Written Answers Nos. 366-385
366. Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the lag times, per county including Clare between 999 calls being revived in the dispatch centre and the allocation of the call to a local Garda, in tabular form; if these times are not recorded, the reason they are not recorded; the actions proposed or being implemented to reduce the lag time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31498/26]
View answerI am informed by Garda authorities that data from the GardaSAFE computer aided dispatch system is not yet supported by An Garda Síochána’s Analysis Service and therefore the information requested cannot be supplied at this time.
GardaSAFE was rolled out incrementally across the organisation in 2023. The initial focus has been on bedding in the new system and processes in the live operational environment in the Control Rooms to monitor call volumes etc.
Work is now commencing on use of GardaSAFE data for statistical purposes. Garda authorities expect initial reports on call volumes to be available in Q3 2026, with the incremental development of other reports to follow.
I am advised that An Garda Síochána operates a Regional Control Room strategy which ensures that Garda resources are available to respond to calls for service from the public, including situations where a local resource is not immediately available.
Calls for service, whether received through a local Garda station or the 999 Emergency Call Answering Service (ECAS), are routed through the Regional Control Rooms and prioritised for response. Higher priority calls will always take priority over lower priority calls.
The Garda authorities inform me that An Garda Síochána aim is to answer 80% of 999 calls within 7 seconds and deploy resources immediately giving an estimated time of arrival. An Garda Síochána will take appropriate steps to deal with all incidents and ensure that emergency and life threatening calls receive priority. They will endeavour to get to callers within 15 minutes in urban locations and as soon as possible, given the distance to be travelled, in more rural areas.
367. Deputy Ryan O'Meara asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration with regards to phase 2 of the Road Safety Strategy, the issues that have been identified; the actions being taken to address the high level of roads policing enforcement cases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31586/26]
View answerThe whole of Government response to road safety is led by the Department of Transport and is a shared responsibility taken very seriously across Government. The Phase 2 Action Plan represents the next stage in implementation of the government’s Road Safety Strategy 2021-2030, which is the current national framework for road safety. The actions in Phase 2 will be delivered through partnership and collaborative working by road safety stakeholders and provides a framework through which we can achieve our road safety goals and reduce the number of fatalities on our roads.
Within the safe road use actions, the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration is working to progress a supporting action linked to identifying and addressing matters relating to the high level of road policing enforcement cases which end up Court, and ensuring there are stronger levels of enforcement. Working collaboratively with our road safety stakeholders, significant progress has been made in recent months in broadening the information which is available to An Garda Síochána at the roadside. This has led to significant improvements in the area of identification of offenders as well as more widely across roads policing operations which in turn will serve as a deterrent to other road users.
Technology also continues to play an increasingly important role in enforcement. Every frontline Garda member now has a mobility device, which is essentially a mobile phone that allows them to access a number of specialised Garda apps at the roadside. These include the ability to issue a Fixed Charge Notice, to check a vehicle's insurance status, if a vehicle is taxed and whether a driver is disqualified. These tasks can now be done within moments, without the need to return to the station making much better use of their time.
Over the last number of years, An Garda Síochána has also increased capacity for Roads Policing and implemented many initiatives including vehicles equipped with Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR), a technology which can automatically read and log vehicle registration plates in real time, deployments of high performance unmarked cars, unmarked motorbikes and unmarked Lorry Tractor Cab (Operation Iompair). These initiatives along with improved technology, additional speed cameras and enhanced data sharing is helping to ensure a multifaceted approach to road safety enforcement in Ireland.
368. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of visa applications processed and approved on a weekly basis; if he will provide a breakdown of approvals by category including family reunification, employment, study, and other categories, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31594/26]
View answerI can advise the Deputy that my Department currently operates seven overseas Visa Offices in addition to the Visa Office in Dublin. These are located in Abuja, Beijing, London, Moscow, Ankara, Abu Dhabi and New Delhi. In addition, staff of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade process certain visa applications in Irish Embassies abroad under delegated authority from my Department.
In 2025, approximately 206,000 visa applications, of all types, were received by the Visa Division of my Department. This reflects an increase of 2% compared to 2024, with over 3,900 additional applications received. This follows a 21% increase in applications in 2024 compared to 2023. In the first three months of 2026, my Department's Visa Division received approximately 43,000 visa applications and has issued almost 36,000 decisions.
Processing times and decisions at the Dublin Visa Office and the Overseas Visa Offices can be checked at the following link: www.irishimmigration.ie/visa-decisions/
I can advise the Deputy that statistics are not available on a weekly basis as requested. However, the numbers of visa applications granted and refused are provided in the tables below on a monthly basis.
