Written Answers Nos. 149-168
149. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding the flexible working and remote working policies in place for civil servants in his Department; if there is any discrepancy in these policies based on seniority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28927/26]
View answer150. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding the flexible working and remote working policies in place for staff that work for any agencies under the remit of his Department; if there is any discrepancy in these policies based on seniority; if this policy is under the control of the agency itself or if it is directed by the Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28945/26]
View answer151. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Social Protection if any review is ongoing in relation his Department’s policy on flexible working and remote working for civil servants in his Department, particularly in the context of increased fuel prices; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28963/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 149, 150 and 151 together.
My Department provides a range of flexible working arrangements for staff in line with Civil Service policy and subject to business need. These include flexible working time, shorter working year, work sharing and blended working.
Under the Department's Blended Working Policy, staff apply annually for blended working arrangements. Applications are considered on a case-by-case basis having regard to the requirements of the role, the operational needs of the business area, the need to maintain effective management supervision, collaboration and high-quality service delivery to our customers. Currently, 67% of Departmental staff avail of blended working arrangements.
This approach supports the Department’s commitment to its core values of service, excellence, professionalism, agility and teamwork in a blended working environment. The 2026 policy provides for minimum attendance requirements in the workplace. In general, staff are expected to attend the office for a minimum of two days per week, while staff at Principal level and above are expected to attend a minimum of three days per week. These attendance expectations reflect the leadership, management and oversight responsibilities associated with senior roles.
Many roles, across all grades and business areas, require higher than these minimum levels of in-office attendance, up to and including full-time attendance, particularly where duties involve delivery of front line services in Intreo offices, other public facing roles, in person collaboration with colleagues, or access to systems and resources that cannot be facilitated remotely.
Bodies operating under the aegis of the Department of Social Protection are independent statutory organisations with their own Boards and senior management teams. Accordingly, responsibility for the development, implementation and operation of flexible working and remote or blended working policies for agency staff rests with the individual agency concerned. While these bodies have regard to Government human resource policies, public service frameworks and relevant employment legislation when developing their workplace policies, they are not required to apply the Department of Social Protection’s Blended Working Policy. Each agency determines its own policy arrangements in line with its specific operational, service delivery and organisational needs.
This Policy is kept under review to ensure that the Department's business is delivered and a high quality service continues to be provided to all our customers. It was most recently reviewed at the end of 2025 in advance of the opening of the application process for 2026. There is no ongoing review of the Department's blended working policy in the context of fuel price increases.
152. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection if the age limit for families with adult children in full-time education receiving the Working Family Payment could be extended to 23 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28990/26]
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.
To be eligible for the payment the applicant must work a minimum of 38 hours a fortnight. To meet this requirement hours worked can be combined with, for example, those worked by the applicant and their spouse or partner. They must also have at least one qualified child who normally resides with them.
For the purposes of Working Family Payment, a qualified child is defined as being under the age of 18 years or, if in full-time education, over the age of 18 but under 22. A qualified child that turns 22 during an academic year continues to be a qualified child under the scheme until the end of the academic year. This policy is in line with the age limits for the Child Support Payment, which is an amount paid in addition to a primary social welfare payment to support with the costs of raising children.
Any changes to the age limits on the Working Family Payment would need to be considered in a budgetary and policy coherence context.
153. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Social Protection if there has been engagement with the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment to examine how energy retrofit and solar supports can better assist older persons on fixed incomes, including those in receipt of the State pension; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29057/26]
View answerThe Government is committed to protecting vulnerable households from the impact of energy costs through a combination of financial supports, energy efficiency awareness initiatives and investment in programmes to improve the energy efficiency of the housing stock.
The supports provided by the Government are cross departmental and, in this regard, my Department is represented on the Energy Affordability Taskforce, under the remit of the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications.
The priority of my department is to provide income support that assists households to meet their energy costs. Energy retrofit and solar supports fall under the remit of the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment and queries in relation to this should be submitted to that department.
