Written Answers Nos. 146-166
148. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the position regarding the number of staff that are employed in the international protection office, broken down by grade; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6955/26]
View answer149. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the position regarding the financial cost of operating the international protection office in 2023, 2024 and 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6956/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 148 and 149 together.
It is a central priority for me that our immigration system is robust and enforced.
There has been significant investment across the end-to-end international protection process in the last number of years to improve efficiencies and throughput as well as enhancing the application, interview and decision-making process for applicants. There has also been investment in ICT capital expenditure and process improvements.
This investment has already demonstrated results. In 2025, the International Protection Office (IPO) delivered over 20,200 first decisions compared to approximately 14,100 in 2024: a 44% increase while the International Protection Appeals Tribunal (IPAT) more than doubled the number of appeals closed from 3,100 in 2024 to nearly 6,300 in 2025.
The table below shows expenditure (pay and non-pay) for the International Protection Office (IPO) from 2023 to 2025.
|
|
IPO |
|
|
€000’s |
|
2023* |
23,122 |
|
2024 |
34,984 |
|
2025 |
47,304 |
* IPO was set up as a separate cost centre in 2024. Prior to that it was included as a division within the immigration cost centres so the 2023 figure is estimated.
The IPO is also supported through centralised functions including ICT investment in modernisation and automated process improvements, HR and recruitment, Finance, Corporate Facilities, Policy, and Legal services among others.
The IPO utilises both staff and panel members to meet service needs. A total of 627 staff are currently employed which represents an increase of 338% on 2019 staffing.
The grade breakdown is as follows:
|
Grade |
TCO |
CO |
EO |
AO |
HEO |
PTP |
AP |
PO |
CIPO |
Total |
|
Staff |
11 |
141 |
314 |
34 |
89 |
5 |
28 |
5 |
1 |
628 |
CIPO - Chief International Protection Officer
PO – Principal Officer
AP – Assistant Principal
PTP – Professional Technical Post
HEO – Higher Executive Officer
AO – Administrative Officer
EO – Executive Officer
CO – Clerical Officer
TCO – Temporary Clerical Officer
In addition, there are 165 panel members contracted by the International Protection Office.
151. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department will reply substantively and in detail to a request and concerns raised in correspondence by a person (details supplied); if his officials have made recent contact with the person; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6718/26]
View answerAll historical events raised by the named person have been investigated by my Department. Comprehensive formal responses have been issued in writing to them, outlining my Department’s position on these matters.
Officials in my Department will shortly provide a response in relation to the most recent correspondence from the named person dated 22 January 2026. Should the named person require any further information, they can make contact with Limerick Regional Veterinary office, Department of Agriculture Food and the Marine, Houston Hall, Raheen Industrial estate, Raheen, Limerick V94PKF1. Tel 061 500900 or limerickdvo@agriculture.gov.ie.
152. Deputy Tom Brabazon asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if there are plans to introduce paid parking at locations owned by his Department (details supplied). [6769/26]
View answerMy Department owns, operates, and maintains six designated State-owned Fishery Harbour Centres (FHCs) under statute at Killybegs, Howth, Castletownbere, Ros an Mhíl, Dingle and Dunmore East.
Howth Fishery Harbour is first and foremost a working fishery harbour. However it also serves as a very important tourist and leisure destination with many restaurants and business operating on the harbour. Traffic management and parking has been a long-standing issue in Howth FHC, with issues regarding emergency access and other safety matters raised by the Harbour Master, the Coastguard, the Lifeboat service, and An Gárda Síochána.
I am aware from my own visits to the harbour and discussions with the Harbour Master and business owners that there is a desire for a more regulated and managed parking regime within the harbour. The topic was also raised and discussed more broadly at the most recent Howth Harbour Users Forum on 10 June, 2025.
I consider the proper management of car parking facilities and additional traffic management both desirable and necessary to the safe and efficient operations of the harbour. Officials from my Department are currently considering implementing a parking regime within Howth FHC. The regime may potentially introduce paid parking.
Under the Harbour Centres Act 1968 and the Vehicle Clamping Act 2015, paid parking can be introduced within the FHC. A full consultation will be held with harbour users to ensure that all concerns are aired and addressed before any measures are implemented.
