Written Answers Nos. 333-353
333. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Social Protection when a person (details supplied) will receive a decision on an application for disablement benefit made in October 2023; if he will outline the reason the decision has taken so long and engage with Tusla on the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33339/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraDisablement Benefit is a compensatory payment for persons who have suffered a loss of faculty due to injury arising out of and in their insurable employment. All qualifying criteria for disablement benefit must be satisfied before entitlement to payment can be established.
The person concerned applied for disablement benefit on 26 October 2023 for an accident which was alleged to have occurred on 5 October 2018 whilst in the employment.
Due to the complexity of the scheme and the passage of time from the date of this accident to the date of the application, it was necessary to refer this case to a Social Welfare Inspector for investigation to ascertain the facts of the case. The inspection was conducted recently, following which the Social Welfare Inspector’s report was finalised, in June 2025. The accident has been deemed an occupational accident. The person concerned has been notified of this decision and advised of the next steps. The person concerned has also been referred to the Medical Assessors to ascertain their percentage loss of their faculty due to this occupational accident.
In the meantime the person concerned continues to receive income support through their Invalidity Pension payment from the Department.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
334. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason for the failure to make progress towards the Roadmap for Social Inclusion target of reducing consistent poverty from 5% to 2% or less by 2025, given that the most recent EU-SILC data shows the rate remains at 5% showing no net reduction; the analysis his Department has undertaken of the reasons for this stagnation; the specific actions he now intends to take to reverse this trend; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33357/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Roadmap for Social Inclusion 2020-2025 is a whole of Government strategy with the ambitious aim of reducing consistent poverty to 2 per cent or less and to make Ireland one of the most socially inclusive member states in the EU. The Roadmap was published in January 2020 and contains seven high level goals, with 81 commitments.
Progress towards achieving the aims of the Roadmap are measured using the Survey of Income and Living Standards (SILC), which is published by the Central Statistics office annually. Additional data comes from the EU-SILC, published by Eurostat, which provides comparisons across the 27 EU member states.
Since the publication of the Roadmap in 2020, consistent poverty as reported in the annual SILC data has reduced slightly from 5.6% in 2018 to 5.0% in 2024. While it was disappointing to see an increase from the 2023 rate of 3.6%, it should be noted that the 2024 data is based on 2023 incomes, therefore not taking account of Budget 2024 or Budget 2025 measures.
Under successive Budgets the social welfare packages have been the largest in the history of the State, and the last three Budgets contained significant cost of living packages, only one of which is reflected in the 2024 data. Government has introduced a range of other measures to reduce costs for people throughout the country including a range of energy supports, including energy credits, extending the eligibility of the fuel allowance scheme and introducing hot school meals and free school books.
Additionally, the impact of social transfers and cost-of-living measures show that Government interventions have a positive impact on poverty rates. Without social transfers the at-risk-of-poverty rate in 2024 would have been 31.4%, compared with the rate of 11.7% reported after social transfers. Further, without the cost-of-living measures introduced by Government the 2024 at-risk-of-poverty rate would have been 14.1%, and the consistent poverty rate would have been 5.6%.
However, recognising that certain groups (such as lone parents, the unemployed, people unable to work due to long-standing health issues and renters) continue to experience significantly higher rates of poverty, under the Programme for Government we have committed to continuing to focus on measures to address poverty and social exclusion.
Additionally work has commenced on the development of a successor to the Roadmap for Social Inclusion. A public consultation on this was launched in April and remains open until the end of June. I look forward to hearing the views of all interested parties, and suggestions on how to improve social inclusion and reduce poverty for those most impacted.
335. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection the way in which feedback and recommendations from the Social Inclusion Forum are integrated into the development and implementation of national anti-poverty policy; his views on the Forum’s role in informing future iterations of the Roadmap for Social Inclusion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33358/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Social Inclusion Forum was established by Government in 2002, as part of the National Anti-Poverty Strategy institutional structures, and has continued to be part of the monitoring and evaluation structure of successive strategies, including the Roadmap for Social Inclusion 2020-2025. The aim of the Forum is to give people who are directly affected by poverty and social exclusion, and those who work with them, a voice in the development of the policies that affect them and in the way that these policies are implemented.
