Wednesday, 20 May 2026

Written Answers Nos. 198-216

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International Protection

Questions (199)

Michael Collins

Question:

199. Deputy Michael Collins asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration his views on the legal and policy rationale for requesting a change of use exemption (details supplied); the reason this exemption is being requested for a privately owned facility; the way in which his Department justifies applying the same planning approach to this site as the State-linked Citywest Reception Centre; the intended duration of use for the facility as International Protection Accommodation Services (IPAS) accommodation the projected and maximum occupancy levels for this specific location; if these figures and the "scale and intensity" of the development have been formally evaluated in a community impact assessment to determine the cumulative effect on the wider area, given that no public consultation or submission process has been facilitated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38050/26]

Written answers

Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration

IPAS currently has over 300 accommodation centres in operation, and over 33,000 residents in total. Planning regulation and compliance is a matter between the relevant Local Authority and the property or provider.

A number of planning regulations are in place relating to international protection accommodation, and these are outlined below.

Section 14 h of S.I. No. 582/2015 - The Planning and Development Act may be utilised by providers of accommodation for international protection applicants: www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/2015/si/582/made/en/print.

The Planning and Development (Exempted Development) (No. 4) Regulations (S.I. 605 of 2022) were introduced to assist the State in meeting Ireland’s legal obligation to provide accommodation to international protection applicants.

The Regulations amend Part 1 of Schedule 2 to the Planning and Development Regulations 2001, as amended, to insert a new Class 20F exemption, with the structures in question being temporarily exempted from the requirement to obtain change of use planning permission. The regulations allow the temporary use of certain structures to accommodate or support persons seeking international protection.

Class 20F of S.I. No. 605 of 2022 permits the change of use of the following structures for the purpose of providing the necessary facilities for international protection applicants: “school, college, university, training centre, social centre, community centre, non-residential club, art gallery, museum, library, reading room, sports club or stadium, gymnasium, hotel, convention centre, conference centre, shop, office, Defence Forces barracks, light industrial building, airport operational building, wholesale warehouse or repository, local authority administrative office, play centre, medical and other health and social care accommodation, event and exhibition space or any structure or part of structure normally used for public worship or religious instruction.”

The conditions of this exemption can be located here: www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/2022/si/605/made/en/print

The Regulations 2023 (S.I. 376 of 2023) extended the planning exemption provided by S.I. 605 of 2022, from 31 December 2024 to 31 December 2028. This means that properties covered by this SI can operate as an accommodation centre for people seeking international protection under the provisions of that legislation for as long as it is applicable.

The Department continues to manage and source suitable international protection accommodation, with an emphasis on development of more State-owned accommodation options, and moving away over time from reliance on commercial provision.

International Protection

Questions (200)

Carol Nolan

Question:

200. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the steps his Department is taking to monitor the practice of asylum seekers visiting their country of origin from which they supposedly fled as a result of persecution and then returning to Ireland; his views on such conduct; whether it should be prohibited by law or result in asylum status being revoked or applications refused; and the number of such cases his Department has become aware of from 2020 to date. [38054/26]

Written answers

Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration

Those granted refugee status or subsidiary protection in the State, were granted international protection in recognition of the fact that, in the case of a person granted a refugee declaration, he or she had established a well-founded fear of persecution and were unwilling or unable to avail of the protection of their country of nationality. In the case of person granted a subsidiary protection declaration, substantial grounds have been shown for believing that he or she, if returned to his or her country of origin, would face a real risk of suffering serious harm and is unable or unwilling to avail himself or herself of the protection of that country.

Section 9 of the International Protection Act 2015 provides for the grounds for cessation of refugee status, which are in accordance with the grounds set out in the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees and the 2004 Qualification Directive (Directive 2004/83/EC on minimum standards for the qualification and status of third country nationals or stateless persons as refugees or as persons who otherwise need international protection). Section 11 of the 2015 Act provides for the cessation of eligibility for subsidiary protection in accordance with the 2004 Qualification Directive.

