Written Answers Nos. 83-102
83. Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Social Protection the recipients of the fuel allowance, by county, in tabular form; his plans to expand the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50641/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Programme for Government includes a commitment to examine key ancillary benefits such as the Fuel Allowance to support vulnerable groups. This is an ongoing activity as part of the Department's budget planning each year and I will continue, as part of the budget planning process, to consider if improvements can be made to ensure that these benefits continue to target vulnerable groups. Any future decisions will, of course, have to take account of the availability of financial resources.
There have been significant improvements made in recent years to the Fuel Allowance Scheme. These improvements have resulted in many more households qualifying for the payment.
In 2023, the enhanced Fuel Allowance measures for people aged 70 years and over were introduced. Disablement Benefit and Half-rate Carers Allowance payment was disregarded when assessing means for Fuel Allowance purposes. Disablement Benefit also no longer prevents a household from receiving the Fuel Allowance payment.
In 2024, the allowable means for those aged 70 and over was increased to €512 a week for a single person and to €1,024 a week for a couple. Periods spend on Community Employment, Tús or the Rural Social Scheme can now be used to satisfy the 312-day requirement for Fuel Allowance.
In Budget 2025, Carer’s Allowance became a qualifying payment for Fuel Allowance, and the enhanced over 70’s Fuel Allowance qualifying conditions were extended to people aged 66 and over. The allowable means for those aged 66 and over was increased to €524 a week for a single person and to €1,048 a week for a couple.
The number of recipients by county is as follows: -
|
County |
Number of Fuel Recipients |
|
CARLOW |
6,735 |
|
CAVAN |
7,394 |
|
CLARE |
10,962 |
|
CORK |
43,922 |
|
DONEGAL |
20,364 |
|
DUBLIN |
87,149 |
|
GALWAY |
21,726 |
|
KERRY |
15,394 |
|
KILDARE |
14,366 |
|
KILKENNY |
7,779 |
|
LAOIS |
6,767 |
|
LEITRIM |
4,194 |
|
LIMERICK |
18,971 |
|
LONGFORD |
5,330 |
|
LOUTH |
13,733 |
|
MAYO |
15,920 |
|
MEATH |
12,856 |
|
MONAGHAN |
5,993 |
|
OFFALY |
7,652 |
|
ROSCOMMON |
6,680 |
|
SLIGO |
7,066 |
|
TIPPERARY |
18,013 |
|
WATERFORD |
13,176 |
|
WESTMEATH |
8,289 |
|
WEXFORD |
17,539 |
|
WICKLOW |
11,660 |
|
NOT RECORDED |
43
|
I trust this clarifies the issue for the deputy.
84. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Social Protection if the planned auto-enrolment retirement savings scheme will be designed to favour environmental and socially ethical investment pathways; if he will ensure that participants will have the ability to choose portfolios that reflect personal values, including sustainability and social impact; if the scheme will offer full public transparency on asset classes, sectors, and companies involved in each fund; and if he will consider the introduction of a dedicated green investment pathway as a core, not optional, feature of the system. [50649/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe introduction of a pensions auto-enrolment (AE) system is a Programme for Government commitment, and one of my key priorities as Minister for Social Protection. The aim of introducing an AE system is to address the pension coverage gap that exists in Ireland, and to help provide for better retirement incomes for workers. The new system will be called 'My Future Fund' and it will launch from 1st January 2026.
The investment approach and rules are set out clearly at Part 4 of the Automatic Enrolment Retirement Savings System Act 2024.
In line with that, there will be three investment strategies - lower, medium and higher risk - available initially to participants. The investment objective of each these funds will be defined by reference to a specific ESMA (European Securities and Markets Authority) rating or an acceptable alternative scale and methodology used for the purpose of indicating the level of risk applicable.
All participants will initially be brought into the default strategy, which will involve moving their invested assets from the higher risk strategy to the medium risk strategy and then to the lower risk strategy, according to a defined age-driven timeline set out in Section 70 of the Automatic Enrolment Retirement Savings System Act 2024. The participants are placed in the higher risk strategy when the time before the participant reaches the State pension age of 66 years is more than 15 years. A participant is then moved to the medium risk strategy when the time before the participant reaches State pension age is 15 years or less but more than 5 years. Alternatively, they may be placed here from the start if they already satisfy the age requirements. Finally, they are moved to the lower risk strategy when the time before the participant reaches State pension age is 5 years or less. Again, alternatively, they may be placed here from the start if they already satisfy the age requirements. Most participants are expected to stay in the default strategy. However, they will have the option of choosing any one of the three funds at any time.
