Written Answers Nos. 83-106
83. Deputy Catherine Callaghan asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the details of payments of sports capital grants to County Carlow in the past three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52493/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraA total of €3,195,894 was drawn down by successful applicants in County Carlow in 2022, 2023, 2024 and to date in 2025 under the Community Sports Facilities Fund (formerly the Sports Capital and Equipment Programme).
Details of all payments made to clubs are available on the Department's website: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-culture-communications-and-sport/collections/sports-capital-programmes-payments/
84. Deputy Catherine Callaghan asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the details of payments of sports capital grants to County Kilkenny in the past three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52494/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraA total of €4,674,484 was drawn down by successful applicants in County Kilkenny in 2022, 2023, 2024 and to date in 2025 under the Community Sports Facilities Fund (formerly the Sports Capital and Equipment Programme).
Details of all payments made to clubs are available on the Department's website: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-culture-communications-and-sport/collections/sports-capital-programmes-payments/
85. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport if he will give further consideration to the extension of the basic income for the arts scheme (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52548/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Programme for Government commits to assessing the Basic Income for the Arts pilot research scheme to maximise its impact. I announced an extension of six months to February 2026 to allow for further assessment of the pilot data and to engage in stakeholder consultation to provide an evidence base for Government to make decisions on next steps.
Consultation is ongoing including a Consultative Committee which draws from across Government. I launched an online public consultation which closed on 5 September, over 17,000 submissions received, of which 97% were in favour of BIA being continued. A sectoral stakeholder forum also took place on 10 September with around 200 attendees from both resource organisations and artists represented.
The pilot is underpinned by a comprehensive research programme. I recently published a report examining the first 24 months of the scheme which found that BIA recipients compared to those not in receipt of the BIA:
• are 6 percentage points more likely to have worked in the arts
• spend on average 11 weekly hours more on their creative practice
• are 14 percentage points more likely to have completed new works in the previous six months
• invest more financially in their practice
• are better able to afford basic necessities and have higher life satisfaction
• are 15 percentage points less likely to have felt downhearted or depressed
• are 16 percentage points less likely to have experienced anxiety
A cost-benefit analysis paper has also just been published. It shows that the BIA produced over €100m in social and economic benefits and for every €1 invested in the pilot society received a return of €1.39. It also finds that recipients’ arts-related income increased by over €500 per month on average. Audience engagement with the arts generated an estimated €16.9 million in social value over the three pilot years.
No decisions on a successor scheme have yet been made. A Government decision will be required on a successor scheme to the pilot, and I intend to bring forward proposals for a permanent intervention following Budget 2026, assuming funding for a successor is secured, but I have made it clear that I am in favour of a permanent scheme being put in place.
86. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport when the next round of sports capital funding is planned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52596/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraOver a quarter of a billion euro was allocated to 3,048 community sports clubs and facilities in 2024 from the 2023 round of the Community Sport Facilities Fund (CSFF), benefitting over forty sports, as well as multi-sport facilities, throughout the country. This represents the largest-ever investment in sports facilities in communities across Ireland.
In line with previous rounds of the Fund, a review of the current funding round is being undertaken and that review will inform the timing of the next round of the CSFF. However, I would anticipate that the next round should be announced in 2026.
87. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport his views on the vulnerability of Ireland’s undersea cable infrastructure as indicated recently by a person (details supplied); the steps he will take to ensure those cables are protected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49095/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland’s maritime area is significant in scale and includes parts of the Atlantic Ocean and the Irish Sea. This vast area creates a challenge for the protection of undersea cable infrastructure and the repair of this infrastructure in the event of damage. As an island Member State of the European Union, Ireland is particularly vulnerable to any threat to its subsea telecommunications cables for connectivity to the Global Internet backbone. These cables carry the data that power our economy, everyday communications and critical services.
At an EU-wide level, the security of the EU's submarine cable infrastructure must be significantly enhanced. The European Commission issued Recommendation (EU) 2024/779 on Secure and Resilient Submarine Cable Infrastructures in February 2024, which aims to improve the security and resilience of submarine telecommunication cable infrastructures through better co-ordination at both national and EU levels.
