Written Answers Nos. 312-331
312. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated cost of implementing a PRSI rebate of 2.25 percent on all weekly wages below €735 for PRSI class A only; assuming a 2.25 percent rebate for the weekly wage equivalent to the full-time weekly wage of minimum wage workers and the rebate tapering off until it is at 0% for employees on a weekly wage of €735; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51085/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department does not have a costing available for the Deputy's proposal. Developing such a costing to a reasonable degree of accuracy would require a significant effort to collate the relevant data, much of which is not readily available. Accordingly, and given other service priorities, it is not possible to provide an accurate costing within the deadline for a Parliamentary Question.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
313. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the total amount of Exchequer funding provided to NGOs operating in the areas of immigration, asylum and integration over the past five years, by year and organisation. [50931/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraDue to the volume of information requested, my Department has been unable to provide a response to this question within the prescribed timeframe.
A response will issue directly to the Deputy in the coming days.
314. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of prisoners in the general population in prisons diagnosed with psychosis; if the prisoners are receiving the appropriate treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50889/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraIt is the aim of the Irish Prison Service to provide safe and secure custody, dignity of care and rehabilitation to prisoners for safer communities and to provide health, mental health and psychological services to those on an equivalent basis to that available to those eligible for General Medical Services in the community.
In data from Kennedy et al.'s work published in the early 2000s, prevalence rates of psychosis were 3.9% amongst men committed to Irish prisons; 7.6% amongst men on remand and 2.7% amongst sentenced men. Rates of psychosis was 5.4% amongst women in custody.
Contemporary prevalence data does not currently exist in relation to the number of people in custody in Ireland with psychosis. However, the Government’s mental health policy, outlined in Sharing the Vision, recommends a mental health needs analysis of the prison population. This work is currently being progressed.
The Irish Prison Service multidisciplinary team works directly with the mental health needs of people in custody. This team is made up of the Primary Healthcare and Psychology, in addition to in-reach mental health services, provided by the HSE’s National Forensic Mental Health Service. The latter involves the provision of weekly forensic mental health sessions led by consultant forensic psychiatrists, supported by non-consultant hospital doctors, community psychiatric nurses, and social workers. The current case load of National Forensic Mental Health Service in-reach teams across the prison estate is 341 with 51 awaiting new assessment.
315. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of prisoners waiting for a court date to determine their fitness for trial under the Criminal Law (Insanity) Act 2006; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50890/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraManagement of the courts, operational matters and logistical functions are the responsibility of the judiciary and Courts Service, which are independent in exercising their functions under the Courts Service Act 1998 and given the separation of powers in the Constitution. As such, it would be inappropriate for me, as Minister, to comment on any category of cases or the management of information relating to same.
To be of assistance I have had enquires made with the Courts Service and am informed that where a matter is adjourned for hearing of a determination of fitness for trial, the matter is recorded on the case management system as an adjournment for hearing/trial. It is therefore not possible to distinguish between this type of hearing and other hearings. As a result, it is not possible for the Courts Service to provide a report on the number of persons awaiting a court date for determination of fitness for trial.
316. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of prisoners transferred to a facility (details supplied) for mental health supports in the past two years; the reason they did not received treatment from the Central Mental Hospital; the cost of treatment in the facility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50891/25]
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.
317. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to provide an update on the review of the Multi Unit Developments Act. [50919/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Multi-Unit Developments Act 2011 (MUDs Act) was enacted with the primary objective of reforming the law relating to the ownership and management of common areas of multi-unit developments, and facilitating the fair, efficient and effective management of owners' management companies (OMCs).
While my Department has had responsibility for the Multi-Unit Developments Act 2011 since its preparation and enactment, the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage is the policyholder: both regarding overall housing policy, and regarding Government action to remedy structural defects in MUDs. My Department therefore depends on policy, technical and operational guidance from that Department as regards the review of the Multi-Unit Developments Act and the making of any Regulations.
