Written Answers Nos. 400-419
400. Deputy James Geoghegan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide an update on the most recent Local Democracy Taskforce meeting; if he can provide an update on the publication of its final report, including any emerging themes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16107/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Local Democracy Taskforce was established in June 2025 as a key commitment in the Programme for Government. The Terms of Reference for the Taskforce set out an ambitious and detailed work programme, expected to give rise to a series of reforms in the local government sector.
I understand that the Taskforce, which is independent in its work, held its ninth meeting on 25 February 2026. The Taskforce is supported by Pillar Groups made up of stakeholders from across the sector that provide subject matter expertise and advice to the Taskforce around the themes of Funding, Structures, Functions and Governance and Accountability arrangements across the sector. These Pillar Groups have met on various occasions between the main Taskforce meetings.
As part of the work of the Taskforce, a stakeholder consultation process took place. 78 organisations provided submissions for the Taskforces consideration. The total list of organisations contacted along with the stakeholder submissions received by the Taskforce is available on my Department's website at the following address:
www.gov.ie/en/department-of-housing-local-government-and-heritage/publications/local-democracy-taskforce-stakeholder-consultation-submissions/
The Taskforce is now in the process of finalising its recommendations, in line with the timeline in its Terms of Reference. It is expected that the final report will be submitted to me in March 2026.
401. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his response to concerns (details supplied) regarding changes in residential tenancy laws; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16128/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI note that a representation, reference no. HPLG-MBO-00868-2026, regarding the same query has been referred to my Department by the Department of the Taoiseach. A direct reply will issue shortly.
402. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he can provide an update on consideration of buying homes in the Connemara area (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16129/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe sites in Connemara referred to were originally to be developed by a local Approved Housing Body for social housing purposes. However, the developments failed to progress due to extenuating circumstances.
Feasibility studies and cost reports have since been carried out by Galway County Council with regard to determining the best path forward with both sites, including the scope to bring them into use as much needed social housing.
My Department has assessed the reports and has approved proposals from Galway County Council to progress what it considers are the most viable options for the sites. I expect Galway County Council will shortly engage with the Approved Housing Body in question regarding next steps.
403. Deputy James Geoghegan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Question No. 399 of 19 February 2026, if the information requested can be provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16131/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraQuestion No. 399 of 19 February has been deferred in accordance with Standing Order 52(1) in order to compile the information requested. A response will issue in line with the terms of that Standing Order.
404. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to confirm if Lough Corrib and the River Corrib in County Galway still retain their “salmonid waters” designation as granted by his legacy Department under S.I. No. 293/1988 - European Communities (Quality of Salmonid Waters) Regulations (1988); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16163/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraSalmonid waters are included in the Protected Area Register under the Water Framework Directive (WFD). The River Corrib, but not Lough Corrib, is listed as a salmonid water as per SI No. 293/1988 – European Communities (Quality of Salmonid Waters) Regulations 1988. All the salmonid waters listed in the Corrib catchment are also included in the Lough Corrib Special Area for Conservation (SAC). The Lough Corrib SAC includes salmon as a qualifying interest with the Habitats Directive also providing protection for salmon as well as the WFD.
405. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to list all sporting/recreational clubs in County Galway that the National Parks & Wildlife Service (NPWS) has directly engaged with since 2020, regarding the threat of non-piscine invasive species to the ecology of Lough Corrib SAC; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16164/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) of my Department is responsible for the implementation of the Wildlife Acts and the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011, as well as the European Union (Invasive Alien Species) Regulations 2024, all of which prohibit the spreading of invasive species.
My Department engages with local authorities, stakeholders and national representative bodies across a range of policy areas, including invasive alien species. The role of the NPWS is implementation of the legislative framework around invasive alien species on a national level. The NPWS does not have the resources available to engage with each individual sports club in local areas across the country where invasive alien species may be present.
European and national legislation around invasive alien species is in place and easily accessible online. The National Biodiversity Data Centre (NBDC) hosts an important online resource, www.invasives.ie, which brings together a range of awareness raising materials, guidelines, plans and regulatory information in one place.
