Written Answers Nos. 194-217
195. Deputy Joe Neville asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether a six-year tenancy will roll into a possible ten-year lease for the original tenant who did not leave a property in circumstances (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10533/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra196. Deputy Joe Neville asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage under the new tenancy legislation from March 2026 the way in which the property owner will then be able to reset the rent every six years, if they have tenants that are on two different rolling contracts; if it will be possible to charge different rents to people in the same property; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10534/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 195 and 196 together.
My Department cannot provide legal advice. However, the provisions of the Residential Tenancies (Miscellaneous Bill) 2026, once enacted, will not affect the current application of the Residential Tenancies Acts 2004 to 2025 (the RTA) in the circumstances referred to in the Question.
The RTA regulates the landlord-tenant relationship in the rented residential 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 RTA to operate a national tenancy registration system and to facilitate the resolution of disputes between landlords and tenants.
Chapter 6 (Rules governing operation of Part in cases of multiple occupants) of Part 4 (Security of Tenure) of the RTA applies where a dwelling is subject to a single Part 4 tenancy - https://revisedacts.lawreform.ie/eli/2004/act/27/revised/en/html#PART4-CHAP6.
Part 3 (Rent and Rent Reviews), including section 20 (Frequency with which rent reviews may occur), of the RTA applies in the same manner to any dwelling the subject of a single Part 4 tenancy – i.e. irrespective of whether multiple tenants (and licensee(s)) are in occupation - https://revisedacts.lawreform.ie/eli/2004/act/27/revised/en/html#PART3.
Multiple tenants can be party to an individual tenancy of a (self-contained) dwelling. Part 4 tenancy rights accrue after 6 months’ duration of a tenancy. If one of the multiple tenants moves out and is replaced by a new multiple tenant, the Part 4 tenancy rights established by the first set of multiple tenants passes to the new multiple tenant once s/he is in situ under tenancy in the dwelling for 6 months. The tenancy ends if the multiple tenants collectively serve a notice of termination giving the required notice and specifying a terminate date or if the landlord serves a notice of termination in accordance with the RTA.
On 27 January 2026, the Government approved the publication of the Residential Tenancies (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2026. The Bill will amend the current system of rent controls and provide new measures to protect tenants, including stronger security of tenure, to come into effect for new tenancies created on or after 1 March 2026. The impending Bill is informed by a review of the Rent Pressure Zones (RPZs) carried out by the Housing Agency, as requested by my Department.
The Bill and the related Explanatory Memorandum was published on 3 February 2026 and can be found here: https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/bill/2026/11/eng/initiated/b1126d.pdf; https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/bill/2026/11/eng/memo/b1126d-memo.pdf.
A detailed communications campaign by my Department, in conjunction with the RTB, will continue to publicise the new legislative measures from 1 March 2026.
Up-to-date information is available at: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-housing-local-government-and-heritage/publications/government-reforms-to-the-rental-sector-starting-1-march-2026/.
197. Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he has received business cases in respect of funding remedial works (details supplied); if he or his officials have considered reports received to date in respect of the properties impacted; if he is releasing funding to the local authority to carry out the works; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10542/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe management and maintenance of local authority housing stock is a matter for each local authority under s.58 of the Housing Act 1966. Local authorities must also ensure all tenanted properties comply with the provisions of the Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) Regulations 2019. To this end, they must make adequate budgetary provision for housing repairs and cyclical maintenance utilising the significant housing rental income available to them as part of the annual budgetary process.
While the management and maintenance of local authority owned social homes, and the funding of such works, is the statutory responsibility of local authorities, my Department will provide some €260 million as a contribution towards the remediation and maintenance of local authority homes this year through a number of programmes, including for estate regeneration, energy retrofitting, disabled person grants for social housing tenants, and refurbishment works to vacant properties so they can be returned to productive use as quickly as possible.
