Written Answers Nos. 238-259
238. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the reason responsibility for regeneration of Dolphin House, Dublin 8, transferred from Dublin City Council to the Land Development Agency; and if he can reassure the community that commitments entered into by the local authority in terms of social, affordable homes will be confirmed, and the associated community facilities delivered. [54048/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraDublin City Council (DCC) and The Land Development Agency (LDA) have entered into a partnership to develop Phases 2 and 3 of the Dolphin House Estate Regeneration Project, a major residential construction project in Dublin 8.
Collectively, Phase 2 and Phase 3 will deliver over 600 social and affordable homes and complete the regeneration at Dolphin House Estate, which will replace the existing homes with new quality energy efficient apartments and houses for current and future residents.
The Dolphin House Estate Regeneration Project was planned to be delivered over three main phases by DCC. Phase 1 (comprising 1a, 1b, and 1c) is being delivered by DCC. Phases 2 & 3, consisting of social and affordable homes plus the master planned community and public amenity spaces, are to be delivered by the LDA. DCC completed Phase 1a in 2018, Phase 1b is scheduled to commence on-site in 2027 and Phase 1C is targeted to commence on site in 2028 by DCC.
The Dolphin House Estate Regeneration Project will continue the DCC - LDA partnership approach that is currently delivering over 500 new homes in the immediate Dublin 8 area and more than 2,100 new homes over four main projects across the city.
DCC will continue to lead the development of the Dolphin House estate and will work in conjunction with the LDA in delivering this vital regeneration project, ensuring the delivery of new homes, community facilities and amenity space for the local community and all the project’s stakeholders.
The LDA is the State’s housing delivery body and has been mandated by the government to maximise the supply of homes on state and acquired land in a financially sustainable manner to support the creation of thriving communities. The Dolphin House Estate Project offers an opportunity for DCC to partner with the LDA to achieve this common purpose supported by the LDA’s funding and proven delivery record of large-scale multitenure projects which will accelerate the provision of new homes in this project.
239. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the reason for the delays in having housing built on the OPW site on Jamestown Road, Inchicore and on the surplus lands of the CIÉ Works in Dublin 8, despite the site being identified for housing over a decade and a half ago. [54049/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraGovernment continues to maintain a strong focus on the use of vacant and underutilised state owned and public land for housing, having agreed the transfer of 37 sites to the Land Development Agency (LDA) for the development of affordable and social housing. Housing construction is already underway on four sites and planning applications have been granted or lodged in the case of 7 further sites.
The OPW and Irish Rail lands in Inchicore were agreed by Government for transfer to the LDA under Housing for All in 2021.
These lands, together with land owned by ESB represent a significant quantum of public land in the Inchicore/Jamestown Road area and sit within the wider City Edge regeneration opportunity.
Much of these lands are currently in operational use by Irish Rail as a train maintenance and repair deport, by the OPW as a storage and engineering facility and by the ESB as a high voltage electricity sub-station of regional importance.
As a result of these current, and former uses, there are significant constraints across these lands that require unlocking before residential development can be delivered. These constraints include numerous protected structures, including the large Michael Scott building on the OPW site which is National Inventory of Architectural Heritage listed; issues with contamination; the presence of SEVESO uses, which require relocation; and the presence of significant overhead and underground infrastructure, which requires consolidation and/or re-routing; and the consolidation or relocation of other functions/existing uses to free up land for residential development. It should also be noted that, at this stage, the land in this area is not zoned for residential development.
The LDA is currently working with all land-owning stakeholders and the Local Authority to fully understand the constraints on the site and to determine the potential and timeline for residential development, together with the associated costs.
240. Deputy Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if increased funding will be made available for the second-hand acquisition programme, specifically the tenant-in-situ scheme, in Kildare to combat record and increasing levels of homelessness; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54050/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am satisfied there is adequate scope within the original €325 million budget, coupled with the flexibility to enter into commitments that might only materialise in 2026, to support all acquisitions that can be contractually completed and drawn down by local authorities before the end of this year.
