Written Answers Nos. 345-366
345. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if consideration has been given to exempting community facilities, childcare facilities and social enterprise facilities from paying rates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13236/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraTailte Éireann is an independent Government agency under the aegis of my Department. Tailte Éireann provide a property registration system, property valuation service, and national mapping and surveying infrastructure for the State. Tailte Éireann is independent in the exercise of its valuation functions under the Valuation Act 2001, as amended (the Act). The making of valuations for rating purposes are the sole responsibility of Tailte Éireann, and I, as Minister, have no function in decisions in this regard.
The Act provides that all buildings used or developed for any purpose are rateable, unless expressly exempted under Schedule 4 of the Act. There is a very specific range of exemptions that can be applied, and Tailte Éireann has no discretionary latitude to grant exemptions not covered by Schedule 4. Such exempt buildings would principally include those used for public worship, education and health care provided on a not-for-profit basis or for charitable purposes.
As a matter of course, Tailte Éireann examines all properties on their individual merits by reference to the relevant statutory provisions governing the operation of the Valuation Acts.
Any process to amend the Schedule 4 would consider proposals from all sectors which have been received by my Department, and would include the sectors raised in the question. Any change to the current rateable valuation system that would remove from rateability or reduce the rates liability on a particular class of property would in effect transfer that burden to all other ratepayers in a rating authority area with potential negative impacts for Local Government funding. There are currently no plans for Government to amend the Valuation Acts.
There are a number of avenues of redress for an occupier of rateable property who is dissatisfied with a determination of valuation made under the provisions of the Valuation Act 2001, as amended. Firstly, before a determination is made, there is a right to make representations to Tailte Éireann in relation to a proposed valuation. Later in the process, if the occupier is still dissatisfied with the determination, there is a right of appeal to the Valuation Tribunal which is an independent body set up for the purpose of hearing appeals against determinations of Tailte Éireann. There is a right of appeal to the Higher Courts on a point of law.
Finally, Oireachtas Members may obtain information in relation to specific cases by contacting the dedicated e-mail address in respect of Tailte Éireann at oireachtas@tailte.ie.
346. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department, or any agency under his Department’s remit, have, since 1 November 2024, entered any contract in respect of a hotel (details supplied) or have had any discussions, or received any offers, in respect of using this premises for any reason; the details of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13281/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested is being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy in accordance with Standing Orders.
347. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of PPS numbers that are still active in Ireland for people who have received deportation orders. [12973/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Personal Public Service Number (PPSN) is the unique reference number for transactions between individuals and Government Departments and other public service providers. It forms part of the Public Services Identity (PSI) data set.
Verification of a person’s identity is carried out during the SAFE Registration process following which a Public Services Card is issued. A person’s immigration status is not collected during this process as it does not form part of the PSI data set.
My Department does not monitor PPSN activity or collect data on the number of PPSNs allocated to persons who are subject to a deportation order. The information sought by the Deputy is not held by my Department.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
348. Deputy Seamus Healy asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated cost of increasing the capital disregard of farm assist to €34,000. [12960/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFarm Assist is a statutory means-tested income support specifically for farmers on low incomes. There are approximately 3,500 claims in payment at present. The government has provided €46.99 million for the scheme in 2025.
In line with many other means-tested social welfare schemes, the first €20,000 of capital is not assessed in the means test for Farm Assist. Based on the Department's records of Farm Assist customers who have means to capital, it is estimated that increasing the capital disregard to €34,000 would cost up to €700,000 per annum. In addition, there may be an unknown number of people who do not qualify currently for a payment but who would qualify in the event of an increase in the amount of capital that is disregarded.
Any changes to the Farm Assist scheme would have to be considered in a budgetary context, within the scope of the overall resources available for welfare improvements.
I trust this clarifies the issue for the deputy.
349. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Social Protection the amount in social welfare payments that have been paid out to people who have received deportation orders in each of the past five years. [12974/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Justice regularly notifies my Department with details of persons who are subject to deportation orders. The details are matched against social welfare records and if a person is in receipt of a payment, the scheme area is notified, and the payment is stopped.
