Written Answers Nos. 103-125
103. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport if he will provide an update on the timeline for publishing the research findings from the basic income for the arts pilot; and when a decision on a successor scheme is expected. [34767/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputies will be aware, the Programme for Government commits to assessing the Basic Income for the Arts pilot research scheme to maximise its impact. The scheme has now been operating for almost three years and is underpinned by a robust research programme collecting data about all aspects of the lives of the artists and creative arts workers who are participating in the scheme.
Last week I announced that Cabinet had agreed to my proposal to an extension of six months to February 2026 to allow for further evaluation of the pilot data, which will provide the evidence base for Government to make decisions on the next steps. This will also give sufficient time to engage in stakeholder consultation.
The Programme for Government and the Government’s Research and Innovation Strategy note the importance of incorporating use of evidence into the policy development process, and of improving links between policy makers and researchers. This is a key programme to bring research and data to provide an evidence base for Government to make decisions on future policy for the arts.
The BIA research pilot is designed as a randomised control trial in order to make it possible to identify causality and has benefitted from the involvement of external researchers. This randomised control trial includes a Treatment Group of 2,000, that is the recipients of the payment, and a Control Group of 1,000 who are not in receipt of the payment.
This is the first large-scale randomised control test undertaken by a Government Department in Ireland and represents one of the leading impact evaluations underway in the Public Sector. Evaluation of the pilot is and has been continuous, with participants completing a detailed survey every six months. My Department has been undertaking a broad research programme, including:
• two papers based on baseline survey i.e. information about participants lives before they received the first BIA payment;
• two impact assessments have been published to date and my Department is currently preparing a report examining the first 24 months of the scheme, due to be published over the summer months; and
• an interview research paper, written by an independent researcher, was also published recently. This paper collects the experiences of 50 BIA recipients, who have been interviewed by a sociologist.
While the research phase of the pilot scheme is still ongoing, it is clear from evidence collected to date, under the scheme, by my Department, that it is having a positive impact on participants. This data shows that the BIA payment is having a consistent, positive impact across almost all indicators - affecting practice development, sectoral retention, well-being, and deprivation.
In terms of ongoing evaluation of the scheme, work has recently begun with an external independent economic consultancy to prepare a full cost-benefit analysis of the BIA.
A Government decision will be required on a successor scheme to the pilot, however I intend to bring proposals for a permanent intervention to Cabinet as part of Budget 2026, using the evidence arising from the research programme and stakeholder engagement.
104. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the number of eligible applicants to the grassroot music venue supports scheme who met necessary criteria to avail of the scheme; the number of successful applicants and their geographical distribution; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34950/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra105. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport to provide a list of all eligible applicants and successful applicants to the grassroot music venue supports scheme; the county in which they are located; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34951/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra106. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the date and time of all eligible submissions to the grassroot music venue supports scheme that met the criteria but were ultimately not successful; the date and time of all eligible submissions, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34952/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 104, 105 and 106 together.
I launched the Grassroots Music Venue Support Scheme in March this year, to support small established music venues that promote themselves and are known in the community for programming grassroots music artists, in recognition of the contribution they make to the music industry and the wider night-time economy. The Scheme aims to provide employment opportunities for emerging artists and professionals, including production staff and crew who are dependent on live performances.
The Scheme operated with a total fund of €500,000 and grants were available of up to €15,000 to host events showcasing the talent of emerging, grassroots artists, performing live music that they have written or created themselves. The Scheme was extremely popular and it was closed in early April as it was oversubscribed.
A total of 96 applications were received by my Department. Applications were assessed by my officials strictly by order of date and time of receipt and all venues had to meet the eligibility criteria and conditions of funding, in accordance with the guidelines of the Scheme.
Of the 96 applications received, a total of 45 were eligible for funding. I recently announced the names of 33 venues that were awarded funding.
Of the 45 venues eligible for funding, there was a broad geographic spread with over 40% of the venues were located outside of the major cities and over 70% outside of Dublin City.
