Written Answers Nos. 148-172
148. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport to provide an update on the strategy and development of Ireland’s 6G network; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15507/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra6G, or the sixth-generation of mobile communications technology, will be the next evolution of radio and mobile networking systems, building upon the foundation laid by 5G. The introduction into service of 6G services is not anticipated until 2030 at the earliest.
In the interim, mobile network operators are continuing to roll out 5G-based networks which are offering consumers faster speeds and new services. The introduction of 5G Stand Alone networks, which are a stepping stone towards 6G networks, is also progressing. Government has supported this through the OGCIO’s development of a National Low Latency Platform built around the latest 5G capabilities.
The provision of mobile telephony services, whether 3G, 4G, 5G, or, in time, 6G is undertaken by telecommunications service providers operating in a fully liberalised market under licences provided by the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg).
My Department participates in the work of the European Union’s Radio Spectrum Policy Group (RSPG), a high-level advisory group that assists the European Commission in the development of radio spectrum policy. The RSPG provides advice to the European Commission in the form of opinions and reports.
In its February 2025 Opinion on a Strategic Vision for 6G, the RSPG noted that 6G is more than just a new generation for higher data speeds - it is expected to bring possibilities for new innovations and services compared to 4G and 5G. The RSPG identified the limited new spectrum resources that could be made available to support the launch of 6G, including reuse of current harmonised Mobile phone and Broadband spectrum. Among the potential new spectrum resources is the Upper 6GHz band, which had been identified as potentially suitable for 6G.
In its November 2025 Opinion on the Upper 6GHz band, the RSPG considered the current and future uses of the upper 6GHz band, noting that shared use of the band by various systems and technologies may provide the maximum long-term societal benefits. In that Opinion, it recommended that some spectrum in the Upper 6GHz Band be used for 6G where there is demand and such use would be possible on a shared basis with existing uses.
Subsequent to the work on the February 2025 Opinion on a Strategic Vision for 6G, the RSPG commenced work on preparing a 6G Spectrum Roadmap. At its February 2026 meeting the RSPG issued a draft Opinion on a 6G Spectrum Roadmap for public consultation. In the current draft, the RSPG reiterates its opinion that 6G can be implemented in all the frequency bands currently used for mobile phone systems. It proposes that the upper 6GHz band would be the primary band suitable for the introduction of 6G in Europe by 2030, subject to market demand. The RSPG called on equipment manufacturers to develop equipment supporting 6G technology within these bands. The RSPG also encourages mobile network operators to plan the migration of their networks to 6G in line with their market strategies, consumer demands and the availability of relevant equipment.
149. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport whether he has implemented a public warning system to send mass alerts to the public in the case of natural disasters such as floods, as required by Article 110 of the European Electronic Communication Code; to explain his choice of technology to deliver this warning system; and whether any tests of the system have yet been carried out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15577/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland gives effect to Article 110 through Regulation 93A of SI 444 of 2022, which provides that I, as Minister, may direct mobile network operators to transmit a public warning via SMS to end-users of their services in the event of an imminent or developing major emergency or disaster. This provision has not been tested.
While the regulation meets the needs of the Directive, the effectiveness of distributing public warning via SMS is impacted by network capacity, congestion and SMS character limits.
Government intends to establish a cell broadcast public warning system (CB-PWS) for transmitting public warning messages. Cell broadcast is an effective technology for distributing public warning messages and it utilised in many other jurisdictions. CB-PWS messages are not impacted by the same issues as SMS and can be sent to mobile phone users in a specific geographic area.
To implement the CB-PWS system my department is working closely with the Department of Defence and other stakeholders.
An advisory service was procured in Q3 2024 which has enabled my Department to develop technical specifications and recommendations in relation to this project.
Pending Government approval of these recommendations it is anticipated to begin procurement for the PWS technical solution in 2026, with full testing and implementation of the CB-PWS in 2027.
This will allow the PWS to become part of existing emergency communications structures that are already in place and, in the appropriate circumstances, it will be another channel to provide information to the public among those already existing, such as social media, TV and radio.
150. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport his plan to address broadband urban blackspots, as committed to in the Programme for Government; whether he has yet carried out a pilot study; whether he has chosen a method of subsidy to address this issue; when he expects to complete the delivery of gigabit broadband to urban Ireland, given that rural Ireland should be completed in 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15578/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Broadband Plan (NBP) is the Government initiative to deliver high-speed broadband to all premises in Ireland. In addition, Ireland's Digital Connectivity Strategy published in December 2022, sets out a number of targets including that all Irish households and businesses will be covered by a Gigabit network no later than 2028.
National Broadband Ireland (NBI) advises that they are on track to complete the deployment of high speed broadband to more that 568,000 premises by the end of 2026. NBI has passed 451,557 premises across 26 counties, is connecting approximately 4,500 premises to its fibre network per month with 165,869 premises already connected to the NBP high-speed network. Further details are available on specific areas which can be monitored via https://nbi.ie/reps/. NBI has a dedicated email address, reps@nbi.ie, which can be used by Oireachtas members for specific queries.
Alongside the NBP intervention contract, commercial operators continue to upgrade their networks throughout the State to primarily urban areas and contribute materially to achieving the Digital Connectivity Strategy targets. Commercial operators have indicated that their networks will be upgraded to all urban areas by 2028.
The Department is continuing to monitor these upgrades to ensure any unnecessary barriers to this investment are addressed so that the risk of any potential blackspots is mitigated. These measures include making the processes to access existing infrastructure easier and ensuring new housing developments are designed to facilitate telecommunications connectivity from the outset.
151. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport to set out the policy in his Department regarding the use of artificial intelligence; whether AI is used or permitted in drawing up policy documents, speeches, answers to parliamentary questions, press releases or for other official documents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15611/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is guided by relevant legislation, policies and the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) in respect of all matters related to the use or operation of artificial intelligence. All applications and platforms used or operated by my Department must be in line with relevant policies and be consistent with advice provided by the NCSC.
Neither I nor officials from my Department have used artificial intelligence to draw up policy documents, speeches, answers to parliamentary questions, press releases or for other official documents in the period since I took office as Minister on 23 January 2025.
152. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the updated average cost for retrofitting a social housing unit as part of the national retrofitting scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15280/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Energy Efficiency Retrofit Programme (EERP) aims to support the retrofit local authority homes to a minimum BER B2. It is expected that 36,500 local authority owned homes will be retrofitted under this programme out to 2030. Some €140 million is being provided under the 2026 Programme, supporting the retrofit of approximately 3,500 homes. Local authorities will be advised in the coming weeks of their respective allocations.
Ultimately, the cost of retrofitting works on each home will depend on the pre-works BER. In this regard, the programme affords local authorities flexibility when selecting properties to retrofit, ranging from those requiring minor levels of works to properties needing the maximum level of retrofitting required to bring them to a B2 standard. Local authorities are asked to ensure the average cost per home drawn down under the programme for 2026 is circa €40,000, including project management fees. Adhering to this average ensures the maximum number of homes can be retrofitted within the available budget.
For 2025, the average cost per property was circa €34,000.
An annualised breakdown of the units retrofitted is available on my Department's website at the following links:
www.gov.ie/en/publication/668c1-energy-efficiency-retrofitting-programme-expenditure-output/.
www.gov.ie/en/publication/b86b3-midlands-energy-retrofit-programme-expenditure-and-units/.
Full details in relation to delivery under the 2025 EERP will be published across all local authorities on the above links presently.
153. Deputy Ciarán Ahern asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide details of all occasions in which he or his predecessors exercised the power conferred on them under Section 15(3) of the Climate Action & Low Carbon Development Act (2015), which states that ‘the relevant Minister may, from time to time, give a direction to a relevant body requiring it to adopt such measures as are specified in the direction for the purposes of compliance by the relevant body with subsection (1)’; to provide the details of the direction given in all cases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15246/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested is being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy in accordance with Standing Orders.
154. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the way in which local authorities will assist in delivering START programme projects in Kildare north, particularly in the Clane-Maynooth area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14770/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn terms of planning and development, the Maynooth and Environs Joint Local Area Plan 2025 - 2031 was adopted by both Kildare County Council and Meath County Council in February 2025 and places a significant focus on climate action.
It is an objective of the plan to support applications for all climate action projects in Maynooth under the Climate Action Fund, the Community Climate Action programme, the Just Transition Fund (JTF) and all other relevant funding streams. The implementation of this objective at local level is a matter for the relevant planning authorities who are independent in the performance of their functions.
The Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment (DCEE) leads on the JTF at national level, while the Eastern and Midland Regional Assembly (EMRA) is the Managing Authority. Pobal is responsible for administering the START scheme in collaboration with DCEE and EMRA. Further information on the START scheme was recently published by my colleague the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment and can be accessed at the following link:
www.gov.ie/en/department-of-climate-energy-and-the-environment/press-releases/minister-obrien-announces-new-funding-of-almost-35-million-to-underpin-climate-action-in-our-communities/.
155. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if considering his recent media comments about getting families out of homeless accommodation and preventing families from entering homelessness, the measures he is taking to ensure this happens; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15378/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraSupporting individuals and families experiencing or at risk of experiencing homelessness is a priority for my Department and Government.
Our new housing plan, ‘Delivering Homes, Building Communities: An Action Plan on Housing Supply and Targeting Homelessness’ is an integrated housing and homelessness plan. The new plan is based on two key pillars: activating the supply of 300,000 more homes; and supporting people to have a home of their own.
Increased supply is key to addressing homelessness. Government is focused on making sure that everyone has access to good quality, affordable and secure homes that suit their needs. Over €9 billion in capital funding will be made available for housing in 2026.
Our new Plan recognises that homelessness is the single most pressing social issue that we face and introduces a number of key measures to address homelessness.
Prevention of homelessness in the first instance is an absolute priority. There are many preventions initiatives already underway in my own Department and across Government. This includes the provision of social and affordable housing, HAP and homeless HAP, and our strong tenancy protection legislation. In order to ensure a fully aligned all-of-Government approach under the Plan, we are committing to develop a national Homelessness Prevention Framework within which homelessness can be prevented in a structured and planned way with tailored prevention measures for each potential at risk cohort. This Framework will be in place in 2026.
Addressing family homelessness is another key priority for Government. Our new housing plan commits to the development of a Child and Family Homelessness Action Plan. This will bring together key stakeholders to drive the continued focus on preventing children and families entering emergency accommodation, providing enhanced supports for children experiencing homelessness, as well as measures to accelerate exits and reduce the time spent by children and their families in homeless emergency accommodation. Consultations with key stakeholders are currently underway and it is anticipated that the Child and Family Homelessness Action Plan will be published by end of Q2 2026.
Budget 2026 provides a total allocation of €563.5m to address homelessness. This includes €513.5m in current funding to ensure local authorities can provide sufficient emergency accommodation as well as essential related services including homelessness prevention supports, day services, and tenancy sustainment measures. Additionally, €50 million in capital funding will allow local authorities to invest in the provision of local authority or NGO owned emergency accommodation facilities, developing a more sustainable approach to the delivery of emergency accommodation and ensuring that services are tailored for the needs of clients. Our new Housing Plan also provides dedicated capital funding of €100 million which will be ring-fenced to support local authorities to acquire properties to tackle long-term homelessness. It will be used specifically to acquire suitable units to exit families the longest in emergency accommodation and for Housing First, units for individuals with complex needs experiencing homelessness.
156. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when homeowners who have spent money since March 2024 under the defective concrete block grant scheme will be reimbursed up to the new maximum cap, following the passing of recent legislation. [15384/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Remediation of Dwellings Damaged by the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks (Amendment) Bill 2025 was initiated in Dáil Eireann on 2 December 2025, passed both Houses of the Oireachtas and was subsequently signed into law by the President, thereby becoming an Act, on the 23 December 2025.
The main provision of the DCB (Amendment) Act 2025 provides that increases in the grant scheme cap and rates from October and November 2024 can retrospectively benefit homeowners that incurred qualifying costs under the grant scheme since 29 March 2024.
I have signed the Remediation of Dwellings Damaged by the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks (Amendment) Act 2025 (Commencement) Order 2026 to give effect to these provisions which come into operation on 25 February 2026 with the related Regulations also adopted on 25 February 2026.
Qualifying homeowners will now be able to apply to their designated local authority to have a new remediation option grant amount determined.
157. Deputy Noel McCarthy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his attention has been drawn to situations where property sales cannot be completed in estates where the owners’ management company is no longer active or compliant and no letter of intent can yet be provided for the future remediation of the local developer-provided wastewater infrastructure; the measures his Department is taking to address such instances; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15385/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraOwners' Management Companies (OMCs) are regulated by the Multi-Unit Developments Act, 2011 (MUDS Act). At present, the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration and his Department continue to have responsibility for the MUDs Act and for oversight of OMCs and related regulations.