A person who is subject to a deportation order is considered not to satisfy the habitual residence condition as they do not have an unqualified legal right of residence in the State. If a person does not satisfy the habitual residence condition, they are ineligible for social assistance payments.
I trust that this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
350. Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Social Protection the total number of copper communication lines within his Department currently in active operation and for which his Department is paying for on a monthly basis inclusive of ISDN, PTSN and copper-based lease lines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12993/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department operates a substantial network of more than 180 public offices nationwide and operates a very large national customer Contact Centre. My Department utilises SIP (Session Initiation Protocol) telephony technology to provide high-capacity concurrent telephone channels from customers into its national Contact Centre and network of offices.
I have outlined the number of lines in use by my Department in tabular form below.
|
Telephone line type |
Number |
|
Telephone line type |
Number |
|
ISDN lines |
0 |
|
Individual telephone lines (PSTN) |
9 |
|
Contact Centre SIP trunks |
2 |
351. Deputy Brian Brennan asked the Minister for Social Protection the current status of a disability allowance application for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13017/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraDisability Allowance (DA) is a weekly allowance paid to people with a specified disability who are aged 16 or over and under the age of 66. This disability must be expected to last for at least one year and the allowance is subject to a medical assessment, a means test and the habitual residency condition.
I can confirm that the Department received an application for DA from the person concerned on 19 February 2024. Based on the evidence supplied in support of this person’s application, the claim was refused on the grounds that the medical qualifying conditions for DA were not satisfied.
The person concerned was notified of this decision on 10 April 2024 and was also notified of their right to request a review of this decision and/or appeal it to the Social Welfare Appeals Office (SWAO).
The person concerned lodged an appeal with SWAO. The SWAO notified the DA section on 12 March 2025 that the decision was upheld and the appeal was disallowed. The person concerned was notified directly by SWAO regarding their appeal.
I trust this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
352. Deputy Brian Brennan asked the Minister for Social Protection further to the issuing of the home caring periods for a person (details supplied), if there is adequate contributions for a State pension (contributory) to be awarded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13022/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person concerned reached pension age on 21 October 2016. An application for State Pension (contributory) was received on 27 September 2016.
Under current eligibility conditions, an individual must have 520 full-rate contributions paid in the State to qualify for standard State Pension (contributory). 520 full-rate contributions equate to 10 years of full-rate insurable employment.
The records of my Department show that the person concerned has 303 paid contributions. While they were awarded home caring periods for the period 14 October 1975 to 14 October 1987, home caring periods can only be used to improve a person’s rate of state pension (contributory) and not to satisfy the requirement to have 520 full rate contributions. As the contributions paid by the person concerned fall short of the requisite 520 full-rate contributions for the standard state pension (contributory), they do not meet the qualifying conditions.
If the person concerned has provided full-time care to incapacitated dependents for 20 years or more (1,040 weeks), it is open to them to apply for long-term carers contributions. If eligible, the equivalent of paid contributions will be attributed to cover gaps in their contribution record. The periods of caregiving do not need to be consecutive. The quickest way to apply for long-term carers contributions is online at MyWelfare.ie.
I have arranged for a copy of the social insurance record of the person concerned to issue along with a detailed explanatory note to assist in understanding their record, and information on how to calculate entitlement to State pension (contributory). If they consider that there are additional contributions or credits that have not been recorded, it is open to them to forward documentary evidence to Social Welfare Services, College Road, Sligo, F91 T384.
Where a person aged 66 or over does not satisfy the conditions to qualify for a contributory pension or qualifies for less than the maximum rate, they may instead qualify for the State pension (non-contributory) which is a means-tested payment with a maximum payment of 95% of the contributory pension. The quickest way to apply for this pension is online at MyWelfare.ie.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy
353. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Social Protection if the case of a person (details supplied) who has a shortfall on their PRSI contributions will be examined; if there are schemes they should have been entered into as a result of their circumstances; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13108/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person concerned has been in receipt of Disablement Benefit since 25 December 1987.
Disablement Benefit is a compensatory payment for the loss of physical or mental faculty as a result of an occupational injury or prescribed occupational disease. Disablement Benefit is paid whether the recipient is engaged in full-time employment/self-employment or whether they are receiving social welfare income supports. As Disablement Benefit is not an income support, it does not attract social insurance credits.
