Written Answers No. 141-160
141. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Social Protection whether consideration will be given to increasing the income threshold for eligibility to fuel allowance in line with increases received by pensioners in Budget 2026, as the increase could render some pensioners ineligible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62178/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe means disregard for Fuel Allowance purposes will be increased in line with the announced increases to the State Pension. From January 2026, the allowable means for those aged 66 or over will be increased by €10 to €534 for a single person and by €20 to €1,068 for a couple.
For those age under 66 the allowable means is calculated using the relevant State Pension Contributory rate plus €200. Therefore, the allowable means for this cohort automatically increases with any increase to the State Pension Contributory rate.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
142. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Social Protection whether he has any plans to adapt auto-enrolment to cater for self-employed people; if he has any plans to provide an alternative for them; if he will outline the options of unemployed people; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62186/25]
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 employee pension coverage gap that exists in Ireland and to provide employees with greater comfort and security regarding their retirement income. The new system - to be known as My Future Fund - will commence from 1 January 2026. The implementation of My Future Fund will pave the way for around 750,000 employees to be brought into a retirement savings scheme for the first time and I look forward to its implementation.
As the focus of My Future Fund is on providing employees with a retirement savings scheme, it is designed on the basis of an employer-employee relationship and the contributions are also defined in terms of that relationship. The automatic enrolment and re-enrolment processes of My Future Fund are designed around an employer's operation of a payroll system (either manual or automatic and either by themselves or by an agent). Accordingly, it will not apply to the self-employed as currently designed and implemented. That is because there isn't an employer-employee relationship and so some different design around contributions would be required. Payments to self-employed individuals do not usually follow normal payment cycles and do not usually occur through a payroll system, and so finding a mechanism for automatically enrolling such individuals would need to be developed. Additionally, payments to self-employed individuals can be very varied and can change dramatically over years - where people take little money in the early years of their business and so may not meet eligibility thresholds, and where they take considerable amounts in later years and seek to maximise their contributions, which may be in excess of the thresholds in My Future Fund. In the Department's analysis of auto-enrolment systems in other countries, it wasn't evident that the self-employed were successfully included in their designs because of these considerable differences. Accordingly, an entirely different type of system would be needed for self-employed individuals.
Self-employed people usually engage with financial matters more readily than employees, and quite often, pension planning is a part of the overall financial planning of their enterprise. In that context, it's worth noting that the self-employed already have access to supplementary pension coverage in the commercial market, e.g., through Personal Retirement Savings Accounts, and can avail of generous tax reliefs from the State when contributing to such personal pension products.
The current focus is on implementing and bedding in the system for approx. 750,000 employees. In publishing the "Design Principles for Ireland’s Automatic Enrolment Retirement Savings System" in 2022, the Government set out how the system may evolve in the future, and as part of that, included consideration of broadening the system to include those outside the ‘employee’ cohort such as the self-employed and the non-working while noting that both may require different models of contributions. These matters will, in time, be considered by NAERSA, as part of its analysis and research role, and may form part of any recommendations it may make to the Minister accordingly.
I hope this clarifies matters for the Deputy.
144. Deputy Joe Neville asked the Minister for Social Protection the social welfare benefits his Department is currently providing to Ukrainian refugees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62252/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn 4th March 2022, the Council of the European Union unanimously adopted the implementing decision regarding the Temporary Protection Directive. This means that people arriving from Ukraine under the Temporary Directive can move through the EU as EU citizens. It also means that, subject to their accommodation arrangements, they have been granted the status to avail of all income supports and services from the Department of Social Protection on the same basis as Irish citizens.
Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BoTPs) who are resident in State provided Designated Accommodation Centre where meals and utilities are provided are disqualified from entitlement to social assistance payments such as Jobseekers Allowance, Disability Allowance and Carers Allowance. BoTPs who reside in Designated Accommodation Centres continue to have an entitlement to Child Benefit and to Additional Needs Payments if eligible. They may also be entitled to the BoTP weekly payment administered by my Department on behalf of the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration, which is paid at the weekly rate of €38.80 per adult and €29.80 per child, subject to an income test.
