Thomas Gould
Question:280. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Social Protection the funding provided to MABS in each of the past five years. [54161/26]
View answerDepartmental Data
Questions (280)
Written answers
The Money Advice and Budgeting Service (MABS), funded by the Citizens Information Board (CIB), a statutory body under the aegis of my Department, is the State’s money advice service.
MABS provides free advice and support to people on debt and money management issues, in particular those on low income or dependent on social welfare supports.
MABS also provides support to people in mortgage arrears and is the gateway to Abhaile - the National Mortgage Arrears Resolution Service.
MABS comprises of eight regional companies, MABS Support and National Traveller MABS.
The funding provided by CIB to these ten MABS companies in the period 2021 to 2025 is outlined in the table below.
These figures include annual funding to the eight regional MABS companies in the period 2021 - 2025 for operation of the Dedicated Mortgage Arrears service, as part of the Abhaile service.
|
Year |
Funding Provided by CIB to 10 MABS Companies |
|
2021 |
€16,485,398 |
|
2022 |
€19,980,120 |
|
2023 |
€20,279,515 |
|
2024 |
€20,770,638 |
|
2025 |
€22,598,609 |
Social Welfare Benefits
Questions (281)
Michael Cahill
Question:281. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Social Protection to carry out an urgent review in respect of means in relation to a carer's allowance application (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53751/26]
View answerWritten answers
Carer's allowance is a means-tested social assistance payment made to a person who is habitually resident in the State and who is providing full-time care and attention to a child or adult who, due to the nature of their disability, requires that level of care.
An application for Carer's Allowance was received from the person concerned on 19 February 2026.
As a condition of entitlement to Carer's Allowance, claimants are required to provide such certificates, documents, information and evidence as may be necessary to determine their entitlement. As the person concerned did not provide all of the requested information, it was not possible to establish that they satisfied the qualifying conditions for the scheme.
The person concerned was notified of this decision on 01 May 2026 and was advised of their right to request a review of the decision reviewed, where additional information was available, or to appeal the decision to the Social Welfare Appeals Office.
Following receipt of further information from the person concerned on 14 May 2026, the claim was reviewed. The review concluded that the claim remained disallowed as the means of the person concerned exceeded the statutory means limit for Carer’s Allowance. The person concerned was notified of this decision, together with their review and appeal rights, on 24 June 2026.
A further review was undertaken following receipt of additional correspondence on 30 June 2026. Having considered all of the information available, including the clarification in relation to their property, the Deciding Officer determined that the claim remained disallowed, as the means of the person concerned continued to exceed the statutory means limit.
The person concerned was assessed with weekly means of €288.99 from 2 July 2026, which exceeds the applicable statutory means limit of €275.09.
The person concerned was notified of this decision and of their right to seek a review or lodge an appeal on 10 July 2026.
I trust this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
European Union
Questions (282)
Brendan Smith
Question:282. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection the range of topics covered and the outcome of his discussions in Cork with Members of the European Commission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53920/26]
View answerWritten answers
As part of the programme traditionally associated with the start of a Presidency, the College of Commissioners visited Ireland on 2–3 July 2026. This was the first formal collective engagement between the Irish Government and the European Commission during Ireland’s Presidency and served as an important opportunity to reinforce political cooperation, align on Ireland’s key priorities for the Presidency, and discuss collaborative approaches for advancing shared policy objectives for the benefit of citizens in Ireland and across the European Union.
The visit included a series of structured thematic discussions involving Ministers and Commissioners. These sessions examined issues relating to industrial competitiveness and the Single Market; agriculture, climate action, energy and economic transformation; security, external affairs, defence, preparedness, trade and economic security; and values, skills, social inclusion and housing.
In my capacity as Minister for Social Protection, I co-chaired the session on Values, Skills, Social Cohesion and Housing alongside Commissioner Michael McGrath. The discussion also brought together Ministers and Commissioners with responsibility for the relevant policy areas to exchange views on the key challenges and opportunities within these sectors, with our discussion covering education, health, democracy, housing, enlargement, equality and social Europe.