Accordingly, where local authorities have indicated to my Department that they are likely to fully commit and draw down their original allocation this year, but could progress additional acquisitions if further funding were available, they have been approved do so where these acquisitions can be contractually completed and fully drawn down from my department in 2025.
I have also written recently to local authorities authorising them to enter into acquisitions that are more likely to close and fall due in 2026. Local authorities can now enter into financial commitments for 2026 to a value of up to 30% of their original 2025 acquisitions budget. This will allow priority acquisitions to continue in the closing months of 2025, with certainty on funding availability in 2026, should such purchases not complete this year.
241. Deputy Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans to tackle dereliction and vacancy in south Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54051/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAddressing vacancy and dereliction is a key priority for Government.
The Vacant Homes Action Plan, published in January 2023, set out the various actions being pursued to return vacant properties back into use as homes across the country, including Kildare. In March, I published the 2025 Progress Report which shows the significant progress that is being made and it is available on my Department's website at the following link: gov - Vacant Homes Action Plan 2023-2026 (www.gov.ie).
One of the key measures in the Action Plan supporting the refurbishment of older, vacant and derelict buildings for housing is the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant. The grant can provide up to €50,000 for the refurbishment of vacant properties for use as homes and up to €70,000 where the property is derelict.
To end of Q2 2025 in Kildare County Council, under the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant, 346 applications have been received, with 264 approvals and 144 grants paid, with a total value of €7.96 million.
The Programme for Government, "Securing Ireland’s Future", includes a range of commitments to continue our work in tackling vacancy and dereliction and supporting town centre living. These measures are currently being considered in the context of the forthcoming National Housing Plan.
I firmly believe that the commitment Government has made to addressing vacancy and dereliction and the actions taken will continue to play a vital role in delivering homes across the country.
242. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the total expenditure in 2024 on social and affordable housing funded through SHIP, CALF, CAS, AHF, CREL, AHB borrowing and LDA expenditure, in tabular form. [54052/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraSocial Housing is delivered through a range of Local Authority and Approved Housing Body (AHB) delivery programmes. Capital expenditure on the delivery of new social homes is also supported by current funding provided through the Social Housing Current Expenditure Programme (SHCEP).
In respect of Affordable Housing delivery, Housing for All provides for a number of important affordability measures, supported by an investment package of direct Exchequer funding, investment through the Land Development Agency (LDA) and lending by the Housing Finance Agency (HFA).
The table below sets out the expenditure details requested. The 2024 data for LDA investment will be available once finalised.
|
- |
2024 |
|
Social Housing Build & Acquisition (Exchequer expenditure) |
€2,655m |
|
Affordable Housing (Exchequer expenditure) |
€761m |
|
HFA Loan Advances (LA & AHB) |
€1,458m |
243. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage given that Ireland has by far the highest number of residents to councillor ratio of any EU country, that he will consider increasing the number of local councillors nationally as part of the next review of local electoral areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54060/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe issue of councillor numbers is one which is included in the terms of reference of the Local Democracy Taskforce. The Taskforce was established in June 2024, and it is currently progressing with its work schedule with the aim of delivering recommendations to Government in the first half of 2026.
In relation to councillor numbers, the Taskforce has been asked to “examine how the current number of councillors is determined and explore proposals for a framework for amendments including taking into consideration population growth since the 2014 reforms and the consequent need for an increase in the numbers of councillors to ensure appropriate representation of citizens”.
Taking an evidence informed approach, the Taskforce will finalise a programme of recommendations for the reform and strengthening of local government in Ireland, which will include recommendations in relation to the framework for determining councillor numbers; these will be considered by Government following reporting by the Taskforce.
244. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will review the case of a person (details supplied) who has applied for housing support under the cost rental tenant-in-situ scheme; if he will provide an update on the status of this application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54078/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Cost Rental Tenant In-Situ (CRTiS) scheme was introduced on 1 April 2023 for tenants in private rental homes who are not in receipt of social housing supports but are at risk of homelessness because a landlord has served a valid Notice of Termination due to an intention to sell the property.