Table 1. Type C Short Stay and Type D Long Stay Study Visas
|
Period |
Granted (at first instance) |
Refused (at first instance) |
|
Jan-26 |
1,132 |
1,085 |
|
Feb-26 |
175 |
515 |
|
Mar-26 |
347 |
663 |
|
April 2026 (01.04 - 24.04) |
203 |
446 |
* Please note, figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing.
* A decision made in a particular month may relate to an application received in a previous year.
* Higher figures in January reflect the seasonal peak linked to academic intake
Table 2. Employment and Employment/Scientific Researcher Visas
|
Period |
Granted (at first instance) |
Refused (at first instance) |
|
Jan-26 |
971 |
155 |
|
Feb-26 |
1,105 |
201 |
|
Mar-26 |
1,096 |
221 |
|
April 2026 (01.04 - 24.04) |
735 |
185 |
* Please note, figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing.
* A decision made in a particular month may relate to an application received in a previous year.
Table 3. Join Family Visas
|
Period |
Granted (at first instance) |
Refused (at first instance) |
|
Jan-26 |
579 |
89 |
|
Feb-26 |
493 |
74 |
|
Mar-26 |
646 |
89 |
|
April 2026 (01.04 - 24.04) |
527 |
12 |
* Please note, figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing.
* A decision made in a particular month may relate to an application received in a previous year.
* The above table includes the following categories: Join Family (de facto partner CSEP/HA), Join Family (Irish nat.)(de facto partner), Join Family (Irish nat.)(other), Join Family (Irish nat.)(spouse), Join Family (Non-EEA nat.)(de facto partner), Join Family (Non-EEA nat.)(other), Join Family (Non-EEA nat.)(spouse), Join Family (UK nat.)
Table 4. Visit Visas
|
Period |
Granted (at first instance) |
Refused (at first instance) |
|
Jan-26 |
3,514 |
1,243 |
|
Feb-26 |
5,923 |
1,595 |
|
Mar-26 |
4,964 |
1,193 |
|
April 2026 (01.04 - 24.04) |
5,779 |
1,206 |
* Please note, figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing.
* A decision made in a particular month may relate to an application received in a previous year.
Table 5. All other visa types
|
Period |
Granted (at first instance) |
Refused (at first instance) |
|
Jan-26 |
2,322 |
330 |
|
Feb-26 |
2,075 |
252 |
|
Mar-26 |
2,446 |
314 |
|
April 2026 (01.04 - 24.04) |
2,715 |
307 |
* Please note, figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing.
* A decision made in a particular month may relate to an application received in a previous year.
In December 2025, the Immigration Service of my Department introduced online payment functionality to my Department's online visa system. This allows applicants to pay visa fees as part of the online application process. The initiative is being rolled out on a phased basis and is currently live in 40 countries, with South Africa added in January 2026.
This reduces the administrative burden on Irish Missions and visa teams and allows visa officers to dedicate more time to core application processing and decision-making, contributing to improved processing efficiency over time.
Furthermore, the ongoing Immigration Service Delivery (ISD) modernisation programme is designed to support a more efficient, transparent and accessible immigration system. The recent establishment of dedicated teams for Application Submission and Join Family Case Processing are intended to help streamline workflows, reduce duplication and strengthen expertise, thereby improving the service delivery for join family visa applications.
369. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if consideration can be given that, when a childcare worker has received Garda vetting within the valid three-year period, that vetting can be transferred to a new childcare service; if the childcare worker moves job, rather than having to submit a brand new vetting application for the new employment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31669/26]
View answerThe primary purpose of vetting carried out by the Garda National Vetting Bureau is to ensure the safety of children and vulnerable adults. 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.
However, the Government is aware that concerns have been raised regarding certain aspects of the vetting process. Further to the work of an Interdepartmental Vetting Review 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 Department is actively engaging 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. This includes an assessment of appropriate models for an expansion of digital service delivery, which is a very significant project that will necessarily take time to fully scope and implement.
370. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to expedite a join family spouse visa (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31681/26]
View answerI can advise the Deputy that following full consideration by a Visa Officer the Visa referred to was granted on 13 April 2026.
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.