If a Beneficiary of Temporary Protection leaves a Designated Accommodation Centre, they are entitled to apply for standard social protection assistance, subject to meeting the eligibility conditions.
The CSO publishes a regular series of releases called Arrivals from Ukraine in Ireland, which contains the latest published insights into Ireland’s response to the Ukraine crisis. This series provides data and analysis across a range of supports and services including employment and social protection data.
I trust this clarifies matters for the Deputy.
145. Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Social Protection if he has concerns about the quality of meals being provided under the hot school meals scheme; if he has concerns about the amount of food provided under the scheme being binned due to these issues; if he has engaged with meal providers regarding this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61450/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe objective of the School Meals Programme is to provide regular, nutritious food to children to support them in taking full advantage of the education provided to them. The programme is an important component of policies to encourage school attendance and extra educational achievement.
The Nutritional Standards for School Meals have been in place since its inception and were developed by a technical Nutrition Subgroups comprised of:
• Dieticians from the Irish Nutrition and Dietetic Institute of Ireland,
• The HSE,
• Safefood, and
• The Food Safety Authority of Ireland.
These standards are available to all schools, organisations and suppliers and are publicly available on gov.ie.
Nutritional standards are a priority for me and for the Government. I have directed that a review of the scheme’s nutritional standards be undertaken. This is being conducted by a dietician in coordination with the Interdepartmental Group on School Meals. I have asked for a report on the nutritional standards to be submitted to me by the end of this year. In the meantime, food that is high in saturated fat, sugar and salt, was removed from the school menu from September 2025. Up to now this food had been permitted, as an option, once a week at most and only when selected by the child's parents.
The primary relationship is between the school and supplier. All schools who wish to avail of funding under the programme are responsible for choosing their schools meals supplier on the open market, in a fair and transparent manner in accordance with public procurement rules. These rules clearly define the successful tenderer’s responsibilities and obligations, including in relation to compliance with Nutritional Standards for School Meals and Nutritional Standards for Hot School Meals.
Officials of my Department have met with suppliers to outline the refinements to the procurement process, the exclusion of the foods high in salt and sugar and the recruitment of a dietitian to assist in the School Meals Programme and suppliers responsibilities.
My department has an oversight role in relation to the School Meals Programme and conducts regular inspections of schools which includes reviewing the menu. Under the existing audit process, some 400 schools are inspected onsite annually by that department. In total, 121 desk assessments were carried out in 2024. This represents a 20% total check on schools. For 2025, 400 schools will be inspected and the desk assessments will be increased to circa 250 cases as more schools become eligible to join the programme. Ongoing audits can increase or decrease based on risk assessments levels.
These inspections assist this department in ensuring standards are being met in relation to different areas of the School Meals Programme.
In terms of packaging and waste, under tender documentation, the school meal supplier is responsible for operating policies which progressively address environmental considerations such as waste and packaging. Depending on the school size and school meal requirements, the school will decide on the method and logistics that best meets their needs in line with environmental standards.
In addition, under tender documentation requirements, the school is committed to the principles of environmental management in its activities, and it encourages the implementation of sustainability principles in its procurement practices. The supplier should make all reasonable efforts to minimise adverse environmental impact in the methods of services delivery and in materials used. My department does not collect details of the amount of additional wastage caused by school meals.
Under the Programme for Government, I will continue to expand and improve the Free Hot School Meals programme and ensure that suppliers adhere to robust guidelines on the nutritional value of meals, the dietary requirements of students, the reduction food waste and the use of recyclable packaging.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
146. Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of schools still waiting on the national roll out of the hot school meals programme; the communication her Department has had with providers of the hot school meals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59396/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe objective of the School Meals Programme is to provide regular, nutritious food to children to support them in taking full advantage of the education provided to them. The programme is an important component of policies to encourage school attendance and extra educational achievement.
The Nutritional Standards for School Meals have been in place since its inception and were developed by a technical Nutrition Subgroups comprised of:
• Dieticians from the Irish Nutrition and Dietetic Institute of Ireland,
• The HSE,
• Safefood, and
• The Food Safety Authority of Ireland.
These standards are available to all schools, organisations and suppliers and are publicly available on gov.ie
The rollout of the Hot School Meals Scheme has been on a phased basis since the pilot programme was launch in 2019 with 37 schools.
