Written Answers Nos. 279-298
279. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will review the case of a person (details supplied); the status of their fuel allowance application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27409/26]
View answerFuel Allowance is a means-tested payment to assist householders on long term social welfare payments with their heating needs. The current weekly threshold for the fuel allowance means test for a single person over age 66 years of age is €534.00.
It was decided on 10th April 2026 that the person concerned was not entitled to a fuel allowance as her income, derived from a private and occupational pensions, was in excess of €534.00 per week. The person concerned has been notified of the decision in writing.
Under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme, Additional Needs Payments may be made to help meet an essential, once-off cost which customers are unable to meet out of their own resources, and this may include exceptional heating costs. If the person concerned considers that they may have an entitlement to financial support, they should contact their local Community Welfare Service for assistance. There is a National Community Welfare Contact Centre in place - 0818 607080 - which will direct callers to the appropriate office.
I trust this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
280. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of applications for invalidity pension made by people with dementia under 66 years-of-age for each of the years 2021 to 2025 and to date in 2026; the number of applications that were accepted, rejected and under review; the main reasons those applications were rejected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27411/26]
View answerInvalidity Pension (IP) is a payment for people who are permanently incapable of work because of illness or incapacity and for no other reason and who satisfy the pay-related social insurance (PRSI) contribution conditions.
A person is regarded as being permanently incapable of work if:
• For the period of 1 year immediately before the date of application the person had been continuously incapable of work and a Deciding Officer or an Appeals Officer is satisfied that the person is likely to continue to be incapable of work for at least another year,
OR
• A Deciding Officer or an Appeals Officer is satisfied that the likelihood is that the person will be incapable of work for life.
The medical condition from which an applicant is suffering is not the sole defining criteria for determining eligibility for the scheme. It is rather how the medical condition impacts on the person’s ability to undertake all types of work. An applicant may be suffering from several different medical conditions each of which may be contributing to the person’s inability to undertake work. For this reason, my Department does not have statistics on the number of people with dementia who apply for IP. Therefore, my Department is not in a position to supply the information in the manner sought by the Deputy.
The table below details the number of IP claims received, awarded and refused during the periods requested.
|
Year |
IP Received |
IP Awarded |
IP Disallowed |
IP Withdrawn |
|
2021 |
8849 |
6109 |
4551 |
1135 |
|
2022 |
8932 |
5918 |
4142 |
1304 |
|
2023 |
11498 |
7651 |
5188 |
1521 |
|
2024 |
9361 |
6795 |
5503 |
1030 |
|
2025 |
8845 |
6345 |
4501 |
914 |
|
2026 to end March |
2504 |
1690 |
1239 |
266 |
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
281. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will review the case of a person (details supplied); the status of their disability allowance application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27414/26]
View answerDisability Allowance (DA) is a weekly payment for people aged 16 to 66 with a disability expected to last at least one year. Eligibility is subject to medical assessment, means test and habitual residence conditions. Applicants must demonstrate that they are substantially restricted in undertaking work that would otherwise be suitable given their age, experience, and qualifications, as a result of their condition.
I can confirm that my Department received an application for DA from the person concerned on 31 December 2025. Based on the evidence supplied their application for DA was disallowed as the medical qualifying criteria for the scheme was not satisfied.
The person concerned was notified in writing of this decision on 05 February 2026 and was advised of their right to request a review and/or appeal of this decision.
The person concerned requested a review/ appeal of this decision on the 13 March 2026.
This review is still ongoing and if the original decision is upheld following this review, then an appeal file will be sent to the Social Welfare Appeals Office (SWAO).
I trust this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
282. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Social Protection the total amount of funding allocated and paid by his Department under wig grant or hair replacement support schemes (including payments under the treatment benefit scheme or any other relevant schemes) in each of the past five years; and the number of recipients in each year, broken down by county, in tabular form. [27592/26]
View answerIn general, medical or health related benefits fall within the remit of the Department of Health and the HSE. However, the Department of Social Protection administers the Treatment Benefit Scheme which provides dental, optical, and medical appliance benefits to insured workers, the self-employed and retired people who have the required number of PRSI contributions. These treatments are also available to their dependent spouse or partner, if applicable.
The hair replacement benefit scheme, introduced in 2022 is an annual benefit of up to €500 available to persons who satisfy the medical requirements and the PRSI conditions of the Department’s Treatment Benefit scheme.