The Local Authority conducts the initial assessment for eligibility of the tenant for this scheme and refers potential cases to the Housing Agency, which is responsible for administering and managing the scheme on behalf of my Department, pending further policy development over the longer term.
It is a matter for individual local authorities to identify suitable acquisitions in line with local circumstances. Local authorities take appropriate steps to ensure that their first response will be to support households to prevent homelessness in cases where tenants have been served with a notice of termination by their landlord. A local authority will assess the options available in each case and decide the appropriate action.
My Department is not involved in decisions on individual cases. Any request on the status of the case should be directed to the relevant Local Authority.
246. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the current status of Government plans to introduce minimum building energy rating standards in the private rental sector from this year, as committed to in Housing for All, noting that the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) has already completed an assessment on the investment required for the introduction of such standards; whether he intends to include in Budget 2026 specific measures to support and incentivise landlords to retrofit rental homes to meet these standards, including new grant schemes, budget provision for enforcement and enhanced tenant protection measures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54089/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraA commitment was included under Housing for All to develop a roadmap to implement minimum Building Energy Rating (BER) standards, where feasible, for the private rental sector. This work supports the objectives set down in the Government’s Climate Action Plan.
My Department is committed to improving energy efficiency in the rental market and work in this area is being informed by research commissioned from the ESRI. An ESRI research paper published earlier this year explores the investment requirements for energy efficiency upgrades in the private rental sector. The ESRI’s research is a valuable contribution to our understanding of future investment requirements to ensure the appropriate energy efficiency upgrades in the private rental sector and it will support the development of policy and actions.
As part of Ireland’s residential retrofit programme, the Government launched a new package of supports targeting homes that were built and occupied pre-2011. These supports have been made available to non-corporate landlords and Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs) to improve the efficiency of their rental properties. The Home Energy Upgrade Loan Scheme, launched in 2024, enables homeowners, including non-corporate landlords, to borrow €5,000-75,000 at significantly lower interest rates to complete a home energy upgrade. A tax incentive up to €10,000 per property is in place to encourage small-scale landlords to undertake retrofitting works while the tenant remains in situ. Budget 2026 included the announcement that this incentive will be extended for a further three years. The Home Energy Upgrade Loan Scheme, launched in 2024, enables homeowners, including non-corporate landlords, to borrow €5,000-75,000 at significantly lower interest rates to complete a home energy upgrade.
The appropriate balance will need to be struck between improving the energy efficiency of the rental stock and the potential impact any intervention may have on the private rental market, particularly around the availability of accommodation.
The Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) was established as a quasi-judicial, independent statutory body under the Residential Tenancies Acts 2004-2024 to facilitate the resolution of residential tenancy disputes and operate a national tenancy registration system. Additional resources will be allocated to the RTB to ensure the effective regulation of the sector. Budget 2026 provides that Exchequer funding allocation for the RTB will be significantly increased by over 70% to €22.8m.
247. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Question No. 1360 of 29 April 2025, if he will provide a further update on the timeline for the proposed revisions to Building Regulations Technical Guidance Document L (Conservation of Fuel and Energy) for Dwellings and Technical Guidance Document F (Ventilation); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54092/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) requires Ireland to carry out cost-optimal calculations every 5 years in order to set the energy performance requirements for buildings in Building Regulations. Member States then have 5 five years to implement the revised performance requirements.
Calculations carried out in 2023 resulted in proposals to advance cost optimal levels for major renovations to dwellings.
A public consultation on Building Regulations Technical Guidance Document L (Conservation of Fuel and Energy) Dwellings and Technical Guidance Document F (Ventilation) closed in February 2025.
Work is continuing on the revisions to these documents.
248. Deputy Johnny Mythen asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will consider designating the full site of Vinegar Hill in Enniscorthy, County Wexford as a national monument, in recognition of its historical significance as the location of the pivotal 1798 rebellion battle, and in light of recent research suggesting the presence of mass graves and other unprotected heritage features; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54148/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 2016 geophysical survey results referred to identified three discrete pits which have been interpreted by those who carried out the survey as potentially representing mass graves associated with the 1798 battle. As no intrusive archaeological investigations have been carried out in this area, this interpretation remains conjectural.