Recommendation (EU) 2024/779 includes actions to address challenges faced by submarine telecommunication cable infrastructures, ensuring their reliability against potential threats. It further proposes establishing a joint EU governance framework and making more effective use of private-sector investment to support Cable Projects of European Interest (CPEIs).
To support the implementation of Recommendation (EU) 2024/779, the Commission has set up the Submarine Cable Infrastructure Expert Group, comprising representatives from Member States’ authorities and the European Union Agency for Cyber Security (ENISA), to offer guidance and expertise to the Commission. An EU-wide mapping and coordinated risk assessment of submarine cable infrastructures has been agreed by the Expert Group and a report will be published in Autumn 2025.
In February 2025, the European Commission and the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs issued the EU Action Plan on Cable Security (the ‘Action Plan’) which presented a range of measures to bolster the resilience of this critical infrastructure. The Action Plan sets out four priorities to secure critical infrastructure for both communication and energy submarine cables, focusing on prevention, detection, response and repair, as well as deterrence.
The first objective of the Action Plan is to prevent any disruptive incidents and increase resilience of submarine cable infrastructures against potential threats and vulnerabilities. The Action Plan outlines a number of preventive actions, aligned with Recommendation (EU) 2024/779, which are expected to be implemented by the fourth quarter of 2025; these include:
• mapping of existing and planned submarine cable infrastructures
• co-ordinating risk assessments (risks, vulnerabilities and dependencies) on submarine cables, taking into account spare part security of supply, and stress testing methodology
• creating a Cable Security Toolbox of mitigating measures
• developing a priority list of Cable Projects of European Interest (CPEIs).
Officials from my Department are working in the Expert Group to deliver on the actions above with a report to be issued in Autumn 2025. A follow-up report will be delivered on the Cable Security Toolbox and CPEIs priority list in late 2025.
As a second objective, the Action Plan urges the EU to increase its detection capacity to identify and anticipate threats as early as possible. Currently, the EU cannot effectively monitor the threats that affect submarine cable infrastructures. In addition, although there are a number of maritime surveillance and situational awareness systems already in place, such as EMSA’s Integrated Maritime Services system, there is a lack of integration of these systems at the EU level.
In the event of an incident affecting a submarine cable, the third objective of the Action Plan is to respond as quickly as possible to repair the damaged submarine cable in a co-ordinated way, in solidarity with the Member States that are most affected by the disruption. The incidents in the Baltic Sea have highlighted the need for increased co-ordination and synergy between different crisis management frameworks, and for Member States to make use of the existing incident-reporting mechanisms set out in the Critical Entities & Resilience (CER) and Network & Information Security (NIS2) Directives.
The fourth and final step established in the Action Plan is deterrence, to reduce the likelihood of further incidents, by holding malicious actors accountable for their actions and raising the costs for such actors.
While the Action Plan sets out a governance framework and associated actions that can be adopted by Member States, it allows for flexibility depending on individual needs, based on geographic location, extent of maritime area and other factors. Ireland will assess and consider the most appropriate actions to implement as the Action Plan develops. The Expert Group reports (to be issued in Autumn and late 2025) will form part of the key guidance in implementing the prevention pillar of the Action Plan to counter threats and enhance the resilience of submarine telecommunication cable infrastructures. The overall list of actions set out in the Action Plan are broad, across the four pillars, and involve co-operation across Government.
88. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will bring forward legislative change to allow for those who are pregnant or who have recently given birth to apply for a postal vote in all elections and referenda; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52166/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraElectoral law provides for postal voting for a number of different categories of people:
• whole-time members of the Defence Forces,
• members of An Garda Síochána,
• Irish diplomats serving abroad and their spouses/civil partners,
• electors living at home who are unable to go in person to vote because of illness or a disability,
• electors whose occupation, service or employment makes it likely that they will be unable to vote in person at their local polling station on polling day,
• full-time students registered at their home who are living elsewhere while attending an educational institution in the State,
• prisoners, and
• certain election staff employed at the poll outside the constituency where they reside.
In addition, Section 93 of the Electoral Reform Act 2022 provides for anonymous registration and a postal vote where a person’s safety (or a member of their household) may be compromised by publication of their details on the electoral register. Where a person is registered as an anonymous voter, that person is only able to vote by post.