If a person with Refugee Status or subsidiary protection travels back to that country, this may be considered to be an act which conflicts with their status as a recognised refugee or person eligible for subsidiary protection. Specifically, such an action has the potential to lead the Irish immigration authorities to form the opinion that they have ceased to be a refugee, having voluntarily re-availed of the protection of their country of nationality, or having voluntarily re-established themselves in the country which they left or outside which they remained owing to fear of persecution. A person ceases to be eligible for subsidiary protection when the circumstances which led to their eligibility for subsidiary protection have ceased to exist or have changed to such a degree that international protection is no longer required.

Such an opinion has the potential to result in the revocation of international protection status in the State under section 52 of the 2015 Act, following due process.

For those still in the International Protection process, under section 16(3)(a) of the International Protection Act 2015, they or any dependents on whose behalf an application has been made, must not attempt to leave the State without the express permission of the Minister.

The 2024 Qualification Regulation (Regulation (EU) 2024/1347) provides in Articles 11 and 16 for the circumstances in which a person shall cease to be a refugee or cease to be eligible for subsidiary protection status. Section 214 of the International Protection Act 2026 sets out the procedure for withdrawal of international protection from a person who has ceased to be a refugee or ceased to be eligible for subsidiary protection in accordance with the Qualification Regulation. Section 65 of the Act provides that an applicant for international protection shall not leave or attempt to leave the State without the consent of the Minister. These measures will come into operation on 12 June 2026.

Naturalisation Applications

Questions (201)

Brian Brennan

Question:

201. Deputy Brian Brennan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the reason there is no way to correct or amend minor administration errors on a naturalisation application; the systems that can be put in place to ensure applications are not closed for minor errors that do not reflect on the transparency or integrity of the process, causing further financial expense as in the case of an applicant (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38093/26]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration

My Department has recently launched a new webpage to help people better understand the naturalisation application process, including the key documents required for identity and residency. The page also provides guidance on how to have documents certified and can be viewed here: www.irishimmigration.ie/how-to-become-an-irish-citizen-guide/

All applicants should take care to submit all the required and correct supporting documentation with their application. Where my Department identifies an incomplete application, they will afford the applicant 28 days to provide the missing documents. When the application is returned, a communication is provided outlining what was missing or incorrect.

The application cited from the Deputy was deemed ineligible as they failed to provided a correctly certified copy of their passport, originally and on their resubmission.

Although there is no appeal option provided for under the provisions of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, it is open to anyone to make a new application at any time. There is no time limit within which you can make a new application, nor is there any maximum limit on the number of applications. Applicants are advised that in making any new application they should bear in mind the reasons why the previous application was deemed ineligible.

International Protection

Questions (202)

Mattie McGrath

Question:

202. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the status of his review into the contract between his Department and a facility (details supplied) for the provision of IPAS accommodation in light of the lack of planning; if he has reviewed that position with regard to insurance to ensure that the property is fully insured for this activity considering it has no planning to provide such activities; when the review of this matter will be concluded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38113/26]

Written answers

Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration

The State has a legal obligation to provide reception conditions – accommodation and other basic supports – to people seeking international protection.

The accommodation centre at Dundrum House, Co Tipperary, has been providing accommodation under contract to the Department since 2022, for people fleeing the war in Ukraine and people applying for international protection.

A new contract commenced in April 2025 at this property to provide accommodation to people in families seeking international protection in Ireland.

All providers of accommodation must complete a proposal template to the Department as part of the appraisal process. The information required includes details of the accommodation and services offered, details of regulatory matters like planning and building regulations, valid fire certification, insurance, and staffing details.

Once all requisite documentation has been received and validated, a contract may be offered and a start date agreed.

Confirmation of the required planning exemption from the local authority was provided to the Department of Justice as part of agreeing this new contract. Valid insurance details were also reviewed as part of this process.

Tipperary County Council acknowledged within court proceedings over recent months that the granting of a planning exemption to the property in January 2025 had an administrative flaw in the process. The exemption was provided to this Department as part of its appraisal for an accommodation contract. On 17 November 2025 the Court made final orders in this matter.

The accommodation provider at Dundrum House has made a new application to the local authority for confirmation of the planning exemption and this is currently with An Coimisiún Pleanála for review.