The National Monuments Service of my Department has commissioned a wide ranging and detailed study of historic battlefields up to and including those of the 1798 Rebellion, known as the Irish Battlefields Project. Substantial progress is being made towards formal publication of the detailed results of that project and the resources being allocated towards their publication by the state reflects the appreciation that such places are an important part of our history and heritage.
In the interim, location points for a range of battlefields have been included on my Department’s online Historic Environment Viewer, and included in this is the Vinegar Hill Battlefield. While this does not of itself confer statutory protection on such battlefields, I am satisfied that a range of information is available to planning authorities so as to ensure that historic battlefields receive appropriate consideration in the statutory planning process, though it is of course a matter for each planning authority to adopt appropriate objectives in that regard under its statutory development plan.
Under the Historic and Archaeological Heritage and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2023, it will be possible to give legal protection to battlefields and other sites of historic events by way of entering them, with an appropriate surrounding area, into the Register of Monuments to be established under that Act. This will be the case even in the absence of surviving or identifiable physical remains from the battle or event in question. My Department is working on the continuing commencement of the various provisions of the new legislation, so that the new Register can be established at the earliest possible date. Work is also in progress to implement the system of Prescribed Monuments under the new Act, to provide automatic protection for certain classes of monument without need for registration. Consideration is being given in that regard to including as classes of Prescribed Monuments the physical remains of military engagements, such as clusters of archaeological objects associated with such an engagement.
I believe that the implementation of this new legislation (which fundamentally modernises and strengthens the law on protection of archaeological heritage and monuments generally), combined with the detailed publication of the results of the Irish Battlefields Project and greater attention to the protection of battlefields in the planning process will present great opportunities to ensure that battlefield heritage is comprehensively protected in the future.
Annual archaeological research grants funded by my Department’s National Monuments Service are made available through the Royal Irish Academy: www.ria.ie/grants/archaeology-research-grants/. These research funding streams may be a source to pursue for those for those wishing to carry out further research on the archaeology of Vinegar Hill, subject of course to necessary permissions.
249. Deputy Rory Hearne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when the Government's new housing plan will be published. [54175/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere is a commitment in the Programme for Government that a new, all of government, national housing plan to follow Housing for All, underpinned by multi-annual funding will be published.
The new plan will provide the strategic framework to support the delivery of 300,000 new homes during the period of the Plan and identify actions to support a more sustainable housing system moving forward. The plan will take a whole of government approach, as Housing for All did, and my Department has been engaging across Government to agree the high-level measures that will be included.
A programme of targeted stakeholder engagement has been undertaken. Written submissions have been received from across Government and from a range of external stakeholders including state agencies, the community and voluntary sector, industry and academics. These submissions have been carefully considered. I have also met with many stakeholders to hear first-hand what actions they think should be reflected in the Plan.
In addition the outcome of the National Development Plan Review in July 2025 will be reflected in the Plan, which provided for records levels of capital expenditure by Government on infrastructure including housing. The new Housing Plan will be published in the coming weeks.
250. Deputy Rory Hearne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the plans to amend the status of a HAP tenant as having their housing needs met when they are in receipt of HAP. [54176/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraConsistent with the provisions in the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2014, the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) scheme is considered to be a social housing support and consequently households in receipt of a payment under the HAP scheme are not eligible to remain on the main housing waiting list. However, acknowledging that some households on the waiting list, who avail of HAP, have expectations that they would receive a more traditional form of social housing support, Ministerial directions have issued to ensure that, should they so choose, HAP recipients can avail of a move to other forms of social housing support through a transfer list.
Furthermore, local authorities are also directed that HAP recipients who apply to go on the transfer list should get full credit for the time they spent on the waiting list and be placed on the transfer list with no less favourable terms than if they had remained on the waiting list.