Both Departments have been engaged, to ensure that there is a clear appreciation of the key problems and issues requiring to be addressed in this sector, and the relevant overall policy responses by Government and I understand that these matters remain under examination.
It is also important to note that under the Programme for Government, Securing Ireland’s Future, responsibility for the regulation of OMCs and the Multi-Unit Developments Act is to be transferred from my Department, to the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. I am advised that work in that regard is progressing, subject to a legislative amendment to avoid a conflict of Ministerial responsibility as arose in the Mulcreevy case.
318. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration further to Parliamentary Question No. 346 of 27 February 2024, and Parliamentary Question No. 512 of 7 March 2023 and Parliamentary Question No. 273 of 29 November 2017, to provide an update on the progress on the payment of an ex-gratia payment to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50925/25]
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.
319. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of investigations, prosecutions, and convictions in the past five years relating to the use of false identity or employer documentation to obtain residential leases later used for the purpose of brothel-keeping; the outcomes of such cases under the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act 2017, the Criminal Law (Human Trafficking) Act 2008, and the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act 2001; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50927/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have contacted An Garda Síochána and the Central Statistics Office and been informed that the data requested by the Deputy is not available.
While investigations into illegal or alleged illegal activity are an operational matter for An Garda Síochána, I am informed by the Garda authorities that there is no specific incident type available in their PULSE system to capture one description referenced - ie 'the use of false identity or employer documentation for the purpose of securing leases later used for brother-keeping'. For a similar reason, the Court Service has advised it is unable to provide the data requested.
The Garda authorities has, however, provided a count of prosecutions for the offence of Brothel Keeping, and that is included here. A breakdown is not available below national level due to low volumes.
|
Charge Year |
Charges |
|
2020 |
10 |
|
2021 |
15 |
|
2022 |
< 10 |
|
2023 |
< 10 |
|
2024 |
34 |
|
2025* |
16 |
* to 15th Sep 2025
320. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to examine the case for accommodation transfer for persons (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50992/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) cannot comment publicly on individual cases.
More generally, I can assure the Deputy that IPAS has a number of protocols and procedures in place for considering applications for transfer in cases of medical priority, where people are undergoing specialist treatment or may need to live within a reasonable travelling distance to a hospital.
Individuals and families request transfers for a variety of reasons and IPAS facilitates those requests as appropriate and where possible. These transfers can be more difficult in complex cases, and also in the context of limited available accommodation options.
Such transfers are dependent on accommodation availability, particularly in instances where a resident has specific personal, health and accessibility needs.
Residents can contact IPAS directly via the IPAS Helpdesk by emailing ipasinbox@justice.ie for any queries about their accommodation. IPAS can then consider this in line with protocols and procedures in place for applications for transfer.
321. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to exercise discretion to accept UNRWA cards as sufficient proof of refugee status for family reunification or humanitarian admission; that a family be admitted (details supplied) under Section 60 of the International Protection Act 2015 (discretionary provisions), or via a special humanitarian admission programme, as other EU states have done; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51006/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn common with the position for all non-EU nationals, entry of Palestinian nationals must be undertaken through the existing legal immigration pathways. It is possible to apply for a visa and for permission to remain in Ireland based on a variety of different reasons, including employment, education or a family relationship.
Details of these legal pathways can be found on the Immigration Service website at the following link: www.irishimmigration.ie.
While events in Gaza are being kept under constant review, there are no current plans to put in place a programme along the lines suggested by the Deputy.
Family reunification under Section 56 of the International Protection Act 2015 gives certain family members an immigration permission allowing them to live in Ireland with the holder of an international protection declaration. Applications for family reunification must be made within 12 months of the being declared as a Refugee or as a Beneficiary of Subsidiary Protection, subject to the provisions of the Act.
Information on how to apply is available on the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration's website here: www.irishimmigration.ie/coming-to-join-family-in-ireland/family-reunification-of-international-protection-holders/.