While all investments must be made in accordance with the prudent person rule, and in the best long term interests of the participants in the scheme, each of the investment strategies will have specific ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) requirements, as set out in Sections 74 and 75 of the Act. Section 74 requires investment management providers to take into account the long-term impact of investment decisions on environmental, social and governance factors. Section 75 is also of particular note as it provides for a number of provisions that must be included in contracts with investment management providers relating to environmental and other matters. These include that investment management service providers must:
• make provision in their risk management system to take account of risks arising from environmental, social and governance factors;
• conduct, at intervals of not more than 3 years, an assessment of the risks arising from environmental, social and governance factors, and report to the National Automatic Enrolment Retirement Savings Authority on the assessment; and
• prepare, and from time to time revise, a statement describing how considerations arising from environmental, social and governance factors affect its investment decisions.
In the future, consideration may be given by the Board of the Authority to expanding investment options as part of the review of the system required by section 43. This in line with the typical trajectory of how retirement savings providers develop, whereby they generally start off with a limited number of investment options and gradually expand to alternative offerings such as green funds once their asset base sufficiently develops to ensure that such options can be provided in a cost-effective manner.
I hope this clarifies matters for the Deputy.
85. Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of employers that have availed of the wage subsidy scheme for the years 2020 to 2025 respectively; the number of people with disabilities who benefitted from this scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50655/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Wage Subsidy Scheme (WSS) encourages employers to employ disabled staff. It offers employers financial support to employ people with a disability through a subsidy. The work offered must be for a minimum of 15 hours per week and the subsidy is available up to 39 hours per week.
The number of employers and employee availing of the WSS at the 31st December in each of the years 2020-2024, and at 31st August 2025, are shown in the table below. These figures also include those on the Employment Support Scheme.
Table 1: Number of employers and employees availing of the Wage Subsidy Scheme, by year
|
Year |
Employers |
Employees |
|
2020 |
1,648 |
2,676 |
|
2021 |
1,621 |
2,536 |
|
2022 |
1,552 |
2,462 |
|
2023 |
1,522 |
2,451 |
|
2024 |
1,504 |
2,466 |
|
2025 (as at 31st August) |
1,542 |
2,544 |
86. Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Social Protection further to the re-launch of the wage subsidy scheme this year, the number of employers in the community and voluntary sector and commercial State-sponsored sector have taken up the scheme; the number of people with disabilities who directly benefitted from the inclusion of these sectors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50656/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Wage Subsidy Scheme is a key disability employment support provided by my Department. It aims to encourage employers to offer substantial and sustainable employment to disabled people through a subsidy.
Last year, my Department published a review of the Wage Subsidy Scheme following a public consultation. The review made six recommendations, including to reduce the minimum required hours of the scheme, to regularly review the subsidy rate, and to remove terms such as ‘productivity deficit’ from the scheme to better align the scheme with the social model of disability. An additional €3.7 million has been allocated to implement the review’s recommendations.
Eligibility for the scheme was expanded to include employers in the community and voluntary sector and commercial state-sponsored sector. This change expands the pool of potential jobs and opportunities for disabled people. To date, 28 employers and 48 participants have benefitted from this expansion.
The final recommendation of the review was to promote and increase awareness of the scheme in order to encourage a greater uptake among employers, including those in now included community and voluntary sector. In June this year, I formally launched the reformed scheme together with the Taoiseach, Minister Foley and Minister of State Naughton. We also launched a media campaign to raise awareness of this very beneficial scheme which ran until mid-July.
I hope and expect that the implementation of the recommendations of the review and the media campaign will result in an expansion of the scheme to new employers and new sectors and that we see more disabled people directly benefit. We will continue to raise awareness of the scheme and encourage more employers to participate.
Notwithstanding these improvements, the new National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People 2025-2030 and the Programme for Government both commit to further reviewing the minimum hours requirement under the Wage Subsidy Scheme for disabled people and to examining an increase to the payment rate.
