Written Answers Nos. 422-437
422. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Social Protection to consider a once-off emergency winter payment for disabled people, as it would provide immediate relief in the disproportionate burden being carried by most of them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13483/26]
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 which will be advanced over the lifetime of the Government, having regard to the overall policy and budgetary context.
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. Both the increases to personal rates of payment and the Fuel Allowance were ahead of the general inflation rate reported by the Central Statistics Office of 3.2% in the year to the end of November 2025, and an energy cost increase of approximately 3.5% for the same period.
The Programme for Government commits to introducing a permanent Annual Cost of Disability Support Payment. In addition, under the National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People 2025-2030, which was developed with significant input from Disability groups and advocates, it was agreed to establish a Strategic Focus Network Summit on the Cost of Disability. While it is led by my Department, it includes other Government departments in this cross-government endeavour, as well as disabled people and their advocates.
I have asked my officials to prioritise this work. A public consultation process on how a cost of disability payment can best be delivered will be launched on Friday February 20th, and will run until the 7th April.
Following on from the consultation, on the 13th May, I will chair a Cost of Disability Strategic Focus Network Summit. The Summit will provide a space for key stakeholders such as disabled persons organisations and officials from across government to input into the design of a new cost of disability payment. It will also provide a space to identify ways that all Government Departments and Agencies can make changes to lower the cost of disability in the future. This whole of government approach is important as we know that addressing these costs is not simply a matter of a income supports improvements in the delivery of and access to key services is also needed.
For anyone who needs immediate assistance the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme is available to them now. This 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. The payment is available to anyone who needs it 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.
423. Deputy James Geoghegan asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will outline each section of enacted legislation, where the responsibility lies in the Minister to commence that section, that has not been commenced; if he will outline each section of enacted legislation which provides for the making of regulations by the Minister that have not been made by the Minister; if he will outline all sections of enacted legislation or secondary legislation which provide for the publication of guidelines by the Minister that have not been published, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13513/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is responsible for the legislation underpinning the social welfare code, occupational and private pensions, the Citizens Information Board / Comhairle, civil registration, gender recognition and the automatic enrolment retirement savings system.
In relation to the first part of the Deputy’s question, details of provisions that are yet to be commenced, where the responsibility to commence the section lies with me, are set out in the table below. It should be noted that there are no uncommenced provisions in the Gender Recognition Act 2015 or in the Automatic Enrolment Retirement Savings System Act 2024.
In relation to the second part of the Deputy’s question, it was not possible within the timeframe of this Parliamentary Question to provide a response regarding the sections of enacted legislation which provide for the making of regulations that have not been made. This would be an extensive piece of work to be undertaken by my officials, across the legislation under my remit where there are regulation making powers set out. It should be noted that in the vast majority of instances, the provision is that the Minister may make regulations, and in this regard, regulations may not have been made. Collating a response to this question would take considerable time and would be at the cost of not undertaking other Departmental priorities.
Finally, there are no instances of enacted legislation under my remit, which provides for the publication of guidelines that have not been published.
|
Uncommenced Provision |
Description |
Status |
|
Pensions (Amendment) Act 2002 |
|
|
|
Section 3 |
Inserts new Part X (sections 91 to 125) into the Pensions Act 1990, which provides for the establishment of Personal Retirement Savings Accounts (PRSAs). Part X has been commenced with the exception of section 122, which provides for the replacement of buy-out bonds with PRSAs. A buy-out-bond is a pension bond into which persons can transfer the value of their fund if they leave their employment/ pension scheme. |
Originally, the intention was that new buy-out bonds would cease when PRSAs became available. However, it is considered that buy-out bonds will be required in the short to medium term. Consideration is being given to this at present as part of the IDPRTG implementation working group. The situation will be kept under review in consultation with the Pensions Authority as part of this group. |
|
Section 39 |
Inserts new section 56A into the Pensions Act 1990 to provide for the consideration of index-linked increases in the rates payable in Defined Benefit pension schemes. |
The situation in relation to this provision is being kept under review in consultation with the Pensions Authority. |
|
Civil Registration Act 2004 |
|
|
|
Section 4 and the Second Schedule |
Repeal various enactments dealing with civil registration matters prior to the enactment of the Civil Registration Act 2004. |
Section 4 and the Second Schedule have been commenced, except in so far as they relate to the repeal of the Vital Statistics and Births, Deaths and Marriages Registration Act 1952. The repeal of the 1952 Act has been examined in the context of the commencement of section 73 of the Civil Registration Act 2004 – see section 73 below. |
