Written Answers Nos. 329-348
329. Deputy Keira Keogh asked the Minister for Social Protection the way in which an income of a second adult in a home where a person is in receipt of carer’s allowance is assessed even when they have no relationship with or provide financial support to the person being cared for; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23252/26]
View answerCarer's allowance (CA) is a means-tested social assistance payment made to a person who is habitually resident in the State and who is providing full-time care and attention to a child or an adult who has such a disability that as a result, they require that level of care.
Means are any income belonging to the carer and their spouse /civil partner / cohabitant, property, (except their own home) or any other asset that could bring in money or provide them with an income, for example; occupational pensions, or pensions or benefits from another country.
If a Deciding Officer is satisfied based on the information available to the Department, that the customer is single, then the income of other household occupants will not be assessed.
If there is a specific case that the Deputy would like examined, the Department would be glad to assist.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
330. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Social Protection the current means test thresholds eligibility for the fuel allowance of persons aged over 66 years; the thresholds applicable to a single person and a couple; whether his Department has undertaken any assessment of the appropriateness of these thresholds having regard to household heating costs and household composition; whether any review of the means test for fuel allowance is planned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23345/26]
View answerFollowing the announced Budget 2026 increases to primary Social Welfare payments, the allowable means for Fuel Allowance purposes for those aged 66 and over was increase by €10 for a single person to €534 and by €20 for a couple to €1,068. This ensured that no household lost entitlement to Fuel Allowance due to the increase to primary Social Welfare payments.
The increased allowable means threshold for people who are married, cohabiting or in a civil partnership, acknowledges that the overall cost of living for this cohort is higher than for a single person.
The Programme for Government includes a commitment to examine key ancillary benefits such as the Fuel Allowance, Household Benefits Package and Living Alone Increase to support vulnerable groups. This is an ongoing activity as part of the Department's budget planning each year and I will continue, as part of the budget planning process, to consider if improvements can be made to ensure that these benefits continue to target vulnerable groups.
Any further changes to the criteria for accessing the Fuel Allowance scheme would require additional funding for the scheme and therefore any decision to increase the Fuel Allowance thresholds would have to form part of overall budgetary negotiations.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
331. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Social Protection the first and full year cost of increasing the income threshold of the fuel allowance by 10%, 20% and 30% respectively, in tabular form; to provide an estimate of the number of applicants each threshold increase would incorporate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23365/26]
View answer333. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated number of additional households that will become eligible for the fuel allowance if the weekly means test thresholds were increased by 10%, 20% and 30%, broken down by the primary social welfare payment they are in receipt of, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23367/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 331 and 333 together.
My Department does not hold data on the means or household composition of all households in the State and, therefore, cannot provide a costing or expected numbers that might qualify due the measures outlined by the Deputy.
The Programme for Government includes a commitment to examine key ancillary benefits such as the Fuel Allowance, Household Benefits Package and Living Alone Increase to support vulnerable groups. This is an ongoing activity as part of the Department's budget planning each year and I will continue, as part of the budget planning process, to consider if improvements can be made to ensure that these benefits continue to target vulnerable groups.
Any further changes to the criteria for accessing the Fuel Allowance scheme would require additional funding for the scheme and therefore any decision to increase the Fuel Allowance thresholds would have to form part of overall budgetary negotiations.
There have been significant improvements made in recent years to the Fuel Allowance scheme. These improvements have resulted in many more households qualifying for the payment and have resulted in the Budget for the scheme increasing significantly with an estimated expenditure on the scheme in 2026 of €486 million compared to an expenditure of €290.45 million in 2020.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
332. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Social Protection the total number of households in receipt of the fuel allowance as of March 2026, broken down by primary payment type, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23366/26]
View answerThe number of recipients of Fuel Allowance by primary scheme payment end February 2026 are shown in the below table. Figures in respect of March 2026 will be available in April.
