Wednesday, 23 Sep 2026

School Meals Programme

Questions (84)

Emer Currie

Question:

84. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Social Protection if his Department will engage with a school (details supplied) to roll out the School Meals Programme. [67300/26]

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Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

Since September 2025 all 3,200 primary schools and 550,000 children are eligible for hot school meals. Across all meal types there are some 3,700 schools and 682,000 children are eligible for support. This equates to the distribution of up to 3.4 million school meals per week.

Officials from my Department have contacted the school who have advised that they are currently awaiting a building project to commence in the school to expand on site facilities which will include a kitchen. Once the building works are complete, the school plan to implement the School Meals Programme.

I trust this clarifies the matter.

Social Insurance

Questions (85)

Eoin Hayes

Question:

85. Deputy Eoin Hayes asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated cost of increasing the income disregards by €1 in each of the social insurance schemes where income disregards are applicable as part of the means testing process, in tabular form. [67367/26]

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Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

Entitlement to social insurance payments is based on a person's social insurance record, the personal rate of payment is not subject to a means test. A means test is only applied if a claim includes an increase for a qualified dependant. Only the spouse or partner of the claimant is means tested.

Statutory Instrument 142 of 2007, the Social Welfare (Consolidated Claims, Payments and Control) Regulations, as amended, sets out the income limit for the payment of social assistance schemes.

For social assistance schemes, all income and capital (such as savings, investments, and property other than the family home) belonging to the claimant and his or her spouse/partner, where applicable, are assessable for means assessment purposes.

A certain amount of income and capital may be excluded in the means assessment. For example schemes may have an earnings disregard. The level of income disregarded, and method of calculating weekly means, depends on the nature and policy objectives of a particular scheme.

With over 140 schemes and services, many of which are means-tested, estimating the cost of increasing income disregards by €1 is a complex and detailed task - that analysis is not currently available to my department, as such changes are considered on a scheme-by-scheme basis taking account of the wider policy and budgetary context.

Social Welfare Schemes

Questions (86)

Niamh Smyth

Question:

86. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Social Protection If he will review the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will provide an update on the application. [67401/26]

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Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

The Carer’s Support Grant (CSG) is an annual payment made to full-time carers who satisfy certain conditions.

I can confirm that my Department received an application for CSG from the person concerned on 16 September 2026.

The application is currently being processed, and the customer has been contacted to request relevant information required to progress the application. Once processing is complete, the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.

I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.

Pension Provisions

Questions (87)

John McGuinness

Question:

87. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection the final number of participants in MyFutureFund eligible to opt out during the first opt-out window ending on 31 August 2026; the number and percentage who opted out; the number who subsequently cancelled an opt-out request during the cooling-off period; the total value of employee contributions refunded; the corresponding value of employer and State contributions retained in participants’ funds; a breakdown of those eligible (details supplied); the reasons recorded for opting out and the implications of the results for the operation of the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter [67511/26]

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Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

The Programme for Government contained a commitment to introduce the Automatic Enrolment Retirement Savings System (AE). The aim of introducing AE was to address the pension coverage gap that exists in Ireland and to provide workers with greater comfort and security regarding their retirement income.

The new system - known as MyFutureFund - commenced on the 1 January 2026 and it is overseen by the National Automatic Enrolment Retirement Savings Authority (NAERSA), which is a separate statutory body, independent of my Department and directly responsible for all operational elements of MyFutureFund. There are currently over 835,000 participants in MyFutureFund.

I have been advised by NAERSA that during the month of August, there were 847,743 participants in MyFutureFund. By the end of August, 29,352 participants had opted out. As the Deputy will be aware, opt outs were facilitated in July as well and so not all of those participants opted out during August. The opt out rate as a percentage of the number of eligible participants is less than 4 percent which it should be noted is substantially below international comparators such as the UK where the opt rate was approximately 10 percent and New Zealand where it was approximately 12 percent.

On the basis of refunds that have been fully processed, the average refund to employees who opted out was €331 while the average left in their fund was €440.

In relation to your request for a figure for those who subsequently cancelled their request, NAERSA has advised me that it is not possible to give a figure for this but they understand that those who made opt out requests generally did not cancel them.