Once a decision is made by An Coimisiún Pleanála, the department will review matters in the context of the existing contract and the people and families who are accommodated at Dundrum House at this time.

Family Reunification

Questions (203)

Robert Troy

Question:

203. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if he will ensure an application for a long-stay spousal visa is approved without further delay (details supplied). [38126/26]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration

I can advise the Deputy that the Join Family visa application referred to was created on 26 March 2025. Supporting documentation was received in the Dublin Visa Office on 11 April 2025 where it awaits examination and processing.

My Department's business target for join family visa applications is 12 months. It must be made clear that these are business targets for the immigration service and some applications can take longer than others. The business target reflects the detailed and often complex assessment that is required to be carried out in relation to applications for family reunification.

While I acknowledge the personal difficulties an applicant might be experiencing; it is not possible to give a definitive date as to when this application will be finalised. All applications are processed in chronological order, based on date order of receipt.

While every effort is made to process applications as soon as possible, processing times will vary having regard to the volume and complexity of applications, the possible need for the Immigration Service Delivery function of my Department to investigate, inquire into, or seek further information, and the resources available.

The current processing times for Dublin visa decisions is available here: www.irishimmigration.ie/visa-decisions/

The date published on the website is the oldest date of application currently being processed under a given category. However, it should be noted that the Visa team continue to process and make decisions on applications received after the published processing date. If a particular application takes longer to consider this may result in the published processing date remaining unchanged. I can assure you that this does not indicate the processing of these applications has halted overall.

I am acutely aware that join family applications are very important for the people impacted. I understand that people are eager to have their families join them in Ireland, and I am committed to improving the service my Department provides.

The person concerned can now directly check the status of their visa application on the Immigration Service’s Customer Service Portal. They can register for, or log in to their existing account, at: www.portal.irishimmigration.ie/en/

Expediting a visa application is usually confined to time-sensitive instances, such as, if a family member has been hospitalised, in a life-threatening situation, or in the unfortunate event of a bereavement. Requests to expedite an existing visa application or for an emergency visa can be made through the Customer Service Portal. Applicants should also engage with the relevant Embassy of Ireland and provide supporting evidence of the nature of the emergency. Each request is assessed individually, and while every effort is made to process urgent cases quickly, not all requests to expedite an application can be granted.

As an Oireachtas member, you can also request the status of individual immigration cases by e-mail, using the Oireachtas Mail facility at: [e-mail], 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.

Substance Misuse

Questions (204)

Aisling Dempsey

Question:

204. Deputy Aisling Dempsey asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if he will consider the further roll-out of drug courts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38136/26]

Written answers

Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration

The Dublin Drug Treatment Court (Dublin DTC) is a supervised treatment, education, and rehabilitation programme, which provides an alternative to custodial sentences for persons found guilty of certain drug-related offences.

The DTC was established in 2001 on a pilot basis as an alternative to custody for individuals whose offending behaviour is driven by an underlying drug dependency. It operates by way of a multi-disciplinary team made up of staff from the Health Service Executive, An Garda Síochána, the Probation Service, the City of Dublin Educational Training Board along with the Courts Service and the Judiciary.

A key priority under the National Drugs Strategy 2017-2025 is to evaluate the Dublin Drug Treatment Court and to make recommendations on the future direction of Drug Treatment Courts nationwide. This action is being led by my Department in consultation with the Department of Health.

In 2024, the Centre for Justice Innovation were commissioned by the Department of Justice to carry out an evaluation of the DTC. The evaluation builds on the Citizens Assembly on Drug Use recommendation that the State should adopt a comprehensive health-led response to drugs use, by reviewing how effectively the DTC operates as an alternative to custody and to consider the future direction of the court and its role within Ireland’s criminal justice and public health landscape.

The draft final report was received by my Department in Q4 2025 and shared with key stakeholders. The final report, incorporating their feedback, was received in February 2026 and is currently under consideration by my Department. I expect to receive this report in the near future.

The evaluation will provide an evidence base to inform policy development and decisions, including any consideration of the mainstreaming of funding and the wider rollout of drug treatment courts.