Non EEA nationals legally resident in Ireland, and considering family reunification, should also be aware of the Department’s “Policy on Non-EEA Family Reunification in Ireland”, available here: www.irishimmigration.ie/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Policy-document-on-Non-EEA-family-reunification.pdf.
This policy document sets out the criteria and specific requirements for any person considering making an application to be joined by family members in the State.
322. Deputy Frankie Feighan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine for an update on the regional veterinary laboratory redevelopment plan (details supplied), specifically with regards to the existing Sligo site; if the development of a new laboratory in Sligo is still planned for phase two; when is phase two due to begin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50856/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is working in partnership with the Office of Public Works to develop detailed proposals for a redevelopment programme of the Regional Veterinary Laboratory network.
Under current proposals the development of the laboratory facilities in Sligo is scheduled for the second phase.
Ultimately, the pace and scheduling of these proposals will be determined by the availability of capital funding and the range of other demands on the Vote, through the normal budgetary processes.
323. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the estimated additional cost to the Exchequer of implementing in full the TB eradication programme in 2026; the additional cost of phasing it in over three years in 2026, 2027 and 2028; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50857/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI published the Bovine TB Action Plan, “Addressing Bovine TB in Ireland”, on 9 September. The Action Plan follows extensive discussions with stakeholders in recent months. I also received support and approval from Cabinet on 24 June to address the current high levels of Bovine TB (bTB). The Action Plan is based on scientific research and veterinary expertise. There are five measures, which are underpinned by 30 actions:
Support herds free of bTB to remain free.
Reduce the impact of wildlife on the spread of bTB.
Detect and eliminate bTB infection as early as possible in herds with a bTB breakdown and avoid a future breakdown.
Help farmers improve all areas of on-farm biosecurity.
Reduce the impact of known high-risk animals in spreading bTB.
The primary driver of the cost of the bTB programme is disease levels. In 2024, the bTB programme cost €100m an increase of 35% on 2023. I am currently working through the costs of the bTB programme in the context of budget 2026 with my Department. It is critical that any additional expenditure focusses on reducing disease levels. The objective of the new measures in the Bovine TB Action Plan is to reduce the number of farms affected by bTB and decrease costs for farmers and the taxpayer.
324. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will consider allowing an extension for slurry spreading to mid-October 2025 in view of the fact there has been three weeks of wet weather in September (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50914/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage is responsible for the Good Agricultural Practice for the Protection of Waters Regulations 2022 (SI 113 of 2022, as amended).
Under these Regulations the closed period for applying slurry to land now commences on the 1st of October annually.
In 2022 the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, following consultation with my Department, published the scientific criteria that must be considered before granting any extension to the slurry spreading season. Due to the increased risk of loss of nutrients to water at this time of year these criteria are designed to only apply in justified exceptional circumstances.
The weather in 2025 has been good, with the warmest and sunniest spring on record with rainfall below average everywhere providing good slurry spreading conditions. The summer months have also provided good opportunities for slurry spreading with indications it may be the warmest summer on record with rainfall levels nationally close to, or slightly below, average.
To secure a sustainable future, there is now a significantly increased focus on water quality across the entire agri-food sector.
Part of these efforts relate to improved timing of nutrient application to align with the crop's needs and maximising the value of the nutrients present in organic manures. As articulated by Teagasc, slurry should be spread when the potential for Nitrogen losses is low and the uptake of nutrients by a growing crop is high. These conditions typically occur in the Spring, and not the Autumn, where reducing sunshine hours increasingly limit growth and increase the risk of nutrient loss.
Farmers have been making great strides in implementing actions at farm level to improve water quality and the Government is providing strong incentives to support this work which is underpinned by science. It is important that this national effort to improve water quality continues.
The relevant scientific criteria do not support an extension to the slurry spreading deadline this year. The closed period for slurry application will begin on the 1st of October as provided for in the Regulations.
325. Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason an area of land is not granted an areas of natural constraints scheme payment (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51009/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Areas of Natural Constraints (ANC) scheme provides financial compensation to farmers in recognition of the additional cost they incur in farming land that is designated as disadvantaged/constrained.