|
Sections 13(1)(f) and (g) |
Provide for the establishment and maintenance of a register of all decrees of divorce and all decrees of nullity of marriage. |
Commencement of these provisions is not currently being proposed for operational reasons. |
|
Part 7 (section 59) |
Provides for the registration of decrees of divorce and decrees of nullity of marriage. |
Commencement of this Part is not currently being proposed for operational reasons. |
|
Section 73 |
Provides for the compilation and publication of statistics relating to events registered under the Act. |
Section 73 of the Civil Registration Act 2004 mirrors the provisions contained in the Vital Statistics and Births, Deaths and Marriages Registration Act 1952. Section 73 and section 4, in so far as it relates to the repeal of the Vital Statistics and Births, Deaths and Marriages Registration Act 1952, will be commenced following examination of the effects of repealing the Act of 1952. |
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Social Welfare and Pensions Act 2007 |
|
|
|
Section 21(a) |
Amends section 149 of the SWCA in relation to entitlement to the Pre-Retirement Allowance (PRETA) where a person had previously been in receipt of Carer’s Allowance. |
As the PRETA scheme has been closed since 2007, this section will not require commencement. |
|
Section 27 |
Amends section 220 of the SWCA 2005 to enable payment of Child Benefit to be split between the child’s parents. |
There are no plans to commence this provision at present. |
|
Citizens Information Act 2007 |
|
|
|
Sections 4a and 5 |
Provides that a qualifying person, in the case of a person 18 years or over, is a person who in the opinion of the director is unable to obtain or has difficulty in obtaining a social service without the support of a personal advocate because of his or her disability. |
The situation in relation to this provision is being kept under review in consultation with the Citizens Information Board (CIB). This includes the consideration that public policy in the area of disability has changed from a “best interest” approach, from when the 2007 Act was enacted, to a now person-centred and rights-based approach. |
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Social Welfare and Pensions Act 2008 |
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|
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Sections 12 to 14 |
Inserts new Chapter 5A in Part 3 of the SWCA 2005 and makes consequential amendments to the provisions of that Act to provide for the transfer of the Blind Welfare Allowance from the HSE to the Department of Social Protection. |
This provision will be commenced as soon as the necessary administrative arrangements have been agreed with the HSE and Department of Health. |
|
Section 17(5) |
Makes provision for the treatment of outstanding claims for Domiciliary Care Allowance held by the HSE on the transfer of administrative responsibility for that scheme to the Department of Social Protection. |
This provision is not required to be commenced, it related to the possible transfer of outstanding claims from a period in 2009 when the scheme transferred to DSP. There are no known instances where this is, or is likely to be required. |
|
Section 27 |
Inserts Part VIA Registered Administrators (sections 64B to 64P) into the Pensions Act 1990, as amended. Article 3 of the Social Welfare and Pensions Act 2008 (Section 27) (Commencement) (No. 2) Order 2008 (S.I. No. 308 of 2008) commenced section 27 of the 2008 Act other than section 64P. |
The situation in relation to this provision is being kept under review in consultation with the Pensions Authority. |
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Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2010 |
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|
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Section 3 |
Inserts new section 296A into the SWCA 2005 and makes consequential amendments to the provisions of that Act to clarify the rules relating to which parent a child will normally be regarded as residing with for social welfare payment purposes. |
This amendment is being reviewed in the light of more recent developments in this area and a decision will be taken on its continued necessity in the light of this review. |
|
Section 6 |
Confers power to make regulations to provide for the conditions under which a person is regarded as being incapable of work for the purposes of qualification for the payment of Illness Benefit. |
This provision will be commenced if the need arises. The intention behind these provisions has been met, in large part, by the introduction of the temporary enhanced IB payment in March 2020 to address the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. |
|
Section 14 |
Amends section 220 of the SWCA 2005 to clarify the rules relating to which parent a child will normally be regarded as residing with for Child Benefit purposes. |
This amendment is being reviewed in the light of more recent developments in this area and a decision will be taken on its continued necessity in the light of this review. |
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Social Welfare and Pensions Act 2014 |
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|
|
Section 9 |
Clarifies the provisions contained in Part 6 of the Social Welfare Consolidation Act (SWCA) 2005 in relation to entitlement to the Working Family Payment in cases where the claimant is living apart from his or her spouse or civil partner and children. |
This amendment is being reviewed in the light of more recent developments in this area and a decision will be taken on its continued necessity in the light of this review. |
|
Section 10 |
Clarifies the provisions contained in Part 6 of the SWCA 2005 relating to the impact of a change of circumstances on continuing entitlement to Working Family Payment during the 52 week entitlement period and on the weekly rate of FIS payable during that period. |
This amendment is being reviewed in the light of more recent developments in this area and a decision will be taken on its continued necessity in the light of this review. |
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Civil Registration (Amendment) Act 2014 |
|
|
|
Section 12 |
Provides that early neonatal deaths are notified to the Superintendent Registrar of the area where the death occurred. |