The other data you have requested is outlined in tabular below with the exception of annual earnings band which it has not been possible to give to you.

Fund

NAERSA advises me that the difference in the count by NACE vs total participant opted out is due to multiple employments.

Also the high numbers of participants and low opt out rate demonstrates the great level of success that MyFutureFund has achieved since its commencement, and I am extremely proud as Minister to have led on the transformational reform that is MyFutureFund as I believe it will have a positive and lasting impact on peoples’ lives in Ireland for generations to come.

I hope this clarifies matters for the Deputy.

Social Welfare Schemes

Questions (88)

Claire Kerrane

Question:

88. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason working family payment recipients cannot access the fuel allowance in two lump sums; and if he will consider this option (details supplied). [67476/26]

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Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

Fuel Allowance eligibility encompasses 22 qualifying schemes, demonstrating the comprehensive nature of the support available to eligible households. In addition to these qualifying schemes, people over 66 do not need to be in receipt of a payment from this Department to qualify for Fuel Allowance, subject to satisfying a means test. According to the latest CSO data, there are just over 1.8 million households in Ireland. Of these, 463,910 households are eligible for the Fuel Allowance scheme, representing approximately 26% of all households nationwide.

The Programme for Government has committed to protect core welfare rates while ensuring that available resources are targeted at vulnerable groups.

As part of Budget 2026, I increased the weekly rate of Fuel Allowance by €5. This increased the weekly rate payable by 15%, from €33 to €38 a week or to €1,064 per fuel season. In addition, in March this year, I extended the 2026/2027 Fuel Allowance season, by four weeks. This added an additional €152 to households in most need of support and increased the fuel season amount to €1,216 in 2026. The estimated expenditure on the scheme in 2026 is of €557.4 million.

Fuel Allowance was extended to Working Family Payment recipients in January 2026. Almost 50,000 additional households have qualified for Fuel Allowance due to this measure. As the Working Family Payment is a 52-week payment the decision was made that Fuel Allowance would be paid weekly rather than as a lump sum as eligibility to the Working Family Payment can change during the fuel season.

I am conscious of the pressures that many working families are facing, and I have asked my officials to give consideration to the matters raised by the Deputy.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Social Welfare Schemes

Questions (89, 90, 91, 92)

William Aird

Question:

89. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated cost of increasing the disability allowance income disregard to €1,000 per week. [67460/26]

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William Aird

Question:

90. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will consider reforming the disability allowance means test to assess a disabled person’s own income rather than that of their partner or other family members, in order to improve financial independence and reduce poverty among disabled people. [67459/26]

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William Aird

Question:

91. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will examine the impact of the current disability allowance means test on recipients who live with a working partner who also receives carer’s allowance, particularly where the partner’s earnings reduce the disabled person’s payment. [67458/26]

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William Aird

Question:

92. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will consider increasing the weekly income disregard for Disability Allowance to €1,000 as part of Budget 2027, in line with a pre-Budget submission (details supplied). [67457/26]

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Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

I propose to take Questions Nos. 89, 90, 91 and 92 together.

Disability Allowance is my Department's primary disability related scheme. It is a means-tested payment for people with a disability who are aged between 16 and 66. In order to be eligible, the disability must have continued or be expected to continue for at least one year. In addition, the person must be substantially restricted from doing work that would otherwise be suitable for a person of their age, experience, and qualifications. Eligibility for the payment is also subject to a habitual residency requirement.

Social welfare legislation provides that, for means-tested social assistance schemes, all income and assets belonging to the claimant, and their spouse or partner, where applicable, is assessable. This recognises the fact that couples operate as a single household and can share living expenses in a manner not available to a single person. The purpose of a means test is to ensure that scarce resources are directed to those with the greatest need. The application of a household means test directs income supports to households with fewer resources and supports an economically sustainable and socially equitable allocation of scarce resources. Where a person's spouse or partner is in receipt of Carer's Allowance, that payment is not assessed in the Disability Allowance means test and so it has now impact on the level of their Disability Allowance payment.

Disability Allowance has one of the highest capital disregards operated by my Department. A recipient can have up to €50,000 in savings and still receive the full rate of payment. This is compared to €20,000 for most social welfare payments. A person’s family home is not assessed as means.