An Coimisiún Toghcháin, Ireland’s independent electoral commission, was established in February 2023. An Coimisiún's research, advisory and public information function enables it to carry out research on electoral policy and procedure. An Coimisiún is also empowered to advise and make recommendations to the Minister and the Government in relation to any proposals for legislative change, or any other policy matters concerning electoral and legislative proposals.
An Coimisiún’s Research Programme 2024-2026, published on 10 July 2024, includes a commitment to examine the issue of postal voting. My Department will review this policy area once An Coimisiún has considered and made recommendations on the issue.
89. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will consider amending the defective concrete blocks grant scheme to include an additional allowance for the restoration of gardens that are destroyed during the demolition and reconstruction of affected homes; if he is aware that the average cost of garden restoration is estimated at between €8,000 and €13,000; if he will ensure homeowners are supported in fully restoring their homes, including outdoor spaces, rather than being left with a building site; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52200/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Remediation of Dwellings Damaged by the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks Act 2022 (the Act) commenced on 22 June 2023 which contains the current grant scheme and the related Regulations were adopted on 29 June 2023.
My Department keeps costs relating to the DCB Scheme under continuous review. An increase in the scheme cap and rates was provided for in October and November 2024. These increases were made following the receipt and consideration of updated cost reports from the Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland (SCSI) and advice from the Expert Group established to consider the matter.
The average rebuild costs include the costs for:
• Demolition and reconstruction costs.
• Concrete path around the house.
• Disconnection and reconnection of utilities.
• Making good to driveway and garden.
• Professional fees.
• VAT at 13.5% on building costs and 23% on professional fees.
The detailed implementation of the DCB Scheme is a matter for each designated local authority and queries related to individual properties should be directed to the relevant local authority.
90. Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the reason there has been no formal request to the SCSI for an update to the report on construction costs for the enhanced defective concrete block scheme; to provide a timeline for when such a request might be expected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52259/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department keeps costs relating to the DCB Scheme under continuous review.
Following updated cost reports from the Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland (SCSI) and advice from the Expert Group established to consider the matter, a further increase from the original grant rates set down in the Remediation of Dwellings Damaged by the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks Act 2022 (the Act), was provided for on 23 October 2024. The Scheme Cap has risen by 10% to €462,000. An increase in the scheme grant rates of between 7.4% and 8.7% that are set out in the 2023 Regulations was also approved on 7 November 2024.
Government approval was granted for the priority drafting of the Remediation of Dwellings Damaged by the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks (Amendment) Bill which will contain details of the wider group of relevant owners that can avail of increases in the grant scheme cap and rates approved in October and November 2024 along with a number of technical amendments. This legislation is being progressed as expeditiously as possible and the Bill is included in the Autumn 2025 Government Legislation Programme for Priority Publication.
91. Deputy Eoin Hayes asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will widen the scope of financial thresholds of the Housing Adaptation Grants to allow more persons to access the grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52281/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department provides funding under the suite of Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and Disabled People, to assist those in private houses to make their accommodation more suitable for 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 local authority. The detailed administration of the scheme including assessment, approval, prioritisation and apportionment is the responsibility of local authorities.
My Department completed a review of the Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability scheme in 2024, including a review of the Means Test, and the Report on the Review is available on the Department’s website at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-housing-local-government-and-heritage/publications/report-on-the-review-of-the-housing-adaptation-grants-for-older-people-and-people-with-a-disability/
The Housing (Adaptation Grants for Older People and Disabled People) Regulations 2024 (S.I. No. 612 of 2024), which came into effect on 1 December 2024, provide the legal basis for the introduction of the recommendations set out in the review. The key changes include an increase in the grant limits of over 30% and the income thresholds by 25% whilst also revising the means test. The legislation also adjusts the burden sharing for local authorities by reducing the local authority funding contribution to 15% (from the previous 20%).
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. This increase will underpin implementation of the recommendations set out in the review ensuring that the grants remain fit for purpose for older and disabled people.