Mental Health Services

Questions (205, 206, 207)

Conor Sheehan

Question:

205. Deputy Conor Sheehan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if his Department has received the University of Limerick evaluation of the CAST pilot; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38238/26]

Conor Sheehan

Question:

206. Deputy Conor Sheehan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the total number of callouts the CAST team responded to between January 2025 and May 2026, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38239/26]

Conor Sheehan

Question:

207. Deputy Conor Sheehan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of individuals successfully diverted from custody to acute psychiatric care via the CAST initiative; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38240/26]

Written answers

Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration

I propose to take Questions Nos. 205 to 207, inclusive, together.

A key recommendation of the High Level Task Force on mental health and addiction was the establishment of a Community Access Support Team (CAST) to divert those experiencing situational trauma or a mental health crisis away from the criminal justice system and towards the healthcare system. The CAST project is a partnership pilot between An Garda Síochána, and the Mental Health Services of HSE Mid-West Community Healthcare, which is currently being trialled in the Limerick Garda Division.

CAST enhances diversionary practices for those experiencing crisis and situational trauma leading to mental health difficulties, with the shared goal of providing a compassionate and effective response to people in distress. The pilot became operational in January 2025 and is generally understood to be beneficial for vulnerable people in Limerick.

As part of the original workplan, an evaluation of CAST will be finalised this year by the University of Limerick. The pilot will be evaluated under a number of key pillars, and will provide an evidence base that will help inform next steps, including any potential national rollout of this model of care, as appropriate. The recommendations from the evaluation will be considered by my Department and the Department of Health alongside key stakeholders.

I am advised by the Garda authorities that the total number of recorded incidents associated with the CAST team now stands at 1,266. This covers a wide range of incidents including Mental Health Detentions, Attentions and Complaints (Call-back incidents), Domestic Incidents, Assaults, etc.

It should be noted that the CAST model is specifically designed to divert individuals away from custody settings and Emergency Departments or acute psychiatric admission, wherever it is safe and clinically appropriate to do so. The emphasis is on managing individuals in a community setting in a more therapeutic, person-centred manner, thereby preventing unnecessary escalation to Section 12 detainment or hospital-based interventions.

I am further advised that, from 13 January 2025 to May 2026, the CAST unit in Limerick Division has recorded a total of 181 Diversions from section 12 detainment. These diversions represent instances where individuals in acute distress were safely managed through a health-led, community-based response rather than being brought into custody or conveyed to an Emergency Department.

Question No. 206 answered with Question No. 205.

Question No. 207 answered with Question No. 205.

Naturalisation Applications

Questions (208, 209)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

208. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if garda e-vetting is conducted for all Section 16 Irish association naturalisation applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38257/26]

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

209. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of approved Section 16 Irish association adult applicants that meet the criteria but did not have the standard five years of reckonable residency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38258/26]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration

I propose to take Questions Nos. 208 and 209 together.

All applications for a certificate of naturalisation are assessed individually based on the provisions of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended. Section 15 of the Act sets out the statutory conditions that must be fulfilled for a certificate of naturalisation to be granted.

Section 16 of the Act gives discretion to waive the statutory conditions (including the 5 year residency requirement) in certain circumstances. This includes a direct descendant of someone who is or was an Irish citizen (for example, a grandparent), or a family connection to an Irish citizen (blood relative, adopted, civil partner), or related by affinity, meaning a close relationship through a spouse’s family.

Last year my Department published new guidelines for applications on the basis of Irish Associations under Section 16(1)(a). They set out the factors that may be considered when deciding whether to waive the statutory conditions in certain circumstances, including where the applicant is of Irish descent or Irish associations. Details of the guidelines are available on my Department’s website at the following link: www.irishimmigration.ie/how-to-become-an-irish-citizen-guide/

All applicants are required to satisfy the good character criterion under the 1956 Act. As part of this assessment, An Garda Síochána is requested to make enquiries into the applicant’s background; the detail and extent of which is a matter for An Garda Síochána. eVetting and police clearance certificates form part of this assessment.

I can advise the Deputy that the number of approval decisions issued on Irish Association applications since the introduction of the Guidelines in April 2025 is 138, of which less than 5 cases had less than 5 years reckonable residency.

Question No. 209 answered with Question No. 208.

