Written Answers Nos. 235-254
235. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will make provision for inclusion of a deceased person's PPSN, where possible, in a death certificate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44644/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraWhen a death occurs in the State, there is a duty on a qualified informant to provide the required particulars of the death to the civil registration service. These particulars are set out in Part 5 of the First Schedule to the Civil Registration Act 2004 (the Act) and include where applicable the personal public service number of the deceased.
It is possible for a person to obtain certificates from the register of deaths that provide a copy of the particulars recorded in relation to a death.
Death Certificates are issued by the civil registration service under section 61 of the Act and contain most of the required particulars set out in Part 5 of the First Schedule, however, section 61(4) prohibits the publication of a personal public service number on a death certificate.
The are no plans to amend this legislation.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
236. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding the increase in income disregards carer’s allowance as committed to in the Programme for Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44675/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra237. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 1545 of 13 January 2026, the approximate financial cost to the State of removing the means test for carer’s allowance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44676/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra239. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding the removal of the mean’s test for carer’s allowance as committed to in the Programme for Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44678/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 236, 237 and 239 together.
The Carer’s Allowance is the main scheme by which the Department provides income support to carers. Expenditure on Carer’s Allowance in 2026 is estimated to exceed €1.4 billion. At the end of May there were just under 108,000 carers receiving this payment.
The Programme for Government has set out a timeframe which commits to significantly increasing the income disregards for Carer’s Allowance in each Budget, with a view to phasing out the means test during the lifetime of this Government.
This process is already underway. Last July the amount of weekly earnings disregarded was increased to €625 for a single person and €1,250 for a couple. As part of Budget 2026, I announced further improvements to the Carer’s Allowance means test that will be introduced in July. From 2 July, the weekly income disregard will increase by 60% from €625 to €1,000 for a single person, and from €1,250 to €2,000 for carers who are part of couple.
The reforms coming in next month will be the largest ever increases in the income disregards and will see more carers qualify for Carer’s Allowance. For example, a carer in a two-adult household with an income of approximately €110,000 will retain their full Carer’s Allowance payment and even with an income of €138,000 will retain a partial payment. In addition, those recipients on a reduced payment due to means will see their payment increase.
The Department has previously estimated a cost of approximately €600 million to abolish the Carer’s Allowance means test. This is based on administrative data. However, this cost increases to a potential €3 billion per annum if everyone who self-declared as a carer in Census 2022 were to qualify. It is acknowledged that the latter figure is a high-level estimate only.
Removing the means test is a significant shift in policy direction and there may be further implications above the cost exposure. For this reason the income disregard is being abolished in a measured way over a number of Budgets.
The improvements outlined are evidence of the Government’s determination to deliver on its commitment to phase out the Carer's Allowance means test over the course of this Dáil term, having regard to the prevailing budgetary conditions.
238. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Social Protection his views on the merits of allowing for a savings disregard in relation to the means test for carer’s allowance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44677/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Carer’s Allowance is the main scheme by which my department provides income support to carers. Expenditure on Carer’s Allowance in 2026 is estimated to exceed €1.4 billion.
There is already a savings disregard in the Carer's Allowance means test. The capital disregard for Carer's Allowance is one of the highest in the social welfare system. For the purposes of the means test, capital includes savings, investments and property, excluding a person's primary home. The first €50,000 of capital is fully disregarded in the Carer's Allowance means test. This equates to €100,000 in the case of a couple.
In addition the Programme for Government has set out a timeline which commits to significantly increasing the income disregards for Carer’s Allowance in each Budget, with a view to phasing out the means test during the lifetime of this Government.
Significant progress in this regard has already been made. For example, last July the amount of weekly earnings disregarded was increased to €625 for a single person and €1,250 for a couple. As part of Budget 2026, I announced further changes to the Carer’s Allowance means test. From next month the weekly income disregard will increase by 60% from €625 to €1,000 for a single person, and from €1,250 to €2,000 for carers who are part of couple.
