Tuesday, 14 Oct 2025

Arts Policy

Ceisteanna (549)

Robert O'Donoghue

Ceist:

549. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport if participants currently in receipt of the basic income for the arts pilot scheme will be retained under the new successor scheme announced in Budget 2026; If so, the duration they will continue to receive the payment; if there will be a defined cut-off point for current participants; if they will be eligible to reapply under the new scheme; the way in which the new intake of recipients will be selected and awarded places under the revised scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55096/25]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport

I am delighted to have secured an allocation for a successor scheme to the Basic Income for the Arts pilot as part of Budget 2026. While the detail of the future scheme will need to be agreed by Government, this is a major milestone for the arts in Ireland and I am particularly pleased that the research my Department conducted provided Government with a clear evidence base upon which to make that decision.

The research has consistently demonstrated both the positive impact the BIA has had for those in receipt of it and how difficult it is to work as an artist in Ireland given the income precarity prevalent in the sector. The BIA successor scheme will help to sustain the careers of those artists who will receive it and retain their talent in the arts sector.

With an allocation of €18.27m in my Department’s 2026 Estimate, I look forward to the design and delivery of the successor scheme next year. Based on that allocation the scheme will support the practices of 2,000 artists in 2026 at €325 per week, with payment beginning in Q4 2026.

I can confirm that the BIA pilot scheme will end in February 2026, which is when the final pilot payment will be made to the current cohort of recipients. While eligibility is not yet finalised, a new cohort of recipients will be selected based on eligible applications for the successor scheme.

Stakeholder consultation and engagement with other relevant Government Departments on the design of the new scheme will continue to determine details such as the duration, eligibility and selection method, the details of which have not yet been decided.

I plan to bring proposals to Government and aim to publish details of the eligibility criteria and parameters of the successor scheme later this year once they have been agreed by Cabinet.

Arts Policy

Ceisteanna (550, 551)

Sinéad Gibney

Ceist:

550. Deputy Sinéad Gibney asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the timelines for applications and commencement of the successor scheme to the basic income for the arts scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55109/25]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Sinéad Gibney

Ceist:

551. Deputy Sinéad Gibney asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport if the successor scheme to the basic income for the arts scheme will provide the same level of support to the same number of artists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55110/25]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport

I propose to take Questions Nos. 550 and 551 together.

I am delighted to have secured an allocation for a successor scheme to the Basic Income for the Arts pilot as part of Budget 2026. While the detail of the future scheme will need to be agreed by Government, this is a major milestone for the arts in Ireland and I am particularly pleased that the research my Department conducted provided Government with a clear evidence base upon which to make that decision.

The research has consistently demonstrated both the positive impact the BIA has had for those in receipt of it and how difficult it is to work as an artist in Ireland given the income precarity prevalent in the sector. The BIA successor scheme will help to sustain the careers of those artists who will receive it and retain their talent in the arts sector.

With an allocation of €18.27m in my Department’s 2026 Estimate, I look forward to the design and delivery of the successor scheme next year. Based on that allocation the scheme will support the practices of 2,000 artists in 2026 at €325 per week, with payment beginning in Q4 2026.

I can confirm that the BIA pilot scheme will end in February 2026, which is when the final pilot payment will be made to the current cohort of recipients. While eligibility is not yet finalised, a new cohort of recipients will be selected based on eligible applications for the successor scheme.

Stakeholder consultation and engagement with other relevant Government Departments on the design of the new scheme will continue to determine details such as the duration, eligibility and selection method, the details of which have not yet been decided.

I plan to bring proposals to Government and aim to publish details of the eligibility criteria and parameters of the successor scheme later this year once they have been agreed by Cabinet.

Question No. 551 answered with Question No. 550.

Departmental Contracts

Ceisteanna (552)

Peadar Tóibín

Ceist:

552. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport to provide a list of all studies, research and reports commissioned by his Department that were outsourced, in each of the past five years, in tabular form; the names of the companies to which each study, research and report was outsourced; the total cost for each; the number of reports finalised and presented to him that have yet to be released by his Department; the dates on which any such reports yet to be released were first provided to him; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55157/25]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport

It should be noted that my Department was re-configured as the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport at the beginning of June 2025. The information sought by the Deputy for the past five years in respect of the current functions under the remit of my Department is specified in the table below.

