Written Answers Nos. 305-324
305. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the interim supports available pending completion of the national development plan review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [73053/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe revised National Development Plan (NDP) was published in July and set out €275.4 billion in public capital investment to 2035 – the largest and most significant capital injection in our economy in the history of the State. Following the agreement of the revised NDP in July 2025, annual sectoral capital allocations have been agreed for departments for 2026 to 2030. As part of the NDP Review, €36 billion in Exchequer funding was allocated to my Department.
In line with the agreed Programme for Government, and as set out in Delivering Homes Building Communities, the initial €2 billion allocation to the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (URDF) has been extended by a further €500 million to 2030 under the updated NDP. Working alongside other funding streams, this additional funding will expand URDF-type investments to provide broader public investment to support regeneration and the development of sustainable communities.
306. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide quarterly reporting on the number and location of properties approved for acquisition under URDF Call 3 in County Kildare; the number acquired to date; and the number resold and brought back into residential use; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [73054/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra307. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the plan to scale the URDF Call 3 revolving fund beyond current approvals, in the context of the national €142.5 million allocation and Kildare's reported €7 million for 27 properties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [73055/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 306 and 307 together.
A flagship element of Project Ireland 2040, the 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.
While Calls 1 and 2 were for specific regeneration projects, the third round of funding (Call 3) is specifically focussed towards addressing long term vacancy and dereliction, while supporting the key objectives of Housing for All and Town Centre First. Call 3 provided a €150 million revolving fund for local authorities to acquire long-term vacant or derelict properties in URDF eligible towns and cities.
The most recent (Q1 2025) report on the Call 3 programme that was provided to the Department of Public Expenditure Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation shows that a total of 1,377 residential and commercial properties were approved by my Department for inclusion on Local Authority’s Approved Programmes.
It should be noted that properties approved for inclusion in the programme are not immediately acquired by local authorities. An initial engagement by the local authority with the property owner provides an opportunity for that owner to bring the property back into use in the first instance and without the need for further local authority intervention. Some 361 properties are being brought back into use by property owners in this manner and these properties will be monitored by local authorities to ensure follow-through.
A breakdown of progress made to date by Kildare County Council is shown below:
|
- |
Current Number of approved properties |
Proceeding through engagement stages |
Found not vacant, Brought back into use by owner, or Being dealt with under different programme |
Process to Purchase commenced |
Properties acquired |
|
Kildare |
56 |
27 |
19 |
7 |
3 |
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.
In that respect, and as set out in Delivering Homes, Building Communities, the initial €2 billion allocation to the URDF has been extended by a further €500 million to 2030 under the updated NDP. It is on this basis that I intend to extend the reach of URDF Call 3 to better deal with derelict sites or lands, in order to increase the delivery of new homes. This will enable a focus on problematic infill derelict sites where acquiring and developing homes will remove dereliction, and support regeneration of adjoining buildings.
While suitable properties continued to be added to the Call 3 programme following the initial announcement of each approved programme of acquisitions, each Local Authority will be encouraged to make further submissions to my Department for the inclusion of additional properties based on the extended scope of the programme.
I intend to publish an updated report, covering the period to the end of Q3 2025, in the coming weeks.
308. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the way in which the URDF support for the Naas Canal Quarter Masterplan will be sequenced to integrate with the Naas Library and Cultural Centre and nearby assets; to confirm the drawdown profile for the €3.49 million Naas Town Renewal Masterplan allocation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [73056/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund's (URDF) first Call for Proposals, a provisional allocation of €195,000 in URDF support was announced for Kildare County Council's proposal to develop a Masterplan for the Canal Quarter area of Naas.
The Council received Preliminary Business Case approval for the development of the Canal Quarter Masterplan in August 2023 and Final Business Case Approval in June 2024 for the appointment of consultants to deliver the project. The project is estimated for completion in early 2026. The Masterplan incorporates the principles of Town Centre First - A Policy Approach for Irish Towns (2021) including consultation with a wide range of stakeholders and building on the Naas Local Area Plan (LAP). The URDF allocation currently approved for this project is €383,104.