I have included the table below as requested, of all eligible successful applicants and unsuccessful eligible applicants including the time and date received. I am unable to provide the names of any unsuccessful applicants as the Department did not seek explicit consent to publish their names. The Department only sought consent where applicants were successful. However, I have included the location of the unsuccessful eligible applicants for your information.
|
Successful Eligible Applicants |
County |
Date & Time of Application |
|
The Cornerstone |
Galway |
31/03/2025 14:17 |
|
Sin é |
Dublin |
31/03/2025 15:11 |
|
Connollys of Leap |
Cork |
31/03/2025 15:17 |
|
Billy Byrne’s |
Kilkenny |
31/03/2025 18:26 |
|
Arthurs Pub |
Dublin |
31/03/2025 19:13 |
|
Hen’s Teeth |
Dublin |
01/04/2025 19:44 |
|
Coughlans Bar |
Cork |
02/04/2025 11:36 |
|
Kavanagh’s Bar and Venue |
Laois |
02/04/2025 12:20 |
|
DeBarra’s Folk Club |
Cork |
02/04/2025 12:21 |
|
Mo Chara |
Louth |
02/04/2025 15:59 |
|
Mike the Pies |
Kerry |
02/04/2025 17:12 |
|
Spirit Store |
Louth |
02/04/2025 17:21 |
|
Bank Lane |
Waterford |
02/04/2025 18:31 |
|
John Cleere's Bar & Theatre |
Kilkenny |
02/04/2025 18:58 |
|
The White Horse |
Cork |
02/04/2025 20:28 |
|
Langtons Set Theatre |
Kilkenny |
02/04/2025 21:52 |
|
Levis’ Bar |
Cork |
02/04/2025 23:50 |
|
Dali |
Cork |
03/04/2025 06:24 |
|
Róisín Dubh |
Galway |
03/04/2025 10:19 |
|
The Bernard Shaw |
Dublin |
03/04/2025 11:58 |
|
The Soundhouse |
Dublin |
03/04/2025 15:34 |
|
Clearys Bar |
Limerick |
03/04/2025 18:22 |
|
The Grand Social |
Dublin |
03/04/2025 18:42 |
|
McHugh’s |
Louth |
04/04/2025 11:01 |
|
The Attic |
Clare |
04/04/2025 12:25 |
|
Wigwam |
Dublin |
04/04/2025 13:13 |
|
The Commercial Bar |
Limerick |
03/04/2025 17:07 |
|
The Lighthouse |
Dublin |
04/04/2025 18:40 |
|
Kennys Bar |
Clare |
05/04/2025 09:42 |
|
Pot Duggans |
Clare |
06/04/2025 18:31 |
|
John Lees bar |
Offaly |
07/04/2025 11:15 |
|
Dolans |
Limerick |
07/04/2025 16:01 |
|
Tengu |
Dublin |
07/04/2025 18:37 |
|
Unsuccessful Eligible Applicants |
County |
Date & Time of Application |
|
Donegal Venue |
Donegal |
08/04/2025 00:29 |
|
Cork City Venue |
Cork |
08/04/2025 17:09 |
|
Dublin City Venue |
Dublin |
09/04/2025 16:29 |
|
Cork Venue |
Cork |
10/04/2025 12:21 |
|
Louth Venue |
Louth |
10/04/2025 14:36 |
|
Dublin City Venue |
Dublin |
11/04/2025 10:14 |
|
Offaly Venue |
Offaly |
12/04/2025 11:45 |
|
Limerick City Venue |
Limerick |
13/04/2025 23:46 |
|
Cork City Venue |
Cork |
14/04/2025 16:04 |
|
Dublin City Venue |
Dublin |
16/04/2025 09:10 |
|
Dublin City Venue |
Dublin |
16/04/2025 20:38 |
|
Cork City Venue |
Cork |
20/04/2025 18:14 |
I understand that there are many disappointed applicants but, as I have already stated, I recognise the value of this Scheme to venues across Ireland and I am committed to considering another phase of this in the future.
107. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport his plans regarding proposals for a successor scheme to the basic income for the arts pilot scheme; if he will commit to ensuring that disabled artists face no disadvantage in terms of social protection allowances to participate in the successor scheme; and when the 24-month report and cost benefit analysis of the pilot scheme will be completed and published. [34953/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Programme for Government commits to assessing the Basic Income for the Arts pilot research scheme to maximise its impact. I appreciate the importance of the Basic Income support for artists, which is why last week I announced that Cabinet had agreed to my proposal to an extension of six months to allow for further evaluation of the pilot data. This will also give sufficient time to engage in stakeholder consultation and to evaluate the data which will provide the evidence base for Government to make decisions on the next steps.
