspections are fully transparent and published online regularly.
IPAS is always available to deal with any complaints from residents and residents are encouraged to engage with IPAS if they are unhappy with any aspect of their accommodation. Where a complaint is significant in nature or a resident is not comfortable raising a complaint with a centre manager, they may make the complaint directly, or through a representative authorised to act on their behalf, to the IPAS Customer Service Team.
If they wish to request IPAS accommodation they may contact the IPAS helpdesk to seek advice. The IPAS helpdesk can be contacted by email: ipasinbox@equality.gov.ie.
In the event of a resident not feeling comfortable with contacting the Department directly or the centre management, the Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) operate a confidential support helpline for all residents being accommodated by IPAS. The Freephone helpline is operated by the Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS).
Question No. 366 answered with Question No. 363.