I thank the Deputy for her question. I welcome that yesterday the Comptroller and Auditor General's published his report for 2024. One of the items in it, as she identified, was a chapter on the management of IPAS contracts. That report is helpful because it sets out, what no doubt the Deputy believes as well as I believe, how spending on IPAS has increased significantly in recent years. In 2019, we spent €129 million on IPAS accommodation. Last year, we spent €1 billion. As the report indicates, however, the real driver of expenditure in this area is the number of residents in the system. In 2019, 7,683 residents were accommodated by IPAS. Last year, there were 32,700 and the real driver of the number of residents coming into the system is, being frank, the number of people applying for international protection. In 2022, 2023 and 2024, a total of 25,000 people came to Ireland and applied for international protection. That was significantly in excess of the numbers in the years prior to the Covid-19 pandemic. We also have to take into account that, as well as dealing with those people, we had to provide accommodation for 114,000 Ukrainians who had arrived. The effect of the arrivals and the increase in the accommodation requirements was that we went from a situation in 2019 when the State had 78 centres to a situation in 2024 that it had 324 centres. The Deputy correctly identified that issues raised by the Comptroller and Auditor General were precontract due diligence, precontract compliance and the VAT issue. I want her to know, however, that I have taken steps to ensure we are getting better value for money. This year, I renegotiated over 100 contracts. I have been informed that the saving to the State resulting from those renegotiations is in the region of over €50 million. I have also terminated 12 contracts for a variety of reasons, including inadequate services being provided and inadequate quality. We need to recognise, in respect of the VAT issue, which was brought to my attention by the Department, that the overpayment of VAT was brought to the attention of the Department and Revenue by the provider. It indicated that there had been an overpayment because of charges being imposed on accommodation that is not VATable, while food is VATable. My understanding is that the money has been reconciled and repaid and that no further moneys are outstanding. However, to ensure we can reduce our expenditure in this area, I am seeking to move from commercial enterprise provision to State enterprise provision. I had a good engagement with the Deputy's colleague, Deputy Carthy's committee on the subject of IPAS. The reason I want to move to State provided accommodation is that at present it costs €30,000 per annum to accommodate an asylum seeker in private accommodation, whereas it costs €12,000 per annum in State accommodation. That is why this year I have been able to increase the number of State units from 900 last year to 4,000 this year. The objective of the Government is to get to 14,000 accommodation units by 2028. Steps are being taken. However, I have sympathy for Deputy O'Gorman who was the Minister when the surge happened and had to provide accommodation. I have no doubt the pressures on the Government at the time resulted in contracts being entered into that we would not enter into now.
Sentiment score: 0.13
All of the contracts are being reviewed as they are come up for expiration. That is why I have managed to bring about a situation where we have achieved savings of over €50 million this year as a result of renegotiating 100 contracts. The Deputy asked whether or not I accept the recommendations of the Comptroller and Auditor General. It is apparent from the report and if the Deputy read it she could see-----
Sentiment score: -0.07
-----that in respect of each recommendation, the response of the Department of justice is agreed. We agree with the findings set out in the Comptroller and Auditor General’s report. What we need to do, however, is to try to ensure that we can reduce the cost on the State. We have a new rate card in place which will ensure we pay lesser amounts for the accommodation. The new average is €71 per person per night. That is significantly down on what it was previously. However, we need to recognise what is the driver of it is the number of people seeking accommodation.
Sentiment score: 0.28
I will certainly ensure there are efficiencies in the system. I am achieving efficiencies in the system. I want to get more State accommodation purchased but we need to recognise that when the contracts are coming up for negotiation, I and my Department will ensure that we get the best deal possible for the State.