371. Deputy Marie Sherlock asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the options for those currently afforded temporary protection to remain in Ireland from 2027. [31690/26]
View answer372. Deputy Marie Sherlock asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the options for those currently afforded temporary protection and who are in permanent employment in the public service, to remain in those posts from 2027. [31691/26]
View answer373. Deputy Marie Sherlock asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the options for those currently afforded temporary protection to apply for naturalisation in Ireland. [31692/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 371, 372 and 373 together.
In 2025, the Justice and Home Affairs Council extended Temporary Protection until March 2027, providing certainty for beneficiaries who can continue to avail of the protections that the Directive provides. There may be further extensions to the directive which will be agreed at EU level.
Ireland supports a harmonised EU-wide approach to exiting Temporary Protection, so that when this transition occurs, it does so consistently and appropriately across the EU.
Ireland remains supportive of the European Commission’s role in leading the dialogue on exit strategies. The Department cannot pre-empt the outcome of future discussions and decisions of the EU in this regard.
The Cabinet Committee on Justice, Migration and Social Affairs met recently and discussed this transition and a proposal is being developed for Government consideration in the coming weeks. The Government will also consider proposals being developed to phase out State-funded accommodation, which has been provided to people from Ukraine since 2022.
These proposals will align with a recent EU Council Recommendation for a co-ordinated approach to transition people out of Temporary Protection across the EU. Ireland is advancing the four sets of measures outlined in the Recommendation.
• Promote and facilitate the transition to other legal statuses before the end of temporary protection.
• Pave the way for a smooth and sustainable reintegration in Ukraine.
• Ensure information provision to displaced people and.
• Ensure coordination, monitoring and exchange of information among Member States and with the Ukrainian authorities.
Ireland’s objective is to achieve a coordinated and orderly exit from temporary protection through advancing the above measures.
374. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of Garda age cards issued in each year from 2017 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31708/26]
View answerI have requested the information sought by the Deputy from the Garda authorities. Regrettably, this was not available in time and I will write to the Deputy once the information is to hand.
375. Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if he will provide a schedule of EU-funded projects undertaken by his Department from 2020 to date in 2026 in the areas of risk, emergency planning, crisis management; and/or were coordinated by his Department, or in which it participated. [31742/26]
View answerMy Department has not itself undertaken any EU-funded projects in the areas of risk, emergency planning or crisis management.
However, last year, my Department participated in an EU-funded World Bank country consultation into Ireland's review of the strategic emergency management structures. This was coordinated by the Office of Emergency Planning in the Department of Defence.
376. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the sum spent on youth diversion programmes in Dublin from 2019 to 2025 and to date in 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31773/26]
View answer377. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the level of participation in youth diversion programmes in Dublin from 2019 to 2025 and to date in 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31774/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 376 and 377 together.
Since the enactment of the Children Act 2001, Ireland’s approach has been to divert children from the criminal justice system with detention of children considered only as a last resort. This policy, which has been pursued by successive Governments, has been extremely successful.
While there has been an approximate 25% increase in the population of 12- to 17-year-olds over the past ten years, the number or children coming to the attention of the Garda National Youth Diversion Bureau has remained steady, pointing to an actual reduction in youth offending. Between 2012 and 2022, there has been a drop in total criminal incidents involving children of 35% and a reduction of 31% in the number of children in detention over the past ten years. The budget allocation for Youth Justice measures has increased by 144% from 2020 to 2026 with a significant allocation of €7.3 million in additional core exchequer funding for Youth Justice measures announced as part of Budget 2026.
There are currently 94 Youth Diversion Projects across the country that are funded by my Department. With these funds, these Projects employ dedicated Youth Justice workers who respond daily to the needs of young people across the country. Every young person in Ireland now has access to a youth diversion service.
The Department also funds specialised Youth Justice Workers and Programmes in Youth Diversion Projects catering to Early Intervention, Family Support and Harder-to-Reach, serious and prolific young offenders.
There are currently 30 Youth Diversion Projects in the Dublin area funded by my Department, with a total of over €15.8m allocated to these projects in 2026. With these funds, these Projects employ more than 200 dedicated Youth Justice Workers who respond daily to the needs of young people in Dublin.
The below table provides the amount of funding allocated to Youth Diversion Projects in Dublin from 2019 - 2026.
|
Dublin YDP Funding |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
2025 |
2026 |
|
Total |
€5,192,311 |
€5,764,707 |
€6,800,480 |
€10,357,469 |
€12,689,230 |
€13,658,555 |
€15,266,422 |
€15,822,371 |
The Department, in collaboration with the Probation Service, also operates a number of initiatives distinctly designed to address serious and prolific youth offending for those who may be deemed unsuitable for diversion, these are: the Greentown Programme, the Bail Supervision Scheme and targeted interventions for children who are harder to reach in terms of addressing prolific and serious offending.