The programme concluded with a plenary meeting co-chaired by the Taoiseach and the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen. This session provided an opportunity to reflect on the principal themes emerging from the earlier discussions and to share key insights with the wider College of Commissioners and Government representatives. It also enabled Ministers and Commissioners to exchange views on the opportunities and challenges likely to arise during Ireland’s Presidency.
Overall, discussions demonstrated a strong level of agreement between the Government and the European Commission regarding the European Union’s priorities and objectives during Ireland’s Presidency. There was also a shared determination to sustain progress across the EU’s legislative and policy agenda throughout the Presidency term.
Domestic Violence
Questions (283)
Eoin Hayes
Question:283. Deputy Eoin Hayes asked the Minister for Social Protection the supports available through his Department for victims of domestic violence; the number of recipients of these supports in each of the years 2020 to 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53929/26]
View answerWritten answers
Tackling domestic, sexual and gender-based violence is a priority for the Government. Establishing a zero-tolerance approach to domestic, sexual, and gender-based violence is essential for safeguarding individuals and promoting a safer society. The Programme for Government includes a number of commitments in this regard. While many of the Programme for Government commitments fall within the remit of other Departments, this is an issue that requires a whole of Government approach. For that reason, the Programme for Government included a commitment to “examine how the social protection system can better support people fleeing domestic violence.”
My department has provisions in place to support the immediate accommodation needs of persons fleeing domestic violence, through the Rent Supplement Scheme. In such circumstances the Rent Supplement means test does not apply for an initial three-month period. Access to this support is instead via a fast-track approval process to assist with immediate accommodation needs.
Since its introduction in August 2020, 494 customers have availed of support through the Rent Supplement protocol, with the number of claims awarded by year up to the end of June 2026 provided in Table 1 below.
I have also introduced a new Travel Supplement protocol for victims of domestic violence, which came into effect on the 5th of May this year. This protocol ensures that those fleeing domestic violence have the necessary financial support to meet their immediate travel needs.
Mirroring the Rent Supplement scheme approach, the new Travel Supplement is available to those fleeing domestic violence without the need for a means test during the first three months. After the first three months have passed, a person may be provided with a further three-month extension; subject to the usual means assessment. There are 30 claims now in payment under the Travel Supplement protocol.
In addition to the above, under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme, my department may make Additional Needs Payments to help meet essential expenses that a person cannot pay from their weekly income or other personal and household resources. Additional Needs Payments are made through my Department's Community Welfare Service and I would encourage any person who considers that they may have an entitlement to engage with their local Community Welfare Officer.
Officials in my Department are engaging with officials in Cuan and the Department of Justice in the development of the successor Fourth National Strategy on Domestic, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence. This will include a consideration of how our social protection system can further support people fleeing domestic violence, based on further consultation with stakeholders on the challenges faced by victims and a consideration of learnings from other jurisdictions.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Table 1 – Total number of Rent Supplement claims awarded under the Domestic Violence protocol by year, from August 2020 to end of June 2026.
|
Year |
Claims Awarded |
|
2020 |
51 |
|
2021 |
127 |
|
2022 |
93 |
|
2023 |
66 |
|
2024 |
58 |
|
2025 |
61 |
|
2026 (to end June) |
38 |
|
Total |
494 |
Social Welfare Benefits
Questions (284)
Richard Boyd Barrett
Question:284. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated full-year cost of extending eligibility for the fuel allowance to all people with disabilities at the current rate, at an increased rate by €20 per week, and extending the payment period to 52 weeks at the current and increased rate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53971/26]
View answerWritten answers
The Department does not hold data on all people with disabilities. However, if the Deputy is asking about increasing Fuel Allowance to all recipients of disability related qualifying payments for Fuel Allowance such as Disability Allowance, Blind Pension and Invalidity Pension, the details are outlined below.