The payment assists people who have suffered hair loss due to a disease or treatment of a disease such as cancer or certain types of alopecia to purchase a hair replacement product (HRP).
Total claims and expenditure under the HRP Scheme 2022-2025:
|
Year |
No of claims per year |
Expenditure per year |
|
2025 |
4,960 |
€ 2,441,994.61 |
|
2024 |
4,555 |
€ 2,245,689.88 |
|
2023 |
3,288 |
€ 1,617,325.35 |
|
2022 |
1,396 |
€ 688,992.90 |
Number of recipients broken down by county 2022-2025:
|
Resident County |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
2025 |
Totals |
|
Carlow |
15 |
45 |
83 |
142 |
285 |
|
Cavan |
15 |
47 |
43 |
59 |
164 |
|
Clare |
26 |
53 |
65 |
80 |
224 |
|
Cork |
96 |
261 |
296 |
372 |
1,025 |
|
Donegal |
29 |
86 |
206 |
176 |
497 |
|
Dublin |
438 |
1,005 |
1,343 |
1,577 |
4,363 |
|
Galway |
66 |
175 |
269 |
247 |
757 |
|
Kerry |
30 |
93 |
92 |
127 |
342 |
|
Kildare |
116 |
237 |
299 |
303 |
955 |
|
Kilkenny |
30 |
62 |
106 |
129 |
327 |
|
Laois |
21 |
44 |
78 |
85 |
228 |
|
Leitrim |
16 |
43 |
40 |
44 |
143 |
|
Limerick |
49 |
127 |
127 |
157 |
460 |
|
Longford |
20 |
28 |
43 |
49 |
140 |
|
Louth |
53 |
131 |
149 |
155 |
488 |
|
Mayo |
38 |
116 |
171 |
177 |
502 |
|
Meath |
71 |
147 |
198 |
193 |
609 |
|
Monaghan |
13 |
38 |
45 |
52 |
148 |
|
Offaly |
31 |
50 |
62 |
53 |
196 |
|
Roscommon |
33 |
54 |
76 |
80 |
243 |
|
Sligo |
16 |
59 |
65 |
78 |
218 |
|
Tipperary |
62 |
117 |
198 |
197 |
574 |
|
Waterford |
17 |
53 |
80 |
72 |
222 |
|
Westmeath |
25 |
43 |
85 |
71 |
224 |
|
Wexford |
32 |
66 |
113 |
96 |
307 |
|
Wicklow |
45 |
84 |
125 |
157 |
411 |
|
|
1,403 |
3,264 |
4,457 |
4,928 |
14,052 |
*Please note any discrepancies between the “total claims figures” and the breakdown by county are as a result of administrative adjustments such as products being returned and claims withdrawn.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
283. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if he is aware of instances of fridges being removed from residents in IPAS centres; and if ample consideration is given to and provision made for, vulnerable people with medically mandated dietary requirements or medicines which may require refrigeration (details supplied). [27369/26]
View answerWhile the Department can't provide information about individual cases, this matter has been raised with officials who are giving it attention.
IPAS Accommodation is provided in a range of different locations and types of accommodation, including both self-catering and catered accommodation.
As per the IPAS House Rules, the use of unauthorised electrical equipment such as fridges in residents’ rooms in some centres is not permitted, because of the significant fire and health and safety risks they pose.
IPAS directs centres, where necessary, to provide a fridge in a shared space or add a secure box to a shared fridge for medicines which may require refrigeration. Where there are medically mandated dietary requirements, the resident can inform centre management in order for them to provide for this appropriately.
If a person applying for international protection has any concerns in relation to their accommodation, they can also contact IPAS directly via a dedicated helpdesk at ipasinbox@justice.ie.
284. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration whether his Department has considered any proposals to ban online gambling advertising; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27481/26]
View answer289. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the measures his Department is taking to protect children from online gambling advertising; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27459/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 284 and 289 together.
The Gambling Regulation Act 2024 (‘Act of 2024’) contains provisions in relation to the advertising of gambling activities, including online and on social media.
The Act of 2024 established a new, dedicated, independent statutory authority – Údarás Rialála Cearrbhachais na hÉireann, the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (the ‘Authority’) – to regulate the gambling sector. The provisions of the Act and the powers of the Authority are being rolled out on a phased basis. Earlier this year I signed a commencement order which allowed the Authority to begin accepting and processing applications for remote and in-person betting licences, in line with the Act of 2024, from 5 February 2026. As the Authority builds up its resources, commencement of the licensing of the gaming and lotteries sector will next take place.