Naas Library and Cultural Centre, was approved as a separate project under the first call for proposals, with URDF support of €6,826,898 provided towards the redevelopment of and rejuvenation of Naas Town Hall to provide a library and cultural centre in a historic town centre site. The library was officially opened to the public on 19th January 2024.
In 2021, following the second call for proposals under the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (URDF), a provisional allocation of €3,496,374 in URDF support was announced for Kildare County Council's proposal – Naas Town Renewal Masterplan which consists of the following components:
• Naas Town Renewal Masterplan
• Background Assessments
• Assembly of Strategic Sites
• Technical Assistance for future Transport Interventions
As a result of some of the proposed site acquisitions under the Site Assembly project no longer being available to purchase, the allocation approved for the overall Naas Town Renewal Masterplan proposal is now €1,682,122, with the savings transferred to cover cost increases on other URDF projects in County Kildare. Kildare County Council has drawn down €1,412,411 in URDF support to date on the overall Naas Town Renewal Masterplan proposal.
Subject to satisfactory completion of both the Canal Quarter Masterplan and Naas Town Renewal Masterplan, it will be a matter for Kildare County Council to decide the next steps on any further advancement of the completed masterplans.
Finally, while my Department works closely and communicates regularly with Kildare County Council, it should be noted that responsibility for the advancement of URDF-supported projects through the various stages of the project lifecycle is, in the first instance, a matter for the Sponsoring Agency (in this case Kildare County Council). Any further queries regarding timelines for these projects should be directed to the Council.
310. Deputy Joe Cooney asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the national target for the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant, is to bring back 20,000 homes into use by 2030 or annually up to 2030; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [73210/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra311. Deputy Joe Cooney asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the 'above-the-shop' top-up grant package of up to €140,000 will be awarded on a per single property basis or on a per unit delivered basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [73211/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra312. Deputy Joe Cooney asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans on making the Vacant Homes Grant payment available in staged payments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [73212/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 310 to 312, inclusive, together.
The Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant, introduced in July 2022, provides a grant of up to €50,000 for the refurbishment of vacant properties for occupation as a principal private residence and for properties which will be made available for rent. A top-up grant of up to €20,000 is available where the property is confirmed to be derelict, bringing the total grant available for a derelict property up to a maximum of €70,000. In order to qualify for the grant, the property must be vacant for two years or more at the time of application.
The grant process involves the local authority receiving and reviewing applications to ensure that the grant conditions are met and arranging for a qualified person to visit the property to check the refurbishment work being applied for and to assess the proposed cost. Following confirmation of a successful application and the works being completed, the local authority will conduct a final property visit to review that the work has been completed in-line with the grant application. Once the local authority is satisfied, they will then pay the grant.
Payment of the grant at the end of the process is to ensure that the applicant has carried out the works applied for and for which the grant is being paid. This is also the case for grants such as the SEAI grants and Housing Adaptation Grants, which are paid when works are completed.
A comprehensive review of the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant was undertaken in 2024, which considered all aspects of the scheme including the matter of staged payments. The review of the grant and the commitments contained in the Programme for Government were considered as part of the new housing plan which was launched in November.
Delivering Homes, Building Communities 2025-2030 will support the refurbishment of a total of 20,000 homes using the grant. The housing plan has also committed to improve and expand the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant including by introducing an 'Above the Shop' top up grant. The new Vacant over the Shop Grant will have a stepped approach to adding additional homes, with a grant package of up to €100,000 currently envisaged where one residential unit is being created and a total package of up to €140,000 envisaged if three or more homes are created. My Department is currently progressing this work.
313. Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Social Protection if her Department will consider an additional emergency winter payment for disabled people, many of whom are struggling to keep up with costs to warm their homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [72822/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government recognises the significant additional costs that disabled people can face in their daily lives and is committed improving outcomes for disabled people by introducing permanent measures.
That is why the Programme for Government includes a range of commitments to support disabled people. Our Programme for Government commitments will be advanced over the lifetime of the Government, having regard to the overall policy and budgetary context.
Government has been very clear that there would be no once-off measures in this year’s Budget. We are at the start of a five-year programme for Government and not everything can be done in year one.