The earnings disregard for Disability Allowance has increased by almost 38% since Budget 2021 from €120 to €165 currently. People on Disability Allowance can take up employment or self-employment and continue to receive all or part of their social welfare payment, depending on their income.

A person can earn up to €165 a week and keep their full rate of Disability Allowance. Earnings between €165 and €375 from employment are assessed at 50%, and any earnings over €375 are fully assessed as means. This means that a person can earn up to €527.60 a week and still keep their entitlement to the minimum rate of Disability Allowance and their secondary benefits.

Calculating the cost of possible changes to the means test, such as increasing the earnings disregard, requires complex analysis. Consequently, it is not possible to provide the costing requested by the Deputy at this time.

The Programme for Government and the National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People 2025 - 2030 both contain a commitment to reform the Disability Allowance Payment and remove anomalies in the current means test for the payment. My Department is currently reviewing means testing across all its social assistance schemes. The outcome of this review will be used to inform decisions regarding any further changes to means testing.

Any changes to Disability Allowance means tests can only be considered in a budgetary context, within the scope of the overall resources available for welfare improvements and in conjunction with other social welfare schemes.

I trust this clarifies the issue for the Deputy.

Question No. 90 answered with Question No. 89.

Question No. 91 answered with Question No. 89.

Question No. 92 answered with Question No. 89.

Social Welfare Payments

Questions (93)

Catherine Callaghan

Question:

93. Deputy Catherine Callaghan asked the Minister for Social Protection the time limits for backdating all social welfare payments under the remit of his Department, in tabular form. [67438/26]

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Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

The primary legislation governing claims and late claims is set out in Section 241 of the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005, as amended. The legislation requires that persons must claim their entitlements within a specific period from the date their entitlement arises - this is referred to as the 'prescribed time'. The prescribed times for each payment are set out in the attached table. Once a claim is made within the prescribed time for that particular payment, it is automatically backdated to the date of entitlement.

Where a claim is made after the prescribed time, a statutory disqualification may arise. However, the legislation provides a degree of discretion to allow payment to be backdated in certain circumstances. These provisions may apply where the claimant can demonstrate that there was ‘good cause’ for the delay in claiming, that they were inadvertently misinformed by an officer of the Department, or that they were incapacitated and therefore unable to make the claim within the prescribed time.

The attached table sets out the prescribed times for making a claim for each scheme and the provisions to backdate payments where appropriate.

Each late claim is assessed by Deciding Officers and is based on the contentions put forward by the applicant and evaluating the available evidence. The deciding officer may decide to backdate the payment, within the limits set out in the attached table, depending on the circumstances and according to legislative provisions pertaining to each scheme.

The legislation allows a Deciding Officer the discretion to backdate the payment for up to 6 months where he/she is satisfied that the claimant had ‘good cause’ for failing to apply within the prescribed time, provided of course that the claimant was eligible during the 6 months. This limitation does not apply in the case of Child Benefit.

Backdating of a late claim beyond 6 months can be considered only in specific circumstances whereby the failure to claim arose as a result of either incorrect information being provided by an officer of the Department or the claimant’s incapacity due to illness or infirmity. In these circumstances, legislation provides for an extended period of backdating, subject to the conditions and limits set out in Regulations.

All decisions with regard to entitlement under these provisions are made by deciding officers and can therefore be appealed to the Social Welfare Appeals Office.

The Department has published information on Claims and Late Claims on Gov.ie.

Prescribed time for making a claim and possible period(s) for backdating payments in specified conditions, for each scheme