The latest reforms to the means test are the largest ever increases in the Carer’s Allowance income disregard and will result in more carers qualifying for Carer’s Allowance, even those in households that are regarded as having relatively high incomes. For example, a carer in a two-adult household with an income of approximately €110,000, with savings as outlined, will retain their full Carer’s Allowance payment and even with an income of €138,000 will retain a partial payment.
240. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Social Protection his views on the adequacy of financial supports available specifically for families with adult children with high support needs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44679/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department provides a comprehensive range of income supports to eligible family carers including Carer's Allowance, Carer's Benefit and the Carer's Support Grant. These income supports are available to family carers where they meet the eligibility conditions including those caring for adult children with high support needs. Expenditure on these supports in 2026 is estimated at over €2.2 billion.
Carer's Allowance is the main income support scheme for family carers payable at a weekly rate of up to €270 for those under 66 years and €308 for those over 66 years, supporting just under 108,000 carers. There have been a number of significant improvements made in recent years to the means test for Carer’s Allowance. Last July, the amount of weekly earnings disregarded was increased to €625 for a single person and €1,250 for a couple. As part of Budget 2026, I announced that from next month, in July, the weekly income disregards will be further increased from €625 to €1,000 for a single person, and from €1,250 to €2,000 for carers with a spouse, partner or co-habitant.
These improvements mean that, for example, a carer in a two-adult household with an income of approximately €110,000 will still retain their full carers payment and even with an income of €138,000 will retain a partial payment. These are the largest ever increases in the Carer’s Allowance income disregard and will mean that even people with what are relatively high incomes will qualify for a carer’s payment for the first time.
Half-rate Carer's Allowance is available to carers receiving another social welfare payment. This arrangement applies to almost all weekly social welfare payments and to people in receipt of increases for a qualified adult. For example, in the case of a person in receipt of a State Pension pension caring for their adult child, they can also receive a half-rate Carer's Allowance of up to €154 per week.
Carer's Benefit is a non-means tested payment made to insured people with sufficient PRSI contributions who may be required to leave the workforce, or reduce their working hours, to care for someone in need of full-time care and attention. The payment is payable for a period of 104 weeks for each care recipient and may be claimed over separate periods up to a total of 104 weeks. While Carer’s Benefit is not a means-tested payment, it is subject to an earnings limit. The earnings limit for Carer's Benefit will also be increased in line with the changes to the Carer's Allowance income disregards outlined above.
The non-means-tested annual Carer's Support Grant, payable at €2,000, is also available for all full-time carers and a grant is paid for each person being cared for. This grant was automatically paid last week, on Thursday 4 June, to over 147,000 carers.
In addition to these payments, people receiving Carer's Allowance may be eligible for other supports from my Department, such as the Household Benefits Package, Free Travel and Fuel Allowance. It is important to note that carers who receive Carer's Allowance or Carer's Benefit are automatically eligible for a free GP Visit Card from the Health Services Executive.
In line with Government commitments, I will continue to keep the range of financial supports available to carers, including those caring for adult children, under review. Any further improvements will be considered in an overall budgetary and policy context.
241. Deputy Keira Keogh asked the Minister for Social Protection if he expects increases to the household benefits package, particularly in relation to household utilities in view of increased bills; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44693/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Household Benefits Package comprises the electricity or gas allowance, and the free television licence. The Department of Social Protection will spend approximately €317 million this year on the Household Benefits Package.
The Programme for Government includes a commitment to examine key ancillary benefits such as the Fuel Allowance, Household Benefits Package and Living Alone Increase to support vulnerable groups. This is an ongoing activity as part of the Department's budget planning each year and I will continue, as part of the budget planning process, to consider if improvements can be made to ensure that these benefits continue to target vulnerable groups. Any future decisions including any decision to increase the Electricity/Gas element of the Household Benefits Package will, of course, have to take account of the availability of financial resources.