My Department provides a range of income support payments for disabled people. There are currently almost 231,300 recipients of disability income support payments, with estimated expenditure of €3.24 billion in 2025.
In Budget 2026, I provided for a €1.15 billion package of new social protection measures. This contained significant targeted measures to support disabled people, including:
• A €10 increase in the weekly rates of payment, bringing the personal rates of payment to €254 per week from January.
• A Christmas bonus double payment to all persons getting a long-term disability payment, paid in December 2025.
• The highest ever increases in the Child Support Payment – an increase of €16 to €78 for children aged 12 or over, and of €8 to €58 for children under 12.
• A €5 increase in the Fuel Allowance, bring it to €38 per week from January 2026.
• People moving from Disability Allowance or Blind Pension to take up work will be able to retain their Fuel Allowance payment for five years.
• People getting Disability Allowance or Blind Pension who have children will be eligible for Back to Work Family Dividend when taking up employment and moving off those payments.
• Expansion of the Wage Subsidy Scheme to people who acquire a disability while in employment and to those who transfer from Invalidity Pension to Partial Capacity Benefit, and increasing the rates paid from April.
The Department of Social Protection package also contained measures aimed at supporting carers, and recipients of Domiciliary Care Allowance.
• Increase the Earnings Disregard for Carer’s Allowance by €375 to €1,000 for a single person and by €750 to €2,000 for a couple from July 2026.
• The income limit for Carer’s Benefit will increase by €375 to €1,000 per week from July 2026.
• €20 increase in the monthly Domiciliary Care Allowance payment bringing the payment to €380 per month from January.
The Government also allocated €3.8 billion to the Department of Children, Disability and Equality for disability services in 2026, including funding for Community Based Specialist Disability Services to ensure people with disabilities receive the right support, at the right time, in the right place. This represents a 20% increase year on year and represents an overall increase since 2020 of €1.8 billion.
These measures clearly demonstrate the Governments commitment to support disabled people by introducing permanent changes rather than relying on once-off measures.
The Programme for Government commits to introducing a permanent Annual Cost of Disability Support Payment with a view to incrementally increasing this payment. In addition, under the recently published National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People 2025-2030 my Department will lead a Strategic Focus Network on the Cost of Disability.
The work of this network, which will include disabled people and their advocates, will inform the approach to be taken in delivering on the Programme for Government commitment. I have asked my officials to expedite this work with a view to bringing a proposal to Government in the first half of next year.
My officials have held meetings with a number of organisations to discuss the possible structure and content of the Strategic Focus Network on the Cost of Disability. Most recently, my officials met with a number of organisations on 2nd December at my Department's Disability Consultative Forum, at which the Cost of Disability Strategic Focus Network was the main Agenda item. Officials from across government were also in attendance given that this is a whole of Government issue.
The Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme is the safety net within the overall social welfare system in that it provides assistance to eligible people in the State whose means are insufficient to meet their needs and those of their dependents.
Under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme, my department may make Additional Needs Payments to help meet essential expenses that a person cannot pay from their weekly income or other personal and household resources. These payments are available through our Community Welfare Officers and are available to anyone who needs then and qualifies, whether the person is currently receiving a social welfare payment or working on a low income.
Furthermore, under the scheme, a Heating Supplement may be paid to assist people that have exceptional heating costs due to ill health, infirmity or a medical condition and are unable to meet those costs out of household income. Heating Supplement is not restricted to the fuel season and can be paid throughout the full year.
Any person who considers that they may have an entitlement to an Additional Needs Payment or a Heating Supplement is encouraged to contact their local community welfare service. There is a National Community Welfare Contact Centre in place - 0818-607080 - which will direct callers to the appropriate office. In addition, applications for Additional Needs Payments can be made online via www.mywelfare.ie.
I trust this clarifies the issue for the Deputy.
314. Deputy Shay Brennan asked the Minister for Social Protection the timeline for implementation of the long-promised cost of disability payment. [72698/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government recognises the significant additional costs that disabled people can face in their daily lives and is committed improving outcomes for disabled people by introducing permanent measures.
That is why the Programme for Government includes a range of commitments to support disabled people. Our Programme for Government commitments will be advanced over the lifetime of the Government, having regard to the overall policy and budgetary context.