Outsourced companies 5 y

Year	Title of study/ research/ report	Contracted Company	Total Cost (incl. VAT)	Note
2020	Review and Analysis of ICT at the National Archives	Unity	€24,354	Internal technical document. Not intended for publication or presentation to the Minister
2020	Report on the impact on the staff and the National Concert Hall of staff transferring from the RTÉ Pension Schemes to the Single Public Service Pension Scheme	Trident Consulting	€12,100	Internal technical document. Not intended for publication or presentation to the Minister
2020	Interim Review of Creative Communities	M-CO	Part of a wider contract on ‘Policy and Advice and Research’. For 2020 M-CO was paid a total amount of €73,434 for all work under this wider contract in 2020.	Presented to the Minister and published in December 2020.
2020	Mohan, G., McCoy, S., Carroll, E., Mihut, G., Lyons, S., & Mac Domhnaill, C. (2020). ‘Learning for all? Second-Level Education in Ireland during COVID-19’	ESRI	Part of €100k p.a. contract	Published in June 2020.
2020	Carthy, P., Lunn, P. and Lyons, S (2020) Demographic variation in active consumer behaviour: On-line search for retail broadband services.	ESRI	Part of €100k p.a. contract	Published in July 2020.
2020	Dempsey, S., Lyons, S. and McCoy, S. (2020) Early mobile phone ownership: Influencing the wellbeing of girls and boys in Ireland? Journal of Children and Media, 14 (4), 2020.	ESRI	Part of €100k p.a. contract	Published in February 2020.
2021	Mohan, G., (2021) Magnifying inequality? Home learning environments and social reproduction during school closures in Ireland.	ESRI	Part of €100k p.a. contract	Published in May 2021.
2021	Mac Domhnaill, C., Mohan, G and McCoy, S. (2021). Home broadband and student engagement during COVID-19 emergency remote teaching.	ESRI	Part of €100k p.a. contract	Published in November 2021.
2021	Public Services Review	McKenzie Rogers Consulting Ltd	€30,730	Internal technical document. Not intended for publication or presentation to the Minister.
2021	Stakeholder Forum Report	Olwen Dawe	€5,996	Presented to the Minister in 2022. Report not published.
2021	High-level economic appraisal and strategic analysis of hosting the America’s Cup in Ireland	Ernst & Young	€122,994	Presented to the Minister on 11 March 2022. Not published.
2021* *Commissioned in November 2020. Finalised in 2021.	Emergency Call Answering Service Process & Technology Review	BearingPoint Ireland	€76,875	Internal technical document. Not intended for publication or presentation to the Minister.
2021	A Systematic Review of Outcomes and Trends across the Creative Youth Plan 2017 – 2022	Trinity College Dublin	€123,803	Presented to the Minister in March 2024. Published in April 2024.
2021	Creative C-Change – Analysing the impact of the Creative Climate Action initiative on Climate Change Awareness, Engagement and Action in Ireland	MaREI, the SFI Research Centre for Energy, Climate and Marine, University College Cork	€110,134	Published in May 2023.
2022	Observation of selection process for the Basic Income for the Arts Pilot Scheme	Ernst & Young	€18,239	Published in 2023.
2022	Overview Report Night Time Economy Activation Workshop	Irish Business Intelligence	€4,151	Workshop report not intended for publication.
2022	Overview Report Night Time Economy Taskforce Youth Focus Groups	Irish Business Intelligence	€4,742	Report not intended for publication, presented to Minister in March 2023.
2022	Creative Communities Economic Action Fund - Synthesis Report 2022	M-CO	Part of wider contract on ‘Policy Advice and Research’. For 2022, M-CO was paid a total amount of €201,751 for all work under this wider contract for in 2022.	Published in Q2 2023.
2022	Griffin, M, Lyons, S., Mohan, G. et al. (2022) Intra-operator mobile plan switching: Evidence from linked survey and billing microdata.	ESRI	Part of €100k p.a. contract	Published in March 2022.
2022	Mohan, G. and Lyons, S. (2022) High-speed broadband availability, Internet activity among older people, quality of life and loneliness.	ESRI	Part of €100k p.a. contract	Published in June 2022.
2022	Duggan, B. and Mohan, G (2022) A longitudinal examination of young people’s gambling behaviours and participation in team sports.	ESRI	Part of €100k p.a. contract	Published December 2022.
2022	Comparator Analysis of International Archival Legislation	Mastermind Ireland t/a Archives Ireland	€15,375	Internal technical document. Not intended for publication or presentation to the Minister