Given the many competing demands for the limited funding available to the Department, recent Budget spending increases have been targeted to ensure that it goes to those people who need help the most.
With regards to targeted measures, the Department provides support to households who are most vulnerable to energy poverty via the Fuel Allowance payment. The Fuel Allowance payment is a means tested payment which is targeted towards households that are at a higher risk of poverty. It is for this reason the Department has increased the weekly rate of Fuel Allowance and not the electricity/gas element of the Household Benefits Package in recent Budgets. Budget 2026 did provide for a €10 weekly increase to all of the main social welfare payments, a €5 increase to the weekly rate of Fuel Allowance and a 100% Christmas bonus in December last year.
Finally, the Department of Social Protection provides Additional Needs Payments as part of the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme to help meet essential expenses that a person cannot pay from their weekly income or other personal and household resources. Any person who considers that they may have an entitlement to an Additional Needs Payment is encouraged to contact their local community welfare service. There is a National Community Welfare Contact Centre in place - 0818-607080 - which will direct callers to the appropriate office. In addition, applications can be made online via http://www.mywelfare.ie.
I trust this clarifies the position.
242. Deputy Brian Brennan asked the Minister for Social Protection if a decision has been made on the issue of withholding the recently awarded contributory pension arrears on behalf of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44718/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraOverpayments are regarded as debts to the exchequer and every effort must be made to recover the amounts due. The recovery of overpayments by means of deduction from social welfare payments is provided for in legislation - Statutory Instrument No.142 of 2007 (as amended) refers. This includes the withholding of all or part of any arrears due.
Full consideration was given to information submitted by the person concerned. However, having taken all the circumstances into account, including the amount of the outstanding debt, arrears due of €35,133.10 have been withheld.
The outstanding balance of the overpayment is now €151,394.50. Ongoing weekly deductions from the person’s weekly pension payments will continue until the overpayment has been fully recovered.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
243. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will review the case of a person (details supplied); if he will provide an update on the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44732/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraDisability Allowance (DA) is a weekly payment for people aged 16 to 66 with a disability expected to last at least one year. Eligibility is subject to medical assessment, means test and habitual residence conditions. Applicants must demonstrate that they are substantially restricted in undertaking work that would otherwise be suitable given their age, experience, and qualifications, as a result of their condition.
I can confirm that my Department received an application for DA from the person concerned on 09 December 2025. Based on the evidence supplied their application for DA was disallowed as the medical qualifying criteria for the scheme was not satisfied.
The person concerned was notified in writing of this decision on 23 January 2026 and was advised of their right to request a review and/or appeal of this decision.
The person concerned requested a review of the decision on 25 February 2026.
Following review, the original decision was upheld and the person concerned was notified in writing on 16 March 2026. They were also informed of their right to have the decision reviewed and/or appeal the decision to the Social Welfare Appeals Office.
Further supporting documentation, which included further medical evidence was received from you, on behalf of the person concerned, on 31 March and 03 April 2026.
Following a further review, the original decision was upheld and the person concerned was notified in writing on 01 May 2026. They were also informed of their right to have the decision reviewed and/or appeal the decision to the Social Welfare Appeals Office.
I can confirm there is no appeal registered for the person concerned to date.
I trust this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
244. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Social Protection if a community employment scheme participant (details supplied) is entitled to the fuel allowance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44802/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFuel Allowance is a means-tested payment to assist pensioners and other long-term social welfare dependent householders with their winter heating costs. The payment is a contribution towards heating costs; it is not intended to meet these costs in full. The payment is made over the winter season - usually from end September to early April - at the weekly rate of €38 or, if preferred, by way of two lump sum instalments of €532 - one in September and one in January. Only one Fuel Allowance is payable per household.