Requires consultation with the HSE. |
|
Section 21(a) |
Amends section 59B of the Civil Registration Act 2004 (Notification of civil partnerships). |
No longer required. Superseded by the enactment of the Marriage Act 2015. |
|
Section 22 |
Amends section 59C of the Civil Registration Act 2004 (Civil partnership registration form). |
No longer required. Superseded by the enactment of the Marriage Act 2015. |
|
Section 29(c) |
Provides for sharing of information with the Road Safety Authority. |
Pending further clarification of Data Protection issues. |
|
Parent’s Leave and Benefit Act 2019 |
|
|
|
Section 28 |
Amendment of section 58 of Act of 2005 Section 58 of the Act of 2005 is amended, in subsection (2), by the substitution of “Subject to this Act and section 6A of the Adoptive Leave Act 1995, an adopting parent shall be entitled to adoptive benefit” for “Subject to this Act, an adopting parent shall be entitled to adoptive benefit”. |
It is intended that this provision will be commenced in due course. |
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Civil Registration Act 2019 |
|
|
|
Section 6 (a) and (b) |
Provides definition of a qualified informant (usually a family member) in the registration of a death by a coroner. |
Section 6(a) is no longer required. Section 13 Civil Registration (Electronic Registration) Act 2024 replaces 6(a) of 2019 Act. 6 (b) Awaiting technical developments before commencing. |
|
Section 10(1)(c) |
Provides that the country of birth and the country of citizenship of a deceased person are to be added to the particulars of a death to be entered in the register of deaths. |
Requires development work to the civil registration computer system in advance of commencement. |
|
Section 11 |
Amendment of section 6 of the Civil Registration (Amendment) Act 2014 regarding arrangements for registration of the names of unmarried fathers. |
Requires commencement of section 6 of the Civil Registration (Amendment) Act 2014, which requires further amendment to section 22 to correct a drafting error. |
|
Civil Registration (Electronic Registration) Act 2024 |
|
|
|
Section 11 |
Provides for online Deaths. |
Requires technical development. |
|
Section 12 |
Provides for death changes when referred to a coroner. |
Requires technical development. |
|
Section 13 |
Provides for new interim death certificate. |
Requires technical development. |
|
Section 14 |
Provides for notification of a death to GRO. |
Requires technical development. |
424. Deputy Eoin Hayes asked the Minister for Social Protection the total administration fees paid, over the span of a scheme participant enrolment in MyFutureFund, as a percentage of their total employee contributions to their fund, by €5,000 band of average annual income from €20,000 to €80,000 that is, €20,000, €25,0000, €30,000, €35,000 and €80,000 , as against the age at which they entered the scheme, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13524/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Programme for Government contains a commitment to introduce the Automatic Enrolment (AE) Retirement Savings System. The aim of introducing AE is to address the 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 MyFutureFund - commenced on the 1 January 2026. Over 763,000 employees that weren't actively contributing to a qualifying pension or PRSA through payroll were eligible and were automatically enrolled in MyFutureFund.
Any analysis of administration fees would need to be undertaken in the context of all contributions made to a participant's fund rather than just the employee contributions. In addition, it would not be accurate nor sensible to use static data to calculate such fees given a participant's potential span of participation of up to 43 years.
The total administrative fee that any participant in MyFutureFund would pay over the span of their participation would depend on a very wide range of factors that are specific to each of those participants. These could include, among other things, their age, their earnings, inflation of those earnings over time, when they join, their duration in the scheme, any periods of opt-out or suspension and the duration of those, their level of contributions, any additional contributions that may be facilitated over the span of their participation, any transfers in or out of the scheme that may be facilitated over their span of participation, the level of fee that may be applicable at any period in time, etc. Accordingly, a realistic assessment of the total administration fees that any participant may incur over the span of their participation would have to include all of those factors relevant to their participation.
However, it is clear that the administration fee of 55 cent per week compares very favourably with similar fees in the best occupational pension schemes and is considerably better that the administration fees typically charged for PRSAs on an AUM basis.
When coupled with the investment management fee of less than 0.04% of assets under management (which is considerably less than those applicable to occupational pension schemes and a fraction of those applicable to PRSAs), it is clear that participants in MyFutureFund are getting the best value for money in the retirement savings market in Ireland.
I hope this clarifies matters for the Deputy.
425. Deputy Keira Keogh asked the Minister for Social Protection the specific reasons an application (details supplied) and subsequent appeals, for carer’s allowance were refused; if the applicant will receive back pay; if the person must submit a new application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13527/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person concerned applied for Carer's Allowance on 17th April 2025. Their application was refused on 28th May 2025 on the grounds that full time care and attention was not being provided to the care recipient and that the person concerned was working in excess of the statutory limit for receipt of Carer's Allowance.
The person concerned submitted an appeal on 18th June 2025. Having considered all of the available evidence the Appeals Officer upheld the decision on both grounds. The appeal was disallowed on 8th October 2025.
The person concerned submitted a request for a review of the Appeals Officers decision under Section 317 of the Social Welfare Consolidation Act, on the 23rd December 2025 and again on 27th January 2026.