|
Primary scheme payment |
Number of recipients |
|
Back To Work Scheme |
621 |
|
Blind Persons Pension |
414 |
|
Carer's Allowance |
4,475 |
|
Deserted Wife's Allowance |
13 |
|
Deserted Wifes Benefit |
2,229 |
|
Disability Allowance |
80,627 |
|
Farm Assist |
1,743 |
|
Guardians Payment (Contributory) |
54 |
|
Guardians Payment (Non-Contributory) |
30 |
|
Incapacity Supplement |
114 |
|
Invalidity Pension |
15,008 |
|
Jobseeker's Allowance |
28,854 |
|
Jobseeker's Transitional Payment |
12,558 |
|
National Fuel Scheme |
4,352 |
|
Occupational Injuries Pension |
383 |
|
One Parent Family Payment |
24,971 |
|
State Pension Contributory |
129,976 |
|
State Pension Non Contributory |
56,329 |
|
Supplementary Welfare Allowance |
581 |
|
Bereaved Partner’s (Contributory) Pension |
45,179 |
|
Bereaved Partner’s (Non-Contributory) Pension |
594 |
|
Community Employment |
8,221 |
|
Tús |
1,294 |
|
Rural Social Scheme |
1,306 |
|
Total |
419,926 |
In addition, Budget 2026 extended Fuel Allowance entitlement to families in receipt of the Working Family Payment. Earlier this month approximately 50,000 Working Family Payment recipients received back dated payments of Fuel Allowance, bringing the total number of households in receipt of Fuel Allowance to over 470,000.
334. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will provide a copy of the most recent SWITCH model runs used to cost fuel allowance threshold adjustments; and to provide details of the assumptions used regarding recipient elasticity and income distribution. [23368/26]
View answerThe criteria for Fuel Allowance are framed in order to direct the limited resources available to the Department in as targeted a manner as possible. To qualify for the Fuel Allowance payment, a person must satisfy all relevant qualifying criteria, including a means test. This ensures that the Fuel Allowance payment is targeted at those who are more vulnerable to fuel poverty, including those reliant on social protection payments for longer periods and who are unlikely to have additional resources of their own.
My Department has not run any SWITCH models to cost Fuel Allowance threshold adjustments and the means test does not use any assumptions regarding recipient elasticity and income distribution.
The amount of income that a household may have and still qualify for Fuel Allowance can vary depending on the qualifying payments in the household and if these qualifying payments are means tested payments or contributory non-means tested payments. For example, qualifying means tested non-contributory recipients are generally accepted as satisfying the means test. The allowable earnings/income a household may have and still qualify for Fuel Allowance is determined by the rules of the qualifying payment.
The Programme for Government includes a commitment to examine key ancillary benefits such as the Fuel Allowance, Household Benefits Package and Living Alone Increase to support vulnerable groups. This is an ongoing activity as part of the Department's budget planning each year and I will continue, as part of the budget planning process, to consider if improvements can be made to ensure that these benefits continue to target vulnerable groups.
Any further changes to the criteria for accessing the fuel allowance scheme would require additional funding for the scheme and therefore any decision to increase the Fuel Allowance thresholds would have to form part of overall budgetary negotiations.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
335. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Social Protection the first and full year cost of extending the fuel allowance by a further 13 weeks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23369/26]
View answerThe estimated annual cost of extending Fuel Allowance by 13 weeks is €232.1 million at the current weekly rate of €38.
This costing is based on the number of Fuel Allowance recipients as at March 2026, and on the basis of a 28 week Fuel Allowance season. The costing is subject to change in light of emerging trends and subsequent revision of the number of recipients.
336. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Social Protection the first and full year cost of increasing the maximum rate of the fuel allowance by €10, €15 and €20; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23370/26]
View answerThe estimated annual cost of increasing the weekly fuel allowance rate by:
• €10, from €38 to €48, is €131.6 million.
• €15, from €38 to €53, is €197.3 million.
• €20, from €38 to €58, is €263.1 million.
These costings are based on the number of Fuel Allowance recipients as at March 2026, and are based on the cost across a full 28 week fuel season. The costing is subject to change in light of emerging trends and subsequent revision of the number of recipients.
337. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of households in receipt of the working family payment as of March 2026; the average weekly payment; the total annual expenditure on the scheme in 2025 and the projected expenditure for 2026, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23378/26]
View answerWorking Family Payment is a weekly in-work support which provides an income support for employees on low earnings who have at least one child. To qualify for Working Family Payment, the customer must be working a minimum of 38 hours per fortnight in ongoing insurable employment and have at least one qualified child who normally resides with them.