To qualify for a Fuel Allowance, a person aged under 66 must be in receipt of a qualifying payment and either live alone or with other qualified people. Participants on Employment Support Schemes (e.g. a Community Employment Scheme) can qualify for Fuel Allowance while participating on the scheme. However, to qualify, the scheme participant must have been in receipt of a long-term qualifying payment for Fuel Allowance prior to commencing the Community Employment Scheme.
The person concerned was in receipt of Illness Benefit immediately prior to commencing the Community Employment Scheme. Illness Benefit is not a qualifying payment for Fuel Allowance. Therefore, the person concerned does not have an entitlement to Fuel Allowance. Further details on the qualifying conditions for Fuel Allowance are available at www.gov.ie/fa.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
245. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the basis on which the €300 fee for Irish Residence Permit (IRP) renewals is determined; the total revenue generated from IRP renewal fees annually over the past five years; whether he is considering any reduction or restructuring of these fees, particularly in cases where individuals hold multi-year employment permits; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44698/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can advise the Deputy that Section 9 of the Immigration Act 2004 provides that a register of non-nationals who have permission to be in the State (in general for a period of 3 months or longer) shall be established and maintained by registration officers. It also provides that a non-national is required to pay a fee to the registration officer for the issue of a registration certificate.
The Irish Residence Permit (IRP) card provides a person with a secure immigration document that includes individual biometrics indicators protected by a sophisticated encryption system and showing the holders’ immigration status in the State. This high-quality secure document is easily recognisable for employers and Government agencies alike. It certifies that a person is legally registered with the Irish immigration authorities and provides details of the immigration permission held.
It is normal practice throughout EU Member States to charge a fee for immigration services. The current registration fee has remained unchanged since 2012 and is subject to a range of exemptions insofar as certain groups of applicants are concerned.
An applicant is exempted from the fee if they:
• A minor under 18 at the time of registration
• A spouse, widow or widower of an Irish citizen
• A civil partner or surviving civil partner of an Irish citizen
• A spouse or dependent of an EU national who has a residence permit
• A Programme Refugee or a person granted Refugee Status under Section 47(1) of the International Protection Act 2015
• A person granted Subsidiary Protection under Section 47(4) of the International Protection Act 2015
• A person granted Permission to Remain under Section 49(4)(a) of the International Protection Act 2015
• A family member reunited with a recognised refugee in Ireland under Section 56 of the International Protection Act 2015
• A person who has been granted a change of permission due to domestic violence
The issuance of the IRP card is the final act of a legal and administrative process involving consideration of the applicant’s particular circumstances and reason for wishing to reside in the State, by a number of different Units in Immigration Service Delivery (ISD) of my Department. The registration fee of €300 is designed to reflect the totality of that effort and cost in processing immigration residence permissions. These costs are above and beyond the cost of the physical production of the card itself.
While all immigration matters are kept under constant review, currently, there are no plans to reduce the fees as suggested by the Deputy.
I can inform the Deputy that, since 13 January 2025, all nationwide first-time registrations of Irish immigration residence permissions are the responsibility of the Registration Office of ISD of my Department. Furthermore, since November 2024, all renewals of immigration permissions transferred to ISD and are done using my Department’s online platform, meaning that applicants from across the country no longer have to attend in person at their local Garda Station.
The table below details the total revenue generated for both first time registrations and immigration permission renewals from 2021 to 2025. These figures include applications processed by both my Departments Registration Office and An Garda Siochana, prior to the transfer of registration functions.
A breakdown between first time registrations and renewals is not readily available.
|
Year |
Amount |
|
2021 |
€35,129,000 |
|
2022 |
€55,556,000 |
|
2023 |
€73,852,000 |
|
2024 |
€78,006,000 |
|
2025 |
€79,022,000 |
see note, figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing. Figures rounded to the nearest thousand,
246. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to provide an update on IPAS residents paying rent for their accommodation; when payments are due to start; and the amount involved. [44701/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 2025 Programme for Government included a commitment to introducing a contribution model for people in international protection accommodation.