In April 2024 908 Schools became eligible to join the programme. Of those 97% of Schools availed of the Hot School Meals Scheme with 1.4 % opting for the cold lunch option. Once schools become eligible to join the programme, they must conduct procurement to obtain a school meals provider and also set up a separate bank accounts for school meals funds. Both of these can take several weeks to complete.
The total number of schools and children benefitting from the Hot School Meals Programme in the last academic year 2024/2025 was 2,064 schools and 332,593 pupils.
As announced in budget 2025 all 3,200 primary schools and 550,000 children will be eligible for the Hot School Meals Programme in the 2025-2025 academic school year. This academic year started a few weeks ago and applications are continuing to be received.
In April 2025 officials of my Department met with suppliers to outline the refinements to the procurement process, the exclusion of the foods high in fat, salt and sugar, the recruitment of a dietitian to assist in the School Meals Programme and suppliers responsibilities. My departments website was also updated to ensure all suppliers were kept informed.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
147. Deputy Edward Timmins asked the Minister for Social Protection if there are plans to reintroduce Citizen Information offices in areas where they have been closed in recent years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62213/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Citizens Information Board (CIB), under the aegis of this Department, funds and supports eight Citizens Information Service (CIS) companies, to provide important information, advice and advocacy services to the public nationwide.
Each CIS is an independent limited company overseen by a voluntary Board of Directors and each company makes decisions independently on the delivery of services in their own regions.
The Citizens Information Service delivery companies currently provide information, advice and advocacy services through ninety Citizens Information Centres, twenty outreach centres and seven prison in-reach centres.
During Covid, volunteers were not active in the Citizens Information Services. Post-Covid, the total number of Citizens Information locations has reduced, particularly the number of outreach locations due to a reduction in the availability of volunteers. Citizens Information Services are actively seeking and supporting new volunteers to join their service and more information is available on www.citizensinformation.ie website.
148. Deputy Eoin Hayes asked the Minister for Social Protection the assessment his Department has done of the impact of the transition to the TCA for the State contributory pension across different income levels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62248/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFollowing enactment Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2023 in December 2023, a 10 year transition away from Yearly Average (YA) to full implementation of Total Contributions Approach (TCA) began in January 2025.
During the transition period, a person will have their entitlement calculated using TCA and a separate transition rate made up of a proportion of the YA and TCA rates, with the person receiving the most beneficial rate of payment (i.e., transition rate or TCA-only rate). In 2025, a transition rate made up of 90% of YA and 10% of TCA can be paid. In 2026 it will be 80% YA and 20% TCA and so on each year until YA is removed fully in 2034.
To get a maximum pension payment under the TCA approach requires 2080 contributions, equivalent to 40 years. The TCA approach includes provisions for up to 10 years of PRSI credits, and up to 20 years of HomeCaring periods with a cap of 20 years (1040) combined PRSI credits and homecaring periods.
TCA is a fairer and more transparent method for calculating the State Pension (Contributory) (SPC). TCA resolves the anomalies arising from the YA calculation as the year a person commenced paying social insurance contributions will no longer be a key determining factor for pension entitlement rate calculation. Instead, the totality of social insurance contributions paid and credited will be simply added together. This is an equitable approach as pension outcomes are more in line with the total number of contributions paid and credited. The principle of higher contributory entitlements for those who contribute more frequently into the social insurance fund is central to contributory pensions around the world.
In 2023, the Department commissioned the ESRI to conduct an analysis on the impact of the move to TCA for SPC. The ESRI published its report on the 12th of June 2024. The ESRI report showed that 87% of future claimants will see their rate of payment improve or stay the same. While 13% would see their rate of payment decrease, those decreases would be relatively small and in line with their contributions to the Social Insurance Fund. One third of women are expected to receive an increase in their rate. More women will qualify for the maximum pension rate under the TCA (rising from 54% to 75%) due to the removal of anomalies associated with the YA.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
149. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will consider excluding the working family payment from being reckonable for all means tested payments and services. [61673/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraSocial welfare legislation provides that means tests take account of the income and assets of the person (and their spouse or partner, if applicable) applying for the relevant scheme. Means assessments generally include income from employment, self-employment, occupational pensions and maintenance payments. They also include assessment of property owned other than the family home and capital such as cash, savings, shares, and other investments.