In 2019, Ireland was required, under Articles 31 and 32 of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013, to change the approach used to designating land as eligible for payment under the scheme. Up to that point, Ireland had been identifying eligible areas using a range of socio-economic indicators, including family farm income, population density, percentage of working population engaged in agriculture and stocking density.
From 2019, eligible areas were instead required to be designated using the following list of bio-physical criteria:
• Low Temperature.
• Dryness.
• Excess oil moisture.
• Limited soil drainage.
• Unfavourable texture and stoniness.
• Shallow rooting depth.
• Poor chemical properties.
• Steep slope.
Where a townland displayed one or more of the listed criteria at a level above the threshold of 60%, as set out in the regulation, the townland was identified as constrained.
It was then necessary to ‘fine tune’ areas by reference to the following three categories:
District Electoral Divisions (DEDs) that displayed a stocking density over a 3-year average at a level above 1.8 livestock units (LU) per hectare.
DEDs that displayed an average level of above 15% of the agricultural area taken up by arable crops.
DEDs that displayed a combination of greater than 8% arable coverage, and a stocking density of between 1.4 and 1.8 livestock units per hectare.
Areas above the ‘fine tuning’ threshold in any of the three categories were not deemed to have constrained land.
A third step provided for in the EU Regulations allowed for land to be deemed eligible if it qualified under certain specific constraints. These were:
Where 50% or more of the DED is covered by the Natura 2000 Directives and National Heritage Areas.
Where the land holding in the DED is in multiple blocks (fragmented) and where the average farm size in a DED is less than 80% of the national average, i.e. less than 25.6 hectares.
Where more than 50% of the townland is in permanent grassland and the average field size is less than 4 hectares.
In the case of the specific constraint relating to field size and permanent grass cover, this constraint was further focused by reference to national family farm income data, which was used to identify the cohort most in need of financial support.
Taken together, the above elements identified the lands deemed eligible or ineligible for support under the scheme. An opportunity was also afforded to landowners to appeal the decision of the categorisation of their land to the Ombudsman.
The lands mentioned above and those adjacent were subject to the redesignation process outlined above. The result of this process found that these lands mentioned above not to be disadvantaged/constrained.
The current ANC scheme commenced in January 2023 and will operate until December 2027. It continues to grant payments to beneficiaries in areas designated pursuant to Article 31 and 32 of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013.
326. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the actions being taken to address rising food prices; the supports available to primary producers and retailers to reduce downstream costs for consumers; whether the Department is reviewing import, export, or market regulation in this context; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51018/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department, including all agencies under the aegis of my Department, has no role in determining or intervening in prices for food commodities at farm-gate or retail level. Market prices are a matter between suppliers and buyers.
However, my Department does monitor the trends in agricultural input and output prices, with recent estimates indicating that trading conditions for farmers have improved significantly following a period of input and output price volatility since late 2020. Compared with July 2024, the Agricultural Output Price Index has increased by 17.2%, while the Input Price Index has risen by 2.0%. The most substantial increases within the Output Price Index were seen in Cattle (+49.6%), Sheep (+12.4%), and Milk (+6.2%).
The Government provides ongoing support to farmers through the €9.8 billion CAP Strategic Plan and other sector-specific supports. Additionally, the Agrifood Regulator ensures compliance with, and enforcement of, unfair trading law along the agri-food supply chain. It also provides information on the agri-food supply chain through the analysis of price and market data.
The import and export of agri-food commodities and marketing of foodstuffs is governed by the general principles and requirements of food law set out in Regulation (EC) No. 178/2002 (General Food Law) and associated Regulations, which are subject to ongoing evaluation at EU level.
327. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she is aware of the case of a person (details supplied); if she is aware of the complications surrounding the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015 in circumstances like this; if she will intervene in this case to help the individual involved; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50987/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI thank the Deputy for their question regarding the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015 (the 2015 Act) and the system of wardship.