92. Deputy Eoin Hayes asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of residential housing units that have been built in Dublin bay south (or nearest geographical area available) per year, from 2000 (or earliest available year) to date in 2025 by social unit; affordable units; private sale acquired by local authority; private sale acquired by AHBs; private sale acquired by individual first time buyers; private sale acquired by private companies; private sale acquired by landlords; private sale acquired by others; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52282/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraDelivery data is not available on a constituency basis, however my Department publishes comprehensive programme-level statistics on a quarterly basis on social and affordable housing delivery activity by local authorities and Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs) in each local authority. This data is available to the end of Q1 2025 and 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/. Data for Q2 2025 is currently being collated and will be published shortly.
My Department also publishes the Social Housing Construction Status Report (CSR), which provides details of social housing developments and their location that have been completed, are under construction or are progressing through the various stages of the design and tender processes. The most recent publication was for Quarter 1 2025. All CSRs are available at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/collection/cb885-social-housing-construction-projects-status-reports/
A version of the CSR file can also be downloaded for analysis by local authority, location etc. at this link: opendata.housing.gov.ie/dataset/social-housing-construction-status-report-q1-2025. The Q2 2025 Construction Status Report is currently being compiled.
New dwelling completions disaggregated by Local Authority are available on the CSO website, using data table NDQ05, data.cso.ie/table/NDQ05. Data is available from 2011 to Q2 2025.
Residential Property Transactions disaggregated by type of buyer (First-time-buyer, former owner-occupier, non-occupier and non-household) are available on the CSO website, using data table HPM02, data.cso.ie/table/HPM02.
93. Deputy Eoin Hayes asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the total number of social housing units that currently exist in Dublin city, by electoral district (or most granular data available), those that are occupied, unoccupied; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52283/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraStatistics in relation to local authority social housing stock are published by the National Oversight and Audit Commission (NOAC) in the annual Local Authority Performance Indicator Report. These reports provide a range of information in relation to social housing stock, including the number of social housing units in local authority ownership at a given time. The most recent report, relating to 2024, is available on the NOAC website at the following link: www.noac.ie/noac_publications/report-77-noac-performance-indicator-report-2024/[]
One of the functions of Approved Housing Bodies Regulatory Authority (AHBRA) is to collect and publish information (including statistical information on the number of dwellings in AHB ownership) concerning AHBs as it considers necessary and appropriate. AHBRA conducted its first monitoring programme in September 2022, the most recent publication was for 2024 and is available on their website at the following link: www.ahbregulator.ie/ahbra-publishes-annual-sectoral-analysis-insights-from-the-2024-annual-monitoring-programme
94. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to review correspondence (details supplied) regarding wastewater treatment plants; and if he'll provide clarity on this matter for the local authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52312/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere are a number of housing estates across the country, including those named in the details supplied, that rely on developer provided water services infrastructure (commonly called DPI) for their water services. These estates are not yet taken in charge and are not connected to the Uisce Éireann public network.
Since 1 January 2024, Uisce Éireann has held responsibility for the remediation of such DPI systems through a structured programme, working in cooperation with local authorities. This transfer of responsibility does not entail Uisce Éireann immediately assuming the day-to-day operational roles currently carried out by developers, owners, or residents. Existing local arrangements will continue in the interim while long-term, sustainable solutions are identified and implemented.
95. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if consideration has been given to granting protected status to so-called ‘benchmarks’ which were erected at various points around the country in the 1800s as part of the "Principal Spirit Lines of Levelling" project of the ordnance Survey; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52321/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy role with regard to the protection and management of our architectural heritage is set out in the provisions of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended), as are the roles of local authorities and the responsibilities of owners.
Part IV of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, gives primary responsibility to local authorities to identify and protect the architectural heritage of their area by including structures of special interest on the Record of Protected Structures (RPS), and by designating areas of special interest as architectural conservation areas (ACAs).
Inclusion of a structure on the RPS places a duty of care on its owners and occupiers and also gives local authorities powers to safeguard the building's future. If the local authority deem the heritage value of these Ordnance Survey 'benchmarks' to be worthy of statutory protection in this manner, it is at their discretion to specify them, or potentially the buildings or structures on which they are carved, for inclusion on the RPS for their area.
96. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the legal powers given to local authorities to grant retention planning to developments which were built without a grant of planning; whether consideration has been given to legally precluding local authorities from granting such retention; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52350/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe control of development under the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended (the Act) is a matter for the relevant planning authority and An Coimisiún Pleanála. This includes the regularisation of unauthorised development through the consideration of applications for retention permission to planning authorities under section 34 of the Act and appeals to the Coimisiún in such cases under section 37 of the Act. In addition, it is a matter for the relevant planning authority to investigate unauthorised development under enforcement provisions under Part VIII of the Act.
In both instances, through either seeking to regularise unauthorised development by a property owner lodging an application for retention permission, or through a planning authority initiating enforcement proceedings; it is a matter for the relevant planning authority to consider each unauthorised development on a case by case basis, taking into consideration the proper and sustainable development of each individual locality and environmental considerations such as whether environmental impact assessment or an appropriate assessment of the development is required.
Under section 30 of the Act, I, in my role as Minister with responsibility for planning, am specifically precluded from exercising any power or control in relation to any particular case in which a planning authority or the Board is or may be concerned. This includes any case in relation to retention permission or enforcement.
97. Deputy Séamus McGrath asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if consideration will be given to extending the first home scheme to include the purchase of vacant properties, applying the same conditions as the croí cónaithe towns scheme in terms of properties vacant for at least two years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52377/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe First Home Scheme, which launched in July 2022, is a shared equity scheme designed to help bridge the gap between a purchaser’s deposit and mortgage, and the price of their new home, within regional price ceilings, for eligible first-time buyers, Fresh Start applicants and those who wish to build their first home. The Government’s clear priority is accelerating and increasing new housing supply.
The First Home Scheme Designated Activity Company is responsible for the operation and management of the First Home Scheme on behalf of its shareholders - the State, Allied Irish Bank, Bank of Ireland and Permanent TSB. The Programme for Government states it will work with the Banks to expand the First Home Scheme to first time buyers of second-hand homes. I have requested the First Home Scheme undertake the required analytical and technical work to examine the potential for such an expansion and the matter is under consideration.
The Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant, under the Croi Conaithe Towns Scheme, continues to be available for those refurbishing vacant properties for occupation as a principal private residence and for properties which will be made available for rent.
98. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if holders of refugee, subsidiary protection and programme refugee statuses who are applying to access social housing supports are required to show proof of income for the previous 12 months if some of that period was spent in their country of origin; if it is only required to show proof of income from the date they received that status; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52462/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraSocial housing is a long-term support intended to support households that have continuing, long-term difficulty meeting their own accommodation needs. This is reflected in the underpinning legislation and the Household Means Policy, which provides for applicants’ eligibility to be assessed on their net average income over the previous 12 months from the date of their application. Given that the over-arching aim of social housing support is to ensure that support is provided to those households who cannot meet their accommodation costs from their own resources, it is vital that as clear a picture as possible of a household’s earning capacity is established when they apply for that support.
While local authorities have no discretion regarding the 12-month income requirement, they have a degree of discretion as to the extent of documentation the authority deems necessary to ascertain a household’s average income over the preceding 12 months in order to satisfy themselves of the household’s true income pattern.
Decisions on the qualification of households for social housing support, the most appropriate form of such support, and the allocation of that support are a matter solely for the local authority concerned.
99. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection the percentage of jobseekers’ payment claimants that have had reduced rates applied to them in 2023, 2024 and 2025 to date; the amount by which jobseekers’ payments have been reduced in total as a result, for each year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52261/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra103. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of reduced rates for jobseekers payments that have been applied to recipients with dependent children in 2023, 2024 and to date 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52343/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 99 and 103 together.
In order to satisfy the eligibility criteria to receive a Jobseekers payments a person must be capable of, available for and genuinely seeking work. Failure to satisfy these criteria can lead to a disqualification from the payment.
In addition, Jobseeker's Allowance is a means-tested payment for unemployed people, the rate paid may be affected by a change in earnings, for example, if a person commences work part-time or casually, or if they gain additional working hours. If their spouse commences work this can also impact the rate of jobseeker's payment as the spouse's earnings are also taken into consideration. In these instances the rates of reduction will vary depending on individual circumstances.