The practical operation of transfer lists is a matter for each local authority to manage, on the basis of its own scheme of letting priorities. The making of such schemes is a reserved function of the local authority and as such is a matter for the elected members.
The Housing Commission has recommended the resetting of the HAP scheme as a short- to medium-term support for households eligible for social housing, with those households then remaining on the social housing waiting list. My Department is actively considering the recommendations of the Housing Commission including those that relate to the HAP scheme.
251. Deputy Joe Neville asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if there are any funding plans, such as the previous Urban Regeneration and Development Fund, to support local authorities in developing amenities where there have been significant housing developments, to ensure that we are not just about delivering housing, but communities that families can thrive (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54224/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraA flagship element of Project Ireland 2040, the €2 billion Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (URDF) is supporting a programme of significant transformational capital projects that will contribute to the regeneration and rejuvenation of Ireland’s cities and other large towns, in line with the objectives of the National Planning Framework and the National Development Plan.
To date, there have been three rounds of funding provided under the URDF which has resulted in the allocation of €1.9 billion of funding, with URDF supported projects now active in every local authority area in the country.
Under Calls 1 and 2 there were 132 proposals, comprising more than 400 individual projects, approved for funding. The latest round of funding (Call 3) is supporting a programme of acquisitions in each local authority to address long term vacancy and dereliction.
The agreed Programme for Government included a commitment to establish a new Towns and Cities Infrastructure Investment Fund to:
• invest in infrastructure, acquire land, assemble sites, de-risk sites;
• support the development of new transport orientated development towns as necessary; and
• continue and expand URDF (Urban Regeneration and Development Fund) investments in project to regenerate the public realm.
Following publication of the National Development Plan Review in July, allocations to programmes and subheads, including the level of additional capital funding to support these commitments, will be determined in the coming weeks. This will enable the detailed arrangements for the implementation of these funding streams to be clarified further.
While, my Department will work closely with local authorities in respect of project development under these funding streams, it should be noted that responsibility for the composition of any applications for funding and their advancement through the various stages of planning, development and completion will be, in the first instance, a matter for the relevant local authority.
252. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will review the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54233/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Local Authority Home Loan is a Government backed mortgage scheme for creditworthy applicants who cannot get sufficient funding from commercial banks to purchase or build a home. It has been available nationwide from local authorities since 4 January 2022 for first-time buyers and Fresh Start applicants. The loan can be used both for new and second-hand properties, or to self-build.
For applications to affordable housing schemes and the Local Authority Home Loan, an exemption to the First Time Buyer eligibility criteria may be applied under the Fresh Start Principle. Broadly speaking, an applicant that previously purchased or built a residential property, but is legally separated or divorced and has left the property and divested themselves of their interest in the previous property may be eligible under the Fresh Start Principle.
However it should be noted that the assessment of eligibility under the Fresh Start principle can be complex as it must take into account the specific circumstances of each applicant. In relation to specific cases, without complete information, my Department is not in a position to advise. The applicant should contact her local authority for more information.
Further details on the Fresh Start eligibility can be found on the dedicated website https://localauthorityhomeloan.ie/information/faq/eligibility/#question-4
253. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Social Protection to outline, separately, the fixed charge, the annual management charge, and the contribution charge that will apply to My Future Fund participants; to specify if and how much the three aforementioned charges differ for participants who will be actively contributing and those who will not; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53971/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Programme for Government contains a commitment to introduce the Automatic Enrolment (AE) Retirement Savings System. The aim of introducing AE is to address the pension coverage gap that exists in Ireland and to provide workers with greater comfort and security regarding their retirement income. The new system - to be known as My Future Fund - will commence from 1st January 2026. The implementation of My Future Fund will pave the way for around 800,000 workers to be brought into a retirement savings scheme for the first time and I look forward to its implementation.
The fees associated with automatic enrolment are under active consideration and are likely to constitute a flat fee for administration purposes and a percentage of assets under management for investment services. Through negotiation with service providers, the Department will ensure these are highly competitive. It is envisaged that there will not be any other charges either on members or on their employers. The full details of the fees will be disclosed closer to the commencement of the system.
