Written Answers Nos. 594-614
596. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the process and criteria by which areas are designated under the national inspection plan, prioritised areas for action and high-status objective catchment areas; the bodies involved in those decisions; and whether these designations have changed over time. [28705/26]
View answer597. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the reason householders cannot nominate or request their domestic wastewater treatment system for inspection for the purposes of accessing the domestic waste water treatment system grant scheme; whether consideration has been given to introducing an owner-initiated inspection pathway; and if so, the outcome of that consideration. [28706/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 596 and 597 together.
Grant assistance is provided under the Domestic Waste Water Treatment Systems (DWWTS) Grant Scheme in circumstances where defective systems, including septic tanks, meet the eligibility criteria of the scheme. The scheme is targeted towards priority areas, including cases where a system has failed an inspection under the National Inspection Plan and an Advisory Notice has issued, or where systems are located in areas identified as being at particular risk to water quality.
Responsibility for the proper maintenance and operation of domestic wastewater treatment systems, including septic tanks, lies with the owner.
The inspection programme does not provide for householders to nominate or request their systems for inspection, as it operates on an independent risk-based selection basis to ensure consistency and that resources are directed to the areas of greatest environmental need.
An owner-initiated inspection pathway is not provided for under the current scheme design. It is not intended that the scheme be opened to applications on a user-driven basis.
The National Inspection Plan is prepared by the Environmental Protection Agency on a risk-based approach and is kept under periodic review in line with evolving risk assessments. Priority areas and inspection targets are informed by environmental and water quality data.
599. Deputy Aisling Dempsey asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of supported housing units in Meath west; the number planned for Meath west; and the timeline for delivery of these units. [28713/26]
View answerMy Department does not hold data on the number of supported housing units in each local authority.
Statistics in relation to local authority social housing stock are published by the National Oversight and Audit Commission (NOAC) in the annual Local Authority Performance Indicator Report. These reports provide a range of information in relation to social housing stock, including the number of social housing units in local authority ownership at a given time. The most recent report, relating to 2024, is available on the NOAC website at the following link: www.noac.ie/noac_publications/report-77-noac-performance-indicator-report-2024/.
The information requested may also be available from local authorities directly or from the Approved Housing Bodies Regulatory Authority (AHBRA) as one of its functions is to collect and publish information as it considers necessary and appropriate, which includes statistical information on the number of Care and Support dwellings in AHB ownership. AHBRA conducted its first monitoring programme in September 2022, the most recent publication was for 2024 and is available on their website at the following link: www.ahbregulator.ie/ahbra-publishes-annual-sectoral-analysis-insights-from-the-2024-annual-monitoring-programme/.
Under the new housing plan, Delivering Homes, Building Communities, each local authority will prepare a Housing Delivery Action Plan (HDAP) setting out their planned delivery of social and affordable housing to 2030 in line with targets which will be set by my Department in order to ensure the 72,000 social homes and 90,000 affordable housing supports will be delivered by 2030. In preparing their HDAP, each local authority will reflect local need to ensure the right mix of homes to respond to need and priorities.
Existing HDAPs run to the end of 2026 and it is expected that new HDAPs, which will run to 2030, will be in place by the end of Q3 2026. Each local authority's current HDAP is published on their website.
Details on overall social housing delivery by each local authority can be found on the statistics page of my Department’s website at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/collection/6060e-overall-social-housing-provision/.
My Department also publishes the Social Housing Construction Status Report (CSR), which provides details of social housing developments and their location that have been completed, are under construction or are progressing through the various stages of the design and tender processes. The most recent publication was for Quarter 3 2025. Data for the Q4 2025 CSR is currently being compiled. All CSRs are available at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-housing-local-government-and-heritage/collections/social-housing-construction-projects-status-reports/. A version of the CSR file can also be downloaded for analysis by local authority, location etc. at this link: https://data.gov.ie/dataset/social-housing-construction-status-report-q3-2025.
600. Deputy Aisling Dempsey asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the inequity in the rent differential scheme can be corrected to avoid people’s social housing rent being increased when they receive an increase in their social welfare payments namely the State pension. [28714/26]
View answerLocal authorities set and collect rents on their dwellings in accordance with section 58 of the Housing Act 1966. The making or amending of such rent schemes is generally a matter for local authorities within broad principles set out by my Department, including that rent levels should be based on income and reflect tenants’ ability to pay.