The primary objective of the scheme is to help artists deal with precarious incomes and to prevent talent from leaving the sector for economic reasons. Evaluation of the pilot is and has been continuous, with participants completing a detailed survey every six months. My Department has been undertaking a comprehensive research programme based on this data.
The cost benefit analysis which is currently being undertaken will include a sub-group analysis that will examine the impact on artists with a disability, among other groups. The 6-month extension will provide time for stakeholder engagement which will include engagement with disabled artists' groups among others.
Eligibility for social protection allowances are a matter for the Minister for Social Protection and I have no statutory function in this regard. However, my Department has established a Consultative Committee whose membership includes the Department of Social Protection, the purpose of this group is to share at an interdepartmental level the outcomes of the research on the BIA.
Evaluation of the pilot is and has been continuous, with participants completing a detailed survey every six months. My Department has been undertaking a broad research programme, including:
• two papers based on baseline survey i.e. information about participants lives before they received the first BIA payment;
• two impact assessments have been published to date and my Department is currently preparing a report examining the first 24 months of the scheme, due to be published over the summer months; and
• an interview research paper, written by an independent researcher, was also published recently. This paper collects the experiences of 50 BIA recipients, who have been interviewed by a sociologist.
While the research phase of the pilot scheme is still ongoing, it is clear from evidence collected to date, under the scheme, by my Department, that it is having a positive impact on participants. This data shows that the BIA payment is having a consistent, positive impact across almost all indicators - affecting practice development, sectoral retention, well-being, and deprivation.
In terms of ongoing evaluation of the scheme, work has recently begun with an external independent economic consultancy to prepare a full cost-benefit analysis of the BIA.
A Government decision will be required on a successor scheme to the pilot, however I intend to bring proposals for a permanent intervention to Cabinet as part of Budget 2026, using the evidence arising from the research programme and stakeholder engagement.
108. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will amend the Planning and Development Regulations 2001 to include in the classes of development requiring an environmental assessment report for certain installations of stationary battery energy storage systems; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34562/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Planning and Development Regulations 2001 transpose, and include, the classes of development requiring environmental impact assessment, or screening for environmental impact assessment, that are listed in Annex I and Annex II of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Directive. The Directive specifies projects which, by virtue of their nature, size or location, are likely to have significant effects on the environment and therefore should be subject to EIA. The Directive requires that projects listed in Annex I of the Directive be subject to mandatory EIA and provides that Member States may determine whether projects listed in Annex II of the Directive shall be subject to EIA.
Stationary battery storage systems are not a class of project requiring either EIA or screening for EIA under the Directive and therefore are not included as a class of project in the 2001 Regulations. That being said, it is not necessarily the case that stationary battery energy storage projects could never require EIA. Circumstances may arise in which a project may be subject to a requirement for EIA if, for example, one or more aspects of that project comes within the scope of any of the project classes listed in Annex I or Annex II of the Directive. It would therefore be a matter for the planning authority concerned or the Commission to assess all aspects of any planning application for a stationary battery energy storage development the determined whether any aspect of the project comes within the scope of any of the project classes listed in the Directive and transposing legislation, and in that context whether an EIA is required.
It is not intended that the 2001 Regulation be amended at this time to include any additional project classes for EIA purposes, including stationary battery storage systems. Notwithstanding this, my Department is currently in the process of commencing the Planning and Development Act 2024 which will result in all current planning regulations being replaced or amended as appropriate. As part of that commencement exercise, my Department is undertaking a review of all project classes listed in Regulations for EIA purposes in order to set, where appropriate, inclusion or exclusion thresholds for these project classes in compliance with the requirements of the Directive. The need to include stationary battery storage energy storage systems as a class of project subject to EIA can be considered in that context.
109. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the plans that are in place to prevent, and treat, wildfires in the coming summer months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34608/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra110. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the additional assistance and resources that will be provided for Dublin Fire Brigade, and other fire services across the country, to deal with the threat of wildfires; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34609/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 109 and 110 together.
The provision of a fire service in its functional area, including the establishment and maintenance of a fire brigade, the assessment of fire cover needs and the provision of fire station premises, is a statutory function of individual fire authorities under the Fire Services Act 1981 & 2003. My Department supports the fire authorities through setting general policy, providing a central training programme, issuing guidance on operational and other related matters and providing capital funding for priority infrastructural projects and equipment.