The Programme for Government committed to moving the responsibility for the MUDS Act to my Department to streamline support for OMCs and improve oversight. A timeline for the transfer of functions from the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration is currently being advanced. Engagement between our Departments is ongoing to ensure this happens in a well-managed and efficient manner.
158. Deputy Edward Timmins asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if plans have been reviewed for responding to extreme weather events; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12522/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraLocal authorities are designated as the lead agencies for coordinating a response to flooding and severe weather emergencies. All local authorities have an established Severe Weather Assessment Team in place, monitoring Met Éireann’s weather warnings, High Tide Advisories and the European Flood Awareness System (EFAS) advisory warnings. Local authorities also have Severe Weather/ Flood Plans in place to support the response to weather emergencies.
As the Lead Government Department for coordinating responses to severe weather, my Department's National Directorate for Fire & Emergency Management (NDFEM) co-ordinate the ‘whole-of-Government’ response to this severe weather event through the National Emergency Co-ordination Group (NECG). The NDFEM work closely with local authority Severe Weather Assessment Teams, Met Éireann, other Departments and responding agencies.
Our local authorities are to the forefront of the response to high impact severe weather events. Their collective response capacity, combined with the support of all Government Departments and key agencies, co-ordinated through the NECG is a well-rehearsed response mechanism that works effectively.
My Department undertakes a review following any activation of the NECG. The key objective of such reviews is to enhance our coordination mechanisms and our preparedness, endeavouring to improve co-ordination.
Following Storm Éowyn, my Department through the NDFEM, undertook a review of NECG response that was circulated to the Government Task Force on Emergency Planning (under the Department of Defence) and submitted to Government. This review is published at
www.gov.ie/en/department-of-housing-local-government-and-heritage/publications/review-of-storm-%C3%A9owyn/.
The NDFEM updated the Government Task Force on Emergency Planning on the recommendations for which this Department is responsible in January 2026.
In 2025, all local authorities were requested to submit their severe weather and flood plans to the NDFEM. These plans were reviewed and a workshop was held on severe weather planning Q4 2025, attended by all local authorities. This workshop addressed good practice in relation to the development of severe weather plans.
Following from Storm Éowyn, a framework for the establishment of Community Support Centres, when required, was identified as a key priority for this Department. A guide was developed in conjunction with the local authority sector and is in place. Community Support Centres were activated in Donegal in the aftermath of Storm Amy and in Aughrim and Enniscorthy following Storm Chandra. These Community Support Centres (CSCs) provide a vital focal point in the community where people can gather, charge phones, get hot drinks and food and receive information and advice. My Department is supporting an initiative by the Department of Rural & Community Development & Gaeltacht for the provision of mobile generators to ensure that CSCs can continue to operate during prolonged power outages.
159. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will confirm if Wicklow County Council have been given a budget for tenant-in-situ applications and if it is available for new applications (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15392/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe parameters of the 2026 Second Hand Acquisitions Programme, including individual local authority allocations and the amounts targeting the programme's priorities, will be formally notified to individual local authorities in the coming weeks.
In the meantime, I can advise that €6m will be available to Wicklow County Council to draw down under the programme this year. Moreover, around €1.8 million can be committed in respect of acquisitions commenced this year but likely to only complete and draw down from the Department in 2027.
Local authorities have delegated sanction to pursue individual priority acquisitions without recourse to my Department, where these acquisitions are in line with the broad parameters and criteria of the Second Hand Acquisitions Programme. In such cases, the decision to progress an acquisition or otherwise, is solely a matter for the local authority in question.
Notably, such acquisitions are, and will continue to be available to local authorities for use as a last resort when all other options have been exhausted. They will never be the sole option, and the default first options should almost always be the retention of the tenancy where possible, an alternative private rented tenancy, or the tenancy of a local authority or Approved Housing Body social home. There is no application process for landlords and tenants for tenant in situ acquisitions. Tenant in situ is a last resort policy tool available to local authorities when no other options are available.
Ultimately, delivery of new additional social homes is the only strategic solution to address long-term homelessness, with allocations from new and existing local authority and AHB social homes the primary means through which social housing qualified households should be accommodated. With the social housing new build programme gathering momentum and providing more social housing, this will allow for a reduced reliance on the second hand acquisitions programme over the coming years.
160. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to address an issue raised in correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15425/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Remediation of Dwellings Damaged by the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks Act 2022 (the Act) commenced on 22 June 2023 which contains the current grant scheme and the related Regulations were adopted on 29 June 2023.
The Housing Agency act as agents on behalf of the local authorities under the Grant Scheme. Applications received by a designated local authority are referred to the Housing Agency to review the ‘Building Condition Assessment’ (BCA) report and determine if the home has met the ‘damage threshold’ for entry to the scheme.
Once a home has met the damage threshold for entry to the scheme, the Housing Agency appoint an authorised officer for the purposes of conducting an assessment, sampling, testing and categorisation of dwellings on a priority basis in accordance with the national standard IS 465:2018 to enable the Housing Agency to determine the appropriate remediation option and grant amount.
With regard to the insurance aspects of underwriting houses that have been subject to certified remediation works Insurance Ireland have confirmed to my Department that in general terms, once remediation is complete, Insurance Ireland members would consider the provision of standard household cover at standard terms.
161. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an update on the drafting and publication of revised wind farm guidelines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15427/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is currently undertaking a focused review of the 2006 Wind Energy Development Guidelines which will inform a new National Planning Statement on Wind Energy under the new Planning and Development Act 2024. The review is addressing a number of key aspects of the Guidelines including noise, setback distance, shadow flicker, community obligation, community dividend and grid connections.
National Planning Statements replace Ministerial guidelines, often referred to as section 28 of the Act of 2000 and are subject to environmental screening and assessment and require approval by Government, such is the central importance of planning matters to delivery of objectives across a wide range of areas.
My Department, in conjunction with the Department of the Climate, Environment, and Energy (DCEE) which has primary responsibility for environmental noise matters, has been working to advance guidance on the noise aspect of the draft National Planning Statement, which is highly technical in nature. This work is now substantially complete. In addition to work on the noise aspects of the National Planning Statement, the evolving policy and technical context including the new Planning and Development Act 2024 and the revision of the National Planning Framework reinforces the need to ensure that the finalised National Planning Statement, once issued, is fit for purpose.
In line with EU Directive requirements, a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) will be carried out on the draft National Planning Statement as part of the review process. In this regard, my Department intends to undertake a public consultation on the updated draft NPS as part of the SEA process whereby all interested parties will have an opportunity to submit observations on the draft National Planning Statement. Finalised National Planning Statements will be prepared following detailed analysis and consideration of the submissions received during the consultation phase.
My Department is working towards concluding the finalisation of the National Planning Statement having regard to the intended public consultation and the impact of associated reforms and reviews including the revision of the NPF. The current 2006 Wind Energy Development Guidelines remain in force, pending the finalisation of the review.
162. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if and when he became aware that the HSE 2017 position paper; Wind Turbines and Public Health had been withdrawn; if he is aware that developers continue to rely on this now-withdrawn document in planning applications; the steps he will take to address the resulting regulatory gap to maintain public confidence in the planning process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15430/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe status of the stated position paper is an operational matter for the Health Service Executive.
Proposals for individual wind energy developments are subject to the statutory requirements of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, and the Planning and Development Act 2024, as amended, in the same manner as other proposed developments, with planning applications made to the relevant local planning authority, or An Coimisiún Pleanála in the first instance. In making a decision on a planning application for a wind energy development, a planning authority must consider the specific merits or otherwise of the application, in line with the proper planning and sustainable development of the area, having regard to the provisions of the development plan including any zoning objectives, any submissions or observations received from the public and the statutory consultees, and any relevant Ministerial or Government policies, including the Wind Energy Guidelines 2006, issued by the Department.
It is open to any member of the public to make an observation or submission on a planning application, including in relation to wind energy developments, and the planning authority is statutorily obliged to consider such submissions before making a decision on the application. Persons who make submissions are also entitled to be notified of any significant further information provided to the planning authority by the applicant and to be notified of the authority’s decision on the application.
A focused review of the 2006 Wind Energy Development Guidelines is underway as part of the development a new National Planning Statement on Wind Energy under the new Planning and Development Act 2024. The National Planning Statement will address key aspects of the Guidelines including noise, setback distance, shadow flicker, community obligation, community dividend and grid connections. My Department is working towards concluding the finalisation of the National Planning Statement having regard to the intended public consultation and the impact of associated reforms and reviews including the revision of the NPF. The current 2006 Wind Energy Development Guidelines remain in force, pending the finalisation of the review.
163. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to set out the policy in his Department regarding the use of artificial intelligence; whether AI is used or permitted in drawing up policy documents, speeches, answers to parliamentary questions, press releases or for other official documents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15621/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department does not currently use any Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies in drawing up policy documents, speeches, answers to parliamentary questions, press releases or for other official documents.
My Department previously completed a proof of concept with EY on the viability of using AI, with Microsoft Co-Pilot on housing data. The lessons learned from this pilot project will be utilised in the future. At present we are finalising an AI policy that outlines the framework for the legal, secure and responsible use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) within the Department.
164. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will review correspondence (details supplied) and address the question referred therein; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15210/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraWithin the social welfare system, there are a number of supports for people who suffer a bereavement. In particular, there is an arrangement known as the six-weeks payment after death which allows for certain payments to continue to be made after a person dies. However it only applies where the deceased had a surviving spouse, civil partner or cohabitant and therefore does not apply in this instance
Any arrears of Bereaved Partner's Pension due up to date of death are paid to the executor of the estate or the person who paid the funeral bill. Arrears have now issued to the person concerned and payment was lodged into her bank account on the 20th February 2026. A letter to that effect has issued to the person concerned.
There is an additional needs payment that is available to people who are responsible for funeral expenses, which they cannot meet from their own financial resources. Any person who considers they may have an entitlement is encouraged to contact their local community welfare service. There is a National Community Welfare Contact Centre in place - 0818-607080 - which will direct callers to the appropriate office.
I trust the above clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
165. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Social Protection the measures he will take to address concerns regarding cross contamination making school meals unsuitable for coeliac children; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15224/26]
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 Department of Education and Youth School Meals Procurement Unit (SPU) with the support of the Interdepartmental Working Group on School Meals developed mandatory procurement documentation for the Hot School Meals Programme.
Under the School Meals Programme, the primary relationship is between the school and supplier. My department provides the funding for the meals directly to the school and it is the responsibility of each school board to administer the Programme in their school including handling the procurement process. The Schools Procurement Unit under the Department of Education and Youth, provides guidance to schools for all procurements including the School Meals Programme.
Food cross-contamination in respect of food allergies and food intolerances including but not limited to: lactose-free, gluten-free, etc is dealt with as part of the award criteria under Sub- Criterion B.2.C. With all contract management there are Key Performance Indicators built into the contract between the school and the supplier and these cover coeliacs and those with food intolerances and allergies including gluten-free.
The Food Safety Authority of Ireland, as Ireland’s independent regulator and the central competent authority for the enforcement of food safety legislation provide advice on the mandatory labelling requirements for foods the require specific allergen and intolerance labelling which can be found on their website [Food Hypersensitivity - Food Allergy and Intolerance | Food Safety Authority of Ireland] (www.fsai.ie/enforcement-and-legislation/legislation/food-legislation/food-information-fic-(labelling)/food-hypersensitivity-food-allergy-and-intolerance).
The Food Safety Authority of Ireland deals with enforcement procedures in instances of non-compliance with food law by any food business operator in Ireland.
Under the Programme for Government, I will continue to improve the Free Hot School Meals programme and ensure that suppliers adhere to robust guidelines on the nutritional value of meals, the dietary requirements of students, the reduction of food waste and the use of recyclable packaging.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
166. Deputy Ciarán Ahern asked the Minister for Social Protection to provide details of all occasions in which he or his predecessors exercised the power conferred on them under Section 15(3) of the Climate Action & Low Carbon Development Act (2015), which states that ‘the relevant Minister may, from time to time, give a direction to a relevant body requiring it to adopt such measures as are specified in the direction for the purposes of compliance by the relevant body with subsection (1)’; to provide the details of the direction given in all cases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15250/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere have been no instances in which the power provided under Section 15(3) of the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act (2015) has been formally exercised by me or my predecessors.
My Department continues to meet its climate action responsibilities through established governance and reporting arrangements. This includes compliance with the Public Sector Climate Action Mandate, the preparation and publication of a Climate Action Roadmap in line with guidance from the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment, and participation in the annual monitoring and reporting processes coordinated by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI).