Any payment, including Working Family Payment, made by the Department of Social Protection is excluded from means assessment for the following schemes:
• Jobseeker's Allowance
• Jobseeker's Transitional Payment
• Disability Allowance
• Farm Assist
• State Pension (Non-contributory)
• Blind Pension
• Bereaved Partner’s (Non-contributory) Pension
• Guardian’s Payment (Non-Contributory)
• One-Parent Family Payment
• Carer's Allowance
The Deputy's question refers to means-tested payments and services - in the event that these relate to benefits and services outside the Department of Social Protection, it would be a matter for the relevant Minister.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
150. Deputy Noel McCarthy asked the Minister for Social Protection to provide an update on the Programme for Government commitment to extend from six to 12 weeks the period of a social welfare payment following the death of a dependent; the social welfare payments that are being considered for such an extension; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62260/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government has agreed a number of commitments that are to be achieved over its lifetime.
One of the proposals in the Programme for Government is to extend the period of payment after death from 6 weeks to 12 weeks. While in general, across Social Welfare schemes, payment continues for a period of 6 weeks after death, there are some exceptions, with some payments already paid for a period of 12 weeks after the death of the recipient.
In this regard, Carer’s Allowance continues to be paid for a period of 12 weeks after the death of the person being cared for, while in the case of Domiciliary Care Allowance, payment continues for a period of 3 months after the death of the recipient.
Consideration and decisions in relation to any social protection measures contained in the Programme for Government will be taken in the context of overall funding available, the economic context, and competing Government priorities.
151. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Social Protection the action he is taking to support lone parents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62066/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has two primary social welfare supports specifically designed to support lone parents. The One-Parent Family Payment is a means tested payment for lone parents whose youngest child is under seven, while the Jobseekers Transitional Payment is a special arrangement under the means tested Jobseekers’ Allowance for lone parents whose youngest child is between seven and 13 years old inclusive. Lone parents may also be eligible for other payments such as the Working Family Payment, Back to Work Family Dividend and the Back to School Clothing and Footwear scheme.
Budget 2026 included a range of measures that will benefit lone parents, such as:
• A €10 per week increase to the personal rate of the One-Parent Family Payment and Jobseeker’s Transitional Payment. The increases will directly benefit some 113,000 children whose parents are in receipt of these payments.
• The largest ever increase in the Child Support Payment, which increased by €8 for children aged under 12, (a 16% increase), and €16 for children aged over 12 (a 26% increase). This change will bring the rate of the Child Support Payment to €58 for children aged under 12 and €78 for children aged over 12. Child Support Payment is payable with most primary payments, including One Parent Family Payment and Jobseeker's Transitional Payment.
• Expansion of the Back-To-School Clothing and Footwear Payment, to 2 and 3 year olds.
• A €60 increase to the Working Family Payment income thresholds. Almost two thirds of recipients of this payment are lone parent households.
• Eligibility for the Fuel Allowance is to be expanded to those in receipt of the Working Family Payment (to be implemented from March 2026, payments will be backdated to January 2026).
• The Fuel Allowance payment is to increase by €5 per week (an increase of more than 15%) to €38 per week. This increase will provide recipients with an additional €140 during the annual fuel allowance season.
• Christmas Bonus will be paid in December 2025, to almost 1.5 million customers, including those in receipt of the One Parent Family Payment and Jobseeker’s Transitional Payment.
• Other measures introduced, for example, with regards to caring and disability supports will also benefit lone parents, depending on individual family circumstances.
In addition to income supports, the Department’s employment services work with lone parents, taking their caring requirements into account, to provide information on employment supports and educational and training opportunities that may be suitable depending on their individual circumstances. The approach aims to support lone parents by reducing long-term welfare dependency, and associated poverty, among this group by focusing on their access to education, training, and other employment supports. Access to these services and the supports available is designed to enhance the person's skills-set and job-readiness, thereby assisting with their transition into the workforce, and with their subsequent attainment of financial independence.