The Programme for Government commits to introducing a permanent Annual Cost of Disability Support Payment with a view to incrementally increasing this payment. In addition, under the recently published National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People 2025-2030 my Department will lead a Strategic Focus Network on the Cost of Disability.
The work of this network, which will include disabled people and their advocates, will inform the approach to be taken in delivering on the Programme for Government commitment. I have asked my officials to expedite this work with a view to bringing a proposal to Government in the first half of next year.
My officials have held meetings with a number of organisations to discuss the possible structure and content of the Strategic Focus Network on the Cost of Disability. Most recently, my officials met with a number of organisations on 2nd December at my Department's Disability Consultative Forum, at which the Cost of Disability Strategic Focus Network was the main Agenda item. Officials from across government were also in attendance given that this is a whole of Government issue.
I trust this clarifies the issue for the Deputy.
315. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Social Protection if consideration will be given to introducing a gluten-free food allowance for pensioners with coeliac disease due to the extra cost associated with their dietary needs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [72700/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra316. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Social Protection if his Department has considered the impact of the high cost of gluten-free food on pensioners with coeliac disease; and whether he will explore options to support affected individuals, such as a potential allowance or subsidy to offset these costs. [72701/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 315 and 316 together.
The Diet Supplement, administered under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme, is payable to qualifying persons, in receipt of the supplement prior to February 2014, who have been prescribed a special diet because of a specified medical condition. There are currently 579 people in receipt of Diet Supplement.
A review of the costs of healthy eating and specialised diets by the Irish Nutrition and Dietetic Institute was commissioned by my Department during 2013. The research showed that the average costs across all the retail outlets of the diets supplemented under the scheme could be met from within one-third of the minimum personal rate of social welfare payment, i.e. the Basic Supplementary Welfare Allowance rate, which was then paid at €186 per week, and is currently €242. Based on this evidence, the Diet Supplement scheme was discontinued for new applicants from 1 February 2014.
Recipients continue to receive the Diet Supplement at their existing rate of payment for as long as they continue to have an entitlement to the scheme or until their circumstances change. This measure ensured that nobody was immediately worse off by the closure of the scheme.
Any decision to re-instate the Diet Supplement would require further analysis and would have to be considered in the context of the budgetary process.
However, my Department provides Additional Needs Payments as part of the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme to help meet essential expenses that a person cannot pay from their weekly income or other personal and household resources. Any person who considers they may have an entitlement to an Additional Needs Payment is encouraged to contact their local community welfare service. There is a National Community Welfare Contact Centre in place - 0818-607080 - which will direct callers to the appropriate office. In addition, applications can be made online via www.mywelfare.ie.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
317. Deputy Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh asked the Minister for Social Protection if, in selecting the contractor for the national auto-enrolment scheme, due consideration was given to potential legal or reputational conflicts that may arise from the contractor's extensive ties to the Israeli military, specifically in view of the principles underpinning the Occupied Palestinian Territory (Prohibition of Importation of Goods) Bill 2025 currently before the Oireachtas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [72724/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe introduction of a pensions auto-enrolment system is a Programme for Government commitment, and one of my key priorities. The aim of introducing an Automatic Enrolment (AE) system is to address the pension coverage gap that exists in Ireland, and to help provide for better retirement incomes for workers. The new system will be called 'My Future Fund' and it will launch from the 1st January 2026.
Between 2023 and 2024, my Department undertook an open EU tendering process to procure a fully outsourced managed service to administer My Future Fund. Following a rigorous evaluation process, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) won the contract on the basis of providing the most economically advantageous tender that fulfilled the requirements of the tender specification. It should be noted that there was no legal basis for excluding TCS from participating in this process on the grounds of the company's activities in other jurisdictions.
TCS itself is a leading global IT services, consulting, and business solutions organisation, headquartered in India. Its workforce numbers over 600,000 employees worldwide across 51 subsidiary companies in 55 countries. Given its global reach, TCS has contracts with many Governments throughout the world, including in Israel. In the UK, TCS provides the operating system for their Automatic Enrolment system’s National Employment Savings Trust (NEST). Moreover Norway’s Sovereign Wealth Fund, which is considered by many to be the most ‘ethical’ funds, holds stakes in 15 separate Tata companies. This examples demonstrates the complexity of defining an investment as ethical or otherwise in a world of very complex supply chains.