Please be advised the attached spreadsheet provides the number of young people engaged with Youth Diversion Projects in Dublin from 2019 - 2025. Please note, participant numbers are submitted by projects each year and these numbers are subject to change.
378. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the progress to date in providing new services (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31777/26]
View answerThis Government has taken unprecedented actions to tackle the scourge of domestic, sexual, and gender-based violence (DSGBV), including by increasing funding to almost €80 million under Budget 2026, to support Cuan and services working to tackle DSGBV and the implementation of the Zero Tolerance Strategy. The increased funding for Cuan and community organisations that support victims and survivors will accelerate the delivery of safe accommodation, while also providing stronger supports for victims.
Cuan is collaborating with various stakeholders, including domestic violence services, Approved Housing Bodies, the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, the Housing Agency and Local Authorities to facilitate local action and support service development and delivery of safe accommodation and ancillary services.
The Capital Assistance Scheme Stage 1 application for a refuge site in Monaghan was approved by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage last October. Work is ongoing towards submitting a Stage 2 application, which will include further detail and costings on the full extent of works that will be required. The CAS process takes on average 75 weeks with construction typically taking 15–18 months. Safe Ireland is the lead Approved Housing Body on this development.
Both Cavan County Council and Monaghan County Council have committed to the allocation of three units from their social housing stock, which will deliver an additional six Safe Homes across the region. Cuan is now working with Safe Ireland to finalise operational and staffing costs. All six units will become operational in 2026. Safe Ireland is working with the stakeholder group to create a solid infrastructure and a coherent connected response across both counties.
Cuan has agreed the allocation of additional resources to Safe Ireland. These additional resources will support Safe Ireland in its capacity to expand its services to provide both emergency refuge and Safe Home accommodation in the Cavan-Monaghan region. I am also advised that Cuan is currently considering future options for potential refuge provision in Cavan.
379. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of competitions, by rank that were held for sworn Gardaí to apply to join the Garda National Immigration Bureau in 2025 and to-date in 2026; and the number of Gardaí, by rank, that applied in each competition. in tabular form. [31800/26]
View answerThe Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána under section 33 of the Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024, which includes determining the manner in which Garda personnel are distributed and stationed throughout the State.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that during 2025 and to-date in 2026 that An Garda Síochána have held one competition, "Secondment to the Department of Justice, within the Irish Passenger Information Unit (IPIU), Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB)". I am informed that there were 29 Sergeant applications and 41 Garda applications to this competition.
380. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if he will report on Garda Operation Meacan; and the number of e-scooters and e-bikes that have been seized under this operation to date. [31801/26]
View answerI have requested the information sought by the Deputy from the Garda authorities. Regrettably, this was not available in time and I will write to the Deputy once the information is to hand.
381. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department agrees on the need to legislate for a cap on the number of dogs a breeder can own and breed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31528/26]
View answer382. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department agrees that action is urgently needed to improve and safeguard the welfare of dogs in dog breeding establishments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31529/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 381 and 382 together.
The Programme for Government places a positive emphasis on animal welfare, and specifically commits to the continued robust enforcement of the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013, which provides a modern framework for regulating and applying standards in the area of animal health and welfare.
A high-level stakeholder group was established in 2024 to consider policy and legislative matters, specifically the Dog Control Acts and the Dog Breeding Establishments Act.
The stakeholder group’s remit includes considering the need for legislative change. This requires in-depth analysis and consultation to ensure that amendments are not just robust, fit for purpose and implementable, but that they also deliver the best outcomes for communities.
I am committed to reviewing all legislation relating to dogs including Dog Breeding Establishments. In this regard, my Department is considering various proposals including feedback from the public consultation on the Animal Welfare Strategy and the imminent report and recommendations of the high-level Dog Control Stakeholder Group. I hope to come forward shortly with these proposals.
383. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on an EU-wide voluntary milk supply reduction scheme whereby the proposed measure will provide milk producers with a financial payment per litre to voluntarily not produce milk for a defined period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31548/26]
View answerI am conscious of the importance of the dairy sector to farming family incomes, rural communities and to Ireland's wider agri-food economy.
The Government recognises the challenges currently facing dairy farmers, including the ongoing volatility in global commodity markets and the rising costs of farm inputs including fuel and fertiliser.