A Jobseekers payment may also be reduced where a person fails to engage with the Intreo Employment Service or fails to participate in appropriate employment interventions. The weekly reduced rates applied to Jobseekers Allowance and Jobseekers Benefit recipients who fail to engage with the Intreo Employment Service increased from €44 to €90 from January 2025 and is set at 20% for customers in receipt of the recently introduced Jobseekers Pay Related Benefit.
My Department does not collate statistics on the monetary value of reductions to Jobseekers payments year on year nor does it collate statistics on reductions applied, including where the jobseeker has a child dependent.
The Deputy may wish to note that the vast majority of those who receive jobseeker payments receive a personal rate only, with no increase paid for dependents, in addition the payment rate for the Jobseeker Pay Related Benefit is linked to previous earnings and does not provide for increases for dependents.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
100. Deputy Mark Wall asked the Minister for Social Protection if he is aware that persons in receipt of a widow/widower’s pension and under 70 are not entitled to free travel for a companion, while their counterparts entitled to free travel who have a spouse, civil partner or cohabitant can travel for free with them; if he will consider extending free travel for companions to these widow’s/widower’s; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52276/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraA Free Travel Companion Pass entitles the holder to have any one person, aged 16 years or over, to accompany them free of charge when travelling. As part of Budget 2025 it was announced that a Free Travel Companion Pass will be assigned to all those aged over 70 from September 2025, this includes those who are single or bereaved partners aged over 70.
For those under the age of 70 the type of pass a person receive from my Department is based on their circumstances.
A spousal type pass is available to Free Travel recipients who are married in a civil partnership or co-habiting. This pass allows a person’s spouse or partner to join them for free when travelling. One of the conditions for receipt of a Bereaved Partners Pension is that they must not be cohabiting with another person. Therefore, a single travel pass is issued to those in receipt of the Bereaved Partners Pension.
A Free Travel Companion Pass is only issued to Free Travel Pass holders aged under 70 who on account of their disability, are unable to travel alone. A person in receipt of a Bereaved Partners Pension, who is unable to travel alone can of course apply for a companion type travel pass.
Any decision to extend the Free Travel scheme to allow those aged under 70 and in receipt of a Bereaved Partners Pension to automatically receive a Free Travel Companion Pass would require additional funding for the Free Travel scheme and would have to be considered in the context of overall budgetary negotiations.
101. Deputy Mark Wall asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person in receipt of the new bereaved partners contributory pension can also claim an illness benefit, or any other social welfare payment, given the new payment is a contributory one; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52295/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Bereaved Partners (Contributory) Pension (BCP) is a weekly payment to the widow, widower, surviving civil partner or qualified cohabitant of a deceased person. The pension remains payable unless the person cohabits with another person or marries, and the payment is not means tested. As a result, a person can be in receipt of BCP and earn income from employment or self-employment.
There is a general principle of one person, one payment, which applies across the social welfare system. Given the contingency-based nature of this system, it can happen that a person may experience more than one contingency at the same time but, generally, they can receive only one payment. This principle is common to social security systems across the world.
Where a person is unable to work as a result of illness, my Department provides the Illness Benefit payment. Illness Benefit is the primary short term income support provided to those who are unable to work due to illness of any type and who are covered by social insurance. Eligibility for Illness Benefit depends on the person’s PRSI record and class. People must have made the required number of contributions under PRSI classes A, E, H or P to qualify.
Illness Benefit and BCP are, generally, not payable concurrently. However, if a customer is getting a reduced rate of BCP, they may also get a reduced rate of Illness Benefit, so that the combined amount of both payments is not greater than the maximum rate of Illness Benefit to which they would otherwise be entitled.
Supplementary Welfare Allowance is a means-tested payment for persons struggling financially and can be accessed by customers through their local Intreo office. An Exceptional Needs Payment may also be available to help meet essential, once-off expenditure which a person could not reasonably be expected to meet from their weekly income.
My Department will continue to keep its range of supports under review to ensure that they meet their overall objectives.
I trust this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
102. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Social Protection to clarify when a person will stop receiving their widow's pension under the Social Welfare (Bereaved Partners and Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2025. [52305/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraBereaved Partner's Contributory Pension and Bereaved Partner's Non-Contributory Pension are, respectively, social insurance and social assistance (means-tested) payments made to a widow, widower, surviving civil partner or surviving qualified cohabitant of a deceased person.