The range of supports provided by my department includes the Fuel Allowance Payment. Households that qualify for this payment also qualify for free home energy upgrades under the warmer homes scheme which again is under the remit of the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
154. Deputy John Clendennen asked the Minister for Social Protection if domiciliary care allowance will be granted to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29123/26]
View answerDomiciliary Care Allowance (DCA) is a monthly allowance payable to a parent / guardian in respect of a child aged under 16 who has a severe disability requiring continual or continuous care and attention substantially in excess of the care and attention normally required by a child of the same age and where the level of that disability is such that the child is likely to require this level of care and attention for at least 12 consecutive months. This level of care and attention must be required to allow the child to deal with the activities of daily living in areas such as mobility, personal care, feeding / diet, communication, speech / language, sleeping, behaviour, safety, sensory issues, including any other additional needs.
Eligibility for DCA is not based entirely on the type of disability or diagnosis but primarily on the impact of the child's disability, in terms of the associated overall level of care and attention required by the child compared to a child of a similar age who does not have such a disability. The decision process that applies in the consideration of whether a child meets the conditions for DCA includes the examination of all relevant factors identified as impacting on the child's additional care needs.
An application for DCA in respect of the child concerned was received by my Department on 10 December 2024. A Deciding Officer disallowed the claim as per decision dated 20 January 2025. Based on the information provided, the child was not considered to satisfy the conditions for DCA. This determination considered the supporting medical evidence that was provided by the applicant in their application. The Deciding Officer also had regard to the professional opinion of a departmental Medical Assessor in making their decision and a copy of this opinion was issued to the applicant for information along with the decision notification.
On the 27 February 2026, the person concerned requested a review of the above decision and provided further new information/evidence for consideration. Following a re-examination of their application, including all the further new information/evidence that was provided by the applicant in support of their review request, a Deciding Officer decided not to revise the above original decision, as per review decision dated 27 March 2026 which issued directly to the person concerned.
On foot of your request for a further review of eligibility for DCA in this case, a full re-examination of this DCA application and my Department's original decision of 20 January 2025 will now be undertaken by a Deciding Officer. Once that review has been completed, the person concerned will be notified directly of the decision in writing.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
155. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if consideration will be given to reopening an application (details supplied), taking into account that the application fee was waived given that the application was subsequently refused on the grounds that the application fee was not paid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28806/26]
View answerI can inform the Deputy that the applicant cited has permission to remain in the State under a Stamp 4D immigration permission which is granted to eligible non-EEA family members of UK citizens who entered the State after 01 January 2021.
This is a fee-paying category for the purposes of immigration permission renewal, and the person concerned selected the incorrect fee category on their renewal application. The applicant cited will need to submit a new online renewal application and select the correct fee paying category.
Once all of the required documents have been submitted, they will be brought to the payment page to pay the required fee.
If the applicant 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: 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.
156. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if a matter can be reviewed (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28820/26]
View answerMy department continues to work as part of the whole-of-Government response with a focus on providing access to emergency temporary accommodation to those fleeing the conflict in Ukraine who request it, in line with Government policy. This supports individuals granted Temporary Protection to make longer term independent arrangements if they decide to remain in Ireland for the duration of the Temporary Protection Directive.
Many people are choosing to move on from State-supported accommodation or are leaving Ireland. State accommodation contracts may also be ending where compliance issues arise, or where the owner chooses to end their contract. This means some people will be moved to other locations if they still require State-contracted accommodation.
Where medical issues are raised, my Department works with the HSE on the basis of a protocol which sets out the priority cases for medical moves. The relocations team in my department will, where possible, relocate medically vulnerable people within the same Community Health Organisation area to keep HSE supports in place and minimise disruption to the person accessing HSE services.
All requests to relocate on medical grounds must be sent to my Department at UkraineTempAccom@justice.ie. If a request is sent to the Department in respect of the case to which the Deputy refers, it will be assessed in conjunction with the HSE in line with the agreed protocol.
The department appreciates that moving location may be disruptive. State-funded accommodation is temporary and subject to change and people fleeing the war are advised of this when requesting access to temporary accommodation.
Individuals granted Temporary Protection are entitled to make their own private arrangements including potentially availing of pledged accommodation if they wish, subject to availability, and can avail of some supports to do so.
157. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to provide details of the number of legal actions against his Department that have been resolved without going to court in line with the 2023 State Litigation Principles; if his Department is fully applying the State Litigation Principles in seeking to resolve any current or outstanding legal actions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28839/26]
View answerIt has not been possible to collate the information requested by the Deputy in the time available. I will write to the Deputy directly once the information is to hand.
158. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the position regarding the flexible working and remote working policies in place for civil servants in this Department; if there is any discrepancy in these policies based on seniority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28924/26]
View answer159. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the position regarding the flexible working and remote working policies in place for staff that work for any agencies under the remit of his Department; if there is any discrepancy in these policies based on seniority; if this policy is under the control of the agency itself or if it is directed by the Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28942/26]
View answer160. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if any review is ongoing in relation his Department’s policy on flexible working and remote working for civil servants in his Department, particularly in the context of increased fuel prices; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28960/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 158, 159 and 160 together.
My Department provides general civil service flexible working options such as flexi-time and flexi-leave which are available to specific grades, alongside flexible working options such as shorter working year, work sharing and career breaks. Applications for these flexible working options are approved based on the business needs of each area.
My Department’s Blended Working Policy was introduced in 2022, following consultation with staff and senior management. The Policy applies to the core Department and agencies under my Department’s aegis, for whom my Department provide HR services*. Our Policy was developed in line with the Blended Working Policy Framework for Civil Service Organisations issued by the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure Public Service Reform and Digitalisation (DPER). After two years of operation the policy was reviewed, again in consultation with staff, in 2024.
The policy supports my Department’s objective to be an employer of choice and a dynamic, agile and responsive organisation, in terms of where, when and how teams work, while sustaining high standards of service to the public, performance and productivity. It is important to note that many of the services provided by my Department and the bodies and agencies in the Justice sector are staffed by dedicated officials on a national 24/7/365 basis, many of whom are required to be full time in the workplace. Given the diverse nature of the work undertaken, the number of days that staff are required to attend the office is not based on seniority but is dependent on the business needs of each area.
The policy, which promotes a team-based approach, provides for attendance in the workplace for a minimum of two days a week. At present, eligible staff in my Department are approved to work remotely between 2 and 3 days per week, in accordance with this policy, however, they may choose, to attend the office more frequently.
There is a requirement for a minimum of four weeks full time on-site attendance as part of the onboarding process for new staff in my Department. This is applicable to all staff taking up a new role, to facilitate training, integration with teams, relationship building and familiarisation with the systems, culture and values of the organisation.
My Department keeps its Blended Working Policy under review and will take into account the experience to date and any improvements or changes that may need to be made to ensure the policy continues to operate effectively for staff and the public. The Policy was last updated in 2024 following a review and staff consultation. The next scheduled review of the policy is in August 2026.
With regard to arrangements in the other agencies under the aegis of my Department, I am informed that the Courts Service, An Garda Síochána, the Criminal Assets Bureau, the Data Protection Commission, Fiosrú, Gambling Regulatory Authority, Irish Prison Service, Judicial Council and Legal Aid Board all operate their own Blended Working policies. These policies are under the control of each agency itself and align with the Blended Working Policy Framework for Civil Service Organisations and business needs. There are no discrepancies based on seniority. Reviews of the policies are carried out periodically.
*My Department currently provides HR services for the following agencies under its remit: Dublin Coroner’s Service, Insolvency Service of Ireland, International Protection Appeals Tribunal, Cuan, Forensic Science Ireland, Office of the Independent Examiner, Office of the Inspector of Prisons, Office of the State Pathologist, the Parole Board, the Private Security Authority, and the Probation Service.
161. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the position regarding any engagement he has with the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality in relation to the delays in processing Garda vetting application for new hires in childminding facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29104/26]
View answer162. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration his views on the merits of creating a priority scheme under Garda vetting for new hires in childminding facilities; if this is something that is under review, if he will engage with the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality on this proposal to reflect the serious impact that processing delays are having on the childcare sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29106/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 161 and 162 together.
The primary purpose of vetting carried out by the Garda National Vetting Bureau is to ensure the safety of children and vulnerable adults. 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.