These commitments will be advanced over the lifetime of the Government in the context of the annual budget process and in light of the resources available.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
87. Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of people who have availed of the Work Placement Experience Programme for the years 2020-2025; the benefits that are offered as part of this scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50657/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Work Placement Experience Programme (WPEP) commenced in 2021. The key objectives of the programme are to:
• keep jobseekers close to the labour market.
• provide jobseekers who have never had a job with the opportunity to gain valuable work experience and training to assist them to gain employment.
• provide jobseekers who wish to change careers with the opportunity to gain quality work experience and training in a new employment role.
The number of people who have availed of WPEP from 2021 to 2025 are provided below.
|
Year |
Number of WPEP Participants |
|
2021 |
183 |
|
2022 |
323 |
|
2023 |
408 |
|
2024 |
387 |
|
2025* |
463 |
|
Total |
1764 |
* Includes participants approved to commence in September and October 2025.
Participants complete at least 60 hours of training while on the work placement, of which a minimum of 20 hours should be accredited or sector recognised training.
Participants receive a minimum weekly payment of €359. Any increases due for a Qualified Adult or a Qualified Child are paid in addition to the minimum payment rate. Participants who are entitled to additional benefits such as Fuel Allowance, Living Alone Increase or Telephone Support Allowance, will receive these in addition to the main WPEP payment. Participants retain their medical card during WPEP and their rent payment to their local authority will not increase. WPEP is not subject to means assessment.
While on a placement, Participants can commence part-time employment / self-employment without affecting their entitlements provided that it does not interfere with the required hours of the WPEP placement. Part-time employment with the WPEP Host is not permitted.
I trust this clarifies matter for the Deputy
88. Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Social Protection the number who have accessed the work and access scheme for 2024 and 2025; the amount allocated as part of this scheme; if plans are in place to expand the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50660/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn July 2024, my Department launched a new scheme called Work and Access. The scheme offers seven supports to help reduce or remove barriers in the workplace for disabled people.
The supports include funding for a workplace needs assessment, work coaches, personal readers, assistive equipment and communication supports. Funding is also available to employers for workplace adaptations and disability equality and inclusion training.
Work and Access is open to all non-public sector employers, including the self-employed and people working in the community and voluntary sector. Supports are available for both business premises and remote workplaces.
My Department allocated an additional €1 million a year to this scheme.
A media campaign ran last year to raise awareness surrounding the new scheme and my officials have been promoting the scheme around the country.
In 2024, my Department made 24 individual payments amounting to approximately €16,154 under the new scheme. As of August 2025, 132 individual payments have been made totaling €227,848 for the year to date.
Both the Programme for Government and the recently launched National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled people 2025-2030 include commitments to expanding and building on successful programmes like the Work and Access scheme to support disabled people into employment.
These commitments will be advanced over the lifetime of the government in light of the wider policy and budgetary context.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
89. Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of people who have accessed the WorkAbility programme since it was established in December 2023; the benefits of the programme; if the programme is on target to support over 13,000 disabled people progress their training and employment ambitions over its lifetime; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50661/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn December 2023, my Department established the WorkAbility programme. It is co-financed with the EU Employment, Inclusion, Skills and Training Programme. It is a five-year programme running from 2024 until 2028.
The aim of the WorkAbility programme is to bring people with disabilities who are not work-ready closer to the labour market through 57 local, regional and national projects. It supports projects that provide progressive pathways into education, training, employment and work experience for participants based on their needs, their abilities and their potential.
Benefits for programme participants include increased employment opportunities, career progression, enhanced job readiness skills such as CV writing, job searching and interview skills. They also benefit from training opportunities and soft skills development.
Benefits for employers and stakeholders include opportunities to support and employ people with disabilities, support in best practice and creating inclusive work environments for people with disabilities. They also receive advice and information on accessing available supports, networking and collaboration opportunities.
As of the 1st September 2025, 4,005 people have engaged with the programme. Over 13,000 people with a disability are expected to benefit from the programme over its lifetime.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
90. Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of people in receipt of partial capacity benefit for the years 2020-2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50662/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraPartial Capacity Benefit (PCB) is paid if you cannot work to your full capacity. The rate of payment is based on a medical assessment of your incapacity to work. You may qualify for PCB if your restriction on capacity for work is assessed as moderate, severe, or profound.