The Social Inclusion Forum plays a crucial role in shaping both policy direction and practice, in line with commitments under the Roadmap and obligations under EU and international frameworks.
Each year, feedback and recommendations from Forum participants are formally captured and reviewed by the Department of Social Protection. These insights are used to inform the implementation of the Roadmap, as well as the development of future anti-poverty strategies.
The theme of the 2025 Social Inclusion Forum was "Reflecting on the Past and Informing the Future of the Roadmap for Social Inclusion." The Forum included five workshops on key topics (1. Building inclusive communities, 2. Families and children, 3. People with disabilities, 4. Older people and 5. Travellers and Roma) with facilitators from the community and voluntary sector, and presentations from expert practitioners.
Importantly, the Social Inclusion Forum also informs the budgetary process. Priorities identified - such as income adequacy, access to employment and education, disability supports, housing needs, and cost-of-living pressures - are taken into account during the Department’s internal budgetary planning, and are reflected in the proposals brought forward for annual Budget negotiations.
Several measures introduced in recent Budgets - such as increases to core social welfare payments, targeted cost-of-living supports, enhanced employment programmes for people with disabilities, and funding for community services - have been influenced by the real-world concerns raised through the Forum.
Additionally, the Department considers feedback from the Forum to assess policy effectiveness and set priorities for the remaining period of the Roadmap. As work begins on the successor to the Roadmap, the Department remains fully committed to ensuring that the Social Inclusion Forum continues to play a formative and sustained role, not only in policy design but also in shaping the budgetary decisions that underpin our national approach to reducing poverty and social exclusion. Discussions at this year's Forum will feed into the development of the successor to the Roadmap.
It is intended that the Department of Social Protection will publish the successor to the Roadmap for Social Inclusion in the first half of 2026.
336. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection for an update on progress toward the Roadmap for Social Inclusion targets specifically relating to child poverty and jobless households; the data sources used to track these targets; his views on the challenges and interventions identified to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33359/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Roadmap for Social Inclusion 2020-2025 is a whole of Government strategy with the ambitious aim of reducing consistent poverty to 2 per cent or less and to make Ireland one of the most socially inclusive member states in the EU. The Roadmap was published in January 2020 and contains seven high level goals, with 81 commitments.
Goal four of the Roadmap is "Supporting Families and Children." This goal aims to reduce child poverty in Ireland and to ensure that all families have the opportunity to participate fully in society.
Progress made to date on the delivery of this goal includes:
• Annual increases to the income thresholds for the Working Family Payment.
• Cost-of-living measures targeting families with children.
• Eligibility for GP visit cards was extended to all children under 8 years of age from August 2023.
• The establishment of a Child Poverty and Well-being Programme Office in the Department of the Taoiseach in 2023, who published a cross-Government programme plan, From Poverty to Potential: A Programme Plan for Child Well-being 2023-2025.
• The roll out of the Hot School Meal Programme to all DEIS primary and special schools, with the extension of the Hot School Meals Programme to non-DEIS primary schools commencing in April 2024.
• The launch of Equal Start, a funding model and set of universal and targeted measures to support access to, and participation in, early learning and childcare for children and their families who experience disadvantage, in May 2024.
• The extension of Child Benefit to 18-year-olds in full time education from September 2024
Progress towards achieving the aims of the Roadmap are measured using the Survey of Income and Living Standards (SILC), which is published by the Central Statistics office annually. Additional data comes from the EU-SILC, published by Eurostat, which provides comparisons across the 27 EU member states.
Since the publication of the Roadmap in 2020, consistent poverty for children dropped from 7.7% (approximately 92,000 children) in 2018 to 4.8% (approximately 59,000 children) in 2023, before increasing to 8.5% (approximately 105,000 children) in 2024, as published in SILC data. While this is disappointing, it should be noted that the 2024 data is based on 2023 incomes, therefore not taking account of Budget 2024 or Budget 2025 measures.