2022	Report of the Expert Group on an Individual Complaints Mechanism.	YCD Limited Yellowstone (for design of the report).	€1,906	Published in 2022.
2022	External Assurance Process (EAP) to review the Preliminary Business Case for the redevelopment of the National Concert Hall.	PwC	€60,885	Internal technical document. Not intended for publication or presented to Minister in 2023.
2022	Recommendation of options to inform seabed levy charging framework(s) for the subsea telecommunications sector.	PwC	€30,627	Not intended for publication. Submitted to Minister of State on 12 July 2023.
2022/2023	Provision of Operational Management Advisory Services for the National Postcode Systems	PwC	€193,218	Not intended for publication or presentation to the Minister
2023/2024	External Assurance Process (EAP) to review the Preliminary Business Case for the redevelopment of the Abbey Theatre	PwC	€90,474	Not intended for publication or presentation to the Minister
2023	O’Reilly, C and Mohan, G. (2023) Parental influences on excessive Internet use among adolescents.	ESRI	Part of €100k p.a. contract	Published in May 2023.
2023	Mohan, G (2023) Characteristics and behaviours of young people who meet online contacts face-to-face	ESRI	Part of €100k p.a. contract	Published in August 2023.
2023	Mao, L., Mohan, G., and Normand, C. (2023) Use of Information Communication Technologies by older people and telemedicine adoption during COVID-19: a longitudinal study	ESRI	Part of €100k p.a. contract	Published in August 2023.
2023	Review of Operation of National Digital Research Centre since 2020	Indecon International Consultants	€49,555	Published on the Gov.ie website since 16 December 2024.
2023	Workshop summary prepared as part of ongoing cultural policy development.	Noeleen Hartigan	€6,273	Internal working document, not intended for publication. Report was provided to the Minister in June 2023.
2023	Independent Review of Governance and Culture in RTÉ	Independent Expert Advisory Committee supported by Crowe Advisory Ireland Ltd, McCann Fitzgerald (legal advisors), DCU (translation services), and a graphic designer (self-employed, not incorporated as a company)	€328,063	Presented to Minister on 26 April 2024. Published on 7 May 2024.
2023	Independent Review of Contractor Fees, HR and other matters in RTÉ	Independent Expert Advisory Committee supported by Crowe Advisory Ireland Ltd, McCann Fitzgerald (legal advisors), DCU (translation services), and a graphic designer (self-employed, not incorporated as a company)	€532,092	Presented to Minister on 26 April 2024. Published on 7 May 2024.
2023	Examine the books or other records of account of RTÉ as provided for under Section 109 (7)(a) of the Broadcasting Act 2009	Mazars	€286,160	Presented to Minister on 26 April 2024. Published on 7 May 2024.
2023	Creative Communities Economic Action Fund 2023: Report	M-CO	Part of wider contract on ‘Policy Advice and Research’. For 2023, M-CO was paid a total amount of €201,987for all work under this wider contract in 2023.	Published in May 2024.
2023	Evaluation of Creative Communities 3 years of data, 4 data sets being analysed	M-CO	Part of wider contract on ‘Policy and Advice and Research’. For 2023, M-CO was paid a total amount of €201,987 for all work under this wider contract in 2023.	To be published in Q1 2026.
2023	Creative Activity in the Ageing Population, Findings from Wave 6	The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing, Trinity College Dublin	€142,867	Published in June 2023.
2024	‘Women’s Stories: Best Practice in Policy and Curatorial for National Cultural Institutions, National Collections and Partners.’	Curran Watson & Associates Ltd, T/A CHL & Associates	€26,076	To be published in due course following presentation to Minister.
2024	Kren, J., & Lawless, M. (2024). Firm-level attitudes and actions to the “Twin Transition” challenges of digitalisation and climate change.	ESRI	Part of €100k p.a. contract	Published in 2024.
2024	Siedschlag, I., Mohan, G., & Yan, W. (2024). Twin transitions across enterprises: Do digital technologies and sustainability go together?	ESRI	Part of €100k p.a. contract	Published in November 2024.
2024	Dempsey, S., & Hoy, A. (2024). Exacerbating the divide? Investigating rural inequalities in high speed broadband availability.	ESRI	Part of €100k p.a. contract	Published in July 2024.