To qualify for PCB, you need to be currently getting either Illness Benefit for a minimum of 6 months, or Invalidity Pension.
The number of recipients of PCB at the 31st December in each of the years 2020-2024, and at the 31st August 2025, are shown in the table below.
Table 1: Recipients of Partial Capacity Benefit, by year
|
Year |
Recipients |
|
2020 |
3,227 |
|
2021 |
3,348 |
|
2022 |
3,092 |
|
2023 |
2,891 |
|
2024 |
2,945 |
|
2025 (at 31st August) |
3,052 |
91. Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of people in receipt of disability allowance for the years 2020-2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50663/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraDisability Allowance is a weekly allowance paid to people with a disability. You can get it from 16 years of age. If you are in education when you turn 16, you can continue to attend school while receiving this allowance.
The number of recipients of Disability Allowance at the 31st December each year from 2020-2024, and at 31st August 2025, is shown in the table below.
Table 1: Number of recipients of Disability Allowance, by year
|
Year |
Recipients |
|
2020 |
152,580 |
|
2021 |
155,181 |
|
2022 |
157,807 |
|
2023 |
162,326 |
|
2024 |
167,633 |
|
2025 (as at 31st August) |
171,177 |
92. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason job sharing teachers who apply for carer's benefit are being refused as they are deemed not to work enough hours, even though they work well beyond their timetabled hours, including for the substitution and supervision scheme, yard duty and so on; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50688/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department provides a comprehensive package of carers’ income supports including Carer’s Allowance, Carer’s Benefit, Domiciliary Care Allowance and the Carer’s Support Grant. Combined spending on these payments in 2025 is estimated at over €1.9 billion.
A primary qualifying condition for the Carer’s Benefit and Carer’s Allowance payments is that the applicant provides full-time care and attention to a person in need of such a level of care. The person being cared for must be so incapacitated as to require full-time care and attention and be likely to require this full-time care and attention for at least 12 months. The full-time care and attention requirement is moderated somewhat by allowing a carer to work or engage in education or training for up to 18.5 hours a week while in receipt of a carer's payment. During any period of employment, education, or training, adequate provision must be made for the care of the relevant person.
Carer’s Benefit is a payment made to insured people who may be required to leave the workforce or reduce their working hours to care for a person(s) in need of full-time care. It is payable for a period of up to 2 years, 104 weeks, for each care recipient and may be claimed over separate periods up to a total of 2 years, 104 weeks. The current rate is €261 per week for one care recipient.
To determine entitlement to Carer’s Benefit, applicants must provide evidence of the care recipient’s care requirement, the level of care the carer provides, the carer’s hours of employment, and their PRSI record.
A person may qualify for Carer’s Benefit if they meet the Pay Related Social Insurance and other conditions of the scheme and have been in full-time employed for at least 8 weeks in the previous 26 weeks. Full-time employment in this context is defined as insurable employment for at least 16 hours per week or 32 hours per fortnight. This condition does not need to be satisfied on a second or subsequent claim where a person was in receipt of Carer's Benefit within the previous 26 weeks.
I trust that this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
93. Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Social Protection the dental benefits a person in receipt of carer’s allowance or carer’s benefit can avail of; whether his Department plans to expand the range of free dental services that carers can avail of, such as the services available under the dental treatment services scheme recipients; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50716/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn general, medical or health related benefits fall within the remit of the Department of Health and the HSE. However, my Department administers the treatment benefit scheme which provides certain dental, optical, and medical appliances benefits to insured workers, the self-employed and retired people who have the required number of PRSI contributions. These treatments are also available to their dependent spouse or partner, if applicable.
Eligibility for treatment benefit is based on age and social insurance contributions. Social insurance contributions made under PRSI classes A, E, H, P and S count towards the treatment benefit scheme. Similar to any other individual, people in receipt of carer's allowance or carer's benefit are entitled to treatment benefit scheme, once they meet the scheme's contribution qualifying conditions. The qualifying contribution criteria for the scheme can be found on gov.ie.
Under the dental benefit element of the scheme, my Department pays the full cost of an oral examination once per calendar year. My Department also makes a payment of €42 towards a scale and polish or - if clinically necessary – protracted periodontal treatment, once a calendar year. If the cost of either cleaning or periodontal treatment is more than €42, the person must pay the balance, which is capped at €15 for a scale and polish. There is no cap on the balance charged for periodontal treatment.
