Written Answers Nos. 83-106
83. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Education and Youth the cost of the five cabins on a campus (details supplied); whether a lease is in place for their current use; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6982/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to inform the Deputy that the premises referred to are not being leased by or in the ownership of the Minister for Education and Youth. Any queries in relation to these premises should be made to Kildare Wicklow Education and Training Board.
84. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport when An Post pensioners, will receive their delayed since September 2025 payment; the reasons for the delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6699/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra85. Deputy Joe Neville asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport when he will take steps to allow for the pension increase approved by An Post in 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6798/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 84 and 85 together.
Under section 46 of the Postal and Telecommunications Services Act 1983, the Minister for Culture, Communication and Sport with the concurrence of the Minister for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform, approves any superannuation schemes submitted by An Post. The operation of the schemes is a matter between the management of An Post, staff representatives and the trustees of the schemes.
In accordance with the Act and the relevant Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies, An Post must seek Ministerial approval from both Ministers to increase pensions and deferred pensions for members of the An Post superannuation scheme. Section 2.13 of the Code of Practice for Governance of State Bodies Superannuation and Remuneration annex sets out that NewERA advice should be sought in respect of pension amendment proposals, as is appropriate in their role as commercial and financial advisors to the Ministers.
On 23 October 2025, An Post wrote to my Department requesting consent for an increase to pensions in payment and deferred pensions, namely, to increase pensions in payment for members and deferred members of the An Post Superannuation Scheme by 6% per annum with effect from 1st January 2025 and 1% from 1 June 2025, arising from its agreements with employee representative groups. It is not possible, at this point, to set out the specific timeframe within which the decision-making process will be concluded by both shareholding Ministers in respect of increases submitted for consent. It should be recognised that the time taken for the pension approval process is necessary to ensure that robust governance procedures are in place.
86. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the research or evidence he has that demonstrates than an increase in high-cost private rental accommodation will, over time, bring down rents. [6639/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn 10 June 2025, the Government approved policy measures including modifications to rent controls to come into effect on 1 March 2026 in order to boost investment in the supply of homes available for rent and keep existing landlords in the market. The changes agreed will also provide significantly stronger tenancy protections and are finely balanced between the interests of tenants and the need for further private investment in the rental market across the country, taking account of stakeholder engagement.
The modifications to rent controls have been informed by the findings of the Housing Agency Review of Rent Pressure Zones and Potential Policy Options. This review was undertaken to assess the operation of Rent Pressure Zones (RPZs) since their introduction and consider their impact on the market and relevant stakeholders, including the retention of landlords and new investment in rental properties. It was also to consider whether RPZs should continue without change or be removed, modified or replaced.
The review, which is published on the Housing Agency website, involved engagement with a wide variety of stakeholders, including investors, representatives of landlord and tenant advocacy groups, academics and the RTB. The Housing Agency submitted its report to my Department at the end of April and advised that its preferred recommendation was to modify the current RPZ rent controls and also recommended allowing landlords to reset rents to market levels between tenancies while providing for stronger tenant protections to guard against economic evictions. Taking account of the Housing Agency report and its preferred recommendation, the Government approved changes to rent regulation, which will be introduced nationally from 1 March 2026.
The review does indicate that the provision to reset rent between tenancies may see some rent inflation but that this is expected to moderate as new supply comes on-stream. A tenant moving into a property will have certainty that their future rent can only increase by inflation – up to a 2% maximum in all tenancies other than new apartments.
The RTB Rent Index report, published quarterly, is designed to measure developments in rental prices faced by those taking up new tenancies in the private rental sector and more recently, utilising Annual Registration data, existing tenancy rent price developments. This information is available on the RTB website.
Government is establishing a more robust legal and policy framework to support increased investment in the rental market, to increase supply and choice for renters and, over time, reduce market rents. This will include ensuring that the legal framework supports domestic and international investment in the delivery of new rental properties, in particular the supply of new apartments.
Government has committed in excess of €9 billion in funding for housing through the Exchequer, the Land Development Agency (LDA) and the Housing Finance Agency in 2026. Delivering Homes, Building Communities, published on 13 November 2025, is Ireland’s new national housing plan. It focuses on ensuring that a robust Starter Homes for Rent programme will expand Cost Rental as a tenure option. As the tenure continues to be rolled out, it provides more options for long-term rental accommodation with secure tenures for thousands of renters, assisting eligible households in the private rental sector. It is also expected that the development of the Cost Rental sector will have a moderating impact on the wider rental market, putting downward pressure on market rents over the longer term.
87. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when the new developer provided infrastructure proposal for private residential developments of 40 or less homes will be available for developers; and if the expectation is that the cost of this infrastructure will be passed on to the home buyers at the point of purchase of the homes. [6640/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI recently announced a developer-led wastewater infrastructure initiative to support housing delivery in areas where Uisce Éireann’s services are currently insufficient or not planned in the near term.
A framework for the initiative has been agreed, setting out roles and responsibilities of my Department, Uisce Éireann, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the private sector in delivering wastewater infrastructure. Preparations are under way, with all measures expected to be in place by the end of the first quarter of 2026.
Under the initiative, the private sector can fund and deliver the required infrastructure, with Uisce Éireann overseeing design and construction to ensure regulatory compliance and assuming ownership once completed.
In general the cost of the infrastructure will be recovered by the developer from the sale of houses.
88. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans to prohibit the charging of fees for the provision of a reference from a landlord or property management company; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6665/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Residential Tenancies Acts 2004-2025 (the RTA) regulate the landlord-tenant relationship in the residential rental sector and sets out the rights and obligations of landlords and tenants. The Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) was established as an independent statutory body under the Acts to operate a national tenancy registration system and to facilitate the resolution of disputes between landlords and tenants.
Section 16 of the RTA obliges a tenant to pay any charges or taxes in accordance with the lease or tenancy agreement unless they are unlawful or contravene any other enactment. In general, the question of whether or not a tenant has to pay charges to a landlord depends on the terms of the lease or tenancy agreement. The amount of any such charges, if applicable, is a matter to be agreed between landlord and tenant. Contract law governs such arrangements. The specific terms associated with an individual tenant’s rights and obligations are likely to be set out in a written contract signed by both the tenant and the landlord.
Where there is a disagreement regarding charges payable under a lease or tenancy agreement, the tenant or landlord may refer a dispute to the RTB for resolution.
The governance of owner management companies falls under the remit of the Minister of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration.
89. Deputy Conor Sheehan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will consider offering interest free loans to local authorities to allow for the installation of solar panels on local authority owned houses whereby the panels would be owned by the local authority, who could use the credit for unused energy sold back to the grid to pay down the loan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6674/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy department's Energy Efficiency Retrofit Programme (EERP) provides grant funding to local authorities to upgrade their social housing stock to a minimum B2 BER rating. It is expected that 36,500 local authority owned homes will be retrofitted under this programme out to 2030.
Works eligible under the EERP include attic and cavity wall insulation or external wall insulation where required, windows and doors replacement, heat pump installation and ancillary and associated works. These funded measures achieve the minimum B2 BER rating. Accordingly, solar PV installation is not generally supported.
That said, in limited circumstances, for dwellings with a floor area less than 55m2 and where it is not practical to achieve a Heat Loss Indicator (HLI) specified by the SEAI guidance, the maximum HLI may be increased to 2.6 on a pilot basis with additional fabric and air tightness requirements. Where this approach is adopted, installation of at least 1kWp of solar photovoltaic micro-generators on the dwelling with the heat pump is recommended, and is funded as eligible works under the EERP.
While works supported under the EERP are kept under continuous consideration, there are no plans to expand the programme to include additional measures at this stage.
90. Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of applicants and amount granted in vacant property refurbishment grants, by county, since the scheme launched to date in 2026, in tabular form. [6713/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra91. Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of applicants and amount granted in vacant above the shop grants, by county, since the scheme launched to date in 2026, in tabular form. [6714/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra92. Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of applicants and amount granted in expert advice grants, by county, since the scheme launched to date in 2026; and the number of additional grant applicants in respect of top-ups and the amount granted over the same time period, in tabular form. [6715/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra97. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the new Department circular concerning the vacant home grant will be amended to allow companies to apply for the grant, as many small independent retailers are companies that own premises, but are precluded from applying for the scheme for apartments above shops and other similar properties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6959/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 90, 91, 92 and 97 together.
The Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant, funded under the Croí Cónaithe Towns Fund, 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.