The Department remains fully committed to progressing decarbonisation and energy-efficiency measures across its operations and bodies under its aegis, consistent with national climate objectives and the wider public sector targets.
167. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons in receipt of the fuel allowance; the number of applications for fuel allowance; the number of refusals for the fuel allowance over the past three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15279/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFuel Allowance is a payment to help support households with heating costs over the winter months. From January 2026, the rate of Fuel Allowance increased by €5 to €38 per week. Fuel Allowance is paid as an additional allowance on top of an existing claim. Due to the way the operational systems of my Department work, it is not possible to report on applications for Fuel Allowance. Recipients of Fuel Allowance for each of the last three years is set out in the table below.
|
- |
2024 |
2025 |
Jan 2026 |
|
Fuel Allowance Recipients |
402,445 |
409,721 |
409,865 |
168. Deputy Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding any product or services purchased from Canada by his Department in 2025, broken down by description and amount paid. [15337/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe acquisition of goods and services by the Department of Social Protection complies with all relevant national legislation, including EU Directives, and with Office of Government Procurement (OGP) guidelines. Procurement procedures are kept under constant review to ensure that they are line with best practice, guidance and the legal framework.
Details of all contracts awarded (in Ireland and internationally) in 2025 over €25,000 and all Purchase Orders for €20,000 and above are published quarterly in arrears on the Gov.ie website at: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-social-protection/organisation-information/department-of-social-protection-policy-on-procurement/#what-we-purchase.
169. Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will consider additional funding for Citizens Information Services so they can hire additional staff to meet the significant unmet demand for the service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15354/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Citizens Information Board (CIB) is the statutory body, under the aegis of my Department, that is responsible for supporting the provision of information, advice (including money and budgeting advice) and advocacy services on a wide range of public and social services.
CIB delivers on this remit through providing some services directly and through funding a number of companies, including eight regional companies of the Citizens Information Service (CIS).
Each CIS is an independent limited company overseen by a voluntary Board of Directors and each company makes decisions independently on the delivery of services in their own regions.
The Citizens Information Service delivery companies currently provide information, advice and advocacy services through 89 Citizens Information Centres, along with 20 outreach services which includes a virtual Citizens Information Centre in Wicklow library. In addition, there are 7 prison outreach services provided by the Citizens Information Services.
There are currently 216.12 Whole Time Equivalent (WTE) positions across the 8 regions in the CIS, in addition there are currently 180 volunteers and 173 employment scheme participants across the service.
CIB has been allocated Exchequer funding of €69.432m in 2026 by my Department, which represents an increase of €2.88m from €66.543m in 2025.
CIB have included a total of €18.3m to the eight CIS regional companies and €1.56m to the Citizens Information Phone Service (CIPS) for 2026.
I acknowledge and value the important work carried out by the Citizens Information Service (CIS) in providing people with independent information, advice and advocacy services.
CIB submit their annual funding requirements to the Department through the yearly annual estimates process. The CIS should submit any additional staffing resources to CIB for inclusion in the estimates submission. This submission forms part of the Department’s overall budget request to the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation.
170. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Social Protection to intervene to ensure that no individuals are penalised as a result of a partner being granted the basic income for the artists (details supplied) for instance by causing a disqualification for disability allowance [15372/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Social Protection provides a suite of income supports for those who are unable to work due to illness or disability.
Disability Allowance is a means-tested social assistance payment for people with a disability who are aged between 16 and 66. In order to be eligible the disability must be expected to last for at least one year and the person must satisfy a habitual residency condition.
Social welfare legislation provides that for means-tested social assistance schemes, including Disability Allowance, all income and assets belonging to the claimant, and his or her spouse or partner where applicable, are assessable for means-testing purposes. A person's home is not included in the means assessment. The purpose of the means test is to ensure that resources are directed to those with the greatest need.
My Department treats income from pilot Basic Income for the Arts Scheme as income from self-employment for the purpose of its various means tests. We will treat income from the forthcoming new scheme in the same way. This means that where a scheme includes a disregard of a certain amount of income from self-employment, that disregard will be applied to income from the Basic Income for the Arts Scheme.