Local discretion and flexibility are inherent in the devolved function of administering rent schemes. Local authorities carry out regular rent reviews to ensure that the rent payable by tenants reflects their income and their ability to pay. Any increases in income, including those from an increase in social welfare or pension payments, are reflected in the rent calculated on foot of these reviews which are entirely matters for individual local authorities in line with the rent scheme it has in place. I have no role in this regard.
601. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will consider varying the dates in which the working family payment can be applied for; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27951/26]
View answerThe Working Family Payment is a tax-free in-work support for low paid employees, with child dependents. There are over 54,000 families, with some 109,000 children, currently in receipt of the payment. The average payment under the scheme, as at the end of March, is €200 per week.
Once awarded, the Working Family Payment is payable for 52 weeks. The amount paid does not vary during the 52 week period, providing stability of income for the recipient.
Applications for the Working Family Payment can be made at any-time, there is no period or specified dates in which a new application must be made.
Recipients are invited to make an application, to re-apply, to renew their entitlement for Working Family Payment at twelve weeks and eight weeks prior to the expiry of their current claim. A manual application form is also issued to the remainder of recipients, who have yet to re-apply, four weeks prior to the expiry of their current claim.
602. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding the total monies paid out under the working family payment for each of the years 2024, 2025 and to date in 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27952/26]
View answerWorking Family Payment (WFP) 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 WFP, 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 below table with the breakdown of Working Family Payment expenditure for the years 2024, 2025 and 2026.
|
WFP Expenditure |
Total |
|
2024 |
€ 420,881 million |
|
2025 |
€ 467,941 million |
|
2026 (End of February) |
€ 95,735 million |
603. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding the total number of successful applications made for support under the working family payment for each of the years 2024, 2025 and to date in 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27954/26]
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 below table with the breakdown of Working Family Payment claims in payment for the years 2024, 2025 and 2026.
|
WFP Awarded Claims |
Total |
|
2024 |
46,565 |
|
2025 |
51,323 |
|
2026 (End of March) |
54,273 |
604. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Social Protection to review the process by which a carer is notified of loss of entitlements following the death of the person they are caring for. [28251/26]
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.
Following the death of the person being cared for, the payment of CA continues for a period of twelve weeks. This is intended to allow the carer time to adjust to a sudden loss of income and to manage the transition to changed circumstances.
A sensitively worded letter issues from the CA section expressing condolences on the death of the person being cared for. The letter also advises the carer of further support and assistance available through the Department's Intreo office.
My Department is committed to delivering a quality customer service by continuously reviewing our processes and procedures. If there is a specific case that the Deputy would like examined, the Department would be glad to assist.
605. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will be made on an application by a person (details supplied) for guardian's payment. [28256/26]
View answerAn application for guardians payment (contributory) was received from the person concerned on 4th February 2026. It has been decided that the person concerned is entitled to guardians payment (contributory) at the weekly rate of €237.00 with effect from the 06th February 2026. Payment will commence at her nominated bank account from the 24th April 2026. Any arrears due will also be paid into her nominated bank account in due course.
The person concerned has been notified of the decision by letter dated 20/04/2026.
606. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will investigate a case (details supplied) where a landlord has been housing a Ukrainian couple since November 2024 under the accommodation and recognition payment, but has never received any payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28266/26]
View answerMy Department administers the Accommodation Recognition Payment (ARP) scheme on behalf of the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration.
ARP is a monthly payment of €600 available to applicants who are providing accommodation to a person or people who arrived in Ireland under the EU Temporary Protection Directive since March 2022. There are a number of qualifying conditions attached to receiving this payment and these are available on Gov.ie. It is important to note that if a tenancy agreement is in place, ARP is not payable.
My officials have confirmed that no application for ARP has been received in respect of the particular property. An application can be submitted by the owner of a property on paper, or online at MyWelfare. An application may be backdated for a period of six months if eligibility conditions are met.
607. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Social Protection for an update on an invalidity pension application (details supplied). [28268/26]
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.
The person concerned has been awarded IP with effect from 5 March 2026 and will receive first payment to their nominated bank account on 30 April 2026. All arrears due for the period 5 March 2026 to 29 April 2026 will issue shortly after first payment date. The person referred to was notified of this decision on 16 April 2026.
608. Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Social Protection the end of year deficit or surplus in the Social Insurance Fund for each of the years 2005 to 2025; if he will confirm the current surplus in the Social Insurance Fund as of April 2026, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28302/26]
View answerThe figures requested by the Deputy are outlined in the table below, as per the published Social Insurance Fund Financial Statements from 2005 to 2024.
The 2025 figures will be available once the 2025 Social Insurance Fund Financial Statement has been published (at latest by end September 2026) following completion of the C&AG's audit of the 2025 financial statements.
609. Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of workers subject to the lower rate of Employer PRSI of 9%; the number of workers subject to the higher rate of Employer PRSI of 11.25%, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28303/26]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy is contained in the table below.
|
PRSI Rate |
Estimated Number of Employees (2026) |
|
11.25% |
1,972,000 |
|
9% |
889,000 |
610. Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated cost of increasing the income threshold at which the higher employer PRSI rate kicks in to €600; to €620; to €640; to €660; to €680 and to €700, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28304/26]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy is contained in the tabular statement below.
|
Revised Employer PRSI Threshold |
Cost |
|
€600 |
€67.1m |
|
€620 |
€74.2m |
|
€640 |
€100.8m |
|
€660 |
€170.3m |
|
€680 |
€204.7m |
|
€700 |
€239.6m |
This estimate does not take into account any possible changes in employer behaviour arising from changing the employer PRSI threshold.
611. Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated full year cost of providing companies with fewer than 50 staff with a flat rate PRSI rebate of €12.75 in respect of employees earning €592 per week or less; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28305/26]
View answerThe estimated cost of providing companies with fewer than 50 staff with a flat rate PRSI rebate of €12.75 in respect of employees earning €592 per week or less is €352.8m in a full year.
This estimate does not take into account any possible changes in employer behaviour arising from the introduction of such a rebate.
612. Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Social Protection the progress made on each of the individual Programme for Government commitments assigned to his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28665/26]
View answerMy Department has made significant progress on the Programme for Government commitments under its remit. Due to the large number of commitments, it is not possible to include them all in this response, so they will be provided to the Deputy electronically and in tabular format as requested. Updates on a range of commitments are set out in the table below.
613. Deputy Jen Cummins asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the list of wait times for visa renewals, critical skills employment permits and general employment permits, in tabular form. [28877/26]
View answer614. Deputy Jen Cummins asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the reason persons who have been living and working in Ireland for many years are now being placed in precarious situations due to delays in renewing their working visas. [28876/26]
View answer615. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if he will review matters raised in correspondence (details supplied); if he will address the concerns raised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28864/26]
View answer631. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the average wait times for IRP card renewals; the longest wait time currently in the system; and if he has assessed the merits of extending a temporary arrangement for expiring Irish residence cards where nonrenewal arises from system delays not on the part of the applicant. [28476/26]
View answer643. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the actions in place to manage the significant Irish Residence Permit card renewal delays; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28720/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 613, 614, 615, 631 and 643 together.
The Registration Office of my Department is currently experiencing an exceptionally high demand for immigration permission renewal applications.
I understand that the extended wait times can be frustrating for applicants and I can assure the Deputy that my Department is exploring every avenue available to facilitate as many customers as possible and to increase processing capacity.
The Registration Office is already open seven days a week to facilitate customers, with further measures to reduce processing times currently being implemented. Additional staff have been assigned to this work and further assignments are being examined. I expect that this will begin to address the delays currently being experienced.
The Registration Office provide a live application processing date broken down by stamp category, 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/.
Customers may submit their renewal applications up to 12 weeks prior to expiry of permission, to allow sufficient time for an application to be reached and processed prior to a current permission expiring.
The Registration Office has also issued a notice to employers regarding the legality of employing someone awaiting renewal. This notice can be found here: www.irishimmigration.ie/notice-to-employers-regarding-employees-awaiting-renewal-of-their-irp-card/.
As the Deputy may be aware, previous arrangements made for people awaiting a renewal of their IRP card who were intending to travel was initially in place until 31 January 2026, and was subsequently extended to the end of February 2026. While there are currently no plans to further amend the rules for those awaiting IRP renewals, this position is being kept under review.
If a person has 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: https://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/.
Processing times for employment permits are a matter for the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment.