I hope this clarifies matters for the Deputy.
254. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will issue in relation to an application (details supplied) for disability allowance to be restored; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54023/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraDisability Allowance (DA) is a weekly allowance paid to people with a specified disability who are aged 16 or over and under the age of 66. This disability must be expected to last for at least one year and the allowance is subject to a medical assessment, a means test and the habitual residency conditions.
Following their application for DA, the person concerned was issued an information request by the Department on 23 July 2025 seeking additional information on their income.
The person concerned returned this information and their claim has been referred to a Social Welfare Inspector (SWI) to complete a fresh assessment of means, as they have not been in payment of their DA since November 2024.
Once the SWI returns their report, a decision will issue directly to the person concerned, without delay. In the meantime, the person concerned can apply to their local Community Welfare Officer for a Supplementary Welfare Allowance payment if they are in need of financial assistance.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
255. Deputy John Connolly asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will be made in relation to an appeal submitted by a person (details supplied) with the social welfare appeals office; the reason for the long delay in deciding said appeal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54056/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an Appeals Officer, having fully considered all of the available evidence, has decided to disallow the appeal of the person concerned by way of a summary decision. The evidence provided does not indicate that the person concerned was available for full time employment at the time the claim was made.
The person concerned will be notified of the Appeals Officer’s decision in the coming days.
The Chief Appeals Officer apologises for the delays experienced by this customer. The Chief Appeals Officer is taking all additional measures to reduce the time taken to process appeals. 20 additional staff have been appointed as Appeals Officers and are making appeal decisions. In addition, new Appeals Regulations have come into effect from the 28th of April which provide, among other things, for simpler processes and specified response times. These should further help to reduce processing times.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
256. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of humanitarian assistance payments applications that were submitted in respect of garages and sheds; the number of these applications approved; and the number rejected. [54083/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage is the lead Department for severe weather emergencies. My department provides assistance to eligible households in the immediate aftermath of emergency weather events under the Humanitarian Assistance Scheme.
The purpose of the Humanitarian Assistance Scheme is to prevent hardship by providing financial support to people whose homes are damaged from flooding and severe weather events and who are unable to meet costs for essential needs, household items and structural repair. It is available as a support for households that experience unanticipated and exceptional costs in the immediate aftermath of a weather event.
The scheme does not cover commercial, agricultural, or business losses. It does not provide a general compensation payment for damage or losses incurred as a consequence of a weather event, nor does it cover damage or losses that are reasonably expected to be covered by insurance policies.
The scheme does not cover any additional properties or structures that are not occupied and lived in as the primary residence. Information is not collated on the number of applications submitted concerning garages and sheds or the outcome of those applications.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
257. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will outline the criteria by which those with disabilities, who apply for positions under the disability-specific schemes such as WAM, are assessed; what information applicants have to supply to outline their disability in their application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54087/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAnyone in receipt of Disability Allowance, Blind Pension or Partial Capacity Benefit is considered to meet the disability criteria for any of my Department’s schemes to support the employment of disabled people – Work and Access, Wage Subsidy Scheme, Employability, WorkAbility, and the WAM programme. Each scheme or support has different criteria for people who are not in receipt of a disability payment.
To access Work and Access supports, a person must have a disability or health condition that presents a need for the job seeker, employee, or self-employed person, to be supported for interview or work or both. The disability or health condition should be likely to last longer than 12 months. The person must be getting a long-term disability payment or be able to provide professional evidence confirming the disability/health condition and that it is likely to last longer than 12 months.
The Employability service is open to all people with disabilities including those recovering from injury or illness, aged between 18 and 65 and who are job ready, eager to enter or return to the workplace and need the support of a Job Coach.
Under the WorkAbility Programme co-funded with the Employment, Inclusion, Skills and Training programme, participants with a disability are defined as persons with long-term physical, mental, intellectual or sensory impairments, which, in interaction with various barriers, may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others. It is optional for participants to disclose the particular conditions they have. However, they must sign a participant registration form to confirm that they have any one of the long-lasting conditions from a specified list or if they encounter difficulties performing activities from a list. I have asked my officials to send both of these lists to the Deputy.