2024	Review of the Department’s Arrangements for the Oversight of State Bodies. Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media.	Institute of Public Administration	€20,295	Published on 24 March 2025.
2024	Digital Preservation Infrastructure Analysis	Chaucer Group	€172,105	Internal technical document. Not intended for publication or presented to Minister.
2024	Basic Income for the Arts: Preliminary Results	Prof Michael King	€37,000	Was not presented to Minister or intended for publication.
2024	Basic Income for the Arts qualitative report	Dr Jenny Dagg	€21,740 (excl. VAT)	Published in 2025.
2024	Output Report on the Section 481 Stakeholder Forum	The Brave Lab Ltd	€7,380	Published in October 2025.
2024	Report of the Night-Time Economy Accessibility Survey	Ireland Thinks	€18,450	To be published in due course following presentation to Minister.
2024	Review of the Night-Time Economy Pilots	Communiqué International	€30,088	To be published in due course following presentation to Minister.
2024	Review of Designation of Events of Major Importance to Society under Broadcasting Act 2009	Indecon International Economic and Strategic Consultants	€116,210	Submitted to Department November 2024. Review was technical independent analysis to support statutory review of major events and not intended for publication.
2024	International Connectivity Assessment, includes four sub-reports: Demand Assessment, Gap Analysis, Market Failure and Capacity Analysis	PwC	€623,667	Reports published at the time of the Consultation on International Connectivity for Telecommunications on 31 May 2024.
2024	Interim evaluation report on the National Broadband Plan	Ernst and Young	€259,638	Report presented to Minister circa July 2024. Report published on 4 November 2024
2024	• Creative Climate Change II – Evaluating the Impact of the Creative Climate Action Fund II: Agents of Change on Climate Action Engagement, Action and Behaviour Change in Ireland – Report Year 1 • Creative Climate Change II – Evaluating the Impact of the Creative Climate Action Fund II: Agents of Change on Climate Action Engagement, Action and Behaviour Change in Ireland – Policy Brief • Creative Climate Change II – Evaluating the Impact of the Creative Climate Action Fund II: Agents of Change on Climate Action Engagement, Action and Behaviour Change in Ireland – Report Year 2	MaREI, the SFI Research Centre for Energy, Climate and Marine, University College Cork	€311,200	• Published in May 2025 Published in May 2025 Ongoing. Due to be published in Q2 2026
2024	Designing schools as creative, collaborative learning spaces.	The Irish Architecture Foundation	€50,000	Ongoing. Not yet published.
2024	Evaluation of the Creative Ireland Live Music in Nursing Homes Scheme	M-CO	Part of wider contract on ‘Policy Advice and Research’. For 2024, M-CO was paid a total amount of €220,294 for all work under this wider contract in 2024.	Published in December 2024.
2025	Evaluation of the Creative Youth Nurture Fund	M-CO	Part of the wider contract on policy advice and research’. For 2025, M-CO has been paid a total amount of €163,899 to date for all work under this wider contract in 2025.	Due to be published in Q4 2025.
2025	Mohan, G. (2025). Kid gamers to adult gamblers? An investigation of gaming in childhood and young adult gambling.	ESRI	Part of €100k p.a. contract	Published in April 2025.
2025	McHugh, E., & Connolly, S. (2025). Remote consultations in general practice in Ireland: Who is missing out?	ESRI	Part of €100k p.a. contract	Published in April 2025.
2025	Griffin, M., Mohan, G., McCoy, S., & Lyons, S. (2025). Who says school provides computer skills. Early ICT exposure and later skill perceptions–evidence from school and home environments in Ireland.	ESRI	Part of €100k p.a. contract	Published in May 2025.
2025	Basic Income for the Arts cost-benefit analysis	Alma Economics	€69,300	Published in 2025.
2025	Eircode Transition programme – review of operational costs report	PwC	€27,060	Internal technical document. Not intended for publication or presentation to Minister.
2025	Expert Advisory Committee's Independent Review of the Governance and Organisational Culture of The Arts Council of Ireland	Independent Expert Advisory Committee appointed by the Minister.	Ongoing	Review is still ongoing. Report will be presented to the Minister on completion of the EAC review.