Sentiment score: 0.68
I thank the Deputy for her question. I did see the “Prime Time” programme two weeks ago and I thought it was very concerning. It was an issue of considerable concern to me, not that fact that I or, indeed, other politicians were identified in it, but the potential that was there for brokers, of whom we were unaware, to sell on the market details about an individual’s movements. Obviously, from a security point of view, that could be an extremely serious matter if it was the case that individuals could identify the movement of individuals such as gardaí or prison officers. I am extremely concerned about it. In the aftermath of the programme, I met with officials in my Department and asked them to engage with the DPC which, as the Deputy correctly pointed out, has statutory responsibility for this area. My information is that the DPC has used the statutory powers it has already to investigate this matter. As a result of its investigations, it has been able to identify that one of the two entities identified in the “Prime Time” programme is based in Ireland. I understand the DPC has visited its offices for the purposes of continuing its investigation. I am also aware that the other entity that was identified in the programme that is selling what is personal data is based not in Ireland but in another EU country. I am informed by the DPC that it has contacted the equivalent of the DPC in that country and notified it of it. The Deputy asked why I did not do anything sooner. Just because I did not announce it does not mean I am not doing something. I have given her an indication of what has been done in the two weeks since the programme. It is important to point out that the Data Protection Commissioner has very considerable powers under the data protection legislation that this House has enacted. Under those powers, they are responsible to protect the personal data of individuals in this country. If one looks at what was revealed in the “Prime Time” programme, what was most concerning was that individuals' movements could be so readily identified and also sold on. We do not want to find ourselves in a situation where that type of personal data as to where a person is going on a daily basis is available for sale on the commercial market. On what the commission is continuing to do, it is, as the Deputy knows, fully independent in the exercise of its functions but it does engage with officials in my Department. I am satisfied that the investigation that has commenced is ongoing and we will get to the bottom of who these data brokers are. Personal data is very clear when we identify it. It is unquestionably the case that the movements of an individual - whether he or she is a TD or not is irrelevant - being sold on the market for the purpose of commercial enterprise or more nefarious activity is unacceptable.
Sentiment score: 0.08
I am not going to identify the other EU country as of yet.
Sentiment score: 0.00
I do not want to put the focus on that country or the entity. In terms of the issues that arise, one of the difficulties is that many of us have granted permission to use apps to gain certain services on our mobile phones, for instance weather apps, location apps or maps. This can have the impact that we are giving information out about our location. I am not suggesting all responsibility should rest on the individual but certainly since that programme aired, I have turned off any of the location apps on my phone and I recommend to other Deputies that they do the same. We can turn them on when we need to use them or when we need to use a map.
Sentiment score: 0.34
Of course it does not but notwithstanding that, if we manage to put ourselves in a situation where we are not making the information available it cannot then subsequently be sold on. This is a recommendation I make. It is certainly inappropriate for it to be sold on and I know the DPC is looking at it. Further engagement will take place in respect of it.
Sentiment score: 0.27
I have not noticed any elbows out at Cabinet when it comes to budget negotiations. In fairness to Ministers, their objective is to try to ensure they can get sufficient resources to fund their Department for the year ahead. In my area of justice, it is something I am seeking to do but I also have to be conscious and responsible that we need to keep restraint on public spending. Notwithstanding that, we find ourselves in a unique position in this country whereby we have a very large surplus. We are not in the position that other countries find themselves, whereby they do not have a surplus. Many countries cannot agree spending in any specific area. It is also important to point out that this did not happen by accident. The surplus we have arises as a result of political decisions that were made by Governments of the past. When Deputy Cairns is criticising this Government, she should just recall the fact that the reason we are in such a sound financial state is decisions made by previous Governments, and they deserve credit for them. We decided we would try to adopt an open economy that would attract in outside investment and have the effect of creating large surpluses that we could spend for the benefit of our citizens. I agree with some of the Deputy's criticism regarding what the Comptroller and Auditor General identified in his report. I previously replied to Deputy McDonald in respect of the chapter on IPAS. Deputy Cairns identified another chapter in the report relating to wholly unnecessary expenditure by An Garda Síochána in respect of rooms for the Europa League final last year that subsequently were not used. This type of spending should not have occurred. The Garda has accepted the recommendations of the Comptroller and Auditor General in his report and recognises it should not book rooms that far in advance and, if it does so, that it does not need to book them all. It also needs to ensure it has an appropriate cancellation policy in place to ensure the State and the Garda are not left in a position whereby they have to meet such a large bill for unused accommodation. I am very pleased that the Social Democrats will launch its prebudget submission late. I have no doubt that the Ministers, Deputies Donohoe and Chambers, will give careful consideration to it. I note what the Deputy said about some of the proposals the party is putting out there. I have no doubt that, together with Deputy O'Callaghan, she has carefully crafted the expenditure to be spent on them. However, as the Taoiseach said yesterday, this comes down to a matter of choices. The choices that Deputy has identified may all be creditable and appropriate but they will have an impact on other types of expenditure. I can assure her that the Government will give consideration to the Social Democrats budget. I cannot give any assurance that we will adopt the policies put out in its budget. It is not the case, however, that simply because they are in the Social Democrats' budget, we will not give them consideration. The Ministers will, and the Deputy will be able to find out what is in the budget next week.