The advertising provisions of the Act of 2024 mostly apply to those licensed by the Authority. The Act provides for a number of safeguards to protect people, most notably children and vulnerable persons from the harms associated with gambling, with a particular focus on online activities.
These measures include section 146 which provides that advertising of gambling activities on social media or video-sharing services may only be permitted where a person has an account on a social media or video sharing service and has specifically subscribed to a licensee’s account on that service and section 149 which provides for a watershed prohibiting gambling advertising between 5:30 am to 9 pm on audio-visual on-demand media services, on-demand sound services and broadcasters.
Section 144 provides for a wide-ranging power to allow the Authority to prescribe the times, place and events where gambling advertising can be broadcast, displayed or published, and allows the Authority to specify the frequency which advertising can be shown or broadcast and the duration of such advertisements.
The Act also includes a number of provisions dedicated to protecting children offline. Section 151 prohibits the manufacture, import for sale in the State, or the sale or supply (including free of charge) of branded clothing or merchandise, by a licensee, that are intended to be worn or used by children. Furthermore, section 159 of the Act prohibits a licensee from sponsoring or causing another person to sponsor:
- an event or part of an event where the majority or participants or attendees are children.
- an event aimed at children;
- an organisation, club or team that has children as members;
- a premises that is used by an organisation, club or team that has children as members; or
- a public activity that appeals to children.
These sections have not been commenced as yet. The protections and safeguards provided for in the Act are contingent on the majority of the sector being licensed and regulated by the Authority. Officials in my Department are continuing to work, in collaboration with the Authority, on progressing the further commencement of the remaining provisions of the Act as quickly as possible.
285. Deputy Joe Cooney asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration his Departments position on ‘unjust enrichment’; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27365/26]
View answerI can advise the Deputy that the matters to which he refers fall within the remit of the Minster for Finance.
286. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the reason a person’s naturalisation process is taking so long (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27366/26]
View answerThe naturalisation application referred to by the Deputy continues to be processed by my Department.
I understand that extended wait times can be frustrating for applicants. I want to assure anyone who has an application for naturalisation submitted that the Citizenship Division of my Department is doing everything possible to progress applications as quickly as possible.
It is important to note, however, that no two naturalisation applications are the same and some take longer than others to process. Given the importance of citizenship, robust and comprehensive checks must take place on each application. Unfortunately, some checks, such as international checks, can take a considerable amount of time and these are largely outside of the control of the Immigration Service.
For that reason, while, I expect that going forward, that most applicants will receive a decision within one year, this cannot be guaranteed in the case of applications made in any specific year.
Citizenship Division have taken a significant number of steps to improve the process for applicants. These included introducing an online digital application, online payments, and the introduction of eVetting. I am pleased to inform the Deputy that these changes are reducing processing times.
Applicants can now directly check the status of their immigration application on the Immigration Service’s Customer Service Portal. They can register for, or log in to their existing account, at: 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.
287. Deputy Fionntán Ó Súilleabháin asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the reason there has been a significant delay in delivering the recommendations in the Garda Vetting Review in 2021; when these recommendations will be implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27406/26]
View answerThe primary purpose of vetting carried out by the Garda National Vetting Bureau is to ensure the safety of children and vulnerable adults. Clearly, this requires a robust Garda vetting process that reassures the public, and in particular parents, that appropriate checks are conducted on people taking on positions of trust.
The Interdepartmental Vetting Review Group was chaired by my Department and comprised representatives of the following Departments and Agencies:
• An Garda Síochána
• Tusla
• Public Appointments Service
• Department of Education
• Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth
• Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government
• Health Service Executive
• Department of Foreign Affairs.
The initial focus of the Group's work was the introduction of a system for re-vetting, as well as a review of the approach to vetting for specific employments, to streamline, as far as possible, the administrative arrangements, without compromising the safety of children and vulnerable adults. As the group moved ahead with its work, additional issues were raised and considered.
The group took a careful and thorough approach, as was necessary in meeting its aim of ensuring that the vetting system remains robust and effective as a crucial safeguard for the most vulnerable members of society, that is children and vulnerable adults, while also improving the service to customers.