Under the Fire services Act (1981 & 2003) each fire authority maintains a "Section 26" fire and emergency operational plan detailing the provision made by it in respect of organisation, appliances, equipment, fire stations, water supplies and extinguishing agents, training, operational procedure and such other matters as may be relevant for the provision of a fire and emergency service incident response.
Local authorities have responsibility for the assessment of their individual fire cover needs, including the provision and management of fleet and equipment adequate to their specific risk requirements and are free to request funding of specific equipment and fleet which may be deemed necessary in response to an identified fire risk from the fire services capital programme.
The National Directorate for Fire & Emergency Management have issued a Standard Operating Guideline on fighting fire in remote and rural areas to assist fire services to prepare for and respond to wildland fires.
111. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Question No. 505 of 17 June 2025, to provide a statistical breakdown of applications and approvals since the commencement of each of the home ownership support schemes currently in operation (details supplied), in tabular form, and if the Minister will outline whether this data is used for internal monitoring or evaluation purposes. [34643/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department collects and publishes programme-level statistics on affordable housing delivery activity by local authorities and delivery partners in each local authority area. Data for the years 2022 up to Q4 2024 is published on the statistics page of my Department’s website at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/collection/6060e-overall-social-housing-provision/?#affordable-housing-delivery.
Overall since the launch of Housing for All, nearly 13,000 affordable housing options have been delivered by a range of delivery partners including local authorities, Approved Housing Bodies, the Land Development Agency and through the First Home Scheme, the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant and the Cost Rental Tenant-in-Situ Scheme.
In addition, information on activity under the Local Authority Home Loan can be found at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-housing-local-government-and-heritage/collections/local-authority-loan-activity/.
Further information collected as part of the eligibility assessment for the various schemes is processed by the relevant scheme provider, authority or delivery partner in line with relevant data protection legislation, and is not reported by my Department.
To note, the Help-to-Buy initiative is a Revenue initiated scheme, for which the Revenue Commissioner is best placed to advise on.
112. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department will put in place guidelines to local authorities for the reletting of casual vacancies setting a maximum timeframe within which a house must be relet; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34647/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra113. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he agrees that it is totally unacceptable in a housing crisis for a local authority to take up to one year to relet a residential property; if he will engage with local authorities to ensure the efficiency of their procedures in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34648/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 112 and 113 together.
The Programme for Government commits to the introduction of a new voids programme, to include mandatory voids frameworks for local authorities so as to improve turnaround time of vacant local authority housing stock. Work is underway in this regard within the statutory framework set out in section 58 of the Housing Act 1966, which provides that local authorities are responsible for the management and maintenance of local authority housing stock, including pre-letting repairs to vacant properties.
Furthermore, my Department has been working with local authorities and AHBs to identify opportunities to reduce the time it takes for a social housing home to be allocated and tenanted. Consultation and analysis with stakeholders as part of that work concluded that there are a range of circumstances that could impact the length of time a property remains vacant. It is critical that the allocation systems and procedures utilised by local authorities and AHBs operate to ensure that there is no avoidable delay in households in need of accommodation being provided with these homes. The standardisation of procedures around existing good practice represents the greatest opportunity to achieve efficiencies in the end-to-end allocation process and eliminate avoidable delays which could result in a property remaining vacant. My Department is working with local authorities and the Housing Agency to refresh guidance and training for local authorities in this area in order to embed best practice, and improve data gathering and reporting.
114. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an update on the commencement of sections 48 to 50 of the Residential Tenancies (Amendment) Act 2015, which provide for the establishment of a tenancy deposit protection scheme; the reasons these provisions have not yet been commenced; if any assessment has been carried out on the cost-benefit implications of implementing such a scheme; if he will provide a timeline for its potential introduction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34714/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Residential Tenancies (Amendment) Act 2015 provided for the development of a deposit protection scheme to be operated by the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB). However, significant changes have taken place in the rental market since this legislation was passed. It should be noted that, unlike many other jurisdictions examined, Ireland already has a well-established quasi-judicial dispute resolution process in place where the RTB offers a dispute resolution process to landlords and tenants and any deposit protection scheme will continue to require access to such a resolution process.