Departmental Expenditure

Ceisteanna (553)

Albert Dolan

Ceist:

553. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport if his Department and each body under its aegis discloses expenditure on external consultancy and adviser fees, by category (details supplied) in their annual report and or financial statements for each accounting year; if they provide direct web links to the most recent publications where these Section 1.5 disclosures are set out for his Department and for each aegis body; and if they provide the total consultancy and adviser fees by the Section 1.5 categories for each of the past five years for his Department and for each aegis body, respectively; and the internal controls that are in place to ensure that these category-level disclosures are made annually and that procurement of such services complies with applicable competitive tendering rules, in tabular form. [55362/25]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport

The Estimate in respect of Subhead vii - Policy Review, Consultancy Services and Research for my Department is published in the annual Revised Estimate Volume as published by the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation which can be viewed at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-public-expenditure-infrastructure-public-service-reform-and-digitalisation/collections/the-revised-estimates-volumes-for-the-public-service/

Expenditure actually charged to Subhead vii - Policy Review, Consultancy Services and Research, is detailed in the Department's Annual Report and financial statements which are published annually. Expenditure under this subhead for the former Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media can be found in the 2024 Appropriation Account at the following link: www.audit.gov.ie/en/find-report/publications/2025/vote-33-tourism-culture-arts-gaeltacht-sport-and-media.pdf .

The details of expenditure on external consultancy and adviser fees by bodies under the aegis of my Department is an operational matter for those bodies. However, the most recent annual reports and financial statements for each body under the aegis may be found at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-culture-communications-and-sport/organisation-information/latest-financial-details-from-the-department-of-tourism-culture-arts-gaeltacht-sport-and-media/ .

Sports Funding

Ceisteanna (554)

Pádraig Rice

Ceist:

554. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the details of all funding and grant opportunities available to girls school age sports teams; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55429/25]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport

Sport Ireland, which is funded by this Department, is the statutory body with responsibility for the development of sport, increasing participation at all levels and raising standards, including the allocation of funding across its various programmes. Sport Ireland does not provide direct funding for teams, clubs or individuals but channels the funding through the relevant National Governing Body of sport (NGB). There is no mechanism by which Sport Ireland or the Department can allocate funding to teams outside of this process. Sports teams are advised to contact their relevant NGB directly to ascertain what funding or grant supports might be available to them.

The Community Sport Facilities Fund (CSFF) provides grants to assist in the development or refurbishment of sports facilities and the provision of sports equipment. Among the objectives is assisting voluntary and community organisations, national governing bodies (NGBs) of sport, local authorities and Education and Training Boards and schools to develop high quality, accessible, safe, well-designed, sustainable facilities in appropriate locations and to provide appropriate equipment to help maximise participation in sport and physical recreation.

Over a quarter of a billion euro was allocated to 3,048 community sports clubs and facilities in 2024 from the 2023 round of the CSFF, representing the largest-ever investment in sports facilities in communities across Ireland. Details of these allocations are available on the Department's website.

The primary Departmental responsibility for the provision of funds or grants to schools for sports rests with my colleague, the Minister for Education and Youth.

Departmental Expenditure

Ceisteanna (555)

Pa Daly

Ceist:

555. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport to provide a breakdown of the funding allocated in Budget 2026 under programme D, broken down by capital and current allocations under each subheading, in tabular form. [56081/25]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport

The detailed breakout of each of my Department's programme areas and subheads for 2026 will be made available as part of the Revised Estimates Volume to be published later this year. The allocation for Programme D for 2026 published in Budget is €290.508m - €148.378m current and €142.130m capital.

Departmental Expenditure

Ceisteanna (556)

Pa Daly

Ceist:

556. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport to provide a breakdown of all allocations under subheading D.1 to D.10, in tabular form. [56094/25]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport

The detailed breakout of each of my Department's programme areas and subheads for 2026 will be made available as part of the Revised Estimates Volume to be published later this year. The allocation for Programme D for 2026 published in Budget is €290.508m - €148.378m current and €142.130m capital.