The grant is currently available for the conversion of former commercial or public use buildings as well as "Above the Shop" type conversions. Data in relation to over the shop or upper floor accommodation availing of the grant is currently not collated by my Department.
Applicants may apply for a maximum of two grants under the scheme - where one property will become their principal private residence and the second will be in respect of a property made available for rent. Applications for the grant can only be made by named individuals who own the property for which the grant is being applied for or who are actively engaged in purchasing the property. The grant is not available to registered companies, developers, undertakings etc.
Since its introduction, the grant has been extremely successful with almost 16,000 applications received across the country up to the end of Q4 2025. It has achieved its target, set under the previous housing plan, to support bringing back into use 4,000 homes by the end of 2025.
My Department publishes data on applications for the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant on its website on a quarterly basis, which includes the number of applications, approvals and the total number and value of grants paid per local authority. This data also includes a breakdown of applications for the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant and the Derelict Property Top-up Grant for every quarter. The Q4 2025 grant statistics were published on 26 January 2026. This data can be accessed at the following link: Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant statistics
The Housing Plan Delivering Homes Supporting Communities commits to expanding the range of existing measures being implemented by Government to tackle the issue of vacancy and dereliction, including the extension of the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant, to provide additional support for the refurbishment and conversion of above the shop vacant space for use as homes.
To fulfil the action in the housing plan and the commitment contained in the Programme for Government, last December the Government approved the introduction of a Vacant Above the Shop Grant with a package of up to €140,000 to be made available in cases where vacant above the shop space is being converted/refurbished for residential use and the commercial element is remaining. The additional grant amount for above these properties recognises the complexities involved in bringing this space into use. The package includes an Expert Advice Grant of up to €5,000.
My Department is currently progressing work to introduce the Vacant Above the Shop Grant. I expect that it and the Expert Advice Grant will be made available, for delivery by local authorities, by the start of April.
The Housing Plan also commits to exploring an extension of the Vacant Above the Shop Grant to micro companies. It should also be noted that other schemes such as the Repair and Leasing Scheme, which supports bringing vacant properties, including 'above the shop' property, into residential use and SEAI grants are currently available to businesses.
93. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when a 2026 allocation for acquisitions to prevent homelessness will be made by his Department to Westmeath County Council. [6751/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI expect the parameters of the 2026 Second Hand Acquisitions Programme to be notified to individual local authorities in Q1 this year.
Local authorities have been authorised to enter into commitments for 2026 up to a value of 30% of their original 2025 acquisitions budget. This flexibility effectively provides for a multi-annual approach to programme delivery, facilitating local authorities to plan and progress acquisitions between annual programmes, and from one year to the next, with a higher level of certainty vis-à-vis future funding availability.
In the meantime, my Department will continue to engage with individual local authorities as needed regarding the 2025 programme, to inform learnings for the 2026 programme, and to ensure local authorities continue progressing acquisitions pending rollout of the full details of the 2026 Second Hand Acquisitions Programme.
94. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the reason the price ceiling for the first home scheme has increased by €25,000, while the help-to-buy scheme price ceiling did not; to review the property price ceilings for the help-to-buy scheme in view of this discrepancy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6782/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe First Home Scheme is a demand led equity scheme, supporting first-time buyers, self-builders and fresh start applicants to bridge the gap between their mortgage capacity and deposit and the price of the new home, within regional price ceilings. Subject to eligibility requirements, the Scheme can provide funds up to 30% of the property purchase price or build cost (for self-build) or 20% if the Help to Buy Scheme is used.
The First Home Scheme Designated Activity Company (DAC), is fully responsible for the operation of the First Home Scheme on behalf of all shareholders – the State and participating pillar banks.
In order to minimise the risk of price distortions in the First-Time Buyer market, the First Home Scheme introduced the concept of Local Authority Price Ceilings from the outset. At its launch, the DAC announced it would review all price ceilings at 6-month intervals. These reviews take into account a range of factors, including the median price and volume of new builds purchased by first time buyers in each local authority area including at sub county level where relevant. These reviews allow the Scheme to remain adaptive to local market conditions, while also providing support to first time buyers and promoting additional housing supply while mitigating local price distortions.