The Housing for All Action Plan Update published in November 2022, included an action to examine the creation of a system of holding rental deposits, informed by best international experience. The primary aim of this examination is to provide an international comparison of different models of deposit protection, with a view to drawing lessons prior to the possible implementation of a deposit protection scheme in Ireland.
The Housing Agency has completed an examination in line with the Housing for All action and I am presently considering its contents and the options the Agency has outlined. It is important that any new measures introduced in the rental sector are done so in a fair, measured and balanced manner.
115. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the amount of funding his Department provided for the housing adaptation grants for older people and people with disabilities in the years of 2024 and 2025, in tabular form. [34734/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department provides Exchequer funding to local authorities to administer the suite of Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and Disabled People, which support older and disabled people living in private houses to adapt their home to meet their needs. The suite of grants, which include the Housing Adaptation Grant for Disabled People, the Mobility Aids Grant and the Housing Aid for Older People Grant, are funded by my Department with a contribution from the resources of the local authority.
In 2024 Exchequer funding of €74.5 million was initially allocated for the suite of Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and Disabled People. Additional funding was secured for the scheme through Supplementary Estimate of €8 million resulting in an Exchequer funding provision of over €82 million. Budget 2025 provided for an increase of €25m in the funding provision for the Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and Disabled People, with almost €100 million allocated for 2025, continuing the year on year increases since 2014.
|
Year |
Exchequer Funding Provided for the Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and Disabled People |
|
2024 |
€82,678,004 |
|
2025 |
€99,500,000 |
116. Deputy Rory Hearne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of units provided under the CAS for care leavers scheme in 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34751/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra117. Deputy Rory Hearne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the funding provided for the CAS for care leavers scheme in 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34752/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 116 and 117 together.
CAS funding of €2.1 million was provided to Approved Housing Bodies for the provision of 10 units of accommodation for careleavers in 2024. Care leaver accommodation is provided as a specific category under CAS, especially for those who have complex needs and are in danger of falling into homelessness with housing solutions for this priority category also provided through a range of delivery programmes within my Department.
118. Deputy Naoise Ó Muirí asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department has considered a proposal (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34769/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government committed in January 2025 to introduce an all of government national housing plan to follow Housing for All, underpinned by a multi-annual funding commitment.
As part of this, all Departments have been examining actions to further enable both the delivery and viability of housing.
One of these areas has been an initial examination and consideration of whether and how a Livret A type model of state savings might work in an Irish context. As the area of savings, banking and finance comes under the remit of the Minister for Finance, preliminary engagement between my Department and the Department of Finance to examine this issue has been undertaken.
119. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for a status update on the General Scheme of the Residential Tenancies (Right to Purchase) Bill; to explain the delays in this legislation considering that pre-legislative scrutiny was completed in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34782/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Residential Tenancies (No. 3) Bill 2024 was published on 24 July 2024, taking account of the Report of Joint Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage on its Pre Legislative Scrutiny of the General Scheme of the Bill. The Bill lapsed on 8 November 2024 upon the dissolution of the 33rd Dáil: www.oireachtas.ie/en/bills/bill/2024/63/.
120. Deputy John Clendennen asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of planning applications that are referred to An Bord Pleanála, that are subsequently approved; to provide a breakdown of these figures for each of the midlands counties of Westmeath, Offaly and Laois for each of the years 2022, 2023, 2024 and to date in 2025, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34795/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn Coimisiún Pleanála (ACP) replaced An Bord Pleanála on 18 June 2025 as the national independent statutory body with responsibility for the determination of planning appeals and direct applications for strategic infrastructure and other developments under the Planning and Development Act 2024, and certain other Acts.
ACP has been working to address the backlog of cases currently awaiting a decision, more quickly than before. Progress on addressing this backlog is reported to the Department on a monthly basis. ACP have advised that the total number of cases on hand on 30 April was 1,364, down from 2,141 on the equivalent date in 2024, a reduction of 36.3% in one year. As recently as May 2023, the number of cases on hand was 3,616 (down 60%).
The Department does not hold the specific information in relation to planning applications as requested. In light of this arrangements have been put in place by all bodies under the aegis of my Department to facilitate the provision of information directly to members of the Oireachtas. This provides a speedy, efficient and cost effective system to address queries directly to the relevant bodies. The contact email address for ACP in this regard is Oireachtasqueries@pleanala.ie
121. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his position on the removal or bypassing of man-made barriers on the River Blackwater, in line with the EU’s objectives for free-flowing rivers under the Water Framework Directive.; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34842/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Water Action Plan 2024 published by my Department sets out a roadmap to restore Ireland’s water bodies (rivers, lakes, estuaries and coastal waters) to ‘good status’ or better and to protect water from any further deterioration as required under the Water Framework Directive (WFD).