The cost of expanding Fuel Allowance to all those in receipt of these disability related payments is as follows:
|
Weekly Rate of Fuel Allowance |
Number of Weeks Payable |
Estimated Additional Beneficiaries |
Estimated Additional Yearly Cost |
|
€38 |
52 |
136,000 |
€268.74m |
|
€58 |
52 |
136.000 |
€410.18m |
This costing is based on the number of Disability Allowance, Blind Pension and Invalidity Pension recipients currently not in receipt of Fuel Allowance and is subject to change in light of emerging trends and other eligibility criteria, including household composition.
The provision of any additional supports such as increasing the weekly rate of Fuel Allowance would have cost implications and could only be considered while taking account of the overall budgetary context and the availability of financial resources.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Social Welfare Rates
Questions (285)
Richard Boyd Barrett
Question:285. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Social Protection the additional yearly cost of increasing weekly rates for carer’s allowance for all up to €350 per week per person in care; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53972/26]
View answerWritten answers
The estimated additional yearly cost of increasing the weekly rate of Carer's Allowance to €350 per person in care, for all recipients, is €969.7 million.
This costing is based on recipients as at April 2026 and is subject to change in the context of emerging trends and developments in the number of recipients.
It should also be noted that for costing purposes, this costing is based on the following assumptions:
• All recipients are currently in receipt of their respective maximum personal rate,
• Increasing the weekly rate to €350 per person in care applies to every recipient, including those in receipt of half-rate Carer's Allowance.
Social Welfare Payments
Questions (286)
Niamh Smyth
Question:286. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will review the case of a person (details supplied); if he will provide an update on the working family payment application in question; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53974/26]
View answerWritten answers
Working Family Payment (WFP) is a weekly in-work support which provides an income top-up for employees on low earnings with children. To qualify for Working Family Payment, the customer must have at least one qualified child who normally resides with them and be working a minimum of 38 hours per fortnight in ongoing insurable employment.
An application for WFP was received from the person concerned on 29 June 2026.
The Deciding Officer has requested additional information from the person concerned. The WFP claim will be processed when all required information is received.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Social Welfare Payments
Questions (287)
Niamh Smyth
Question:287. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will review the case of a person (details supplied); if the person concerned meets the PRSI contribution requirements to qualify for the State pension (contributory); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53984/26]
View answerWritten answers
The person concerned reached pension age on 16 November 2020. Entitlement to State pension can only be confirmed on receipt of a completed application which will allow for the contribution records of my Department to be assessed and verified. To date, there is no record of an application for State pension.
Under current eligibility conditions, an individual must have 520 full-rate paid contributions to qualify for standard State pension (contributory). 520 full-rate contributions equates to 10 years of full-rate insurable employment. According to the current records of my Department, the person concerned has a total of 182 full-rate paid contributions which falls short of the requisite 520 full-rate contributions for the standard State pension (contributory).
To qualify for a mixed insurance pension based on their full-rate and modified-rate contributions, 520 paid contributions are required, of which at least 260 must be full-rate paid contributions with the remainder made up of modified-rate paid contributions. As the person concerned has 182 full-rate paid contributions, this falls short of the requisite 260 full-rate paid contributions needed for the mixed insurance pension.
Where a person aged 66 or over does not satisfy the conditions to qualify for State pension (contributory) or qualifies for less than the maximum rate, they may instead qualify for the State pension (non-contributory) which is a means-tested payment (based on their share of household means) with a maximum payment of 96% of the State pension (contributory).
The quickest way to apply for State pension is online through MyWelfare. I have, however, arranged for paper application forms to be posted to the person concerned at their home address, should they require them. It is also open to any person aged over 66 to apply for the Fuel Allowance or Household Benefits Package regardless of any entitlement to a State pension.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
State Pensions
Questions (288)
Louise O'Reilly
Question:288. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated first year and full year cost of lowering the retirement age to 65. [54017/26]
View answerWritten answers
There is no set retirement age in Ireland, which varies depending on an individual's employment contract. Matters relating to employment contracts fall within the remit of the Minister of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment. Following a Government decision in response to the Commission on Pension’s report, the Employment (Contractual Retirement Ages) Act 2025 recently came into force on 29 June 2026.