Section 317 of the Social Welfare Consolidation provides for a review of the Appeals Officers decision where there are new facts or new evidence which were not before the Appeals Officer when they made their decision and are relevant at the date the claim was made, 17th April 2025 in this case.
The requests for a review under section 317 submitted by the person concerned were not accepted by the Social Welfare Appeals Office as the information provided was not applicable at the date of application for Carer's Allowance.
Should there be new facts or new evidence which was not already before the Appeals Officer and which are relevant at the date the claim for Carer's Allowance was made, then a further request for a review under Section 317 may be made by completing an SWAO2 form.
Alternatively, should the circumstances of the person concerned have changed since making their initial application, the option to submit a new application for Carer's Allowance from the date their circumstances changed remains open to them.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
426. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person (details supplied) will be approved immediately for the bereaved partner's contributory pension based on the extensive evidence provided. [13790/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn order to qualify for Bereaved Partner’s Contributory Pension, a person must be a bereaved partner, that is a widow, widower, surviving civil partner, or since 21st July 2025, a surviving qualified cohabitant, subject to other qualifying conditions. A qualified cohabitant is one of 2 adults who lived together as a couple, in an intimate and committed relationship, for a period of or two years or more, where there are children of the relationship, or five years in any other case.
In determining whether a person is a qualified cohabitant, the deciding officer will take into account any evidence presented including information available from department records. Our records indicate that the deceased was in receipt of a payment from this Department which included an increase for living alone, at a different address to the person concerned. This pension was reviewed in 2021 when the deceased confirmed that she was living alone. She subsequently notified the department of a change of address to that of the person concerned and her living alone increase terminated in September 2022.
It was decided that the person concerned is not entitled to the Bereaved Partner's Pension as there was insufficient proof he was a qualified cohabitant, that is, that they lived together as a couple for a period of five years or more.
The Deputy requested a review of this decision and provided further documentation in support. A further review of the decision has now been carried out and the outcome remains the same. The person concerned has been notified of outcome of the review.
The person concerned has the right to appeal this decision to the Social Welfare Appeals Office.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
427. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Social Protection the total actual expenditure incurred (as opposed to allocated or contracted amounts) to date in respect of clients classified as TPU and referred to contracted public employment services; to provide a breakdown of this expenditure by programme (Local Area Employment Services (LAES) and the National Employment Services (NES)); to outline the number of TPU clients referred under each programme during that period; the average cost per TPU client; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13899/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraA distinctive client journey has been embedded into the employment services process since 2022. Jobseekers on the live register engage with Intreo in the first 12 months and are then referred firstly to the contracted Intreo Partner National Employment Service (NES) and after 24 months, to the Intreo Partner Local Area Employment Service (LAES), which is designed to engage with those with greater barriers to the labour market. Therefore, the jobseeker is referred to the most appropriate service at each point in time on their jobseeking journey.
On 4th March 2022, the Council of the European Union unanimously adopted the implementing decision regarding the Temporary Protection Directive. This means that people arriving from Ukraine under the Temporary Directive can move through the EU as EU citizens. It also means that, subject to their accommodation arrangements, they have been granted the status to avail of all income supports and services from the Department of Social Protection on the same basis as Irish citizens. Recipients of a jobseekers payment who have a right to reside and work in Ireland under the Temporary Protection Directive are also referred to the NES and LAES in the same way as other long term unemployed jobseekers.
The overall cost of the NES and LAES is determined by the number of people who participate in the programmes and the number who get sustainable jobs. Information in relation to the average cost per client referred to each service is not retained. Since 2022, to date, there have been over 216,000 clients referred to both the LAES and NES of which 26,781 (12%) were classified as being Beneficiaries of the Temporary Protection Directive. The overall expenditure incurred across all LAES and NES clients during this period in respect of beneficiaries of temporary protection was €22.8m.
Further detail of the numbers of beneficiaries of temporary protection referred and who subsequently engaged as well as the expenditure to date by programme is provided in the Table below.
|
Beneficiaries of temporary protection |
Intreo Partner Local Area Employment Services (LAES) |
Intreo Partner National Employment Services (NES) |
|
Number of referrals from 2022 until month end January 2026)
|
5,418 |
21,363 |
|
Expenditure by Intreo Partner Service to end January 2026 |
€ 6.1m |
€16.7m |
Please note the expenditure figures do not take into account the savings made in respect of welfare payments for those who secured sustained employment or in any resulting increase in tax receipts.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
428. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Social Protection the total amount paid out in flood compensation from the vote allocation of his Department each year since 2011, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13908/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Emergency Response Payment assists in minimising hardship by providing financial support to people whose homes are damaged from flooding and severe weather events and who need help to meet emergency costs for essential needs, household items and structural repair.
It is important to note that the scheme does not provide a general compensation payment for damage or losses incurred as a consequence of a weather event.
Expenditure under the scheme for the period from 2011 to end of December 2025 was in the order of €25.3 million. Details on the breakdown of this expenditure by year is provided in Table 1 in the tabular statement below.