Responsibility for policy in relation to the childcare and childminding sector rests with the Department of Children, Disability and Equality. That Department, together with Tusla, engages directly with the Garda National Vetting Bureau on operational matters affecting the sector.
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 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.
While a range of reform measures were considered, I am advised that a proposal for a priority vetting scheme for new hires in childminding facilities was not examined as part of the group's work. Any consideration of such will be a matter for the Department of Children, Disability and Equality in its engagement with the Garda National Vetting Bureau and relevant stakeholders.
Further to work of the group it is clear that aspects of the current vetting system result in a highly-segmented 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.
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 engagement with the Department of Children, Disability and Equality took place in the context of the Interdepartmental Vetting Review Group. Since the conclusion of this work, there has been no specific engagement between both Departments in relation to delays in the processing of vetting applications for new hires in childminding facilities.
163. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the position regarding the average processing times for Garda vetting applications, by month, for each of the years 2024, 2025 and to date in 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29108/26]
View answerThe primary purpose of vetting carried out by the Garda National Vetting Bureau (GNVB) is to ensure the safety of children and vulnerable adults. 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 below table outlines applications submitted to and applications completed by the Garda National Vetting Bureau for 2024, 2025 and 2026. 2026 figures are accurate as of end of March.
|
Year |
Applications submitted |
Applications completed |
|
2024 |
614,661 |
613,965 |
|
2025 |
633,563 |
596,975 |
|
2026 |
176,093 |
158,989 |
A monthly breakdown of these statistics can be found at the following link: [Garda Vetting Statistics - Garda].
The Garda eVetting system was specifically designed to ensure speedy processing of vetting applications. The eVetting service provides for a 14 day turnaround for 80% of applications received via the system. However, I am advised by the Garda National Vetting Bureau that the current processing time for 85% of vetting applications is 8/9 working days.
Additionally, the Garda eVetting system has streamlined the entire vetting process, given more visibility to both organisations and applicants and contributed to a sustained reduction in processing times for applications.
It should be noted that in a number of instances, it is necessary to conduct enquiries with Garda Stations and external agencies such as the Courts Service, Probation Service, and Tusla (the Child and Family Agency), etc. These enquiries are conducted for a multiplicity of reasons such as verification of identity; updating of incomplete records; and establishing outcomes of investigations. In such instances, processing times are significantly longer than the general average. Vetting can also take longer where a person has spent time living abroad.
164. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the status of an application (details supplied) given it is almost 24 months since the application was first submitted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29109/26]
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. 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.
Unfortunately, applications cannot be expedited based on any intended purpose of naturalisation such as attendance at third level education, travel, or sporting representation.
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.
165. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to provide details of the number of legal actions against his Department that have been resolved without going to court in line with the 2023 State Litigation Principles; if his Department is fully applying the State Litigation Principles in seeking to resolve any current or outstanding legal actions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28827/26]
View answerThe information sought by the Deputy is being collated by my Department and an answer will be provided as soon as possible.
166. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding the flexible working and remote working policies in place for civil servants in his Department; if there is any discrepancy in these policies based on seniority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28911/26]
View answerFlexible and remote working for civil servants within my Department operates under the Civil Service Blended Working Framework. There is no discrepancy based on seniority within the Blended Working Policy.
167. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding the flexible working and remote working policies in place for staff that work for any agencies under the remit of HIS Department; if there is any discrepancy in these policies based on seniority; if this policy is under the control of the agency itself or if it is directed by the Department,; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28930/26]
View answerThe agencies under the remit of my Department are responsible for the flexible working and remote working policies for their organisations. These are operational matters for each agency, whereby the flexible and remote working policies are developed to suit the needs of their business. While the policies are under the individual control of each agency, the underpinning principles as set out by Government in the National Remote Work Strategy apply. In terms of the question of any discrepancies based on seniority, I have referred this question to the Agencies and have requested that a response should issue within 10 days.
168. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if any review is ongoing in relation to his Department’s policy on flexible working and remote working for civil servants in his Department, particularly in the context of increased fuel prices; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28948/26]
View answerThere is no specific review underway as suggested in the Deputy’s question. My Department continues to keep working arrangements under review in line with business needs and civil service policy developments.