Individuals, of course, are welcome to contact my Department with any queries they may have around invasive alien species in their area or indeed, relating to the applicable legislation and their responsibilities under this legislation.
406. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will review the grant scheme for private wells at domestic dwellings to allow for houses where Uisce Éireann have acknowledged an inability to ensure a reliable water supply and service to the house due to its location; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16225/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder my Department’s Rural Water Programme, grant assistance may be available to support households that are dependent on individual domestic water supplies (private wells) serving a house.
The scheme is designed to assist households in rural areas that rely on a private well as their primary source of water. Grant assistance is not available where a dwelling is connected to a public water supply provided by Uisce Éireann or to a Group Water Scheme.
The eligibility criteria reflect the objective of supporting households that are not served by the public network. The scheme is kept under regular review to ensure it continues to meet its objectives.
407. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will review a jobseekers benefit payment for a person (details supplied). [15729/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person concerned is a registered student of the Professional Masters of Education (PME) in Primary Education Programme at Hibernia College. The level of commitment involved is considered as not being consistent with a person being available for full-time work.
The person concerned applied for Jobseeker Benefit. To qualify for Jobseeker’s Benefit, Jobseeker’s Allowance, Jobseeker’s Benefit (Self-employed), or Jobseeker’s Pay-Related Benefit a person must satisfy certain conditions, including the requirements to be available for full-time work and genuinely seeking work. The person's application was disallowed on the basis of them not being available for employment. A disallowance letter issued on the 27th of January. Following a review of this Jobseekers Benefit claim by another Deciding Officer the disallowance was considered to be in order.
The person concerned was notified of this decision and the option of appealing this decision to the Social Welfare Appeal Office is open to them.
408. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Social Protection if his Department is considering a policy change to bring Ireland in line with the rest of Europe by granting maternity and paternity benefit at 100%, or a high percentage of salary for all, or a portion of a person's entitlement to the corresponding leave; if there are policy learnings from the recent implementation of the jobseeker's pay-related benefit scheme which could support a similar change in terms of maternity and paternity benefit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15774/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Programme for Government commits to introducing Pay-Related Parent's Benefit and exploring other payments where a similar model could be applied.
It is worth noting that as of March 2025, Ireland offers the second longest period of maternity leave in the EU, after Bulgaria. While countries such as France and Germany, for example, pay 100% of salary, they only provide for 16 and 14 weeks of maternity leave respectively.
Another example would be Spain which offers 17 weeks of maternity and paternity benefit at 100% of salary, as well as two weeks of the equivalent of parent's benefit for each parents, for a total of 38 weeks, compared to 46 weeks in Ireland.
A pay-related model was introduced on 31 March 2025 for Jobseeker’s Benefit. My Department will draw on the learnings and operational experience from that scheme to inform options for Parent's Benefit and other family leave schemes.
To progress this commitment, I intend to issue a public consultation document on a pay-related approach to Parents' Benefit in the autumn, which will also help to inform decisions about other family and related benefits. This consultation will invite views from the public, employers and stakeholders to support the process and to assist in the development of any future proposals in this area.
I trust this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
409. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of clients classified as beneficiaries of temporary protection who were referred to the National Employment Service and Local Area Employment Services in each of the years 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025 and to date in 2026; the number of such clients who secured employment; the number who sustained employment for at least 6 months and 12 months respectively; and the corresponding figures for all other clients referred during the same period [15833/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra410. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Social Protection the total actual expenditure incurred in respect of all clients referred to the National Employment Service and Local Area Employment Services in each of the years 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025 and to date in 2026; and the proportion of that expenditure attributable to beneficiaries of temporary protection in each year [15834/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra411. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Social Protection the average actual cost per client referred to the National Employment Service and Local Area Employment Services in each of the years 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025 and to date in 2026; the average cost per client classified as a beneficiary of temporary protection; and the average cost per client not so classified. [15835/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 409, 410 and 411 together.
I propose to take Parliamentary Questions 15833/26, 15834/26 and 15835/26 together.