Please see table provided below with the breakdown of Working Family Payment recipients, average weekly rate of payment, the total expenditure for 2025 and projected expenditure for 2026.
|
Number of WFP Recipients (as at end Feb 2026) |
53,254 |
|
Average Weekly WFP Payment (as at end Feb 2026) |
€ 203.89 |
|
Total WFP Expenditure 2025 |
€ 467.9 million |
|
Projected WFP Expenditure 2026 |
€ 531.9 million |
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
338. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated annual cost of increasing the minimum weekly working family payment from €20 to €30, to €40, and to €50; the estimated number of households that would benefit from each increase, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23379/26]
View answerThe Working Family Payment is a tax-free income support designed to prevent in-work poverty for low paid employees with child dependents, and to offer a financial incentive to take-up employment.
There are some 52,000 households in receipt of the Working Family Payment. The average payment, as of February 2026, was €203 per week. Legislation provides for a minimum weekly payment of €20, payable to those who would otherwise qualify for a lower rate.
Based on the operational information available there are some 672 households in receipt of a Working Family Payment of between €20 and €25 per week, and an additional 1796 households in receipt of a Working Family Payment of between €25 and €50 per week.
If it is assumed that these households are equally distributed across their rate bands, the approximate cost and estimated number of households benefitting from an increase in the minimum payment to €30, €40 and €50 is shown in the table below.
|
Minimum Payment |
Estimated number of households benefitting |
Approximate Estimated Cost |
|
€30 |
1032 |
€310,000 |
|
€40 |
1750 |
€1,050,000 |
|
€50 |
2468 |
€2,150,000
|
It should be noted that these figures are rounded estimates based on average payments and an assumed equal distribution of household rates. The figures also do not take into account other factors such as an increased uptake of Working Family Payment due to a rise in the minimum payment, or movement of customers from other schemes.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
339. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated number of additional households that would become eligible for the working family payment if the gross weekly income thresholds were increased by 10%, by 20%, and by 30%; the estimated cost of doing so, by family size, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23380/26]
View answerThe full year cost of increasing the Working Family Payment income thresholds is difficult to estimate with accuracy given the dynamics of the labour market and wage fluctuations. This also means it is challenging to forecast with accuracy the number of new claimants who would avail of the payment resulting from increases of 10%, 20% or 30% to the thresholds as proposed.
It is also difficult to provide a costing for percentage increases to each Working Family Payment threshold, as this would require costing a different threshold increase for each household size. However, assuming the same threshold increase for all family sizes, in line with increases in recent budgets;
• A 10% increase to the €765 threshold would equate to a €76.50 increase to the thresholds, at an estimated cost of €123m per year.
• A 20% increase to the €765 threshold would equate to a €153 increase to the thresholds, at an estimated cost of €246m per year.
• A 30% increase to the €765 threshold would equate to a €229.50 increase to the thresholds, at an estimated cost of €369m per year.
These estimated costs are based on the number of recipients as at the start of 2026.
340. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of working family payment recipients who are also in receipt of fuel allowance following the March 2026 extension; the estimated cost of extending the fuel allowance threshold relaxation to all working family payment recipients at the current fuel allowance rate of €38, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23382/26]
View answerIn recognition of the importance of helping low paid working families, I announced the extension of the Fuel Allowance payment to Working Family Payment recipients. As the measure was only implemented in March, the number of recipients of both Working Family Payment and Fuel Allowance will not be available from my Department until April 2026. It is expected that in the region of 50,000 additional households will qualify for Fuel Allowance due to this measure.
To qualify for the Fuel Allowance Payment a person in receipt of the Working Family Payment must satisfy the following criteria: -
• Be legally resident in the State;
• Be awarded and in receipt of the Working Family Payment;
• Their heating needs must not be provided for in full as part of their accommodation; and
• One payment of Fuel Allowance per household rule applies.
As recipients of the Working Family Payment are deemed to have satisfied the Fuel Allowance means test, a relaxation of the Fuel Allowance threshold will not result in any additional Working Family Payment households qualifying for the Fuel Allowance Payment.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
341. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of working family payment recipients by county; the number of recipients by family size (one child, two children, three or more children), in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23383/26]
View answerAs of the end of February 2026, there were 53,186 recipients of Working Family Payment.