The Deputy may be aware that all income generated by paid activities including parking is lodged into the Fishery Harbour Centres Fund, which is audited by the Comptroller and Auditor General, and reinvested into the operation and development of the Fishery Harbour Centres.
153. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he can urgently address the compensation ceilings currently in place for TB reactors, as an increasing number of farmers are suffering huge financial loses and must be compensated up to the current market value; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6886/26]
View answerBovine TB is an ongoing challenge for Irish farmers. I am acutely aware of the emotional and financial impacts of bovine TB on farmers, their families and rural Ireland.
I welcome the increased budget allocation in Budget 2026. I am confident that this will allow the revamped bTB programme to focus on tackling disease levels through the implementation of the measures laid out in the new bTB Action Plan and will support and enable farm families who are currently dealing with the stress of a TB outbreak to navigate a way out of a TB restriction and protect those herds currently free from TB from the stress of a TB outbreak.
The objective of the new measures in the Bovine TB Action Plan is to reduce the number of farms affected by bTB and decrease costs for farmers and the taxpayer.
My Department provides a range of financial supports that focus on compensating farmers for both direct and indirect losses incurred as a result of a TB breakdown on the farm. The primary support scheme is the On Farm Market Valuation scheme where animals removed as reactors receive compensation subject to scheme ceilings equivalent to their market value in the event they were not disclosed as TB reactors. In 2025 of the 39,790 animals valued under the On Farm Market Valuation scheme just over 91% of animals were valued below the scheme ceilings.
As part of the work of the TB Forum, a dedicated Financial Working Group was established to review the financial modelling of various elements of the Bovine TB Eradication programme. As a result of the agreement reached in this Group, over the last two years there were rate enhancements to the Income Supplement Scheme, the Hardship Grant and the Depopulation Grant as well as enhanced ceilings for select animals being removed as part of the On Farm Market Valuation.
Due to the increased cost of the bTB programme in recent years, the focus at present is on reducing the levels of disease which will reduce the impact of bTB on Irish farm families and reduce the cost of the programme which has risen to over €121 million in 2025.
154. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he supports the introduction of a tillage sustainability payment in spring 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6916/26]
View answerTillage farmers are a critical part of the agri-food sector producing high quality animal feed, bedding and ingredients for the food and drink industry. Acknowledging the challenges facing the sector, I committed an additional €30 million in support to the sector in Budget 2026 bringing the total support this year to €50 million.
My Department is currently in ongoing consultation with stakeholder bodies in relation to the design and implementation of a Tillage Sustainability Support Payment to allow expenditure of this funding.
The finalised Terms and Conditions will then be subject to approval by the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation.
155. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of horses seized under the Control Of Horses Act 1996, per county, in each of the years 2020 to 2025, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6924/26]
View answer156. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of horses seized under the Control Of Horses Act 1996, and subsequently returned to their owners, per county, for each of the years 2020 to 2025, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6925/26]
View answer157. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of horses seized under the Control Of Horses Act 1996, and subsequently rehoused by animal charities, per county, for each of the years 2020 to 2025, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6926/26]
View answer158. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of horses seized under the Control Of Horses Act 1996, and subsequently euthanised, per county, for each of the years 2020 to 2025, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6927/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 155 to 158, inclusive, together.
My Department is responsible for all policy and legislation in relation to the Control of Horses Act 1996. Operation of the Act comes under the remit of Local Authorities.
Under the Control of Horses Act 1996, local authorities may take a range of actions in relation to equines including prohibiting horses in certain areas, the issuing of licences and the seizure of horses in contravention of the Act. These powers can be used in respect of straying horses, which includes horses put on land without the owner’s permission, including public land. Local authorities may also prosecute offenders.
My Department provides financial support to assist local authorities with the costs of these seizures. My officials collect information in respect of the overall number of equines seized from local authorities on a quarterly basis. The figures provided by local authorities to my Department in respect of equine seizures by county for the last five years are provided in the attached table, however the figures in respect of 2025 are only available up to quarter 3 at present.