152. Deputy Eoin Hayes asked the Minister for Social Protection his position on the process for self-employed people to gain access to jobseeker's allowance or benefit when their income declines or halts for extended periods of time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62249/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraJobseeker's Benefit (Self-Employed) is a payment for self-employed people who have ceased self-employment and have paid enough Pay-Related Social Insurance contributions. To be eligible for the payment a person must satisfy the statutory conditions of the scheme including being capable of work and available for full-time work, be genuinely seeking work and prove unemployment in the prescribed manner. Jobseeker's Benefit for the Self-Employed is paid for up to six or nine months depending on the number of Pay-Related Social Insurance contributions made.
Where a self-employed person is operating their business at reduced levels such that their income has declined they may receive support under the means-tested Jobseeker's Allowance.
If the deputy has a particular case, he should advise the person concerned to engage with the Department to assess the circumstances and the appropriate support.
153. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Social Protection his proposed timeframe for abolishing the means test for carers allowance applicants. [62133/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Programme for Government clearly sets out a timeline which commits to significantly increasing the income disregards for Carer’s Allowance in each Budget, with a view to phasing out the means test during the lifetime of the Government.
Phasing out the means test is a major change to the Carer's Allowance and to the Irish social welfare system generally. It is important that we make progress in a way that is sustainable, and which does not unduly limit our scope to support other vulnerable groups.
This process is well underway. The latest change was in July this year when the amount of weekly earnings disregarded increased to €625 for a single person and €1,250 for a couple.
Last month, as part of Budget 2026, I announced further improvements to the Carer’s Allowance means test that will be introduced next year. For carers who work, the weekly income disregard will increase by 60% from €625 to €1,000 for a single person, and from €1,250 to €2,000 for carers who are part of couple.
Since June 2022, this will bring cumulative increases to the disregards to €667.50 for a single carer and to €1,335 for a carer who is part of couple, or an increase of just over 200%.
These are the largest ever increases in the Carer’s Allowance income disregards. They will mean that even someone considered to be on a relatively high income will qualify for a carer’s payment for the first time. For example, a carer in a two-adult household with an income of approximately €110,000 will still retain their full Carer’s Allowance payment and even with an income of €138,000 will retain a partial payment.
The disregards for Carer’s Allowance are now by far the highest income disregards in the social welfare system, higher than those for any other weekly payment.
The latest changes are evidence of the Government’s determination to deliver on its commitment to eliminate the means test over our term. We will continue to do so in a progressive manner as part of the annual budget process.
I trust this clarifies the issue for the Deputy.
154. Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Minister for Social Protection when the Christmas social welfare bonus will be paid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62026/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraBudget 2026 provides for €28.9 billion to be spent on social welfare in 2026, including €1.15 billion of new social protection measures supporting pensioners, carers, people with disabilities, jobseekers and families in every parish across the country. This expenditure makes a real difference to communities across the country.
A Christmas Bonus payment was announced as part of Budget 2026. The Christmas Bonus will be paid this year to recipients of long-term social welfare payments (with a minimum payment of €20). Over 1.47 million people will benefit, including pensioners, people with disabilities, carers, lone parents and long-term unemployed people. Recipients of Illness Benefit for longer than 12 months will also receive the bonus, as they did in 2024.
Illness Benefit, Jobseeker’s Allowance, Supplementary Welfare Allowance and Daily Expenses Allowance recipients must have been in receipt of an eligible payment for at least 12 months in order to qualify for a Bonus payment.
The Bonus will be paid in early December.
155. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Social Protection if he intends on updating the amount of time a person in receipt of disability allowance can spend outside the State within a year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62242/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraSocial welfare legislation provides that for entitlement to Disability Allowance a person must be habitually resident in the State.
Payment can continue for the first two weeks of absence from the State in any 12-month period. All recipients are required to notify the Department of any changes in circumstance which may impact their payment. This includes plans to be absent from the State. This practices ensures that the payments are made only to people who continue to be eligible for the scheme.
I am satisfied that the current travel arrangements are appropriate. Increasing payment periods while outside the state would call into question whether a person was actually resident in the State. It would also lead to inconsistencies across other social assistance payments as to what is regarded as a “temporary absence” from the State.