Scheme Name	Prescribed time for making claim	Backdating Limit
Adoptive Benefit	First date of entitlement	6 Months (Good Cause)
Back to Work Family Dividend	Within 3 months of first date of entitlement	6 Months (Good Cause)
Bereavement Grant	Within 3 months of death of deceased	6 Months (Good Cause)
Bereaved Partner’s (Contributory) Pension	See Note Below	6 Months
Bereaved Partner’s (non-contributory) Pension	Within 3 months of first date of entitlement	6 Months (Good Cause)
Blind Pension	First date of entitlement	6 Months (Good Cause)
Carer’s Allowance	First date of entitlement	6 Months (Good Cause)
Carer’s Benefit	8 weeks before and 8 weeks after the first date of entitlement	6 Months (Good Cause)
Carer’s Support Grant	8 weeks before the date payable and ending 31st of December of the year immediately following the year in which the grant is payable	No statutory backdating limit. Claim must be made within the prescribed time
Child Benefit	Within 12 months of the customer becoming a qualified person under Section 220	From the first day of the month following that in which the claimant became a qualified person (Good Cause)
Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment	First date of entitlement	6 Months (Good Cause)
Disability Allowance	Within 7 days of first date of entitlement	6 Months (Good Cause)
Domiciliary Care Allowance	First date of entitlement after becoming a qualified person within the meaning of Section 186D	6 Months (Good Cause)
Farm Assist	First date of entitlement	6 Months (Good Cause)
Guardian’s Payment (Contributory)	Within 3 months of first date of entitlement	6 Months
Guardian’s Payment (Non-Contributory)	Within 3 months of first date of entitlement	6 Months (Good Cause)
Health and Safety Benefit	First date of entitlement	6 Months (Good Cause)
Illness Benefit	Within 6 weeks of becoming incapable of work	6 Months (Good Cause)
Invalidity Pension	Within 3 months before and 3 months after first date of entitlement	6 Months
Incapacity Supplement	3 months prior to date of claim	6 Months (Good Cause)
Jobseeker’s Allowance	First date of entitlement	6 Months (Good Cause)
Jobseeker’s Benefit	First date of entitlement	6 Months (Good Cause)
Jobseeker’s Benefit Self-Employed	First date of entitlement	6 Months (Good Cause)
Jobseeker’s Pay Related Benefit	First date of entitlement	6 Months (Good Cause)
Maternity Benefit	First date of entitlement	6 Months (Good Cause)
One-Parent Family Payment	Within 3 months of first date of entitlement	6 Months (Good Cause)
Parent’s Benefit	First date of entitlement	6 Months (Good Cause)
Paternity Benefit	First date of entitlement	6 Months (Good Cause)
State Pension (Contributory)	Within 6 months before and 3 months after first date of entitlement	6 Months
State Pension (Non-Contributory)	First date of entitlement	6 Months (Good Cause)
State Pension (Transition)	Within 3 months before and 3 months after first date of entitlement	6 Months
Working Family Payment	Within 3 months of first date of entitlement	6 Months (Good Cause)

Occupational Injury Benefits

Scheme Name	Prescribed time for making claim	Backdating Limit
Constant Attendance Allowance	Within 3 months of first date of entitlement	6 Months (Good Cause)
Death Benefit	See Note Below	6 Months (Good Cause)
Disablement Benefit	Within 3 months of first date of entitlement	6 Months (Good Cause)
Incapacity Supplement	Within 3 months of first date of entitlement	6 Months (Good Cause)
Injury Benefit	The period of 6 weeks commencing on the first day of incapacity in respect of which the claim is made.	6 Months (Good Cause)
Medical Care	Within 6 weeks of commencement of such care	12 Months

Supplementary Welfare Allowance

Scheme Name	Prescribed time for making claim	Backdating Limit
Supplementary Welfare Allowance	First date of entitlement	No specific statutory backdating limit. Claim must be made within the prescribed time

Note: Bereaved Partner’s (Contributory) Pension

The prescribed time limits for making a claim for Bereaved Partner’s (Contributory) Pension depend on when the death occurred in relation to the enactment of the Social Welfare (Bereaved Partner’s Pension and Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2025. The Social Welfare (Consolidated Claims, Payments and Control) Regulations 2007 (S.I. No 142 of 2007) creates a transitional window for earlier deaths and a rule for future claims:

Article 182(c)(i):• Where the deceased partner died before 22 January 2024, the prescribed time for a surviving qualified cohabitant to make a claim is six months from the date the 2025 Act is enacted. A claim submitted within this period is treated as timely, and, if otherwise valid, payment is made from 22 January 2024.

Article 182(c)(ii):• Where the deceased partner died on or after 22 January 2024 but before the enactment of the 2025 Act, the prescribed time for a surviving qualified cohabitant to make a claim is six months from the date the Act is enacted. A claim made within this period is treated as timely, and, if otherwise valid, payment is made from the date of death.