Additionally, Government decided in December 2010 that the Department Social Protection could hold a provision of up to €4 million to assist households with relocation costs following the flooding of November 2009. The total paid under this scheme was just over €3 million. Details on the breakdown of this expenditure on this once-off scheme by year is provided in Table 2 in the tabular statement below.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Tabular Statement
Table 1-Expenditure under the Emergency Response Payment by year for the period 2011 to end of 2025.
|
Year |
Expenditure under Emergency Response Payment |
|
2011 |
€1,000 |
|
2012 |
€714,000 |
|
2013 |
€119,000 |
|
2014 |
€1,189,000 |
|
2015 |
€233,000 |
|
2016 |
€1,682,000 |
|
2017 |
€613,000 |
|
2018 |
€350,000 |
|
2019 |
€96,000 |
|
2020 |
€83,000 |
|
2021 |
€132,000 |
|
2022 |
€201,000 |
|
2023 |
€1,904,000 |
|
2024 |
€2,481,000 |
|
2025 |
€15,483,000 (provisional) |
Table 2-Expenditure under the Relocation Scheme by year for the period 2013 to end of 2019.
|
Year |
Expenditure under Relocation Scheme |
|
2013 |
€1,109,000 |
|
2014 |
€883,000 |
|
2015 |
€246,000 |
|
2017 |
€230,000 |
|
2018 |
€373,000 |
|
2019 |
€196,000 |
429. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 858 and 859 of 10 February 2026, the number of scrambler bikes sold by An Garda Síochána in each of the years from 2020 to date; the number of scramblers destroyed for the same period, by year; the monies raised in disposal of scrambler bikes, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13436/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have requested the information sought by the Deputy from the Garda authorities. Regrettably, this was not available in time and I will write to the Deputy once the information is to hand.
430. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 858 and 859 of 10 February 2026, the total number of scramblers and quad bikes seized by an Garda Síochána in each of the years 2020, 2021 and 2022, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13437/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am informed by Garda authorities that based on incidents of vehicles detained (including those detained under section 41 of the Road Traffic Act) as well as incidents of property seized on PULSE (where there was at least one linked vehicle that was either a scrambler or quad bike or both) the table below outlines incidents where a scrambler or quad bike was seized or detained by An Garda Síochána between 2020 and 2022.
|
- |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
|
Incidents where scramblers were seized or detained |
146 |
123 |
105 |
|
Incidents where quad bikes were seized or detained |
92 |
68 |
34 |
Figures are based on incidents occurring from 1 January 2020 to 31 December 2022, inclusive. All information is based upon operational data from the PULSE system and is liable to change. Multiple vehicles may have been seized at each incident so, therefore, the figures above correspond to the number of incidents in which a vehicle was seized rather than the number of vehicles seized.
431. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration whether his Department has held any formal meetings since 1 January 2025 with the Department of Children, Disability and Equality regarding safeguarding-disclosure or re-vetting arrangements in the early years sector. [13462/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe primary purpose of vetting carried out by the Garda National Vetting Bureau (GNVB) is to ensure the safety of children and vulnerable adults. This requires a robust Garda vetting process that reassures the public, and in particular parents, that appropriate checks are conducted on people taking on positions of trust.
However, the Government is aware that concerns have been raised regarding certain aspects of the vetting process and I have listened carefully to the views of sectors affected.
Further to the work carried out by the Garda Vetting Review Group, steps are now being taken to implement a number of key changes to the vetting process that will ensure it remains robust and effective while improving the service to customers. While there were representatives from the Department of Children, Disability and Equality on the Garda Vetting Review Group, no formal meeting has taken place between the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration and the Department of Children, Disability and Equality regarding the safeguarding disclosure and re-vetting arrangements in the early years sector since 1 January 2025.
Further to the work of the Group and input from stakeholders I'm conscious that aspects of the current vetting system result in a highly-segmented process. Furthermore, I believe that the vetting system should be updated to ensure that the burden of seeking vetting disclosures, particularly on volunteers and organisations working in their communities, is minimised to the greatest extent possible, while maintaining the present high standards.
In practice, and subject to a general requirement that vetting be renewed every three years, it is envisaged that this will mean that when a person is vetted for the work they will be or are likely to be involved in as part of their employment or volunteering within identified risk categories, the person would not be required to repeat the process if they were to move to another role within the same risk category.
These changes will require amending legislation and updated technical systems to support the revised approach and will make the process more efficient for volunteers and organisations, without compromising the essential safeguards that protect those in our care.
432. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if he will meet with a person (details supplied) who has contacted his office with regard to his search for truth and justice in relation to a murder of his mother; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13492/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraIt is a matter of regret that no one has yet been held accountable for the murder in question.
As this is a matter that is currently before the courts, it would not be appropriate to comment further at this time.
433. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration further to Parliamentary Question No. 735 of 20 January 2026, the position regarding a timeline for the completion of the review of the Garda vetting procedure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13496/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe primary purpose of vetting carried out by the Garda National Vetting Bureau (GNVB) is to ensure the safety of children and vulnerable adults. This requires a robust Garda vetting process that reassures the public, and in particular parents, that appropriate checks are conducted on people taking on positions of trust.
However, the Government is aware that concerns have been raised regarding certain aspects of the vetting process and I have listened carefully to the views of the sporting and voluntary sector.
In this regard I'm conscious that aspects of the current vetting system result in a highly-segmented process. Furthermore, I believe that the vetting system should be updated to ensure that the burden of seeking vetting disclosures, particularly on volunteers and organisations working in their communities, is minimised to the greatest extent possible, while maintaining the present high standards.
Further to the work carried out by the Garda Vetting Review Group, steps are now being taken to implement a number of key changes to the vetting process that will ensure it remains robust and effective while improving the service to customers.
In practice, and subject to a general requirement that vetting be renewed every three years, it is envisaged that this will mean that when a person is vetted for the work they will be or are likely to be involved in as part of their employment or volunteering within identified risk categories, the person would not be required to repeat the process if they were to move to another role within the same risk category.
These changes will require amending legislation and updated technical systems to support the revised approach and will make the process more efficient for volunteers and organisations, without compromising the essential safeguards that protect those in our care.
The Garda National Vetting Bureau received 633,563 applications for vetting disclosures in 2025. The current processing time for 85% of vetting applications is 8/9 working days.
In a number of instances, it is necessary to conduct enquiries with Garda stations and external agencies such as the Courts Service, Probation Service, and Tusla (the Child and Family Agency), etc. These enquiries are conducted for a multiplicity of reasons such as verification of identity; updating of incomplete records; and establishing outcomes of investigations. In such instances, processing times are significantly longer than the general average. Vetting can also take longer where a person has spent time living abroad.
434. Deputy James Geoghegan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if he will outline each section of enacted legislation, where the responsibility lies in the Minister to commence that section, that has not been commenced; if he will outline each section of enacted legislation which provides for the making of regulations by the Minister that have not been made by the Minister; if he will outline all sections of enacted legislation or secondary legislation which provide for the publication of guidelines by the Minister that have not been published, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13510/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested in relation to enacted legislation that has not been commenced, for the timeline February 2020 to date, is provided in the table below. This includes sections of enacted legislation which provides for the making of regulations that have not yet been made. It has not been possible to provide details of legislation which contain a requirement to publish guidelines as this information is not readily available and compiling it would require a disproportionate use of resources.
|
Title of Act |
Outstanding Provision(s) |
Is it intended to commence/activate this provision? |
Are there powers to make regulations but no such regulations have been made? |
|
Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2020 |
Section 32 - Execution of documents in counterpart |
No plans for commencement at this time |
|
|
Communications (Retention of Data) (Amendment) Act 2022 |
|
|
The Regulation making powers at the following sections have not yet been exercised: Section 12B(1) – Amend Schedule 2 of the Act Section 12F(1) - Prescribe certain retention periods or the form of certain reports Section 12F(2)(a) – Prescribe certain technical requirements on retaining/preserving data Section 12F(2)(b) – Prescribe criteria to regard when specifying a class of data by reference to a particular geographic area Section 12F(2)(c) – Procedures in relation to the operation of various provisions under S6 and S7 Section 12G – notification of data subjects*
*In the case of Section 12G, where regulations are required, drafting has commenced. In all other cases, there are no plans to make regulations in the foreseeable future. |
|
Courts and Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2023 |
Section 16 inserts 51L into the Civil Liability Act, 1961 |
|
Section 51L(2) provides for regulations to be made specifying an index for periodic payments. Drafting of the necessary regulations is at an advanced stage |
|
|
Section 37 amends section 82(2)(a) and 82(2)(b) of the Bankruptcy Act 1988 |
|
Section 82(2) provides that the form and such other manner (than that provided by legislation) of the notice of filing may be prescribed by the Minister. It is not intended to make such regulations at this time. |
|
|
Section 50, 51, and 67 |
S.50, 51, 67 to be commenced when adopting Pre-Action Protocols for clinical negligence claims |
|
|
|
Section 70 - Amends S.48 of the International Protection Act 2015. |
This amendment would extend the period from 5 to 30 days during which a person may opt to voluntarily return to their country of origin. There are no immediate plans to commence this provision. |
|
|
|
Section 71 - Amends S.52 of the International Protection Act 2015 |
This section will be repealed by the International Protection Bill 2026 |
|
|
|
Section 100 |
Provides for immunity from suit for the Courts Service and its staff. Amendments may be required prior to commencement to align with provisions of the Court Proceedings (Delays) Act 2024 |
|
|
|
Section 124 |
No plans for commencement at this time, due to concerns about impact on champerty and maintenance, and implications for the financialization of litigation and the resultant risk of significant legal costs inflation |
|
|
Courts and Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2025 |
Section 9 |
Commencement of section 9 of the Courts and Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2025 will be considered in line with commencement of specific provisions in the Family Courts Act 2024, and a number of other pieces of legislation, at an appropriate time when the Family Courts are to be stood up.