At the end of December 2025, the DAC published the outcome of its seventh scheduled review of the price ceilings that apply to qualifying homes and subsequently revised price ceilings. New price ceilings were agreed for 17 local authority areas and these ceilings came into effect on 1 January 2026. The First Home Scheme DAC will continue to monitor the price ceilings as part of any future review.
The Help to Buy incentive is an initiative of Revenue and the Department of Finance, and does not come under the remit of my Department. Revenue and the Department of Finance should be contacted in relation to that scheme’s operation. Revenue can be contacted at the following link: www.revenue.ie/en/contact-us/index.aspx.
95. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether data protection and GDPR considerations have been fully addressed in the development of the proposed rent register; the way in which the identity and personal data of landlords will be protected, particularly in small towns and rural areas with limited rental stock; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6915/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn line with a commitment in the Programme for Government, the General Scheme of the Residential Tenancies (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2025 provides for the establishment of a Rent Price Register.
As part of the drafting process of the Bill, my Department consulted with the Data Protection Commission in compliance with Article 36(4) of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and Section 84(12) of the Data Protection Act 2018.
Taking account of those consultations and in compliance with data protection and privacy legislation, the rent amount payable and the unique identifier for the tenancy will be included on the RTB’s published register. The address of the dwelling will not be published to prevent the disclosure of the identity of the landlord and tenant. Accordingly, no personal information will be included in the RTB’s published register. The Local Electoral Area in respect of each tenancy will be included on the published register, as opposed to the address of the dwelling.
It is also proposed to include on the published register, the number of bedspaces, floor area and the Building Energy Rating (BER) in addition to the dwelling type and number of bedrooms. The additional information will help set the rent amount in the context of the nature of accommodation for let.
This register will provide greater transparency in rental prices for tenants, landlords and other stakeholders and will be an important and necessary source of information for the sector, particularly when setting and reviewing rents.
96. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will consider allowing local authorities to include attic conversions in their own social housing stock to meet the needs of existing tenants as an alternative to tenants having to apply for transfers to larger homes as their household size increases. [6930/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department provides funding to local authorities under the Disabled Persons Grants scheme to carry out works on social homes to address the needs of older people, people with a disability or to relieve general overcrowding situations.
Typical works to accommodate older persons or people with a disability include adaptations such as stair-lifts, level deck showers, ramps and grab rails, widening door opening widths, improving circulation spaces and extensions to provide necessary accommodation at ground floor level.
Typical works to relieve overcrowding generally comprise extensions and alterations. While attic conversions would not be common they are not precluded subject to compliance with the relevant planning and building regulations. The final decision on works on local authority owned social housing are primarily a matter for the authority concerned.
Under section 4(1)(f) of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended), an exemption from the requirement for planning permission is provided for works carried out on behalf of, or jointly or in partnership with, a local authority, pursuant to a contract entered into by the local authority concerned.
Otherwise, certain works set out in Part 8 of the Planning and Development Regulations 2001 (as amended) require a public consultation prior to the Chief Executive of the local authority reporting to the elected members of the Council, who as a reserved function, resolve to accept, amend or refuse the proposal for such works.
Furthermore, all works on local authority housing stock must comply with the Building Regulations 1997 (as amended), which set out the legal requirements for the construction of new buildings, extensions to existing buildings (including houses), as well as for material alterations and certain material changes of use to existing buildings. The related Technical Guidance Documents (Parts A - M respectively) provide technical guidance on how to comply with the regulations in practical terms. Where works are carried out in accordance with the relevant technical guidance, such works are considered to be, prima facie, in compliance with the relevant regulations.
98. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Social Protection the next steps a school (details supplied) should take to access the hot school meals scheme, once it has agreed contractors and suppliers. [6746/26]
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.
Once schools have completed their procurement to select a School Meals supplier they need to set up a separate bank account for School Meals funding. Once that is completed they then need to complete the application form to apply for the Hot School Meals funding. All schools were communicated to individually to advise them of what steps they needed to take.
As this school is joining the programme for the first time, setting up the separate bank account is only required once. Schools generally conduct procurement every three year for a School Meals supplier but apply annually for funding. All information on how to apply and the relevant application form is available on the School Meals website, Gov.ie see link: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-social-protection/services/school-meals-scheme/#apply.
If the school has any query on the application form they can contact the School Meals Section on 071-9138625 or email school.meals@welfare.ie
I trust this clarifies the matter.
99. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons currently in receipt of financial support under the Temporary Protection Directive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6944/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe CSO's Arrivals from Ukraine in Ireland Series sets out a wide range of data relating to Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection, including detailed time series of the number of beneficiaries of different social welfare supports. The latest breakdowns are set out in the table below.
Data is from https://data.cso.ie/table/UA08.
100. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons currently in receipt of financial support under the international protection system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6945/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy department administers the Daily Expenses Allowance which is paid to International Protection Applicants who reside in, or are waiting for, accommodation provided by the International Protection Accommodation Services.
The current weekly Daily Expense Allowance rates of payment are €38.80 per adult and €29.80 per child. In December 2023 an increased rate of €113.80 per week for an adult was introduced where a person is unaccommodated and is on a waiting list for accommodation with the International Protection Accommodation Services.
There were 10,600 recipients of the Daily Expenses Allowance at the end of December 2025, supporting approximately 17,500 persons (adults and children).
In addition, International Protection Applicants who are in employment have access to Working Family Payment and some may qualify for benefit schemes linked to PRSI contributions if they are working for a sufficient period of time.
101. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of fraud cases with social protection payments detected in each of the past five years. [6636/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraOverpayments of social welfare entitlements can occur for a number of reasons, including through error on the part of either the customer or the Department or where a person has provided false or misleading information. Persons who have been overpaid social welfare have a liability to refund the overpayment as they have been in receipt of a payment to which they were not entitled.
Suspected fraud cases arise where a deciding officer is satisfied that there is sufficient evidence that a person deliberately provided false or misleading information or wilfully concealed relevant information in relation to their entitlement. The Deputy will appreciate that there is a high evidential standard to be met in such cases.
The table below sets out the number of overpayments raised and the associated value of those cases where an element of fraudulent activity was suspected in the years from 2020 to 2024. Data for 2025 is currently being audited.
|
Year |
No. of Suspected Fraud Cases |
Value of Suspected Fraud Overpayments (M) |
|
2020 |
5,338 |
€20.3 |
|
2021 |
6,290 |
€19.0 |
|
2022 |
5,597 |
€19.6 |
|
2023 |
5,097 |
€17.9 |
|
2024 |
6,007 |
€24.3 |
I trust that this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
102. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Social Protection if he is aware of cases in which a person has fraudulently claimed carer's allowance for another person who was unaware of the claim made in their name; the checks which are made with the GP who signed the form, that they are the persons own GP. [6637/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraWhen an application for Carer's Allowance is received by my Department, it is referred to a Deciding Officer for decision. The application is decided based on the details provided on the application form and supporting documentation supplied by the applicant.
The Department does not have access to GP registration records and therefore cannot verify whether an individual is registered with a particular GP. However, it is an offence for a person to knowingly make a false or misleading statement or to provide documents or information which they know to be false in some respect for the purpose of obtaining or establishing entitlement to a social welfare payment.
Preventing fraudulent claims from entering the social welfare system or carrying out review activity to identify possible fraudulent claims in payment are key requirements for my Department.
Suspected fraud cases arise where a Deciding Officer is satisfied that there is sufficient evidence that a person deliberately provided false or misleading information or wilfully concealed relevant information in relation to their entitlement. There is a high evidential standard to be met in such cases. When my Department finds evidence of fraud, an overpayment is raised and pursued and in certain cases, the individual may be considered for prosecution.
If there is a particular case that the Deputy has in mind, please forward the details and I will have my officials examine it.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
103. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Social Protection the mechanisms in place to ensure that recipients of social welfare are still residing here full-time. [6638/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is committed to ensuring that only those people who are eligible, receive welfare and other payments. Our overriding objective is to ensure that we pay the right people, the right amount, through the right scheme or programme in an efficient manner. All schemes operated by my Department are subject to ongoing control reviews and continuing eligibility checks, which include the verification of a person's identity and address.
All Social Welfare schemes are subject to periodic reviews to ensure there is continued entitlement. These reviews include seeking confirmation of ongoing eligibility through correspondence and can also include in person 'signing on' at Intreo Centres. Follow up action is taken where a person fails to respond or attend as requested.