The 2015 Act brought about an end to wardship in the State for adults, by repealing the Lunacy Regulation (Ireland) Act 1871 and replacing the wards of court system with the new process for appointing tiered decision support arrangements that is now in effect.
This provision contributes to the realisation of Ireland’s ambitions to meet certain requirements under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) and the European Convention on Human Rights.
The 2015 Act provides that, on the basis of a functional capacity assessment, a ward of court will either be fully discharged from wardship if they are deemed to have decision-making capacity, or with either a co-decision-making agreement or a decision-making representation order, depending on their level of capacity to make certain decisions themselves.
The Decision Support Service oversees and supervises decision support arrangements to ensure that they are operating as intended. Although it is unclear from the details supplied which tier of decision support arrangement may be in place for the adult in question, access to healthcare and education should not be affected, provided that the arrangement provides for a decision supporter to either assist or make those decisions on behalf of the adult concerned, in line with their known will and preference.
The DSS operates a helpdesk and freephone number at 01 211 9750 and are available to answer queries from 9am- 4pm Monday to Friday about the operation of the decision support arrangement.
328. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she will consider extending the duration of paternity leave in cases of multiple births for example twins or triplets, in recognition of the additional care and support needs that arise for parents of multiples. [51055/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraSignificant improvements have been made in the entitlements to both paid and unpaid leaves in recent years, including by extending paid parent's leave for parents to allow them to spend more time with their baby during their earliest years.
The Paternity Leave and Benefit Act 2016 provides the relevant parent (other than the mother of the child) with 2 weeks paid paternity leave. S.6(5) of the Act limits this entitlement in the case of multiple births to a single period of leave.
While the Parent's Leave and Benefit Act 2019 limits parent's leave to a single birth, since August 2024 the entitlement is nine weeks of paid leave for each relevant parent for each child, to be taken in the first two years after the birth or adoptive placement of a child.
Under the Parental Leave Acts, 26 weeks unpaid leave can be taken by an employee who is a relevant parent to take care of a child. The upper age limit of the eligible child has been increased in 2019 to the age of 12 or of 16, where the child has a disability or long-term illness which allows a parent more time in which to avail of the extended leave entitlement. This leave entitlement is for each eligible child.
S.7(3) of the Parental Leave Acts also provides that the amount of parental leave in the case of more than one child is limited in a particular year, unless the children are of a multiple birth in which case this limit does not apply.
The Work Life Balance and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2023 complements existing family leaves and other entitlements already in place and provides additional flexibility to ensure that parents and carers can be supported to balance their working and family lives. Under this legislation, parents and carers have a right to request flexible working in line with Article 9 of the Directive EU 2019/1158. Five days leave per year for medical care purposes was also introduced under this Act.
Family leave provisions are kept under review to ensure that they are effective and respond to the needs of families and are also mindful of the impact of the leaves on workplaces. The Programme for Government sets out a commitment to examine the possible extension of parent's leave and benefit and additional flexibilities. Presently, the next National Strategy for Women and Girls is in development and will consider ways to support working families in balancing the competing demands of family and work. It will provide a framework for examining any changes needed to current family leave entitlements.
329. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality to consider providing funding to an organisation (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51077/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI recognise the many benefits that assistance dogs can have for the health and wellbeing of disabled children and young people, including autistic children and young people and their families. At the moment, the Department does not have any open funding streams available.
Among the funding schemes operated by the Department is the Disability Participation and Awareness Fund. The purpose of the Disability Participation and Awareness Fund is to support the participation of people with disabilities in local activities, to help remove barriers to community involvement, and to support the promotion and implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) in communities. The organisation may wish to keep this Fund in mind when considering options for sources of funding.
The next iteration of the Disability Participation and Awareness Fund is currently under development. The opening of the Fund and means by which organisations can apply will be well publicised.
330. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the number of prisoners on the waiting list to the Central Mental Hospital; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50888/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
331. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if she will consider a request for a medical procedure to be carried out at University Hospital Kerry (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50883/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