A submission has been received from Wicklow County Council regarding a plan to remediate Hillview Estate in Wicklow Town. Work is currently ongoing with Wicklow Council to explore the range and the cost of feasible options for remediating the estate. Indeed, my Department has very recently met with the Council in this regard and visited the estate. A decision on the appropriate course of action will be taken when this work is completed, having regard to funding available to the local authority from its own resources and my Department's maintenance programmes.
198. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the reason the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) rent limits have not been increased since July 2016, despite significant rises in market rents during that period; the rationale for maintaining these limits at 2016 levels; his views on an organisation’s (details supplied) confirmation that the HAP limits were last reviewed in July 2016 and remain insufficient for many low-income households to secure accommodation; and if he will outline when the next review will take place and whether an increase to the base HAP limits will be implemented. [10551/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) scheme continues to play a vital role in housing eligible families and individuals. At the end of Q3 2025, over 130,200 HAP tenancies had been set up since the scheme commenced, of which there were 50,705 households actively in receipt of HAP support.
Under HAP, a tenant sources their own accommodation in the private rented market. This accommodation should be within the prescribed maximum HAP rent limits, which are based on household size and the rental market within the area concerned.
Since 11 July 2022, each local authority has statutory discretion to agree to a HAP payment up to 35% above the prescribed maximum rent limit. Discretion can be increased up to 50% above the prescribed maximum rent limits for Homeless HAP tenancies in Dublin. Local authorities also have additional flexibility to apply a couple HAP rate to single person households. This additional measure recognises the challenges experienced by single person households, and the fact that both single and couple households have a one-bed need.
It is a matter for the local authority to determine if the application of discretion is warranted on a case-by-case basis and the level of discretion applied in each case. Local authorities are encouraged to focus the application of discretion on alleviating financial burden for HAP tenants wherever possible, particularly for those in difficult financial circumstances.
My Department has reviewed the use of these measures and their impact on the overall affordability of the HAP scheme for tenants. This review has highlighted that the affordability and sustainability of HAP tenancies continues to be impacted by pressures in the private rental market. My Department is now undertaking a review of existing HAP rent limits to ensure there is sufficient support under the HAP scheme to assist eligible households in accessing accommodation in the private rental sector.
199. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the reason the rental accommodation scheme (RAS) has no national rent thresholds despite its central role in housing long-term rent supplement recipients; the absence of updated, standardised rent caps within RAS schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10552/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Rental Accommodation Scheme (RAS)is a local authority (LA) administered long-term social housing support primarily targeted at households who have been in receipt of Rent Supplement for 18 months or longer and who have been assessed as having an ongoing housing need.
RAS operates through two distinct delivery strands: (i) Private RAS and (ii) Approved Housing Body (AHB) RAS (often referred to as CAS RAS).
Under Private RAS, LAs secure accommodation from private landlords, while under AHB RAS, LAs arrange tenancies with AHBs on behalf of eligible households.
RAS does not operate on the basis of nationally prescribed rent thresholds. Responsibility for the operation and administration of RAS rests with each local authority, including the sourcing of accommodation and the agreement of rents with accommodation providers. Rents in Private RAS are therefore determined at local level, having regard to local market conditions, the type and location of accommodation, value for money considerations, and the need to secure and sustain long-term accommodation for households with an assessed housing need. Private RAS rents are generally agreed at 92% of the prevailing local market rent, reflecting the long-term nature of the arrangements and the security of payment provided under the scheme. This locally administered approach allows LAs to respond flexibly to differing rental markets across the country.
Under AHB RAS (CAS RAS) rents are not based on market rent but on a cost-recovery "economic rent" model which reflects the ongoing cost of managing and maintaining the accommodation. This economic rent is met by two components: (i) A tenant contribution generally assessed under the LAs Differential Rent scheme; and (ii) A weekly subsidy paid by the LA to the AHB (and recouped to the LA by my Department). This weekly subsidy amount is subject to a maximum of €55 per week for a single person, and €60 per week for a couple.