|
|
|
|
Section 10 - amending the Street and House to House Collections Act 1962 which currently refers to the Gaming and Lotteries Act 1956 to refer instead to the Gambling Regulation Act 2024.
|
This will be commenced at the same time as the repeal of the 1956 Act. |
|
|
Court Proceedings (Delays) Act 2024 |
Full Act not commenced |
Arrangements to operationalise the requirements of the Act are currently being finalised |
Section 3(1)- The Minister may by regulations provide for any matter referred to in this Act as prescribed or to be prescribed. N/A- Act has not been commenced |
|
Counterfeiting Act 2021 |
Section 29 |
Commencement of section 29 is not necessary as this section has been given effect to by European Union (Counterfeiting of Euro) Regulations 2021 (S.I. No. 408/2021) |
Sections 15(1) and 15(2). These sections relate to the Central Bank making regulations following consultation with the Minister for Finance. |
|
Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Human Trafficking) Act 2024. |
Sections 20-36. |
Section 33(3) provides a regulation making power that relates to appeals of decisions of the National Referral Mechanism (NRM) Operation Committee. The NRM has not been commenced as work is underway to assess the impact of the EU Migration and Asylum Pact on the provisions |
|
|
Family Courts Act 2024 |
Act not yet commenced |
It is intended to commence the Family Courts Act 2024 on a phased basis in line with the implementation plan to stand up the Family Courts. Drafting of the first Commencement Order is underway. |
|
|
Gambling Regulation Act 2024 |
Section 6, 10, 15(1)(a) – (l), 40 (2)-(6), 41, 42, 81, 228 – 270 Part 2, Chapters 3 and 4, Part 4 Chapters 1 and 2, Parts 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9. |
The Act has, to date, been partially commenced to allow for the establishment of the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI) and the commencement of its initial functions on 5 March 2025. As of 5 February 2026, a further order was made to commence key aspects of the Act which will enable the Authority to begin issuing and overseeing in-person and remote betting licences. The remaining provisions of the Act to be commenced will be done on a phased basis. |
The Act contains a significant number of regulation making powers which are intended to account for the rapidly changing nature of the gambling industry. While some of these powers may never be needed, their inclusion in the Act allows the Authority to adapt to any future developments within the industry and provides the legislation with a degree of flexibility to ensure its continued relevance |
|
Garda Síochána (Recording Devices) Act 2023 |
Sections 6,7,13-43 and 49 |
|
Section 3 regulation dependent on the drafting by AGS of appropriate codes of practice for Parts 2 to 6 |
|
Garda Síochána (Functions and Operational Areas) Act 2022 |
Full Act not commenced |
|
Regulations not made as yet. Kept under review.
Section 9 Regulations drafted. |
|
Personal Insolvency (Amendment) Act 2024 |
Sections 4,8,9,11,12,15, and 16. These Sections allow for a 'confirmation of truth' to be used instead of a statutory declaration |
Work to progress these sections is being progressed in collaboration with the Insolvency Service. |
|
|
Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024 |
Sections 300, 302(c), (d), (e) and Schedule 1 as they relate to the repeal of section 38 of 20/2005. |
|
Sections 59(1), 212(7) and Section 45(2).
Regulations not made as yet. Kept under review.
|
|
Sex Offenders (Amendment) Act 2023 |
Sections 14(A), 14(b), 15, 16, 24, 25 and 30(2). These sections relate to electronic monitoring and the outcome of a pilot is awaited. |
|
Section 13 inserts section 14C giving the Minister power to make regulations in relation to risk assessment and management teams. No regulations made.
|
435. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the annual statistical data relating to alcohol test-purchase operations carried out by An Garda Síochána under the Intoxicating Liquor Act 2008, from 2008 to the end of 2025, (details supplied) [13530/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by the Garda authorities that a search of PULSE was conducted for incidents of:
• Test Purchasing of Intoxicating Liquor
• Sale of Intoxicating Liquor to Under 18 Year Olds, where the operation Test Purchasing of Intoxicating Liquor was selected.
Incident counts for total Test Purchasing of Intoxicating Liquor operations and incidents of the Sale of Intoxicating Liquor to Under 18 Year Olds detected, where Test Purchasing of Intoxicating Liquor was in operation, by year, are provided in the table below.
|
Year |
Test Purchasing of Intoxicating Liquor |
Sale of Intoxicating Liquor to Under 18 Year Olds, where Test Purchasing of Intoxicating Liquor was in operation |
|
2016 |
335 |
25 |
|
2017 |
350 |
29 |
|
2018 |
297 |
20 |
|
2019 |
164 |
19 |
|
2020 |
118 |
12 |
|
2021 |
190 |
29 |
|
2022 |
116 |
19 |
|
2023 |
89 |
* |
|
2024 |
123 |
15 |
|
2025 |
176 |
* |
* Indicates a number of incidents of fewer than 10
An Garda Síochána have advised that, when the suspected offence of Sale of Intoxicating Liquor to Under 18 Year Olds is detected during a Test Purchasing, that incident is recorded as Sale of Intoxicating Liquor to Under 18 Year Olds rather than a Test Purchasing.