Sentiment score: 0.16
It is unfair of her to describe the budget introduced last year as "a giveaway on steroids". When the one-off measures were introduced, I do not recall anyone in opposition describing them as that. In fact, they were wholeheartedly accepted and there was no criticism of them by Opposition Members.
Sentiment score: -0.31
Child poverty is an extremely important issue from the point of view of the Government. I have no doubt that when Members see the budget that will be announced next week they will see recognition given to the importance of child poverty from the Government's point of view. In terms of a second tier of children's allowance, as the Deputy identified, I cannot give an assurance or confirmation as to what will be in the budget. I am sure the Deputy will have costed such measures and will appreciate that they will have significant consequences for expenditure elsewhere. I assure her that, as I identified before, the Ministers, Deputies Donohoe and Chambers, will give careful consideration to what is contained within the Social Democrats' pre-budget submission.
Sentiment score: -0.01
Gabhaim buíochas leis an Teachta as an gceist a chuir sí orm. Is ceist an-tábhachtach í. Bhí imní orm nuair a chonaic mé na daoine taobh amuigh den Dáil cúpla lá ó shin agus iad ar stailc ocrais. Beidh mé ag caint leis an Aire oideachais faoin gceist sin. I am also very concerned about what I have seen recently. This issue was raised with me last week by Deputy Michael Cahill. It is a matter of extreme concern that there are individuals who are making such dangerous efforts to make their point. It is a point they are making admirably but I urge them not to make it through hunger strike. Like the rest of us, the Deputy will be aware of the dangers such a strike poses to health. I ask those involved to try to engage. The Deputy made the point that there has not been engagement. However, I understand that officials from the Department of Education and Youth recently met directly with the group to listen to their concerns. The Minister, Deputy McEntee, also spoke to members of the group who were present during the passage of the Supports for Survivors of Residential Institutional Abuse Act 2025 in July. One of the points the Deputy made is that she wants the survivors to be provided with the HAA card they are demanding. I will point out that the supports for survivors Act enables the HSE to provide a package of ongoing health supports and services to survivors. This entitlement will be for life and will not be subject to means tests or periodic reviews. However, I acknowledge that some survivors have sought the provision of what they refer to as a "HAA card". It is important to note that the HAA card provided under the Health (Amendment) Act 1996 was introduced specifically to meet the very significant health needs of a particular group of individuals who contracted a serious and life-threatening condition. I believe it was individuals who had contracted hepatitis C as a result of the negligence of the State. The package of health supports to be provided under the supports for survivors Act is the same as that previously provided to survivors and former residents of the Magdalen laundry and mother and baby home institutions. The Act therefore provides that survivors of industrial schools and reformatories will be treated consistently in this regard. I am also aware that another of the concerns of the survivors is that they want a pension top-up payment. Again, it is acknowledged that there have been calls for the State to provide this pension payment to survivors and that payments of this type are made to survivors of the Magdalen laundries. However, it should be noted that those payments reflect the very particular circumstances involved, where the women in the Magdalen laundries were engaged in commercial work as adults, in some cases for many years, without appropriate contributions.
Sentiment score: -0.01
I will speak to the Minister, Deputy McEntee, in respect of the matters the Deputy has raised. It is unfair to say that the State does not face up to its financial responsibilities arising from terrible events that happened in the past. It clearly has done. I identified the Magdalen laundries scheme and other redress schemes that have been introduced. People have been provided for. I am conscious that the specific ask here relates to the pension and the HAA card. There are obviously consequences to decisions such as this. It will have an impact on other areas. I suspect the Deputy would join me in urging the individuals who are on hunger strike to come off it and to recognise that they can have engagement with the Government without the necessity of exposing their health to such danger. It is a very damaging experience for them. I urge them to end their strike. I will speak to the Minister, Deputy McEntee, in respect of the matter.
Sentiment score: -0.05