At present I have no plans to expand the dental services available under the treatment benefit scheme. However, my Department keeps its schemes and supports under review to make sure they continue to meet their objectives. Any changes to the current system would need to be considered in an overall policy and budgetary context.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
94. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated cost in 2026, if the maximum rate of disability allowance were increased to €258.50 per week; if the maximum rate of State pension (contributory) were increased to €315 per week; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50725/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe estimated annual cost of increasing the maximum rate of Disability Allowance from €244 to €258.50 is €139.1 million.
The estimated annual cost of increasing the maximum rate of State Pension Contributory from €289.30 to €315 is €732.8 million.
Changes to rates of individual schemes in isolation from the wider programme of working age and pension schemes would risk the introduction of unintended consequences.
It should be noted that these costings include a proportionate increase for qualified adults and for those on reduced rates of payment, where relevant.
These costings are based on the estimated average number of recipients in 2026, and are subject to change in light of emerging trends and subsequent revision of the estimated number of recipients.
95. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Social Protection pursuant to the Programme for Government, the status of plans to reform the disability allowance payment; his plans to remove the means test for disability allowance payments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50763/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraSupporting disabled people is a key priority for me and for the Government. That is why the Programme for Government contains a range of measures to support disabled people.
One of these commitments was the publication of a new Disability Strategy. I am very pleased that we recently published the National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People. This Strategy sets out a whole-of-Government approach to disability, with its focus on ensuring full participation of disabled people in Irish society.
Disability Allowance is my Department's primary disability related social assistance scheme. The payment is subject to a medical assessment, a means test and a habitual residency requirement.
The means test takes account of the income a person or couple has in terms of cash, property – other than the family home – and capital.
Applying a means-test ensures that the recipient has an income need and that scarce resources are targeted to those with the greatest need. This approach supports an economically sustainable and socially equitable allocation of scarce resources.
Disability Allowance has one of the highest capital disregards operated by the Department of Social Protection. A recipient can have up to €50,000 in savings and still receive the full rate of payment. This compares with €20,000 for most social welfare payments.
Over the last four budgets the Government has progressively improved payment rates and income disregards for disabled people. The weekly payment rates for Disability Allowance have increased by €41 in that time. The earnings disregard has increased by almost 38% since Budget 2021 from €120 to €165 currently. This enables those in receipt of Disability Allowance to earn more without having a negative impact on their means tested payment. This means that people can earn up to €165 per week and keep their payment in full and can earn up to €517.60 per week and keep a portion of their payment.
The Programme for Government commits to reform the Disability Allowance Payment and remove anomalies in the current means test. There are also commitments in relation to the rate of payment and the development of an annual cost of disability support payment.
We know that disabled people are at a much higher risk of poverty, have lower employment rates and a higher cost of living and we want to address that.
The National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People recognises these issues and, among other things, tasks the Department of Social Protection, to lead a Strategic Focus Network including people with disabilities and their advocates, on the Cost of Disability. The work of this network will help to inform our approach to the reform of disability payments.
These commitments in both the Programme for Government and the new strategy will be progressed over the lifetime of the Government, having regard to the available resources.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
96. Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Social Protection if he plans to increase the wage subsidy scheme rates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50854/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Wage Subsidy Scheme is a key disability employment support provided by my Department. It aims to encourage employers to offer substantial and sustainable employment to disabled people through a subsidy.
As part of Budget 2022, my Department increased the base subsidy rate from €5.30 to €6.30 per hour. This gives a total annual subsidy available of €12,776 based on a 39-hour week. The maximum subsidy rate under Strand 2 is €9.45 per hour, giving a total subsidy of €19,164.60 per year.
An employer receives this increase in the subsidy rate if they hire more employees on the Wage Subsidy Scheme. An employer who employs 25 or more employees on the Wage Subsidy Scheme may receive a grant of €30,000 towards the cost of employing an Employment Assistance Officer.
Last year, my Department published a review of the Wage Subsidy Scheme following a public consultation. The review made six recommendations, including to reduce the minimum required hours of the scheme, to expand the scheme to the charity and voluntary sector and to remove terms such as ‘productivity deficit’ from the scheme to better align the scheme with the social model of disability. An additional €3.7 million has been allocated to implement the review’s recommendations.