|
City/County Co's |
Horses Seized 2025 |
Reclaimed by Owner 2025 |
Rehomed 2025 |
Euthanised 2025 |
|
Carlow Co. Council |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Cavan Co. Council |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Clare Co. Council |
14 |
6 |
8 |
0 |
|
Cork Co. Council |
17 |
2 |
15 |
0 |
|
Cork City Council |
48 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
|
Donegal Co. Council |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Dublin City Council |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Dun Laoghaire Rathdown Co. Council |
5 |
0 |
5 |
0 |
|
Fingal Co. Council |
25 |
0 |
14 |
0 |
|
Galway City Council |
0 |
0 |
0 |
5 |
|
Galway Co. Council |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Kerry Co. Council |
10 |
2 |
8 |
0 |
|
Kildare Co. Council |
5 |
2 |
2 |
1 |
|
Kilkenny Co. Council |
9 |
0 |
8 |
1 |
|
Laois Co. Council |
14 |
2 |
12 |
0 |
|
Leitrim Co. Council |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Limerick City & County |
50 |
11 |
39 |
0 |
|
Longford Co. Council |
1 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
|
Louth Co. Council |
1 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
|
Mayo Co. Council |
1 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
|
Meath Co. Council |
5 |
2 |
3 |
0 |
|
Monaghan Co. Council |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Offaly Co. Council |
1 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
|
Roscommon Co. Council |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Sligo Co. Council |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Sth Dublin Co. Council |
12 |
1 |
10 |
1 |
|
Tipperary Co. Council |
31 |
2 |
24 |
0 |
|
Waterford City& Co. Council |
13 |
2 |
6 |
2 |
|
Westmeath Co. Council |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Wexford Co.Council |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Wicklow Co. Council |
6 |
1 |
5 |
0 |
|
Total UP TO Q3 2025 |
268 |
34 |
163 |
10 |
159. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality to establish with the HSE the number of current vacancies waiting to be filled with the Louth adult intellectual disability services; the grade, groups and categories/roles involved; when the positions will be filled; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6712/26]
View answerAs this question refers to operational matters, I have requested the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
160. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if his attention has been drawn to the fact that in cases in which an employee is on leave from their role as a result of domestic violence, as it stands the law is silent on if they need to provide proof of the domestic violence to their employer; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6803/26]
View answerUnder the Work Life Balance and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2023, anyone experiencing or at risk of domestic violence will be entitled to take five days leave in any 12 month period in order to access supports. They will also be entitled to full pay during the period of leave.
The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth has also commissioned Women’s Aid to develop supports for employers to develop their own domestic violence workplace policies, and all of these are available at www.dvatwork.ie.
Those wishing to avail of domestic violence leave are not required to provide proof or evidence to their employers in order to avail of the leave.
As part of the legislation, a review mechanism was included, with specific focus on the number of days under the leave. The review is due to take place this year.
Officials in the Department have been in discussion with Women’s Aid with regard to the review. Further discussions are required to finalise the manner in which the review will be undertaken, including budget considerations.
161. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality to provide an update on the funding situation in terms of pay parity with HSE equivalents and proper funding generally for section 39 organisations, including the restoration of pay parity between section 39 workers and their counterparts in State-run services; if it can be guaranteed that such parity will be maintained in future, including wage increases and to address the ongoing pension issues that have been raised by their representatives; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6811/26]
View answerThe WRC pay funding agreement reached last year between Government Departments and unions includes funding for a 9.25% pay increase for workers in community and voluntary health and social care organisations.
The agreement recognises that staff in these organisations should be fairly paid for the vital work they do. In a landmark step by this Government, the agreement also includes an automatic link to future public sector pay agreements for these workers, to match the terms of all future pay adjustments. The parity of treatment provided for in this Agreement is an important step forward for workers.
This agreement improves the ability of vital organisations to actively recruit and retain staff, thereby enhancing the sustainability of services in the sector.
This increase will benefit around 20,000 workers in disability voluntary organisations and is equivalent to the current Public Sector Agreement.
The HSE have made the necessary arrangements to allocate the additional funding and the process of issuing payments is in its final stages. The vast majority of agencies have now been recommended for payment. Work is on-going with 19 agencies to ensure the necessary information is provided to enable their claims to be concluded. It is expected that these will be concluded over the coming weeks.
As part of the agreement a comprehensive data gathering exercise is being progressed on the pay and funding arrangements in the sector, to progress pay issues that affect the delivery of services and the long-term viability of organisations. The parties agreed that this exercise is crucial in order to create a shared understanding of the sector, particularly in regard to low pay.
162. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the length of time it is taking the Decision Support Service to process enduring power of attorney applications; when an application (details supplied) will be finalised; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6652/26]
View answerI thank the Deputy for their question regarding the Enduring Power of Attorney (EPA) application process which is managed by the Decision Support Service (DSS).
EPAs are a vital advance planning tool that enable adults to plan ahead for a time when they may have diminished decision-making capacity, ensuring that a person’s wishes are known and respected. Ensuring that the EPA application process is accessible and timely for all individuals is of key importance.
It is important to note that an EPA is an instrument for advance, long-term planning. A correctly completed EPA currently takes approximately five months for the DSS to review and register. This timeframe includes a statutory notice and objection period of five weeks, as required by legislation. A registration timeframe of approximately five months reflects a careful, legally required process that prioritises protection, certainty, and long-term effectiveness and is largely similar to other jurisdictions.
Investing time at the registration stage ensures that an EPA meets all requirements and is capable of being activated quickly at the second stage if the donor loses capacity. In the event that the donor loses capacity in the period before the EPA is registered by the DSS, a procedure is in place for the attorney to contact the DSS to expedite the process.
The second stage to activate the EPA takes six to eight weeks, which again includes a statutory notice period of five weeks. During this period, the Act makes provision for the attorney to commence decision-making in extreme cases. It is, of course, always the hope that a person does not lose their decision-making capacity and that an EPA will not need to be activated for a long time after it is registered, if indeed ever.
In regard to the specific case referenced, the Department has been informed by the DSS that a member of their registration team has contacted the applicant to advise them that their application is in order, is currently being dealt with by the DSS registration team, and will be registered as soon as possible.
The DSS has a dedicated EPA helpdesk in place to assist EPA applicants throughout the process. They can be contacted by phone at (01) 211 9750 or via email at EPAhelpdesk@decisionsupportservice.ie and the DSS will provide whatever advice and support is required to ensure that an EPA can be registered.
163. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if there is a scheme for grandparents who are minding their grandchildren due to lack of spaces in creches (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6673/26]
View answerEarly learning and childcare capacity is increasing. However, it appears that demand for early learning and childcare remains higher than available supply in certain parts of the country, particularly for younger children.
The Department continues to support the ongoing development and resourcing of Core Funding which has given rise to a significant expansion of places since the scheme was first introduced. Core Funding, which is in its fourth programme year, funds services based on the number of places available. This provides stability to services, and reduces the risk associated with opening a new service or expanding an already existing service.
The Government is also supporting the expansion of capacity through capital funding. The Building Blocks Extension Grant Scheme is designed to increase capacity in the 1–3-year-old, pre–Early Childhood Care and Education, age range for full day care. Core Funding Partner Services could apply for capital funding to physically extend their premises or to construct or purchase new premises.
Capital funding allocated to the early learning and childcare sector under the National Development Plan has enabled significant investment in early learning and childcare. This allows existing Core Funding Partner Services to extend their existing premises or, in the case of community services, to construct or purchase new premises. The Scheme will deliver up to 1,500 full-day care places for 1- to 3-year-olds.
As announced in the context of Budget 2026, €197 million will be available between 2026 and 2030 for early learning and childcare capital programmes. This will include €135 million which I recently announced in capital investment in buildings for high-quality, accessible State-led early learning and childcare up to 2030. The process will begin in 2026 with the acquisition of buildings in what will be a ground-breaking initiative for this government. Capital funding will be used to acquire and/or fit out the buildings, depending on requirements.
It will also include investment in expansion of existing early learning and childcare operators through the Building Blocks scheme and a number of quality initiatives including supports to childminders.
The National Action Plan for Childminding 2021-2028 set out a pathway for the extension of regulation to childminders. As a result of the commencement of the relevant parts of the Child Care (Amendment) Act 2024 and the Childminding Services Regulations, which came into effect on 30 September 2024, childminders are now able to apply to register with Tusla.
Under the amendments made in the 2024 Act, the definition of a childminding service:
"(a) entails an individual taking care, by himself or herself, of children under the age of 15 years, in the home of the individual, and
(b) is provided to children (other than that individual’s own children) for a total period of not less than 2 hours per day."