Public Sector Pay

Ceisteanna (557)

Alan Kelly

Ceist:

557. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the historical pay-scales for jobs outside the Dublin area (details supplied) from 2013 to date, in tabular form. [55258/25]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage

I understand that the question relates to pay scales in the Local Government sector and specifically those of refuse collectors working outside the Dublin area.

While Public Sector pay is set at national level by the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation, under section 158(1)(d) of the Local Government Act, my Department issues circulars setting out the rates of pay for local authority employees.

Local Government employees received pay increases during the period in question (2013 to date) in line with the each Public Sector Agreement. Refuse Collectors working outside the Dublin Area received 18 pay increases during this period. An exact breakdown of pay scales and dates of increases received is contained in tabular form as requested.

Local Government employees are due to receive further general round increases in annualised basic salary on 1 February 2026 and 1 June 2026 in line with the Public Service Agreement 2024-2026.

Refuse Collector pay scales 2013 - 2025

Housing Policy

Ceisteanna (558, 559, 639)

Joe Cooney

Ceist:

558. Deputy Joe Cooney asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will consider removing the working family payment from consideration on social housing income thresholds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55381/25]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Joe Cooney

Ceist:

559. Deputy Joe Cooney asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if there are any plans to increase the social housing income thresholds annually, in line with increases in the cost of living; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55382/25]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Joe Cooney

Ceist:

639. Deputy Joe Cooney asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if local authorities can be permitted to exercise limited discretion when the income threshold for social housing is marginally exceeded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55383/25]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

I propose to take Questions Nos. 558, 559 and 639 together.

Applications for social housing support are assessed by the relevant local authority, in accordance with the eligibility and need criteria set down in section 20 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 and the associated Social Housing Assessment Regulations 2011, as amended.

The 2011 Regulations prescribe maximum net income limits for each local authority, in different bands according to the area concerned, with income being defined and assessed according to a standard Household Means Policy. Local authorities have no discretion to exceed the limits applying to their administrative areas. The Household Means Policy is available online [Social Housing Support: Household Means Policy] (www.gov.ie/en/department-of-housing-local-government-and-heritage/publications/social-housing-support-household-means-policy/).

The policy provides for a range of income disregards, and local authorities have discretion to decide to disregard income that is temporary, short-term or once-off in nature. However, with the exception of the specific payments listed in the Policy as being disregarded, all income from social insurance and social assistance payments, allowances and benefits, including the working family payment, is assessable.

The payments included in the Policy were last reviewed in 2021. As it was found that the majority of working family payment recipients are in receipt of the payment for more than one year, it was recommended that the working family payment should not be considered short term in nature and, therefore, should remain as assessable income. However, my Department keeps the Household Means Policy under regular review in order to ensure that it continues to be appropriate.

Housing for All included a commitment to review income eligibility for social housing. From this review, completed in November 2021, it was recommended moving five local authorities from Band 3 to Band 2, ensuring the income eligibility thresholds better reflect housing costs in those counties.

Government also agreed to increase the baseline income thresholds by €5,000 for all local authorities with effect from 1 January 2023. The thresholds thus increased to €40,000, €35,000 and €30,000 for Bands 1, 2 and 3 respectively. These thresholds are net income thresholds, i.e. gross household income less income tax, PRSI, Universal Social Charge and Additional Superannuation Contribution. This €5,000 increase broadened the eligibility base, increasing the number of households eligible for support and lessening the impact on disadvantaged and vulnerable households of the significant increase in the cost of accommodation and cost of living generally in recent years. An illustrative table of net income limits as set out in the Social Housing Assessment Regulations, 2011 as amended is available online Social Housing Support: Household Means Policy

My Department has been examining the existing income limits in the context of current market and household income conditions, including the suitability or otherwise of the current framework having regard to the significantly changed landscape since the standardised income limits were introduced. This includes examining the findings of research commissioned by my Department and this work is ongoing.

Question No. 559 answered with Question No. 558.