Here in Ireland, TCS employs approximately 1400 people, mainly in Letterkenny. The placing of the contract in 2024 with TCS for the administration of My Future Fund has brought further employment to the Northwest with at least 60 people recruited in recent months and more expected in the coming months.
Finally, it is worth noting that Occupied Palestinian Territory (Prohibition of Importation of Goods) Bill would ban trade in goods with settlements illegally established in occupied territories, including Israeli settlements and any resources extracted from such settlements. The managed services contract with TCS would not come within the scope of the provisions of this Bill if it were to be enacted, as the contract does not require or facilitate trade of any kind with Israel.
I hope this clarifies matters for the Deputy.
318. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Social Protection to confirm that a domiciliary care allowance review has been lodged for a person (details supplied); if he will confirm a decision will be given at the earliest possible opportunity due to the circumstances; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [72800/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraDomiciliary Care Allowance (DCA) is a monthly allowance payable to a parent / guardian in respect of a child aged under 16 who has a severe disability requiring continual or continuous care and attention substantially in excess of the care and attention normally required by a child of the same age and where the level of that disability is such that the child is likely to require this level of care and attention for at least 12 consecutive months. This level of care and attention must be required to allow the child to deal with the activities of daily living in areas such as mobility, personal care, feeding / diet, communication, speech / language, sleeping, behaviour, safety, sensory issues, including any other additional needs.
Eligibility for DCA is not based entirely on the type of disability or diagnosis but primarily on the impact of the child's disability, in terms of the associated overall level of care and attention required by the child compared to a child of a similar age who does not have such a disability. The decision process that applies in the consideration of whether a child meets the conditions for DCA includes the examination of all relevant factors identified as impacting on the child's additional care needs.
An application for DCA in respect of the child concerned was received by my Department on 10 September 2025. A Deciding Officer disallowed the claim as per decision dated 13 November 2025. Based on the information provided, the child was not considered to satisfy the conditions for DCA. This determination considered the supporting medical evidence that was provided by the applicant in their application. The Deciding Officer also had regard to the professional opinion of a departmental Medical Assessor in making their decision and a copy of this opinion was issued to the applicant for information along with the decision notification.
On foot of a request for a review of eligibility for DCA in this case, a full re-examination of this DCA application and my Department's original decision of 13 November 2025 will now be undertaken by a Deciding Officer. Once that review has been completed, the person concerned will be notified directly of the decision in writing.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
319. Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Social Protection if he is concerned that the youth unemployment rate of 13.4% is almost treble the national unemployment rate of 4.9%; if he will consider introducing new programmes or amending existing programmes to assist young people into work; if he is satisfied with uptake of the work placement experience scheme in light of these figures; if he will confirm the number of people aged under 24 who have been on unemployment payments for a year or longer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [73101/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department closely monitors the performance of the labour market, and outcomes for a variety of vulnerable cohorts, including young people. According to the Central Statistics Office (CSO), the seasonally adjusted monthly unemployment rate for November is 4.9 percent, and has been between 4 and 5 percent since January 2022, excluding one month: September 2025, when it stood at 5.1 percent. This is the threshold conventionally considered full employment in Ireland.
The youth unemployment rate stands at 13.4 percent, on a seasonally adjusted basis. Unemployment rates for young people are typically higher than for the population overall.
2025 has seen participation in the Work Placement Experience Programme (WPEP) increase by 38.9% compared to 2024, with participation for under 30s increasing by 53.3% compared to 2024.
Pathways to Work 2021-2025, the government’s national employment services strategy and overall framework for activation and employment supports, sets a target of 40% youth participation in the WPEP scheme. This target has been exceeded in every year of operation, as set out in the table below:
|
Age Group |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
2025 |
Totals |
|
18 – 24 |
70 |
94 |
92 |
105 |
152 |
513 |
|
25 - 29 |
26 |
62 |
76 |
77 |
127 |
368 |
|
Totals |
96 |
156 |
168 |
182 |
279 |
881 |
|
% of Overall participants |
52.5% |
48.3% |
41.3% |
47% |
45.1% |
45.9% |
747 participants aged between 18 and 30 have completed WPEP placements, with 134 placements currently active. Of the 747 who have completed the programme, 295 (39.5%) moved to employment and a further 13 (1.7%) have progressed to further education.