My Department completed a comprehensive ‘Review of the Future of the Rental Accommodation Scheme’, published in January 2025, following extensive consultation with all 31 local authorities, AHBs and other stakeholders. The review confirmed that RAS continues to play an important role in the suite of social housing supports and suggested modifications to ensure its effectiveness and expansion. The proposed changes aim to encourage the retention of private landlords in RAS, to continue to ensure housing quality, and provide more immediate access to housing for vulnerable households.
200. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to extend the development contributions waiver scheme for houses commenced after 31 December 2024 for one-off housing and self-build housing. [10663/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn 25 April 2023, the Government approved additional measures under the Housing for All Action Plan to incentivise the activation of increased housing supply and help reduce housing construction costs, including the introduction of temporary time-limited arrangements for the waiving of local authority “section 48” development contributions and the refunding of Uisce Éireann water and waste water connection charges.
The Government recognised that measures needed to be put in place to help address cost and viability with a view to incentivising the activation of a pipeline of new housing commencements, and assisting in the delivery of supply as quickly as possible. The waiver scheme applied to all permitted residential development including multi-unit developments, self-build houses and one-off houses, student accommodation and sheltered housing.
The schemes initially applied for one year to all permitted residential development that commenced on site between 25 April 2023 (the date of the Government Decision approving the measure) and 24 April 2024, and that are completed not later than 31 December 2025. On 23 April 2024, the Government approved an extension for the waiving of local authority “section 48” development contributions in respect of residential development commenced not later than 31 December 2024 and the refunding of Uisce Éireann water and waste water connection charges in respect of residential development commenced not later than 30 September 2024.
In April 2024, the final date for the completion of development works on qualifying houses under the schemes was extended from 31 December 2025 to 31 December 2026.
The temporary measures were also meant to be time-bound and there are no plans to extend or re-introduce the waiver scheme.
201. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to increase the maximum market value purchase ceiling under the local authority home loan in County Cork from €330,000 to €450,000, to align with the current ceiling under the first home scheme, as the existing limit is resulting in many purchasers who have received loan approval from the local authority being unable to secure a suitable home. [10664/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Local Authority Home Loan (LAHL) is a Government-backed mortgage for creditworthy applicants who cannot get sufficient funding from commercial lenders to purchase or build a home. The loan has been available nationwide from local authorities since 4 January 2022 for first-time buyers and fresh start applicants. The LAHL is a successor loan to the Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan. The loan can be used for both the purchase of new and second-hand properties, or to self-build. The LAHL cannot be used in conjunction with the First Home Scheme.
Both the Programme for Government 2025 and Delivering Homes: Building Communities commit to reviewing house price and income thresholds of the LAHL to ensure that it remains an accessible route to home ownership in the current housing market. This review is in process and any changes to the LAHL scheme arising from it will be announced in due course.
202. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to review correspondence (details supplied); the additional funding available in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10759/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder my Department, the National Built Heritage Service (NBHS) provides two main grant schemes which support the protection of eligible heritage buildings and historic structures. These schemes include the provision of capital grants for conservation works as well as financial assistance for owners to obtain conservation advice for their historic structures. The Built Heritage Investment Scheme (BHIS) and the Historic Structures Fund (HSF) are, in the main, administered by the local authorities, while applications for the Conservation Advice Grant are made directly to my Department.
The BHIS provides capital funding of between €2,500 and €50,000 for repair or conservation works to the following types of buildings:
Protected structures.
Proposed protected structures.
Structures in Architectural Conservation Areas (ACAs).
Vernacular buildings.
Under BHIS, each local authority receives an allocation of funds from my Department based on the proportion of structures on their Register of Protected Structures (RPS) when compared to the national total. Each local authority can award funding to eligible applications within their area that meet the terms and conditions of the BHIS circular. Within the BHIS, separate, ring-fenced funding is available for thatched buildings under the Historic Thatch Buildings stream. The purpose of this scheme is to protect the heritage value of historic thatched roof buildings, and funding is allocated to local authorities on the basis of the number of thatched properties within their area. Any historic thatched structure, including domestic or commercial, is eligible for consideration under this scheme.