Energy Policy

Ceisteanna (560, 561, 567, 568)

Peadar Tóibín

Ceist:

560. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage given that the Programme for Government identifies the publication of new section 28 Wind Energy Development Guidelines as a priority, if the Strategic Environmental Assessment process for these guidelines has commenced; if so, when this process began; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54589/25]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Peadar Tóibín

Ceist:

561. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when the updated Wind Energy Development Guidelines will be published; the specific timeline for their publication, particularly in relation to setback distances from residential properties given the significant increase in the height of modern wind turbines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54590/25]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Catherine Callaghan

Ceist:

567. Deputy Catherine Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when the updated planning guidelines for wind farms will be issued; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54619/25]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Emer Currie

Ceist:

568. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the latest update on the publication of new wind energy guidelines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54631/25]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage

I propose to take Questions Nos. 560, 561, 567 and 568 together.

My Department is currently undertaking a focused review of the 2006 Wind Energy Development Guidelines. The review is addressing a number of key aspects of the Guidelines including noise, setback distance, shadow flicker, community obligation, community dividend and grid connections.

My Department, in conjunction with the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment (DCEE), which has primary responsibility for environmental noise matters, has been working to advance guidance on the noise aspect of the Guidelines, which is highly technical in nature. The two Departments have been engaging on proposals regarding the measurement and assessment of noise from wind turbines to ensure they are robust and fit for purpose having regard to, inter alia, the revised 2030 target to generate up to 80% of our electricity from renewable sources.

Further to this engagement, DCEE, in the context of its environmental noise remit, appointed noise consultants in May 2023 to inform any amendments to the noise aspect of the Guidelines. This work is now substantially complete.

My Department, in conjunction with DCEE, will make any further changes to the draft Guidelines which are deemed necessary or appropriate in the wake of this work to ensure that the finalised Guidelines, once issued, are fit for purpose to provide guidance in line with renewable energy and climate targets, whilst having appropriate regard to the impacts of wind energy development.

The evolving policy and technical context including the new Planning and Development Act 2024 and the recent revision of the National Planning Framework (NPF) reinforces the need to ensure that the finalised Guidelines, once issued, are fit for purpose.

In addition to this work, and in line with EU Directive requirements, a strategic environmental assessment (SEA) is being carried out on the draft Guidelines as part of the review process. In this regard, my Department intends to undertake a public consultation on updated draft Guidelines as part of the SEA process whereby all interested parties will have an opportunity to submit observations on the draft Guidelines. Finalised Guidelines will be prepared following detailed analysis and consideration of the submissions received during the consultation phase.

My Department notes the commitment in the recently published Programme for Government 2025 – Securing Ireland’s Future to prioritise the publication of the Wind Energy Development Guidelines, having regard to international best practice and standards. In light of this commitment, my Department is working towards concluding the finalisation of review of the Guidelines as a matter of priority, having regard to the intended public consultation and the impact of associated reforms and reviews including the revision of the NPF.

The current 2006 Wind Energy Development Guidelines remain in force, pending the finalisation of the review.

Question No. 561 answered with Question No. 560.

Water Services

Ceisteanna (562)

Grace Boland

Ceist:

562. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if additional funding will be allocated to Uisce Éireann to meet the increased demand for water and wastewater connections arising from the Government's housing target of 50,000 homes per year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54597/25]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage (Deputy James Browne)

The updated National Development Plan has secured record levels of investment of €12.2 billion for the water sector of which €11.7 billion will be invested by Uisce Éireann to support the delivery of key strategic projects in our cities and regions to deliver the additional water services capacity required for the new housing targets while prioritising public health and safeguarding the environment.

Planning Issues

Ceisteanna (563)

Grace Boland

Ceist:

563. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the reforms that are being considered to streamline planning and consenting processes for critical water infrastructure projects, such as the Greater Dublin Drainage Project, which are essential to enabling housing delivery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54598/25]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

I have no specific proposals at the present time to modify the planning and consenting processes for major water infrastructure. There are of course significant changes to the planning process that apply to all developments including water infrastructure that are now being implemented through the Planning and Development Act 2024.

Water Services

Ceisteanna (564)

Grace Boland

Ceist:

564. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he has engaged with Uisce Éireann regarding reports of substantial delays in commissioning utility connections for completed housing units; the measures that are being taken to improve coordination between developers and utility providers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54599/25]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

The Programme for Government commits to establishing a new procedure for large developments where Developers can meet with local authority planners and Uisce Éireann on site to iron out issues at pre-planning stage, as well as introducing statutory timelines for pre-connections and water / wastewater connection agreements.