Disability Allowance (DA) is a means-tested payment for people with a specified disability whose income falls below certain limits and who are aged between 16 and are under 66.
I can confirm that my department received an application for DA from the person concerned on 31 January 2023. They were deemed to be eligible for DA effective from 1 February 2023, the first Wednesday following receipt of the application. Their payment was not backdated on award as this was not sought by the person concerned.
DA applications may be backdated in cases where good cause for the delay in making a claim can be shown to the satisfaction of a deciding officer or an appeals officer. This backdating period cannot exceed 6 months, as provided for in social welfare legislation.
If the person concerned wishes to make an application for backdating they may do so, in writing, clearly stating the grounds for not having made the application at the earlier date and the matter will be considered by a deciding officer. If it is deemed appropriate to backdate in this case, it will not be possible to backdate the DA further than 6 months from the date of award.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
354. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated full year cost if the maximum rate of both State pension (contributory) and disability allowance increased by €13 per week. [13119/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe full-year cost of increasing State Pension (Contributory) by €13 per week is €380.4 million. The full-year cost of increasing Disability Allowance by €13 per week is €120.2 million. The combined estimated annual cost of the two increases would €500.6 million.
It should be noted that these costings are subject to change in the context of emerging trends and the associated revision of the estimated numbers of recipients.
It should also be noted that these costings include proportionate increases for qualified adults and for those on reduced rates of payment, where relevant.
355. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated full-year cost if the island allowance increased to €24 per week. [13120/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe full-year cost of increasing the island allowance by €4 from €20 to €24 per week is €0.13 million.
It should be noted that this costing is subject to change in the context of emerging trends and associated revision of the estimated numbers of recipients for 2025.
356. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will expedite a carer’s allowance application in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13148/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraCarer's allowance (CA) 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 an adult who has such a disability that as a result they require that level of care.
An application for CA was received from the person concerned on 04 February 2025.
The application was examined and CA was awarded from 6 February 2025 with the first payment issuing to the nominated bank account on 20 March 2025. Arrears due will also issue shortly.
The person concerned was notified of this decision in writing on 14 March 2025.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
357. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will expedite a disability benefit application in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13152/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraDisability Allowance (DA) is a weekly allowance paid to people with a specified disability who are aged 16 or over and under the age of 66. This disability must be expected to last for at least one year and the allowance is subject to a medical assessment, a means test and the habitual residency conditions.
I can confirm that the Department received an application for DA from the person concerned on 6 September 2024. Based on the evidence supplied, the application was disallowed on the grounds that they failed to provide sufficient information to enable a Deciding Officer to determine their means.
The person concerned was notified in writing of this decision on 21 October 2024 and they were given the right to request a review of this decision and/or appeal it to the Social Welfare Appeals Office (SWAO).
The person concerned supplied further information on 31 December 2024 and a review of the original decision was carried out. Based on the additional evidence supplied, their application for DA was disallowed on the grounds that they failed to provide sufficient information to enable a Deciding Officer to determine their means.
The person concerned was notified in writing of this decision on 17 January 2025 and they were given the right to review or appeal this decision.
The person concerned lodged an appeal with the SWAO. The SWAO notified the DA section on 14 March 2025 that the decision was upheld and the appeal was disallowed. The person concerned was notified directly by SWAO regarding their appeal.I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
358. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Social Protection the details of any secondments from consulting firms to his Department since 2020; the consulting firm involved; the purpose of the secondment; the durations of the secondments; who paid the salary of the individual seconded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13190/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe nature of the arrangement for consultancy in my Department is by way of contractual agreements and not by secondment. My Department does not have any secondments from consultancy firms.
359. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will consider expanding the eligibility criteria for domiciliary care allowance to include families with children who have severe food allergies, to help meet the financial costs associated with their condition; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13222/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy department provides the Domiciliary Care Allowance which is a monthly non-means tested payment to a parent or guardian for a child aged up to 16 who has a severe disability and requires care and attention substantially over and above that required by other children their age.