Gambling Sector

Questions (210)

Ken O'Flynn

Question:

210. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if he is aware of the prevalence of unlicenced gambling in some public houses; the body that is responsible for the enforcement of the law in this case; and if he will discuss the issue with the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland. [38346/26]

Written answers

Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration

Addressing unlicensed gaming activities is currently a matter for An Garda Síochána under the Gaming and Lotteries Act 1956.

The Gambling Regulation Act 2024 (‘2024 Act’) was enacted on 23 October 2024 and established a new, independent statutory body – the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (‘the Authority’). Last year, I signed orders to commence the first provisions of the Act and to establish the Authority from 5 March 2025.

The provisions of the 2024 Act and the powers of the Authority are being rolled out on a phased basis and, in that context, I signed an order on 3 February 2026 to commence those parts of the Act that allow the Authority to begin accepting applications for the issuing of betting licences. As the Authority builds up its resources, commencement of the licensing of the remaining sectors of the gambling industry will take place in due course.

The Act provides the Authority with extensive powers to deal with unlicensed operators, those operating without the correct licence, or those in contravention of the terms of a licence issued by the Authority. The Act provides for an offence of providing a gambling activity without a licence and any person found guilty of such an offence shall be subject to a fine and / or up to 8 years imprisonment.

In addition to this offence, the Act also provides for the ability of the Authority, via court order, to block:

• internet service provision of a prohibited gambling activity or by unlicensed providers (both inside and outside the State);

• advertising of gambling activities by unlicensed providers;

• financial payments to unlicensed providers;

• the disposal of assets (by such an unlicensed provider) or reducing assets below a certain level; and

• to compel the surrender of any gambling products used in the provision of prohibited gambling services.

Work is progressing on commencing the remaining provisions of the Act and in that context, it is my intention to commence the licensing and regulation of gaming activities by the Authority, under the Act, later this year.

Gangland Crime

Questions (211)

Erin McGreehan

Question:

211. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of organised crime groups disrupted, or prosecutions secured as a result of Joint Agency Task Force JATF cooperation since 2020 [38351/26]

Written answers

Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration

The cross border Joint Agency Task Force (JATF), established under the 2015 Fresh Start Agreement, is a cross border partnership that works in a practical way on the ground to tackle organised and cross jurisdictional crime. It promotes real-time collaboration between An Garda Síochána and the PSNI in efforts to frustrate, disrupt and dismantle the activity of organised crime groups. It is led by senior officers from An Garda Síochána, Revenue, the PSNI, and HM Revenue and Customs with the Criminal Assets Bureau and the National Crime Agency involved as needed in operational activity.

Organised crime groups disrupted under the JATF framework were identified across a range of priority crime areas, including rural crime, drug-related criminality, financial crime, excise fraud, organised immigration crime, and human trafficking-related offences.

I am informed by the Garda Authorities that based on a comprehensive review of operational reporting for the period 2020 to 2026 inclusive, it is estimated that activity undertaken within the JATF framework contributed to the disruption of approximately 59 organised crime groups and supported approximately 443 related prosecutions across both jurisdictions.

The approximate prosecution figures referenced relate to the number of individuals prosecuted and do not include the number of individual charges and/or charge sheets associated with those prosecutions.

Garda authorities advise that the disruption of a single organised crime group often involves multiple offenders, extended investigations, and prosecutions arising over a prolonged period. In addition, while many prosecutions relate to organised crime group activity, some arose from opportunistic or associated criminal activity identified through JATF operations, particularly within the rural crime area.

Greyhound Industry

Questions (212)

Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh

Question:

212. Deputy Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide an update on the welfare situation of four racing greyhounds in a location (details supplied), believed to be now under the care of GRI's adoption service following reports of mistreatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38285/26]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Rásaíocht Con Éireann (RCÉ) is a commercial state body established under the Greyhound Industry Act 1958 chiefly to control greyhound racing and to improve and develop the greyhound industry. RCÉ is a body corporate and a separate legal entity to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.

The question raised by the Deputy is an operational matter for RCÉ and, therefore, the question has been referred to that body for direct reply.