Currently there are 448 water bodies that are at risk of not achieving their environmental objectives under the WFD because of pressures on their hydromorphology. Hydromorphology is a broad subject that relates to the flow, form and function of water. River barriers and fish passage fall under this subject.
There are ambitious targets outlined in the Water Action Plan with respect to the mitigation of river barriers. There are two main projects; the National Barriers Programme and the National Barriers Mitigation Programme. Both are led by Inland Fisheries Ireland with the support of my Department and the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment.
Any proposed barrier mitigation projects on the River Blackwater will be considered by Inland Fisheries Ireland.
122. Deputy John Connolly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the resources provided to all local authorities for the provision of social work staff, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34848/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder Section 159 of the Local Government Act 2001, each Chief Executive is responsible for the staffing and organisational arrangements necessary for carrying out the functions of the local authority for which he/she is responsible. Local authorities are entirely independent corporate entities having full responsibility under law for the performance of their functions and the discharge of their governance and other responsibilities. The funding system for local authorities is a complex one, as authorities derive their income from a variety of sources, such as commercial rates, charges for goods and services, Local Property Tax, as well as funding from Government Departments and other bodies. It is a matter for each local authority as to how it can manage its own spending, in the context of the annual budgetary process.
My Department provides funding in respect of social workers employed by local authorities to work with Travellers. 90% of the salary, travel and subsistence expenses are recouped. Funding is provided from the overall Traveller-specific accommodation current funding budget under which expenditure in 2024 amounted to almost €7 million. The amount recouped relating to social workers is being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy in accordance with Standing Orders.
123. Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage how full-time students living in privately rented accommodation on leases of less than six years will be protected from having to pay exorbitant rent increases from 1 March 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34937/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn 10 June 2025, the Government approved stronger tenancy protections and greater certainty for the rental sector, including the introduction of a national rent control, as part of a suite of measures to boost the supply of new homes and secure and grow the availability of rental accommodation.
The Residential Tenancies (Amendment) Act 2025 was signed into law on 19 June 2025. The Act came into operation on 20 June 2025 to immediately extend and expand the operation of Rent Pressure Zones (RPZs) to cover the entire country until 28 February 2026. Further legislation is being developed to apply stronger tenancy protections to new tenancies created (i.e. first time tenancies between parties) from 1 March 2026. With the exception of new build apartments, annual rent increases in all new tenancies created after 1 March 2026 will be capped at the level of inflation (CPI) up to a maximum of 2%. For new build apartments, annual rent increases will be capped at the level of inflation (CPI).
For such tenancies, unless a 'no fault eviction' occurs, a landlord will be allowed to set the rent to market value at the start of the tenancy and at the end of every 6-year period that the tenancy continues to exist.
In order to provide greater security of tenure to tenants, legislative changes will apply to significantly restrict ‘no fault evictions’. These changes will significantly enhance the current provision of tenancies of unlimited duration with the introduction of tenancies of minimum duration (TMD), involving rolling 6-year tenancies, for any new tenancy created on/after 1 March 2026 by a smaller landlord (with 3 or fewer tenancies) with a new tenant.
I will continue to engage with the Office of the Attorney General and the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science during the drafting of legislation on the tailored arrangements to apply to student specific accommodation. Increasing the availability of suitable, financially accessible student accommodation is a key policy priority for Government and will be addressed in the new Student Accommodation Strategy, being developed by the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science for publication later this year. Affordability and equity will be at core of the Strategy.
124. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Social Protection if his Department will urgently assess the impact of their random reviews of means tested payments to the very old and disabled, having regard to the fact that the impact on the vulnerable people involved in terms of stress and anxiety may be far greater than any benefit achieved for the State and may in fact contribute to additional medical or care costs arising in particular cases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34645/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is aware of the sensitivities involved in conducting reviews of means-tested payments, particularly where older people and those living with disabilities are concerned. The Department has a commitment to an annual level of control reviews and operates an ongoing continuous schedule of control and review activity for scheme recipients. The primary purpose of these reviews is to ensure that all recipients continue to receive the correct rate of payment to which they are entitled.