From January 2025, the rate of Domiciliary Care Allowance increased from €340 to €360 per month. As of the end of February 2025, there are 58,060 families in receipt of Domiciliary Care Allowance in respect of 65,615 children. Expenditure in 2025 is estimated at over €301 million.
The eligibility for Domiciliary Care Allowance is determined by the level of care required, not the specific condition or disability.
Currently, severe food allergies are not explicitly listed as a qualifying condition. However, if the allergies result in a significant need for ongoing care and attention, they may meet the medical criteria. The application process involves submitting medical reports and detailed descriptions of the care required.
The Additional Needs Payment is a means-tested financial support provided by my department to help individuals or families cover essential expenses that they cannot afford from their regular income or savings. It is part of the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme and is administered by the Community Welfare Service.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
360. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Social Protection if his Department, or any agency under his Department’s remit, have, since 1 November 2024, entered any contract in respect of a hotel (details supplied) or have had any discussions, or received any offers, in respect of using this premises for any reason; the details of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13285/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can confirm that neither my Department, or any agency under my Department’s remit, have, since 1 November 2024, entered any contract in respect of the named hotel or have had any discussions, or received any offers, in respect of using this premises for any reason.
I trust this clarifies matters for the Deputy.
361. Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Justice the total number of copper communication lines within his Department currently in active operation and for which his Department is paying for on a monthly basis inclusive of ISDN, PTSN and copper-based lease lines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12990/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can inform the Deputy that, based on records sourced from our third-party provider, my Department has approximately 285 copper phone lines in use across its estate, including ISDN, BRA and PSTN.
362. Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Justice for an update on the filling of a post (details supplied) in the Probation Service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13003/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Probation Service does not currently have any vacancies for Community Service Supervisors in Cork.
The expectation is that a Community Service Supervisor position will become available this year pending the retirement of existing Community Service Supervisors in this location.
363. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Justice if he will establish a public inquiry on the Omagh bombing, as previously committed to. [8929/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe single worst atrocity of the Troubles occurred in Omagh on 15 August 1998. The bombing was an unspeakable and brutal act of cruelty carried out by terrorists with no sense of humanity or respect for human life. We will never forget those who lost their lives, those who were injured and the families whose suffering for their loved ones continues.
The Omagh Bombing Inquiry was established by the Northern Ireland Secretary of State in March 2024 to investigate whether the bombing could have been prevented. The work of the Inquiry continues and the commemorative hearings concluded last month. My thoughts are with the victims’ families and survivors. The testimony given was heart-breaking and I would like to pay tribute to the courage of all those who shared their experiences.
From the outset, the Government has made clear its intention to do everything possible to assist the Inquiry. That is in the best interests of victims and their families and follows the Government Decision last July to assist the Inquiry. The Programme for Government strongly reiterates that intention, stating that we will “play our full part in legacy processes…including facilitating and supporting the Omagh Inquiry”.
The cross border nature of the assistance, to an inquiry established under UK law, means that there are legal complexities that must be worked through in seeking to put in place mechanisms to guide and support our engagement with the Inquiry. Government officials, including officials from my Department and the Department of Foreign Affairs, are engaged in the detail of this work, meeting regularly with the Inquiry team. These discussions are progressing well and I expect to conclude our discussions on a Memorandum of Understanding for the sharing of Irish materials in the weeks ahead which will be an important step forward.
Along with the Taoiseach and Tánaiste, I am committed to assisting the Inquiry to the greatest extent possible consistent with our laws including the constitutional rights of individuals. Should it be necessary to bring forward legislation to support this assistance to the Inquiry, the Government has made clear that this will be done.
In parallel with discussing with the Inquiry team how best to structure our engagement over the course of its work, some practical measures have been put in place. In particular, a central point of contact (CPC) has been established in my Department to ensure timely and effective management of all requests for assistance from the Inquiry. Key State authorities who may have relevant records have also nominated contact points to support the operation of the CPC. A number of requests for material have already been received and are being examined by relevant authorities. In recent days an application was made to the High Court on behalf of the Inquiry seeking access to various records of the Special Criminal Court.