Article 182(ca): • Where a surviving qualified cohabitant either did not claim within the transitional six?month period provided under Article 182(c)(i) or (ii), or where the death occurs after the enactment of the 2025 Act, the claim falls under the standard rule in paragraph (cb). In these circumstances, the prescribed time for making a claim is determined in accordance with Article 182(cb)(vi).

•

Article 182(cb)(vi): • For claims falling under paragraph (cb), the prescribed time for a surviving qualified cohabitant to claim the Bereaved Partner’s (Contributory) Pension is three months from the day on which the person becomes entitled, apart from satisfying the condition of making the claim itself. This three?month period applies as the standard ongoing prescribed time for all cases not covered by the transitional six?month provisions.

Note: Death Benefit

The prescribed time limits for making a claim for Death Benefit by a surviving qualified cohabitant depend on when the death occurred in relation to the enactment of the Social Welfare (Bereaved Partner’s Pension and Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2025. The Social Welfare (Consolidated Occupational Injuries) Regulations 2007 (S.I. No. 102 of 2007) creates a transitional 6?month window for earlier deaths and a separate rule for future claims:

Article 43(da)(i):• Where the deceased partner died before 22 January 2024, the prescribed time for a surviving qualified cohabitant to make a claim is six months from the date the 2025 Act is enacted. A claim submitted within this period is treated as timely and, if otherwise valid, payment is made from 22 January 2024.

Article 43(da)(ii):• Where the deceased partner died on or after 22 January 2024 but before the enactment of the 2025 Act, the prescribed time for a surviving qualified cohabitant to make a claim is six months from the date the Act is enacted. A claim submitted within this period is treated as timely and, if otherwise valid, payment is made from the date of death.

Article 43(db)(i):• Where a surviving qualified cohabitant did not claim within the transitional six?month period provided under Article 43(da)(i) or (ii), the prescribed time for making a claim becomes three months from the day on which the person becomes entitled, apart from satisfying the condition of making the claim itself.

Article 43(db)(ii):• Where the death occurs after the enactment of the 2025 Act, the prescribed time for a surviving qualified cohabitant to make a claim is three months from the day on which the person becomes entitled, apart from satisfying the condition of making the claim itself.

School Meals Programme

Questions (94)

Ivana Bacik

Question:

94. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Social Protection the data his Department holds on food waste and single-use packaging arising from the Hot School Meals Programme; whether a national assessment of food and packaging waste has been undertaken; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [67636/26]

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Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

The objective of the School Meals Programme is to provide regular, nutritious food to children to support them in taking full advantage of the education provided to them. The programme is an important component of policies to encourage school attendance and extra educational achievement.

In terms of packaging and waste, under tender documentation, and as stipulated by the Department of Education and Youth's Schools Procurement’s Unit, the school meal supplier is responsible for operating policies which progressively address environmental considerations such as waste and packaging. Depending on the school size and school meal requirements, the school will decide on the method and logistics that best meets their needs in line with environmental standards.

In addition, under tender documentation requirements, the school is committed to the principles of environmental management in its activities, and it encourages the implementation of sustainability principles in its procurement practices. The supplier should make all reasonable efforts to minimise adverse environmental impact in the methods of services delivery and in materials used.

The Nutrition Review report found the average proportion of uneaten meals was 18.9% across all classes, with less waste seen in younger age groups. Absenteeism contributed significantly to total waste. When accounting for absences the proportion of uneaten meals fell to 11.1%. The IPSOS Behaviour & Attitudes survey found food waste was always a problem even before the introduction of school meals – 48% of parents said their children brought uneaten food home before school meals were introduced.

Waste prevention and management form a key component of the marking scheme in the Hot School Meals call for tender template documentation. With marks being provided where the tender displays waste prevention and minimisation in line with target T3 in the Green Public Procurement Strategy and Action Plan 2024-2027 and environmentally friendly recyclable packaging materials where possible in line with the Sectoral Target T4 from Buying Greener and Directive (EU) 2019/904.

My department does not collect nor does it have access to details of the amount of wastage from school meals; this is managed at school level in accordance with the relevant contract.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the deputy.