However, when looking at the Irish contribution to the European Pillar of Social Rights Action Plan 2030 Headline Poverty Reduction Target the at-risk-of-poverty-or-social-exclusion rate for children has reduced from 25.1% in 2019 to 20.6% in 2024. This equates to a reduction of approximately 53,000 children at-risk-of-poverty-or-social-exclusion.
Goal one of the Roadmap is "Expanding the Opportunity of Employment." This goal aims to give everyone who can work the opportunity of employment as a means to improve their well-being.
Progress made to date on the delivery of this goal includes:
• The establishment of the Labour Market Advisory Council, which plays a key role in advising Government on public policy responses to support the labour market recovery.
• The continued implementation and growth of the National Childcare Scheme.
• The publication of the Further Education and Training (FET) Strategy 2020-2024:Transforming Learning in July 2020, The Action Plan for Apprenticeship 2021 to 2025 in April 2021, and Pathways to Work 2021-2025 in July 2021.
• The phased extension of Parent’s Leave and Benefit for each parent to 9 weeks by July 2024.
• Increases to the earnings disregard for those on Disability Allowance, Blind Pension, and Carer's Allowance and Benefit.
• Increases and improvements to bus services under Connecting Ireland, meaning it is easier to access employment opportunities and connect to the wider TFI Network.
Government is fully committed to ensuring that no-one in Ireland is left behind, and implementation of the Roadmap will continue for its remaining term. Additionally, work has commenced in relation to the development of a successor strategy, which the intention is to publish in the first half of 2026.
337. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection for an update on progress toward the Roadmap for Social Inclusion targets specifically relating to poverty amongst older persons; the data sources used to track these targets; his views on the challenges and interventions identified to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33360/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Roadmap for Social Inclusion 2020-2025 is a whole of Government strategy with the ambitious aim of reducing consistent poverty to 2 per cent or less and to make Ireland one of the most socially inclusive member states in the EU. The Roadmap was published in January 2020 and contains seven high level goals, with 81 commitments.
Goal three of the Roadmap is "Supporting Older People." This goal aims to protect the incomes of older people through the delivery of the commitment to benchmark State pension payments.
Progress made to date on the delivery of this goal includes:
• Annual increases to the maximum weekly rate of all state pensions under each Budget since 2020, with proportionate increases for people getting a reduced rate.
• Cost-of-living payments targeting pensioners since 2022.
• Reforms to the State Pension system were announced in September 2022, in response to the Pensions Commission's recommendations. A smoothed earnings method to calculate a benchmarked/indexed rate of State Pension payments was introduced in 2023 as an input to the annual budget process.
• The largest ever expansion of the Fuel Allowance Scheme in 2023.
• The HSE's National Dementia Office published the Model of Care for Dementia Care in May 2023.
• Under the Capital Programme for Older Persons Residential Centres, work has been ongoing to replace, upgrade and refurbish care facilities at 90 locations.
Progress towards achieving the aim of the Roadmap are measured using the Survey of Income and Living Standards (SILC), which is published by the Central Statistics office annually. Additional data comes from the EU-SILC, published by Eurostat, which provides comparisons across the 27 EU member states.
Since the publication of the Roadmap in 2020, consistent poverty for older people has remained relatively stable. It was reported as being 2% in SILC 2024. Additionally, at an EU level the at-risk-of-poverty-or-social-exclusion rate for older people has reduced from 20.8% in 2018 to 16.7% in 2024, below the EU average of 21.0% in 2024. It should also be noted that the 2024 data is based on 2023 incomes, therefore not taking account of Budget 2024 or Budget 2025 measures.
338. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection the mechanisms that exist across Government to ensure interdepartmental coordination in delivering the Roadmap for Social Inclusion; the way in which his Department monitors implementation across sectors; his views on the effectiveness of these oversight arrangements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33361/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Roadmap for Social Inclusion 2020-2025 is a whole of Government strategy with the ambitious aim of reducing consistent poverty to 2 per cent or less and to make Ireland one of the most socially inclusive member states in the EU.
The Roadmap was published in January 2020 and contains seven high level goals, with 81 commitments. Implementation of Roadmap commitments is well underway with many either fully achieved or close to completion and work ongoing in relation to the remainder. At the end of March 2025, 60 Roadmap commitments were either fully achieved or achieved with ongoing delivery, with delivery on the remaining 21 commitments in progress.
Four Progress Reports on the implementation of the Roadmap ambition and goals are available on gov.ie, covering the progress made from January 2020 to June 2024. These are accompanied by four Report Cards detailing progress on each Roadmap commitment.
The Social Inclusion Roadmap Steering Group, which I chair, oversees progress on implementation of Roadmap commitments. It comprises senior representatives of responsible Departments and three external members from the Community and Voluntary Sector. There have been 12 meetings of the Social Inclusion Roadmap Steering Group to date, most recently in April 2025.
The Government is fully committed to the implementation of the Roadmap. I will continue to drive delivery of the remaining commitments to ensure that no-one is left behind in the ongoing implementation of this vital national strategy.
339. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Social Protection to expedite a carer’s support grant application (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33371/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Carer's Support Grant (CSG) is an annual payment for carers who look after a person in need of full-time care and attention.
My Department received an application for CSG from the person concerned on 14 May 2025.
I can confirm that the person has been awarded the CSG payment for the years 2024 and 2025. Payment of €1,850 for the year 2024 and €2,000 for the year 2025 will be paid to the person's nominated bank account on 19 June 2025.
The person has also been awarded the once-off Cost of Living payment in the amount of €400 which was announced as part of Budget 2025. This will also be paid to the person's nominated bank account on 19 June 2025.
Notification of this decision issued to the person concerned on 16 June 2025.
340. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Social Protection the mechanisms available by which a person (details supplied) can increase the rate of their State pension; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33421/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person concerned was awarded State pension (contributory) with effect from 1 June 2011.
Based on their contribution record, they were awarded 50% of the maximum rate of pension. Their current weekly payment is €154.70, which includes the over 80 allowance of €10.00.
A number of reforms were introduced to the State pension (contributory) including a provision for people who have been caring for incapacitated dependents for over 20 years (1040 weeks). If the person concerned has been caring for incapacitated dependents for over 20 years, they can apply for long-term carers contributions (LTCC). If the criteria are met, the equivalent of paid contributions may be attributed to cover gaps in their contribution record. The periods of caregiving do not need to be consecutive. An online application for LTCC is available on MyWelfare.
It is open to the spouse of the person concerned to apply for the means-tested increase for qualified adult (IQA) allowance on their State pension (contributory). An IQA allowance is a means-tested payment, payable to a claimant whose spouse, civil partner or cohabitant is being wholly or mainly maintained by them, and where that qualified adult’s personal means from any source does not exceed a means test income limit.
Where a qualified adult has weekly means of not more than €100, the maximum rate of IQA is payable. Where their weekly means are over €100 and not more than €310, a tapering reduced rate of IQA is payable. If the qualified adult has means of more than €310 per week, this exceeds the means limit and there is no entitlement to an IQA payment. Where property or assets are held jointly, the qualified adult's means are assessed as half of the total amount. The family home is not included in the means assessment.
It is also open to the person concerned to apply for the means-tested State pension (non-contributory), the maximum rate of which equates to 95% of the maximum rate of State pension (contributory).
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
341. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Social Protection to confirm the status of an invalidity pension application for a person (details supplied); when a decision is likely to be reached; that serious consideration would be granted to awarding this allowance due to the nature of their medical circumstances, which are outlined in the medical documentation provided with their application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33422/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraInvalidity Pension (IP) is a payment for people who are permanently incapable of work because of illness or incapacity and for no other reason and who satisfy the pay related social insurance contribution conditions.