The breakdown of recipients by county and by family size (number of children) are given in tabular form below.
|
County |
Recipients |
|
Carlow |
755 |
|
Cavan |
1,078 |
|
Clare |
1,188 |
|
Cork |
5,004 |
|
Donegal |
2,556 |
|
Dublin |
13,515 |
|
Galway |
2,407 |
|
Kerry |
1,645 |
|
Kildare |
2,451 |
|
Kilkenny |
976 |
|
Laois |
1,158 |
|
Leitrim |
340 |
|
Limerick |
2,296 |
|
Longford |
751 |
|
Louth |
2,029 |
|
Mayo |
1,441 |
|
Meath |
2,143 |
|
Monaghan |
997 |
|
Offaly |
868 |
|
Roscommon |
748 |
|
Sligo |
765 |
|
Tipperary |
1,869 |
|
Waterford |
1,533 |
|
Westmeath |
1,097 |
|
Wexford |
2,211 |
|
Wicklow |
1,208 |
|
Unknown |
157 |
|
Total |
53,186 |
|
Number of Children |
Recipients |
|
1 |
21,218 |
|
2 |
18,039 |
|
3 |
9,131 |
|
4 |
3,309 |
|
5 |
983 |
|
6 |
321 |
|
7 |
109 |
|
8+ |
76 |
|
Total |
53,186 |
342. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Social Protection if his Department will provide the SWITCH model outputs used to cost any working family payment expansion options considered during Budget 2026, including threshold increases and rate increases considered but not implemented, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23384/26]
View answerSWITCH model outputs were not used to cost any Working Family Payment expansion options considered during Budget 2026.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
343. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will be made in relation to a carer's allowance application (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23469/26]
View answerCarer's Allowance (CA) is a means-tested social assistance payment made to a person who is habitually resident in the State and who is providing full-time care and attention to a child or an adult who has such a disability that as a result they require that level of care.
I can confirm that an application for CA was received from the person concerned on 19 January 2026.
CA was awarded on 24 March 2026 and the first payment will issue to their nominated bank account on 02 April 2026.
The person concerned was notified of this decision via My Welfare on 24 March 2026.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
344. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration his views on whether Russian spies or persons engaged in surveillance on behalf of Russia are operating in Ireland. [23390/26]
View answerIreland is not immune from the risk posed by espionage or other activities aimed at compromising the security of the State. Our security services take all appropriate measures to counteract potential threats.
An Garda Síochána has principal responsibility with regard to the provision of security services within the State. The role of An Garda Síochána in this area is set out in section 3 of the Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024, and includes responsibility for protecting the State from espionage and sabotage, and the identification foreign capabilities, intentions or activities within or relating to the State that have an impact on the international or economic well-being of the State.
An Garda Síochána works closely with international security partners, the Defence Forces, the National Cyber Security Centre and relevant Government stakeholders, in identifying and managing these threats.
The Deputy will be aware that for security and operational reasons it is not appropriate to provide further detail on the nature of the threat or details concerning steps taken by An Garda Síochána to mitigate the threat and risk posed to Ireland by hostile state actors.
345. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to expediate an IRP application for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23129/26]
View answerThe person referred to by the Deputy applied to renew their immigration permission on 06 January 2026 and this application is currently in the queue for consideration.
The Registration Office within Immigration Service Delivery of my Department provide a live processing date, which is updated every Monday, and is available at the following link: www.irishimmigration.ie/registering-your-immigration-permission/how-to-renew-your-current-permission/renewing-your-registration-permission-if-you-live-in-the-republic-of-ireland/#processing
They are currently processing applications submitted from 01 January 2026. In order to ensure a fair and equitable service, renewals are processed in order of date submitted.
If the application is approved, the person concerned can expect to receive their new Irish Residence Permit (IRP) card within the following 10-15 working days.
The person concerned can now directly check the status of their immigration application on the Immigration Service’s new Customer Service Portal. They can register for, or log in to their existing account, at: www.portal.irishimmigration.ie/en/
As an Oireachtas member, you can also request the status of individual immigration cases by e-mail, using the Oireachtas Mail facility at: IMoireachtasmail@justice.ie, which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Question process.
346. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration his proposals with regard to alleviating the current overcrowding within prisons; if his Department or the Irish Prison Service carried out a risk and impact assessment with regard to the current levels of overcrowding within prisons relevant to dangers it poses to inmates and dangers to prison officers and staff; if such an assessment has been carried out will he publish its findings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23142/26]
View answerI am acutely aware of the capacity constraints in our prisons and the challenges faced by those who work and live in our prisons as a result. However, it must be acknowledged that the Irish Prison Service (IPS) must accept into custody all people committed to prison by the courts and has no control over the numbers committed to custody at any given time.
I am pursuing a dual approach to address the issue of prison overcrowding by increasing prison capacity and pursuing further measures to support increased use of non-custodial sanctions.
Since 2024, 232 spaces have been constructed across the Prison Estate, with 126 constructed in 2024 and 106 constructed in 2025. The majority of these spaces are in use, with the remainder coming on stream very soon. There are plans to build another 65 spaces in 2026.
On conclusion of the NDP Review in July 2025, I secured a record capital investment of €67.9 million agreed for 2026, as part of a total investment of €528 million from 2026 to 2030, of which €495 million is being invested in building projects to further increase capacity. The IPS is delivering one of the most significant capital programmes in the justice sector, reflecting the Government’s commitment to increase prison capacity and modernise the estate in line with population growth, with an overall target of delivering over 1,500 spaces by 2031.
I sought and secured an exemption from the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation for 6 projects (960 prison spaces) to move straight to Approval Gate 2 – Pre Tender Approval of the Infrastructure Guidelines, a measure which is expected to speed up the delivery of these projects by 12 to 18 months. It also frees up capacity within Irish Prison Service (IPS) to progress projects.
In relation to measures to support increased use of non-custodial sanctions, I published on 9 January the Criminal Law and Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provision) Bill, which completed second stage on 22 January 2026. The Bill proposes amendments to the Community Service Act 1983 to support and encourage greater use of Community Service Orders (CSOs). It includes an amendment to oblige the courts to consider a CSO in lieu of a prison sentence of up to 24 months’ duration (the current such threshold being 12 months) and to give reasons where they consider that a CSO should not be imposed in such a case. It will further amend sections 3 and 5 of the 1983 Act to increase the maximum number of community service hours that a judge may order from 240 to 480.
Budget 2026 provides for a 13% increase in funding for the Probation Service. This additional funding will be used to increase use of supervised community sanctions in the criminal courts, expand restorative justice services, and expand supervised temporary release schemes nationally. In April 2025, I approved the publication of the Probation Service’s Community Service - New Directions Implementation Plan 2025-2027. Work is also underway to develop a pilot bail support policy as an alternative to being detained in custody while awaiting trial or sentencing.
The Programme for Government commits to implement electronic tagging for appropriate categories of prisoner. Under Budget 2026 funding of €2.1 million was allocated for the project to allow for staffing, procurement, and other set-up costs. A pilot is expected to be operational in 2026.
The Prison Overcrowding Risk Assessment Taskforce was established in 2024 by the Irish Prison Service Director General following a recommendation from the State Claims Agency (SCA). The SCA chaired the Taskforce and provided technical support, convening a series of focused workshops to identify risks, map existing controls, and determine additional short, medium and long-term measures needed to further mitigate prison overcrowding.
This final risk assessment was forwarded to my Department and the Irish Prison Service in November 2025. The risk assessment sets out key recommendations across a range of thematic areas. The SCA is currently drafting an action plan for agreement and has committed to periodic monitoring of progress. At present, it is not proposed to publish this report.
In 2015, following a number of violent physical assaults on Irish Prison Service staff by prisoners, the State Claims Agency in their risk management capacity, conducted a “Review of Assaults on Operational Prison Staff by Prisoners”. The report made a series of recommendations, not just on weapons and protective equipment for operational prison staff but also to address prisoner issues such as mental health, risk assessment, etc.
A Personal Protective Equipment review group was established in 2024 to conduct a fresh review of the requirement for Personal Protective Equipment for operational staff in light of the challenges and dangers posed by overcrowding.
Amendments to the Firearms legislation are currently being drafted to allow the use of incapacitant spray to be used in a controlled manner for certain specific situations, where officers believe there is a risk to their own safety or the safety of other prisoners.