A proposal for working international protection applicants to contribute to the cost of their IPAS accommodation was considered by Government in November 2025 and is now being progressed by the Department.
IPAS Accommodation is provided for in EU regulations and transposed into Irish law. Statutory Instrument No 230/2018, European Communities (Reception Conditions) Regulations 2018, provides that all international protection applicants are entitled to material reception conditions.
The regulations further provide that where a resident is in receipt of an income above a certain level, they may be required to make a contribution to the cost of providing reception condition services.
The contribution rates are set out in a schedule to the regulations and are proportionate to the amount that people earn, as set out below.
|
Weekly Income € |
Potential Contribution € |
% of weekly income |
|
€97.01 - €150 |
€15 |
15.5 -10% |
|
€150.01 - €210 |
€35.70 |
23.8 – 17% |
|
€210.01 - €275 |
€59.50 |
28.3 - 21.6% |
|
€275.01 - €340 |
€83.30 |
30.3 - 24.5% |
|
€340.01 - €405 |
€119 |
35 - 29.4% |
|
€405.01 - €470 |
€154.70 |
38.2 – 33% |
|
€470.01 - €535 |
€178.50 |
38 – 33% |
|
€535.01 - €600 |
€202.30 |
38 – 34% |
|
€600.01 + |
€238 |
39.60% |
Implementation of the contribution to cost scheme includes the development of systems and resources to assess eligibility, share data securely and collect and process payments.
The implementation process, which is underway, includes procurement of an appropriate third-party provider service, and this procurement process will involve further detailed analysis as the scheme comes into operation including determining the implementation cost.
The introduction of this contribution for international protection applicants who are working and earning an income is aligned with processes already in place in other EU member states.
The scheme will have a review and appeals process incorporated into the process. Introduction of the contribution model is expected in 2026.
247. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to clarify matters raised in correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44702/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra250. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to provide the relevant information in relation to asylum seekers (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44784/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra252. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to address the issues raised on the implementation of the EU Migration and Asylum Pact (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44791/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 247, 250 and 252 together.
I can advise the Deputy that since taking office, I have worked to ensure integrity, efficiency and public confidence in our migration system.
I have stated that it is my policy to reduce the number of people seeking international protection in Ireland. Decisions made by the International Protection Office show that the vast majority of those seeking protection in Ireland currently are not entitled to this status.
In line with this, I am limiting the use of hotels and commercial entities used for asylum accommodation and this, along with a range of value for money measures, will reduce the cost of accommodation provided to applicants for the first time in five years.
I have consistently emphasised that Ireland must have a rules-based immigration system. As such, I have recommenced the use of chartered flights and forced deportations for those with deportation orders and those who have been convicted of serious offences in Ireland.
These policies have contributed to a reduction of almost a third of people seeking international protection in Ireland in 2025 and has stabilised the need for new accommodation contracts being signed for the International Protection Accommodation Service.
However, it is obvious that the legal framework in relation to international protection is also in need of reform and must reflect that migration is a challenge not just at a national level but at a European level. Agreeing migration policy at an EU level means coordinated actions including sharing of information, reducing the number of people applying in numerous EU countries and reviving the return of applicants to the first country they applied in.
This is the reason why the Houses of the Oireachtas, both Dáil and Seanad, very deliberately voted to opt into the Pact in 2024, and I have gone further to introduce more stringent provisions within the International Protection Act 2026 which was passed by the Oireachtas this year. Opting-out of the Pact is neither in Ireland’s interests, as to do so would create an incentive for secondary movement, undermine our ability to use faster processing, particularly to return inadmissible cases to other EU Member States, nor is it in line with our obligations under EU law.
This is the biggest reform in asylum law in a generation and will result in new obligations on applicants including screening and biometric identification, decisions on applications to be made within 3-6 months as opposed to years currently and will ensure that applicants are returned to the first country within the EU where they had made an application.