The review also recommended that the rate of the subsidy be examined. Under both the recently published National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People 2025-2030 and the Programme for Government, the Government has committed to review the minimum hours requirement under the Wage Subsidy Scheme and to examine an increase to the payment rate.
These commitments will be advanced over the lifetime of the Government in the context of the annual budget process and in light of the resources available.
I trust this clarifies the issue for the Deputy.
97. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to introduce emergency legislation to urgently address data collection issues (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51011/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra99. Deputy Sinéad Gibney asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the discussions his Department has had with the Data Protection Commission regarding protecting citizens from the misuse of their location data being sold online; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50540/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra100. Deputy Sinéad Gibney asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the action his Department will take regarding the investigation carried out by RTÉ (details supplied) which show that the data of people in Ireland can be used to track the movements of individuals, presenting a threat to their personal safety and right to privacy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50541/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra101. Deputy Sinéad Gibney asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if his Department or bodies under his aegis plan to issue guidance on preventing the tracking of location data to women's refuges to ensure the safety of their service users; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50542/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 97, 99, 100 and 101 together.
I share the Deputies' concerns about recent allegations concerning potential breaches of the GDPR in relation to the selling of personal data by data brokers.
The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) provides comprehensive EU wide protections for the personal data of EU citizens, including what constitutes the lawful processing of personal data based on the consent of individuals or other legal grounds. Given the cross-border nature of digital data flows, often involving organisations based in multiple EU and non-EU jurisdictions, regulation at EU level provides more robust safeguards. I am advised that, at this juncture, there is no indication that additional legislation is required to deal with the issues raised. This will be kept under review.
My Department officials have met with the Data Protection Commission (DPC) in relation to the serious issues raised and will continue to engage on this important matter. I understand that the DPC is treating this matter very seriously and is currently engaging with RTE to establish the identity of the data broker(s) concerned, critical information which will inform the further actions to be undertaken by the DPC. I would encourage anyone with evidence in relation to the sale of precise location data of individuals to contact the Data Protection Commission.
In addition to the DPC’s investigation, I am informed that the DPC are reviewing what further guidance they can publish on the protection of personal data in the circumstances concerned.
98. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if he will consider increasing the free legal aid eligibility allowance for mortgage and rent to a figure the reflects current housing market costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50516/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Legal Aid Board is the statutory, independent body responsible for the provision of civil legal aid and advice to persons of modest means, in accordance with the provisions of the Civil Legal Aid Act 1995 (“the 1995 Act”) and the Civil Legal Aid Regulations 1996 to 2021. Section 3(3) of the 1995 Act states that the Board shall, subject to the provisions of the Act, be independent in the exercise of its functions.
In June 2022, a Civil Legal Aid Review Group was established to review the current operation of the Civil Legal Aid Scheme, including the appropriateness of the current eligibility thresholds. The outputs of the review were published in July 2025 and can be found at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-justice-home-affairs-and-migration/press-releases/minister-jim-ocallaghan-publishes-historic-review-of-civil-legal-aid-scheme/. I am currently considering the recommendations of this review, including the recommendations regarding the thresholds and allowances.
102. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if he will address the issue of cross-border protection for victims of domestic abuse, where Irish safety orders do not extend to threats or harassment from individuals residing in England; and the steps being taken to improve the enforcement of such orders post-Brexit. [50549/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis Government is absolutely committed to combatting domestic, sexual and gender-based violence (DSGBV) in all its forms, and I am acutely aware that such abuse does not stop at our borders.
The Deputy's question refers to Irish safety orders. Depending on the nature of the order made, it may be possible to seek recognition and enforcement of a safety order or similar order, including one given in Ireland or in the United Kingdom, under the Convention of 2 July 2019 on the Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Judgments in Civil or Commercial Matters in another state which is a party to that Convention.
Both Ireland and the UK are parties to the 2019 Convention.
Where the person named in a safety the order violates it by threatening behaviour such as harassment, the matter should be reported to the relevant police service.
Officials in my Department who work on DSGBV issues regularly engage with their counterparts in the UK and with criminal justice agencies from both jurisdictions
These engagements take place both formally through the Victims Policy Advisory Group and through bilateral meetings to facilitate valuable information sharing and the exchange on best practices to enhance co-operation and consistency in our approach.