Ireland’s efforts to support the youth population into employment are collected in Pathways to Work 2021-2025. The Pathways to Work commitments fulfil Irelands' obligations under the Reinforced Youth Guarantee (RYG). The RYG is a pledge by the Member States of the European Union to provide a good quality offer of employment, education, or training to those under the age of 30 within 4 months of becoming unemployed.
Measures in respect of supporting the youth population into employment gathered in Pathways to Work include:
• A more intensive model of engagement with young people profiled as being at risk of long-term unemployment has been implemented with the frequency of engagement with a case officer increasing from once a month to once a fortnight in respect of young people profiled as being at risk of long-term unemployment.
• JobsPlus is an employer incentive which encourages employers who offer employment opportunities to individuals who are unemployed. In line with the RYG early access has been granted to those under the age of 30, who can access the payment after 4 months on a qualifying payment.
• The Work Placement Experience Programme, www.gov.ie/en/service/95fe1-work-placement-experience-programme/ (WPEP), launched as a Post-Covid recovery measure in 2021, is a 6-month voluntary work and training experience programme.
• The launch of the updated Employment and Youth Engagement Charter (EYEC) - www.gov.ie/en/publication/cb239-the-employment-and-youth-engagement-charter/ The EYEC is a Call-To-Action to employers to commit to using Government employer incentives and supports and to recruit jobseekers and other priority customers, including young people, people with disabilities, lone parents and members of the Traveller and Roma communities.
My Department has commenced work on a successor Pathways to Work strategy for the period 2026-2030, informed by a public consultation process, engagement with the community and voluntary sectors, regional workshops, and an analysis of labour market research, trends, and international best practice.
320. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of notifications being issued by his Department in each year from 2020,to date in 2025 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [73253/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Social Protection issues a weekly report to the Revenue Commissioners advising of taxable payments that issued to State Pension (contributory) recipients.
This weekly report includes year to date amounts and highlights when payments have issued for previous tax years.
The table below includes the number of customers who have been awarded State Pension (contributory) from 01/01/2020 to 31/10/2025.
Table 1: Annual number of people awarded State Pension (contributory)
|
- |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
2025 |
|
SPC Awarded |
17,155 |
19,220 |
18,776 |
21,096 |
18,423 |
26,500 |
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
321. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the timeline for the next national cyber security centre's SME cybersecurity outreach programme; and when sector-specific briefings will commence. [72746/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn line with commitments made in the Programme for Government, The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) transferred to my Department from the Department of the Environment, Communications and Climate on 2 June 2025. The primary role of the NCSC is to monitor, detect and respond to cyber security incidents of all types in the State, and to build cyber resilience.
Between 2024 and 2025, the National Cyber Security Centre successfully initiated and ran a pilot grants scheme, cofunded with the EU under the Digital Europe Programme, to support cyber security resilience in the SME sector. Over €1.8m was awarded to 51 SMEs. The pilot scheme has resulted in increased cyber security for the beneficiaries of the scheme and has stimulated the cyber security services sector.
The NCSC was granted funding under the National Development Plan to further develop supports for SMEs, and an extended support scheme will be launched in 2026 – the precise timing for the launch of this scheme remains to be decided. The goal of this scheme will be to further improve resilience and cyber security across the country, providing financial support to SMEs to implement cyber security improvements, or remediations, to their existing technological infrastructure, or governance and skills frameworks.
Alongside this, the NCSC will continue to work with the European Network and Information Security Agency (ENISA), to deliver targeted incidence preparedness and response actions for NIS2 obliged entities, implementing its mandate as derived from the Cyber Solidarity Act.
As part of the national Cyber Security Co-Ordination and Response Network Project (CyberCORE, a €3.3m three year EU co-funded programme), the NCSC will be shortly launching an SME CORE website. This website will serve as a centralised resource for all SMEs in the state. This site will contain guidelines, advice and video content on cyber security hygiene and best practice for SMEs.