I, along with many of my EU counterparts, highlighted concerns about the future dairy market situation at the AgriFish Council meeting on 27 April.
The proposal referenced by the Deputy concerns an EU-wide voluntary milk supply reduction scheme, whereby producers would be paid to reduce their milk output temporarily for a defined period. Similar measures were introduced by the European Commission in 2016 in response to exceptional market pressures at that time following the abolition of milk quotas.
At present, no formal proposal for an EU voluntary milk reduction scheme has been tabled by the European Commission. We will carefully consider any such proposed scheme in the context of current market conditions across all Member States and budget availability under the Common Agricultural Policy to ensure the most effective response for Irish dairy farmers who are coming into peak milk production season.
My Department is in close contact with the European Commission and with the other Member States, as well as the dairy farming representatives, regarding developments in agricultural markets. We will continue to engage constructively at EU level on any measures that will support Irish family farm incomes and that help stabilise the market.
In the meantime, the Government has introduced strong national measures to ensure that farmers will be supported through the current period of volatility including through the €100m Fuel Support Scheme.
384. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to consider the implementation of an independent oversight body for horse welfare for the horse racing industry given concerns that have been raised (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31561/26]
View answerHorse Racing Ireland (HRI) is a commercial state body established under the Horse and Greyhound Racing Act, 2001, and is responsible for the overall administration, promotion and development of the horse racing industry.
The welfare of thoroughbreds is a matter of great importance for my Department and as a condition of the funding HRI receives, it is required to continue its work with all industry stakeholders to ensure that equine welfare is central to all its activities and to keep my Department apprised of activities in this area.
My Department is committed to the continued enforcement of the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013, which provides a modern framework for regulating and applying standards in animal health and welfare. My Department and authorised officers appointed under the Act undertake appropriate enforcement action where breaches or shortcomings are identified. Since the Act came into operation, 226 cases have been successfully prosecuted by my Department, of which 21 were in relation to equines. My Department keeps the Act under review in light of key developments in the area of animal welfare, the legislative environment more generally, and having regard to the practical lessons learned from operating the Act.
Development of a new animal welfare strategy was initiated in 2025 and in excess of 1750 individual submissions were received as part of the non-statutory public consultation. The new strategy will continue to adopt a ‘One Health, One Welfare’ approach, acknowledging and valuing the inter-dependencies between human, animal and environmental health. I expect this strategy to be completed in Quarter 2, 2026.
My Department also operates a confidential animal welfare helpline through which members of the public can report incidents of animal cruelty or neglect for investigation. The dedicated email address and helpline in place for reporting suspected cases of animal welfare are: Helpline Phone No: 01 607 2379. Email address - animalwelfare@agriculture.gov.ie
I am satisfied with the current arrangements that are in place and accordingly I have no plans for the introduction of an independent oversight body as suggested by the Deputy.
385. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a large-scale business and co-ops (details supplied) will be included in the excise duty relief that supports licensed hauliers, freight operators, agricultural and fishing contractors or bus companies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31641/26]
View answerThe Government recognises the exceptional pressure that rising fuel costs are placing on our transport, farming and fisheries sectors.
On 24 March the Government introduced €250 million of targeted measures to provide for temporary reductions in the rates of Mineral Oil Tax applying to petrol, auto diesel and Marked Gas Oil (green/agricultural diesel). To further ease the financial impact, the Government reduced the NORA levy from 2 cents per litre to a nominal amount.
On 12 April, the Government announced a further €505 million package of measures on fuel costs to support the transport, farming and fisheries sectors, reducing excise on a VAT inclusive basis on:
• Diesel, by a further 10 cents bringing the total reduction on diesel to 32 cents.
• Petrol by a further 10 cents bringing the total reduction on petrol to 27 cents.
• Marked Gas Oil by a further 2.4 cents bringing the total reduction to 7.4 cents.
These overall reductions include the NORA levy reduction.
The reductions in the excise on fuel for consumers took effect from 14 April and run until 31 July. The NORA levy reduction will also run until 31 July. Additionally, the Government is deferring the planned increase in carbon tax, scheduled for 1 May, until Budget 2026.
Details of the €100 million Fuel Support Scheme were presented this week. This scheme is for undertakings active in primary production of agricultural products, and applies to green diesel only.
My colleague the Minister for Transport Darragh O’Brien has announced details of the Road Transporters Support Scheme (RTSS), which supports the road transport sector in recognition of its essential role in Ireland’s supply chains, for businesses and in providing essential connectivity across both urban and rural communities.