Ultimately, although the group did not agree a report, I was provided with details of its work and it is clear that aspects of the current vetting system result in a highly-segmented process. I believe that the vetting system should be updated to ensure that the burden of seeking vetting disclosures, particularly on volunteers and organisations working in their communities, is minimised to the greatest extent possible, while maintaining the necessary high standards for this process.
I have therefore directed that steps be taken to implement a number of key changes, specifically in relation to re-vetting and the portability of vetting. In practice, and subject to a general requirement that vetting be renewed every three years, it is envisaged that this will mean that when a person is vetted for the work they will be or are likely to be involved in as part of their employment or volunteering within identified risk categories, that individual would not be required to repeat the process if they were to move to another role within the same risk category.
These changes will require amending legislation and updated technical systems to support the revised approach, to make the process more efficient for volunteers and organisations, without compromising the essential safeguards that protect those in our care.
My Department continues to engage with the Garda National Vetting Bureau on the detailed work of developing the necessary legislative and technical steps to meet these goals in a way that is workable in practice. It is my objective to ensure that the vetting system is fit for purpose and, to the greatest extent possible, efficient and future-proofed to continue to protect our children and vulnerable adults.
288. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if data is available on the number and type of complaints made under Coco's law; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27412/26]
View answerThe Harassment, Harmful Communications and Related Offences Act 2020, also known as Coco’s Law, came into force in February 2021. The Act criminalises the sharing of, or threatening to share, intimate images without a person’s consent, with or without intent to cause harm to the victim.
The Act also seeks to target other areas of harmful communications by creating a new offence of distributing, publishing, or sending a threatening or grossly offensive communication with intent to cause harm and to extend the current offence of harassment to deal with communications about a person, as well as communications to a person.
An Garda Síochána has advised that there are three different incident types captured on the PULSE recording system under the Harassment, Harmful Communications and Related Offences Act 2020. Those are:
Distributing grossly offensive communication.
Distributing/publishing/recording intimate image(s).
Recoding intimate image(s) causing interference/alarm.
The attached table offers a breakdown of these incidents from February 2021 to date.
All information contained in this response is based upon operational data from the PULSE system as was available on 1 April 2026.
Figures that are less than 10 are reported as “<10” in line with An Garda Síochána Analysis Services (GSAS) reporting standards.
290. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration when an IRP renewal application will be processed and the IRP card issued (details supplied) given it is over 17-weeks since the application was submitted which is five weeks over the current processing timeline; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27486/26]
View answerI can inform the Deputy that the application cited has been approved and the person concerned can expect to receive their new Irish Residence Permit in the next 10-15 working days.
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.
291. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of blue cards that have been returned to his Department due to incorrect details inputted on the card by his Department; and if his Department will issue a free and quick return for blue cards where there are mistakes. [27496/26]
View answerAs part of the wider International Protection Office (IPO) modernisation programme, the Temporary Residence Card (TRC) format was changed to a pre-printed template where applicants details and image are populated.
Due to recent print quality issues, a small number of replacement requests (under 20) have been received. I am advised that the IPO is actively looking at solutions to remedy this matter.
In the interim, if any applicant encounters issues with the card, they can request a replacement by emailing trcrenewals@ipo.gov.ie.
292. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the reason persons renewing their IRP cards online who had a notification that the fee is waived, are now being refused IRP cards on the basis that the fee was not paid; if his Department is aware of this; and if so, the number of persons who were refused on these grounds. [27497/26]
View answerI understand the Deputy has been in contact with my Department and has provided specific applicant details for the matters raised.
I can inform the Deputy that the applicants cited have permission to remain in the State under the Afghan Admission Programme, which is a fee-paying category for the purposes of immigration permission renewal, and they selected the incorrect fee category on their initial application.
The applicants cited will need to submit a new online renewal application and select the following fee paying category: 'I have been granted Permission to Remain based on a letter from the Department of Justice/ Immigration Service Delivery (This option does not apply to applicants with permission letters granted by The International Protection Office)'
Once all of the required documents have been submitted, they will be brought to the payment page to pay the required fee.
If the applicants have any queries relating to their immigration permission or renewal, they can contact the registration office using my Departments Customer Service Portal. The Customer Service Portal can be accessed at the following link: portal.irishimmigration.ie/en/
Details on how to submit a query to the registration office can be found at the following link: www.irishimmigration.ie/registering-your-immigration-permission/submitting-registration-or-renewal-queries/
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.
293. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration for a list of all proposed or planned International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) centres in Mullingar, Athlone and the wider Midlands region, and nationally; the current status of each proposed centre; the expected capacity of each; and the anticipated timelines for opening, in tabular form. [27603/26]
View answer294. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the engagement that has taken place with local communities, public representatives, and local authorities in advance of the identification or development of proposed IPAS centres in Mullingar, Athlone and across the Midlands; and if he will provide details of any consultations, briefings, or impact assessments carried out. [27604/26]
View answer295. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the criteria used to select locations for new IPAS centres, including in Mullingar, Athlone and the Midlands; and the extent to which factors such as local service capacity, housing availability, healthcare access, and school places are taken into account. [27605/26]
View answer296. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the estimated cost associated with the development of each proposed IPAS centre in Mullingar and the Midlands. [27606/26]
View answer297. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration whether any impact assessments have been carried out in relation to public services in Mullingar and the wider Midlands arising from the establishment of new IPAS centres; and the findings of such assessments. [27607/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 293, 294, 295, 296 and 297 together.
I understand from the Deputy's questions that her question relates to new proposed or planned accommodation centres in the areas mentioned.
The Department receives regular offers of accommodation from external providers and does not predetermine their geographical location. All offers of accommodation are reviewed by the Department under a standard appraisal procedure.
The Department is not currently considering offers from any properties in Mullingar, Athlone, or the wider Midlands region for use as international protection accommodation.
In relation to existing accommodation centres in the area, the Department’s Community Engagement Team (CET) was established to engage directly with elected representatives, relevant Local Authorities, Local Development Companies, and other entities and individuals around the time of opening new IPAS accommodation centres and Ukraine accommodation.
The team aims to improve the flow of information regarding arrivals into areas and to help equip local communities with accurate information, and to assist with the welcome and integration process for new arrivals.
From January 2024 to date, the Community Engagement Team issued formal briefing notes regarding the opening of two accommodation centres for people seeking international protection in Co. Westmeath to local elected representatives and the local authorities.
The team also links with other stakeholders outside of immediate openings of centres to build relationships and networks with key groups. This includes meetings with Community Integration Fora, Local Development Companies (LDCs) and other non-governmental organisations.
The team engages with central government Departments and local services to provide information to assist with planning and activation of services. The Community Engagement Team has presented to Westmeath County Council on their work and met with the Westmeath Community Integration Forum on a number of occasions since being established.
Different sites have different engagement needs and the team aims to be flexible to meet the needs of the community. Many communities are working with the team on openings of centres across the country and are happy to manage and facilitate new arrivals themselves with support from local authorities, local development companies or indeed other community groups. We are grateful for this support.
For example, the LDC in Westmeath supported the CET to convene four meetings with community groups in advance of the opening of the accommodation centre at Harry’s Hotel, Kinnegad. The CET also met with local elected representatives on two occasions as well as providing information in response to queries received through the team’s dedicated mailbox.
There has been extended engagement in the case of State-owned sites, like Midlands Accommodation Centre (MAC) and Citywest Accommodation Centre.
In the case of MAC, the CET proactively engaged to ensure that local elected representatives and local stakeholders were informed of the plans and developments at the site.
After informing local elected representatives that the Department intended to develop the site for accommodation for people seeking international protection, the CET published a dedicated webpage to ensure that local stakeholders had access to accurate information about the development and began to convene meetings with stakeholders.
While legal proceedings impacted on the centre development and engagement plans, between October 2024 and November 2025 the CET Team issued five information updates to local elected representatives and held 18 meetings with local stakeholders including local elected representatives and community members. The centre was decanted of all residents in November 2025, but remains part of the Department's strategy in relation to providing accommodation on State-owned lands.
298. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of safety orders granted for the DMR Region; the number of domestic abuse calls that have been handled; the number of Gardaí working specifically in the area of DSGVB in the DMR region, for the period 2010 to date in 2026, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27686/26]
View answerI have sought the information requested by the Deputy regarding the number of safety orders granted for the DMR Region, the number of domestic abuse calls that have been handled and the number of Gardaí working specifically in the area of DSGVB in the DMR region, for the period 2010 to date in 2026 from the Courts Service and An Garda Síochána, however it has not been possible to receive this data on time.
I will contact the Deputy directly once this information is available.