347. Deputy Eoin Hayes asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of people who have died in State care provided accommodation under his Department's remit, broken down by accommodation type and cause of death; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23143/26]
View answerI understand from your question that you are requesting information on people who have died while resident in State supported accommodation for people fleeing Ukraine, people applying for international protection, and people detained prior to effecting a deportation order.
Any death of a resident in International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) accommodation is a tragic event for their family, friends and neighbours, and also for the accommodation centre staff who know them.
The Department publishes information on deaths of people staying in IPAS centres on Gov.ie, with the most recent publication reporting on the period to January-December 2025.
www.gov.ie/en/international-protection-accommodation-services-ipas/publications/statistics-on-deaths-of-international-protection-accommodation-service-residents/
The data provided show that 23 IPAS residents died in 2025. 15 IPAS residents died in 2024, and this compares to 9 in 2023. It is relevant to note that from 2023 to 2024, the number of people resident in IPAS increased by more than 25%.
The statistical breakdown of deaths and information on cause of death is grouped to protect the identity of the people concerned and their families. Where the cause of death is not publicly available or has not been confirmed by the General Registration Office (GRO), it is noted as “Not Available”. My Department does not have any input into the process of reporting or recording of deaths by the GRO.
This publication is in line with my Department's policy on 'Recording & Reporting of Deaths of Residents in International Protection and Accommodation Centres’, a copy of which is published on Gov.ie, as follows: gov - IPAS policy on recording and reporting of deaths of residents
https://assets.gov.ie/static/documents/policy-on-the-recording-reporting-of-deaths-of-residents-in-international-protection-a.pdf
A total of 103 deaths of people fleeing Ukraine who were residing in state-funded accommodation were notified to my Department since 2023 to date although there may have been other deaths of residents that were not reported to my Department during this period or prior to 2023. The cause of death of a resident is generally not reported to my Department and would not be recorded. When the Department is notified of a death of a resident, it in turn notifies the Ukraine Embassy.
The Department also advises the family of the deceased to engage with the Hospital Social Worker and the local Community Welfare Officer to access any Department of Social Protection support payments which they may be eligible for in the event of a death.
A breakdown of notified deaths by year is below:
|
Year |
Notifications of deaths |
|
2023 |
44 |
|
2024 |
31 |
|
2025 |
23 |
|
2026 |
5 |
I am also advised by the Irish Prison Service that there has been one death in custody of a person awaiting deportation between 2023 and 2025. That death occurred on 7 October 2024 in Cloverhill Remand Prison. The cause of death is a matter for the coroner.
348. Deputy Noel McCarthy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if there are any instances where the two-year cohabitation requirement for the purpose of applying for permission as a de facto partner of an Irish national is waived; if it is possible to prove evidence of a durable two-year relationship to his Department without providing a history of two-years cohabitation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23148/26]
View answerI can inform the Deputy that a de facto partnership is where a non-EEA national is in a long-term relationship but is not married to, or in a civil partnership, with the sponsor.
If a non-EEA national wishes to move to Ireland as a de facto partner, they must apply from outside the State and be granted permission prior to travel.
Visa required nationals will need to apply for a Join Family visa, while non-visa required nationals must apply for pre-clearance in advance of travelling.
For individuals already resident in the State on an existing immigration permission and who are eligible for de facto partnership permission, they can apply to the Domestic Residence and Permissions (DRP) division using the online portal, which can be accessed here: https://inisonline.jahs.ie/user/login
All applications are considered in accordance with the revised non-EEA Family Reunification Policy.
One of the key criteria is that evidence of cohabitation in a relationship akin to marriage of at least two years must be demonstrated. Each case is assessed on its merits, and it is only in in rare and exceptional cases that discretion could be used.
Such rare and exceptional cases must arise by reference to the specific exceptional circumstances of the sponsor/family member, as opposed to the generalised circumstances of the country in which the family member resides. For the avoidance of any doubt, there is no guarantee of a positive outcome of an application based on exceptional circumstances.
The consideration of rare and exceptional circumstances will always be subject to the Minister first being satisfied that the family relationship is: valid and genuine; and one where there is dependency.
Section 13 of the revised non-EEA Family Reunification Policy document sets out the use of discretion, and can be accessed here: https://assets.gov.ie/static/documents/f88cb36e/Revised_Family_Reunification_Policy.pdf