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 National Employment Service and Local Area Employment Service in the same way as other long term unemployed jobseekers.
A 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.
The number of clients referred to the National Employment Service (NES) and the Local Area Employment Service (LAES) in the years 2022 to date is provided in Table 1 below.
The total number of all clients referred to the NES and LAES who secured employment during that period was 30,599. Of that total 5,368 were also beneficiaries of temporary protection. During the same period the total number of NES clients who sustained employment for 52 weeks was 6,338 with 1,571 of those jobs sustained by beneficiaries of temporary protection.
My Department does not retain data in respect of six-month job sustainment.
The overall expenditure incurred across all LAES and NES clients during the period 2022 to 2026 is provided in Table 2 below. The average cost per client referred to the services is not available as costs incurred are based on client engagements.
Table 1 Referral Numbers to NES and LAES 2022 to date
|
Year |
Total Number of clients referred |
Of total referred – number of clients who were also beneficiaries of temporary protection |
|
2022 |
13,699 |
5 |
|
2023 |
69,927 |
8,594 |
|
2024 |
61,097 |
8,974 |
|
2025 |
65,547 |
8,492 |
|
To date 2026 |
9,747 |
1,104 |
Table 2 Total Expenditure NES and LAES 2022 to date
|
Year |
Total Expenditure |
Of Total Expenditure % in respect of beneficiaries of temporary protection |
|
2022 |
€ 4.3m |
0% |
|
2023 |
€58.8m |
5.4% |
|
2024 |
€70.6m |
10.3% |
|
2025 |
€80.1m |
14.3% |
|
To date 2026 |
€ 9.4m |
12.8% |
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy
412. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Social Protection whether the contractual payment structure for providers under the National Employment Service and Local Area Employment Services differs in respect of beneficiaries of temporary protection compared to other clients; whether payment triggers, milestone payments or outcome payments vary by cohort; and if he will provide details of same. [15836/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra413. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Social Protection whether his Department has estimated the reduction in welfare expenditure arising from beneficiaries of temporary protection securing sustained employment through the National Employment Service or Local Area Employment Services; the estimated increase in income tax and PRSI receipts attributable to such employment; and whether any cost-benefit or value-for-money assessment has been conducted in this regard. [15837/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra414. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Social Protection the average duration in receipt of a jobseeker’s payment prior to referral to contracted employment services for beneficiaries of temporary protection; the equivalent duration for all other jobseekers; and whether any differential activation pathway applies. [15838/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra415. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Social Protection whether additional supports, including English language training, translation assistance or tailored integration measures, are funded within the National Employment Service and Local Area Employment Services in respect of beneficiaries of temporary protection; and the total cost of such supports since 2022 [15839/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra416. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Social Protection whether any formal review, audit, performance evaluation or value-for-money assessment has been undertaken since 2022 in respect of referrals of beneficiaries of temporary protection to contracted employment services; and if he will provide the title and completion date of any such review. [15840/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 412, 413, 414, 415 and 416 together.
I propose to take Parliamentary Questions 15836/26, 15837/26, 15838/26, 15839/26 and 15840/26 together.
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 have an entitlement to avail of all income supports and services from the Department of Social Protection on the same basis as Irish citizens.
When beneficiaries of temporary protection engage with my Department’s contracted employment support services, their engagement is handled in a way that is entirely uniform with all other customers who engage with those services. My Department has not undertaken an assessment of the estimated reduction in welfare expenditure or an assessment of the estimated income tax and PRSI receipts arising from beneficiaries of temporary protection securing sustained employment through the National Employment Service or through the Local Area Employment Service. My Department has not undertaken any formal review, performance evaluation, cost-benefit or value-for-money assessment in respect of beneficiaries of temporary protection referred to the Department’s contracted employment services.
The contractual payment structures in place with providers of the National Employment Service and Local Area Employment Services do not differentiate between jobseekers who are beneficiaries of temporary protection and any other cohort of jobseekers availing of these services.