Departmental Correspondence

Questions (213)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

213. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 713 of 6 May 2026, if further information will be clarified (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38360/26]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

With regard to the case in question my Department had sought evidence that the applicant had carried out an agricultural activity on commonage lands declared by them.  The applicant had no livestock based on sheep census returns and the department's cattle database.

In the case of commonage lands, the primary method of carrying out an agricultural activity is generally the grazing and management of livestock on the lands concerned.  Works such as topping and hedge cutting may constitute agricultural activity where appropriately evidenced. However, the Department must assess the evidence available at the time of review. A receipt for works carried out, while considered as supporting documentation, may not in itself be sufficient to verify that the required agricultural activity took place on the specific parcel concerned.

My Department assesses all cases individually and the acceptability of an activity depends on the nature, timing and extent of the work carried out.

As previously advised in my response to Parliamentary Question No. 713 of 6 May 2026, on 18 February 2026, my Department issued an Agricultural Activity Check Failure Letter, which informed the applicant of their right to request a review.

Fuel Prices

Questions (214)

Michael Collins

Question:

214. Deputy Michael Collins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the way in which the diesel rebate scheme operates for agricultural contractors and farmers; the current and projected rebate rates per litre; the basis on which the rebate is calculated, including whether it is linked to the price paid per litre by operators; the timeline for submitting and receiving payments; whether further clarity can be provided to fuel users who report difficulty obtaining accurate information from suppliers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38666/26]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The Fuel Income Support Scheme has been introduced as a targeted income support to assist farmers, agricultural and forestry contractors facing unprecedented increases in fuel costs. The payments will cover the months of March up to the end of July 2026, to be paid based on historic usage of MGO in 2025. The scheme will be operated by the Direct Payments Division of my Department.

Farmers and farm/forestry contractors will benefit from the scheme with a target payment rate of approximately 20c/L of MGO used for agricultural purposes based on a reference period in 2025. The exact rate paid to successful applicants will be based on total valid applications, subject to a maximum payment. The maximum payment is not yet determined but will be dependent on overall application levels and cannot exceed state aid limits. A minimum payment of €100 per applicant will apply.  Payment is not linked to the price an applicant paid for MGO.

The scheme is open to all from 6th May 2026 to 27th May 2026, details of how to apply can be found on my Department's website at  Fuel Income Support Scheme agriculturegovie-my.sharepoint.com/personal/oliver_molloy_agriculture_gov_ie/Documents/Fuel%20Income%20Support%20Scheme.  Payments under the scheme are planned to commence in June.

If the applicant is a farmer, they apply for the scheme in one of the following ways –

Applicant has made a 2025 or 2026 BISS application or is registered on MyAgFood.ie system. By using my Department’s MyAgFood system, the applicant, or their FAS approved advisor, can submit the claim and will be required to supply the total MGO usage in litres for agricultural purposes in 2025.

New entrants who may not have a 2025 application can apply once a BISS 2026 application is made and they can demonstrate that they are actively farming.

If the applicant does not submit a BISS application and is not registered on MyAgFood –They can download the Fuel Support Scheme Farmer Application form from my Department's website. The completed application forms can be submitted to [e-mail].

A contractor can apply by downloading the Fuel Support Scheme Contractor Application form from my Departments website. Contactors will be asked to provide the following information:

Contractors business name, address, phone number and email address

2025 MGO usage

Vat number

Tax Clearance Certificate - (electronic Tax Clearance etc.)

 Copy of receipt(s) or Customer Report from MGO supplier(s) for all or 2025

My Department has been assisting farmers and contractors with their queries on the scheme and will continue doing so over the coming weeks. I would urge those who wish to make an application to do so as soon as possible.

Early Childhood Care and Education

Questions (215)

Claire Kerrane

Question:

215. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if her Department has undertaken costings for additional non-contact time for early years settings under core funding; and if so, the details of any costings undertaken by her Department regarding the cost of non-contact (detail supplied) time for early years educators and school age care settings. [37987/26]

Written answers

Minister for Children, Disability and Equality

The role of the early years educator and school-age childcare practitioner are valuable ones, and they play an important part in supporting children's development, learning and care. The Department is fully committed to supporting Continuing Professional Development (CPD) for the Early Learning and Care and School-Age Childcare Sector.