Any further changes to these arrangements would have legislative implications and could only be considered in an overall budgetary and policy context.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
156. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of people who were initially refused the humanitarian assistance payment in response to storm Éowyn but were subsequently granted payment following appeal of his Department’s decision. [61982/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Humanitarian Assistance Scheme, administered by my Department through the local Community Welfare Services (CWS), was activated on Thursday 23 January 2025 to assist householders affected across the country by Storm Éowyn.
The Humanitarian Assistance Scheme (HAS) is operated in 3 stages. The majority of payments made to people to date as a result of Storm Éowyn have been Stage 1, to meet the additional cost of feeding their families in the immediate aftermath of the storm where people remained without power and/or water. The scheme does not provide a general compensation payment for damage or losses incurred as a consequence of a weather event.
A person may request a review of a decision on their HAS application and review requests are undertaken by a Review Officer. The review process may lead to a fresh examination of the initial decision made or include further contact/engagement with the customer and/or a requirement for additional supporting information or evidence to be provided, in order to assist the Review Officer with their consideration of the review request reasons.
As of 07th November 2025, there have been 6,995 HAS1 review requests received. In 189 of these requests the original decision was upheld and in 6,806 the original decision was revised and a payment awarded. I can advise the Deputy that in the majority of finalised review cases, where the original decision was revised, the applicant provided additional information/clarification which resulted in a payment being awarded.
There have also been 202 HAS 2/3 review requests received as of 07th November 2025. Of these review requests, 195 original decisions have been upheld and 7 have been revised.
The Community Welfare Service continues to engage and provide supports under the scheme to householders. Stages 2 and 3 of the HAS remain open and my Department continues to currently accept applications. My Department also continues to accept and process requests for a review of a decision made on HAS applications.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
157. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Social Protection if he intends to make provision for enhanced representation of retired workers in relation to the administration of certain pension schemes, to enable the right of such organisations to be consulted through The Pensions Authority for retired workers payments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62215/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAny questions relating to access to the State's industrial relations machinery are a matter for the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment.
Pension scheme trustees have duties and responsibilities under the Pension Act 1990, as amended, under trust law and under other relevant legislation. The duties of pension scheme trustees include administering the scheme in accordance with the law and the terms of the trust deed and scheme rules as well as ensuring compliance with the requirements that apply to these schemes. Trustees must act in the best financial interests of all scheme members, whether active, deferred or retired, and must serve all beneficiaries of the scheme impartially. If there is a conflict of interest, then a person's duty as a trustee must take precedence over interests.
Measures were introduced in 2015 to facilitate engagement between the trustees of a pension scheme and groups representing the interests of pensioner and deferred scheme members. Changes to guidance issued by the Pensions Authority require the trustees of a pension scheme to notify groups representing the interest of scheme members of proposals by the trustees of a defined benefit pension scheme to issue a direction under section 50 of the Pensions Act to restructure scheme benefits. This affords the representative group an opportunity to make a submission to the trustees of a pension scheme in relation to proposals to restructure scheme benefits.
These changes facilitate engagement between groups representing the interests of pensioner and deferred scheme members and the Pension Authority and the trustees of a pension scheme. Groups representing the interests of pensioners and deferred scheme members have a right to appeal a section 50 direction by the Pensions Authority to the High Court on a point of law.
More generally, there is no impediment to scheme members, or a representative group for such scheme members, from communicating to the trustees of a scheme in respect of matters pertaining to that scheme.
The Pensions Authority is the regulatory body charged with the supervision of pension schemes and has the necessary powers under statute to investigate the conduct of a pension scheme should it become aware that a scheme is not in compliance with the provisions of the Pensions Act. Where a pension scheme member is of the view that the scheme is not in compliance with legislative requirements the scheme member may make a formal complaint to the Pensions Authority.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
158. Deputy Paula Butterly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade further to Parliamentary Question No. 215 of 6 November 2025, if he will provide an estimated timeframe for the implementation of the process to establish a link between the carbon markets of the European Union and the United Kingdom, and by extension the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland, through a European Union/United Kingdom agreement linking the UK Emissions Trading Scheme (UK ETS) and the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS), as committed to at the EU/UK Summit in May 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62390/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraEmissions trading is a key part of the global effort to decarbonise industry and achieve our net zero carbon emissions' goals. The UK is a valuable partner as we seek to achieve these targets.