A risk assessment tool will be available to assist SMEs in pinpointing the three most critical areas of cybersecurity that need their focus. In addition, SMEs will be able to ask a specific cyber question and receive a tailored answer using an ‘Ask the Expert’ form.
322. Deputy Cathy Bennett asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the criteria applicable to the composition of his new firearms forum; the basis of said criteria; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [72595/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra323. Deputy Cathy Bennett asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration his response to concerns that his new firearms forum excludes certain stakeholders (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [72596/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra324. Deputy Ryan O'Meara asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to set out the issues to be addressed by the new Firearms Forum established by his Department; how the forum is expected to reach agreement and make recommendations to the Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [72604/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra325. Deputy Ryan O'Meara asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to advise if minutes of the Department's new Firearms Forum are to be published on the Department's website, as happens with many other stakeholder fora established by Government departments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [72605/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra329. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to provide a detailed explanation of the selection process and underlying rationale for the membership of the recently established Firearms Forum; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [72712/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra330. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the reason the membership of his Department's Firearms Forum excludes certain sectors (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [72713/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra333. Deputy Joe Neville asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the names of the members of the new Firearms Forum; the organisation/sector they each represent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [72801/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra334. Deputy Joe Neville asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the Terms of Reference and work programme of the new Firearms Forum established by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [72802/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra338. Deputy Catherine Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to provide a list of persons appointed to the newly-formed Firearms Forum, including the groups, sectors or interests each member represents. [72854/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra339. Deputy Catherine Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the mandate, objectives and proposed schedule of work for the Firearms Forum recently convened by his Department. [72855/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra340. Deputy Catherine Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the matters the new Firearms Forum will be tasked with examining; and the mechanisms through which the Forum is expected to develop consensus and issue recommendations to his Department. [72856/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra341. Deputy Catherine Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration whether the minutes or agreed notes of meetings of the new Firearms Forum will be made publicly available on his Department’s website. [72857/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 322 to 325, inclusive, 329, 330, 333, 334 and 338 to 341, inclusive, together.
My Department holds meetings with individual firearms organisations on request and engages with various firearms stakeholders, including representative firearms organisations, in various ways.
An Garda Síochána also meets with firearms stakeholder organisations in respect of relevant matters.
Officials from my Department also liaise regularly with the Firearms Policy Unit of An Garda Síochána on firearms-related matters.
Earlier this year, my Department organised a series of engagements with firearms stakeholders in Wicklow, Limerick, Carrick-on-Shannon and Mullingar.
I and officials from my Department have also met with representative organisations, including the FURG (Firearms Users Representative Group) and the NARGC (National Association of Regional Games Councils).
In these and other engagements, I have confirmed my support for more regular and structured engagement between policy makers and firearms users than has taken place since the last meeting of the Firearms Consultative Panel (FCP) in 2019.
I can advise that ongoing engagement has continued with firearms stakeholders.
The most recent engagement took place on the 1st December, where more than 20 representatives of the firearms community and firearms stakeholder organisations attended a meeting with my officials. One of these meetings also took place on the 18th September.
Due to the nature of these initial engagements, formal minutes were not taken. This approach is to ensure proceedings would be open and transparent while facilitating frank and honest exchanges of views. This was explained at the beginning of the meetings.
As these engagements evolve, consideration will be given to the question of the publication of minutes of the meetings.
The objective of these meetings is to provide a mechanism for ongoing engagement with firearms stakeholders from a broad range of areas within the firearms community, ensuring their valuable insights in specific areas of firearms can be considered in any future policy and legislative changes that may arise.
The stakeholders attending these meetings include several from representative organisations, experts in technical areas of firearms and members of An Garda Síochána’s Firearms Policy Unit. Several of the stakeholders were also members of the FCP.
Stakeholder organisations are encouraged to make submissions to the meetings, engage with other stakeholders and contribute.
It is intended to continue the proactive and open engagement that has taken place.
Any stakeholder organisation that would like to contribute to these engagements is also welcome to engage with my Department on the matter.