People on Disability Allowance and Blind Pension can take up employment or self-employment and continue to receive all or part of their payment, depending on their income. A person can earn up to €165 a week and keep their full rate payment. Earnings between €165 and €375 are assessed at 50%, and any earnings over €375 are fully assessed as means. This means that people can earn up to €165 per week and keep their payment in full and can earn up to €527.60 per week and keep a portion of their payment.
If a person’s spouse, civil partner, or cohabitant works, their ‘net’ weekly earnings from work as an employee are assessed as follows:
• €20 per day, up to a maximum of €60, from work is deducted from their spouse, civil partner or cohabitant’s average net weekly earnings; and
• 60% of the balance is assessed as weekly means.
In addition, Disability Allowance has one of the highest capital disregards operated by the Department of Social Protection. A recipient can have up to €50,000 in savings and still receive the full rate of payment. This is compared to €20,000 for most social welfare payments. A person’s family home is not assessed as means.
Over the last five budgets the Government has progressively improved payment rates and income disregards for disabled people. The weekly payment rates for Disability Allowance have increased by €51 in that time. The earnings disregard has increased by almost 38% since Budget 2021 from €120 to €165 currently.
I trust this clarifies the issue for the Deputy.
171. Deputy Shay Brennan asked the Minister for Social Protection if stamps from taxable employment earned under employment by Posts and Telegraph, then Eir, that class D stamp can be looked at in retirement, to qualify for optical and dental treatments. [15381/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraPrior to 6 April 1995, civil and public servants did not have access to the full range of social insurance benefits as their terms of employment protected them against the main contingencies of illness and old age, and the risk of unemployment was not considered a factor due to the nature of their employment.
Civil and public sector employees recruited prior to 6 April 1995 pay social insurance contributions at modified rates under PRSI classes B, C and D. Amongst the class B contributors are permanent and pensionable civil servants and Gardaí; the class C contributors are commissioned army officers and members of the army nursing service; and the class D contributors include permanent and pensionable employees in the public service, other than those insured at classes B and C.
Consequently, such contributors pay less in social insurance contributions in return for fewer social insurance benefits. For example, class D contributors currently pay a contribution at the rate of 1.1% on their weekly earnings up to €1,443 and 4.2% on weekly earnings over that amount; their employers pay a contribution of 2.55% on all employee earnings. Class D contributors are currently entitled to Bereaved Person's (Contributory) Pension, Guardian's Payment (Contributory), Occupational Injuries Benefits, Parent's Benefit and Carer's Benefit. Modified contributors are not entitled to dental and optical benefits under the Treatment Benefit scheme.
In contrast, civil and public servants recruited from 6 April 1995 pay a higher social insurance contribution of 4.2% under PRSI class A on their weekly earnings; their employers pay a contribution of 9%, where employees’ weekly earnings are €552 or less, and 11.25% where their employees’ weekly earnings exceed €552. Class A contributors have access to the full range of social insurance benefits. To qualify for social insurance benefits, a person must meet the scheme's qualifying conditions, in particular, that they have paid a specific number of social insurance contributions at applicable PRSI classes within relevant tax years.
My Department keeps its schemes and supports under ongoing review. I have no plans at this time to change the current Treatment Benefit scheme rules to facilitate access by modified contributors. Any changes to the current position would need to be considered in an overall policy and budgetary context.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
172. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of employers and employees, who have benefited from the wage subsidy scheme to support employment of those with disabilities for each year from 2016 to 2025 inclusive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15504/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Wage Subsidy Scheme is a key disability employment support offered by my Department. It aims to encourage employers to offer substantial and sustainable employment to disabled people through a subsidy. In January 2026, there were 2,613 employees supported through the Wage Subsidy Scheme and 1,546 employers availing of the scheme. Expenditure on the scheme in 2025 is estimated to have been €22.1 million.
The table below shows the number of employers and employees who benefited from the Wage Subsidy Scheme for each year from 2016 to 2025.
|
Year |
WSS Employers |
WSS Employees |
|
2016 |
1,568 |
2,584 |
|
2017 |
1,769 |
2,869 |
|
2018 |
1,880 |
3,074 |
|
2019 |
1,979 |
2,881 |
|
2020 |
1,895 |
2,942 |
|
2021 |
1,345 |
2,327 |
|
2022 |
1,538 |
2,539 |
|
2023 |
1,522 |
2,451 |
|
2024 |
1,504 |
2,466 |
|
2025 |
1,551 |
2,626 |
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