It is not possible for my Department to provide costings in relation to a right to retire at the age of 65. However, I have provided the estimated cost of reducing the State Pension age from 66 to 65. The Deputy may wish to note that there is no requirement for a person to be retired to receive the State Pension.
Actuarial analysis by officials in my Department indicates that, based on the rates of payment in 2026, the full year cost of reducing the State Pension age to 65 would be an estimated extra €550 million for one year. Demographic pressures will increase this additional cost considerably in subsequent years.
This estimate takes account of decreased expenditure arising from the non-payment of working age social insurance payments that would no longer be payable at age 65, including Jobseeker's Benefit, Benefit Payment for 65 year olds, Illness Benefit, and Invalidity Pension.
The Deputy may wish to note that the estimate of €550 million relates to social insurance payments only. High-level estimates indicate social assistance expenditure changes would not markedly alter the estimate of €550 million.
The estimate takes no account of any additional costs to public sector pensions, or potential knock on effects for other Government departments. Matters relating to public service pensions fall within the remit of the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation.
The "Benefit Payment for 65 year olds" was introduced to provide a benefit payment for people who are aged 65 and who are required to retire, or who chose to retire, without a requirement to sign on, engage in activation measures or be available for, and genuinely seeking work. This payment was designed specifically to bridge the gap for people who retire from employment or self-employment at 65 years of age but who do not qualify for the State Pension until age 66.
Demographic projections indicate significant increases in the number of future State Pension recipients which will impact on State Pension related expenditure. Clearly, reducing the State Pension age to 65 years of age would be very expensive and would require either considerable additional revenues, or, if introduced on a cost-neutral basis, very significant diversion of funds from elsewhere.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Disability Issues
Questions (289)
Louise O'Reilly
Question:289. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of self-employed people who have a disability; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54018/26]
View answerWritten answers
The Central Statistics Office (CSO) is responsible for the measurement of employment and unemployment in the State. The Labour Force Survey is the official source of labour market estimates for the State and is published by the CSO on a quarterly basis.
A question on disability status (whether a person has a long-lasting conditions or difficulties) is currently asked of Labour Force Survey respondents every two years and is based on questions asked in the Census. The CSO has advised that the most recent figures available for persons with a disability in the labour force are for Q2 2025. The Labour Force Survey estimate for the total number of persons with a disability in self-employment for Q2 2025 is 50,900 people.
Social Welfare Schemes
Questions (290, 291)
Thomas Gould
Question:290. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Social Protection the average wait time for an urgent needs payment in Cork. [54169/26]
View answerThomas Gould
Question:291. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Social Protection the average wait time for a supplementary welfare allowance in Cork. [54170/26]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 290 and 291 together.
Under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance (SWA) scheme, my department may make an Additional Needs Payment (ANP) to help meet expenses that an eligible person cannot pay from their weekly income and personal and/or household resources. An ANP is an overarching term used to refer to Exceptional and Urgent Needs Payments. The ANP scheme is demand led and administered by Community Welfare Officers (CWOs) in the Community Welfare Service (CWS), taking into account the requirements of the legislation and all the relevant circumstances of the case in order to ensure that the payments target those most in need of assistance.
It is important to note that, where my officials are aware that a client has an urgent or immediate need, every effort is made to ensure that the person in question receives a prompt service, usually on the same day.
Basic Supplementary Welfare Allowance (SWA) provides immediate assistance for those in need who are awaiting the outcome of a claim or an appeal for a primary social welfare payment or for those who do not qualify for a payment under other State schemes. Basic SWA payments are means tested and are administered by CWOs in the CWS, who consider the requirements of the legislation and all relevant circumstances of the case. As part of the application process, a person is asked to provide personal, financial, household, and other information in support of their claim to determine eligibility and to establish a need as considered necessary.