This commitment to incentivise CPD is further outlined in First 5, A Whole of Government Strategy for Babies, Young People and their Families which commits to improving access to high-quality initial training and CPD opportunities to ensure the staff involved in delivering early childhood supports and services are fully prepared for the demands of their professional roles.

Nurturing Skills, the Workforce Plan for Early Learning and Care and School-Age Childcare aims to strengthen the ongoing process of professionalisation for those working in the sector. Pillar 3 of Nurturing Skills centres on the development of a national Continuing Professional Development system for the Early Learning and Care and School-Age Childcare workforce.

Progress to date has focused on strengthening national Continuing Professional Development infrastructure through the work of Better Start and its Learning and Development Unit, the delivery of Continuing Professional Development supports through the National Síolta Aistear Initiative, the Access and Inclusion Model, and the launch of the Nurturing Skills Learning Hub in May 2025.

In support of the development of CPD in the sector, the Core Funding base rate includes contributions towards staff pay and conditions, including non-contact time. Although the overall allocation for Core Funding factors in this and other elements, it is the responsibility of Partner Services to decide how to spend their Core Funding grant in accordance with approved areas of expenditure outlined in the Core Funding Partner Service Funding Agreement and Rules. Costs of staff/owner participation in CPD including cost of cover for absence due to such participation is an approved area of expenditure.

The Department continues to review cost within the sector and, in the case of CPD, this can be a complex calculation because to the wide variation in the working hours of sector staff due to the non-standard operating times unlike the set school operating hours. However, the cost would base on a set rate per hour, relevant to the Employment Regulation Orders in place at the time, including a proportion for employer costs, such as PRSI, Sick, Holiday, Pension costs etc., multiplied by the number of educators and practitioners, multiplied by the number of hours of CPD.

A simplified example would be €18.15 (current Educator ERO rate +21% for Employer costs) * 34,689 Educators and Practitioners * 8 hours of CPD = approximately €5.05m for a programme year

In addition, Shaping the Future: The Early Years Action Plan Phase 1 notes that, as part of developing phase 2, consideration will be given to mechanisms to support greater participation of staff in CPD as part of a wider effort to strengthen non-contact time, for planning, preparation, recording of observations of children’s development, and engagement with parents.

Early Childhood Care and Education

Questions (216)

Claire Kerrane

Question:

216. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the estimated cost of an increase to the Graduate Lead Educator premium rate to €8.88; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37988/26]

Written answers

Minister for Children, Disability and Equality

Core Funding supports the ability of service providers to meet the additional costs resulting from the Employment Regulation Orders for Early Years Services, through ringfenced funding. In addition to the ringfenced funding to support pay costs, Core Funding also supports services to meet operating costs and provides additional funding to support the employment of graduate leaders in Early Years settings.

The calculation of a services Core Funding grant contains multiple elements – the Base Rate, Graduate Premiums, Targeted Measures and the Staff Funding Additional Contribution.

The Graduate Lead Educator Premium supports graduate-led provision in Early Learning and Care sessions. The Graduate Lead Educator Premium allocation for a Partner Service is calculated as the number of weekly session hours, where an eligible ELC session operates with a eligible Graduate Lead Educator in it, multiplied by the room operating weeks per year, based on room offering , multiplied by the Graduate Lead Educator premium rate of €4.44, with the condition of a maximum of one Graduate Lead Educator premium per room at a time.

These allocations are underpinned by the graduate staff in lead educator roles in a given service and are paid directly to the Partner Service as part of their overall Core Funding grant allocation. It is at the discretion of the Partner Service as to how their Core Funding grant is utilised, provided the purpose conforms to the approved areas of expenditure as set out in the Core Funding Partner Service Funding Agreement.

The total estimated cost of the Graduate Lead Educator premium, if the rate was increased from €4.44 to €8.88, is approximately €98.8 million. This is based on an estimation of the cost of the existing level Graduate Lead Educator Premium allocations for Partner Services, plus an estimation of the growth rate in Core Funding for the next programme year.

• Written Answers Nos. 178-197
• Written Answers Nos. 217-236