Under the BHIS, applicants may seek up to 80% of the total project cost. It is at the discretion of the Local Authority to decide on the amount of grant funding allocated to individual projects. In an effort to provide funding to as many projects as they can, Local Authorities try to spread the limited funds across as many eligible applications as possible, meaning that unfortunately the proportion of costs covered will in many cases be considerably lower than 80%.
Depending on the circumstances, funding for the repair of protected structures may be available from other sources. The Historic Structures Fund provides capital funding of between €50,000 and €200,000 for works to qualifying structures, but has a focus on larger conservation works and projects with a community benefit. National monuments and archaeological sites may be able to avail of Community Monuments Funding (CMF) from the National Monuments Service within my Department
Where the building in question is a domestic thatched structure, a dedicated Thatching Grant is available from my Department for thatched buildings in use as housing. Applicants can avail of up to €3,810 or two thirds of the approved cost (whichever is less) towards necessary roof repair or renewal. A higher grant (up to €5,714) may be payable for houses on specified islands. For owners of qualifying thatch properties who are also Medical Card holders the maximum grant available is €6,350, or up to 80% of the approved cost (€8,252 for Islands).
It is important to note that the above grants fall under the heritage remit of my Department. Certain local authorities run their own grant schemes for built heritage conservation.
203. Deputy Conor Sheehan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when he will publish the National planning statement to support short term lets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10892/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra206. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will address concerns raised in correspondence regarding short-term lettings (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10923/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 203 and 206 together.
The EU Short Term Rental (STR) Regulation was adopted by the EU on 11 April 2024 and is applicable from 20 May 2026. This Regulation lays down harmonised rules on the collection and exchange of data on short-term rental services for member states, hosts providing short-term accommodation rental services, and online platforms that offer services to hosts providing short-term accommodation rental services within the EU.
The Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment (DETE) has drafted the Short Term Letting and Tourism (STLT) Bill General Scheme in full alignment with the STR Regulation. The introduction of the STLT Bill will provide a more effective legal and administrative basis to regulate short term lettings. This Bill when enacted will provide the statutory basis for the introduction of a register for all Short Term Lettings in Ireland, which will be implemented and managed by Fáilte Ireland from 20 May 2026.
In 2019, my Department brought in Regulations, (SI 235/2019), to provide for new arrangements for Short Term Lets within Rent Pressure Zones (RPZ). The regulations provided for the following:
• Short term letting is defined as the letting of a house or apartment, or part of a house or apartment, for any period not exceeding 14 days.
• Homesharing (the letting of a room or rooms in a person’s principal private residence) will continue to be permissible on an unrestricted basis and be exempted from the new planning requirements.
• Homesharers will be allowed to sub-let their entire principle private residence (house or apartment) on a short term basis for a cumulative period of 90 days where they are temporarily absent from their home. Where the 90 day threshold is exceeded, change of use planning permission will be required.
• Where a person owns a property in a RPZ which is not their principal private residence and intends to let it for short term letting purposes, s/he will be required to apply for a change of use planning permission unless the property already has a specific planning permission to be used for tourism or short-term letting purposes.
With the nationwide extension of RPZs in June 2025, the legislative requirement to gain planning permission for short-term letting use, as outlined above, has also been extended nationwide.
Following the approval received from Government on the 15 April 2025 to generally preclude new planning permissions for Short-Term Lets in large towns and cities, my Department is working to give effect to this decision. This involves a review of the current Planning Acts with a view to remove references to Rent Pressure Zones in respect of short-term lets.