Bereaved Partner's Contributory Pension is paid for the lifetime of the person, provided they do not cohabit with another person as a couple, marry or enter into a new civil partnership, or participate in a Community Employment Scheme.
Bereaved Partner's Non-Contributory Pension is payable until the person reaches age 66, as long as they satisfy the means test and provided they do not cohabit with another person as a couple, marry or enter into a new civil partnership. It is not payable if the person participates in a Community Employment Scheme or is a Beneficiary of Temporary Protection. Additionally, it is not payable if the person goes to live outside the State or is imprisoned.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
104. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person is unhappy with a section 318 review by the Chief Appeals Officer, the next course of action for the person; and if he will intervene in the decision [52368/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAppeals Officers of the Department, including the Chief Appeals Officer, are required under legislation to act independently in the exercise of the functions conferred on them in law. Accordingly it would be inappropriate for me, or any Minister, to seek to intervene in a decision that they are asked to make.
There are a number of options available to a person who is dissatisfied with a decision of an appeals officer. These are set out in legislation.
With respect to the specific issue raised in the question, Section 318 of the Social Welfare Consolidation Act provides that the Chief Appeals Officer may, at any time, revise any decision of an Appeals Officer where it appears to the Chief Appeals Officer that the decision was erroneous by reason of some mistake having been made in relation to the law or the facts.
Where the Chief Appeals Officer declines to revise the Appeals Officer's decision, and the person remains dissatisfied, section 327 of the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005 provides that the decision may be appealed to the High Court on any question of law.
A judicial review may also be initiated, if deemed appropriate.
Alternatively, if there are new facts or new evidence, which were not presented with the original appeal or to the Chief the Appeals Officer at the time of the Section 318 review and which are relevant at the date the claim was made, the person may request a further review of the appeal decision under Section 317 of the Social Welfare Consolidation Act.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
105. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will review the current policy whereby domiciliary care allowance ceases at age 16, requiring families to apply for disability allowance, which is means-tested on the household, resulting in many families losing financial support for their child with a disability; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52467/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra106. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will consider extending the upper age limit for domiciliary care allowance to 18 years of age, to ensure continuity of support for young persons with disabilities and their families, particularly in cases where the means test for disability allowance results in ineligibility for payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52468/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 105 and 106 together.
Domiciliary Care Allowance is a monthly non-means tested payment to a parent or guardian for a child aged up to 16 who has a severe disability. The child must require care and attention substantially over and above that required by other children their age. Eligibility is not based on the disability or diagnosis, but rather on the impact of the disability in terms of the level of care and attention required by the child.
Disability Allowance is a means-tested income support payment for people whose illness or disability means that they are substantially restricted from doing work that would be suitable for a person of their age, experience and qualifications. It is important to note that the parent's means are not assessed in the means test for Disability Allowance.
Eligibility for Domiciliary Care Allowance ceases when a child reaches 16 years of age. This aligns with the age of eligibility for Disability Allowance. If the young person continues to have a disability that significantly impacts their daily life, they can then apply for a Disability Allowance payment in their own name. If their parent or guardian continues to provide full-time care they can then retain, or apply for, a carer's payment.
Applications for Disability Allowance can be made within 3 months before the child’s 16th birthday to ensure continuity of support.
It is important to note, as outlined earlier, that Domiciliary Care Allowance and Disability Allowance are designed for different purposes and have different eligibility criteria. As such, it would not be appropriate to automatically award Disability Allowance to a person benefiting from Domiciliary Care Allowance once they reach the age of 16 as not all carees may require or be eligible for Disability Allowance.
My Department published the Green Paper on Disability Reform in September 2023. One of the key proposals in the Green Paper on Disability Reform was to extend the upper age limit for Domiciliary Care Allowance and the lower age limit for Disability Allowance to 18 years of age. The Green Paper was a consultation document and was withdrawn following feedback from disability stakeholders.
Any future reform of disability or carers payments, including Domiciliary Care Allowance, will be considered in the context of our commitments in the Programme for Government and the recently published National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People 2025-2030.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