The person concerned was awarded IP with effect from 22 May 2025 and will receive her first payment to her nominated bank account on 3 July 2025. She will receive all arrears due to her for the period 22 May 2025 to 2 July 2025, less the Illness Benefit received during this period, to her account shortly after her first IP payment. She was notified of the decision in relation to her IP entitlement on 17 June 2025.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
342. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Social Protection to confirm the status of a person’s (details supplied) disability allowance review and appeal; when a decision is likely to be reached and that serious consideration would be granted to awarding this allowance due to their medical circumstances, which are outlined in the medical documentation provided with their application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33437/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Social Welfare Appeals Office is a service of the Department of Social Protection which is responsible for determining appeals against decisions in relation to social welfare entitlements. Appeals Officers are independent in their decision making functions.
I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an Appeals Officer, having fully considered all of the available evidence, has decided to disallow the appeal of the person concerned by way of a summary decision on 17th June 2025. The person concerned will be notified in writing of the Appeals Officer’s decision in the coming days.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
343. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will be made on a HAS application submitted by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33446/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department provides assistance to households in the immediate aftermath of severe weather events under the Humanitarian Assistance Scheme (HAS) which was activated on Thursday, 23 January in advance of Storm Éowyn’s arrival.
The purpose of supports available under HAS 2 is to provide financial support to eligible householders whose primary dwelling i.e., their home only, was damaged by severe weather events. The scheme is designed to provide hardship alleviation, as opposed to compensation. HAS 2 support helps to make a person’s accommodation habitable again in the aftermath of a severe weather event and may include funding for work such as plastering, dry-lining, relaying of floors, electrical re-wiring and painting as well as the replacement of white goods, basic furniture items and other essential household items.
Where financial assistance is required for structural damage and the estimated cost as outlined in builder’s quotes provided by the customer is of a high value amount, the case will be referred to the Loss Adjusters appointed by the Department of Social Protection.
According to the records of the Department, the person concerned submitted a HAS 2 application, and his claim was referred to the Loss Adjusters who have just recently finalised their report. The Department is currently reviewing this report, and a decision is expected to issue to the person in writing this week.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
345. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of people working full-time and part-time in his Department and bodies under the aegis of the Department in roles that are fully on-site, hybrid, or fully remote from 2022 to date, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33509/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department implemented a formal Blended Working Policy in September 2022 under which staff members were invited at that time to apply for a blended working arrangement and annually thereafter via the annual application process. This Policy, developed in line with the Blended Working Policy Framework for Civil Service Organizations, offers a varied attendance model, depending on the staff role and business needs.
The ability to effectively meet the needs of each business area and ensuring high-quality delivery of customer service are critical considerations in determining blended working arrangements.
The percentage of Departmental staff working from home at least one day per week was 58% at end of year 2022, 58% at end of year 2023, 59% as the end of year 2024 and 60% as of May 2025.
The table below shows the number of active staff in the Department in May 2025 with, and without, a blended working arrangement, broken into full time equivalent and less that full time equivalent. Historical data combined in this way is not readily available due to changes to the application system since it was introduced. However, the proportion of staff who are full time equivalents and proportion of those availing of blended working in 2022, 2023 and 2024 are similar to the breakdown below.
|
DSP |
Full Time Equivalent |
Number of DSP staff |
|
No blended working arrangement |
Full time |
2,594 |
|
No blended working arrangement |
Less than full time |
220 |
|
Blended working arrangement |
Full time |
3,978 |
|
Blended working arrangement |
Less than full time |
384 |
|
Total |
7,176 |
The Citizens Information Board (CIB) formally introduced a blended working policy in January 2023. CIB staff members have the option to apply for hybrid working under the CIB blended working policy. This policy allows for staff to work fully on-site or to work on a hybrid basis. An option to work fully remotely is not formally included in the CIB blended working policy but a small number have been facilitated with this arrangement as a response to health matters.