To ensure that there is a clear view, both at national level and local authority level, as to the overall policy approach to determining planning applications for Short-Term Lets, my Department is currently developing a National Planning Statement (NPS) for the Short-Term Letting sector to supplement and support the introduction of the STLT Bill. It will consider a variety of factors, such as existing planning legislation, the long term housing need in the local authority area, the location of the proposed short term let and balancing housing need with the potential impact on tourism and economic development.
It should be noted that in advance of the publication of the NPS, local authorities can continue to make decisions on applications for change of use in respect of short-term letting properties. The decision of the local authority will be informed by local policy contained in the city and county development plans and local area plans, where applicable.
A recent Circular SPI 01/2026 Short-Term Letting and the Planning System (www.gov.ie/en/department-of-housing-local-government-and-heritage/circulars/spi-012026-short-term-letting-and-the-planning-system/) issued by my Department on 23 January 2026, to all local authorities, sets out the current legislative and policy framework for the regulation of short-term letting.
204. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the details on a vacant property (details supplied); the purchase cost of the property; the total sum spent on refurbishment; the initial deadline for the refurbishment of these properties; when his Department approved the purchase; to set a timeline for the refurbishment, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10913/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn April 2024 my Department provided approval funding for the purchase and refurbishment of the property referred to in the Question.
Dublin City Council's AHB section supported De Paul Housing in their proposal to advance the delivery of six apartments for social housing at the address referred to. The project includes purchase and refurbishment of the property.
The funding application for this scheme was supported by DCC under the CAS (Capital Assistance Scheme) based on the demonstrated social housing need for one and two bedroom homes in this area and an assessment on the budget proposed for the refurbishment of the units.
It is a matter for the Local Authority to work with the Approved Housing Body to ensure the completion of necessary refurbishment works and to allocate appropriate social housing tenants. The Local Authority has confirmed to me that these properties have not been refurbished to date but that the AHB has now provided them with a plan for their refurbishment in the coming months.
My Department is not in a position at this time to release costs in relation to this development, as they are commercially sensitive.
205. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to urgently provide a significant allocation of funding to Kerry County Council to allow them to treat/eradicate Japanese Knotweed which is spiralling out of control across the county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10920/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) of my Department is responsible for the implementation of the Wildlife Acts and the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011, as well as the European Union (Invasive Alien Species) Regulations 2024, all of which prohibit the introduction and spread of invasive species.
Control of invasive species such as Japanese Knotweed is a legal obligation for landowners. My Department carries out considerable work on controlling invasive species in National Parks and Nature Reserve. Funding is available to Local Authorities to manage invasive species as a measure to support the conservation and restoration of biodiversity in urban areas and the wider countryside through the Local Biodiversity Action Fund, which is delivered through my Department. Furthermore, the Deputy will be aware that Ireland is currently developing its Nature Restoration Plan, as required under the EU Nature Restoration Law. It is my intention to develop new schemes that support public and private landowners to meet these objectives, which may include the removal of invasive species.
207. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether he is aware of concerns raised in recent commentary regarding the persistent failure to enforce planning law against unauthorised quarrying activities, including the observation that affected communities are increasingly forced to rely on environmental and EU legislation rather than domestic planning enforcement to address unauthorised development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10941/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra208. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether he is aware of instances in County Galway where unauthorised quarry operations have continued for prolonged periods without effective enforcement action by Galway County Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10942/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra209. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether his Department has assessed whether Galway County Council has adequate staffing levels, technical expertise, legal resources and funding to effectively pursue planning enforcement actions against unauthorised quarries; the measures, if any, the Government plans to take to support Galway County Council, including through additional resources, specialist enforcement support, or legislative reform, to ensure effective enforcement of planning law and compliance with national and EU environmental obligations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10943/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 207, 208 and 209 together.
The powers of planning authorities to enforce planning control and deal with breaches of planning law are currently provided for under the Planning and Development Act 2000, which obliges all planning authorities to investigate and follow through on any complaint of unauthorised development. Enforcement powers include issuing warning letters, enforcement notices, and taking legal action against unauthorized development. The key objectives of planning enforcement are to bring unauthorized development under control, remedy its impacts, and potentially take legal action where necessary.