A key objective of the National Action Plan for Childminding is to enable parents who use childminders to benefit from State subsidies through the National Childcare Scheme. The Childcare Support Act 2018, which provides a statutory basis for the National Childcare Scheme, specifies that only Tusla-registered childminders are eligible to participate in the Scheme. The limitation of public funding schemes to Tusla-registered childcare providers helps to ensure that public funding is provided where there is assurance of the quality of provision.
We are now in a 3-year transition period (to September 2027) during which childminders are being encouraged and supported to register, but registration is not yet mandatory.
This phased approach aims to facilitate the largest possible number of childminders to enter the regulated sector, the sphere of quality assurance, and access to Government subsidies, while recognising the time and supports required for childminders to learn about and prepare for registration.
Supports are available for childminders at local level through the City and County Childcare Committees. Each City and County Childcare Committee employs a Childminding Development Officer, who provides a range of supports to local childminders, including delivery of the short pre-registration training course.
164. Deputy Joanna Byrne asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of children currently on a waiting list in County Louth for early learning and childcare places. [6677/26]
View answer165. Deputy Joanna Byrne asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of early learning and childcare places which are currently available in County Louth. [6678/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 164 and 165 together.
Each year, Pobal compiles data from Early Learning and Care (ELC) and School Age Childcare (SAC) providers as part of the Early Years Sector Profile.
The most recent published capacity data for the 2024/25 programme year estimated that there were 4,024 children enrolled in ELC services in County Louth. This data also indicated that 31% had at least one vacant place and an estimated 46% had a waiting list. At the time of the survey, there were 102 ELC service providers in Louth that had a contract for at least one Department funded programme/scheme.
It is important to note that waiting list data should not be used as a measure of overall demand for ELC places. While waiting list data can be used to give an indication of demand for places for a given age group or service type there is no centralised waiting list, each waiting list is managed at service level; an individual child may be on multiple waiting lists in different services and may remain on one or multiple lists after taking up a place. Additionally, not all services operate a waiting list.
Further information can be found on the Early Learning and Childcare data website. The Capacity Section of the website provides information on the number of children enrolled, services with vacant places, and services with a waiting list.
Data from Tusla Early Years Inspectorate is also collated and verified on a rolling basis. The most recent data available, from the end of November 2025, shows there were 104 ELC services registered from county Louth with the Tusla Early Years Inspectorate.
166. Deputy Joanna Byrne asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the specific measures being undertaken to address the challenges being faced by parents in County Louth to find early learning and childcare places for children aged one to three years-of-age; the engagement which have taken place with Louth County Childcare Committee regarding these challenges; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6679/26]
View answerImproving access to quality and affordable Early Learning and Care and School Age Childcare is a key priority of Government.
Enrolments in early learning and childcare have increased by 25% in the last three years but some families have challenges finding the type of provision that they would prefer, particularly in the case of younger children.
The Department is currently supporting the expansion of capacity through the Building Blocks Extension Grant Scheme, designed to increase capacity in the 1–3-year-old (pre–ECCE) age range for full day care. The scheme provides for Core Funding Partner Services to extend their existing premises or, in the case of community services, to construct or purchase new premises. It is expected that up to 1,500 full time ELC places will be delivered in areas of identified undersupply.
A further round of Building Blocks will open for applications this year which will focus on funding extensions to existing early learning and childcare services, details of which will be announced shortly.
Additionally, €135 million in capital investment has been made available under the National Development Plan between 2026 and 2030 to deliver State-led services which will support high-quality, accessible early learning and childcare. Investment will be focused on areas and provision types of greatest need, particularly full-day places for younger children, and in rural and disadvantaged areas.
The Department is now beginning to assess sites/buildings with the help of the forward planning model in order to identify which are best placed to deliver on the goals of the programme.
The forward planning model maps publicly-subsidised provision by service type and age group of children against the numbers of children in the corresponding age bracket in the local area and allows for granular and specific analysis to be undertaken about alignment of supply and demand.
In addition to the forward planning model, a suite of other appraisal tools have been developed to inform the selection of projects in alignment with the programme objectives.
Up to eight capital projects will be selected under the programme in 2026. No final decisions have yet been made on the specific projects but I look forward to sharing details of projects as they are agreed.
Local City and County Childcare Committees will be supporting the development of projects. Officials have engaged with CCC managers from all local authority areas are also in discussions with local authorities and State agencies about the potential projects.