Since Brexit, the EU and UK have had separate Emission Trading Systems (ETS). At the EU-UK Summit in May, both sides agreed to work towards linking these systems under a future agreement that will require the UK to dynamically align with EU rules. It is hoped that this agreement will, in turn, create the conditions for goods originating in our jurisdictions to benefit from mutual exemptions from the respective EU and UK Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanisms.
Today, 13 November 2025, the Council formally authorised the Commission to open negotiations with the UK on an ETS linkage agreement. The timeframe for these negotiations is currently unknown.
From an Irish perspective however, I continue to advocate for strong momentum in advancing post Summit agreements. This is in the mutual interest of both the EU and the UK, and is also particularly important in addressing issues related to the island of Ireland, including in relation to efficient and effective emissions trading systems.
159. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the oversight mechanisms which are in place to monitor and assess the effectiveness and impact of Ireland’s climate finance channelled through multilateral funds and organisations; and the way in which the Government ensures equivalent oversight and accountability for this funding as for finance provided through civil society and bilateral partnerships; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62372/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra160. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade whether the Government has delivered on the commitment in Ireland’s Climate Finance Roadmap to scale up climate finance channelled through bilateral partnerships and civil society organisations, rather than primarily through multilateral funds and institutions; the progress on this commitment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62373/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra161. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the thematic focus of Ireland’s international climate finance commitments post-2025; whether the principle of a just transition will be explicitly integrated into Ireland’s future climate finance programming; the measures being taken to ensure that Ireland’s climate finance is provided as grant-based finance not only at the point of disbursement but also in practice throughout the full financing cycle; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62374/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 159, 160 and 161 together.
International climate finance is a key priority for the Government and for Ireland’s foreign policy. The Government has made significant progress in scaling up Ireland's international climate finance in recent years.
Ireland’s International Climate Finance Roadmap, published in 2022, sets out how we will deliver on the target of providing at least €225 million annually in climate finance by 2025. The Roadmap is rooted in Ireland’s effective climate finance to date, which focuses primarily on supporting adaptation to climate change in vulnerable countries. We are on track to meet the €225 million target this year.
Ireland’s climate finance is channelled through our Missions abroad, through multilateral organisations, and through NGO partners. In 2023, Ireland provided €159.2 million in climate finance, an increase of 32% on the previous year.
Robust systems are in place on the traceability of Ireland’s funding to multilateral agencies. We have a strong reliance on the comprehensive internal and external oversight functions, which we and other international donors have insisted on for the multilateral agencies. Ireland also engages actively on Executive Boards at UN agency level and through the relevant oversight committees in the EU context.
The Government reports on our climate finance yearly contributions to the European Union, to the OECD and to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade also publishes an annual Climate and Environmental Finance Report, providing comprehensive information regarding funding sources, thematic and geographic priorities, and disbursement channels.
Bilateral climate finance totalled €59,151,495 in 2023. This represents an increase of 39% on the figure for the previous year. Of this, €27,848,491 was provided via Ireland’s overseas mission network and related schemes. This figure is 58% higher than 2022. Our missions abroad are continuing to work on strengthening the integration of climate adaptation into broader development programming. The remaining €31,303,005 was provided via fifteen Irish civil society organisations. This is 26% higher than for the same channel in 2022.
In 2024, we estimate that Ireland provided more than €190 million in climate finance. A finalised figure for 2024 will be published following verification of Ireland’s Official Development Assistance (ODA) data by the OECD Development Assistance Committee (DAC) which is expected later this year.
All of Ireland's international climate finance is grants-based at point of distribution. None of the climate finance provided directly to date has been in the form of loans.
In 2023, 16% of Ireland’s climate finance (approximately €25.5 million) was provided to multilateral climate funds and 18% (approximately €28.4 million) was provided to multilateral development banks and international financial institutions. This finance is provided as grants to multilateral development banks and multilateral climate funds.
An external review of the 2022 Climate Finance Roadmap is being completed in 2025, and it will be used to inform climate finance expenditure in the period 2026-2030.