Details of processing times for Supplementary Welfare Allowance, including ANPs and basic SWA, are not available by County as information is recorded based on national processing times only. Therefore, this information is not available for the Deputy.
Claim processing times for all SWA claims, including ANPs and basic SWA, are monitored at both a national and local level in the CWS, with targeted interventions available to support and mitigate delays in any area across the Country, where fluctuations in claim loads are observed. Work on hand nationally for ANPs and basic SWA is within the scheme's normal processing levels. Where processing times are greater than ten working days, it is generally due to additional information or documentation being requested from the person to support their claim. Customers in this position are given 7-14 days to respond to requests for information and when the person responds with the required information and documents, their application is finalised as promptly as possible.
The CWS is committed to providing a quality service to all citizens, ensuring that applications are processed and that decisions on entitlement are made as quickly as possible.
My department publishes additional statistics on ANPs in the Quarterly Statistics report which is available at [g]ov.ie. Historic information on basic SWA processing times is also publicly available on gov.ie.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
Question No. 291 answered with Question No. 290.
Social Welfare Schemes
Questions (292)
Thomas Gould
Question:292. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of applications for an additional needs payment in Cork, by reason, in 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024 and to date in 2026, in tabular form. [54171/26]
View answerWritten answers
Under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme, my department may make Additional Needs Payments to help meet essential expenses that a person cannot pay from their weekly income or other personal and household resources. This also includes supplements to assist with ongoing or recurring costs that cannot be met from the customer’s own resources, and which are deemed to be necessary.
The main items eligible for assistance under the scheme include help with utility bills, repairs to or replacement of household appliances, clothing, child related items such as cots and prams, assistance with funerals or burial costs, and travel costs.
The reporting of the scheme was revised in 2022 to extract more complete information. Statistics on the number of Additional Needs Payments registered are not available for 2021.
Table 1 in the tabular statement below shows the number of Additional Needs Payments registered from 2022 to 2024 inclusive, and to end of June 2026 in County Cork.
My Department also publishes statistics on Additional Needs Payments in the Quarterly Statistics report, which is available on gov.ie.
Any person who considers that they may have an entitlement to an Additional Needs Payment is encouraged to contact their local community welfare service. There is a National Community Welfare Contact Centre in place - 0818-607080 - which will direct callers to the appropriate office. In addition, applications can be made online via www.mywelfare.ie.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Tabular Statement
Table 1 - Additional Needs Payments registered for 2022-2024, and to end of June 2026 in County Cork
|
Category |
2022 registered |
2023 registered |
2024 registered |
2026 registered |
|
Bills |
461 |
786 |
608 |
546 |
|
Child Related |
170 |
249 |
300 |
121 |
|
Clothing |
4,696 |
3,522 |
2,203 |
834 |
|
Funeral |
387 |
478 |
469 |
290 |
|
General |
3,191 |
3,720 |
3,821 |
1,505 |
|
Housing |
2,659 |
2,989 |
3,205 |
1,193 |
|
Illness |
32 |
40 |
42 |
16 |
|
Other Supplements |
102 |
145 |
101 |
47 |
|
Urgent Needs Payment |
35 |
20 |
93 |
76 |
|
Total |
11,733 |
11,949 |
10,842 |
4,628 |
Community Employment Schemes
Questions (293)
Thomas Gould
Question:293. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of people employed under a CE scheme in Cork currently and in each of the past five years, in tabular form. [54172/26]
View answerWritten answers
The number of people employed under a Community Employment scheme in County cork are provided in the table below. The figures for 2026 refer to the end of June 2026 and the figures for 2021 to 2025 refer to the 31st December in each year.
|
Year |
2026 (June) |
2025 |
2024 |
2023 |
2022 |
2021 |
|
Co. Cork |
1,822 |
1,805 |
1,772 |
1,691 |
1,656 |
1,657 |
Departmental Correspondence
Questions (294)
Niamh Smyth
Question:294. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Social Protection to review correspondence from a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54219/26]
View answerWritten answers
The Back-to-School Clothing and Footwear Allowance is a non-statutory scheme which provides a once-off payment to eligible families to assist with the costs of clothing and footwear when children start or return to school each autumn. The scheme operates from June to September each year. In Budget 2026, I was pleased to secure funding for 2026 to extend the Back-to-School Clothing and Footwear Allowance to include children aged 2 and 3, for the first time.