Contrary to some commentary, Ireland is not handing over control of migration to the European Union. The EU has had a common asylum policy since 1999 and Ireland is simply utilising EU regulations to make the process more efficient and reduce the numbers of people coming to Ireland who are not entitled to international protection.
Irish officials will still decide if an applicant is entitled to international protection, An Garda Síochána will still protect our borders, and my Department will still have control of the deportation process for those whose application has been refused.
Ireland will not be forced to take applicants from other EU countries, but we may decide to contribute to frontline countries who are under significant migratory pressure and who we will be seeking assistance from in taking back applicants who arrived in their country first.
The International Protection Act as passed by the Oireachtas will commence on 12th June. I will continue to work on making sure our asylum system is fit for purpose and that our laws are respected.
More information on the Pact can be found here -https://assets.gov.ie/static/documents/d00f0bc7/EU_Migration_and_Asylum_Pact_FAQs.pdf.
248. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of fixed charge notices, prosecutions and other enforcement actions relating to breaches of the statutory speed limit for electric scooters that have been issued; the mechanisms currently available to An Garda Síochána to detect and enforce speed limit breaches by electric scooter users; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44709/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraOur road safety strategy takes a whole of government approach and is a shared responsibility. Development and implementation of road traffic legislation and policy falls within the remit of my colleague, the Minister for Transport, and the vital role of enforcing road traffic laws is carried out by An Garda Síochána.
Gardaí have significant legislative powers to combat the antisocial and dangerous misuse of e-scooters, e-bikes and scramblers and other such vehicles and I am assured that An Garda Síochána continues to adopt a proactive approach in addressing this issue.
The Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána under section 33 of the Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024, which includes all operational policing matters, such as the management of the Fixed Charge Processing System.
Since the introduction of e-scooter legislation on 20 May 2024, there have been 1,694 Fixed Charge Notices issued for these offences. The table below has been provided to me by the Garda authorities and provides a breakdown of these offences by division.
Figures are based on incidents which occurred from 20 May 2024 to 30 April 2026, inclusive. Figures of less than ten are not disclosed for data protection reasons as low numbers could be locally identifiable. Consequently an annualised breakdown has not been provided.
|
Division |
FCNs Issued |
|
Clare/Tipperary |
34 |
|
Cork City |
48 |
|
Cork County |
25 |
|
DMR Eastern |
14 |
|
DMR North Central |
189 |
|
DMR Northern |
85 |
|
DMR South Central |
306 |
|
DMR Southern |
85 |
|
DMR Western |
84 |
|
Donegal |
21 |
|
Galway |
81 |
|
Kerry |
50 |
|
Kildare/Carlow |
222 |
|
Laois/Offaly |
85 |
|
Limerick |
38 |
|
Louth/Cavan/Monaghan |
86 |
|
Mayo/Roscommon/Longford |
38 |
|
Meath/Westmeath |
13 |
|
Sligo/Leitrim |
20 |
|
Waterford/Kilkenny |
94 |
|
Wexford/Wicklow |
76 |
|
Grand Total |
1,694 |
Road traffic legislation provides for the detention, removal, storage and subsequent release or disposal of electric scooters by an Garda Síochána.I am further informed by the Garda authorities that based on reported PULSE incidents of ‘Vehicle Detained’ and ‘Property Seized’ the following table describes the number of incidents in which e-scooters were seized or detained nationally in 2024, 2025 and 2026.
|
|
2024 |
2025 |
2026 (as of 31 March) |
|
Incidents where e-scooters were seized or detained |
310 |
931 |
754 |
These figures are based on incidents which occurred from 1 January 2024 to 31 March 2026, inclusive. Figures for ‘seized or detained’ above are for those vehicles seized or detained under the incident types of ‘Vehicle Detained’, ‘Vehicle Detained Under Sec 41’ and ‘Property Seized'.