School Meals Programme

Questions (95)

Ivana Bacik

Question:

95. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Social Protection the proportion of contracts under the Hot School Meals Programme that are currently held by for-profit companies, not-for-profit companies, not-for-profit organisations, community organisations or cooperatives, respectively; the consideration that has been given to increasing the participation of community and not-for-profit providers in the programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [67634/26]

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Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

Since September 2025 all 3,200 primary schools and 550,000 children are eligible for hot school meals. Across all meal types there some 3,700 schools and 682,000 children are eligible for support. This equates to the distribution of up to 3.4 million school meals per week.

There are currently some 300 suppliers in the School Meals Programme with the majority of these supplying one to three local schools. Any registered Food Business Operator, including not-for-profit suppliers, meals on wheels service, social enterprise, community organisation, cooperative, local café, restaurant, caterers, can become a School Meals provider by submitting a tender response to a schools call for tenders.

My Department does not select the suppliers. The school as the individual contracting authority currently hold the information that the deputy requires. For the 2026/27 academic year my Department will capture the supplier information.

My preferred approach is to have as many local suppliers involved as much as possible. Currently, there are 11 Meals on Wheels organisations supplying 40 schools. The mix of suppliers involved in the scheme helps us to deliver hot school meals to over 3,200 primary schools every day. But indeed, not-for profit companies and community organisations can, and already do play an important part in that.

My Department provides the funding for the meals directly to the school. My department does not select or approve suppliers. All schools as independent contracting authorities are responsible for choosing their school meals supplier on the open market, in a fair and transparent manner in accordance with public procurement rules. The Department of Education and Youth Schools Procurement Unit provides guidance to schools for all procurements including the School Meals Programme. These rules clearly define the successful tenders responsibilities and obligations. The primary relationship is between school and supplier.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

School Meals Programme

Questions (96)

Ivana Bacik

Question:

96. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Social Protection when he intends to publish the evaluation of service review of the School Meals Programme (details supplied), specifically the Hot School Meals Programme; whether the review will be made publicly available in full; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [67639/26]

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Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

Since September 2025 all 3,200 primary schools and 550,000 children are eligible for hot school meals. Across all meal types there some 3,700 schools and 682,000 children are eligible for support. This equates to the distribution of up to 3.4 million school meals per week.

IPSOS Behaviour and Attitudes Research was engaged to carry out a survey in relation to the Hot School Meals Scheme. The survey was conducted during the period 29 May 2026 to 7 July 2026 by way of an online quantitative survey of primary school principals, teachers, children, parents/guardians and suppliers of school meals. The report was published and available on School Meals Scheme (www.gov.ie/en/department-of-social-protection/services/school-meals-scheme/#the-revised-nutrition-standards-for-school-meals)

The survey was completed by 512 principals/teaching principals, 1,908 teachers, 6,884 children, 86,637 parents/guardians and 47 suppliers.

The survey found the Hot School Meals Scheme is now deeply embedded in participating primary schools, with strong reach among children and with broad recognition of its benefits.

81% of parents/guardians who responded reported that their child avails of the scheme with the majority viewing the menu options as healthy or very healthy. 85% of children who responded reported that they liked the meal or that it was satisfactory.

In general, the issue of targeted supports for businesses is a matter for the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment. However, the following is the position with regards to employer PRSI.

The main finding of the latest Actuarial Review of the Social Insurance Fund was that the Fund will experience significant long term sustainability challenges. It is in this regard that the previous Government agreed to a series of annual incremental increases in all PRSI rates, including employer PRSI, up to and including 2028. A further evaluation of the position of the Fund will be held after the completion of the next Actuarial Review next year.

It is in this context that there are no proposals, nor has consideration been given to reduce the employer PRSI rate on the first €36,000 of employee earnings. However, in recognition of the pressures faced by businesses, the Government agreed, in Budget 2026, to increase the employer PRSI threshold from €527 to €552 per week, effective from 1 January 2026. This will ensure that employers with full time employees on the national minimum wage or employees with earnings under €552 per week will attract the lower employer PRSI rate of 9%.

Any further changes to the PRSI employer rates or threshold would have to be considered in a budgetary context, taking account of the economic circumstances and with a view to the sustainability of the Social Insurance Fund.

I trust this clarifies the matter.

