Written Answers Nos. 390-409
390. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether any modelling has been carried out estimating the proportion of projected housing demand to 2040 attributable to net migration assumptions within the revised National Planning Framework population projections. [36355/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Planning Framework (NPF), is the whole-of-Government strategy for the sustainable development of our urban and rural areas to 2040, with the core objectives of securing balanced regional development and a sustainable ‘compact growth’ approach to the form and pattern of future development. The NPF (originally published in 2018) was revised and approved by Government and the Oireachtas in April 2025.
As part of the broader body of work undertaken to inform the First Revision to the NPF, the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) was engaged to provide updated population projections to 2040, based on demographic and econometric modelling, and having regard to the results of Census 2022 and other factors with potential to influence fertility, mortality and migration trends. Under the baseline scenario, the research projects that the population of the State will increase to approximately 5.7 million people by 2030 and 6.1 million by 2040. This projection forms the central core trajectory of projected population growth and underpins the strategy set out in the First Revision to the NPF.
The Government's new housing plan, Delivering Homes, Building Communities, seeks to significantly accelerate delivery of new homes by focusing on activating land and creating the optimal environment to encourage housing activity. This includes regulatory reform, tax incentives and the largest ever capital investment in the history of the State, with €275 billion invested in infrastructure over ten years through the National Development Plan. Delivering Homes, Building Communities sets a target of at least 300,000 homes to be delivered over its lifetime. The Government’s target is based on a realistic, broad assessment of the housing system, including factors such as migration.
The Programme for Government contains a commitment to publish a National Migration and Integration Strategy detailing how Government intends to meet the demands and the opportunities facing Ireland’s society and economy over the next decade. My Department is currently working collaboratively with a wide range of other Government departments, led by the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration, to develop this strategy with the aim to publish Ireland’s first overarching whole-of-government National Migration and Integration Strategy later this year.
391. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide a copy of the recent correspondence issued by the Minister for Public Expenditure; National Development Plan Delivery and Reform to his Department referred to in media reports (details supplied); if he will provide details of the percentage reduction(s) in spending in his Department referenced in the correspondence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36409/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFollowing the Government decision to apply an expenditure levy on Votes in 2027, the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation notified my Department that a levy of €5m will apply to my Vote Group's current expenditure allocation in 2027. The levy of €5m equates to 0.13% of my Vote Group's current expenditure allocation for 2026.
392. Deputy Shane Moynihan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the details of the proposed planning exemptions relating to attic conversions; whether standardised provisions will apply in respect of dormer size, roof alterations such as hip-to-gable conversions, and the inclusion of side or front dormers; and when full technical guidance will be published. [36432/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra393. Deputy Shane Moynihan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether the proposed planning exemptions for residential development will include attic conversions; if national standards will apply uniformly across all local authorities; and the extent to which individual councils will retain discretion in applying such regulations. [36433/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra394. Deputy Shane Moynihan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the expected timeline for the introduction of new planning exemptions currently under consideration; when draft regulations will be published; and whether stakeholders, including industry practitioners, will be consulted in advance of implementation. [36434/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 392, 393 and 394 together.
Significant progress on the review of Exempted Development Regulations has been made. A successful public consultation took place last year with over 900 submissions received via the online portal. The details in these submissions have been reviewed and have informed the on-going drafting of the updated Exempted Development Regulations that will be forthcoming across 2026.
The implementation of the update of these regulations is being done on a phased basis, by theme, with priority already having been given to the exemptions relating to domestic dwellings. These domestic dwellings regulations are at advanced draft stage and include exemptions for Attic Conversions. The final decisions on the specifics of these regulations will be communicated and brought forward for implementation as soon as possible. Conditions and limitations contained within exempted development regulations will apply uniformly on the use of the related Class of exempted development.
It is intended that updated Exempted Development Regulations for residential development will be signed into law as soon as possible.
The new draft Exempted Development Regulations are subject to formal environmental consideration, before being laid in draft form before the Houses of the Oireachtas. This process will also necessitate formal engagement with the Joint Oireachtas Committee for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, and an appearance will be sought before the Committee at the earliest opportunity, once the environmental assessment process is complete.
Once these Regulations are in place, where an individual is unsure whether they can avail of any exemption, they may seek a declaration under section 5 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended on whether the proposed works is or is not classed as development and if classed as development, whether it is or is not exempted development.
395. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will confirm, following remarks by the Taoiseach (details supplied), that it is the policy of his Department and the policy of Government to eventually eliminate all planning authorisations for the commercial extraction of peat; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36462/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraCurrently, under the Planning and Development Act, 2000 peat extraction in an area of:
• 50 hectares or more requires planning permission and an Integrated Pollution Control (IPC) licence from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
• 30 hectares or more requires planning permission
• 10 hectares or more (where drainage works commenced after January 2002) requires planning permission.
• 10 hectares or more (where drainage works commenced prior to January 2002) is exempted development
• less than 10 hectares is exempted development.
Exempted development status is lost if an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) or Appropriate Assessment (AA) is required. An EIA may be required if it is considered that the activity would be likely to have significant effects on the environment. An AA is required if the peat extraction would be likely to have significant effects on a European Site (i.e. a Special Area of Conservation or a Special Protected Area designated under the Habitats Directive).
The regulation of peat extraction activities under the planning code and the current dual consenting system for large scale peat extraction has been problematic. Practical implementation of the EIA Directive through planning law, particularly in relation to private turf extraction projects, has proven difficult for a variety of reasons such as uncertainty about the ownership of peatlands and the increasing trend towards peat extraction by contractors, whose scope of operations may span lands controlled by many individuals with turbary rights.
The dual consenting system for large scale peat extraction comprises the requirement for both planning consents as well as licencing from the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA's) Integrated Pollution Control (IPC) Licensing system, which is under the remit of my colleague, the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment.
While I have no objection in principle to exempting peat extraction from the planning system, this would be subject to the activity being regulated by an alternative legislative regime, that is fully compliant with EU environmental legislation, including the carrying out of all relevant environmental assessments for the activity, where applicable.
This would require a new legislative proposal to address peat extraction, and it is noted that a similar proposal was progressed in 2019, whereby exempted development regulations were made for the Planning regime (the Planning and Development Act 2000 (Exempted Development) Regulations 2019, Statutory Instrument No. 12 of 2019) to complement related EPA regulations (the European Union (Environmental Impact Assessment) (Peat Extraction) Regulations 2019) made by the then Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, to allow the Environmental Protection Agency to be the sole competent authority for large scale peat extraction. However, those regulations were subsequently struck down by the High Court. This indicates that this area is a matter of particular complexity.
396. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will introduce targeted supports for practising thatchers, including grant schemes or heritage-craft stipends, to ensure the continued maintenance of Ireland’s thatched buildings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36467/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere are various schemes within my Department that provide financial support to owners of thatched structures which, in practice, help to sustain the market demand for thatching services. A dedicated Thatching Grant is available for thatched buildings in use as housing. Applicants can avail of up to €3,810 or two thirds of the approved cost (whichever is less) towards necessary roof repair or renewal. A higher grant (up to €5,714) may be payable for houses on specified islands. For owners of qualifying thatch properties who are also Medical Card holders the maximum grant available is €6,350, or up to 80% of the approved cost (€8,252 for Islands).
Further support is available for historic thatched buildings through the National Built Heritage Service (NBHS), principally under the Built Heritage Investment Scheme (BHIS). This scheme is administered by the local authorities and funded by my Department. Since 2023, it has included a dedicated funding stream for historic thatched buildings which offers grants of up to €20,000 for thatching or other conservation work. Owners of historic thatched buildings may also apply for funding from the main stream of the BHIS.
Important steps have been taken to increase the supply of skilled thatchers. In 2025, eleven thatchers finished an introductory forty-two week course offered by Kilkenny-Carlow Education and Training Board in conjunction with the Heritage Council. Furthermore, over the last 3 years NBHS has supported the successful transmission of skills to a new generation of thatchers by supporting the construction of training rigs and provision of thatching courses at the Donegal Thatching School. NBHS also supported Donegal County Council with the placement of an rope thatch apprentice in Donegal in 2025.
With regard to specific stipends, my Department has no plans to introduce such stipends at this time. However, opportunities for stipends or bursaries may be available via schemes administered by other Departments or bodies. One such example would be the All Ireland Heritage Skills programme, a 12-month course collaboratively organised and delivered by several organisations including the Heritage Council.