My Department is cognisant that quarry enforcement cases are often complex and lengthy.
A Steering Group comprising of representatives from my Department and the Local Authorities (via the CCMA) has been established to provide a coordinated national response (with appropriate state backing and resources) to the challenges of enforcement of quarrying.
The Group will:
• coordinate and support local authorities in the enforcement of planning legislation on unauthorised quarry sites, ensuring effective, consistent and properly resourced enforcement action across all identified sites;
• assist with the establishment of a regional enforcement authority to deal with urgent enforcement requirements on certain quarry extraction sites; and
• develop a sustainable enforcement model that can address these and any additional complex enforcement cases that may arise, working towards a longer-term structural solution for specialised planning enforcement.
The Group has met and draft Terms of Reference have been prepared which are currently being reviewed.
The Planning and Development Act, 2024 aims to enhance enforcement of certain activities, such as peat extraction and quarries, through the provision of a new regional structure, on a shared service basis across Local Authorities i.e. regional enforcement authorities.
Section 356 of the 2024 Act provides that the Minister may designate a planning authority as a regional enforcement authority. The Minister may also designate a number of enforcement areas and classes of development to be dealt with by the regional enforcement authority, by reason of the likely size, nature or effect on the surroundings of such development. This section further sets out the functions of the regional enforcement authority and the functions of each planning authority within the regional area.
On 2 October 2025, Section 356 was partially commenced to allow for the establishment of a Regional Enforcement Authority.
It should be noted that at present Local Authorities have full enforcement powers under the current provisions of the Act of 2000, for all enforcement matters including quarrying etc., and are not reliant on the establishment of regional enforcement authorities under the Act of 2024 in order to undertake enforcement related matters.
Any sites on which suspected unlawful extraction is taking place should be notified immediately to the relevant planning authorities/the EPA as appropriate for investigation and further action.
210. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether his Department has engaged with Dublin City Council regarding flooding and sea overtopping affecting the Clontarf Baths area; whether any local authority coastal protection or flood mitigation works are planned or under consideration; whether additional supports may be made available to the local authority for this purpose; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10958/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is aware of flooding and wave overtopping risks that can arise in coastal areas and notes that Dublin City Council (DCC) has recently implemented precautionary coastal closures in Clontarf in the interests of public safety.
Ireland’s approach to coastal change is informed by the recommendations of the Inter-Departmental Group on National Coastal Change Management Strategy, which was established by Government to provide a strategic framework for managing Ireland’s coastline in the context of increasing and evolving risk. In October 2023, the Group published a report setting out 15 recommendations across three overarching strategic pillars:
Enhancing governance and capacity building
Improving understanding of risk and identifying potential technical options
Developing management responses to coastal change
Progression of this work is being advanced through an inter-departmental steering group chaired by my Department
In relation to coastal works more generally, the consideration, planning and implementation of any site-specific coastal protection or flood mitigation measures are, in the first instance, matters for the relevant local authority, in this case DCC, having regard to technical, environmental and regulatory requirements.
The Office of Public Works (OPW) has lead responsibility at national level for flood risk management and works in partnership with local authorities in the delivery of flood relief schemes. The OPW also operates a number of support mechanisms, including the Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme, under which local authorities may seek funding support for eligible minor works or studies.
Any proposals brought forward by DCC in respect of coastal flooding or wave overtopping in any coastal area, including Clontarf Baths, are considered through the relevant OPW funding and appraisal processes. My Department will continue to support appropriate engagement between the relevant public bodies within the overall national policy framework.
212. Deputy Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh asked the Minister for Social Protection his Department's engagements with food suppliers in the run-up to launching the hot school meals programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10539/26]
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.