Reviews may arise for a number of reasons; at the request of the customer for a review of their claim, from targeted a or random case selections, or where specific information comes to the attention of the Department from other agencies or from members of the public.
Reviews are conducted in a streamlined fashion and clear information is provided to recipients throughout the process. People in receipt of disability-related payments may have their claim reviewed to ensure they continue to meet the qualifying medical criteria for the scheme. In cases where a Departmental Medical Assessor determines that no further review is necessary, no medical control review will be undertaken.
Recipients are regularly reminded through information letters or MyWelfare notifications, of their obligation to notify the Department of changes in their circumstances in a timely manner. This is to ensure that any changes in circumstances are notified promptly, reducing the need for further reviews of their payments.
I want to assure the Deputy that my Department is committed to treating all customers with dignity and respect and understands the many pressures faced by those in receipt of welfare supports. It is important to note that decision made following a review is open to a review and/or an appeal to the Social Welfare Appeals office.
125. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Social Protection to outline, in relation to the forecasts underpinning the forthcoming auto-enrolment scheme, the number of contributors he expects in each €10,000 income bracket from €20,000 up to €100,000, both in absolute numbers and as a percentage of all contributors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34649/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra126. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Social Protection to outline, in relation to the forecasts supporting the forthcoming auto-enrolment scheme, the number of contributors expected to be liable for the higher 40% income tax rate, both in absolute numbers and as a percentage of all contributors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34650/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra127. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Social Protection if contributors to the auto-enrolment scheme who are liable for the 40% higher income tax rate will be informed, either before or during enrolment, that the State incentive on their contributions would be doubled if they were to join a private pension scheme instead; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34651/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 125, 126 and 127 together.
The Programme for Government contains a commitment to introduce the Automatic Enrolment (AE) Retirement Savings System. The legislative basis for implementing the new system was enacted last July. The aim of introducing AE is to address the pension coverage gap that exists in Ireland and to provide workers with greater comfort and security regarding their retirement savings. I recently announced the system, to be known by its brand name, 'My Future Fund', will commence from 1st January 2026.
It has long been recognised that supplementary pension coverage in Ireland among private sector workers is too low. It is estimated that just one-in-three private sector workers are actively contributing to occupational or private pension schemes. This may lead to these workers being reliant solely on the State Pension in retirement, which may in turn result in an unwanted reduction in their living standards.
In order to address this challenge, My Future Fund will see a transition from the current voluntary system to one which will, subject to certain parameters, automatically enrol employees into a quality assured retirement savings system. The saver will maintain some freedom of choice to opt-out.
While current occupational and private pension savings arrangements financially incentivise participation through tax relief on contributions at the participant's appliable income tax rate, the AE system will instead use a direct State top-up contribution. This top-up contribution will be applied equally to each participant at a rate of €1 for each €3 contributed by them, and is the equivalent of 25% tax relief.
The State top-up approach makes the auto-enrolment system highly equitable. Whether it represents a higher or lower financial incentive for a participant will be dependent upon their individual circumstances.
It cannot be said that My Future Fund will be less beneficial to a worker who pays tax at 40%. After all, anybody who will be auto-enrolled is not in a pension scheme and consequently is not receiving any benefit at present. In addition, to simply compare the state incentivisation aspect alone could give a misleading understanding of benefit to individuals. It is really important to note that other factors such as the applicable contribution rates, the income base on which contributions are calculated, tax relief, ancilliary benefits, administrative and fund charges, investment returns, employer support and other terms and conditions of a pension scheme all have a considerable bearing on the overall value of the scheme to its participants. In that context, My Future Fund will provide very significant benefit to all participants of the scheme regardless of their tax rate.
To support understanding of how the system works, the Department is currently running a communications campaign to inform both employers and employees about auto-enrolment, including how the State incentive differs from tax relief on private pensions. This campaign will intensify over the coming months to the launch of the scheme from 1 January 2026.
While the very specific and stratified data that the Deputy is seeking is not yet available, a minority of around 25% of the more than 800,000 employees that may be eligible for enrolment into My Future Fund are likely to be paying income tax at the higher rate, according to ESRI analysis.
I trust this clarifies matters for the Deputy.