CIB confirm the number of people currently working full-time and part-time in fully on-site or hybrid arrangements, in the table below:
|
CIB |
Fully on-site |
Hybrid |
Total Headcount |
|
Dec-22 |
|||
|
Full-time |
4 |
66 |
|
|
Part-time |
15 |
||
|
Total |
4 |
81 |
85 |
|
Dec-23 |
|||
|
Full-time |
4 |
72 |
|
|
Part-time |
11 |
||
|
Total |
4 |
83 |
87 |
|
Dec-24 |
|||
|
Full-time |
4 |
66 |
|
|
Part-time |
18 |
||
|
Total |
4 |
84 |
88 |
The Pensions Authority introduced a hybrid-working model from March 2022. The hybrid-working model (HWM) policy requires most employees (apart from IT/Data employees) to come into the office two days per week. IT and Data employees come into the office one day per week. Currently, all employees can work remotely to some extent, and with most employees currently attending in person in the office two days per week.
|
Pensions Authority |
Number of active employees (headcount) |
Fully on-site roles |
Hybrid working model arrangement role |
Fully remote roles |
|
2025 (as of 31 May) |
100 |
0 (Reception is now covered by two employees) |
100 |
0 |
|
2024 |
84 |
1 (Reception) |
83 |
0 |
|
2023 |
84 |
1 (Reception) |
83 |
0 |
|
2022 |
87 |
1 (Reception) |
86 |
0 |
346. Deputy Mark Wall asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of Gardaí stationed at each Garda station in County Kildare for each of the past three years; the total number of Gardaí for each of those years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33231/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra347. Deputy Mark Wall asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the opening hours of each Garda station in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33232/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 346 and 347 together.
In the interest of transparency, information in relation to the allocation of Gardaí by Division, Station and rank, including for Kildare Division, is publicly available and can be found at the following link:
www.gov.ie/en/department-of-justice-home-affairs-and-migration/publications/an-garda-s%c3%adoch%c3%a1na-human-resources-statistics/
The Deputy should select Garda Workforce and access the file titled “Garda Members by Division District Station 2009 to 30 April 2025” for a breakdown of total Gardaí numbers by Garda station going back to 2009.
Furthermore, information on Garda station opening hours is publicly available and published on An Garda Síochána's website at the following link:
www.garda.ie/en/contact-us/station-directory/ .
348. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to outline the current rules governing the migration of South African citizens to Ireland, specifically in relation to eligibility and requirements for obtaining work visas; pathways available for transitioning from work visas to permanent residency; any bilateral or special arrangements in place between Ireland and South Africa regarding migration; average processing times and application procedures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33235/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can advise the Deputy that on 10 July 2024 a visa requirement was introduced for nationals of South Africa, thereby aligning our approach with that applied by Schengen countries, and by the UK.
My Department established a dedicated “South Africa desk” to process applications from residents of South Africa. It also established Visa Application Centres, located throughout South Africa, with an outsourced visa service provider. This is to ensure the facilitation of legitimate travel with processes that are robust, effective, and fair.
Since July 2024 over 11,700 applications of all types have been received by the South African Desk and over 7,900 decisions have issued, with an overall grant rate of 89%.
I can advise the Deputy that, while the target processing times for employment visa applications submitted to the South Africa Visa Desk had been 6 to 8 weeks, these targets are not currently being met. The application longest on hand has been waiting approximately 14 weeks for a decision. Work is ongoing to improve the current processing times with additional resources being allocated to this work.
My Department publishes guidance for applicants and weekly decision reports, at the following webpage:
www.irishimmigration.ie/south-africa-visa-desk/.
Applicants are advised that unforeseen delays can arise, which are outside the control of the Department. Processing times for all applications are influenced by a number of factors and varies depending on the type and complexity of application; individual circumstances; peak application periods; such as holidays or the start of the school year; and, crucially, the quality and completeness of the application lodged. Any non-EU/EEA nationals who wish to remain in Ireland for longer than 90 days must register and apply for further permission to remain in the State before their initial permission to remain expires. Full details of the Registration process can be found at the link below:www.irishimmigration.ie/registering-your-immigration-permission/
.I can inform the Deputy that there are no bilateral or special migration arrangements in place between Ireland and South Africa. All non-EEA nationals are required to register a permission to remain in the State as set out in Section 9 of the Immigration Act 2004.