Arrangements have been put in place by all bodies under the aegis of my Department to facilitate the provision of information directly to members of the Oireachtas. This provides a speedy, efficient and cost effective system to address queries directly to the relevant bodies. The contact email address for the Heritage Council is [oireachtas@heritagecouncil.ie]
397. Deputy John Clendennen asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide a breakdown of spending on advertising which was funded or overseen by his Department, and bodies under its aegis, in each of the past five, including a breakdown by medium that is radio, television, social media, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36493/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested is being considered and will be forwarded to the Deputy in accordance with Standing Orders.
398. Deputy Naoise Ó Muirí asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide an update on when responsibility for property services and estate agents will be transferred to his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36499/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn Order transferring functions under the Property Services (Regulation) Act 2011 was approved by Government on 22 July 2025, to give effect to the commitment in the Programme for Government to transfer responsibility for the Property Services Regulatory Authority (PSRA) and the Property Services Appeal Board (PSAB) from the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration (DJHAM) to the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (DHLGH).
The transfer of responsibility occurred on 1 August 2025.
399. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Social Protection to urgently grant Carers Allowance application in respect of a person (details supplied) as it has been processing for a prolonged time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35854/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraCarer's allowance (CA) is a means-tested social assistance payment made to a person who is habitually resident in the State and who is providing full-time care and attention to a child or an adult who has such a disability that as a result they require that level of care.
An application for CA was received from the person concerned on 12 March 2026.
The application was examined and CA was awarded from 12 March 2026 with the first payment issuing to the nominated bank account on 21 May 2026. Arrears due will also issue shortly.
The person concerned was notified of this decision via My Welfare on 11 May 2026.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
400. Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Social Protection if his Department or any bodies and agencies under its aegis use, or have in the past used, software and or products from a company (details supplied); the duration and cost of the contract; and the services they avail of from the company. [35873/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has never used any software or products from the company in question.
I can also confirm that none of the bodies under the aegis of my Department have ever used software or products from this company.
401. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will urgently review the case of a person (details supplied); if the family concerned qualify for the grant in question; if he will outline what other supports may be available in the circumstances; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35895/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Carer's Support Grant (CSG) is an annual payment for carers who look after a person in need of full-time care and attention. The payment is made regardless of the carer's means but is subject to certain conditions.
I can confirm that, according to the records of this Department, no application form for CSG has been received from the person concerned. An application form (CSG1) has been posted to the person concerned today. When the completed application form has been returned, a decision will be made and the person concerned will be notified of the outcome in writing.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
402. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Social Protection whether the Schools Procurement Unit has issued any guidance, circular, advisory note, or compliance communication to schools participating in the Hot School Meals Programme concerning the offering or acceptance of gifts, promotional items, complimentary services, or other inducements by suppliers during live procurement processes; and if he will provide copies of any such guidance. [36296/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra404. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Social Protection whether schools participating in the Hot School Meals Programme are permitted to consider or accept supplier-provided items, services, or promotional materials outside the formally scored tender submission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36298/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 402 and 404 together.
The objective of the School Meals Scheme 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 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 scheme 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 Scheme. They have published a Procurement Support document for the Provision of Hot Meals for Primary Schools which clearly outlines that schools cannot accept payments, gifts, or inducements from tenderers or Food Business Operators.
All schools seeking School Meals funding must sign a Service Level agreement with my Department. The Service Level agreement states that schools should not accept any gifts, donations, or consideration from a supplier that are directly or indirectly linked to the selection by them as the supplier of the school meals. The criteria for the selection of suppliers of school meals must be objective and relevant to the supply of the school meals and in accordance with the principles of transparency, non-discrimination, equal treatment, in accordance with Public Procurement rules. A copy of the Service Level Agreement will issue to the Deputy under separate cover.
My Department has an oversight role in relation to the School Meals Programme and conducts regular inspections of schools. Under the existing audit process, some 400 schools are inspected with a further 121 desk assessments were conducted in 2024. This represents a 20% total check on schools. For 2025, 400 schools were inspected and the desk assessments increased to 155 cases as more schools become eligible to join the programme.
If there is evidence that any tender is awarded on the basis of gifts or donations by suppliers to the school, my Department may cease funding for the Program; seek to recoup monies to the same value as the gift, donation or incentive or may deduct monies to the same value from future funding that may be provided to the School.
403. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Social Protection whether any complaints, concerns, or reports have been received by the Schools Procurement Unit regarding procurement integrity, inducements, gifts, or undeclared supplier incentives within the Hot School Meals Programme since 2023; and if he will provide the number of complaints received and the manner in which they were addressed. [36297/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra405. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Social Protection whether the Schools Procurement Unit maintains any audit or compliance process regarding tender evaluation procedures used by schools under the Hot School Meals Programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36299/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra406. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Social Protection whether external administration, consultancy, or accountancy companies are permitted to administer, manage, score, or participate in tender evaluations under the Hot School Meals Programme; and whether guidance exists governing such arrangements. [36300/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra407. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Social Protection whether his Department or the Schools Procurement Unit collects information regarding the composition of evaluation teams used by schools during Hot School Meals procurement competitions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36301/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra410. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Social Protection whether any review has been undertaken into the governance and procurement integrity controls operating within the Hot School Meals Scheme since the expansion of the programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36304/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra411. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Social Protection whether the Office of Government Procurement has provided any guidance, observations, or recommendations to the Department or the Schools Procurement Unit concerning procurement compliance within the Hot School Meals Programme. [36305/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 403, 405, 406, 407, 410 and 411 together.
The 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 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. They have published a Procurement Support document for the Provision of Hot Meals for Primary Schools which clearly outlines that schools cannot accept payments, gifts, or inducements from tenderers or Food Business Operators.
The Department of Education and Youth in conjunction with my Department provided webinars and frequently asked questions to support schools through their procurement process including the evaluation of tenders. Neither department collects information regarding the composition of evaluation team.
Schools as Public Bodies are independent Contracting Authorities and are responsible for choosing their school meals supplier on the open market, in a fair and transparent manner in accordance with public procurement rules. The School Board of Management are responsible for selecting their evaluation team and it is recommended that members of the Board of Management or School Principal chair the evaluation team and that members of the Board of Management, School Principal, and member of the parents' association take up evaluator and note taker roles in the evaluation team.
My Department has an oversight role in relation to the School Meals Programme and conducts regular inspections of schools. Under the existing audit process, some 400 schools are inspected and a further 121 desk assessments were conducted in 2024. This represents a 20% total check on schools. For 2025, 400 schools were inspected and the desk assessments increased to 155 cases as more schools become eligible to join the programme.
The Schools Procurement Unit is under the remit of the Department of Education and Youth, and can advise if they have received any complaints, concerns regarding procurement integrity, inducements, gifts, within the Hot School Meals Programme since 2023.
All schools seeking School Meals funding must sign a Service Level agreement with my Department. The Service Level agreement states that schools should not accept any gifts, donations, or consideration from a supplier that are directly or indirectly linked to the selection by them as the supplier of the school meals. The criteria for the selection of suppliers of school meals must be objective and only for the supply of the school meals in accordance with the principles of transparency, non-discrimination, equal treatment within Public Procurement rules.
408. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Social Protection whether food quality, taste assessment, nutritional presentation, or food sampling are formally weighted or scored within the current Hot School Meals tender evaluation framework; and if he will provide details of any mandatory assessment requirements. [36302/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra409. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Social Protection whether his Department has undertaken any review of whether the current Hot School Meals procurement framework adequately assesses actual food quality delivered to children as distinct from written tender documentation. [36303/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 408 and 409 together.
The 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.
Clear nutritional standards have been in place for the School Meals Programme since its inception. A specific standard was set for School Meals under the Nutritional Standards for School Meals and Nutritional Standards for Hot School Meals. A technical Nutrition Subgroup comprised of Dietitians from the following organisations was involved in developing these standards:
* The Irish Nutrition and Dietetic Institute of Ireland,
* The HSE,
* Safefood, and
* The Food Safety Authority of Ireland.
These standards are available to all schools, organisations and suppliers and are publicly available on gov.ie.
Taste assessment, or food sampling is not part of the marking of tender evaluations. Food preferences vary from person to person therefore schools follow the programme’s Nutritional Standards, developed by expert dietitians ensures consistency, quality, and appropriate nutritional balance.
My Department has seconded a CORU-registered dietician for the School Meals Programme who is under the clinical supervision of the Department of Health. 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 a CORU-registered Dietitian is underway. As part of this review site visits to both schools and suppliers are being conducted in addition to analysis of supplier menus. It is expected that the full report will be finalised at the end of June 2026.