The information includes incidents where more than one vehicle was detained or seized. All information above is based upon operational data from the Fixed Charge Processing System and PULSE system and is liable to change.
The Deputy may also be interested to note that to assist with the enforcement of the Road Traffic (Electric Scooters) Regulations 2024, An Garda Síochána launched its E-Scooter/E-bike Dynamometer Proof of Concept exercise in April 2025. This trial involved the deployment of four portable dynamometers designed to measure the maximum capable speed that an e-scooter or e-bike could achieve. These devices were deployed to each Garda Region (DMR, Eastern, Southern and North Western) with each Region maintaining autonomy on where the dynamometer could be deployed within the Region. Dedicated targeted operations took place with a particular focus on urban areas and larger towns.
249. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if Ukrainian refugees who are currently participating in community employment schemes, TÚS employment schemes or rural social schemes will be eligible to remain in Ireland under the new temporary protection transition scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44761/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraMinister O'Callaghan and I have received government approval for measures to transition Ukraine Accommodation Supports and Temporary Protection.
The measures have been approved by government, in line with the EU Council recommendation for a co-ordinated approach to transition people out of Temporary Protection across the EU.
Ireland intends to continue to support people from Ukraine who are Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection.
In recognition of the valuable contribution many people who have come from Ukraine since the outbreak of the war have made, Ireland will introduce an alternative permission to live and work here.
This permission will be granted for a period of up to two years, renewable for periods of two years thereafter, with time on the permission counting towards naturalisation.
The eligibility criteria for this permission will include:
• being resident in Ireland for a minimum of one year as a beneficiary of Temporary Protection;
• employment or self-employment for six months, with a minimum yearly salary of €29,432;
• not be availing of state supported accommodation such as commercially provided, rapid build programme or hosted accommodation supported by the Accommodation Recognition Payment at the time of application.
Persons who do not satisfy the eligibility criteria for the alternative permission will still be entitled to Temporary Protection status while the Temporary Protection Directive is in effect.
It is planned that the application process for the alternative permission will open in September 2026. More information is available at www.gov.ie/en/department-of-justice-home-affairs-and-migration/campaigns/ukraine-updates-en/.
251. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of people arrested during the visits of the British Queen, Barack Obama, Joe Biden, and Volodymyr Zelenskyy. [44789/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of Garda business, including all investigative and operational policing matters, under Section 33 of the Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024. This includes bringing criminals to justice, including by detecting and investigating crime, as provided for in Section 9 of the Act.
An Garda Síochána records details of crime incidents on a central database (PULSE). This facilitates categorisation into various incident categories and crime types. I am informed by Garda authorities that while it would be possible to provide a count of arrests recorded nationwide during defined date ranges, Garda authorities are not in a position to provide a figure for the number of arrests directly linked with the State visits referenced by the Deputy.
253. Deputy John Connolly asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of retired staff with pension entitlement within his Department who have seen their pension subjected to pension abatement following re-entering employment in the public sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44801/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraPension abatement is a principle which provides that where a retired public servant is re-engaged in the public service, their pension is abated (reduced) to the extent that their combined pension and remuneration would otherwise exceed the pensionable pay applicable to the post in which they were previously employed.
The principle is designed to ensure that a retired public servant does not receive a financial benefit from re-engagement over and above what they would have earned had they remained in their original post.
Abatement applies as a matter of policy to all retired public servants re-engaged in the public service. Whether abatement results in an actual reduction in pension in any individual case is dependent on the relationship between the individual’s pension entitlement and their re-engagement remuneration.
I am informed by the National Shared Services Office (NSSO) that as of 9 June 2026, there are two retired staff of my Department on the pension payroll database with a pension abatement.
254. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if a fund is available for community groups to apply for CCTV; if so, the details of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44855/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have requested the information sought by the Deputy. Regrettably, this was not available in time and I will write to the Deputy once the information is to hand.