The table below provides the number of charges and summons linked to incidents of Sale of Intoxicating Liquor to Under 18 Years Old, where the operation Test Purchasing of Intoxicating Liquor was used.
|
Year |
Number of charges and summons issued |
|
2016 |
15 |
|
2017 |
17 |
|
2018 |
11 |
|
2019 |
42 |
|
2020 |
* |
|
2021 |
20 |
|
2022 |
18 |
|
2023 |
12 |
|
2024 |
* |
|
2025 |
* |
* Indicates a number of incidents of fewer than 10.
All figures provided in the above tables are based on data as was available in the PULSE database on 18 February 2026, are operational and are subject to change.
By law, criminal investigations are carried out by An Garda Síochána, who submit a report to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP). The DPP decides whether a prosecution should proceed, and what crime will be prosecuted.
The DPP is fully independent in her functions under the Prosecution of Offences Act 1974 (as amended). The Office of the DPP is not an agency or body under my remit. As Minister for Justice and I have no role in the operations, functions, oversight or governance of the Office of the Director. As such I am unable to provide any information related to the work of the DPP.
Management of the courts, operational matters and logistical functions are the responsibility of the judiciary and Courts Service, which are independent in exercising their functions under the Courts Service Act 1998 and the Constitution.
The collation of data on convictions, acquittals, struck-out or withdrawn cases is a function of the courts.
The Courts Service has a dedicated email address for the provision of information to members of the Houses of the Oireachtas: oireachtasenquiries@courts.ie
436. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if a person residing in Ireland permanently on a Stamp 3 (details supplied) can apply for a Stamp 4 in order to enable her to access supports in her old age; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13568/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can advise the Deputy that it is open to any person to apply for a change of immigration status if they meet the criteria for doing so. Detailed information on how to change an immigration status is available on my Department's Immigration Service website at: www.irishimmigration.ie/registering-your-immigration-permission/changing-your-immigration-permission/
Each application is considered on its own individual merits. To be fair to all applicants, applications are dealt with in strict chronological order that they are received. The Domestic Residence and Permissions Division endeavour to process applications as quickly as possible. However, processing times may vary due to a number of factors, such as the number of applications on hand, individual circumstances, the complexity of an application and whether or not further information is required.
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.
437. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of newly qualified Gardaí allocated to County Roscommon in each of the past five years, in tabular form. [13633/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra438. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to provide real-time figures for the number of Garda staff allocated and at work in Garda stations (details supplied). [13634/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra439. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to provide the amount of overtime paid for Gardaí in County Roscommon in each of the last five years, in tabular form. [13635/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 437 to 439, inclusive, together.
The Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána under Section 33 of the Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024, which includes the distribution and stationing of Garda personnel throughout the State.
An Garda Síochána publishes information in relation to the allocation of Gardaí, Garda Staff and Probationer Gardaí by Station and Division. This includes a breakdown for the Mayo/Roscommon/Longford Division.
This information can be found at the following link: www.garda.ie/en/about-us/our-departments/human-resources-and-people-development/garda-hr-directorate/garda-strength-breakdown-2025/
The Deputy should select the most recently available date and then select the file titled ‘Garda Staff by Division to the most recent date" for a breakdown of Garda Staff by Division and Station going back to 2010.
To find the information in relation to the allocation of Probationer Gardaí by Division and Station, the Deputy should access the file titled “Allocation of Probationer Gardaí by Division and Station 2015 to the most recent date” for a breakdown of total Probationer Garda numbers by Garda station going back to 2015.
To find information in relation to the allocation of Gardaí by Division and Station, the Deputy should access the file titled “Garda members by Division, District, Station 2009 to the most recent date” for a breakdown of total number of Gardaí by Garda station going back to 2009.
An Garda Síochána also publish data on the overtime payments made to members of An Garda Síochána. This data can be found at the following link: www.garda.ie/en/information-centre/freedom-of-information/publication-scheme/budgets-and-spending/overtime-reports.
The Deputy should note that An Garda Síochána is structured on a divisional level and not on the basis of county boundaries. As such information on overtime spending is broken down on a divisional basis. In addition it should be noted that an Garda Síochána do not police on a station basis, but rather on a divisional basis, and see stations as locations within communities for people to attend, and for resources to be accommodated. Policing for an area will be delivered using all resources in a Community Engagement Area and supported by divisional resources and units.