For all non-EEA nationals, the same pathways are available for transitioning from an employment permit based immigration permission to permanent residency. Further information is available on my Department's Immigration Service website at: www.irishimmigration.ie/registering-your-immigration-permission/changing-your-immigration-permission/.
Any applicant can now directly check the status of their visa application on the Immigration Service’s new Customer Service portal. They can register for, or log in to their existing account, at:
portal.irishimmigration.ie/en/ .
349. Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the reason his Department gave all non-EU international students from 'non-visa-required' countries just 90 days’ notice (until 30 June 2025) for proof of €10,000 for courses longer than eight months after arrival in advance of their studies beginning (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33257/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland welcomes international students who wish to travel here in order to pursue a full-time course of study, thereby providing economic and other benefits to Ireland, as well of course as to the students themselves.
At Government level, the administration and management of international student programmes is within the remit of the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (DFHERIS), with my Department having responsibility for visa and related residency policies.
There is regular communication and collaboration between both departments, as well as their associated bodies such as Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) and the Higher Education Authority (HEA).
One of the key conditions applicable to a student coming to Ireland is that they must be able to support themselves while in the state. As such, proof of available finances is a requirement for all relevant non-EEA national students, both visa and non-visa required. This is separate to any educational fees and relates only to levels of funds required to live in Ireland. It also considers the welfare of international students to ensure they can meet essential living costs during their studies.
Following a review by my Department in 2022, it was concluded that the level of funds required should be increased to more accurately reflect the average annual living expenses for students in Ireland. Prior to 2022, these finance levels had not been reviewed in more than 10 years. These changes were agreed with the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (DFHERIS), and in consultation with relevant stakeholders.
It was also agreed that the difference in funds required for students based on visa requirements would be removed over time. To this end, the level of funds required was increased in 2023 and 2024, and the recently announced increase, as stated on my Department’s Immigration Service website, will come into effect on 30 June 2025: www.irishimmigration.ie/coming-to-study-in-ireland/what-are-my-study-options/a-fee-paying-private-primary-or-secondary-school/information-on-student-finances/#:~:text=If%20the%20duration%20of%20your,6%2C665%20whichever%20is%20the%20lesser.
These changes followed consultation with stakeholders, including both representative bodies and individual institutions in the higher education and English language sectors. DFHERIS, as the Department with primary responsibility for international education policy, carried out the bulk of this consultation.
The website notice regarding these changes was placed on 24 March 2025, 14 weeks prior to coming into effect, in order to inform and alert students intending to commence or continue study from September 2025. Most students will first register or renew their immigration residence permissions in September 2025.
I can advise you that the decision to set the level of funds required for international students at €10,000 for courses of one year in duration arose directly from engagement with institutions. As part of an independent review in 2022 of the Government’s International Education Strategy 2016-2020, higher education institutions provided estimates of the actual cost of living for their students in different regions of the country. Based on these estimates, and further communication between DFHERIS and these institutions, it was decided that €10,000 was the most reasonable baseline figure.
From 30 June 2025, shorter courses resulting in a stay of usually 6 to 8 months in duration have a new monthly financial requirement for both visa and non-visa required students, which will be €833 per month. This equates to €4,998 for a 6 month stay or €6,665 for an 8 month stay.
DFHERIS notified the representative bodies for Ireland’s higher education institutions and English language schools of this change and asked that they disseminate it to their members. It should be noted that my Department had signalled previously to stakeholders that the different financial requirements for international students from visa required and non-visa required countries was an anomaly, and that it was the intention to align them over time. The latest change, to apply from 30 June 2025, is the completion of this process.
350. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of unserved prison sentences in the State last year, and each of the last five years; the number that were given unserved time on occasions; the reason unserved time is offered to persons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33345/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn general terms the law sets out the maximum sentence that can be imposed for an offence and it is then a matter for the court to decide the appropriate sentence in each particular case, taking into account all the circumstances. The judiciary is independent in the exercise of judicial functions, subject only to the Constitution and the law.
The specific question raised by the deputy seeks information on unserved prison sentences. While there are particular situations where convicted persons do not serve their full prison sentence, for example where remission is granted for good behaviour, 'unserved time' is not a concept of Irish criminal law. If the Deputy wishes to provide further clarification regarding his question, I will be pleased to consider the matter further
351. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of people referred to the probation service for a community service report who were found by that report to be unsuitable for community service and were subsequently not sentenced to an immediate term of imprisonment, in 2022, 2023 and 2024, in tabular form. [33423/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will appreciate, management of the courts, along with related operational matters and logistical functions, are the responsibility of the judiciary and the Courts Service, which are independent in exercising their functions under the Courts Service Act 1998 and through the separation of powers in the Constitution.
It should be noted that the Department does not record data relating to convictions, as this is a function of the courts. However, to be of assistance, I have made enquiries with the Courts Service, who have informed me that the requested information is not recorded by the courts.
352. Deputy James Geoghegan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration further to Parliamentary Question No. 1192 of 19 March 2025, if his Department has instructed the Office of Parliamentary Counsel to draft legislation to enable An Garda Síochána to share information and clarifying obligations in respect of the person receiving that information; if not, when that instruction will be forthcoming; if he, having reviewed all of the relevant material on these matters, will confirm whether it is a Ministerial priority for him to see the introduction of a programme such as Operation Encompass; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33428/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Programme for Government commits to "fully implement the Zero Tolerance: Third National Strategy on Domestic, Sexual, Gender Based Violence Zero Tolerance (DSGBV) 2022-2026". Action 2.5.4 of the Zero Tolerance Implementation Plan 2025-2026 is "to scope and develop an operational framework to introduce Operation Encompass in the Irish system, including identifying any necessary legislative changes and consulting with relevant stakeholders".
Operation Encompass is a police-led, school-based early intervention program designed to support children and young people who experience domestic abuse. This includes where a child has witnessed domestic abuse in the home. It involves police services sharing information with schools about instances of domestic abuse involving a child, allowing the school to provide immediate support the following day and into the future. This information-sharing protocol has been successfully implemented in the UK and Northern Ireland and Operation Encompass was placed on a statutory footing in May 2024.
The practice in the UK, which involves police and teacher collaboration, differs from how cases are dealt with in this jurisdiction where contact is instead made with social services, i.e. with Tusla, the statutory Child and Family Agency. Under the Children First Act 2015, Tusla must be informed of any concerns about the welfare or protection of a child in relation to domestic abuse in the household. An Garda Síochána policy also provides that Tusla are to be notified of every domestic abuse-related incident affecting or involving children, which is not the case in other jurisdictions.
Due to this different institutional landscape, it is important that all aspects are fully considered prior to the introduction of a programme such as Operation Encompass.
I can confirm that work is ongoing to scope out and develop an operational framework to introduce Operation Encompass in the Irish system, in consultation with relevant stakeholders. This includes identifying legislative changes required to enable An Garda Síochána to share information and clarifying obligations in respect of the person receiving that information.
My Department is engaging with the Department of Education and Youth and with An Garda Síochána on the issue.
In addition, discussions have taken place between my Department and the Education Authority Northern Ireland to learn from their experience of establishing Operation Encompass. My Department has also had discussions with the founders of the UK-based Operation Encompass charity.
353. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of people working full-time and part-time in his Department and bodies under the aegis of the Department in roles that are fully on-site, hybrid, or fully remote from 2022 to date, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33506/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraIt has not been possible to collate the information requested by the Deputy in the time available.
I will write to the Deputy directly once the information is to hand.