In advance of launching the Hot Meals Pilot in 2019 officials from my department engaged with the three largest suppliers of school meals at that time. Following meetings held in January 2019 the suppliers were given time to consider the viability of delivering hot meals to schools. On 28th January 2019, a proof of concept was operated in Our Lady of Lourdes National School in conjunction with one of the suppliers. Following the success of the proof of concept the pilot project was launched in September 2019 for 36 schools.
Consultation with the suppliers has continued throughout the expansion of the hot meals from the pilot in 36 schools in 2019 to the hot school meals scheme available to all primary schools in 2025.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
213. Deputy Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will consider sanctioning pilot funding for developing a community-driven, place-based model of provision within the hot school meals programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10540/26]
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.
The School Meals Programme is designed so that meals are provided by contracted food business operators, with the responsibility for food safety and compliance with relevant legislative obligations placed on these professional providers and not on the schools themselves.
My department provides the funding for the meals directly to the school. All schools are responsible for choosing their school meals supplier on the open market, in a fair and transparent manner in accordance with public procurement rules. These rules clearly define the successful tenderers responsibilities and obligations, including adherence to the nutritional standards.
The current model for school meal provision already accommodates the participation of community based providers. My officials in this Department have been working with officials in the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht and have compiled a list of supports available to local community organisations who may wish to expand their operation into the school meals area. This information has been supplied to some rural schools and a range of other community organisations. This can be obtained from my department. Schools can also engage with local café, restaurants, local suppliers, and meals on wheels services, a number of which are already supplying schools in the School Meals Programme.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
214. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated additional costs of providing one double child benefit payment. [11053/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe estimated cost of one single month double Child Benefit payment in 2026 is €180.45 million.
This costing is based on the estimated number of beneficiaries in 2026 and is subject to change in light of emerging trends and subsequent revision of the estimated number of number of beneficiaries.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
215. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated additional costs of providing a one-off payment of €100 to all core welfare payment recipients and pensioner. [11054/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe estimated cost of providing a one off payment of €100 to all recipients of core weekly welfare payments, including both working age and pension age payments, is €167m.
Please note this is a high-level estimate as the profiling for the Revised Estimates Volume 2026 has not yet completed.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
216. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated additional costs of providing double payment to all core welfare payment recipients and pensioner. [11055/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe estimated cost of providing a double payment to all recipients of core welfare payments, including both working age and pension age payments, is of the order of €385 million.
Please note this is a high-level estimate only as the profiling for the Revised Estimates Volume 2026 has not yet been completed.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
217. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to respond to a query (details supplied) regarding critical skills employment permits. [10529/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can advise the Deputy that if a person's previous immigration permission allowed them to work in the State prior to submitting their renewal application, and they have applied for renewal prior to their permission expiring, they can continue to work in accordance with the employment conditions of that permission.
If, however, their current permission did not allow employment or their permission expired prior to applying for renewal, they are considered out of permission and cannot work in the State.
The Registration Office of my Department has also issued a notice to employers regarding the legality of employing someone awaiting renewal. This notice can be found here: [www.irishimmigration.ie/notice-to-employers-regarding-employees-awaiting-renewal-of-their-irp-card/]
If a person's IRP card has expired and they are unable to obtain a new one by the expiry date of their current IRP card, they are still legally permitted to remain in the State on their existing IRP card for a maximum of 12 weeks. This 12 week provision is subject to a person providing proof that they have applied to renew their permission, including when changing stamp category, prior to their current IRP card expiring.
If a renewal application is approved, applicants can expect to receive their new IRP card within the following 10-15 working days.
All immigration permission renewals in Ireland are processed online, and applicants are issued with a receipt of application detailing the date of application and a unique application number (OREG number). Once the online renewal application has been approved, an e-mail is sent to the applicant which can be used as proof of registration while the applicant awaits the delivery of their new IRP card.
As an Oireachtas member, the Deputy can also request the status of individual immigration cases by e-mail, using the Oireachtas Mail facility at: IMoireachtasmail@justice.ie, which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Question process.