Seized Property

Questions (100)

Peadar Tóibín

Question:

100. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of firearms, prohibited weapons and items of ammunition seized by An Garda Síochána in each of the past ten years. [67295/26]

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Written answers

Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration

The 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 the seizures of firearms, prohibited weapons and ammunition.

Figures related to the number of firearms, prohibited weapons and ammunition seized by the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau over the last ten years are available publicly in their Annual Reports which are published at the following link:

www.garda.ie/en/about-us/publications/annual%20reports/an-garda-siochana-annual-reports/

Departmental Reviews

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Written answers

Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration

I propose to take Questions Nos. 101, 102, 103, 104, 110, 111, 112, 113, 115, 116 and 117 together.

The significant contribution made by communities across Ireland in supporting people fleeing the war in Ukraine since 2022 is recognised by the Government and Ireland remains committed to supporting those who have sought refuge here under the Temporary Protection Directive.

The ending of the provision of commercial accommodation at the Citywest Hotel follows a Government decision of 26 May 2026. As previously communicated to all residents, on 30 June 2026, no further accommodation for those granted Temporary Protection will be provided at the Citywest Hotel from 18 September 2026. Onward locations for re-accommodation, also communicated to residents, comprise Kill International Equestrian Centre, Inchmore and Punchestown Accommodation Centres.

Recognising that this is a significant change for residents, my Department, the Irish Red Cross and the International Organisation for Migration commenced dedicated engagement with those affected, providing information and practical support regarding available options. These included supports to facilitate independent living where appropriate.

At the same time, a self-declaration application process, which opened on 30 June 2026 and closed on 17 July 2026, was made available to residents who believed they continued to require temporary accommodation following the closure of the Citywest facility. An offer of accommodation has now issued to all residents whose applications were approved, taking into account, where relevant, any identified vulnerabilities or accommodation requirements. The final transfer of residents took place on 18 September.

It should be noted that the Government Decision means that over the coming months, the state’s contracted accommodation portfolio will be significantly reduced. The range of alternative accommodation available is therefore necessarily constrained. The Department nevertheless seeks, insofar as practicable and having regard to available accommodation, to match placements to identified needs and vulnerabilities. HSE colleagues and my Department are in regular contact in relation to residents with identified health and care needs to ensure that the most appropriate available options are considered having due regard to individual circumstances.

While every effort has been made to continue to accommodate those with established HSE care plans to remain in the relevant Community Health Organisation (CHO) area for continuity of care, there is no guarantee continued accommodation will be in the same area in which a person currently lives. My Department seeks however, insofar as practicable, to match accommodation to identified needs and remains committed to ensuring that vulnerable persons continue to receive appropriate supports throughout this transition. Further information on ongoing supports is available here: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-justice-home-affairs-and-migration/collections/ongoing-supports-en/

Where special educational needs arise, my Department endeavours to retain children with such needs in the same area where possible. However, where documented medical needs present along with special educational needs, medical requirements are considered to be the priority in the accommodation allocation process. Where medical requirements may necessitate relocation to another accommodation centre, even if it is not in proximity to the current location, relevant HSE Social Inclusion teams are kept informed to ensure transfer of care packages and equipment as required.

As a matter of course, officials in the Department of Education are also informed of proposed accommodation changes. Matters in relation to confirmed school placements and associated transport are for that Department to consider. Relevant information is provided by the Department of Education on the Government of Ireland website at www.gov.ie/en/department-of-education/publications/information-for-schools-ukraine/ if they need help finding a school place. Schools are required to admit all applicants unless the school is full or in very limited, defined circumstances. Families are encouraged to enrol their children as soon as they know the location of their new accommodation.

My Department currently has no plans to commission an independent review of the relocations process for those granted Temporary Protection. An appeals process exists for people who were unsuccessful in their applications for continued accommodation. The details of this process are communicated in all refusal letters that issue. It must be noted that the appeals process is only applicable to the decision to grant or refuse continued accommodation, and not the centre to where a person is to transfer. Where issues with accommodation centres arise, these can be communicated to my department’s online Helpdesk for consideration.

My Department, where notified of Court Orders, complies at all times with the relevant conditions contained therein.