My Department has commenced discussions with Uisce Éireann in the first instance on the implementation of this commitment, with a view to engaging with the local authority sector thereafter.

Housing Provision

Ceisteanna (565)

Grace Boland

Ceist:

565. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department has undertaken a review of utility infrastructure deficits in rural towns and villages; the way in which these deficits are currently limiting the delivery of rural housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54600/25]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage

Under section 10 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, it is a statutory requirement for each planning authority to include objectives in their development plan for the provision or facilitation of infrastructure.

For new housing within smaller settlements, it is important to consider the most appropriate type of infrastructural that may support growth in these locations. Where no public wastewater network is available, individual homes may be provided with individual wastewater treatment facilities, subject to compliance with relevant environmental standards and requirements. Further information is available in the Environmental Protection Agency’s Code of Practice for Domestic Waste Water Treatment Systems.

It is a matter for the respective local authorities to identify any other infrastructure deficits that may constrain housing delivery through their development plans.

The Government is committed to investment in rural water services. As part of this commitment my Department is investing in infrastructure to deliver improvements to water services in areas of rural Ireland where Uisce Éireann services are not currently available. More than €243 million is provided under the National Development Plan 2021-2030 over the period from 2021 to 2025, for investment in non-Uisce Éireann water infrastructure. In addition, Uisce Éireann have a Small Towns and Villages Growth Programme (STVGP), which will provide growth capacity in smaller settlements that would otherwise not be provided for in its capital investment plan.

Water Supply

Ceisteanna (566)

Grace Boland

Ceist:

566. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the recourse that is available to an applicant to compel connection in cases where a residential property remains unconnected for a period exceeding two years following payment to Uisce Éireann; whether any enforcement, appeals, or redress mechanism exist under current legislation or regulatory frameworks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54603/25]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

This is a matter for Uisce Éireann and as Minister, I have no function under Section 7 of the Water Services (No.2) Act 2013.

Uisce Éireann has statutory responsibility for all aspects of water services planning, delivery and operation at national, regional and local levels. The scope, prioritisation and progression of individual projects is a matter for Uisce Éireann and is approved through its own internal governance structures. Uisce Éireann has established a dedicated team to deal with representations and queries from public representatives. The team can be contacted via email to oireachtasmembers@water.ie or by telephone on a dedicated number, 0818 578 578.

The Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) also provides a free complaint resolution service for customers who have submitted a complaint to Uisce Éireann and are unhappy with the outcome. Complaints to CRU can be made by completing an online complaint form or by downloading the form and submitting by email (customercare@cru.ie) or by post to The Customer Care Team, The Grain House, The Exchange, Belgard Square North, Tallaght, D24 PXW0. A copy of the complaint form is available from CRU’s website: www.cru.ie/make-a-complaint/complain-to-the-cru/ .

Question No. 567 answered with Question No. 560.

Question No. 568 answered with Question No. 560.

National Parks and Wildlife Service

Ceisteanna (569)

Roderic O'Gorman

Ceist:

569. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an update on the engagement the National Parks and Wildlife Service has had with Dublin City Council regarding a park (details supplied); the barriers remaining to upgrading works taking place in the park; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54638/25]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage

Significant work has been undertaken over the last six months to develop a robust draft land use planning framework to strategically manage the conservation of Light Bellied Brent Geese in the four Dublin local authority areas. Dublin City Council has coordinated inputs from the Dublin local authorities and the OPW in these efforts, with the additional support of the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) of my Department. On the basis of the scientific work undertaken to date and the limited scale of the proposed works in the Park in question, the NPWS has formed the opinion that the impact of the works will not be significant for the species in an overall context and the work may proceed. It is a matter for Dublin City Council to progress any such proposal and to seek any consents necessary.

Further consolidation of data and more intensive overwintering surveying is now required to bolster the planning support tool and to underpin future decisions in relation to planning developments across the four Dublin local authority areas.

I understand that the local authorities and the OPW will coordinate further surveys to enhance the planning support tool over the next year to develop conservation targets for the species. The NPWS is committed to continuing to support this important work. Key decisions as to how targets can be attained will be taken by the local authorities and those responsible for the development and management of land.