Working Family Payment is a statutory scheme which provides weekly in-work income support for employees on low earnings with children. To qualify for Working Family Payment, the customer must be working a minimum of 38 hours per fortnight in ongoing insurable employment and have at least one qualified child who normally resides with them.
Back-to-School Clothing and Footwear Allowance and Working Family Payment are separate schemes with their own qualifying criteria. Any income from Working Family Payment is disregarded in the Back-to-School Clothing and Footwear Allowance income assessment.
In order to qualify for Back-to-School Clothing and Footwear Allowance, an applicant must satisfy a number of qualifying conditions, one of which requires the applicant’s household income to be within the relevant income limits. The income limits for the scheme are reviewed annually as part of the budget process and, where appropriate, they are increased in line with increases in primary social welfare rates.
The Weekly Household Income Limits for 2026 are:
|
No. of Children |
Income Limit |
|
1 child |
€726.70 |
|
2 children |
€804.70 |
|
3 children |
€882.70 |
|
4 children* |
€960.70 |
* Limit is increased by €78.00 for each additional child.
The household income includes weekly social protection payments, gross income from employment, minus employee PRSI and a €20 travel allowance and any other income the household may have.
In addition to income from Working Family Payment, other income which is also disregarded in the Back-to-School Clothing and Footwear income assessment includes Child Benefit, Rent Supplement, Back to Work Family Dividend, Guardian’s Payments, Domiciliary Care Allowance, Blind Welfare Allowance, Foster Care Allowance, Higher Level Education grants is not assessable. Rehabilitative employment (up to €165 per week) is also not assessable.
In the case of the person concerned, an application for Back-to-School Clothing and Footwear Allowance was received from her spouse. The weekly means of the household were assessed as €1,213.13, which included a deduction of employee PRSI of €54.06 per week and a travel allowance of €20.00 per week. This is over the appropriate weekly means limit for a family with 4 eligible children of €960.70. As a result, the application was disallowed.
Applications which fall outside the normal rules of the scheme may be considered for an Additional Needs Payment under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme by the Community Welfare Service, where any exceptional expenditure or outgoings will be taken into consideration.
Any person who considers they may have an entitlement to an Additional Needs Payment is encouraged to contact their local Community Welfare Service. There is a National Community Welfare Service Contact Centre in place – 0818-607080 – which will direct callers to the appropriate office.
Any proposed changes to the Back-to-School Clothing and Footwear Allowance scheme would have to be considered in a wider budgetary context and within the scope of the overall resources available for welfare improvements.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Immigration Support Services
Questions (295, 305)
Matt Carthy
Question:295. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the average processing time for IRP renewals, by quarter, in each of the past three years and in 2026 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54649/26]
View answer
Mairéad Farrell
Question:305. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if his attention has been drawn to instances where first time buyers are prevented from drawing down on their mortgage due to IRP renewal delays; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53882/26]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 295 and 305 together.
The Registration Office of my Department continues to experience an exceptionally high demand for first time registration appointments and immigration permission renewal applications.
I understand that the extended wait times can be frustrating for applicants, and I can assure the Deputy that my Department is utilising every avenue available to facilitate as many applicants as quickly as possible and to increase processing capacity.
The Registration Office is open seven days a week to facilitate customers to process both first time registration appointments and online renewals, with significant additional staff assigned to this work. This is having an impact and wait times are reducing, and I expect times to reduce further over the summer months.
In the meantime, I can advise the Deputy that earlier this week I published an updated interim employer notice and a notice to facilitate customers travelling during the summer months to alleviate pressure on applicants while the Department continues to reduce the wait times.