Social Welfare Inspectors, including my Department’s Special Investigation Unit, carry out residency checks by calling to a person’s stated address. Other controls are in place where certain payments, such as Jobseekers, are made via the Post Office network rather than by way of bank transfer. My Department is also committed to carrying out Control Surveys on various Schemes. Samples are selected for review and are referred to social welfare inspectors for full investigation.
It is also important to note that Social Welfare legislation obliges every claimant or beneficiary to notify the Department of any change in circumstances which may affect their entitlement, including a change of address. Claimants are informed of this requirement when their payment is awarded.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
104. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Social Protection whether records are kept on the purpose of community welfare officer grants; if so, if that data includes grants awarded in domestic violence cases where families were required to leave the family home; if so, the number of such grants issued and value in each year from 2022 to 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6653/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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. Supports under this scheme are available through our Community Welfare Officers.
While my Department does not provide grants under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme, Additional Needs Payments may be made to help meet essential expenses that a person cannot pay from their weekly income. These payments may include assistance with additional travel costs, rent deposits, rent in advance and household bills.
My Department publishes statistics on Additional Needs Payments in the Quarterly Statistics report which is available on gov.ie. While statistics are maintained in relation to categories of payments made under the Additional Needs Payments scheme, it is not possible to identify data specifically relating to payments provided for domestic violence cases where families were required to leave the family home, as this information is not recorded or collated.
My Department also provides support to victims of domestic violence by providing easier access to rent supplement on referral by Cuan-funded service providers. This provides victims of domestic violence with a fast-track approval and screening process with a simplified means test to get immediate access to Rent Supplement so that they are not prevented from leaving their home because of financial concerns. As of end of December 2025, there were 22 victims of domestic violence being supported under these arrangements.
Any person who considers they may have an entitlement to a payment under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme 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.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
105. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Social Protection to publish the operational guidelines for the auto-enrolment scheme. [6655/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra106. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Social Protection given the AE scheme was already in payment for many persons, to confirm the basics of the scheme (details supplied). [6656/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra111. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason there has been such a delay in publishing the guidelines of the auto-enrolment scheme given this scheme was rolled out to many persons in the past weeks. [6663/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra112. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Social Protection the exact number of people enrolled in the auto-enrolment scheme. [6664/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 105, 106, 111 and 112 together.
The Programme for Government contains a commitment to introduce the Automatic Enrolment (AE) Retirement Savings System. The aim of introducing AE is to address the pension coverage gap that exists in Ireland and to provide workers with access to a quality assured retirement savings scheme, thereby giving greater comfort and security regarding their retirement income.
The new system - known as My Future Fund - commenced on the 1 January 2026. To date 762,904 employees that weren't actively contributing to a qualifying pension or PRSA through payroll and who met the age and earnings threshold have been automatically enrolled in My Future Fund.
The operational guideline for My Future Fund are available on myfuturefund.ie and have been available for quite some time on the Government's Automatic Enrolment Information Hub at www.gov.ie/autoenrolment. This includes handbooks and frequently asked questions, guidance for participants and employers, and information videos, as well as more technical guidance intended for payroll developers.
In relation to the basics of the scheme, the following relate to the questions set out in the details supplied:
• Drawdown of the participant's fund, consisting of the employee and employer contributions, the State top-up and the investment growth, is aligned with the State Pension age of 66.
• Early access to My Future Fund savings is only permitted where a participant retires due to exceptional ill health or where a participant retires on the grounds of incapacity.
• While early access is not permitted in cases of financial hardship, a participant may suspend contributions for one to two years.
• Where a participant dies before drawdown, the fund becomes part of the participant's estate, which passes to the deceased's personal representative.
• Drawdown of My Future Fund savings are subject to tax, the arrangements for which are aligned with the treatment of PRSAs.
• Provision of drawdown options beyond the lump-sum option currently provided for, will be a design feature for further examination in due course.
In relation to the fees and charges, it is important for participants, employers and the State that the costs of My Future Fund are kept low and transparent. While the fees that apply to participants' accounts may change over the typical life of a retirement saving plan for an average-income employee, the combined administration and investment management fees in My Future Fund are targeted to remain less than the 0.5% target set by the Government in its final design of the AE system.
Finally, if a person changes to an employment with an occupational pension, their savings in My Future Fund will continue to be administered by NAERSA and invested.
I hope this clarifies these matters for the Deputy.