The Government will continue to engage with the Omagh Inquiry Team to find solutions, consistent with Irish law, to enable us to fulfil our commitment to assisting the Inquiry.
Insofar as the question of the establishment of a public inquiry in this jurisdiction is concerned, I am satisfied that the best approach is for the Government to cooperate to the greatest extent possible with the Omagh Inquiry with a view to it being able to provide the answers to the questions that have been raised in relation to the bombing by the families of the victims and others.
364. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice the current status of the application for international protection in respect of a person (details supplied); when a final decision will be made in respect of this application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13040/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy may be aware, my Department is unable to publish any information that would identify any person as being an international protection applicant. This is a separate matter to the law dealing with data protection matters more generally.
My officials and I are legally obliged, under Section 26 of the International Protection Act 2015, to ensure that the identity of any person who applies for international protection is kept confidential. Section 26(1) sets out that:
“the Minister and the Tribunal and their respective officers shall take all practicable steps to ensure that the identity of applicants is kept confidential”.
As I am sure you will appreciate, these confidentiality requirements are especially important for an asylum-seeker, whose claim inherently supposes a fear of persecution by the authorities of their home country and whose situation, or that of their family or friends still living in the country from which they have sought protection, can be jeopardised if the protection of their personal information is not ensured.
An applicant for such protection status, or their legal representative, should contact either the International Protection Office (IPO) or the International Protection Appeals Tribunal (IPAT) directly, as appropriate if they wish to receive an update on the status of their case.
Contact information for The International Protection Office can be found at Contact Us - International Protection Office (ipo.gov.ie).
Contact information for The International Protection Appeals Tribunal can be found at Contact Us - IPAT (protectionappeals.ie).
Both the International Protection Office (IPO) and the International Protection Appeals Tribunal (IPAT) are fully independent in deciding whether or not to grant international protection. Each application is examined individually on its own merits, in line with national and international asylum law. They are also bound by confidentiality provisions in respect of applicants as set out in the International Protection 2015 Act.
365. Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Justice the number of citizenships revoked in the past ten years to date; and a breakdown of same, by nationality. [13067/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Minister for Justice is empowered to revoke Irish citizenship granted by naturalisation in accordance with the provisions of section 19 of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956 (as amended). However, the function could not be operated for a period as the Supreme Court ruled in Damache v Minister for Justice [2020] that the revocation procedure under section 19 was unconstitutional. Changes made by the Court, Civil Law, Criminal Law and Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2024 addressed the issues giving rise to the Supreme Court judgment.
Revocation of Irish citizenship is only undertaken in the most serious of circumstances. The loss of citizenship has serious consequences and each case is considered very carefully. In the last 10 years, this power has been used six times. A breakdown of nationality is not generally provided with regard to immigration statistics where the number is low (generally less than 10); this is for reasons of confidentiality.
366. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Justice the number of new gardaí appointed to each garda division over the past five years, including the stations that they were appointed to within each division, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13078/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of Garda business under Section 26 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), including the recruitment and training of Garda members and staff. Under Section 33 of the Act, the Commissioner is responsible for the distribution and stationing of Gardaí throughout the State.
There are almost 18,000 Garda members, staff and reserves within the Garda organisation and the Government is committed to seeing these numbers grow. 149 Probationer Gardaí attested on 7 March and have been assigned to operational duties in Garda stations across the State.
Another 201 trainee Gardaí entered Templemore on 10 March, the largest intake since the lifting of public health restrictions.
Over €2.4 billion has been allocated to the Garda budget in 2025 and this funding will provide for further recruitment of Garda members and staff. The most recent Garda recruitment campaign closed at the end of February with over 6,700 applicants seeking to join the service.
In the interest of transparency, figures related to the Garda workforce are published on my Department's website, including the allocation of probationer Gardaí. This information is supplied by An Garda Síochána and is operational and subject to change. These figures are regularly updated by my Department, upon receipt of the information from the Garda authorities.
www.gov.ie/en/publication/bd777-an-garda-siochana-your-police-service-some-facts-and-figures/
To be of assistance to the Deputy, the allocation of Probationer Gardaí by station is available at: www.gov.ie/en/publication/7c2e6-probationer-gardai/