Where an employee’s Irish Residence Permit (IRP) card has expired and they are unable to obtain a new one by the expiry date of their current IRP card, they are still permitted to work and to remain in the State until 31 August 2026. This applies to all expired IRP cards regardless of the number of weeks elapsed, but is subject to the applicant submitting their renewal application prior to their current IRP card expiring. Further information on this notice can be found at the following link: www.irishimmigration.ie/minster-announces-interim-notice-to-employers-regarding-renewal-of-registration/
It is important to note that the existing Notice to Employers - www.irishimmigration.ie/registering-your-immigration-permission/how-to-renew-your-current-permission/notice-to-employers/ - will continue to apply after 31 August 2026.
Furthermore, the previous travel arrangements made for people awaiting a renewal of their IRP card who intend to travel has been reinstated until 31 August 2026. People may use their recently expired IRP card to travel until the end of August 2026, provided an application to renew their registration permission was submitted in advance of the expiry date of their IRP Card. Further information can be found on the ISD website at the following link: www.irishimmigration.ie/isd-announces-initiative-to-facilitate-customers-travelling-during-the-summer-months/
While the Registration Office endeavours to process applications as quickly as possible, processing times for each stamp category may vary due to a number of factors, such as the number of applications on hand, individual circumstances, the complexity of applications, whether further information is required, and peak application periods. The objective is to reducing the timelines across all categories to more sustainable levels.
Information regarding average waiting times in previous years is not available, however the Registration Office provide a live application processing date broken down by stamp category, which is updated every Monday, and is available at the following link: www.irishimmigration.ie/registering-your-immigration-permission/how-to-renew-your-current-permission/renewing-your-registration-permission-if-you-live-in-the-republic-of-ireland/
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/
Since 13 January 2025, all nationwide first-time registrations of Irish immigration residence permissions are the responsibility of the Registration Office of Immigration Service Delivery (ISD) of my Department. Furthermore, since November 2024, all renewals of immigration permissions transferred to ISD and are done using my Department’s online platform, meaning that applicants from across the country no longer have to attend in person at their local Garda Station.
Gambling Sector
Questions (296)
Emer Currie
Question:296. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the consumer-protection measures that will apply where Irish consumers use unlicensed online gambling platforms that do not contribute to the Social Impact Fund, and may not comply with Irish rules on advertising, inducements, age verification or safer gambling. [53790/26]
View answerWritten answers
The Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI) is an independent regulator. As of 1 July 2026, it is illegal for remote betting or remote betting intermediaries to operate within Ireland without a GRAI licence. Other licence types like gaming, lottery, B2B, charitable and philanthropic will follow in due course.
The Gambling Regulation Act 2024 provides the GRAI 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.
I am advised that the Authority has a dedicated email address for the provision of information to members of the Houses of the Oireachtas: oireachtas@grai.ie
Gambling Sector
Questions (297)
Emer Currie
Question:297. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the statutory powers and inter-agency cooperation arrangements that are available under Irish law to support the identification and enforcement of offences relating to illegal online gambling platforms, including cooperation with international regulatory authorities. [53791/26]
View answerWritten answers
The Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI) is an independent regulator. As of 1 July 2026, it is illegal for remote betting or remote betting intermediaries to operate within Ireland without a GRAI licence. Other licence types like gaming, lottery, B2B, charitable and philanthropic will follow in due course.
The Gambling Regulation Act 2024 provides the GRAI 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.
In relation to inter agency cooperation, I am advised that the GRAI has signed Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) with several international regulators, the purpose of which are to support more effective information sharing and coordination between jurisdictions that oversee many of the same operators and market challenges.
The GRAI is a member of the Gambling Regulators European Forum and also of the International Association of Gaming Regulators. Participation in networks of international regulators facilitates the sharing of information on developments in the global gambling industry and co-operation at a regulatory level across international jurisdictions.