The Willing Able Mentoring or WAM programme is run by AHEAD. It is a work placement programme which aims to promote access to the labour market for graduates with disabilities and to build the capacity of employers to integrate disability into the mainstream workplace. Prospective participants in the WAM programme self-identify as disabled in order to register for the WAM Graduate Database and share the categories of their disability to AHEAD as part of the registration process. Successful candidates undergo a Needs Assessment Process which explores the functional impact of disability in a the context of the job demands and environment.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
258. Deputy Brian Brennan asked the Minister for Social Protection the current status of the carer’s benefit claim for a person (details supplied); the options available to the applicant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54132/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraCarer's Benefit (CARB) is a payment made to insured people who leave the workforce or reduce their working hours to care for a child or an adult in need of full-time care and attention. To qualify, the carer must satisfy PRSI conditions, employment conditions, show that they are providing full-time care and attention and show that the care recipient requires full-time care and attention.
An application for CARB was received from the person concerned on 01 November 2023 in respect of their mother. The claim was disallowed on the 4 January 2024, as the Deciding Officer (DO) having regard to the opinion of the Department's Medical Assessor decided that the information supplied did not show that the care recipient required full time care. It was further disallowed as the person concerned was working for more than 18.5 hour per week and was not deemed to be providing care adequate to meet the eligibility criteria regarding the provision of full time care and attention.
A review request was received from the person concerned on 12 January 2024 with supporting information. Upon review, the person concerned was deemed to satisfy the provision of care, however, the original decision regarding the requirement for full time care and attention was upheld. Correspondence to this effect issued on 24 January 2024. A further review was requested and was unsuccessful and the person concerned was notified of this on 12 February 2024.
A request for an appeal of this decision was received by the Social Welfare Appeals Office on 03 March 2024. The Appeals Officer examined all the relevant information and upheld the Department's original decision. Notification of the Appeal outcome issued directly to the person concerned on 12 June 2024. The person concerned requested a review of the Appeals Office decision and following review, it was disallowed. Correspondence to this effect issued to the person concerned on 23 September 2025.
A separate application for CARB was received from the person concerned in respect of their uncle on 21 March 2025. Additional information in relation to this application was requested by a DO on the 10 April 2025 to determine whether the person concerned met the eligibility requirements. The requested information was not provided and the claim was disallowed. The person concerned was notified on 14 May 2025 of this decision, the reasons for it and of their right of review and appeal.
It is open to the person concerned to reapply for CARB if they feel that they are eligible and meet all of the qualifying criteria for the scheme.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
259. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Social Protection to provide an update on a person's application for the bereaved widows pension (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54164/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraSince the 21st July 2025, surviving qualified cohabitants are eligible for Bereaved Partner's Contributory Pension, subject to other qualifying conditions.
A qualified cohabitant is one of 2 adults, who lived together as a couple in an intimate and committed relationship, who immediately before that relationship ended whether through death or otherwise, was living with the other adult as a couple, for a continuous period of at least two years where they are children of the relationship, or five years in any other case.
The Bereaved Partner's Pension application by the person concerned is currently under consideration and their case has been assigned to a Social Welfare Inspector to investigate. The Inspector has been requested to expedite the completion of their investigation. When all the necessary enquiries are made and all the required information made available to the Deciding Officer, a decision will be made and the person concerned will be informed of outcome without delay.
It is also open to the person concerned to apply for Supplementary Welfare Allowance if the resources currently available to them are insufficient to meet their needs. Means tested supports provided under the scheme can consist of a basic weekly payment, a weekly or monthly supplement in respect of certain expenses, as well as single Additional Needs Payments. If the person concerned considers that they may have an entitlement to financial support, they should contact their local Community Welfare Service for assistance. There is a National Community Welfare Contact Centre in place - 0818 607080 - which will direct callers to the appropriate office.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