A distinctive client journey has been embedded into the employment services process, whereby jobseekers on the Live Register, after engaging with Intreo in the first twelve months are referred firstly to the Intreo Partner National Employment Service and after 24 months to the Intreo Partner Local Area Employment Service which is designed to engage with those with greater barriers to the labour market. In this way, the client is referred to the most appropriate service at each point in time on their client journey. When any customer of this department has been in receipt of a jobseeker’s payment for 12 months, they become eligible for referral to the department’s contracted employment services. In this regard, my department treats jobseekers who are also beneficiaries of temporary protection in a manner that is entirely consistent with all other jobseekers.
Providers of the National employment service and Local Area Employment service are not contractually obliged to provider English language training, translation assistance or tailored integration measures, however, providers tailor their services to meet the individual needs of each customer.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
417. Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Minister for Social Protection if a nutritionist has been appointed to oversee the school hot meals scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15949/26]
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
My Department has seconded a CORU-registered dietician for the School Meals Programme who is under the clinical supervision of the Department of Health. The dietitian is being supported by both expert technical and advisory groups.
One of the main tasks is an in-depth review of school meal supplier menus and their compliance with the nutritional standards. The review by the CORU-registered Dietitian is underway. It is expected that the full report will be finalised in Q2 2026.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
418. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will consider awarding domiciliary care allowance to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16087/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraDomiciliary Care Allowance (DCA) is a monthly allowance payable to a parent / guardian in respect of a child aged under 16 who has a severe disability requiring continual or continuous care and attention substantially in excess of the care and attention normally required by a child of the same age and where the level of that disability is such that the child is likely to require this level of care and attention for at least 12 consecutive months. This level of care and attention must be required to allow the child to deal with the activities of daily living in areas such as mobility, personal care, feeding / diet, communication, speech / language, sleeping, behaviour, safety, sensory issues, including any other additional needs.
Eligibility for DCA is not based entirely on the type of disability or diagnosis but primarily on the impact of the child's disability, in terms of the associated overall level of care and attention required by the child compared to a child of a similar age who does not have such a disability. The decision process that applies in the consideration of whether a child meets the conditions for DCA includes the examination of all relevant factors identified as impacting on the child's additional care needs.
An application for DCA in respect of the child concerned was received by my Department on 10 September 2025. A Deciding Officer disallowed the claim as per decision dated 13 November 2025. Based on the information provided, the child was not considered to satisfy the conditions for DCA. This determination considered the supporting medical evidence that was provided by the applicant in their application. The Deciding Officer also had regard to the professional opinion of a departmental Medical Assessor in making their decision and a copy of this opinion was issued to the applicant for information along with the decision notification.
The person concerned requested a review of the above decision and provided further new information/evidence for consideration. Further to that review, following a re-examination of their application, including all the further new information/evidence that was provided by the applicant in support of their review request, a Deciding Officer decided not to revise the above original decision, as per review decision dated 20 January 2026 which issued directly to the person concerned.
The person concerned requested a further review of the above decision and provided further new information/evidence for consideration. Further to that review, a Deciding Officer decided not to revise the above original decision, as per review decision dated 24 February 2026 which issued directly to the person concerned.
As the person concerned has registered an appeal of the decision with the Social Welfare Appeals Office (SWAO), their DCA file has now been forwarded to the SWAO for the consideration of an Appeals Officer.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
419. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Social Protection the first and full year cost of a €100 lump sum payment to all recipients of the disability allowance; blind pension: invalidity pension; domiciliary care allowance; disablement benefit; incapacity supplement; illness benefit, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16166/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe estimated cost of providing a €100 lump sum payment to all recipients is outlined in the table below. The total cost is estimated at €35.89 million.
|
Scheme |
€million |
|
Invalidity Pension |
€5.44 |
|
Disablement Pension |
€1.42 |
|
Illness Benefit |
€5.25 |
|
Incapacity Supplement |
€0.06 |
|
Domicilliary Care Allowance |
€6.28 |
|
Blind Person's Pension |
€0.09 |
|
Disability Allowance |
€17.34 |
|
Total |
€35.89 |
Please note this is a high-level estimate only as the profiling for the Revised Estimates Volume 2026 has not yet been completed.