The Authority has a dedicated email address for the provision of information to members of the Houses of the Oireachtas: oireachtas@grai.ie
Prison Service
Questions (298)
Jennifer Whitmore
Question:298. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of prisoners under 21 years-of-age; the number in each institution; the number of such prisoners who are on restricted regimes; the number of hours, each day, such prisoners are confined to their cells; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53826/26]
View answerWritten answers
As regards the total number of individuals in custody on 14 April 2026 (the most recent date on which the information is available in this form), who were over the age of 18 and under the age of 21, this information is provided in Table 1 below:
|
Establishment |
18 years old |
19 years old |
20 years old |
Total |
|
Castlerea Prison |
0 |
4 |
4 |
8 |
|
Cloverhill Remand Prison |
6 |
7 |
4 |
17 |
|
Cork Prison |
2 |
5 |
10 |
17 |
|
Limerick Female Prison |
0 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
|
Limerick Male Prison |
3 |
7 |
4 |
14 |
|
Loughan House |
0 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
|
Midlands Prison |
2 |
7 |
8 |
17 |
|
Mountjoy Female Prison |
0 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
|
Mountjoy Male Prison |
2 |
2 |
13 |
17 |
|
Portlaoise Prison |
0 |
3 |
5 |
8 |
|
Shelton Abbey |
0 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
|
Wheatfield Prison |
6 |
10 |
7 |
23 |
|
Grand Total |
21 |
46 |
58 |
125 |
My Department has taken steps to bring the Irish prison system into line with the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners (known as ‘Mandela Rules’) in respect of the issue of solitary confinement. This has included the introduction of Statutory Instrument (SI) 276 of 2017 which amended Rule 27 of the Prison Rules 2007 and which provides a statutory entitlement to people in custody of a minimum of two hours out-of-cell time daily.
As such, all people in custody have a right to a minimum of 2 hours out of their cell with an opportunity for meaningful human contact. The Irish Prison Service Policy on the Elimination of Solitary Confinement, which is publicly available on their website, implements the requirements of this Statutory Instrument. The Prison Rules, 2007, as amended also provide that the imposition of a restricted regime shall be closely monitored by the Irish Prison Service and the status of each prisoner on restricted regime within the prison system is regularly reviewed.
Table 2 provided below outlines the total number of individuals who were over 18 years of age and under 21 years of age in prison custody who were on a controlled regime on 14 April 2026 and the number of hours recorded in-cell on that date.
|
- |
19 hrs |
20 hrs |
21 hrs |
22 hrs |
23 hrs |
24 hrs |
Total |
|
Castlerea Prison |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
|
Cloverhill Remand Prison |
0 |
0 |
0 |
12 |
0 |
0 |
12 |
|
Cork Prison |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
2 |
|
Mountjoy Male Prison |
0 |
2 |
5 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
8 |
|
Wheatfield Prison |
0 |
0 |
0 |
4 |
0 |
0 |
4 |
|
Grand Total |
0 |
2 |
5 |
18 |
2 |
0 |
27 |
Probate Applications
Questions (299, 300, 301)
Paul Lawless
Question:299. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the average length of time taken, from application to the issuing of a grant, for grants of probate and grants of administration in the Probate Office and District Probate Registries in each of the past five years, in tabular form; if this average processing time has increased or decreased over that period; the reasons for any such change; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53830/26]
View answerPaul Lawless
Question:300. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the average processing time, broken down by year for each of the past five years, for citation applications to the Probate Office and for applications to the High Court under section 27 of the Succession Act 1965 to appoint or replace an executor or administrator, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53831/26]
View answerPaul Lawless
Question:301. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if he is considering reforms to streamline the process by which beneficiaries can seek the removal or replacement of an unresponsive or non-cooperative executor, with a view to reducing delays for families awaiting the administration of an estate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53832/26]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 299 to 301, inclusive, together.
Unfortunately, it has not been possible in the time available to obtain the information requested by the Deputy. I will write to the Deputy directly when the information is received from the relevant agency.