My Department has no plans to pause the implementation of the Government Decision in respect of the Citywest facility. In implementing the relocation process, identified vulnerabilities and documented accommodation requirements are taken into account, insofar as practicable, in determining the most appropriate available onward accommodation. My Department continues to engage with the HSE and other relevant bodies in relation to residents with identified health, care and other support needs.

Current policies under the overall accommodation policy, such as the refusals policy, remain in place. Further information is available here: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-justice-home-affairs-and-migration/publications/ukraine-crisis-temporary-accommodation-team-policies/

Question No. 102 answered with Question No. 101.

Question No. 103 answered with Question No. 101.

Question No. 104 answered with Question No. 101.

State Assets

Questions (105)

Peadar Tóibín

Question:

105. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the amount of revenue generated from the disposal of confiscated or forfeited assets in each of the past ten years; and the Exchequer accounts into which such proceeds were paid. [67312/26]

View answer

Written answers

Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration

CAB is a multi-agency statutory body established under the Criminal Assets Bureau Act, 1996. Figures relating to asset recovery under the Proceeds of Crime Acts by CAB are available publicly in the annual reports published on the Bureau's website: www.cab.ie/annual-reports/.

I have been advised by the Criminal Assets Bureau that all remittances are made to the Central Exchequer Account of the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation.

Seized Property

View answer

Written answers

Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration

I propose to take Questions Nos. 106, 107 and 108 together.

The Protected Disclosures Acts 2014 and 2022 were put in place to support and protect people with concerns about actions or omissions in their workplace to speak up, confidentially and safely.

An Garda Síochána and Fiosrú, formerly the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (GSOC) are operationally independent and both bodies have their own mechanisms in place for the receipt, assessment, and management of protected disclosures made to those bodies.

Under the Protected Disclosures Act 2014, Garda members and Garda staff may confidentially disclose allegations of wrongdoing through established mechanisms within An Garda Síochána, or to Fiosrú, as a prescribed person under section 7 of that Act.

An Garda Síochána’s Annual Reports on Protected Disclosures are published on the Garda website in line with the statutory reporting framework established by the Act. These can be accessed at the following link: www.garda.ie/en/about-us/publications/annual reports/an-garda-siochana-annual-reports/

Fiosrú publishes in its Annual Reports statistical information relating to the receipt of protected disclosures by their dedicated protected disclosures unit. The Annual Reports for the years 2015 to 2025 have been laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas and are available on the Fiosrú website www.fiosru.ie

Any protected disclosure reports relating to the Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB) are examined under my Department’s protected disclosures procedures and included in the Department’s protected disclosures annual reports. The Department of Justice publishes its Protected Disclosures annual reports on a dedicated webpage at: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-justice-home-affairs-and-migration/organisation-information/department-of-justice-protected-disclosures/

Reports are available from 2015 to 2025.

The Office of the Protected Disclosure Commissioner publishes annual reports which give a breakdown on Protected Disclosures made and which can be found at the following link: opdc.ie/en/

Question No. 107 answered with Question No. 106.

Question No. 108 answered with Question No. 106.

Residency Permits

Questions (109)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl

Question:

109. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration If he will expedite a decision on an appeal against the refusal of a residence card application for a person (details supplied). [67304/26]

View answer

Written answers

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

The person referred to in the Deputy's query requested a review of the decision to refuse their application for Permanent Residence under the European Communities (Free Movement of Persons) Regulations 2015, which was received by the Review Unit of the EU Treaty Rights Division on 24 March 2026.

While every effort is made to issue a decision on each application as soon as possible, current processing times may vary having regard to the complexity of the application and the possible need for the EU Treaty Rights Review Unit to seek further information. The person concerned can be assured that there will be no avoidable delay in having their case brought to finality. In the meantime they were granted a temporary permission on 22 September 2026.

The person concerned can now directly check the status of their immigration application on the Immigration Service’s new Digital Contact Centre (DCC). They can register for, or log in to their existing account, at: portal.irishimmigration.ie/en/

As an Oireachtas member, you can also request the status of individual immigration cases by e-mail, using the Oireachtas Mail facility at: IMoireachtasmail@justice.ie, which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Question process.

Question No. 110 answered with Question No. 101.

Question No. 111 answered with Question No. 101.

Question No. 112 answered with Question No. 101.

Question No. 113 answered with Question No. 101.